Avant Environmental Services, Inc.
Specializing in Phase 1 Environmental Assessments for western Colorado.
Photos by Edward Baltzer:
Edward M. Baltzer
Edward Baltzer and our team help clients.
Manager, Regulatory Specialist, and Environmental Scientist
Key Expertise
- Environmental Assessments of Properties
- Permitting and Regulatory Support
- Soil, Groundwater, and Asbestos Investigations and Remediation
- Industrial Hygiene and Worker Health and Safety
- Hazardous Waste Handling and Disposal
- Voluntary Cleanup Plans
Education and Certifications
M.A., Geology and Environmental Sciences, State University of New York, 1989
B.A., Environmental Engineering, University of Colorado, 1981
Certified Hazardous Material Manager (CHMM) #11357, retired
Registered Professional Environmental Scientist #5078, Colorado Oil Inspection Section
Wyoming Registered Professional Geologist PG-3325
Certified Professional Geologist (AIPG) CPG 8861
Former asbestos inspector, Colorado and EPA
OSHA 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations Worker and 8-hour Supervisor training
Experience Summary
Mr. Baltzer has 43 years of professional experience including 33 as an environmental consultant and 10 as a soil geologist and Quaternary tectonics specialist. He has performed environmental and geologic investigations on over one thousand sites, has prepared written reports for most of these, and has delivered oral presentations on several dozen topics. He is responsible for evaluating the presence and/or extent of contamination at sites. He provides regulatory, technical, and managerial assistance on Phase I ESAs, asbestos, voluntary cleanup, hazardous waste, TSCA, ecological, and other types of environmental projects.
Professional Affiliations
Former president and vice president, Grand Junction Geological Society
Binghamton University Geology and Environmental Studies Alumni Council member
EPA/NGWA Advisory Council member for the Remediation of Abandoned Mine Lands Conference
AIPG Annual Convention Planning Committee and Chief Editor, 2009 National Convention
Mesa County Indoor Air Task Force member, 2007 to 2011
Former Chair and Vice Chair, Mesa County (Colorado) Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
American Institute for Professional Geologists (AIPG) Associate Editor
Former member, Mesa State College Environmental Restoration Education Advisory Committee
Part time professor of Environmental Restoration at Mesa State College, 2005 to present
Mesa County Household Hazardous Waste Task Force member, 1994-1996
Former Town Councilman and Volunteer Firefighter
Example Publications, Presentations, and Awards
Evidence for a Quaternary Lake, Western Colorado. AIPG Annual Convention, 2016.
Colorado Produced Water Rules – Western COGA environmental summit, 2010
Service to Geology Award, December, 2009 from the American Institute of Professional Geologists
Preservation of Water Quality near a Surface Mine, Northwestern Colorado. 2007 GSA convention, Denver
Recognition by USFS chief for vital role in “the best example of a land exchange in the nation”, 2005
Guest lecturer, Mesa State College Environmental Restoration Program, 1993-2010.
Neotectonics of the Lemhi Fault, Geological Society of America, Northwest Section Meeting, 1989.
Phase 1 Environmental Assessments
In the United States, an environmental site assessment is a report prepared for a real estate holding that identifies potential or existing environmental contamination liabilities. The analysis, often called an ESA, typically addresses both the underlying land as well as physical improvements to the property. A proportion of contaminated sites are “brownfield sites.” In severe cases, brownfield sites may be added to the National Priorities List where they will be subject to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund program.
The actual sampling of soil, air, groundwater and/or building materials is typically not conducted during a Phase I ESA. The Phase I ESA is generally considered the first step in the process of environmental due diligence. Standards for performing a Phase I site assessment have been promulgated by the US EPA and are based in part on the ASTM Standard E1527-21.
If a site is considered contaminated, a Phase II environmental site assessment may be conducted, ASTM test E1903, a more detailed investigation involving chemical analysis for hazardous substances and/or petroleum hydrocarbons.
Environmental Services for the West
33 years of experience means we know who to talk to and how to get through the maze of regulations to get you back on track. We utilize long-standing relationships and project management skills to exceed the project expectations using Phase I ESAs, site characterization, remediation, and/or monitoring. You want a clean property; we are here to help you.