what is a phase I environmental site assessment

What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?

By Paul Sakson / October 1, 2021

You may need a Phase I environmental site assessment (ESA) if you purchase or redevelop a commercial building – including schools and child care facilities. Here’s what that means. When you buy or lease a piece of commercial property, the last thing you want to happen is to get hit with a bunch of unforeseen costs down the road. Yet,…

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how long does environmental compliance take

Opening a Child Care Center in New Jersey: How Long Does Environmental Compliance Take?

By Paul Sakson / July 19, 2021

To open a new child care center in New Jersey, the owner must perform some basic environmental tasks for compliance with regulations. Let’s talk about what that means. Environmental compliance shows that a child care center is adhering to New Jersey’s laws in order to obtain a license to operate. In addition, compliance helps ensure that the child care center…

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Day Care Blocks

Why does the NJDEP inspect my site?

By Paul Sakson / April 27, 2021

If you have a new child care center, State licensing requirements require an environmental assessment.  Usually, this entails hiring a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) to issue a Response Action Outcome (RAO) to satisfy NJ Department of Environmental Protection requirements.  The RAO is the final document. So why does the NJDEP inspect the site and review the file after the…

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PCBs

What are PCBs?

By Paul Sakson / May 10, 2020

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, have been used as a coolant and lubricating fluid in a variety of electrical products due to their good heat insulation properties. Hence they have historically been used in pole mounted and ground transformers, fluorescent lighting fixtures and equipment using hydraulic oils. PCBs are generally odorless and colorless and tend to persist in the environment. Aroclor…

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Tank Area

Do I Need to Sample a Tank Area?

By Paul Sakson / June 1, 2017

Many child care centers are located at sites where there is (or was) oil heat, or other uses that had storage tanks, such as commercial properties or former service stations. There may be aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) or underground storage tanks (USTs) that stored #2 fuel oil, or some other petroleum product. Are samples required for child care center licensing…

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Map

Historic Fill Sampling for Child Care Centers

By Paul Sakson / May 1, 2017

Many urban and low elevation areas in New Jersey have been mapped by the New Jersey Geological Survey as having historic fill.  Fill material often contains metals, semi-volatile compounds and petroleum hydrocarbons. The first step is to confirm if mapped historic fill is actually present.  This is generally accomplished via drilling small diameter holes in various areas of the property. …

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How Much Does Environmental Compliance Cost?

By Paul Sakson / June 27, 2016

When opening a childcare center, it’s important to budget environmental compliance costs. Following are approximate costs one may expect: NJDEP Compliance: Preliminary Assessment (PA): $2,500-$4,000 Site Investigation (limited sampling, if required): $2,000-$5,000 NJDEP Fee: $0 NJDEP Grant for PA: -$1,500 NJDOH Compliance (if needed): Indoor Environmental Health Assessment: $2,000-$4,000 NJDOH Initial Fee: $1.500 Radon Testing: $500 to $2,000 With proper…

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Plan

Plan It. Build It. (And try not to change it).

By Paul Sakson / September 1, 2015

When planning a new play area for a child care center, it is important that the Licensed Site Remediation Professional know and understand the play area’s construction, size, and location on the property. This is needed to produce an accurate Response Action Outcome (RAO) letter which satisfies NJDEP requirements for child care licensing. The same could be said for indoor…

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Play Area

Play Area Soil Sampling

By Paul Sakson / September 1, 2015

When opening a new child care center or expanding an existing play area, oftentimes soil samples are needed for compliance. Soil samples are generally required when there is a potential for children to have direct contact with any site contaminants, such as pesticides from historic agriculture use. The potential for direct contact includes play areas constructed on natural grass or…

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