Services

GRand Environmental, LLC offers services including:

ASTM E-1527-21 Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

Our Phase I ESA involves a thorough property review by skilled Environmental Professionals (EPs) that includes a site reconnaissance survey (including investigation of adjacent properties) for possible sources of environmental contamination; a review of federal, state, and local regulatory agency records; interviews with appropriate government and private sector individuals familiar with the Subject Property; and examination of historical documents including aerial photographs, fire insurance maps, city directories and topographic maps.  Our personnel have education and experience with asbestos inspections necessary for environmental site assessments.  The conclusions of GRand’s Phase I ESA investigation are compiled in a detailed written report, which reveals findings of recognized environmental conditions (RECs) if any are identified, and discusses options for further Phase II remedial investigations, if necessary.

Phase II Environmental Site Assessments

There are many situations where a transaction screen or Phase I level of effort is sufficient; however, should conditions warrant additional study, a Phase II scope of work can be designed and implemented.  The Phase II ESA provides a means for identifying and characterizing environmental risks revealed during the Phase I assessment.  Phase II ESA’s include a variety of sampling and surveying methods intended to identify whether contamination is actually present on the property.  These methods include various forms of soil, soil gas and groundwater sampling and/or electromagnetic or ground penetrating radar (GPR) studies intended to look for subsurface anomalies including storage tanks, to name a few.  The scope of work for Phase II investigations is tailored to the site based on the results of the Phase I ESA and environmental conditions identified through that investigative process.  GRand Environmental takes the time to explain and discuss the appropriate level of additional investigation to protect your interests.

Baseline Environmental Assessments (Michigan)

Michigan’s former “Polluters Pay” law has been modified and recodified as 1994, P.A. 451, Part 201. Under 201, individuals or entities that will be purchasing or occupying contaminated property, and banks that acquire contaminated property, can reduce their liability for clean-up of contamination through the preparation of a Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA).  The BEA is an evaluation of environmental conditions which exist at the time of a property transaction so that future releases can be distinguished from existing contamination.  The BEA must be prepared prior to or within 45 days of purchase, occupancy or foreclosure, whichever is first.  The BEA is submitted to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) as a means to eliminate the liability of a purchaser, occupant or bank related to the identified contamination, assuming due care obligations are followed.  We use innovative techniques to cost-effectively conduct BEA’s to reduce liability for contamination our clients did not cause.

Documentation of Due Care Compliance (Michigan)

The objective of the Due Care Documentation is to evaluate conditions at the Subject Property and identify whether, and/or what, response activities are necessary to satisfy the “Due Care” obligations of Part 201.  Due care obligations require that an entity who owns or operates a ‘facility’ or contaminated property take reasonable precautions for the safe future use of the property according to its intended development and eventual use.  GRand’s services include preparation of Compliance Analysis reports and working with the necessary persons to implement the response activities in the most effective manner as well as completion of annual inspections or site follow-up when necessary.  GRand has experience preparing easy to read plans intended for property managers or detailed reports submitted for MDEQ review as a Response Activity Plan when Small Business Administration (SBA) financing is involved.

Transaction Screen Environmental Site Assessments

A Transaction Screen ESA is intended for low-risk properties and is a cost-effective means of screening a property prior to a transaction.  The ESA involves a site visit by skilled professionals including completion of the standard questionnaire, interviews with owners and/or operators as well as local fire personnel.  We will discern details of the property usage and surrounding area and conduct a search and review of historical fire insurance maps and information regarding nearby sites of contamination.  A brief report is completed which reveals investigation findings of environmental conditions and discusses options for further Phase I investigation or possibly Phase II investigation, if necessary.

Records Search with Risk Assessment

A Records Search with Risk Assessment (RSRA) is a screening tool developed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) to screen low-risk properties for financing purposes.  These investigations are combined with an Environmental Questionnaire completed by the lending institution on properties that meet specific NAICS code criteria.  RSRA’s include a regulatory database search and review of limited historical sources for the Subject Property and adjoining properties, but do not include a site visit or interviews with property owners or knowledgeable governmental agencies.  A review of the data is performed by an Environmental Professional to conclude if there is a Low, Elevated or High Risk for contamination on the property.  The SBA requires that if the risk is determined to be Elevated or High, a Phase I ESA is required.

Asbestos Assessment Services

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral having beneficial properties, was widely used for decades in many residential, commercial, and industrial construction applications. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen when inhaled and poses serious health risks to both individuals and to large populations.  By June of 1978, the federal government had banned the use of friable asbestos containing building materials (ACBMs).  Even though the government banned use of these materials, ACBMs were often available for installation.  Because the pathway of concern is inhalation, ACBMs pose a threat when they are in a friable state.  GRand’s certified personnel can assist you with the investigation and identification of ACBMs.

NEPA Assessments

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assessments are investigations required to obtain federal funding for development projects (i.e., MSHDA, HUD, EPA, etc.).  NEPA is the law which requires compliance of all Federal actions with national environmental policy and requires an environmental assessment be carried out to determine whether the project will or will not have a significant impact on the human environment.  The environmental assessment must include the purpose and need of the project, feasible alternatives, environmental impacts of the proposed project and a listing of agencies and persons consulted.  Some of the impacts addressed include ecological, aesthetic, historic, cultural, economic, social and health.  Several local, regional and national sources are consulted and an environmental assessment checklist and statutory checklist are completed to determine if any impacts are significant.  If no impacts are determined to be significant, a final report is prepared and submitted with other necessary and relevant documentation to the agency.  If impacts are determined to be significant, additional environmental assessment activities (including an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)) may be necessary prior to approval.  GRand has been named one of only eight pre-qualified consultants to provide NEPA Assessments to MSHDA, and we are the only consultant that is a Women Owned Business.

Comments are closed.