ETTL Environmental Site or Property
Assessment (ESA) Services 
ETTL is staffed and equipped to carry out all aspects of Phase I, Phase II and Phase III ESAs as well as Transaction Screen Questionnaires (TSQs). If you are contemplating purchase, utilization, sale, foreclosure on, refinancing of, or possible remediation of a developed or undeveloped site, it can be crucial, needless to say, to determine and evaluate its current environmental condition. ETTL has carried out literally thousands of such assessments for its clients, and hence puts a wealth of experience and expertise at your disposal.
In addition, ETTL has recently joined with Advanced Ecology, Inc. (AEI), especially for large tract ESAs, to assure there will be no liabilities or constraints associated with the occurrence of endangered species or wetland habitats (click here for more information about this specialized service with AEI).
Above, soil samples are taken
as part of a Phase II ESA.
ETTL has TxDOT Precertification for Hazardous Material Assessment
as well as for a number of other key areas. Click here to see listing.
The person to talk to at ETTL for detailed information about the Company's ESA and TSQ capabilities is Steve Kennedy. These services are also briefly summarized immediately below.
Facts about ETTL's Phase I, II and III ESAs — and about TSQs
The Phase I ESA consists of a comprehensive study to provide an overview of the condition of a property under study, establishing the level of environmental risk that might be associated with its transfer and/or utilization. Phase I ESAs, which are carried out for surprisingly modest fees, divide into two major parts: (1) Development of a history, tracing ownership of the property back at least 50 years; and (2) An actual site inspection, including a reconnaissance of the surrounding area. Findings are summarized in a comprehensive report, including chain of title records; a property plat; maps (including site area topography, geology, oil and gas wells and wetlands); aerial photos, site and vicinity photos; and copies of regulatory agency data, which ETTLobtains via computer modem from organizations specializing in databases
listing all reported environmental "incidents" in the area of the site under study, as well as all "regulatory sites" (sites registered with the government that have operations involving hazardous wastes). During the course of the investigation, such governmental offices as the state department of transportation, state natural resources conservation offices, and the USDA, as well as local agencies, are contacted to see if any environmental problems have come to their attention that would have a bearing on the property. During the visit to the site itself, ETTL investigators take, if pertinent, radon and asbestos samples, as well as surface soil samples of suspicious areas, and they make photographic records of pertinent features and findings. Summaries of surface water characteristics and pertinent geological, hydrogeological and soil data are prepared for inclusion in the report. Conclusions and recommendations, based on these (and still other) data, are presented in a bound report. (As noted above, ETTL, in conjunction with Advanced Ecology, Inc., also can provide comprehensive ecological assessment services. Click here for more information about this specialized service.)
A Phase II ESA
would be carried out if the Phase I assessment indicated a strong likelihood that deleterious contamination was present in the site. The Phase II ESA could call for comprehensive drilling, sampling and analytical testing to more precisely define the type and extent of contamination, as well as to define appropriate remedial actions and related costs.
A Phase III ESA, if called for, would involve actual remediation, taking steps to restore the site to an acceptable condition. ETTL not only can carry out almost all types of remediation, but has its own highly effective, unique bioremediation technique for clean-up of a variety of media. See ETTL Bioremediation and Other Remediation Services.
A Transaction Screen Questionnaire (TSQ) is an abbreviated screening method following ASTM specifications to determine if a Phase I or Phase II assessment is called for. If it is concluded, via the TSQ, that a Phase I or II ESA need not be carried out, the TSQ is often acceptable in property transactions and screening in place of (and is considerably less expensive than) a full-fledged ESA. Unlike a Phase I ESA, a TSQ does not directly address such matters as oil well locations, wetlands impact, storm or surface water drainage, subsurface geology, or high-voltage distribution wires; nor are a documented title search or aerial photographs required. ETTL's Steve Kennedy can discuss with you the appropriateness of a TSQ for your particular property consideration: if a TSQ would provide sufficient legal documentation of environmental suitability.