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Different Types of Environmental Consulting

By Janet Annan

What Does Environmental Consulting Include?

When you hear the term environmental consultant what do you think? Do you think EPA, private consultant, driller or something else entirely? The term environmental consultant is a fairly generic term, but in general refers to a person with extensive knowledge on environmental regulations and acts as an advisor to a client typically during a transaction.

Areas of expertise of an environmental consultant can include but is not limited to the following:
• Land, water and air contamination and assessments
• Waste management policies
• Environmental management systems
• Environmental impact assessment
• Environmental audit/Compliance Audits
• Legislative and Judicial
• Developed Site Conceptual Models
• Risk-based Analysis
• Act as a liaison between clients, inspectors and regulators

During a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), an Environmental Professional (EP) is used. An EP, is not always the same and as an Environmental Consultant. An EP is defined under ASTM E1527 as “someone qualified to conduct and/or supervise a Phase I ESA, based on experience and education requirements. They have sufficient knowledge and experience to exercise professional judgment, appropriately evaluate risks, and form conclusions regarding conditions indicative of releases or threatened releases at a property.

The requirements set by ASTM for an Environmental Professional are as follows:

  • A federal, state or tribal-issued certification or license (Professional Geologist, Professional Engineer or other certification to perform environmental inquiries) and 3 years of relevant full-time experience;
    or
  • A Baccalaureate degree or higher in science or engineering and 5 years of relevant full-time work experience;
    or
  • 10 years of relevant full-time work experience.