Environmental Site Assessments, sometimes referred to
simply as Environmental Assessments or Site Assessments, are composed
of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) and a Phase
II Environmental Site Assessment (Phase II ESA).
A Phase I ESA, often referred to as Preliminary Assessment,
identifies potential liabilities through site inspection and historical
review. Phase I ESAs are non-intrusive investigative research conducted
to obtain as much detailed site history as possible without having to
sample and analyze the site. A Phase I ESA is composed of a preliminary
assessment which is the process of collecting and reviewing available
information about known or suspected hazardous wastes storage, spills,
releases and contamination. Typical characteristics associated with
brownfield properties include soil, surface water and/or groundwater
impacted by former operations, stored or buried infrastructure, chemicals,
waste, hazardous materials and spills or illegal disposal.
- An EcoLog ERIS report provides environmental risk information
for any property in Canada in a cost effective, timely and convenient
manner. An ERIS report is an accepted standard for the Records Review
process in Canada. Click here for more information or to order an
ERIS Report.
A Phase II ESA, often referred to as a Site Investigation,
is an intrusive investigation and assessment of a property, which can
entail sampling of building materials, surface and subsurface media.
These may include sections within a brownfield site, the entire property
itself and physical pathways to human exposure and off-site migration.
A Phase II ESA investigates and confirms the ‘Areas of Concern’ identified
through the Phase I ESA and determines the site characteristics (chemicals,
contamination and concentrations) present to the extent of the investigation
performed. This data is necessary to file a Record of Site Condition
(RSC) and perform a Risk Assessment.
Site Assessment Standards
Across Canada, site characterization is guided by several standards
or guidance documents that vary from province to province and through
federal properties. Although Environmental Site Assessments are not
a legal requirement throughout Canada, the Canadian Standards Association
(CSA) standard has become accepted in Canada as reasonable environmental
'due diligence' for property transactions. It is acknowledged as appropriate
environmental 'risk assessment' for real estate investments. The CSA
states that a public records review shall be conducted and should
provide an assessor with an in-depth understanding of a site’s history.
Appropriate measures should be taken to document possible sources
of hazardous waste, other sources of contamination and liability.
The standard requires that the assessor also consider adjacent properties
and any relevant information that is 'reasonably ascertainable'.
- Phase I ESAs are guided by the Canadian Standards Association
(CSA) Standard Z768 (1994) -
CAN/CSA-768-01
This Standard establishes the principles and practices that are
applicable to a Phase I ESA. It is intended to provide a consistent
framework and minimum requirements for conducting Phase I ESAs that
can accommodate broader regulatory and liability requirements, as
well as address pertinent site-specific requirements. This framework
involves preparing for and undertaking an investigation and interpreting
and reporting on the information gathered. This Standard may be
used prior to using CSA Standard Z769.
- Phase II ESAs are guided by the Canadian Standards Association
(CSA) Standard Z769 (1998) -
CAN/CSA-Z769-00
This Standard establishes the principles and practices that are
applicable to a Phase II ESA. It is intended to provide a consistent
framework and minimum requirements for conducting Phase II ESAs
that can accommodate broader regulatory and liability requirements,
as well as address pertinent site-specific requirements. This framework
involves developing a sampling plan, preparing for and undertaking
an investigation for sampling and measuring, and interpreting and
reporting on the information gathered. This Standard is intended
as a follow-up to CSA Standard Z768.
- Ontario
- In Ontario the requirements for a Phase I ESA are now prescribed
by regulation. These requirements must be followed if the Phase
I ESA is to be used as part of a RSC (Record of Site Condition)
process. The RSC requirements follow the Canadian Standards
Association (CSA) Standard Z768, with an important exception.
- The requirements for a Phase II ESA are now prescribed by
regulation. These requirements must be followed if the Phase
II ESA is to be used as part of a RSC process. The RSC requirements
follow the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z769.
- Further details can be found on the Brownfields Toolbox (Legal
Framework)
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