Serving the Counties of: St Lawrence – Franklin – Lewis – Herkimer – Hamilton – Essex – Clinton – Warren – Saratoga – Fulton – Jefferson
Environmental Services Include:
Wetland Delineations
AOK Engineering, PLCC can provide you with a comprehensive wetland delineation for any size or type of project. We can provide you with environmentally conscious assessments that will comply with regulations on local, state, and federal levels.
Regulatory Interactions
We’re more than familiar with regulatory compliance, whether it be Local, Regional, State or Federal. We can assist in with shoreline stabilization, dock and boathouse permitting, wetland permitting, and assistance with navigating permitting on new developmental properties. AOK Engineering, PLLC staff will attend board meetings, site meetings with various agencies, and navigate communication between the contractors and regulatory agencies. We work with government agencies, authorities, towns, and villages as well as with zoning, planning boards, and permitting agencies. Let us help you make your vision a reality.
Environmental Conservation Standards
Our staff can provide a comprehensive environmental assessment, including a special review of endangered and threatened species and their habitats to ensure an environmentally friendly and regulatory compliant start to your next project.
Regulation & Compliance Experts
Working with regulatory agencies is critical in the residential, commercial, and industrial engineering sectors. We have extensive experience working with regulatory agencies, from cities, towns, and villages to regional, state, and federal authorities and governments.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, commonly referred to as a Phase I ESA, is completed to research the current and historical uses of a property as part of a commercial real estate transaction. The intent of the report is to assess if current or historical property uses have impacted the soil or groundwater beneath the property and could pose a threat to the environment and/or human health. If these issues are found, it presents a potential liability for the lender and/or owner, as well as affecting the value of the property. A Phase I ESA completed prior to the closure of a real estate transaction can be used to satisfy the requirements of CERCLA’s (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act) innocent landowner defense under All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI).
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment reports can be completed on all types of properties including vacant land, agricultural, multi-family residential, commercial, and industrial uses. Some very common uses of concern are: dry cleaners, gas stations, auto/vehicle repair, printing operations, and manufacturing.
A Phase I ESA typically includes the following:
- A site visit to observe current and past conditions and uses of the property and adjacent properties;
- A review of federal, state, tribal, and local regulatory databases including, but not limited to, underground storage tanks (USTs), aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), known or suspected release cases, the storage of hazardous substances, disposal of hazardous wastes including petroleum products, and institutional and engineering controls;
- A review of historical records, such as historical aerial photographs, fire insurance maps (Sanborn maps), historical city directories, and historical topographic maps;
- A review of state and local agency records, including but not limited to state environmental agencies, Building Departments, Fire Departments, and Health Departments.
- Interviews with current and past property owners, operators, and occupants, or others familiar with the property.
- Interviews with the Report User for title or judicial records for environmental liens and activity and use limitations (AULs); specialized knowledge or experience; actual knowledge; commonly known or reasonably ascertainable information; the reason for a significantly lower purchase price; and the reason for the preparation of the Phase I ESA.