Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
This initial step involves a comprehensive evaluation of a property’s historical records, site inspection, and interviews with stakeholders. The purpose is to identify any potential environmental contamination issues or liabilities associated with the site.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
If potential environmental concerns are identified during the Phase I assessment, a Phase II assessment is conducted. This phase involves collecting soil, water, and air samples to analyze for the presence of hazardous substances or pollutants. It helps determine the extent and severity of contamination, if any, and aids in developing a remediation plan if necessary.
Together, Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments provide a thorough understanding of the environmental conditions of a site, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, mitigating risks, and supporting informed decision-making during property transactions or development projects.
Environmental Resource Assessments
In general, an Environmental Resource Assessment is a review of potential cultural and historical resources and threatened and endangered species—and/or their habitat—relative to a specific site. Headwater has performed dozens of Environmental Resource Assessments throughout the Southeast.
This type of evaluation can provide valuable information about your site, particularly if your project includes public funds or grants. The assessment typically does not include coordination with respective regulatory agencies.
These environmental resources can serve as an amenity or backdrop to your project, rather than a hindrance to development. Additionally, there are sometimes tax incentives, which vary by state, for conservation and preservation efforts associated with historically significant sites and areas with ecological value.
Headwater offers more than four decades of field experience, as well as access to GIS mapping software and regional databases managed by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and representative natural heritage agencies.