Environmental Database Reports (EDR Reports) are low cost, high level data regarding the environmental risks affecting a target property. They are sometimes called Desktop Assessments, Desktop Due Diligence or Desktop Environmental Reports. The desktop refers to the fact that an environmental consultant does not visit the subject property like they do in a Phase I ESA. We call them Environmental Screens (ES).
Are there different types of EDR Reports?
There are two flavors of EDR Reports, with and without professional interpretation.
- Without Interpretation is just a raw database with a radius map. The radius map is basically a map that shows a circle around the target property of ¼ mile. Inside the circle we plot any “hits” that show up in the database. These hits can be open or closed incidents for any entries in a Federal, State, County or Municipal regulatory agency database.
- With Interpretation is the same radius map and database as the example above. The difference is an Environmental Professional (EP) reviews the data to see if any of these hits are a concern to the subject property. Hits can be important or unimportant to good risk management practices based on proximity, whether the incident was open or closed and what type of incident the hit was. The closer a radius map is to an urban center, the more hits generally show on the environmental records radius map, making professional interpretation more necessary.
Who makes these EDR Radius Reports?
There are several data vendors which possess the core environmental data that make up the report. The biggest is a company conveniently called EDR. The one we use is called ERIS and is the second biggest and fastest growing environmental data vendor.
Are EDR Records or ERIS Records better?
We believe ERIS data is better and more comprehensive. We also like the presentation of the data they deliver to us. It makes us doing our jobs of interpretation easier. EDR and ERIS don’t directly interpret the data they provide, for interpretation they rely on environmental consultants like A3E.
Assets Not Liabilities
What do these Desktop Risk Assessments cost?
Prices vary company to company but we charge $200 for a desktop risk assessment with interpretation and $99 without interpretation.
Do EDR Reports qualify as Environmental Due Diligence?
EDR Reports are the lowest form of Environmental Due Diligence. There are also Record Search with Risk Assessment (RSRA) and full Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) which are the gold standard of Environmental Due Diligence.
What are the downsides of EDR Reports -vs- the other forms of Environmental Due Diligence?
The downside is that the EDR Report doesn’t go deep enough to fully evaluate the financial and human health risks of potential environmental impacts on a property. The value of an EDR Report is speed not depth. It’s good data, it just isn’t promised to be fully comprehensive. For that you’d need to do a full Phase 1 ESA.
Can I see a sample Environmental Database Report?
You can download a sample report WITH interpretation here, WITHOUT interpretation here.
If you need a Environmental Database Report, research or testing done on your property or one you are interested in purchasing, give A3 Environmental Consultants a call. Our Assessments meet the requirements of all commercial lenders and government agencies such as the SBA, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). A3 Environmental Consultants can be reached at (888) 405-1742 or by email at Info@A3E.com.
