HBK's environmental team conducts field studies to determine potential regulatory and permitting needs for your project.
Field studies include determination and delineation of waters of the U.S., identification of threatened and endangered species habitat and other sensitive natural communities, and cultural resource surveys.
Wetlands
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act regulates the placement of fill within waters of the U.S., including wetlands. Construction activities often have the potential to impact these areas.
HBK's environmental team is highly skilled in field determinations and delineations for all waters of the U.S., as required for USACE Section 404 and Section 10 permitting.
Our field biologists and ecologists collect digital data utilizing GPS-enabled field tablets and our geographic information system (GIS). This allows for real-time results from the field to the office, increases accuracy and efficiency and reduces overall costs. Through our GIS viewer, the project team is able to see real-time survey progress and analyze the data to avoid and minimize environmental impacts, which optimizes the project schedule and provides cost savings.
Threatened & Endangered Species
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 provides for the protection of plant and animal species registered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The ESA aims to provide a regulatory framework to conserve and protect the species and their habitats. States may also have a threatened and endangered species list that requires consultation.
HBK's environmental team provides a strategy to navigate the regulatory process through:
- Our relationships with agencies
- Consultation and coordination with the USFWS and state wildlife agencies
- Threatened/endangered species surveys
- Habitat assessment and evaluation
- Biological monitoring
In addition, we work with the project team to ensure compliance and manage the project schedule.
Cultural Resources
When projects are subject to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, HBK's environmental team immediately employs a plan for consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office for potential impact to historic properties and cultural resources.
Our team provides file reviews of existing sites and archaeological surveys of the proposed project area. The results are used to closely coordinate with right-of-way, engineering and construction to avoid and minimize potential impacts to resources.
Our extensive experience of coordination with state, local and tribal authorities help to ensure minimal delays in the cultural review process and result in a more efficient permitting process.
