Will I Get in Trouble If I Talk to an Environmental Consultant?

Think You’ll Get in Trouble for Asking Questions? You Won’t.

If you’ve been putting off getting environmental help because you’re afraid it might get you in trouble... you’re definitely not alone.

At RMA, we talk to a lot of folks who’ve delayed getting help for that exact reason. And we get it. Environmental regulations can be confusing and intimidating. It's like being afraid to go to the doctor because you're afraid you might be sick, something we can probably all relate to! With environmental topics, just the thought of picking up the phone can feel like you’re opening the door to fines, penalties, or something worse. We actually wrote a whole post about the most common environmental anxieties here, so trust us, you’re not the only one feeling this way.

But let’s clear the air: reaching out to an environmental consultant like us is not the same thing as calling a state, federal, or other government agency. We're not the government, we're a private company, and we’re here to help you get into compliance, not report you for being out of it. Our job is to solve problems, not create them.

Still a little unsure? Let’s walk through what really happens when you talk to a consultant, and why in nearly every single case, it’s the smartest, safest thing you can do.

First Things First: We Don’t Report You

Let’s get this out of the way early: RMA does not report you to regulators, agencies, or any third party. Period.

There’s no risk of “getting in trouble” just because you talked to us. Not having an SPCC Plan? Missing stormwater permit? Never filed Tier II reports? No idea what these things mean? That’s extremely common, and it's exactly why people call us. And we help them. Quietly, professionally, and without judgment.

We don’t report on bad actors, or people who are out of compliance. We work for you. Our role is to help you figure out what needs fixing and how to fix it, before a regulator shows up, and does want to get you in trouble! When you call RMA, you’re not calling an enforcement agency. You’re calling a team of professionals whose entire job is to help you understand what you need and get into environmental compliance. Think of us as your environmental safety net.

What Happens When You Contact RMA?

We start with a conversation. That’s it. There’s no pressure, no inspections, no tests. Whether it's over email, a phone call, or a video chat (your choice!), it’s simply a real, honest discussion about your operations, your concerns, and your goals. We’re not regulators, we’re here to solve problems, not point fingers and issue fines.

From there, if you decide to work with us, great! We can figure out what you need to comply with and how to get there in the most efficient, cost-effective way possible. And if it turns out you don't need our help or we aren't a great fit, no hard feelings. To start the conversation today, visit our contact page to connect with us!

Our Conversations Are Confidential

When you contact RMA, you’re contacting an environmental consultant, not a regulator. Just like any other professional - your accountant, lawyer, or insurance advisor - we don’t share your business with anyone else. What you tell us stays here in our office, and goes nowhere else.

Our goal is to help you clean things up, get compliant, and move forward in the best way possible. We don’t benefit from reporting anything, and it’s not our role to do so.

Our process is collaborative, supportive, and entirely confidential.

What About Environmental Emergencies?

We believe in being transparent, so here’s the unusual exception: In very, very, (extremely) rare situations, we may come across an issue that presents an immediate and real threat to human health or the environment. Think things like a large oil spill or toxic chemical discharge that’s seriously out of control and a genuine hazard.

Here's a hint - don't call us first. If you aren't prepared for the emergency, don't have your plan, permit, approval, or whatever, and you're afraid you're going to get in trouble because of some emergency situation, it's too late. Report it, call it in, call the government, let whoever know there's an issue and you're calling them first. Once they're done talking to you, then call us. Once the emergency is being reported and addressed, we're happy to discuss how we can help right the wrong and move you forward.

If we’re working together, we’ll walk you through exactly what’s happening, what your options are, and how to handle it strategically. And again, we can’t stress this enough: this is incredibly rare. In the thousands of phone calls and emails we've received, the need to turn someone in has, in all honesty, never surfaced.

What Environmental Compliance Items We Won’t Report You For

Again, we won't report you at all. It's not who we are, we aren't in that line of work, we don't make anonymous phone calls or emails - ever! But just to put your mind at ease, here’s a quick list of common environmental issues we help with, none of which we’d ever report you for. Seriously. These are the exact reasons businesses call us:

• No SPCC Plan in place? We’ll develop one for you to get you covered ASAP. And no, we won’t report you.

• Missing a stormwater permit or SWPPP? Very common - we help with that too. Report you? No chance.

• No air quality permits? We can help there too, and again, absolutely no reporting.

• Never filed Tier II reports? You’re not the first! We’ll help you catch up, no problem. But we aren't calling it in!

• Confused by TRI reporting? We’ll simplify it for you and get your operation covered, not report you.

• No hazardous waste management system? We’ll set one up. Still not reporting you!

• Haven’t done any staff environmental training? We’ll train your team and get you up to speed, zero judgment, zero reporting.

• No idea what any of this is - or what you need? That’s exactly why we exist. And we absolutely won’t report you.

These are all normal environmental challenges we help businesses with every day. Not having something in place isn’t a problem, at least not one that needs to be reported. It’s why you’re reaching out to us. And reaching out to us is the first step toward solving it. Take that first step here.

What’s a Full Environmental Program (And Why You Might Need One)

Most companies start off tackling one thing. A permit. A plan. Some training. A quick fix. But the businesses that really want to stay out of trouble in the long run? They invest in a comprehensive environmental program, built from the ground up to cover everything that applies to them.

It usually starts with an environmental audit to identify gaps. Then we help build out what’s missing: SPCC Plans, stormwater permits, waste management strategies, and so on. We train your team, create easy-to-follow procedures, and stay involved to keep you current. It’s tailored to your operations - nothing cookie-cutter. You can read about our full environmental program process from start to finish here.

This is what we do best. We build programs that actually work in the real world. They help you stay ahead of inspections, avoid fines, and operate with confidence. Want to avoid needing help in the future? A full program is how you get there.

Recap: What You Really Need to Know

Still feeling unsure? That’s completely normal. But here’s the bottom line: calling RMA is safe, smart, and the best move you can make to get ahead of environmental compliance issues. Here’s what you should take away from everything we’ve covered:

• Calling a consultant like RMA won’t get you in trouble. We’re here to help, not report you. We aren't the government, we're a private company.

• We don’t notify agencies or regulators. Everything we do is confidential, just like working with your accountant or lawyer. We don't give legal (or financial) advice, but we can help guide you on environmental concerns.

• No SPCC Plan? Missing permits? Never filed Tier II reports? That’s exactly what we help with, and we’ve seen it all. We get people into compliance with whatever regulations cover them.

• Not sure what you need at all? That’s our specialty. We’ll figure it out with you. We can put it together as we go, or we can conduct an audit to ensure from the start we're putting together a comprehensive roadmap.

• We’ll help you understand what applies to your facility, and what doesn’t. You won’t be sold anything unnecessary. Lots of our clients are lifers, and we don't keep them with us over the years because we've been ripping them off. We are honest, open, and transparent about what you need, and how we can help.

• Sometimes you just need a few fixes. Other times, a full environmental program is the best long-term move. We’ll help you make the right call.

You don’t need to handle this alone. And you definitely don’t need to be afraid of getting help. Let’s make environmental compliance less scary, together.

Contact RMA here and let’s talk, confidentially, judgment-free, and ready to help.