CES CES Environmental Site Assessment & Investigation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) primarily designed to identify?
- Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) (Correct answer)
- Structural defects in buildings
- Zoning code violations
- Property tax assessment discrepancies
Correct answer: Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs)
A Phase I ESA identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs), which indicate the presence or likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products on a property.
Question 2: Which ASTM standard governs Phase I Environmental Site Assessments in the US?
- ASTM E1527-21 (Correct answer)
- ASTM D4318
- ASTM E2790
- ASTM C150
Correct answer: ASTM E1527-21
ASTM E1527-21 is the standard practice for Phase I ESAs and satisfies the EPA's All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) rule under CERCLA.
Question 3: What does 'All Appropriate Inquiries' (AAI) refer to in environmental site assessment?
- The federal pre-purchase environmental due diligence standard under CERCLA (Correct answer)
- A requirement to interview all neighboring property owners
- A checklist for air quality monitoring prior to construction
- A hazardous waste manifest completion procedure
Correct answer: The federal pre-purchase environmental due diligence standard under CERCLA
AAI is the federal standard under CERCLA defining the due diligence process prospective purchasers must complete to qualify for innocent landowner liability protections.
Question 4: During a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, which activity is typically performed?
- Soil borings and groundwater sampling (Correct answer)
- Title search and deed review
- Regulatory agency file review
- Aerial photograph interpretation
Correct answer: Soil borings and groundwater sampling
Phase II ESAs involve intrusive investigation activities such as soil borings and groundwater sampling to physically characterize potential contamination identified in Phase I.
Question 5: What is a 'Recognized Environmental Condition' (REC) as defined in ASTM E1527-21?
- The presence or likely presence of hazardous substances indicating a release to the environment (Correct answer)
- A currently valid environmental discharge permit
- A regulated wetland located on the subject property
- A permitted underground storage tank in active service
Correct answer: The presence or likely presence of hazardous substances indicating a release to the environment
A REC is defined as the presence or likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products under conditions that indicate a release or threatened release.
Question 6: What is a 'Historical Recognized Environmental Condition' (HREC)?
- A past release addressed to regulatory satisfaction with no continuing obligation (Correct answer)
- An active leaking underground storage tank discovered during records review
- A current ongoing solvent release at an industrial facility
- A groundwater plume still migrating off-site
Correct answer: A past release addressed to regulatory satisfaction with no continuing obligation
An HREC refers to a past release that has been fully addressed to regulatory satisfaction, leaving no continuing obligation or significantly elevated risk.
CES CES Environmental Site Assessment & Investigation 1
What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) primarily designed to identify?