Planning and Permitting

SWCA’s economics team combines practical expertise with advanced analytical tools to support benefit-cost analysis, Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA), and environmental litigation processes. Using methods such as recreational surveys, simulation modeling, econometrics, random utility modeling, equivalency analysis (Habitat Equivalency Analysis, Techno-Economic Analysis, and Resource Equivalency Analysis), Net Environmental Benefits Assessment (NEBA), and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), we deliver actionable insights tailored to each client’s questions or concerns. Our work has been used to resolve issues related to freshwater and marine oil spills; sites contaminated with mercury, dioxins, PCBs, PFAS compounds, lead, and other heavy metals; wildfires; dam failures; and impacts to threatened and endangered species. Our goal is to help our clients identify scientifically sound and cost-effective solutions.

Navigating the complexities of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permitting and compliance processes can be daunting, but SWCA has the expertise to guide projects to success. From routing assistance and permitting to compliance management during and post construction, our team ensures efficient and effective project execution.

Natural Gas

With extensive experience in both traditional and FERC pre-filing application processes, we specialize in developing projects that address resource issues early, streamlining approvals and minimizing delays. Our team works directly with FERC and other regulatory agencies to prepare Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Additionally, we conduct technical analyses and compliance inspections for pipeline construction projects of all sizes across the U.S.

Hydropower

As with oil & gas and electrical transmission projects, SWCA’s team of hydropower consultants and technical experts have an in-depth knowledge of FERC regulatory and licensing processes. We develop sound strategic approaches for each hydropower project that fully acknowledge the client’s needs and desired outcomes. Our team ensures all regulatory requirements are met and that we advocate for early agency and stakeholder identification and engagement to facilitate building key relationships, candid discussions, and collaboration. We work with our hydropower clients to understand agency or stakeholder needs or desires, share information and data, anticipate potential resource issues or conflicts, and expedite agency approvals or stakeholder agreement.

The best development projects blend the natural and built environments into one harmonious space. SWCA’s landscape architecture services, provided by skilled has a team of landscape architects and ecological design professionals, focus on the creation of landscaping and ecological design, from start to finish. We apply innovative and sustainable approaches to design, preserve, and manage landscapes—large and small. Our team supports our clients at every phase, from planning to permits, construction, and beyond.

Our landscape architecture and ecological design services blend seamlessly with our other environmental services, such as site assessments, stormwater management, and natural resource management.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to disclose the environmental impacts of proposed actions, evaluate alternatives to proposed actions, and involve other agencies and the public in decision making.

At SWCA, we use our extensive NEPA experience to guide federal agencies and project applicants through the NEPA process smoothly and efficiently. Our NEPA documents comply fully with all legal requirements, present practical mitigation measures, and integrate permitting requirements such as those for wetlands and endangered species. SWCA’s NEPA specialists are true process experts and keep current with the latest court cases and regulatory changes.

Our team also guides state agencies and applicants through their respective processes for State Environmental Policy Acts (SEPA) around the country, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

SWCA has develops and conducts trainings to meet the needs of our clients focusing on particular aspects of planning, regulatory compliance, and environmental collaboration. Each course offered provides an overview of case law, implementation methodology, and hands-on practical guidance based on case studies. Workshop activities are designed to give participants first-hand knowledge and experience with taught concepts. SWCA training clients includes both government agencies and private organizations.

We also collaborate with clients to tailor courses to their specific needs, including developing custom content that aligns with their areas of focus. These customized courses can be delivered either in-person or virtually.

SWCA’s visual resources team provides the public and reviewing agencies the first description of what a proposed project may look like in the landscape and the potential impacts it may have on the visual environment, shaping perceptions and driving discussions.

From generation and transmission to public and private infrastructure, SWCA’s visual resources specialists provide unbiased, accurate analysis and visual representations of how projects will be viewed within a given landscape. Through viewshed analysis, identification and understanding of viewer sensitivity, visual simulations, and other tools, paired with comprehensive impacts analyses, we help convey potential visual impacts to decision-makers, stakeholders, and the public, fostering understanding and building consensus.

As a vital component of environmental planning services, the collection, analysis, and communication of visual resources enable our clients to navigate siting challenges and move projects forward with confidence and clarity.