Environmental Due Diligence
The term “Environmental REC” is shorthand for Recognized Environmental Condition. It’s a phrase that tends to perplex first-time commercial property buyers who hear it and imagine a scene from a disaster movie. Rest assured, it’s not shorthand for “environmental wreck,” though the implications can still be significant. An Environmental REC means that an environmental professional
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
This story cannot be told without giving proper respect to what started me down this rabbit hole. Strong Towns is a book I just read, after watching their YouTube channel for about 18 months. To be fair, Not Just Bikes, City Nerd and City Beautiful had a big impact too. The premise of the book
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
Introduction Hello again to the elected officials of the City of Blue Island. You may remember me from my time at the podium of your December 17th 2024 board meeting. I’m Tim Allen, in Business Development for A3 Environmental Consultants, a woman owned environmental consultancy in Lisle, Illinois. We’ve been working in Chicagoland for 24
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation
This project profile documents an IDOT Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) A3 Environmental Consultants performed as a DBE subconsultant in Schaumburg, Illinois. A PSI is the corridor-scale equivalent of a Phase 2 ESA — if you’re new to the process, start with what a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) is and how it follows a Preliminary Environmental
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
I’ve volunteered to head up a American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) Standard committee regarding Wetland Screens. Part of the process is to explain why I think the standard is necessary. This is my attempt to explain my thoughts. In the due diligence phase of a property transaction, assessing the buildability of a
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Ecological Services
In October 2024, A3 Environmental Consultants completed a wetland delineation study as part of the Meadowlands Drainage Study in Sterling, Whiteside County, Illinois. The site, a 17-acre parcel with a 5.7-acre man-made stormwater pond and a fallow farm field, required a detailed evaluation to assess potential wetlands and their regulatory status. The site was bordered
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Project Profiles
A 3rd party environmental review is an independent, expert re-examination of a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) that a commercial lender did not commission. When a borrower walks in with an ASTM E1527-21 Phase 1 ESA from a consultant the bank has never worked with, a 3rd party environmental review tells the lender whether
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), or as we call them, drones, are finding their way into engineering applications. The price to fly (use) these machines is coming down and ideas about how they can be incorporated into the work we do is rising. At A3 Environmental Consultants, we find ourselves in the curious position of both
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
The latest technology which is seeking applications in every industry is that of what is commonly known as “drones“. We call them “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” or UAV’s for short. A3 Environmental Consultants recognizes the need to keep up with what our engineering and government agency clients are looking for. To that end, we have partnered
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
College of DuPage is a public community college with its main campus in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The college also owns and operates satellite campuses in Addison, Carol Stream, Naperville and Westmont. With more than 20,000 students, the College of DuPage is the second largest provider of undergraduate education in Illinois, after University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Asbestos Containing Materials Survey Before starting any demolition, rehabilitation, or renovation of
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Project Profiles
In May of 2024, Taylor Closen, a project manager at A3 Environmental Consultants, managed and oversaw the removal of the fuel tanks and the contaminated soil from the site over the course of seven days. This project was not just a routine removal but involved meticulous planning and execution to ensure safety and compliance with
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
The Illinois Air National Guard (IL ANG) is a reserve component of the U.S. Air Force and a state militia unit under the jurisdiction of the Illinois governor. Its 3000 employees are stationed with the 126th Air Refueling Wing, the 182nd Airlift Wing, and the 183rd Wing. In the spring of 2023, A3 Environmental Consultants
- Published in Project Profiles, Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation
This project profile documents an ongoing Airport Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment program A3 Environmental Consultants performs for a major international airline. A PESA is the corridor- and facility-scale equivalent of a Phase 1 ESA — if you’re new to the process, start with what a Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment is and how it leads to
- Published in Project Profiles, Environmental Due Diligence
The largest airline in the world, consisting of over 100,000 employees, who is the leading United States carrier for flights across both the Atlantic and Pacific, offering direct flights to international destinations contracted A3E in 2024 to perform PFAS groundwater sampling and tap water testing at the hangars on the northwest side of Chicago O’Hare
- Published in Project Profiles, Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation
You’re looking for the Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC) Table to download as a spreadsheet (xlsx) because you want to do something fancy with a database. I wanted that too and was frustrated to find that Illinois doesn’t have an official download. I had to make my own. Let’s get you taken care of. Maximum Allowable
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
The information below represents a EULA, End User License Agreement regarding A3 Environmental Consultants services. You can download this as a PDF document by clicking here. Estimated Fees Unless the Scope of Work provides otherwise, the Estimated Fees contained therein constitute A3 Environmental’s estimate of the probable cost required to complete the proposed Project. The
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
In 2012, what began as the site for a new Saint Anthony Hospital to replace its 121-year old facility and continue providing services and employment to the west and southwest sides of Chicago, evolved to a vision for greater access to the other areas of critical need for healthy communities, including education, safe housing and
- Published in Project Profiles, Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation
In 2012, what began as the site for a new Saint Anthony Hospital to replace its 121-year old facility and continue providing services and employment to the west and southwest sides of Chicago, evolved to a vision for greater access to the other areas of critical need for healthy communities, including education, safe housing and
- Published in Project Profiles, Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation
In 1868 Chicago Gas Light and Coke Company built a Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP Plant) to produce coal gas at 1180 N. Crosby Street, Chicago, Illinois. In the early 1960’s, People’s Gas, the subsequent owner, closed the plant. ComEd, an Exelon company, purchased a 5.5 acre parcel, one of several which the MGP site was
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation, Project Profiles
CRE Professionals can close more deals by building a warm relationship with A3 Environmental Consultants. A good environmental consultant helps a CRE professional close deals that would otherwise have blown up at the first sign of a bad environmental report. Whether you sit on the buy side or the sell side, the five moves below
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
After the promulgation of the Clean Construction or Demolition Debris (CCDD) rulemaking on August 24, 2006 (modified on August 27, 2012) by the Illinois Pollution Control Board, CCDD facilities began operations all across the state. However, to date, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), has yet to establish a good database of these facilities. The
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation
Wetland Delineation Cost: What You Will Pay in 2026 A wetland delineation cost starts at approximately $3,500 for a standard project in Illinois and can range up to $8,000 or more depending on site size, complexity, and permitting requirements. The total wetland delineation cost breaks down into four components: a wetland screen ($1,000), field survey
- Published in Ecological Services, Environmental Due Diligence
Air Monitoring Project Profile 2023 (Manufactured Gas Plant) Wetland Project Profile in DuPage County Illinois Wetland Survey for Cell Tower Industry – Project Profile 2023 Pre-Demolition Hazardous Building Materials Survey: Why it’s Important for Safe & Compliant Demolition Lake Villa School District UST Remediation Project Profile 2023 NFR Letter for a Federal Prison –
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Project Profiles
If you have a vacant property which you’d like to purchase and you need to make absolutely certain your project won’t be blocked because of a wetland, you will need to submit a jurisdictional determination request. Essentially this is a letter you will receive back from the US Army Corp of Engineers and / or
- Published in Ecological Services, Environmental Due Diligence
In the universe of services termed “environmental due diligence” one of these services is determining if a property has a wetland. There are different levels of due diligence needed to answer important questions before the sale of a commercial property. Wetland due diligence is no different. We created four different levels with four different price
- Published in Ecological Services, Environmental Due Diligence
A wetland delineation report is the “deliverable”, the thing you receive, when you purchase a wetland delineation. This work is performed during the due diligence process which happens in advance of purchasing a commercial property. Not every project is the same. Not every client needs the same level of inspection done on their property. Because of
- Published in Ecological Services, Environmental Due Diligence
A full wetland delineation is a known quantity. It’s an established report whose contents and format are done the same way by everyone who perform wetland delineations professionally. There are drawbacks to a full wetland delineation. They take time to schedule and complete. They are the most involved and therefore the most expensive option available.
- Published in Ecological Services, Environmental Due Diligence
A full wetland delineation is a known quantity. It’s an established report whose contents and format are done the same way by everyone who perform wetland delineations professionally. There are drawbacks to a full wetland delineation. They take time to schedule and complete. They are the most involved and therefore the most expensive option available.
- Published in Ecological Services, Environmental Due Diligence
A full wetland delineation is a known quantity. It’s an established report whose contents and format are done the same way by everyone who perform wetland delineations professionally. There are drawbacks to a full wetland delineation. They take time to schedule and complete. They are the most involved and therefore the most expensive option available.
- Published in Ecological Services, Environmental Due Diligence
A full wetland delineation is a known quantity. It’s an established report whose contents and format are done the same way by everyone who perform wetland delineations professionally. There are drawbacks to a full wetland delineation. They take time to schedule and complete. They are the most involved and therefore the most expensive option available.
- Published in Ecological Services, Environmental Due Diligence
A full wetland delineation is a known quantity. It’s an established report whose contents and format are done the same way by everyone who perform wetland delineations professionally. There are drawbacks to a full wetland delineation. They take time to schedule and complete. They are the most involved and therefore the most expensive option available.
- Published in Ecological Services, Environmental Due Diligence
Wetland Project Background In April 2023, A3 Environmental Consultant’s joint venture with Olson Ecological Solutions (A3E+OES) conducted a wetland project for an approximately 1.2-acre parcel planned for minor development by the landowner in Section 1, Township 40 North, Range 10 East, located in Medinah, Illinois in DuPage County. The purpose of the wetland delineation was
- Published in Ecological Services, Environmental Due Diligence
In April 2023, a wetland survey was conducted for a 3-acre project area in the town of Wyanet, found in lovely Bureau County, Illinois, intended for cell tower construction. The land use at the time was grazing pasture with a pond and drainage ditch, a wooded area to the east, and a naturalized area to
- Published in Ecological Services, Environmental Due Diligence, Project Profiles
Jurisdictional vs Non-Jurisdictional Wetlands Wetlands can be considered jurisdictional if they meet certain criteria established by the government agency that has jurisdiction over them. In the United States, the primary agency responsible for wetland regulation is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which administers the Clean Water Act. It’s important to note, the USACE
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Ecological Services
In January 2023, A3 Environmental Consultants (A3E) was commissioned to perform an asbestos containing materials (ACM) survey on a residential property slated for demolition in Aurora Illinois. The survey was critical to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to asbestos abatement and to protect public health and safety during the demolition process.
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation
Demolition is a crucial process in the construction industry that involves removing a building or structure to make way for a new project. However, it’s essential to ensure that demolition projects are executed safely and efficiently, which is where the pre-demolition hazardous building materials survey comes in. The purpose of a pre-demolition hazardous building materials
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Project Profiles
The Lake Villa Illinois School District purchased a property back in 2000. The site is a former gasoline station that had three underground storage tanks (UST) removed in 2009. A release was declared during removal of the USTs because of corrosion and overfilling. Early Action and Stage I Investigations took place from June to September
- Published in Project Profiles, Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation
A3 Environmental Consultant’s client is the owner of several gas stations. One of these gas stations, located in Alsip, Illinois, experienced a LUST incident (IEMA Incident #20150675, IEPA LPC #0310035069) in 2015. Following the release, approved Stage 1 and Stage 2 investigations were undertaken from 2016 to 2019. However, shortly after submission of the Stage
- Published in Project Profiles, Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation
The site is a Federal Correctional Institution. A3 Environmental Consultants performed a UST Environmental Project at a facility located at 2600 South Second Street in Pekin, Illinois (the ‘Site’). On June 14-15, 2021, Earth Services, contracted by Greenwave Consultants (Greenwave) of Springfield, IL removed one (1) 1,000- gallon used oil Underground Storage Tank (UST), one
- Published in Project Profiles, Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation
. . . . . . . . . . When it comes to environmental consulting, typically the laboratories and environmental scientists get all the glory. Labs prove definitively what’s in the soil. But what do you do if you can’t do lab work because there’s nothing there to test? Gather ’round the children and
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Project Profiles
A Wellhead Protection Area (WPA) is a type of designation made by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to safeguard underground sources of drinking water, such as aquifers, from potential contamination. The purpose of designating a WPA is to prevent or limit the migration of pollutants from the surface into the aquifers which supply
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
A Michigan Baseline Environmental Assessment is the State of Michigan’s legal tool for buying contaminated property without inheriting liability for someone else’s pollution. In Michigan, any property known to contain contamination above the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Part 201 Residential Cleanup Criteria (RCC) is defined as a “facility.” Michigan’s Natural
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation
This free CCDD resource for engineers gives Illinois civil engineers the maps, forms, and compliance help they need to move soil offsite. A Free CCDD Resource for Engineers in Illinois Every civil engineer at some time or another needs to move soil offsite. The question is always where to move it and what does it
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation
Wetlands are vital components of the natural landscape, providing important ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood control, and habitat for a diverse array of plants and animals. In Illinois, wetland resources are protected under state and federal regulations, including the Illinois Wetland Protection Act and the Clean Water Act. These regulations require that wetlands
An environmental site assessment (ESA) is a critical step in the process of buying a commercial property. It involves identifying, reviewing, and analyzing any potential environmental concerns or risks associated with the property. By conducting an ESA, you can make informed decisions about whether to purchase the property and, if so, what actions may be
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
An environmental lien is a legal claim against a property for damages or other environmental harm caused by the owner or previous owner of the property. Environmental liens can be placed on a property by a government agency, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or by a private party who has suffered damages as
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) is ranked 201 in Fortune Magazine’s 500 largest US Businesses. Headquartered in Glenview Illinois, ITW is a manufacturer of thousands of different items from Zip Ties to Hobart Mixers. In the course of doing business, ITW was interested in purchasing the former Chase Brass & Copper building which also formerly held
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation, Project Profiles
This project profile documents a Preliminary Site Investigation Project Profile from 2022 — an IDOT PSI A3 Environmental Consultants performed at the Vandalia Maintenance Yard. A PSI is the corridor- and facility-scale equivalent of a Phase 2 ESA — if you’re new to the process, start with what a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) is and
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Project Profiles
From the first time we held a ball we knew. The Crayons, Speak & Spell, the Slinky are all toys that could be played with in solitude. …But the ball. The ball is no fun alone. You throw the ball, you need someone to catch the ball. That someone needs to throw it back. And
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence
A baseline environmental assessment is the Michigan legal process that lets you buy and reuse contaminated property without inheriting liability for the pollution. In the State of Michigan, the state legislature created this process to accommodate the continued use of contaminated property, called the Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA). For the Michigan-specific eligibility and Due Care
- Published in Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Remediation