Environmental & Sustainability Consulting Blog | RMA

Have Environmental Program Anxiety? Here's Why You Haven’t Gotten Help Yet (And Why You're Wrong)

Written by Tate Hunter | Apr 4, 2025

We know you’ve been thinking about it. Let’s look at why you haven’t called yet—and why you probably should.

Let’s be honest. You probably didn’t land here because everything’s going great with your environmental program. More likely, something’s been nagging at you: a missing plan, a confusing regulation, a vague feeling that your business might be one surprise inspection away from serious trouble.

Maybe it’s a permit you never finished. Maybe you’re not sure what reports you should be submitting. Maybe someone just asked, "Are we even compliant with that?" and you didn’t have a great answer.

We talk to people in this position all the time. They know they need help, but something’s stopping them. And almost every time, once they finally reach out, they say:

“I wish I’d done this sooner.”

This article is for anyone who’s still hesitating. We’re breaking down the most common reasons people avoid getting help—and what actually happens when you finally do. And if you're curious about what it's like when we build an environmental program from start to finish—from the first phone call to handoff—read What It Looks Like When We Build a Full Environmental Program from the Ground Up here.

Concern #1: “It’s going to be overwhelming.”

What Actually Happens: You Just Talk to a Real Person

When you reach out, it starts with a simple conversation. We are real, (relatively) normal people, and this is what we do every day.

You run a business—maybe you make widgets, run a plant, or manage a yard. We’re environmental consultants. It’s what we do. You don’t need to prepare anything or worry about saying the “right” thing—we’re here to listen and ask the right questions.

Simple things, like:

  • What kind of business do you run?
  • What environmental concerns have come up?
  • What’s already in place—and what’s missing?

We’ve done this with hundreds of companies, and we know how to guide the conversation so you leave with clarity, not confusion. Most people walk away from this first call already feeling a sense of relief—because now they know where they stand and what comes next.

And if it turns out you don't need us, we can't help you, or we're just not a good fit, we'll tell you so—and won't charge you for the chat. If you're ready to take the first step, click here to contact us!

Concern #2: “We'll get into trouble if they find something wrong.”

What Actually Happens: We Find Problems To Fix—Not To Fine

Totally get it. That fear of opening Pandora’s box is real. What if someone comes in and uncovers a bunch of problems you didn’t even know existed? It can feel safer to just leave things as they are. But here’s the truth: not knowing doesn’t make the issues go away. It just means they’re quietly building into bigger problems.

Here’s how we actually handle it:

  • We walk through your site and help uncover any problem areas.
  • We focus on solutions—not pointing fingers.
  • We give you practical next steps to get ahead of issues—before they cause real trouble.
  • Everything we find and discuss with you is completely confidential.

We don’t show up with a clipboard ready to rat you out—we show up ready to help. We’re not government inspectors. In fact, we can't fine you or get you into trouble, that's not our job, and we don't have that authority. Our job is to find what’s fixable, give you a clear path forward, and help you sleep better at night knowing things are under control. You're not getting in trouble—you're getting in front of it.

Concern #3: “They’re going to judge how bad it is.”

What Actually Happens: We’ve Seen Worse—That’s Why We’re Here

We’re not here to scold you—we’re here to help. When it's time to conduct a site visit, a lot of clients are a little nervous, or even embarrassed at what we might see. You might even be worried you'll be the worst we’ve ever seen. Spoiler: you’re not.

Here's the general process of a site visit:

  • We walk your facility and observe real conditions.
  • We review whatever documentation you do (or don’t) have.
  • We ask the questions that matter—without judgment.

We've seen it all. We’re not regulators, and we're not there to judge you. We’re your partners in cleaning things up and moving forward with a plan that actually fits your operation. Relax, we're in this together, and we've done it a million times before this. You're nothing new.

Concern #4: “We’re too far behind, and there's too much to do.”

What Actually Happens: We Prioritize What Protects You First

You don’t need to fix everything overnight. The goal here is to address the critical issues first—things that carry the most risk—and then build toward long-term improvement later. We’ll identify the most important things to get in place, and help you sort the urgent from the optional.

First things first, let's make sure you're covered under the basics you need, ASAP. We'll focus on things like:

These are the items that protect your operation, reduce liability, and show regulators you’re taking action. We call these the "must-dos", they're the non-negotiable ones that will get you in trouble. You might only need one or two of these things, or you might need all of them. No idea what these things even are? No worries, we do, and we'll figure out what you need for you.

And once those are in place, we’ll help you plan for future improvements that add value without overwhelming your team or your budget. You don’t have to tackle it all at once—we help you pace it out. Reach out today to find out what your environmental program needs to include.

Concern #5: “This will eat up all my time.”

What Actually Happens: We Take the Work Off Your Plate

You’re not signing up for a second full-time job. Once we understand your needs, we handle the bulk of the work so you can stay focused on running your business.

Here's the short version:

  • We write your plans, prepare permit applications, and handle filings.
  • We organize your records and build compliance systems that work.
  • We train you and your staff to understand the what, why, and how.
  • You stay informed without being overwhelmed.

Most of our clients are surprised how smooth and hands-off it feels. You’ll be part of the process—but we’ll do the heavy lifting. We'll tinker away on your environmental program in the background so you can get back to your real job.

Concern #6: “This is going to be expensive.”

What Actually Happens: We Scale to Your Needs

Some problems cost more to fix than others, like anything else in life. But hey, this is an investment, and you can rest assured that we work with operations of all sizes and budgets. Whether you just need a few services or a full program rebuild, we’ll tailor the scope to fit what’s reasonable for you.

We'll give you a custom quote when we chat, but this is the gist:

  • Smaller operations: Only need a couple of core services to get compliant? Maybe a few thousand dollars to get all your boxes checked. Not so bad!
  • Larger and complex sites: If you need a huge overhaul of multiple facilities and a brand new shiny environmental program covering a dozen regulations, yeah, it will cost more than the little guys. How much? Impossible to say until we get to know you, it could be 10 grand, it could be into six figures.
  • Middle of the road facilities: You guessed it, you fall between the two. Figure a few thousand on the low end, or a couple tens of thousands if you’re looking to build a more complete, long-term program.

Either way, we’re transparent about pricing from the start, and you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for. It’s not about upselling you—it’s about the cost of solving your problems, nothing more. The only way to know for sure what your investment might look like is to reach out to us for a ballpark quote.

Concern #7: “This will take forever.”

What Actually Happens: We Build a Realistic Timeline—Then Stick to It

You don’t need to guess how long this will take—we’ll map it out together. Whether you're building from scratch or just cleaning up a few areas, we create a step-by-step timeline that’s realistic and efficient.

We can give you a better idea of your program's timeline once we talk, but here's a general overview:

  • Small jobs: Often completed in weeks or a couple of months.
  • Mid-sized program setups: Can usually be built out over 6–12 months.
  • Full programs for large companies: May take up to a year or longer, but it depends.

One thing we can promise: we don’t drag things out or overcomplicate. We want your boxes checked off just as badly as you do, and we'll jump right in to start making that happen. You’ll see progress right away, and we’ll help you keep momentum without getting overwhelmed. To take the first step, reach out to us here.

Concern #8: “We don’t want to be stuck with a consultant forever.”

What Actually Happens: We Build It, Then Hand It Off

Our goal isn’t to create dependency. It’s to give you a program that your team can run confidently and independently long after we’re gone. We’re not here to make you rely on us—we’re here to build something solid that lasts without us standing over your shoulder.

Here's what that looks like:

  • We document everything in a way your team can follow.
  • We train your people so they understand their roles.
  • You keep the tools and systems we build together.

We don’t gatekeep information, and we don’t disappear once the final report is submitted. If questions come up later, or if your operation evolves and you need support, we’re just a call away. But the real goal is to set you up with a clear, customized system that your team owns and operates with confidence. That’s when we know we’ve done our job right.

Ready to Build Something That Actually Works?

At some point, you have to decide what kind of business you want to be. If you're okay flying under the radar, piecing things together when problems come up, and hoping the inspector skips your facility—there are cheaper, faster options out there.

But if you're looking for something better—something built to last—we’re here for that. We work best with businesses that care about doing things right, staying organized, and making compliance something they can be proud of, not just survive.

If you want a shortcut, we might not be your people. But if you’re ready to build a program that actually works—and a partner you can count on when it matters—then we’d love to help you get there.

Let’s fix this. Reach out here.