Wetland/Stream Studies Permitting

Balancing needed development in our region with managing wetland and waterway resources is a challenge facing many permit applicants. Clean Water Act, Sections 401 and 404 along with various state laws (such as Chapter 105 in Pennsylvania) govern impacts to waters of the United States and are often the catalyst for other environmental studies. Big Pine Consultants LLC (Big Pine) can help navigate your Project through the permitting process and provide a more predictable outcome.

We understand what the federal (United States Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, etc.) and state agencies (such as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Maryland Department of the Environment, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, etc.) regulators will require in the areas that we work, we know the seasonality of the various studies that will be required, and we can help you understand the implications of various design elements on the cost and schedule for your project.

A few ways that Big Pine can help your project be successful include completing wetland delineations and waterway identification for your project, completing consultations and coordinating studies regarding rare, threatened, and endangered species (such as the Indiana bat, freshwater mussels, running buffalo clover, northeastern bulrush, Virginia spiraea, small whorled pogonia, various state listed plants, etc.), completing consultations and studies regarding historic properties, and assisting in routing to minimize or avoid impacts to identified resources to maintain the most straightforward, expeditious, and cost effective permitting pathway for your project. In addition, Big Pine can assist in coordinating and planning logistics for various public outreach initiatives, such as mailings, public open house meetings or hearings, neighborhood canvasing, and coordination with elected officials. Although many projects can be designed to avoid permanent impacts to streams and wetlands, some require mitigation of some sort. Big Pine can identify mitigation strategies and help implement the mitigation solution that fits your companies needs whether it is through purchase of mitigation bank credits or designing your own site specific mitigation project.

At Big Pine, we take pride in surpassing our clients expectations. We are here to advise, guide and support you through the completion of your project. If you are wondering how wetlands and streams may interact with your project and what environmental studies are needed, Big Pine is here to help.