Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I ESAs) are conducted for due diligence and environmental risk evaluation in connection with property acquisition, financing, refinancing, and redevelopment.

The purpose of a Phase I ESA is to evaluate a property and surrounding properties to determine whether actual or potential contamination may be present as a result of historical or current land use and activities.

In British Columbia, environmental assessments at this level may also be referred to as Stage 1 Preliminary Site Investigations under certain regulatory frameworks.

Regulatory Framework

CSR conducts Phase I ESAs in accordance with CSA Standard Z768-01 (R2022) and applicable provincial regulatory requirements in British Columbia, including the British Columbia Contaminated Sites Regulation.

The objective of the assessment is to identify Areas of Potential Environmental Concern (APECs) and associated Potential Contaminants of Concern (PCOCs) that could result in regulatory liability or influence future land use or development.

Typical Scope of Work

A Phase I ESA completed by CSR typically includes:

 
  • Review of historical records, aerial photographs, maps, city directories, and available environmental reports
  • Regulatory database review, including the BC Site Registry
  • Interviews with knowledgeable persons, where available
  • Site reconnaissance of accessible areas
  • Evaluation of surrounding properties
  • Identification and assessment of APECs and associated PCOCs

Phase I ESAs do not include intrusive investigation, subsurface scanning, sampling, or laboratory analysis.

Experience and Approach

CSR has conducted over 3,000 Phase I ESAs throughout British Columbia, ranging from residential and commercial properties to complex industrial and redevelopment sites.

Phase I ESAs are typically completed within five business days of authorization to proceed, subject to site access, record availability, and project complexity.

Where potential concerns are identified, we provide clear guidance regarding whether further investigation may be warranted, allowing clients to manage environmental risk effectively and proportionately.

Our approach emphasizes:

  • Clear and defensible conclusions
  • Practical risk context
  • Proportionate recommendations
  • Efficient turnaround

Our approach emphasizes
  • Clear and defensible conclusions
  • Practical risk context
  • Proportionate recommendations
  • Efficient turnaround
Professional Standards

Phase I ESAs are prepared by qualified environmental professionals and reviewed and signed by a Professional Engineer in good standing with Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (EGBC).

Assessments are completed using the systematic process prescribed by CSA Standard Z768-01 (R2022) to evaluate whether a property may be subject to actual or potential contamination.