Site Assessments Related to Property Transfers
The purpose of a Site Assessment is to evaluate the potential for environmental liability based upon the current condition of a property and its prior use.
Connecticut as well as other states, have enacted legislation that directly or indirectly effects the transfer of property. In Connecticut this is the Super Lien Law which states that the State of Connecticut has first lien to any assets of a property to recover costs resulting from clean-up of contamination at the property by the State of Connecticut. In addition, Connecticut legislation also requires certification (in the form of a Negative Declaration) that commercial/industrial "establishments" have not been adversely impacted by hazardous wastes or that, if the site has been impacted, appropriate steps have been taken to address environmental impacts in accordance with State/Federal regulations and guidelines. In essence, it must be demonstrated that on-site hazardous wastes are being managed in accordance with hazardous waste regulations. As a result of these regulations, lending institutions now require environmental assessments of many sites prior to approving loan applications.
CCA conducts Phase I Assessments using information from current owner/tenants, previous owner/tenants, environmental regulatory databases, municipal files and personnel, environmental regulatory files, published information and maps, and a site walkover survey. A Phase II Assessment, which includes actual testing of on-site environmental conditions, should be conducted if any potential for environmental liabilities is discovered during the Phase I Assessment. Phase III Assessments (additional testing to more fully define the extent of environmental impact) and possibly site remediation may be required depending on the outcome of Phase I & II Assessments.
CCA can provide full assessment services, as well as design and supervision of remediation activities if found to be necessary.