Old Phase I/II reports

[Christian Carson]

Pretty much every Phase I or II environmental site assessment I've ever seen references past studies, and not just studies done by the same company. Does anyone know where they find that information? It would be really nice to be able to find these old reports before wasting money on an ESA for a contaminated property. I'm sure there's some kind of proprietary database but I was wondering if anyone has successfully accessed them without paying for the new ESA itself.

[Clayton Hall]

Depending on the state and its reporting requirements, you can sometimes find those reports at the state environmental agency. For instance, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. An open records request is rather inexpensive and would allow you to see historical information regarding a phase II (if reported) or violations for other environmental permits that could impact the site.