Environmental Planning & Permitting

CP&Y staff of geographers, GIS specialists, biologists, ecologists, and planners provides an array of interdisciplinary backgrounds and expertise. CP&Y has extensive experience in the preparation of Feasibility Studies, Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, and Environmental Impact Statements under the National Environmental Policy Act. The Environmental Planning & Permitting group of CP&Y has performed a wide range of studies and services, including environmental constraints mapping, alternatives development and analysis, public involvement, wetland permitting, mitigation planning, wildlife habitat evaluations, threatened and endangered species surveys, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, air quality and noise modeling analyses, Water Pollution Abatement Plans, wildlife habitat certifications, community impact studies, and public transportation coordination plans.

BexarMet Proposed Water Pipeline

A habitat assessment report, a Pre-Construction Notification to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under Nationwide Permit 12, Water Pollution Abatement Plan, karst surveys, presence/absence surveys, and a Phase I ESA were produced for proposed water pipelines in Bexar County. CP&Y identified habitat for the federally-listed Golden-cheeked Warbler and after consultation with USFWS, it was determined that a presence/absence survey would be required. The survey was performed throughout the breeding season with results documenting that no Golden-cheeked Warblers were observed.

Big Creek Individual Permit

CP&Y was retained to complete an Individual Permit for a proposed project that encompassed three flood control structures and one multiple-use structure within the Big Creek Watershed. Tasks performed by CP&Y include reviewing the Environmental Impact Statement prepared by the Soil Conservation Service in 1984 for current discrepancies, resolving preliminary mitigation issues, conducting a vast amount of biological field surveys, overseeing production of all reports, conducting agency and client consultation, preparing a biological resource report, and preparing an Individual Permit Application under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

East Texas Regional Transportation Coordination Plan

CP&Y completed the East Texas Regional Transportation Coordination Plan for 14 counties in east Texas. Numerous tasks were involved over a short time frame in order to produce the final product. These tasks included completing a Stakeholder Involvement and Outreach Plan, conducting Stakeholder Involvement Activities, coordinating with diverse stakeholder groups, surveying stakeholders throughout the region, identifying barriers and solutions to regional public transportation coordination, coordinating and conducting agency and public meetings, and preparing the Transportation Coordination Plan.

FM 2551 from FM 544 to FM 2170 Environmental Assessment

CP&Y prepared an EA on this project to upgrade FM 2551 in Collin County from a two-lane undivided facility to a six-lane divided roadway. CP&Y tasks covered all aspects of preparing the EA, including documenting impacts to human and natural resources within the project area and conducting public involvement.

US 71 Environmental Impact Statement

This project encompassed an approximate 17-mile new location highway corridor within Bowie and Cass Counties. Tasks included conducting the alternatives analysis and identifying, describing and mapping environmental constraints for the proposed project. CP&Y conducted the corridor study which included the identification of environmental constraints that were placed in QUANTM to identify alignment alternatives. The environmental constraints study included the evaluation of potential impacts to land use, hazardous material sites, archeological resources, historic resources, vegetation, T&E species, and wetlands and waters of the U.S.