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Phase I Site Assessments
Environmental Site Assessments

Great Plains Environmental offers fast, reliable due diligence services on commercial and private real estate throughout the upper Midwest. Our clients range from Buyers, Sellers, Realtors, and Lending Institutions. The following is a partial list of the due diligence services we have to offer:



Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

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Great Plains Environmental has performed numerous Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) throughout the upper Midwest. Our Phase I ESAs are performed in accordance with the ASTM E 1527-00 standard, which our personnel have extensive training. We perform Phase I ESAs on vacant, residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment will identify potential environmental contamination risks, but will not define the extent of these risks. The Assessment will determine if "recognized environmental conditions" are present on site according to ASTM E 1527-00 standards.
A Phase I ESA consists of:
  • Identifying any past or present property usage, waste disposal, hazardous material handling, or accidents, which may be of concern to the subject property.
  • Conducting a site walk through to determine if potential environmental hazards exist on the subject property.
  • Investigating available records and documents related to the property's history.
  • Contacting local and state regulatory agencies concerning the subject property and any incidences on nearby properties.
  • Interviewing past and present owners, occupants, employees, and neighbors for information related to accidents, spills or practices which may indicate environmental risks.
  • Conducting a search of records within the appropriate ASTM search distances concerning the subject property and/or neighboring properties.
  • Summarizing the information found during the Phase I ESA into a report listing "recognized environmental conditions", if present.

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Phase II Site Assessments
When "recognized environmental conditions" are present, a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) may be necessary. When a Phase II is necessary, Great Plains Environmental determines which "recognized environmental condition" the client wants addressed and the most efficient and cost effective way to investigate this "condition". The Phase II ESA usually requires an intrusive investigation (i.e. soil borings, geoprobes, and hand borings) to determine if the "recognized environmental condition", mentioned in the Phase I ESA, has actually impacted the subject property. The information gathered in the Phase II ESA is summarized in a Phase II Report, which will be reviewed by the client. Upon review of this report, the client will determine if remediation activities will be necessary to accomplish their goals.


Phase III Site Assessments
A Phase III Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) may be required when a Phase II ESA finds contamination above the recommended levels of the local, state, or federal regulations or upon a client's request. However, it is not very common for a Phase III ESA to be conducted. A Phase III ESA requires the subject property to be remediated to a satisfactory level, which satisfies all party's involved.


Transaction Screens
A Transaction Screen may be requested on a property, which has never been developed and the client is confident there are no recognized environmental conditions associated with the property. During a Transaction Screen the owners and occupants shall complete a questionnaire according to the ASTM E 1528 guidelines. After the questionnaire is completed our personnel will conduct a site visit to address the same questions. If recognized environmental conditions are found during the Transaction Screen, the user of the information will determine if additional investigation is necessary. If additional investigation is necessary, a Phase I ESA may need to be suggested.


Asbestos Inspections

An Asbestos Inspection is not part of the scope of work for a normal Phase I ESA. However, upon request, an Asbestos Inspection can be included as an attachment to the Phase I ESA report.

Great Plains Environmental has performed numerous asbestos inspections in North Dakota. An Asbestos Inspection should be conducted on structures built prior to 1980, which are likely to contain Asbestos Containing Material (ACM). The state of North Dakota requires an Asbestos Inspection prior to any remodeling or demolition work. An Asbestos Inspection consists of physically walking through the clients proposed structure to note any areas, which may have suspect ACM. Samples may be collected during the inspection if requested by the client. If a sample contains more than 1% asbestos it is considered ACM and must be dealt with prior to any remodeling or demolition work. If the inspection determines that ACM is found in an area where there is no scheduled remodeling or demolition work, and the material is not friable (easy to crumble), the material may be left in place.

If you have any questions or comments on Asbestos Inspections please contact our office for an estimate.