In the context of ESAs, what is meant by "document review"?

In the context of Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), "document review" refers specifically to the process of examining historical documents associated with property ownership and usage. This step is crucial in identifying any potential environmental concerns that might be related to the site. Historical documents can include past property deeds, land use records, regulatory filings, and any records of prior environmental investigations. By analyzing these records, assessors can uncover activities that may have posed environmental risks, such as hazardous material storage or disposal practices in the property's history. This background information is vital in forming a complete understanding of the environmental conditions at the site and determining if further investigation or remediation is necessary.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of property assessment and management: analyzing legal contracts pertains to real estate transactions, reviewing financial statements focuses on the economic viability of a property rather than its environmental issues, and summarizing environmental laws would be more about compliance considerations rather than an examination of specific property usage history.