ANDERSON PSOMAS
Home → Environmental → Phase I ESA
Environmental Due Diligence

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

Anderson Psomas performs Phase I ESAs in Utah and the Intermountain West according to ASTM E1527-21. Our assessments identify Recognized Environmental Conditions for lenders, buyers, and title companies during commercial and industrial real estate transactions.

ISNetworld Verified·Avetta Verified·PE Licensed: UT, NV, ID·Same business day response
Deliverable
PE-stamped report
Timeline
2–4 weeks
Investment
$2,500–$5,000
Coverage
UT · NV · ID · WY · CO
Standard
ASTM E1527-21
Kevin Cosper · Environmental Group Lead · PE #12345
(801) 972-6222

What is a Phase I ESA?

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is a systematic evaluation of a property's environmental condition. The assessment identifies potential contamination from hazardous substances or petroleum products through four investigation components: historical research, regulatory database review, site reconnaissance, and interviews with current and past owners.

Industrial facilities require Phase I ESAs for property transactions, regulatory compliance, and liability protection under CERCLA's innocent landowner defense. Without a current Phase I, buyers assume strict liability for any existing contamination — regardless of whether they caused it.

When do you need a Phase I ESA?

  • Acquiring commercial or industrial property and need CERCLA liability protection
  • Lender requires environmental due diligence for financing
  • Refinancing an existing facility with a new lending institution
  • Portfolio transaction requiring environmental risk assessment across multiple properties
  • Regulatory agency requesting current environmental baseline documentation

What you receive

  • PE-stamped Phase I ESA report compliant with ASTM E1527-21
  • Historical land use analysis from 1940 or first development to present
  • Federal, state, and tribal regulatory database review
  • Site reconnaissance with photographic documentation
  • Findings summary with identified RECs, CRECs, and HRECs
  • Recommendations for Phase II investigation if warranted

How it works

  1. Scoping & AuthorizationKevin reviews the property details, confirms scope, and provides a fixed-fee proposal. Most proposals delivered same business day.
  2. Records ResearchHistorical aerials, Sanborn maps, city directories, building permits, and regulatory databases reviewed across the property's full ownership history.
  3. Site ReconnaissanceLicensed environmental professional conducts on-site visual inspection. Interviews current owner/occupant. Photographic documentation of all observations.
  4. Report & FindingsPE-stamped report within 2–4 weeks. Preliminary findings in 10 business days for time-sensitive transactions.
Kevin Cosper
Environmental Group Lead
PE #12345 — UT · NV · ID

"I manage industrial environmental projects personally — from initial scoping through report delivery. You work with me directly, not a project coordinator."

(801) 972-6222kevin@andersoneng.com
· ISNetworld · Avetta · ASTM E1527-21

From the field

Aerial: Former industrial property — Salt Lake County, Utah
Fig. 1 — Refinery Phase I & II, Salt Lake City, UT. 12-acre former petroleum storage facility. Phase I identified three RECs from 40 years of operations, leading to targeted Phase II soil and groundwater sampling.
Staining at former UST location
Fig. 2 — Surface staining during reconnaissance at former underground storage tank location.
Sanborn fire insurance map, 1952
Fig. 3 — 1952 Sanborn map showing chemical storage predating current ownership.

Utah & Intermountain West experience

200+
Phase I ESAs
15
Years in Utah
22
Jurisdictions

Salt Lake County · Utah County · Davis County · Weber County · Summit County · Wasatch County · Tooele County · Box Elder County · Cache County · Washington County · Iron County · Juab County — and projects across Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and Arizona.

Related services

Phase II Environmental InvestigationRef. ENV-002
If RECs are identified, the same engineer leads soil and groundwater sampling. No handoff between firms.
Transaction ScreensRef. ENV-003
Lighter-scope alternative when full ASTM assessment isn't required. Faster turnaround for lower-risk properties.
ALTA/NSPS SurveysRef. SRV-001
Bundle with Phase I for complete transaction due diligence. One firm, one invoice, one schedule.
Brownfields AssessmentRef. ENV-004
For properties with known contamination history. Regulatory pathway and redevelopment feasibility.
Transaction Services BundleRef. ENV-005
Fixed-price ESA + ALTA packages for title companies and lenders processing multiple transactions.

Related project work

Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County · 2024

Commercial Acquisition Due Diligence

Phase I and ALTA for a 6-property industrial portfolio. Identified releases at two parcels, triggering Phase II before closing.

Environmental · Survey
Tooele County
Tooele County · 2023

Industrial Facility Compliance

Compliance audit found SPCC gaps and PFAS risk. Coordinated environmental, structural, and remediation through one PM.

Environmental · Structural · Civil
Federal Land
Federal Land (UT/NV) · 2024

Lender Environmental Requirement

Transaction screen escalated to Phase I. ISNetworld enabled access to active mineral processing. Completed within 30-day window.

Environmental

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Phase I ESA take for industrial facilities?
Typically 2–4 weeks from authorization to final report. Complex sites may require additional time. Preliminary findings in 10 business days for time-sensitive transactions.
What triggers a Phase II investigation?
Recommended when the Phase I identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions — evidence of releases of hazardous substances or petroleum products.
Does my lender accept Anderson's Phase I reports?
Yes. ASTM E1527-21 compliant, PE-stamped. Accepted for SBA loans, CMBS financing, conventional lending, and regulatory submissions to Utah DEQ and EPA Region 8.
Can Anderson handle the Phase II if contamination is found?
Yes. Same engineer leads both phases. Kevin already knows the site history, regulatory context, and property conditions. No handoff between firms.

Ready to start your assessment?

Kevin responds same business day with scope and fee. Fixed-price proposal before work begins.

Request a proposal
(801) 972-6222Talk to Kevin directly
© 2026 Anderson Psomas · Saratoga Springs, Utah