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St. Louis, Missouri Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

Conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I ESA) in St. Louis, Missouri, is essential for mitigating risk in commercial real estate transactions. As a leading authority in Phase I ESAs, Partner possesses a comprehensive understanding of how these assessments serve the commercial and multi-family real estate sectors. With an expansive international presence, Partner delivers Phase I ESA reports across the North America, Mexico, and Europe, catering to both U.S.-based and international commercial real estate lenders. Our environmental reports are widely trusted and endorsed by a diverse array of stakeholders, including lenders, investors, corporations, and attorneys. Partner’s approach extends beyond identifying issues; we are committed to delivering comprehensive solutions.

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

Recognized as the benchmark for assessing environmental liabilities in commercial real estate, the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is crucial for evaluating properties of various types, including industrial, commercial, mixed-use, and multifamily. Partner excels in evaluating both the historical and current uses of properties, adhering to the ASTM E1527 Standard, with expertise in the 2013 and 2021 revisions. Our Phase I ESAs are conducted by qualified Environmental Professionals who comply with the EPA’s All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) Standard.

With experience in Phase I ESAs predating the establishment of ASTM Standards, Partner has contributed to the development and updates of these standards. Having completed assessments on hundreds of thousands of properties, we provide our clients with unparalleled expertise and insights for every property type.

State & Local Resources

Additional St. Louis, Missouri state and local information about Phase I Environmental Site Assessment can be obtained from the following resources:

Frequently Asked Questions

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) in St. Louis, Missouri involves a thorough investigation of a property’s environmental history. Here are the key steps:
  1. Historical Records Review: Researchers examine property records to understand past land use and identify potential environmental risks.
  2. Site Inspection: Experts visit the property to assess current conditions, including any signs of contamination, spill residues, or hazardous materials.
  3. Interviews: They interview current and previous owners, occupants, and site managers to gather additional information about the property’s history.
  4. Regulatory Record Review: Researchers check federal, state, local, and tribal records related to water quality, soil contamination, and other environmental issues.
  5. Risk Evaluation: The assessment evaluates risks from neighboring properties and identifies any recognized environmental conditions (RECs).
  6. Vapor Intrusion Assessment: Level 1 assessments examine potential vapor encroachment and intrusion.
Common reasons for conducting a Phase I study include property purchases, loan approvals, changes in land use, and regulatory compliance. Keep in mind that asbestos-containing materials are typically not surveyed during Phase I inspections, but suspect materials may be noted.
Common issues include underground storage tanks, old industrial operations, urban fill materials, groundwater impacts, and proximity to sites like landfills, rail corridors, manufacturers, etc.
While not typically a core component, some St. Louis ESA firms may note suspicious building materials that could contain asbestos.

Digging Deeper


What Makes St. Louis, Missouri Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Different

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment in St. Louis, Missouri are unique due to several factors:

  • Industrial History: St. Louis has a long industrial history dating back to the 19th century, with industries like lead mining, steel production, and manufacturing. This legacy industry can leave environmental impacts like soil and groundwater contamination that need to be evaluated during a Phase I ESA.
  • Karst Topography: Parts of the St. Louis area are underlain by karst terrain – landscapes formed by the dissolution of soluble bedrock like limestone and dolomite. This can create unique subsurface pathways for contaminant migration that need consideration.
  • Flood Plains: The city’s location near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers means some properties are in flood plain areas, which can influence environmental conditions and risks.
  • Regulatory Programs: Missouri has its own state environmental regulations and programs, like the Missouri Risk-Based Corrective Action (MRBCA), that Phase I consultants need to take into account alongside federal standards.
  • Historic Fill: Older urban areas like St. Louis commonly used soil and waste material as fill when developing land, which can be a source of contamination focused on during the Phase I process.
  • Lead and Asbestos: As with many older cities, St. Louis may have a higher prevalence of buildings containing lead-based paint or asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). While a standard Phase I ESA doesn’t include testing for these materials, the assessor might flag the possibility based on the property’s age and construction.

While the overall Phase I ESA process follows standard national practices laid out in ASTM E1527, the specific industrial/land use history and geology/hydrology of the St. Louis region creates some nuances that local environmental professionals need to be well-versed in. But in general, an experienced environmental consultant can account for these St. Louis-area factors.

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