Z768-01 (R2022)

Preface

This is the second edition of CSA Standard Z768, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA). It supersedes the first edition published in 1994. This Standard has been developed to assist clients and assessors in planning, implementing, and interpreting the results of Phase I ESAs.

ASTM Standard E 1527 was an important source for this CSA Standard. As well, information and concepts from Technical Committee members, stakeholders, and other published sources have been incorporated in an attempt to account for the substantial regulatory differences between the US and Canada. It is worth noting that in the US, the ESA standard-setting process was intended to permit a user to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for the “innocent landowner defense” against liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). In Canada, the development of guidelines and standards has been influenced by clients’ needs to make informed decisions concerning potentially contaminated sites.

This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Environmental Auditing and Related Investigations under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on the Environment, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee.

Scope

1.1 Purpose

This Standard establishes the principles and practices that are applicable to a Phase I ESA. It is intended to provide a consistent framework and minimum requirements for conducting Phase I ESAs that can accommodate broader regulatory and liability requirements, as well as address pertinent site-specific requirements. This framework involves preparing for and undertaking an investigation and interpreting and reporting on the information gathered. This Standard may be used prior to using CSA Standard Z769.

1.2 Limitations

This Standard does not apply to environmental auditing or environmental management systems, which are addressed in separate CSA Standards. This Standard does not involve the selection or implementation of any measuring, sampling, analytical, or remediation activities. Such activities may be included in Phase II and additional ESAs as applicable.

1.3 Mandatory Language

In this Standard, shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and may is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

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