What is environmental site assessment?

Environmental site assessments are a process used in Virginia to evaluate a property to determine any existing or potential environmental liabilities. It is used to identify potential risks and liabilities associated with a site that could be impacted by its current or past usage. The assessment is important because it can help to protect against potential environmental hazards and reduce the potential of liability related to those hazards. The purpose of an environmental site assessment is to assess any existing or potential threats or hazards that may be associated with a certain site. An environmental site assessment typically includes an investigation of the site’s land use history, current land use, and operation records. Additionally, it reviews the properties adjacent to the site to evaluate potential contamination sources or pathways to the property. This review includes soil, water, and air quality analysis. The assessment is important because it can help to identify potential environmental liabilities that could affect the property or the people living in the area. Virginia requires environmental site assessments in certain instances, such as when a property is to be sold or redeveloped. This helps to ensure that cleanup of the site is conducted to meet state requirements. Additionally, environmental site assessments must be done whenever applying for a new environmental permit or an extension on an existing permit in Virginia. This helps the state ensure compliance with state environmental regulations.

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