GEOLOGY IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING - THE PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

Geologists working as environmental consultants perform a variety of services. One of the commonly performed tasks of the environmental consultant is to perform what is referred to as a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. These assessments are performed in accordance with EPA regulations, as well as a standard outlined by the American Society of Testing and Materials, and are usually done in conjunction with the sale or refinancing of real estate. The purpose of this presentation is to provide geologists interested in working in environmental consulting with information on how this service is performed, and to present some of the unusual findings uncovered on properties that appear to be environmentally “clean”. Based on the findings of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, additional services may be performed including soil and/or groundwater sampling, tank removal, Brownfields investigation, and/or remediation.