Environmental Assessments | Morancc

At Moran Consultants, we help clients navigate environmental risk with clear, practical environmental assessments. From detailed environmental site assessments (ESAs) to customized due diligence reviews, our team provides the insights you need as a trusted environmental due diligence consultant, so you can move forward with confidence. Get in touch with us and see what Moran Consultants can do for you.

From Phase I to Desktop Reviews: What’s Right for You?

This video provides an overview of our environmental due diligence services, explaining the differences between Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Environmental Transaction Screens, and Desktop Reviews.

A Phase I ESA is a comprehensive, AAI-compliant review that supports CERCLA landowner liability protections and is a lender-accepted standard for environmental due diligence. Moran Consultants’ scope includes site reconnaissance, interviews, and a detailed review of regulatory databases and multiple historical sources to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs), Controlled Recognized Environmental Conditions (CRECs) and Historical Recognized Environmental Conditions (HRECs), with clear conclusions. Choose a Phase I ESA when financing or investor Phase I ESA requirements apply, when the site or vicinity has moderate-to-high risk uses, or when you need the most defensible level of diligence.

An Environmental Transaction Screen (ETS) is a streamlined environmental due diligence tool developed under ASTM E1528. It is designed for use in low-risk property transactions where the likelihood of contamination is minimal and liability protection under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) is not required.

Rather than conducting a full Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), the ETS offers a faster, lower-cost option for identifying readily observable or known environmental concerns. At Moran Consultants, our ETS process includes:

– A visual inspection of the property by a qualified environmental professional or trained personnel

– Completion of the ASTM-compliant Transaction Screen Questionnaire, which captures information from the site visit, available documents, and user knowledge

– A limited review of readily available records, such as one historical source (e.g., aerial photograph or fire insurance map) and basic environmental database summaries, if accessible

– A professional opinion on whether the findings warrant additional investigation or escalation to a Phase I ESA

An ETS may be appropriate when:

– The property has a low-risk use history (e.g., undeveloped land, residential, office)

– There is no known history of hazardous materials use, storage, or releases

– You do not need CERCLA liability protection or to comply with the All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) rule

– You need a quick, preliminary screening to inform an early-stage decision

– You are performing internal due diligence without external lender or investor requirements that may require a full Phase I ESA

red flags to in the event concerns): “While an ETS does not meet the threshold for legal liability protection, it can be a practical first step in risk evaluation. If the event concerns are identified during the ETS, Moran Consultants can assist in transitioning to a full Phase I ESA to further assess and mitigate potential environmental risks.

Desktop Environmental Reviews are non-invasive, research-based assessments conducted entirely without a physical site inspection. While they do not meet ASTM standards or All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) requirements, they offer useful environmental risk insight during early due diligence, underwriting, or internal review—especially when time, cost, or access is limited.

At Moran Consultants, we offer two levels of Desktop Review, tailored to different project needs: Regulatory Desktop Review & Regulatory + Historical Desktop Review

REGULATORY DESKTOP REVIEW

What’s Included:

– Review of federal, state, and local regulatory databases to identify environmental listings for the subject property and surrounding area

– Evaluation of proximity to sites with known releases, remediation, underground storage tanks, or hazardous materials use

– Summary letter or memo with a professional opinion on potential environmental risk based solely on regulatory data

Best For:

– Quick red-flag screening

– Low-risk properties

– Projects where only regulatory data is needed

REGULATORY + HISTORICAL DESKTOP REVIEW

What’s Included:

– Review of federal, state, and local regulatory databases to identify environmental listings for the subject property and surrounding area

– Review of readily available historical sources such as aerial photographs, fire insurance maps (Sanborns), and city directories

– Evaluation of historical property uses and surrounding development

– Professional opinion based on both regulatory and historical findings

Best For:

– Properties with unclear history

– Desktop screening before determining the need for Phase I ESA

– Internal due diligence or underwriting for low-risk properties

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COMPARISON CHART

A comparison table outlining features and differences among three types of Environmental Assessments for regulatory and historical use.

ABOUT US

Found in 1968, Moran Consultants is a nationally recognized consulting firm known for its in-house team of experts who specialize in delivering tailored due diligence solutions for developers, lenders, and syndicators. Our Environmental Transaction Screens (ETS) are conducted by seasoned professionals who understand the nuances of low-risk property transactions. Every assessment is customized to meet the specific needs of our clients, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and clarity. With decades of experience, we bring both technical precision and personalized service to every engagement.

We Are Happy to Deliver The Following Due Diligence Services:

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