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What is the process of a Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA)?

Phase 1 ESA

01

We perform a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) on a property before purchase and determine if it has an Recognized Environmental Concerns (REC). If it does, we perform a Phase 2 ESA

Phase 2 ESA

02

In the Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment we discover if any contamination exists. If it does, we determine the type, concentration and area affected on and off the parcel being purchased. We need to complete this step within 45 days of purchase.

Baseline Environmental (BEA)

03

The Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA) report is written and submitted inside 6 months of the purchase of the property. The property is added to the Michigan EGLE database.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baseline Environmental Assessments (BEA)

In the State of Michigan, the state legislature created a process to accommodate the continued use of contaminated property called the Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA).

What Problem was Michigan Trying To Solve with a BEA?

Commercial or industrial real estate can become contaminated by its use over time. Gas stations, dry cleaners and metal plating facilities are notorious for having impacted properties they inhabited. As businesses live and die, a property can become derelict and vacant if the risks to new businesses and potential purchasers from environmental contamination are perceived as being too high to finance and occupy a property. Blighted property becomes what’s called a “brownfield”. These properties can inhabit highly desirable locations inside thriving communities which can’t be redeveloped due to the perceived risks to health and human safety as well as the finances of the borrower or lender.

The State of Michigan developed a method to provide liability protection to the new business or potential purchasers of a contaminated property so the location could once again become a productive location for commerce. This method is known as the BEA.

The underlying strategy of the BEA comes from the idea that it is better for the applicable regulatory agencies in Michigan to be aware of the type, concentration, and extent of the contamination located at a property rather than force a business, person, or responsible party to remediate the property. This strategy focuses more on health and human safety than on punishment.

How Does a BEA Work?

It should be noted that the property must be located in the State of Michigan. While the BEA is a great idea, it has not been adopted by any other state or the federal government.

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

As a commercial property changes hands, often the buyer or bank performs environmental due diligence in the form of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA). The first step in the BEA process is to do exactly the same. The Phase I ESA is performed by a qualified environmental consultant in accordance with the American Society of Testing & Materials (ASTM) and the latest revision of their rules regarding environmental due diligence, E1527-21.

A Phase I ESA is a comprehensive review of all the Federal, State, County and Municipal databases as well as historical documents relating to the property and the surrounding area. The Phase I ESA also includes an environmental professional conducting an on site visit to look for environmental concerns and conditions at the property. The Phase I ESA does not involve any environmental testing.

Phase II ESA

Should the Phase I ESA identify any Recognized Environmental Concerns (RECs) at the property, adjoining property, or surrounding area, a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (Phase II ESA) would be recommended to evaluate the RECs. If no REC is found, then no Phase II ESA is necessary.

The Phase II ESA is conducted in order to evaluate if the subsurface soil or groundwater conditions have been impacted by the identified RECs. This investigation includes, but is not limited to, the collection of subsurface soil or groundwater samples to evaluate if the property has been environmentally impacted. The collected samples are submitted to a laboratory and compared against the State of Michigan’s regulatory reporting requirements. If analytical data indicates there is no contamination present at the property, no further action is required.

What Happens if Contamination is Identified?

If analytical data from the Phase II ESA indicates there is contamination at the property above regulatory reporting limits, then the property is deemed a “facility” under Part 201 of the Natural Resources & Environmental Protection Act (NREPA - P.A. 451 of 1994, as amended). Depending on the type, concentration, and extent of contamination identified at the property, further characterization and delineation of the contamination may be recommended by the environmental consultant.

The facility designation merely indicates that contamination is present above applicable residential cleanup criteria. The facility designation also provides eligibility to a property to undergo a BEA.

Timing Requirements for the BEA

The Phase I ESA, Phase II ESA, and BEA need to be performed within 45 days of the purchase of the property. The BEA paperwork must be submitted to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) within 6 months of becoming owner/operator of the property.

Eligibility Requirements for a BEA

Not all properties are eligible for a BEA.

If no contamination was identified above applicable residential cleanup criteria during the Phase II ESA, then the property is not eligible for a BEA. In this instance a BEA would not be required or recommended.

Properties regulated under other sections of EGLE, such as Landfills, Treatment, Storage and Disposal (TSD) facilities, Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) and Federal/Superfund properties are not eligible.

Contact A3 Environmental to determine if BEA can be conducted on your property.

Why Would I Want a BEA?

A BEA limits your liability for the costs associated with cleaning up environmental contamination caused by others. The BEA is conducted to demonstrate that you were not responsible for the contamination at the property. The BEA further demonstrates that you do not plan to further contaminate or directly interact with the identified contamination at the property. In exchange for being upfront and honest with the State of Michigan, and undertaking due care obligations regarding the identified contamination, EGLE will provide limited liability protection for cleanup of the contamination. This opens the door to being able to get a bank to agree to lend you money to buy or refinance the property. It also makes selling the property easier (possible).

What are the Drawbacks of Getting a BEA?

By submitting a BEA to EGLE, your property will be identified as a ‘contaminated’ property and listed on the EGLE BEA database. In addition, you will have due care obligations to ensure the protection of human health and the environment from the identified contamination. For example, if drinking water is impacted by contamination, the prevention of groundwater ingestion will be necessary, either through prohibiting the installation of potable water wells on the property or by ensuring the property is connected to municipal water supply. In much the same way, if there is a potential soil-vapor issue ingressing into the building and affecting indoor air quality it would need to be addressed before occupancy. A3 Environmental Consultants can help you understand the risks/obligations of identified contamination on a property.

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How To Phase 1 Like A Pro.
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Click to learn more! Alternatives to the Phase 1 ESA.

Environmental Screen (ES)
With Professional Interpretation
Only - $150

Transaction Screen
Assessment (TSA)


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Record Search
With Risk Assessment
(RSRA)

Only - $650

Testimonials

Kind words from our clients.

Kay Pentzien

Real Estate Developer

The A3 Environmental Team completed both a Phase 1 and a Phase 2 for our property and Patrick and I couldn't be more pleased with the work they did!

Ross DePaul

Mergers & Acqusitions

I thoroughly enjoyed working with A3E on our Phase 1 studies. We were running up against some deadlines, and they jumped through hoops to get everything completed on time.

Daniela Fitzgerald

Architect

The A3E team did a great job on our Phase 1 report. They were quick , thorough and professional. They were able to give me all of the information that I needed.

Download Samples of Our Reports.

2020 Environmental Screen (ES)

Environmental Screen With Interpretation

Download Sample Report.

Environmental Screen (ES) $150

Advantages of the Environmental Screen (ES):

  • Inexpensive ($150)
  • Fast (Typically Same Day Service)

Disadvantages of Environmental Screen (ES):

  • High level overview of risks and concerns
  • No limitation of liability for environmental risk like the Phase 1 ESA has.
Phase I ESA cover page for united states Small business administration SBA reports

Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment

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Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

Advantages: Phase 1 ESA:

  • Limits environmental liability from previous owner.
  • Most thorough review of environmental risk.
  • Accepted by all banks when borrowing against a property.

Disadvantages: Phase 1 ESA:

  • More expensive than other options.
  • Slower to complete (10 Days)
2020 Record Search Risk Assessment (RSRA)

Record Search with Risk Assessment

Download Sample Report.

Record Search w/ Risk Assessment $650

Advantages: Record Search w/ Risk Assessment (RSRA):

  • Less expensive ($650) than a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment.
  • Fast (Guaranteed in 5 Days or Less)
  • Accepted, even encouraged, by the Small Business Administration (SBA)

Disadvantages: Record Search w/ Risk Assessment (RSRA):

  • Relatively high-level overview of risks and concerns.
  • No limitation of liability for environmental risk like Phase 1 ESA.

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