Environmental Services

Geotill has considerable experience in preparing environmental assessments and impact statements for a variety of important and potentially contentious projects.

We work closely with lead and cooperating government agencies to identify stakeholders and key issues of concern, develop strategies to successfully address those issues, identify major permitting and legal requirements, and ultimately meet federal, state and local environmental policy.
Geotill professionals prepare strong, defensible documents to address your project’s specific requirements. We offer valuable insights that reduce the schedule to complete documents and provide innovative approaches that meet your project’s needs.
Geotill environmental group work closely with Indiana Department of Environmental Management to address and provide in-depth research and advocacy on the broad range of Indiana, national and international environmental issues.
How many times have you noticed land being cleared or construction work starting on a commercial property, and then the work stops in its tracks? There are plenty of examples of long-hidden environmental problems halting or delaying a project. (Just because a gas station closed in 1948 doesn’t mean it isn’t still with us.) It is impossible to discern the environmental condition of a property just by looking at it. Records must be searched and databases reviewed to determine if potential concerns may exist.
Keep in mind that environmental regulations, at both the federal (EPA) and state (IDEM) level, are constantly changing. In addition, there are recent changes in the standards regarding how information must be reported on a Phase I environmental report. Therefore, an issue that did not have to be dealt with a year ago, may now rise to the level of Recognized Environmental Condition (REC).Remember that all environmental companies are not created equal. Before hiring an environmental professional, ask around, get recommendations, and compare prices. Make sure that the company can complete the work in a timely manner including environmental drilling and provide a clear and concise report for the lender. Understand what your lender requires – particular language, name of intended user, reliance letters – so that the investigation is ordered properly and multiple revisions are not necessary.

The name of the game is to start early and don’t assume the property is free of problems. Even though there may not be petroleum in the ground water, there may be other issues, even minor ones, that could hold up a purchase or refinance. Just remember that the environmental investigation is there to protect both the borrower and the lender, so embrace it and take advantage of the information it provides.