Before purchasing property, you should conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) following ASTM standards to identify potential environmental concerns from current or historical use. Depending on findings, a Phase II ESA with soil and groundwater testing may be necessary. You should also review compliance status with environmental permits, investigate potential wetlands or endangered species issues, assess flood risks, and understand local land use restrictions. These steps help establish liability protections and identify potential remediation costs.

When facing an environmental regulatory inspection, designate a knowledgeable team member as the primary contact, request credentials and clarify the inspection's scope, accompany inspectors at all times while being cooperative and professional, document the same areas and take parallel samples if possible, answer questions accurately without volunteering unnecessary information, address any immediate compliance concerns if feasible, request copies of field notes or preliminary findings, and consult with environmental counsel before or during the inspection for significant issues.

Implementing sustainability initiatives offers numerous business benefits including cost savings through energy and resource efficiency, enhanced brand reputation and customer loyalty, improved access to capital as investors increasingly consider ESG factors, regulatory compliance positioning as environmental standards tighten, supply chain resilience through reduced environmental risks, talent attraction and retention as employees seek environmentally responsible employers, and competitive differentiation in the marketplace. Our environmental team can help your business develop practical sustainability strategies that create both environmental and economic value.