McKissock Fair Housing, Fair Lending Practice Test

Phase I investigations are designed to identify potential environmental concerns by combining historical research, information from knowledgeable people, and careful on-site observations. Historical records review helps uncover past property uses and regulatory actions that could indicate contamination risk. Interviews with knowledgeable persons capture information not found in documents, such as previous site practices or events that aren’t publicly recorded. Site reconnaissance and observations involve a thorough on-site assessment of the property and surrounding area to visually identify indicators like storage tanks, waste handling areas, drainage, or signposts of past activities.

The item that isn’t typically included is a drive-by inspection of the property. A drive-by approach is too superficial to meet the Phase I standard, because it misses important on-site details, interior conditions, and potential indicators that are only observable through a more thorough on-site inspection. Phase I emphasizes systematic, documented observations obtained during an actual site visit, not just observations from the street or from a vehicle.