Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA)
Phase I ESAs are commonly used to evaluate environmental conditions and potential contamination risks and, when conducted consistent with AAI requirements, can support eligibility for certain CERCLA liability protections. EPA guidance ties Phase I ESAs (including those funded by EPA Brownfields grants) to compliance with the AAI Final Rule.
- Where it applies
- Federal (AAI); NYS/NYC (used in practice)
- When it comes up
- Due diligence; site acquisition
- Property types
- All, especially redevelopment and industrial legacy sites
In practice
In operator workflows, Phase I is often an early "screen" that determines whether Phase II sampling is necessary before committing to a fixed-price remediation budget.
Read more in the Knowledge Base
- Environmental Risk in Former Industrial AreasBuyers
- Selling Vacant Land - Environmental Assessment, Buildability, and Buyer FinancingSellers
- Environmental Hazard Screening for New York Residential PropertyBuyers
Related terms
Environmental and Due Diligence
- Action (SEQRA)
- All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI)
- Brownfield
- Brownfield Cleanup Agreement (BCA)
- Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP)
- Certificate of Completion (COC)
- City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR)
- Conditioned Negative Declaration (CND)
- Decision Document
- Determination of Significance
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.