Originally known for transportation planning and design, Bernardin Lochmueller & Associates Inc. (BLA) is increasingly expanding its capabilities and staff into water resources. In 2004, BLA acquired Natural Concepts Water Quality Eng., a firm specializing in constructed wetlands, and began carving out a niche in water resources and green infrastructure.
Since then, BLA has completed projects throughout Indiana, Missouri, Ohio and Iowa, a number of which have won state and national awards for innovation. For example, the December issue of Water & Wastes Digest cites BLA’s Constructed Wetland for Combined Sewer Overflows in Washington, Ind., as one of its 2011 Top Projects. In addition, the firm received a method patent in October for a system that uses constructed wetlands to treat manure lagoon effluent and other waste streams from the processing of agricultural products.
As a result, BLA is now adding two client managers to concentrate on expanding its water resources business. W. Chips Everhart will focus his efforts on helping confined animal feeding operations with permitting, regulatory compliance, operational guidance, and employee training with regard to permits and manure treatment systems. Everhart previously worked as director of environmental affairs for Rose Acre Farms, one of the nation’s largest egg producers. For the last several years, he has been actively involved in multiple researches in conjunction with Purdue and Iowa State Universities and University of Minnesota on the mitigation of emissions from livestock operations.
Larry Haag will concentrate his efforts on expanding BLA’s water planning and design portfolio. His more than 30 years of experience in water and wastewater permitting, design and construction includes working for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for 10 years in the Office of Water Quality. As former mayor, Haag understands how to help communities tackle today’s funding and regulatory challenges.
Source: Bernardin Lochmueller & Associates Inc.
