ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES

The growing and increasingly complex array of environmental legislation and enforcement has prompted environmentally savvy clients including lending institutions, real estate firms, developers, and prospective buyers to seek to reduce their potential future environmental liability through an effective environmental “due diligence” program. Due to the “hot” commercial real estate market and anticipation of environmental requirements by potential buyers and their lending institutions, sellers have tended toward being more proactive with respect to addressing potential environmental concerns and maintaining regulatory compliance.

Smith-Emery GeoServices has been conducting environmental site assessments since the development of the concept and has an integrated staff of geologists, environmental assessors, and technicians, working as investigative teams, to conduct environmental site assessments throughout California and within neighboring western states. Site assessments have been performed by Smith-Emery on a wide range of property types including multi-family apartment buildings, commercial buildings, gas station sites, and industrial properties.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

The most cost effective approach to an environmental site assessment is to conduct the investigation in phases, with the scope of services and goals of each successive phase determined by the information obtained in all previous phases. The phases are generally referred to as Phase I Site Assessments, which include a document search and site reconnaissance; Phase II Site Assessments, which involve physically sampling and testing various media on the property for the potential presence of regulated substances; and a Site Characterization that fully defines the extent of contamination on the property. Only after the full scope of the problem is known can a cost effective method be chosen to restore the property or allow appropriate decisions to be made regarding future property transactions.

All environmental projects are directed by experienced managers knowledgeable in current environmental legislation as it applies to site assessments and property transactions. One of the primary objectives of Smith-Emery's approach to project management is to facilitate the multi-party negotiations required for successful property transactions while protecting the interests of the client and preserving the client/consultant bond. All of our reports and findings are the confidential property of the client and are only released to outside parties with the client's knowledge and approval.

Every step in the site assessment process is fully documented to enable the client to provide an informed response to regulatory agencies and to assist the client should legal issues arise. Smith-Emery GeoServices can also provide testimony or appear as an expert witness for cases in which litigation occurs.

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