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

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.

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!

Sonic Plus Water Treatment System Restoring Water Quality in a Lake The Sonic Plus water treatment system is a proprietary, patent pending, portable standalone water treatment device that uses sonication technology to enhance water quality and reduce aquatic toxicity. This technology organically restores impacted water bodies and holds the potential of replacing the current practice of applying harmful chemical shock treatment to water. The Sonic Plus is a flow through device that recirculates water through the unit and discharges the treated water back into the soil, groundwater table or surface water body. This technology can be used to restore the water quality in lakes, streams, and ground water aquifers. During the past several years, the Sonic Plus has been demonstrated to reduce elevated levels of Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in surface water, conserve irrigation water usage, increase crop production, enhance livestock hydration, produce more farm animal offspring, increase milk quantity and quality, and improve the overall health to livestock. Agricultural Irrigation Surface Water Treatment Our patent pending Sonic Plus technology has been proven in the agricultural industry. Our initial agricultural application installed the Sonic Plus to a center pivot irrigator to conserve water usage. While this application was successful in conserving the amount of water pumped into the soil, we discovered the system also acted as a yield-enhancer for row crops. This system is now routinely used by many row crop farmers to cut their irrigation costs, while improving their crop yield per acre. The below picture tells the Sonic Plus story. Clean water irrigation technology not only conserves water but enhances row crop yield to improve the bottom line for farmers. Agricultural Irrigation Two neighboring fields: the field in the foreground used the Sonic Plus technology on a center pivot irrigator, while the field in the background (north of the road) used a standard center pivot irrigator. Note the improved health and growth rate of the crops by using Sonic Plus water enhancement. This agricultural technology is not just limited to the row crop farmer. Our technology has also been applied to livestock production. For many years, people have looked for a more natural or organic method of livestock production. Much of this organic movement has centered around the elimination of chemicals, additives and growth hormones to livestock and their food source. However, the water or hydration of the animal has been the forgotten factor. That is until now. For three years, the Sonic Plus has been installed into the water delivery system at a local diary. This system has provided a cleaner and more healthy water source for the dairy cows and the results are nothing short of astounding. The dairy saw improved health in every measurable category, birth rate, growth rate and milk production, etc. The table and graph below depict how cleaner and healthier hydration of milk cows translates to greater profitability for the dairy. Surface Water Treatment For the past 5 years, we have been using the Sonic Plus water treatment system for the restoration of surface waters that are impaired with Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae as it is commonly referred to. The Sonic Plus treatment system is suspended in the water column, so water can be continuously pumped through the proprietary sonic tube to generate sound frequencies. These sonic frequencies enhance the water’s natural physical properties and reacts as a catalyst throughout the water column to reduce toxic levels of blue-green algae. The Sonic Plus treatment system has demonstrated a significant reduction of blue-green algae in several popular recreation lakes, private ponds and decorative fountains. In the Summer of 2016 and 2017, the Sonic Plus water treatment system was placed in operation at the outlet of Lake Crystal. Below are the before and after photos of Minneopa Falls, which is approximately 12 miles downstream from the outlet of Lake Crystal. Note, the reduction of blue-green algae and the improved water clarity of the Minnopea Falls during the Sonic Plus operation period. 2016 Crystal Lake Recap and Minneopa Falls Historically Impaired Water, Minneopa Falls Pre-Sonic Plus Water Treatment System 2014 Lake Crystal Outlet Restored Water Quality, Minneopa Falls Post-Sonic Plus Water Treatment Project 2016-2017 in Lake Crystal Outlet Today our surface water restoration work is expanding. The implementation and application of this system continues to show positive results for multiple water quality parameters with direct evidence of suppression of cynobacteria levels and improvement in desired oxygen levels. The positive results of suppression of bacteria levels and improved oxygen levels also appears to effect: a reduction of invasive species, regeneration of native plants, increase in the population of desired game fish. Continued testing seems to confirm other water quality and environmental benefits from using this groundbreaking technology.

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.

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

Contact Information Duluth Location 3825 Grand Avenue Duluth, MN 55807 Telephone (218) 722-6013 ​ (800) 470-3536 Submit Thanks for submitting! Eveleth Location 416 Fayal Road, Ste. A Eveleth, MN 55734 Telephone (218) 744-0128 ​ ​ Submit Thanks for submitting!

Projects This page is currently under construction. Stay tuned for updates!

ET in the News Restoring Glory: Knife River Facelift Advances More Soil Issues found at Proposed Morgan Park Construction Site Bad News for Grand Marais Wetland Restoration Project Click any of the blue buttons and scroll down to read news articles that highlight our company. Redevelopment's Environmental Work Along the Knife River, Kevin Bovee waded through the waist-high ferns along the riverbank and stopped at the water's edge. ​ Across the narrow stream, a good jumper could clear it in a single bound, a wall of bare clay reached high above the river. ​ ​ Grease Ooozes into Harbor Analysis has uncovered additional contamination and soil issues on a 15-acre Morgan Park site where Ikonics Corp., a maker of image technologies, hopes to build a new production facility. ​ Craig Wilson, owner of Environmental Troubleshooters, said his Duluth-based firm has identified a few "hot spots" containing heavy metals and petroleum products on the property that was formerly home to Atlas Cement. ​ ​ Major Gasoline Leak in Ely An idea brought forth by David Demmer of Cook County Planning & Zoning to restore a portion of the Grand Marais Recreational Park to its original wetlands state received blowback after an environmental engineer reviewed the almost two-acre site and found quite a few problems with it. ​ ​ Power Plant Demolition Grand Marais Power Plant Hundreds of gallons of used kitchen grease oozed into the Duluth storm sewer system after Monday's accident downtown, and some of the grease flowed into Lake Superior, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said Wednesday. ​ ​ A gasoline leak, originating from a broken underground feed line at the Holiday Station on Sheridan Street, led to thousands of gallons of gasoline leaking into the city's sanitary and storm sewer system earlier this week. ​ ​ The Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission began demolition of the old power plant near Grand Marais Recreation Park campground last week. Edwin E. Thoreson, Inc. is performing the demolition for an estimated $38,000. The PUC worked with Environmental Troubleshooters, Inc. on some environmental cleanup inside the facility before the demolition began ​ ​ Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top

Awards 2013 Minnesota Brownfields ReScape Award ​ Economic Impact Project of the Year ​ Canal Park Brewing Brownfields Redevelopment Project 2015 ReScape Community Impact Award ​ Economic Impact Project of the Year ​ Steve O'Neil Apartments Brownfields Redevelopment Project