Practice Areas

• Personal Injury
• Zadroga Bill
• Social Security Disability
• Workers' Compensation
• Real Estate Law
• Business Law
• Franchise Law

What is an "Environmental Site Assessment" also known as a "Phase I"?

A: An Environmental Site Assessment, also referred to as an "ESA" or "Phase I", is a preliminary investigation and study of real property used to identify a possible history of contamination.  When purchasing real property that was/is the site of industrial activity or is utilized by a business susceptible to contamination issues such as a gas station, car wash or lube center it is imperative that the purchaser of real property obtain an environmental site assessment to determine the possible existence of land contamination.  The initial Phase I, ESA, involves only a "paper" review of the property's "environmental history" and does not involve soil samples.  If the initial ESA determines the possible existence of contamination, further studies will be necessary.  If you are considering the purchase or lease of commercial property and/or a business in Staten Island, New York or New Jersey then it is critical that you speak to your lawyer about obtaining an ESA.