Request a proposal In the field. In the documents. On the record.Environmental risk screening
Records-based environmental screening and third-party report review for preliminary decisions, portfolio triage, and focused transaction questions.
Request a proposalIn plain terms
A desktop review examines specified records without a site reconnaissance. It can support early screening or review of an existing report, but the absence of fieldwork materially limits what can be concluded.
Scope, requirements & reporting
Confirm parcel boundaries, addresses, historical uses, database locations, and dates. A nearby regulatory listing may concern a different parcel; an apparent absence of records may reflect incomplete coverage rather than absence of risk.
Identify unverified conditions and whether a site visit, interviews, agency file review, or Phase I is needed. A desktop review cannot observe current tanks, storage, staining, or other unreported site conditions.
Decisions supported
Does the desktop record indicate environmental risk that warrants field diligence?
Is an existing report current and appropriately scoped for the intended use?
Are material recommendations or data gaps still unresolved?
What additional documentation, site work, or investigation should be requested?
Typical scope
The final scope follows the property, transaction, program, client requirements, and information available. Typical elements include:
Process
Confirm the property or project, intended use, reliance parties, schedule, available information, and required deliverable.
Review the documents, identify gaps, and coordinate the people and access needed to complete the scope.
Perform the observations, analysis, interviews, and specialist coordination called for by the assignment.
Separate material findings from background information and state the basis, limitations, open items, and follow-up clearly.
Common assignments
Records-based review before the team authorizes a full due-diligence scope.
Technical review of an existing environmental report for scope, findings, limitations, and open items.
A consistent records review used to identify higher-priority assets across a portfolio.
Frequently asked
No, unless separately added. The report should make that limitation clear.
No. Historical uses, unreported releases, mapping errors, and current site conditions may not appear in a database.
Yes, for a defined review purpose. A desktop opinion does not automatically update all time-sensitive Phase I components or establish new reliance rights.
KOW focuses on the prior report’s scope, date, reliance, material findings, limitations, unresolved recommendations, and fitness for the client’s intended decision.
Not when the transaction, lender policy, ASTM practice, All Appropriate Inquiries, or reliance requirements call for a current Phase I ESA.
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Tell us what you’re working on. Our team will help define the right scope and get a proposal moving.
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