Environmental Site Assessments

ATOKA professionals are certified, registered, and licensed in various fields, delivering expert assistance required for all stages of your assessment, characterization, and remediation ventures. Offering top-tier Phase I, II, and III Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) services for industrial, commercial, residential, and mixed-use sites nationwide, ATOKA ensures the highest standards of quality.



Phase I

When acquiring or leasing commercial, industrial, or other properties, it is prudent to carry out a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) to assess the environmental status of the property before purchase and to be eligible for the liability protections under CERCLA (Superfund).

Most lending institutions make a Phase I a prerequisite for loans, and we collaborate with these lenders to deliver rapid and meticulous services, usually within a timeframe of less than two weeks.

The primary objective of the Phase I ESA is to pinpoint "the presence or probable presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products on a property..." Our Phase I ESA entails an examination of both current and historical land uses at the location, a comprehensive search of national, state, and local regulatory and historical records, a visual inspection of the premises, and a detailed report for the client. Emphasizing our commitment to environmental awareness, our reports are typically furnished in an electronic PDF format.

Phase II and III
The choice to proceed with Phase II and Phase III measures typically rests with the client and is typically guided by the consultant leading the Phase I Assessment. There is no obligation to carry out testing or remediation, or to notify authorities, regarding the state of a property flagged in a Phase I.  We are dedicated to serving you, ensuring that all of our ESAs are conducted in compliance with the relevant ASTM standards, including Phase I ESA E 1527-21, and the EPA's "All Appropriate Inquiries" (AAI) rule, exclusively for your benefit.

If site characterization is required, we obtain samples from areas suspected of contamination and have them analyzed by a laboratory to identify the substances present. Upon receiving the lab analyses, we provide you with a detailed report on the results and discuss the available options for the site, including our assessment of the necessary cleanup efforts and how we can assist you in the process. In cases where there is a significant level of contamination, it may be prudent to reconsider the project and opt against purchasing the property. Your investment in this assessment proves to be a wise decision, as it equips you with the necessary information to make an informed choice about the property, potentially saving you from unforeseen costs and liabilities in the future.

In certain instances, you may wish to retain ownership of the property and proceed with site remediation. Should this be the case, we will progress to the Phase III Remediation stage. Whether you opt for the current owner to undertake the cleanup or decide to manage it yourself, ATOKA is here to assist. We will formulate an approved remediation plan and site design, followed by delivering project management and supervision to ensure the task is carried out efficiently and cost-effectively. Our offerings include comprehensive services for the entire remediation project or collaborating with you and your contractors for successful completion.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines are among the most misconstrued regulations pertaining to environmental compliance today. NEPA essentially serves as a framework upheld by other federal laws, including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, which mandate the completion of an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for projects that could significantly impact federal lands or involve federal funds. The state equivalent to NEPA is SEPA.

ATOKA has conducted thorough environmental surveys for private corporations, utility companies, and individuals on both private and public lands, often collaborating with entities such as the US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, and more. A recent endeavor involved assessing approximately 500 miles of utility rights-of-way spread across 16 counties spanning two states and three National Forests.

Biological Site Characterizations are carried out to identify the existing vegetation and wildlife, serving various purposes like evaluating potential impacts on fish and wildlife, sensitive plant species, recreational activities, and scenic preservation.