Due Diligence, Property Transactions, Mergers Acquisitions and Redevelopment Environmental Site Assessments Brownfields Redevelopment Site Closure Environmental Troubleshooters Inc. works with developers, attorneys, lenders and municipalities to facilitate property transactions and redevelopment of contaminated sites, including: Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) Phase I ESAs Phase II ESAs Brownfields Redevelopment Clean Up Grant Assistance and Response Action Plans (RAPs) Sub-slab Vapor Mitigation Diagnostic Analysis and System Installation Contaminated Soil Excavation and Off-site Disposal Site Closure Negotiations and Regulatory Assurances Affidavits, No Further Action Letters and No Association Determinations Cost to Close Estimates / Diminution Valuation Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Services ET performs Phase I ESA services to protect prospective property owners, developers and financial institutions from liability. Our ESAs are conducted in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards and EPA's All Appropriate Inquiry Requirements. Supplemental services required under Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available. When a Phase I ESA identifies recognized environmental conditions (RECs), data gaps or business environmental risks at a site, ET performs a Phase II ESA to assess for the presence of contaminants, including the collection of soil, groundwater and soil vapor to determine the extent and to quantify the risk to the property and occupants. Burn Pit Brownfields Redevelopment and Clean Up Grant Assistance Brownfields are properties that are contaminated from historic uses. There are unique challenges to redeveloping brownfield sites, including reducing unknowns, cost control, and complying with environmental regulations while running an efficient construction project. State and federal grant funding may be available to assist with redevelopment, including vapor mitigation and contaminated soil management. ET has worked with municipalities and developers for over a decade to assist clients with obtaining state and federal brownfields grants. These grants benefit the community by redeveloping underutilized properties, reducing neighborhood blight, increasing property values and tax base and stimulating redevelopment to the surrounding area. Gander Mountain Brownfields Redevelopment - Before Site Closure Negotiations and Regulatory Assurances Regulatory protections are available for buyers, developers and lenders associated with brownfield properties. If these parties follow the proper due diligence path, they can be granted voluntary party status and receive regulatory No Further Action Letters, No Association Determinations and/or Off-site Source Determinations. These assurances program provide developers with a regulatory path to move forward, banks confidence to loan money and collateralize the site, and realtors the ability to market and sell the site. Many leak or spill sites that have been previously closed still remain contaminated. This residual site contamination may result in a decrease to the value of the property. ET routinely assists clients with determining the property value reductions at sites due to the presence of contamination.

Press Releases ​ Visit this page every Monday for our weekly press releases. July 13 - Phase 5 of Knife River Restoration Project Environmental Troubleshooters, Inc. has been awarded the fifth Phase of the Knife River Restoration project. This project will stabilize streambanks, create spawning redds and improve trout rearing habitat in the lower 2,500 liner feet of Reach 4. The project also includes the survey of approximately 2 miles of stream between Lake County Highway 11 and Lake County Highway 9, the restoration design to stabilize an eroding streambank in Reach 13 and removal of flood debris from the Lower Knife River Falls and Cable Hole. July 3 - New Employee Emma Burgeson Emma Burgeson has joined Environmental Troubleshooters, Inc. as an environmental scientist and field technician. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Western Washington University and her Master of Science in Water Resources Science from the University of Minnesota. She brings a background in ecology, hydrology, and geomorphology that will add to our stream restoration services. Additionally, Emma is an FAA licensed drone pilot and plans to use video and photogrammetry to monitor the extent of spills and aid in stream assessment surveying. April 21 - ET Wins Bid For Petroleum Soil Excavation Environmental Troubleshooters won the State of Minnesota bid for the Petroleum Soil Excavation at the former Jeff’s Super Service in Greenbush, Minnesota. The project scope of work includes the excavation of contaminated soil, the pumping of contaminated ground water, landfill disposal of petroleum contaminated soils and backfilling the excavation. March 30 - New Employee Brett Bjergo Brett Bjergo joined ET in February of 2020 as a field scientist. Mr. Bjergo received his Bachelors of Science degree in Geological Science and a minor in Environmental Science from the University of Minnesota – Duluth. His primary role is to conduct soil and groundwater sampling, perform Phase I and II assessments and respond to environmental emergencies. Mr. Bjergo’s previous work experience consists of disaster response, remediation and cleanup and preserving/restoring native prairies. January 26 - New Stream Project Environmental Troubleshooters was awarded the North Fork of the Zumbro River Channel Restoration project in January 2021. The project includes the excavation of 30,000 cubic yards of soil, placement of 400 cubic yards of rip rap, installation of 400 linear feet of toe wood, planting of 450 live willow stakes, construction of two instream riffle structure and the removal of a remnant dam. September 21 - New Boom and Skimmer The new Boom and Skimmer have arrived. Environmental Troubleshooters, Inc. has purchased 4,600 linear feet of Acme Containment Boom and a 36” Drum Skimmer. We are currently pursuing an OSRO with the Coast Guard to provide additional spill response resources to the Northland. September 7 - New Employee Camie Pederson Camie Pederson had 32 years of environmental safety experience prior to joining Environmental Troubleshooters. She is our primary emergency responder and project manager in the Twin Cities. Her emergency response experience ranges from small-scale petroleum dispenser spills to catastrophic tank/line failure involving the release of thousands of gallons of free petroleum product. August 31 - New Employee Brian Hayden Brian Hayden joined ET’s team in 2019 as a senior project manager. He has over 35 years of diverse environmental experience working in the consulting, governmental and private sectors. As an environmental geologist/hydrogeologist he has extensive background conducting site investigations and remediations, environmental site assessments, brownfield redevelopments, landfill permitting and closures and environmental compliance. Brian’s experience also includes 10 years as an Environmental Manager for a Class I railroad where he was responsible for environmental compliance and management of facilities located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. He specialties and expertise include emergency response and preparedness with having responded and managed small to national incidents. Brian’s able to assist ET clients with Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs), Spill Prevention, Countermeasures and Controls (SPCC) plans, emergency response planning and response management. August 24 - ET's New Equipment Environmental Troubleshooters has acquired new equipment. ET purchased an 80 BBL vacuum truck, as well as a brand new enclosed pressure washer trailer. The pressure washer trailer has hot, cold, and steam capabilities. ET has also acquired 4,600 feet of boom and a new skimmer. New Vaccuum Truck 1 New Vaccuum Truck 2 New Vaccuum Truck 4 New Vaccuum Truck 1 1/4 Pressure Washer Trailer 1 Pressure Washer Trailer 2 Pressure Washer Trailer 14 Pressure Washer Trailer 1 1/14 August 17 - ET's New Twin Cities Office Environmental Troubleshooters Inc. is excited to announce the opening of a new Twin Cities office. The office is staffed and ready to respond to your environmental needs, such as emergency response, industrial services, remediation, waste management, and vacuum truck transportation services. Please feel free to call us if you have any questions or need assistance.

Published Articles Click any of the blue buttons below and scroll down to read our articles. Winter's the Best Season to Plan your Site Redevelopment's Environmental Work Winter’s a great time to consider your next redevelopment project, because there’s time to assess and design, obtain approvals and permits, get a grant and be first to hit the ground. Here are tips on what to plan for. ​ ​ ​ Vapor Intrusion in Commercial Property Acquisition and Development Savvy leaders and developers are familiar with performing environmental due diligence as part of acquiring commercial property, and the industry standard for due diligence is the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). ​ ​ Brownfield Redevelopment has Risks - but also has Business Rewards From approximately 1988 to 1998, businesses that owned or operated petroleum underground storage tanks (USTs) were required to remove and/or upgrade their old tank systems to prevent environmental releases. ​ ​ Preliminary Assessments are Required to Address Renovation or Demolition Project Hazards If you’re planning to renovate or demolish a commercial or residential structure, specific preliminary assessments must be conducted to protect occupants and contractors - and protect you from personal liability. The three primary environmental building inspections include asbestos, lead-based paint and regulated waste. ​ Evaluate Key Criteria before Redeveloping a Brownfield Site In previous Duluthian “Environment” articles, I’ve explained why brownfield properties can be a benefit to developers looking for their next project. This articles focuses on evaluating a project or property to determine if the fit is right for your plans. ​ The Rehabilitation of a River The Knife River, about a 19-mile drive up the North Shore from Duluth, once held one of the largest populations of naturally-reproducing steelhead in the Great Lakes. However, since the early 1970s, the Knife River’s steelhead population has experienced a dramatic decline. One of the reasons for this decline is habitat loss. ​ Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top

Environmental Construction Services A unique advantage of selecting Environmental Troubleshooters, Inc. as a teammate to work on your environmental project is our Design Build expertise. Our approach to contract projects is to provide a full Turn-Key service that performs both the contracting and consulting work simultaneously. Our inhouse team, utilizes specialized remediation equipment operated by highly skilled and trained personnel. This Turn-Key approach allows us the flexibility to make real-time decisions based on field observations without stopping work for multiple rounds of solicitations and change orders. This approach ultimately yields more data, higher quality results and a cost-effective project. Tank Removals Soil Excavation Compost Soil Treatment Soil Stabilization Remedial Compound Subsurface Injection Land Spread Soil Treatment Vapor Mitigation Tank Removals Skid Steer Surface Soil Excavation Compost Soil Treatment Land Spread Soil Treatment Adding Heavy Metal Stabilization Compound Remedial Compound Subsurface Injection Vapor Extraction from Sewer Line

Stream Restoration Extensive logging removed riparian trees throughout many watersheds, which has led to deteriorating streambanks, a discharge of sediment and impacts to the stream channel. This continuous watershed instability negatively effects water temperature, sediment load and fish habitat. ET utilizes a restoration approach called Natural Channel Design to restore critical stream parameters. ET’s Natural Channel Design approach includes: Assessment and surveying of the stream using Natural Channel Design methodology. Collection survey data and biological data necessary to complete project permit applications and design a rehabilitation project. Monitoring the water temperature to select project site(s). Designing a stream restoration project to restore watershed function and stability. Restore the stream channel’s shape, dimension and profile. Enhance instream trout habitat by strategically positioning large woody debris, rock vanes and “J” hooks into the channel. Reconnect the channel to the floodplain. Create new floodplain benches and wetlands to retain water on the landscape. Raise the groundwater table. Stabilize streambanks with use of Toe Wood/Root Wads. Rehabilitate the riparian overhead tree canopy with native vegetative species. Stream Surveying and Restoration Design Restoration Construction Stream Surveying and Restoration Design ET uses the science-based Natural Channel Design methodology to assess and survey impacted stream reaches. This assessment/surveys method collects data from the impacted stream reach and compares it to several stable stream sections. All survey work is performed using a geomorphic trained Stream Specialist. Our assessment data collects stream width to depth ratios, floodplain elevation, erosion calculations, longitudinal profile, cross-section elevation and vegetation cover. The survey data is entered into a specialized stream restoration computer-based program to create plans and specifications that will restore impacted stream features. These restoration plans create the basis for the construction project by depicting channel shape, size and dimension reconfiguration, placement of structures, streambed depth, streambank elevation and any stream channel realignment. Another advantage of using ET for stream project designs is our projects are created to be self-maintaining due to our understanding of precise streambank elevations, channel shape and sediment transport. When the Natural Channel Design projects are properly designed, it results in a stable channel, that transports sediment, with an abundance of instream woody debris that creates scour pools and retained spawning gravels. Identified an Eroding Streambank during the Rapid Stream Assessment Restoration Construction Restoration Construction ​ Historically large instream woody debris was prevalent in watersheds. This large wood created structure to the stream and created side channels, stabilize of banks, connected floodplains, retained spawning substrate and scoured sediment deposits. Today, much of this wood has been lost due to channelization and flooding, which has led to an increase in channel instability, bank erosion, and sediment discharge. To restore these stream impacts, ET imports large wood to rehabilitate the shape and pattern of the stream channel. Besides creating a stabilize and functioning channel, this substrate redirects current flow, creates deep scour pools, retains spawning gravels and stabilizes streambanks. This construction method that utilizes only natural materials, differs from traditional restoration methods that armor streambanks with riprap. The benefits of natural materials are the enhancement of instream habitat that support fish and a more aesthetic appeal. Placing Large Rock to Raise the Pool Height to allow for Easier Trout Passage

Employment Opportunities If you are interested in working at Environmental Troubleshooters, email a cover letter and resume to cwilson@etsmn.com .

News Click any of the sections below to view our news items. Stay tuned for future Environmental Troubleshooters updates! Press Releases Published Articles ET in the News Awards Employment Opportunities

Company Information and History History Environmental Troubleshooters, Inc. (ET) is a comprehensive environmental consulting and contracting firm that was established in 1995. During our history, we have conducted over 2,000 projects regulated under Superfund, Petroleum Remediation and Brownfields, Underground and Aboveground Storage Tank (UST/AST), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Water Act and Asbestos programs. The hazardous substances / contaminants that ET has experience working with include petroleum products, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), asbestos, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), agricultural chemicals, mixed industrial wastes, tank and sump sludges and regulated building materials. ET has also performed projects under Level B, C and D conditions. Approach Unlike traditional environmental firms, ET has the ability to provide a full turn-key service. Our turn-key process assesses the project, devises the scope of work, collects samples, designs the remedy, provide technical oversight, performs the physical labor and contracting service to remedy the problem and completes the reports. This turn-key or design-build process provides onsite flexibility to make real-time decisions based on field observations. This designed build feature also limits the shutdown of projects to solicited or rebid project scope changes, which ultimately provides a more effective, timely and cost efficient project. Staff, Certifications and Licenses ET has a diverse staff of managerial, professional and technical personnel. Our staff consists of Professional Geologists, Certified Hazardous Material Managers, MPCA Certified Vapor Mitigation Specialist, Army Corp of Engineers Certified Wetland Delineator, Rosgen Level IV Stream Restoration Specialist, MPCA Certified Construction Storm Water Designers, Installers and Inspectors, EPA Asbestos Project Designers, Inspectors and Contractor Superiors, EPA Lead Paint Supervisors, MPCA Certified Underground Storage Tank Remover, RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator Training, FEMA National Incident Management System, NOAA Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment, MPCA Open Water Boom Training, MDH Monitoring Well Contractors and DOT Class A Licensed Drivers. Service Areas ET has provided environmental services throughout the Midwest. We have worked in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota and Illinois. Click Here To Contact Us!

COVID-19/Coronavirus Disinfecting COVID-19 Employers have been shut down for several months during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the economy starts to reopen and the second wave of infections are predicted, business sanitation to keep employees and customers safe is of paramount importance to all employers. To help business through these COVID-19 issues, Environmental Troubleshooters, Inc. (ET) is available to provide COVID-19 response services. COVID-19 Services Response to COVID-19 outbreaks. Disinfecting contaminated facilities. Develop site-specific cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitation plans. Provide OSHA Compliant Infectious Agent, Respiratory Protection and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) written plans. Perform Inhouse OSHA Employee Training for COVID-19 Infectious Agents, Hazard Communication/Employee Right to Know, Respiratory Protection and PPE. Disinfecting and Surface Cleaning For over two decades, ET has provided fungus and bacteria remediation services. To address the current COVID-19 pandemic, ET has now implemented new safety measures, established virus specific cleanup procedures and expanded our line of disinfectant equipment. During a COVID-19 response ET will provide: Trained personnel equipped with Tyvek suits, gloves and respirators. We have qualified staff that has been trained in various disinfecting techniques and will wear personal protective equipment that exceeds CDC recommendations. Disinfecting equipment. For largescale projects, ET typically uses industrial sprayers to fog and mist down horizontal and vertical surfaces. For small-scale projects, ET uses hand-held foggers to disinfect a specific area, equipment or structure more discretely. Use of CDC and EPA disinfectants. ET uses a specialized ozone-based disinfectant that is CDC and EPA recommended and a less toxic alternative to the standard bleach or ammonia-based disinfectants that are traditionally used. Our disinfectant does not leave an odor, fade furnishings or damage building surfaces.

24-Hour Emergency Response Environmental Troubleshooters, Inc. is a 24-Hour emergency provider that provides consulting and contracting services for a wide range of incidents involving releases of petroleum, PCBs, VOCs, heavy metals and asbestos. We are routinely called to mitigate releases at bulk fuel plants and terminals, gas stations, railroads, roadways, ditches and culverts, groundwater, potable water wells, lakes, rivers, wetlands, sewer systems, street vaults, greenspaces, industrial facilities, commercial buildings and homes. Our emergency response mobilizes a team of qualified professionals using state-of-the-art equipment. This Response Action may require the following scope of services: • Containment of free fuel or chemical product. • Recovery of free or contained product. • Collection of multi-media soil, groundwater, surface water and/or vapor samples to determine if additional corrective action is required. • Clear utilities. • Excavate area of contamination. • Clean residual contamination or fuel stained surfaces. • Collect excavations soil samples for disposal purposes and to document the cleanup project. • Perform follow-up sampling if residual contamination remains present. • Conduct a full investigation if the residual contamination is above action levels. • Design a remedial action plan to remove the residual contamination. • Provide a final closure report to the Client, Third Party(s) and Regulatory Agencies.