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Services

Property Assessments, EIA and Asbestos Surveys

Environmental Site Assessments (ESA)

MS Environmental Consultants provides Phase I, II, and III Environmental Site Assessments for commercial properties. A Phase I ESA reviews a property's historical and current use to identify potential environmental liabilities, through site inspections, historical records review, and consultation with regulatory agencies. If concerns are found, we recommend a Phase II investigation, which collects and analyzes soil, groundwater, and building materials to assess the extent of contamination. A Phase III ESA, or remediation investigation, develops and carries out a remediation plan for significant contamination so the site meets regulatory requirements and is ready for development or continued use. These assessments give real estate developers, financial institutions, industrial facilities, government agencies, property management firms, and legal and insurance professionals the insight they need to make informed decisions and manage environmental risk.

01

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

A Phase I ESA is the first step in environmental due diligence. It is a thorough review of a property's historical and current use to identify potential environmental liabilities. It includes:

  • A detailed site inspection to observe existing conditions and potential sources of contamination.
  • Review of historical records, including aerial photographs, land use records, and previous environmental reports.
  • Consultation with regulatory agencies to identify any recorded environmental concerns.
  • Interviews with current and past owners, occupants, and local and government authorities.
  • A complete report summarizing findings and identifying Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs).
02

Phase II Environmental Site Assessment

If the Phase I ESA identifies RECs, a Phase II ESA investigates them further. This phase involves:

  • Collection and laboratory analysis of soil, groundwater, and building materials to determine the presence and concentration of hazardous substances.
  • Installation of monitoring wells to assess groundwater conditions.
  • Geophysical surveys and soil gas sampling to detect subsurface contamination.
  • A detailed risk assessment of the potential impact of identified contaminants.
  • A detailed report of findings, laboratory results, and recommendations for further action or remediation.
03

Phase III Environmental Site Assessment

A Phase III ESA, also called a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study, is needed if Phase II identifies significant contamination. This phase includes:

  • Development and implementation of a remediation plan tailored to site conditions and contamination levels.
  • Design and engineering of remediation systems, such as soil excavation, groundwater treatment, or vapor intrusion mitigation.
  • Coordination with regulatory agencies to meet remediation standards and obtain required approvals.
  • Ongoing monitoring and reporting to document the effectiveness of remediation.
  • A final site assessment to confirm cleanup and readiness for redevelopment or continued use.

Value of property assessments

Real Estate Developers

Developers need property assessments to confirm that land they plan to buy or develop does not carry environmental liabilities that could stall construction or lead to costly cleanup.

Financial Institutions

Banks and lenders need property assessments to evaluate the environmental risks of properties they finance and protect their investments from environmental liabilities.

Industrial Facilities

Companies that expand, relocate, or acquire property need thorough assessments to identify and address environmental issues that could affect operations or create legal and financial risk.

Government Agencies

Public entities often need property assessments for land acquisition, development projects, or regulatory compliance, so public funds are not exposed to environmental risk.

Property Management Firms

Managers of commercial and industrial properties need ongoing assessments to stay compliant and manage risks from tenant activities.

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)

An Environmental Impact Assessment is a systematic process that evaluates the environmental consequences of a proposed project or development before it proceeds. EIAs assess potential impacts on air, water, soil, biodiversity, and human health, and provide the analysis needed for sustainable decisions.

Who needs EIAs and when. Clients we have worked with include:

Real Estate Developers

When EIAs are needed

  • Planning new residential, commercial, or mixed-use developments.
  • Expanding existing properties or converting land use.

Value delivered

  • Identifies potential environmental issues early in planning, reducing delays and unexpected costs.
  • Improves the chance of project approval by meeting environmental regulations.
  • Builds community trust by addressing environmental concerns openly.

Industrial Companies

When EIAs are needed

  • Constructing new factories, plants, or industrial complexes.
  • Expanding or modifying existing industrial operations.

Value delivered

  • Helps manage and reduce environmental risks, avoiding costly remediation and legal penalties.
  • Supports compliance with strict environmental regulations for smoother project approval.
  • Supports corporate social responsibility (CSR) by demonstrating environmental stewardship.

Infrastructure Developers

When EIAs are needed

  • Building transportation projects such as highways, railways, and airports.
  • Developing utility projects such as power plants, water treatment facilities, and pipelines.

Value delivered

  • Supports sustainable development by assessing and reducing potential environmental impacts.
  • Reduces project risk and strengthens public and stakeholder support.
  • Supports financing by demonstrating environmental due diligence and risk management.

Energy Companies

When EIAs are needed

  • Developing renewable energy projects such as wind farms, solar plants, and hydroelectric dams.
  • Exploring and developing oil, gas, and mining resources.

Value delivered

  • Identifies and reduces potential environmental impacts for sustainable energy production.
  • Helps secure permits and approvals by demonstrating regulatory compliance.
  • Strengthens public and investor confidence in the environmental integrity of energy projects.

Agricultural Enterprises

When EIAs are needed

  • Expanding large-scale farming operations.
  • Developing new agricultural facilities such as processing plants and irrigation systems.

Value delivered

  • Manages agricultural environmental risks such as soil erosion, water use, and pesticide runoff.
  • Supports compliance with environmental regulations, avoiding fines and legal action.
  • Promotes sustainable farming practices that improve long-term viability and community support.

Financial Institutions and Investors

When EIAs are needed

  • Financing large-scale development projects.
  • Conducting due diligence for mergers and acquisitions involving land or facilities.

Value delivered

  • Assesses environmental risks, protecting investments from unforeseen liabilities and loss of value.
  • Improves decision-making with complete environmental risk assessments.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to responsible investing that attracts environmentally conscious clients and partners.

Asbestos Surveys

An asbestos survey identifies asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings and structures. Trained professionals inspect and sample to assess the condition and location of ACMs, then provide detailed reports and recommendations for management or removal.

Asbestos surveys give clients clear insight into asbestos hazards, support regulatory compliance, reduce risk, and support safe and responsible property management.

When clients need asbestos surveys

01

Property Owners and Managers

  • Renovation or demolition: property owners and managers need asbestos surveys before renovation or demolition to meet regulatory requirements and protect workers and occupants.
  • Property transactions: buyers and sellers may request asbestos surveys during due diligence to assess potential liabilities and negotiate terms.
02

Construction and Renovation Companies

  • Before a project starts: contractors and builders need asbestos surveys to identify and manage hazards before construction or renovation, in line with occupational health and safety regulations.
03

Facility Managers and Operators

  • Routine maintenance: facility managers may include asbestos surveys in routine maintenance to monitor the condition of ACMs and plan management or abatement.
04

Government Agencies

  • Public safety: agencies may require asbestos surveys in public buildings, schools, and government facilities to protect public health and comply with asbestos regulations.

Value of asbestos surveys

Risk Identification and Management

Surveys identify potential asbestos hazards so clients can make informed decisions and protect occupants, workers, and the environment.

Regulatory Compliance

Surveys help clients comply with local, state, and federal asbestos management and abatement regulations and avoid costly fines and legal liabilities.

Occupational Health and Safety

Protecting workers from asbestos exposure is essential. Surveys support a safe workplace by identifying ACMs and the right control measures.

Liability Reduction

Identifying ACMs early reduces the risk of unexpected liabilities and costly remediation, protecting clients' finances and reputations.

Informed Decision-Making

Complete survey reports give clients the information they need for property transactions, renovation projects, and maintenance, with transparency and due diligence.

Contact

Get in touch with us

Tell us about your project, facility, or matter and we will follow up.

Office
MS Environmental Consultants
5618 Superior Dr., Suite E
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Email
info@msenv.com