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Environmental Services

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Environmental Due Diligence

  •   Phase I Environmental Site Assessments:    Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) are conducted in order to learn about a property’s past use, the environmental conditions at the property and adjoining sites, and to determine the likely presence of hazardous substances onsite. A Phase I ESA involves a comprehensive review of federal, state and local environmental records, a surveillance of the property, and interviews with owners, occupants and local government officials.
         A Phase I ESA helps establish the “landowner liability protections” defenses under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). CERCLA is the federal environmental law that places liability for cleanup of hazardous substances on potentially responsible parties, including owners of the property. CERCLA liability can attach even though the owner did not cause, contribute, or even know of the existence of the contamination. Conducting a pre-acquisition Phase I Environmental Site Assessment helps protect a prospective purchaser or investor from being financially liable for cleanup costs at a contaminated site.  All of our Phase I Environmental Site Assessments adhere to ASTM E 1527-05 and are legally defensible.
  • Transaction Screens:  The ASTM E 1528-06 Transaction Screen provides limited environmental due diligence (that is, less than a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment). If the driving force behind conducting the environmental due diligence is to qualify for one of the CERCLA liability protections a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment should be conducted instead. Transaction Screen investigations do not satisfy the All Appropriate Inquiries requirement for CERCLA liability protection.
  •  Environmental Risk Management
  •  Desktop Reviews for Lenders: Our desktop reviews provide lenders with an easy, cost-effective way to conduct environmental due diligence.  Researching a property’s current and past environmental risk allows you to comply with regulatory requirements and protects your institution from risks associated with environmental liability and loss of value.  Desktop reviews are typically conducted for small loans on properties where no obvious environmental risk is known to exist.
  •  Enviro-Check for Homeowners: Whether you are buying or selling a home you’re likely to have a thorough home inspection before you make any decisions.  Most people are familiar with termites, lead-based paint, and wet basements.  But what about “environmental hazards”?  Developed exclusively for homebuyers and sellers, Enviro-Check identifies potential environmental risks such as leaking underground tanks, landfills, chemical spills, toxic waste sites, and homes formerly used as illicit drug labs on or near a property that may threaten a family’s health or the value of their investment.  The Enviro-Check Report is delivered in an accurate, comprehensive, easy-to-understand summary and is available to homebuyers, homesellers, and homeowners.  Environmental hazards can affect your health and lower the value of your home.  Protect your family and investment with Davis Environmental’s Enviro-Check.
  •  Vapor Intrusion Assessments: Vapor intrusion occurs when contamination in subsurface soil or groundwater volatizes and enters the indoor air of overlying buildings causing potential health risks to occupants or employees. Vapor intrusion can be a problem at any site although it is primarily encountered at sites contaminated with volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds.
    Davis Environmental Services vapor intrusion screenings adhere to ASTM E 2600-08 “Standard Practice for Assessment of Vapor Intrusion into Structures on Property Involved in Real Estate Transactions.”
  •  NEPA/CEQA Reviews:  The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires environmental studies for projects that need approval by federal agencies. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) defines procedures for environmental review and impact analysis of projects that need approval by local or state agencies.  Both laws require that the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project be assessed, quantified, disclosed, minimized, and eliminated whenever possible.

Environmental Programs

 Program Development and Implementation (partial list only) 

SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans):  Stormwater runoff is rainwater or snowmelt that runs over the land and discharges into streams, lakes, and rivers.  As stormwater flows over land it picks up heavy metals, bacteria, pesticides, suspended solids, nutrients, and floating materials.  A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is a technical document that identifies potential pollutant sources and details the appropriate controls and best management practices to be used to prevent or control the discharge of pollutants in stormwater runoff.  SWPPPs are typically required at construction and industrial sites.  Davis Environmental Services prepares site-specific Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans for our clients in addition to conducting sampling and analysis of stormwater events. 

NPDES permits:  The Clean Water Act prohibits anybody from discharging “pollutants” into a water of the United States unless they have a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.  If your business discharges pollutants from a “point source” into waters of the United States you need a NPDES permit.  The permit imposes limits on what can be discharged, monitoring and reporting requirements, and provisions to ensure that water quality and public health are protected.  Davis Environmental Services can assist your company in tayloring the permit to meet your site-specific requirements.

Environmental Compliance Audits:  Voluntary audit programs play an important role in helping companies meet their legal obligation to comply with environmental regulations.  Environmental audits not only improve compliance but also improve other aspects of an organization’s performance.  For example, environmental audits may identify pollution prevention opportunities that can substantially reduce an organization’s operating costs.  Davis Environmental Service’s audit protocols adhere to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements for auditing compliance with all major environmental rules. 

Hazardous Materials/Hazardous Waste Management:  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that individuals who have the potential to come into contact with hazardous waste, or manage hazardous waste, have initial training before beginning their job duties.  Annual refresher training is also required.  Davis Environmental Services has experienced environmental and safety trainers to ensure your employees receive the knowledge and information they need regarding hazardous waste and hazardous materials management. 

Hazardous Materials Business Plans:  All facilities that store or handle hazardous materials above the threshold levels established by law must prepare a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP).  The intent of the HMBP is to satisfy federal and state Community Right-To-Know laws and provide detailed information for use by the fire department and other emergency responders.  A HMBP must be prepared and submitted for each facility where hazardous material is present at any time during the year.  HMBP requirements apply to any facility or business that has 500 pounds or more of any solid hazardous material, 55 gallons or more of any hazardous liquid, and 200 cubic feet or more of any hazardous gas.  Davis Environmental Services can develop a detailed, site-specific HMBP for your business.  

HAZWOPER Training:  Davis Environmental Services provides initial 40 hour and 24 hour HAZWOPER training, and 8 hour HAZWOPER refresher training.  Our classes are designed for both Federal OSHA (29 CFR Section 1910.120) and Cal/OSHA (Title 8, CCR, Section 5192).

SPCC Plans (Spill Prevention):  A Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC) must be prepared by all facilities subject to this regulation.  The SPCC Plan is to help prevent any discharge of oil and petroleum products into navigable waters such as streams, rivers, and lakes.  The main thrust of the SPCC rule is prevention of oil and petroleum product releases rather than after-the-fact reactive measures.  Under the SPCC regulation oil is defined as “oil of any kind or in any form”.  Any small business that has a total above-ground oil storage capacity of greater than 1,320 gallons, or underground oil storage capacity of greater than 42,000 gallons, where there is a reasonable potential for a release to reach navigable waters is subject to the SPCC requirements.  Davis Environmental Services provides site-specific written SPCC Plans and employee training.

Environmental Training: Davis Environmental Services provides an extensive selection of environmental training courses designed to ensure compliance with Federal and State laws, build your competencies, and develop essential skills for dealing with environmental challenges.