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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
E S D062C
Course Title (CB02)
Environmental Management Tools: Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Examines Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) which are used to assess (prior to their sale or redevelopment/ reuse) commercial, light industrial, and "brownfield" sites for significant environmental contamination and, if found, then develop and evaluate alternatives to "remediate" (clean up or contain) the contamination found to acceptable levels. Focus is on the required components of a standard Phase I ESA and associated report generation. Explores associated job and career opportunities.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable and is a requirement for the CTE Certificate and Degree in Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention. The course meets a student identified need to learn about and use specific real-world tools that employers look for/demand, one of which is the use of Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs).

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Assignments

  1. Reading assignments from the text and other assigned sources.
  2. Writing assignments involving summary, synthesis and critical analysis of data and information.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Quizzes to evaluate student comprehension of course concepts and principles and their application.
  2. Written homework assignments that require students to demonstrate the ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze course concepts and principles and their application.
  3. A comprehensive Final Exam to evaluate student comprehension of course concepts and principles and their application.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies
  • (Special Purpose Facilities: 1) LEED Platinum-rated green building designed to showcase and teach about effective energy management, efficient environmental resource use, and pollution prevention, 2) Equipment Demonstration/Computer Lab (KC 239), 3) Natural Science Lab (KC 120) 4) Open Teaching Classroom/Lab (ESA Building), 5) Rooftop Air Pollution Monitoring Station)

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Kathleen Hess-Kosa. "Environmental Site Assessment Phase I: A Basic Guide." 3rd ed. CRC Press. 2007.
Thomas Socha. "A Technical Guide For Performing and Writing Phase I Environmental Site Assessments." iUniverse. 2001.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Example ESA reports gathered from various sources.
Alter, Benjamin. "Environmental Consulting Fundamentals: Investigation and Remediation." CRC Press. 2012.
ASTM International. "Standard E1527-13: Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process." 2013.
USEPA. "All Appropriate Inquires (AAI) Final Rule." 40 CFR 312. 2005.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Assess the potential impacts of abandoned/non-operational commercial and light industrial facilities and other "brownfield"-type sites on human health and environmental resources.
  • Explore and examine the driving forces behind Environmental Site Assessments and the associated "ESA process."
  • Explore and examine the standard Phase I ESA Process
  • Examine Planning, Organizing & Starting a Phase I ESA
  • Examine the Records Review task of a standard Phase I ESA
  • Examine the Property & Area Reconnaissance task of a standard Phase I ESA
  • Examine the Interview of Knowledgeable Persons task of a standard Phase I ESA
  • Examine investigation of Commercial/Industrial Activities and "Special Resources"
  • Examine common Building-Related Environmental Concerns & Their Assessment
  • Explore and analyze standard Phase I ESA Reports and associated report generation.
  • Explore potential job and career opportunities involving Phase I ESAs.
  • Examine technologies, systems & tools employed in Phase I ESAs.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate the elements, principles and practices involved with conducting, reporting and using the results of Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs).

Outline

  1. Assess the potential impacts of abandoned/non-operational commercial and light industrial facilities and other "brownfield"-type sites on human health and environmental resources.
    1. Examine select case studies of impacts from old commercial and light industrial facilities and other "brownfield"-type sites on human health and environmental resources.
    2. Discuss the role of ESAs and other similar environmental site assessments (ex: Superfund cleanup program site assessments) in mitigating the negative consequences of old commercial and industrial facilities and other "brownfield"-type sites.
  2. Explore and examine the driving forces behind Environmental Site Assessments and the associated “ESA process.”
    1. Explore the history and motivations behind ESAs (financial liability concerns of property buyers, individual state requirements, etc.).
    2. Examine closely associated “brownfields” programs operated at the federal, state and local levels.
    3. Examine the 3-phase ESA process: Site Investigation and Screening; Site Sampling and Characterization; Remediation Plan Development.
  3. Explore and examine the standard Phase I ESA Process
    1. Explore the 3 basic interrelated tasks involved in a Phase I ESA (Records Review; Interview of “Knowledgeable Persons; Site Visit/“Site Reconnaissance”)
    2. Explore the governing standards for a Phase I ESA (USEPA's "All Appropriate Inquires" Rule and ASTM Standard 1527)
    3. Examine alternative use and generation of a Limited Phase I ESA (“Transaction Screen”).
    4. Examine the party(ies) potentially seeking a Phase I Report (i.e., the seller, a potential buyer, a lender, etc.), their motivations, knowledge, and expectations.
  4. Examine Planning, Organizing & Starting a Phase I ESA
    1. Examine working with the party seeking a Phase I Report to determine their specific needs and to establish a governing "Scope of Work".
    2. Examine developing an organized, systematic plan of attack to complete the required tasks.
    3. Examine the need to start requesting/collecting relevant site records from the client and governmental and other sources ASAP.
    4. Examine the need to establish a site and area sketch and perform (if feasible) an initial "drive-by" and "walk-around" of the site and area.
  5. Examine the Records Review task of a standard Phase I ESA
    1. Examine researching available information sources to define the Physical Setting of the site (Geographic Description, Topographic Characteristics, Hydrologic & Hydrogeologic Characteristics, etc.)
    2. Examine researching the Historic Usage of the Property & Surrounding Area based on available historical records like Title Records, Aerial Photographs, Fire Insurance Maps, Historic Topographic Maps, etc.
    3. Investigate examining Government Regulatory Agency Listings and Databases for relevant site information and/or using commercially-available services to perform this task.
  6. Examine the Property & Area Reconnaissance task of a standard Phase I ESA
    1. Examine standard Reconnaissance of a Property, considering 25 separate items to look for/examine such as waste management units, odors, dead wildlife, etc.
    2. Examine standard Reconnaissance of Adjacent Properties, observing what is observable.
    3. Examine optional but recommended Reconnaissance of the Surrounding Area via a "windshield tour".
  7. Examine the Interview of Knowledgeable Persons task of a standard Phase I ESA
    1. Examine the Purpose & Key Goals of Interviews
    2. Examine the Types, Settings & Timing of Interviews
    3. Examine both who we must interview (per the prevailing ASTM standard) and who we might (optionally) want to interview.
    4. Examine use of a model "User Questionnaire" given in the ASTM Standard to obtain certain information from the party requesting the Phase I Report (i.e., the buyer, seller, lender, etc.).
  8. Examine investigation of Commercial/Industrial Activities and "Special Resources"
    1. Examine investigation of common commercial activities and/or industrial processes that may have taken place at a given property at one time and their potential environmental impacts.
    2. Examine investigation for the presence of "special resources" at a given property such as wetlands, historical buildings, endangered species, etc.
  9. Examine common Building-Related Environmental Concerns & Their Assessment
    1. Examine the potential for Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) being present in buildings.
    2. Examine the potential for Lead-Based Painted Surfaces being present in buildings.
    3. Examine the potential for Lead being present in the Drinking Water used at the site.
    4. Examine the potential for Mold & Moisture being present in buildings.
    5. Examine the potential for Radon Gas Intrusion into buildings.
  10. Explore and analyze standard Phase I ESA Reports and associated report generation.
    1. Examine AAI and ASTM reporting requirements for a Phase I Report.
    2. Examine the typical contents of Phase I Report and its associated preparation.
    3. Examine example real-world Phase I ESA Reports.
  11. Explore potential job and career opportunities involving Phase I ESAs.
    1. Explore job and career opportunities in Phase I background investigations (records review).
    2. Explore job and career opportunities in Phase I field investigations (site reconnaissance).
    3. Explore job and career opportunities in Phase I interviewing.
  12. Examine technologies, systems & tools employed in Phase I ESAs.
    1. Examine technologies, systems & tools employed in Phase I background investigations.
    2. Examine technologies, systems & tools employed in Phase I field investigations.
    3. Examine technologies, systems & tools employed in Phase I report generation.
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