Telecom Due Diligence

Meeting environmental due diligence requirements in the fast-paced and ever-changing telecommunications industry has always been a challenge, and the promulgation of new regulations by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has added new hurdles. Environmental Engineers, Inc. personnel have the extensive experience in compliance with these regulations for telecommunications projects necessary to assist our clients in efficiently navigating these regulations.

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)/EPA All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) - The EPA established standards and practices for conducting AAIs as required under sections 101(35)(B)(ii) and (iii) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) effective November 2, 2006. ASTM Standard E1527-05, the standard by which Phase I ESAs are conducted, was modified to reflect the adoption of the AAI standard by the EPA. The purpose of the Phase I ESA/AAI reports is to provide you with landowner liability protection under the CERCLA regulation.

The Phase I ESA/AAI investigations consist of an inspection of the site and surrounding properties, a review of available environmental regulatory records for the site and nearby properties, interviews with emergency services personnel regarding reported responses to environmental emergencies in the vicinity of the site, and a review of historical documentation regarding the past ownership and uses of the site and adjoining properties. All Phase I ESA/AAI reports prepared by Environmental Engineers, Inc. are in general accordance with the ASTM and EPA standards.

Phase II Environmental Site Assessments – When a source of potential environmental liability is discovered at a property during a Phase I ESA/AAI, additional investigation may be warranted to determine if the potential source of liability has adversely affected soils and/or groundwater at the property. The Phase II ESA typically consists of collection and analysis of soil and/or groundwater samples. It is our philosophy to limit the need for intrusive investigation at the site by conducting a thorough Phase I ESA/AAI investigation and considering potential effects on the property.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Checklists - The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as applicable to wireless telecommunication service (Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1, Subpart I) requires evaluation of each telecommunications site for the following: impact to wilderness areas or wildlife preserves; the known or potential presence or habitat of threatened or endangered species in the vicinity of the project; a review of sites that are listed, or are eligible for listing, in the National Register of Historic Places and Indian religious sites within the vicinity of the project; location of the project with respect to floodplains; and potential significant changes to surface features, including impacts to wetland areas. Environmental Engineers, Inc. personnel have worked to build relationships with State Historic Preservation personnel and Native American Indian tribes and possess the experience necessary to efficiently complete the reviews required by NEPA regulations.

More information on our specific services: Telecom Due Diligence Asbestos Services Construction Stormwater Permitting and Compliance Environmental Due Diligence Environmental and Industrial Services Industrial Stormwater Permitting and Compliance Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasures (SPCC) Underground Storage Tank (UST) Services