Assessments

(1) ASTM Phase I & II Site Assessment, Ipswich, MA

CSE was retained by a potential property buyer to conduct an American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Phase I on a parcel of vacant land. During the site history research, CSE discovered that an adjoining property used to be a junkyard/salvage yard in the mid 1950's. Due to the proximity of this junkyard to the property, CSE recommended an ASTM Phase II to rule out a significant release of contaminants from the former junkyard. CSE oversaw the advancement of three bore holes and the installation of three monitoring wells. CSE conducted field screening and laboratory analyses of the soil samples, and returned to the property one week later to collect groundwater samples for laboratory analyses. The laboratory results indicated that there was not a significant release at the property, CSE submitted the ASTM Phase II report indicating this conclusion, and the real estate transaction was closed.

(2) Residential Underground Storage Tank Closure Assessment, Essex, MA

CSE was retained by a tank removal contractor to conduct a Underground Storage Tank (UST) Closure Assessment at a residential property. The purpose of the UST Closure Assessment was to determine if a significant release of #2 fuel oil had impacted the environment (i.e., soil and groundwater) from a UST at the site. The Assessment included observations of the UST and field screening of soil in the vicinity of the UST. CSE collected soil samples for laboratory analyses. The laboratory results indicated that there was not a significant release of #2 fuel oil at the property that would require notification to DEP (e.g., soil sample with a headspace > 100 ppmv). CSE submitted a formal UST Closure Assessment Report, in accordance with the UST Closure Assessment Manual (DEP policy), indicating this conclusion. The property owner will be able to use the UST Closure Assessment Report during re-financing or future real estate transactions to demonstrate that a significant release of #2 fuel oil from the UST did not impact the environment at the property.

(3) Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment with an ASTM Phase II, Gloucester, MA

CSE was retained by a Banker to conduct a Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment for a real estate transaction (21E). The property was located in a mixed commercial/residential setting. The Preliminary Assessment, included a site history, interviews with occupants and the owner, electronic records review (database search), and site walk-through identified two abutting gasoline stations. Based on this discovery, a Limited Subsurface Investigation (i.e., ASTM Phase II) was conducted at the property. Since access was limited (i.e., limited land to advance soil borings), CSE implemented a direct-push drilling technology (i.e., new technology) to advance a soil boring and install a monitoring well through the basement floor of the building. CSE collected soil and groundwater samples to analyze for petroleum contamination in this area. The Limited Subsurface Investigation indicated that the property was not impacted by a release of petroleum. CSE prepared and submitted the Limited Subsurface Investigation report with conclusions and the real estate transaction was closed.

(4) Site Assessment to Investigate a Suspected Release to the Environment, Ipswich, MA

A home inspector discovered a suspected petroleum sheen on surface water in a basement sump hole of a residential property in the process of a real estate transaction. CSE was retained to investigate the sheen and assess the likelihood of a release of petroleum to the sump hole with a 24 hour turn-around time to expedite the transaction. The assessment involved a site walk-through for observations and the preparation of a letter report. The report concluded that the suspected sheen was the result of a film of detrital (i.e., accumulated inorganic or organic) matter, likely related to decaying wood and leaves in the basement. The conclusion was made in the proposed time-frame, and the real estate transaction was closed.