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To satisfy the requirements of Section 107 (a) (1) of
CERCLA, Phase I environmental site assessments (ESAs)
are most commonly performed in accordance with the
requirements outlined in the American Society for
Testing and Material (ASTM) Standard E 1527 and the
Federal All Appropriate Inquiries Rule. Potential
environmental liability associated with real estate is
minimized by satisfying environmental “due diligence”.
The Senior Staff has performed hundreds of Phase I
ESAs at sites located in 25 states and two foreign
countries. Duncklee & Dunham does not mass produce
Phase I ESA reports. We perform approximately 50
Phase I ESAs per year, most commonly for our repeat
customers.
The types of facilities audited include manufacturing
facilities, agrichemical businesses, UST sites,
commercial establishments, and undeveloped
properties. Our Phase I ESAs are most commonly
performed for municipal governments, law firms, a
major southeastern U.S. agricultural cooperative, and
other commercial and private industrial clients.
Based on data collected by EDR, Inc. for the
environmental consulting industry (EDR’s 2004
Benchmarking Survey of Environmental Professionals,
December 2004), approximately 50% of Phase I ESA
tasks are performed by personnel with less than five
years of experience.
 At Duncklee & Dunham, over 90% of the project tasks
for Phase I ESAs are performed by professionals with
over 15 years experience. Furthermore, each of our
Phase I ESAs is peer reviewed by a senior level
professional with at least 15 years of experience.
Our Phase I ESA personnel meet the EPA “All
Appropriate Inquiries” rule for qualification as an
environmental professional.
The typical scope of work for a Phase I ESA includes a
review of available public records and the performance
of a site reconnaissance by an environmental
professional. During the site reconnaissance, the
grounds of the site and surrounding properties are
visually examined for evidence of USTs, the storage or
disposal of hazardous substances, stressed vegetation,
land subsidence, or other indications of potential
environmental liability. Photographs are taken to
document the site features.
Duncklee & Dunham commonly contracts with EDR, Inc.,
the largest provider of public record search
information for environmental audits in the country.
In addition, we check with local authorities and
review past aerial photographs. After the completion
of the site reconnaissance and a review of the public
record information, a verbal report is provided.
A written report follows that contains a description
of site observations, maps, public record information,
color copies of site photographs, and presents our
findings. Every Duncklee & Dunham report, including
all of our Phase I ESA reports, is peer reviewed by a
senior level professional with at least 15 years of
experience in the environmental field.
If there is concern that petroleum products or
hazardous substances may have impacted the site, Phase
II activities may be recommended. This may include
the collection of soil or ground water samples in
areas of concern.
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