The E1527 Task Group for Phase I just completed its semiannual meeting in Tampa, Florida with approximately 40 attendees from the User, Producer, and General Interest groups.  The purpose of the meeting was to review the comments and negatives submitted following the first ballot that recently went out to Real Estate Assessment and Management Subcommittee members for a vote.  The ballot contained proposed revisions to E1527, intended to strengthen and clarify E1527 requirements.

As the 1527 Task Group wraps up proposed revisions to ASTM Standard E1527-05 (which will go to ballot in the near future), I have come to the conclusion that the majority of the proposed revisions to the Standard are the result of inconsistent work on the part of those claiming the title “Environmental Professional” (EP).  Some are not adequately trained or do not have the experience to use and apply ASTM E1527-05 to meet AAI.  Other EPs simply cut corners when preparing Phase I ESAs to reduce costs.

Do you know the difference between ASTM E 1527-05 limitations and limiting conditions?  How about the difference between limitations and deviations?  These terms can be easily confused, so let’s break them down and establish a general understanding.

I recently read a Seattle Times article on the impact the Freedom of Information Act is having on public agencies in the Northwest, including city and county departments, the Department of Ecology, and the regional EPA office.  Due to recurring budget cuts and employee layoffs, these agencies are unable to keep up with the growing demand for public records from both businesses and private parties.  The enormity of the resulting production backlog is impacting the environmental due diligence world.  How?