The land looked perfect on paper—eight acres tucked near the city of Mobile in Alabama, quiet and green under a big Southern sky. For the developers who bought the property, it was a blank canvas ready to become something bold: a celebration arena for Mardi Gras and a float barn. But beneath the surface lay a complication no one had planned for. What looked like solid ground was mostly wetlands—jurisdictional, federally protected, and deeply entwined in a web of environmental law. The result? Plans stalled, permits froze, and the project stood on the edge of becoming a very expensive mistake.
Environmental regulations, protections, and conservation policies are ever-evolving. Our company seeks to stay abreast of these changes, and we aim to advise our clients on how to conserve the environment while providing solutions that allow their projects to move forward
The conclusion?
Not jurisdictional. Not a deal-breaker.
The project moved forward, and the original vision remained intact.
“Environmental regulations, protections, and conservation policies are ever-evolving. Our company seeks to stay abreast of these changes, and we aim to advise our clients on how to conserve the environment while providing solutions that allow their projects to move forward,” says Troy L. Ephriam, founder and CEO of Ephriam & Associates Environmental Consulting.
This is just one of many examples where Ephriam & Associates has found the intersection where progress and environmental protection can coexist.
Science Over Speculation
Founded by Troy L. Ephriam, a former environmental regulator with the U.S. Army Corps and a past mayor, the company has carved out a critical niche in the environmental consulting space. Its clientele includes government agencies, municipalities, engineers, planners, and developers, for whom it crafts compliance strategies and secures critical permits from local, state, and federal agencies.
“At the end of the day, we help clients find balance—between what they want to build and what’s actually permissible within environmental law,” says Ephriam.
Protecting Investments, Preventing Surprises
Ephriam & Associates provides due diligence assessments for prospective buyers, helping them avoid purchasing land with hidden environmental liabilities. Whether it’s wetlands, contamination, or historical use concerns, the team helps clients understand exactly what they’re investing in—before they sign.
“We take pride in our business model, and our model remains focused on resolving the needs of both business and community,” says Ephriam.
The company also supports clients with stormwater pollution prevention plans, especially in low-lying areas where runoff management is critical. Through compliance with programs like MS4, it helps clients meet city and state requirements while protecting water quality and community health.
Beyond permitting and planning, Ephriam & Associates excels in environmental risk assessments for previously contaminated sites, helping clients transform neglected land into usable, thriving spaces. Its work with brownfield redevelopment projects often turns environmental liabilities into economic assets—especially in traditionally underserved communities.
“We take pride in our business model and our model stays resolving the needs of business and community.”
Where Progress and Protection Go Hand in Hand
The company is gearing up for a new phase of growth. Now seven years into operations, Ephriam & Associates is eyeing expansion—adding staff, exploring new markets, and developing a strategic growth plan to meet the demands of an evolving regulatory landscape. Ephriam himself is currently enrolled in a specialized business development course to sharpen the company’s financial and operational strategies.
In a world where environmental regulations are often seen as barriers, Ephriam & Associates reframes them as pathways—to smarter development, healthier ecosystems, and more sustainable communities. With deep expertise, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to equity and environmental integrity, the company continues to prove that progress doesn’t have to come at nature’s expense.
