Background
To support a property sale, a natural gas utility company contracted with Applied Geology and Environmental Science, (AGES), Inc. to conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) at a property located in Wetzel County, West Virginia. The Phase I ESA was completed based on new guidelines presented in the Final All Appropriate Inquires (AAI) regulation.
Phase I ESA Project Work
To allow the transaction to proceed, AGES performed a Phase I of an approximate 3.5-acre property, located in Wetzel County, West Virginia. The site consists of a single rectangular shaped parcel of land with four (4) structures: Compressor Building, Machine Shop, Office/Warehouse, and Garage. The scope of the project included:
1.) Conducting a site visit;
2.) Interviews with the property owner and local authorities;
3.) Review of topographic and aerial photos, EDR database results, and local newspapers;
4.) Environmental lien search; and
5.) Investigating history of site ownership.
Based on preliminary information gathered, AGES noted three (3) environmental concerns based on previously reported findings. The concerns were reported to the client on a timely basis.
Special Features
By completing the Phase I under the new AAI regulations, the property transaction was able to be completed in a timely manner. New AAI regulations required AGES to complete additional interviews, review local records and complete a more thorough lien and title search to identify any data gaps.
