Frequently Asked Questions

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| Permit Trackertm FAQs | Site Assessment Softwaretm FAQs | ESA Phase I FAQs |
Site Assessment Softwaretm
  • Q: How does SAS work?
    A: It prints checklists you use to gather info, then you use the software to generate a narrative report text by selecting from the same checklist items on the screen. Each item has a chunk of text attached. these sections of text are inserted into the report you are building.
    For more info see our pages on Site Assessment Softwaretm

  • Q: Is SAS just fill-in-the-blank software?
    A: NO. We provide expert text you need to describe specific information about the sites you are assessing. We provide over 4700 sections of text related to usages, records, and observations.

  • Q: If I use a template or shell now, how can your software help me?
    A: You can import your shell into our system then use our expertly-written text sections to fill out the site-specific information.

  • Q: Can I make changes to your boilerplate or report format?
    A: You can modify any of our text sections, import your own text, add to our picklists, and assemble the report in any order you want. (It will follow the ASTM format if you just go from top to bottom of each picklist and select the next picklist in line, if you prefer.)

  • Q: Who wrote your report text sections?
    A: We contracted with experienced ESA Phase I report writers, instructors and professional organizations to produce text covering over 4700 aspects of site characteristics, usages, records, and common report elements. Then we had their work peer-reviewed and checked by environmental attorneys.

  • Q: What software do I need to make it work?
    A: None! It is a self-contained product that allows you to build, edit, and print reports. But, it will allow you to export the assembled report text to any word processor you want, to do more editing.

  • Q: Does it conform to the ASTM standards?
    A: We consider the ASTM standards to be a subset of our standards. Seriously, the answer is YES! Both the E1527 and E1528 standards are supported by our report text.

  • Q: Who recommends your software?
    A: We have been approved and recommended by: Many instructors of college-level and other courses use our software in the classroom and recommend it to their students.

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    Questions About Site Assessments
  • Q: What is a Phase I ESA?
    A: An Environmental Site Assessment report written as a narrative including a complete records review, site visit, and interviews. It follows the ASTM E1527 standards.

  • Q: What is a Transaction Screening?
    A: The screening process is the first level of inquiry in deciding if a full Phase I ESA is needed. It is usually done with a questionaire using the ASTM E1528 standards.

  • Q: What is ASTM?
    A: The American Society of Testing and Materials developed standards for environmental site assessments. Visit ASTM's Web Site

  • Q: Who can do these reports?
    A: Usually an environmental professional is contracted by a lending institution to produce these reports.

  • Q: Are these reports required?
    A: The Federal Deposit Insurance Coporation (FDIC) has issued a paper to lending institutions known as the Environmental Risk Program (ERP.) This advises the lenders to assign staff to supervise the implementation of a program to require and review these reports.

  • Q: Are they for commercial or residential properties?
    A: Mostly commercial property transfers, although many lenders are asking for screenings of residential sites, especially multi-family.

  • Q: What certification is required?
    A: While there are no national requirements, the lending institution usually sets their own standards. Some states such as California have an REA (Registered Environmental Assessor) certification.

  • Q: Where can these certifications be earned?
    A: State university systems usually have courses, several professional organizations offer courses and certification.

  • Q: What magazines cover this subject?
    A: Environmental Protection, Environmental Solutions, Environmental Technology, ECON, and others.
    | Top | Permit Trackertm FAQ | Site Assessment Softwaretm FAQ | ESA Phase I FAQ |

    Questions About Permit Trackertm Software
  • Q: Who uses it?
    A: Anyone who needs to track the permit pulling process. It can also be used to track the compliance stages of the life of permits.
    For more info see our page on Permit Trackertm Software

  • Q: We issue permits, can Permit Tracker help me?
    A: No, Permit Tracker is used to track permits from the permit puller's side. For software to track permits from the issuing side you need to contact Black Bear Systems, Inc. They've been at this for a long time and have the software you need to track the issuing of permits by your agency.
    PTWin - Permitting Software for Windows
    Black Bear Systems, Inc.
    Web Site: http://www.blackbearsystems.com
    P.O. Box 280
    Chimacum, WA 98325
    Voice: (360) 379-9750
    Fax: (360) 379-9751
    Email: info@blackbearsystems.com

  • Q: Can I track local permits?
    A: Yes, you have control of the master permit and action catalog used to create live permit records used to track the permits you encounter.

    More to come, soon...
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