Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment (PESA)
Through its program of new highway construction and improvements to existing roadways, IDOT often must acquire properties that may have potential for contamination problems. A Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment (PESA) is a detailed evaluation of available records dealing with the history of a potentially problematic site, and includes a field visit to visually inspect and assess conditions. These assessments have become an important component of real estate transactions, especially for commercial and industrial properties and are typically conducted well in advance of property acquisition. Sites of interest can include various natural and man-made hazards that may be present on or adjacent to existing State right-of-way or on sites proposed for acquisition.
IDOT has a long-standing contract with the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) through the University of Illinois to conduct PESA investigations statewide. ISGS has successfully developed and implemented a site assessment program
for IDOT that efficiently provides information on environmental conditions associated with highway projects. The ISGS website
www.isgs.uiuc.edu/sections/esa provides additional information about the IDOT program and the PESA process. IDOT uses the information provided in the PESA reports to help determine the best preliminary roadway design alternatives (thereby
reducing project costs), to ensure worker safety, and to prioritize projects relative to available funding.An IDOT project that requires additional right-of-way or one which will require excavation will undergo a PESA. This analysis will review the current and past land uses within the project and identify those portions of the project area that feature ‘Recognized Environmental Conditions’ (REC). A Recognized Environmental Condition is a term identifying the presence or likely presence of regulated substances on a property under conditions that indicate an existing release, a past release, or a material threat of a release of any regulated substance into structures on the property or into the ground, groundwater, or surface water of the property. The identification of a REC(s) may necessitate completion
of a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI).
Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI)
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A Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) is an initial investigation of a site including sampling, testing, and analysis of soil, groundwater, and/or sediment, as necessary, and an estimate of the cost of cleanup by parcel. A PSI is typically conducted after completion of a PESA. The investigation focuses on areas of potential concern identified in the PESA known as Recognized Environmental Conditions (REC). If the project design requires acquisition of new right-of-way or requires excavation within existing right-of-way, then a PSI is conducted on those properties to determine the nature and extent of contamination within existing or proposed right-of-way. Groundwater, soil and sediment test results are compared to the clean-up objectives within Illinois’ Tiered Approach to Correction Action Objectives (TACO). PSI work is accomplished through Department contracts with qualified consultants who have expert staff, equipment and access to necessary laboratory facilities. |
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Natural Resources |
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Geologic and Special Waste |
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References and Environmental Documents |
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