Transaction Screening Services
for Midland, TX; Odessa, TX; Hobbs, NM; Carlsbad, NM; Abilene, TX; San Angelo, TX; Lubbock, TX; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Lafayette, LA & the Surrounding Areas
A transaction screen assessment is a limited, cost-effective environmental due diligence report used in property transactions to identify potential environmental concerns. It involves a questionnaire, a site visit, historical records review, and a limited government database search to determine if a more comprehensive Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is needed. This is a less extensive process than a Phase I ESA and does not qualify for certain legal protections, such as the Innocent Landowner Defense.
What It Includes
- Client Questionnaire: Completed by the property owner and/or occupants to gather information on potential environmental concerns
- Site Visit: A visual inspection of the property by a professional
- Limited Historical Research: Review of sources like historical aerial photographs, city directories, and Sanborn fire insurance maps to understand past land use
- Limited Regulatory and Database Search: A review of publicly available records for nearby hazardous waste sites or other compliance issues
- Interviews: Conversations with key personnel familiar with the property
Purpose and Use
- Cost-Effective Due Diligence: It is a less expensive and time-consuming option than a full Phase I ESA, suitable for lower-risk properties or when a full assessment is deemed unnecessary.
- To Determine the Need for a Phase I ESA: The assessment acts as a screening tool. If the transaction screen identifies potential environmental concerns, it may lead to a recommendation for a more comprehensive Phase I ESA.
- SBA Loans: The Small Business Administration (SBA) often uses Transaction Screen Assessments for certain low-risk properties in the loan qualification process.
Limitations
- Not a Full-Phase I ESA: A transaction screen does not meet the EPA's standard for “All Appropriate Inquiries.”
- Does Not Provide Legal Protection: It does not qualify a user for certain legal defenses, such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Landowner Liability Protections.
eTech Environmental & Safety Solutions perform transaction screening assessments throughout Odessa, TX; Midland, TX; Hobbs, NM; Carlsbad, NM; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Houston, TX; Lubbock, TX; Abilene, TX; San Angelo, TX; Lafayette, LA; and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to get started.
