The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has begun review of ASTM Standard E 1527-05, Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process, which describes the standard practice for performing a Phase I environmental site assessment (ESA) in the United States.

ASTM is required to review and reauthorize the standard periodically. If no action is taken, the standard will automatically sunset (expire) in November 2013. ASTM has a formed a task group to review and provide recommendations regarding possible changes to the standard.

About the Author

Gregory J. Mentel is a senior project manager in Environmental Resources Management’s Transaction Services practice based in Washington, D.C., U.S.A. Mr. Mentel is a registered Professional Engineer and a Professional Geologist with over nineteen years of professional experience in hydrogeology and environmental consulting for government, financial, industrial and commercial clients.

Photograph: Sun Burst by Matthew Bowden, Gillingham, Kent, United Kingdom.