When beginning any engineering, planning, or construction project, a critical first step is to address any environmental concerns and issues and obtain the necessary approvals and permits. Credibly addressing the environmental issues and concerns early helps shorten the amount of time needed to obtain approvals and permits, saving you precious time and financial resources. Houston Engineering can help you chart a course through the complex project approval and permitting process.

Wetland Assessment, Impact Analysis, Permitting, and Mitigation

• Utilize office and field methods for wetlands identification and delineation
   

• Conduct jurisdictional delineations
   

• Perform an impact analysis
   

• Assess wetland functions and values (MnRAM)
   

• Provide information to local, state, and federal agencies regarding permitting decisions
   

• Prepare mitigation and monitoring plans
   

• Prepare restoration design, construction plans, specifications, and construction observations
   

• Provide drainage system evaluations
   

• Provide linear corridor assessments
   

• Prepare comprehensive plans
   

• Perform banking determinations

Natural Resource Inventories

• State and federal threatened, endangered, and rare plant and animal species surveys and habitat assessment
   

• Ecological inventories and assessments for terrestrial and aquatic habitats and species
   

• Channel stability, geomorphic and riparian corridor assessments
   

• Electrical transmission/distribution corridor assessments
   

• Development of Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI)
   

• Habitat characterization and assessment
   

• Aquatic surveys

State and Federal Environmental Review

• Prepare Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements
   

• Electrical transmission and distribution system Certification of Need and Permitting
   

• Oil storage and consuming facilities (Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures [SPCC] reports)
   

• Transportation facilities
   

• Water development (supply and flood control)
   

• Residential and commercial site development
   

• Phase I environmental site assessment
   

• Solid waste management

Regulatory and Permitting

• Wetlands (CWA Section 404, Wetland Conservation Act, Food Security Act)
   

• Electric corridor, transmission, and distribution
   

• National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
   

• Waste management and solid waste disposal
   

• Zoning and land use
   

• Surface mining
   

• Floodplains
   

• DNR protected waters
   

• 316(b) analysis

Environmental Engineering Studies and Design

• Stream and river restoration
   

• Ecosystem restoration
   

• Closed basin outlet assessment
   

• Bioengineering
   

• Wastewater collection and treatment

Project Planning

• Grant applications and funding assistance
   

• Strategy analysis for permitting and approvals
   

• Reclamation repayment and contract negotiations
   

• Title transfer assistance
   

• Legislation drafting services
   

• GIS analysis

Waste Management

• Comprehensive and long-term planning
   

• Feasibility and economic analysis
   

• Design of solid waste disposal facilities
   

• Facility siting analysis
   

• Recycling and material recovery facility design
   

• Compost facility design
   

• Transfer station design
   

• Ownership and management options analysis

Learn More

Learn about some of our environmental project successes:

• Dalen Coulee Water Management Study





• Great River Energy Environmental Documentation

"Houston Engineering is always looking at mitigating or minimizing any environmental impact on a project. Their philosophy is to fit the project into the area and protect the environment. The staff is open-minded and environmentally conscious.” Read the full testimonial ...

- Warren Seykora, chairman of the Wild Rice Watershed District board