Insights

Septic systems are not generally an environmental concern. Even the EPA on its webpage suggests no concern especially if used for the purposes intended-toilets, showers and wash basins-by humans! Now, occasionally some folks will also set up a “floor drain” in the shop area and use it to wash the floor from dirt and grime. Now, recently a business owner approached me wanting my thoughts about his shop and the assessment an enviro company made concerning his shop floor drain-tied to the septic system. Now understand this was a lawn service business that also offered spray fertilizer on lawns in the city and also note that public lawn fertilizers /

I recently was asked by a banking client to review one of these reports to see if there was a necessity to perform a Phase I ESA. Many banks are using these “risk reports” to “evaluate” a property (and for loan) as to whether it or adjacent tracts have an environmental issue of concern. The report I reviewed was the “typical” records research database and then a “review” of the database listings by an environmental professional (EP). This one in particular was a site in Texas that was adjacent to a retail strip center. After my review of the report, I was alarmed at the following aspects of these “EPs”

Looks Like a Crime Scene? A typical big truck shop operation will often have the following “housekeeping issues”: Waste oil/used lubricants stored in 55-gallon drums or a small waste oil storage tank Solvents/degreasers for cleaning engines and parts Maybe a paint booth, and Scrap metal and parts stored in the yard area, on the ground (what the EPA may “categorize “ these areas as SWMUs — Solid Waste Management Units, plus any “fluid leakage” is called a waste stream). These issues are a “de minimus” condition and NOT a REC. The “Crime” – but when a big environmental company came by to do a Phase I assessment of such a

New Associate: David Grams’ Certifications & Education: BS in Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University Professional Inspector, Texas Real Estate Commission Certified Drone Pilot, Federal Aviation Administration Project Management Professional, Project Management Institute HOUSTON AREA: David Grams – (832) 914-8675 [email protected] The Matador Environmental Professionals Are a Group of Educated Professionals (including Two Red Raiders and One Aggie) Our experienced team Ray McKim: Senior Certified Professional Landman and EPA-qualified Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) professional Sterling Dowden: Licensed Mechanical Engineer Cam Albrecht: Experienced Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Specialist, certified by NEBOSH International General Certificate and Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) David Grams: Mechanical Engineer, Professional Inspector, Certified Drone Pilot, and Project

Matador Environmental Professionals: Delivering Local Expertise for Phase I ESA Success At MEP, our deep knowledge of local environments and commitment to thorough, cost-effective “common sense” Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) help clients meet bank requirements that may avoid unnecessary and expensive Phase II assessments. Our locally informed Phase I ESAs identify true risks, saving clients time, money, and headaches. Below, we share real-world case studies showcasing how our expertise delivers results. Navigating Bank ESA Requirements with Confidence When banks commission Phase I ESAs for properties far from their headquarters—or even out of state—compliance protocols can vary significantly. For borrowers, sellers, and commercial real estate (CRE) professionals, understanding these

New Location in Dallas, Texas for Your Phase I ESA Needs Matador Environmental Professionals is proud to announce a new office location at the Parkway Office Center in Dallas, Texas Matador Environmental Professionals PLLC (MEP) will soon be holding seminars in the building’s conference room to host CRE professionals, bankers and investment groups to discuss the various issues concerning the Phase I ESA. Today There are still many differing interpretations and scope of a Phase I ESA, particularly in these areas of Texas where there are large raw acreage tracts and oil and gas production.  Urban sprawl creates new buildouts in these areas and most environmental companies are not experienced with

How to “properly” order a Phase I ESA Usually the first bit of information when requesting the need for a Phase I ESA is the “postal” address of the site. While this works about 80% of the time, the subject property to assess may have multiple tracts associated with the main subject property parcel (and thus often multiple addresses). This is why it is very helpful to include a survey, title commitment or even a recent appraisal to establish the boundaries of the subject property. Also, if the real estate agent has a recent marketing brochure, that is very helpful, especially if the site is located on the edge of

Case Study- A Phase I ESA Gone Overboard Last fall I was asked to assess part of a four-acre parcel of land in West Texas where a building had been razed the year before.  The owner had split the parcel in two parts- west half and east half- and put on the market both for sale.  A Phase I ESA on the W/2 was done by a South Texas environmental company (ECO) which also does testing (Phase II) and remediation (Phase III) environmental assessments. A couple of months later, my client contacted me to do a Phase I ESA on the E/2 he is purchasing, and because the seller had

Case Studies Case #1: Expertise Gives A Convenient Remedy A regional convenience store was purchasing an oilfield service facility with a truck repair shop. The shop bay had an engine oil change basement, which sloped about 5 feet into the concrete foundation. On the floor of the basement was a little oil stain. A prior inspection by a large environmental firm insisted that they should conduct deep soil borings through the foundation to inspect the soil underneath the basement for leakage. The owners were concerned about the expense, having been quoted a cost of about $15,000 just for the test corings. I come along at the request of the convenience

New Standards for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments Enviro-Letter: The new ASTM standard practice Phase I ESA: E1527-21 Have questions about an environmental issue? Please feel free to contact Ray about any question or concern you have on your property or a listing. Remember, I only do the Phase I ESA or Real Estate Transaction screens. I do not do Phase II type testing or Phase III remediation action requirements, so I have nothing to gain to recommend testing or other costly cleanups that may actually be unnecessary. Give me a call so we can discuss any potential issues. Quiz What commercial use does the EPA consider the number one