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Services: Comprehensive Civil & Environmental Engineering

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From commercial land development and site civil engineering to environmental compliance, aggregate mine
permitting, and construction administration — serving the Midwest since 1984.

Civil and Environmental Engineering. Integrated. Experienced. Accountable.

What We Do

At Sunde Engineering, every client and every project gets our full attention. We take the time to understand your site, your regulatory environment, and your goals, then develop solutions tailored to the specific demands of your project. From initial site planning through final compliance, our integrated civil and environmental team works with focus and precision to keep your project moving forward. 

Civil Engineering

Site Development; Site Civil Engineering Design; Stormwater, Water Resource Management, and Watershed District Permitting; Construction Administration

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Environmental Services

Environmental Site Assessments and Review, Aggregate Mine Planning and Permitting, Geologic and Hydrogeologic Investigations, Permitting

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Sustainable Design & Site Planning

Site Preservation, Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling, Energy Conservation, Stormwater Management

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The Midwest Land Development Process

When & How We Support

Developing land across the Midwest involves a structured sequence of site evaluation, local entitlements, environmental and agency permitting, and final construction approvals. The complexity and duration of each phase varies by state, site conditions, and project type but the core process is consistent across the region. 

Site Due Diligence & Feasibility

  • Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) — evaluate environmental history and identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs)
  • Environmental Review Screening — determine whether project size or type triggers a mandatory Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) or
  • Zoning & Land Use Review — confirm permitted uses, overlay districts, and site constraints
  • Pre-Application Meeting — concept review with local planners and the development review team covering site standards and utility capacity
Sunde Engineering: Phase I ESAs, Environmental Review Screening, EAW determination

Local Entitlements & Land Use Approvals

  • Application Submittal — preliminary plat, rezoning requests, Conditional Use Permits (CUPs), or variances submitted to local government
  • Local Government Review — planning staff review, completeness determination, and technical analysis (timelines governed by state statute in most Midwest states)
  • Public Hearing — planning commission or board holds hearings and forwards recommendations
  • Governing Body Action — city council, county board, or township approves or denies the land use request
Sunde Engineering: Site civil design supporting entitlement submittals, CUP applications for aggregate mining operations

Environmental & Agency Permitting

  • Stormwater Permitting — NPDES construction stormwater permit and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) required for sites disturbing 1+ acre (federal program administered by each state)
  • Watershed District or Conservation District Review — stormwater management, rate control, and water quality approvals required in most Midwest states
  • Environmental Review (EAW/EIS) — if triggered, state environmental review must be completed before final approvals
  • Federal Agency Coordination — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal permits if applicable to the project scope
  • State Agency Permits — varies by state; may include DNR, EPA, DOT, and state pollution control agency review
Sunde Engineering: SWPPP preparation, EAW/EIS management, stormwater design, agency permitting coordination, SPCC plans

Final Construction Approvals & Site Preparation

  • Final Engineering Review — detailed civil plan submittals including grading, utility design, erosion control, and roadway construction drawings
  • Development Agreement — executed between developer and local government, outlining infrastructure obligations and financial guarantees
  • Final Plat or Site Plan Approval — governing body approves final plat or site plan and conditions of approval
  • Building & Grading Permits — final permit issuance authorizing site disturbance and construction to commence
  • Construction Administration — engineering oversight, inspection, and compliance documentation through project closeout
Sunde Engineering: Full civil construction documents, grading and utility design, erosion control plans, construction administration
Sunde Engineering has guided our clients through the land development process for over 40 years and across 10 states. We know how each phase is structured, what each agency requires, and how to prepare submissions that keep your project moving forward.

See Our Work

Featured Projects
See More Featured Projects
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Minnetonka, Minnesota  Sunde Engineering provided a full set of construction documents for a senior living community, including layout and grading design for a multi-functional resident amenity space. 

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St. Paul, Minnesota Sunde Engineering integrated a new maintenance facility into a 100-year-old golf course, navigating steep slopes, a mature tree canopy, and a protected creek bend while preserving sight lines for club members. 

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Maple Grove, Minnesota Town Green Park is a compelling example of reclamation and what Sunde Engineering helps makes possible — transforming a former aggregate mine extraction site into a vibrant public park that will serve the community for generations. 

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FAQs

What services does Sunde Engineering provide?

Sunde Engineering provides site civil engineering, environmental consulting and sustainable design and site planning throughout the Midwest. Key services include: Site Civil Design, Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I ESAs, EAWs/EISs, Wetland Permitting, Aggregate Mine Planning and Permitting as well as Low Impact and Eco-friendly Design.

What states does Sunde Engineering serve?

Sunde Engineering is headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota and primarily serves clients across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Dakota, and South Dakota.  

How long has Sunde Engineering been in business?

Sunde Engineering was founded by Gerry Sunde in the early 1980s in Bloomington, Minnesota. We have been serving clients across the Midwest for over 40 years. 

Does Sunde Engineering handle both civil and environmental engineering?

Yes. Sunde Engineering delivers civil and environmental engineering from a single integrated team — eliminating the coordination gaps that occur when developers work with separate firms for site design and environmental consulting. 

Does Sunde Engineering work with public agencies or municipalities?

Sunde Engineering only works on projects where we know we can add value, We have worked with municipalities, but our practice and processes are built for developers, industrial owners or operators, aggregate mining companies, and the professionals who work alongside them, because we prefer to move at the pace these businesses require and for clients who need an engineering partner with deep Midwest regulatory experience. That's where we've spent four decades building the knowledge that makes a real difference for our clients. 

How do I get started with Sunde Engineering on a project?

The best first step is a conversation. Reach out through our contact page, tell us about your project — the location, the scope, and where you are in the process — and a member of the Sunde Engineering team will be in touch within two business days. We work with clients at every stage, from early site evaluation through construction closeout, so there's no wrong time to call.
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Complex Permitting Environments Are Where We Do Our Best Work.

The Midwest's permitting environment is complex, agency-specific, and unforgiving of firms that don't know it. Since 1984, Sunde Engineering has helped developers, industrials, aggregate miners and the professionals who work alongside them such as architects, GCs, land surveyors and attorneys. We are here to help navigate the complexities of civil and environmental design, permitting and compliance so you can build and operate with confidence.

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