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In an ideal world, environmental due diligence reports would be like honey or soy sauce and last for many years.  Since shelf-life varies on reports, you need to be aware of the limitations and risks of using old or outdated information for current real estate transactions. Below, we outline the validity of many common reports…

Three of PM Expert’s give a quick take on whether the proposed changes to the EPA and rollback of regulations by the Trump administration will affect Environmental Due Diligence.  John W. Hargraves, P.G., Regional Manager – Brownfield Group / Senior Geologist:  “I don’t think the proposed changes to the EPA structure and emphasis will change…

Senate Bill 717 was recently approved by the governor on December 21, 2016 and will become effective March 29, 2017. This bill amended five sections and added one section to the Part 213 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451. Since the state regulators approach changed years ago to allow environmental…

Every year around January and February, the focus of the conversation at regional and national conferences includes the state of the economy and forecasts for the future.  As we enter 2017 with a new US President, changes in the House and Senate political landscape, and international policy shifts, the general consensus is that the US…

A recently signed group of Senate bills promises developers in Michigan more latitude in obtaining Brownfield funding.  Key provisions of SB 908-913 expand the types of activities that can be covered, loosen requirements on applying for funding and shorten the processing time on Brownfield Plan requests under $1 million. UST Inclusion Before SB 908-913, Brownfield…

Why do I need to worry about vapor intrusion? Vapor intrusion results from chemical vapors emanating from contaminated soil or groundwater that impacts the indoor air of a building. The chemical vapors can seep into openings in cracked foundations, basements, or sewer lines or, depending on the identified compounds, can simply migrate through the floor…

Whether you are planning on renovating an older building or demolishing a structure to make way for something new, it is important to consider the presence of asbestos. Asbestos exposure is a severe health risk that can potentially lead to conditions like mesothelioma, lung cancer and other types of asbestos-related cancer. Below are just a…

The City of Detroit has funding from the US EPA that needs to be used quickly for environmental assessment activities (Phase I ESAs, Phase II ESAs, or Baseline Environmental Assessments) on projects. If the money is not committed for projects, the EPA will recapture the funding. The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday, October…

Closing a US Small Business Administration (SBA) loan on a contaminated site just became more complicated in Michigan.  Recent changes made by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) in late 2015 are requiring deeper investigation into potential Vapor Intrusion issues as well as limiting the use of the Documentation of Due Care Compliance report…

Google the phrase, ‘use of drones in engineering’ and a plethora of listings will populate your screen.  From performing cell tower inspections to farming to delivering packages, drone use in business is increasing daily and seems limited only by one’s imagination. At some point, you have probably pondered the use of drones (Also known as…