In Michigan’s Great Southwest, fruit orchards have historically dominated the region. While being fruitful for the economy, a sour aftertaste lingers in soil of historical orchards farmed prior to the 1970s. Specifically, lead arsenate pesticides were widespread and the heavy metals (e.g., arsenic and lead) can remain in soil even decades after the last spray. If historical fruit orchards are flagged during the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I) process, it is identified as a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC).

If you are considering purchasing a property that was once a fruit orchard prior to the 1970s, Point Blue will guide you through the due diligence and due care processes to ensure that property goals are achieved while evaluating any potential liability or exposure risk.

If you find yourself in a situation where a Phase I ESA has identified a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC), what are the next steps? While the process might seem complicated, the experienced staff at Point Blue are well equipped to guide prospective buyers and provide confidence in a big investment. 

Are you looking to purchase property along the Lake Michigan shoreline? Not sure whether the parcel is regulated by the State of Michigan for protection of its natural resources? Not sure whether you can build or add-on in a regulated area? Concerned about bluff safety and stability? The Natural Resource Consultants at Point Blue are here to help.

If a Phase I ESA has identified a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC), what are the next steps? For properties located in Michigan, a process is outlined under Part 201 (Environmental Remediation) and Part 213 (Leaking Underground Storage Tanks) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) which allows buyers to purchase contaminated properties without being held liable for existing contamination. In order to secure liability protection when purchasing a contaminated property, a buyer will need an environmental professional like Point Blue to conduct the Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA). If you’re ready to move forward with your property purchase and RECs are identified in a Phase I, Point Blue help can show you how to use the BEA process to accomplish your goals.

Point Blue is part of the Indefinite-Scope, Indefinite-Delivery (ISID) prequalified program for professional services related to environmental consulting. We are able to assist any MiDEAL member involved in local government (cities, counties, villages, townships, authorities & commissions), K-12 schools and districts, universities, colleges, and non-profit hospitals. Point Blue is listed as a vendor that can assist with environmental services through a MiDEAL contract.