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Environmental Assessment & Regulatory Permitting |
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ESS Group, Inc. specializes in strategic regulatory consulting for projects that are challenged by a variety of technical issues and complex permitting requirements. These projects often trigger multiple filings with local, state, and federal agencies in more than one geographic jurisdiction and within several environmental disciplines.
ESS prepares and submits environmental impact reports and permit applications, and supports regulatory review with public hearing representation, expert testimony, and negotiation of final approvals.
Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments: Environmental Impact Statements/Reports under federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and state programs such as Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR); state Energy Facility Siting certifications (e.g. New York Articles VII and X); and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) certification of natural gas facilities.
Environmental Resource Protection: Local, state, and federal agency approvals for protection of natural resources including Wetlands, Coastal Resources, Water Quality, Air Quality, Solid and Hazardous Waste, Storm Water, Flood Management, Tidelands, Shellfish, and Soil Conservation.
Protected Species & Habitats: Local, state, and federal reviews for Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species; Special Aquatic Sites; Essential Fish Habitat; Scenic Rivers; Old Growth Forests; and Vernal Pools.
Historic & Cultural Resources: Reviews and consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act with State Historic Preservation Officers and national Advisory Council on Historic Preservation for local, state, and federally-listed historic sites, properties, districts, and archaeological sites.
Land Use: Reviews and approvals by or under Planning Boards, Regional Planning Agencies, Zoning Boards, state and local Boards of Health, Development and Land Use Districts, Economic Enterprise and Development Zones, Water and Sewer Authorities, Abutters, and Public Interest Groups.
Transportation: Reviews and approvals by state Departments of Transportation and local Departments of Public Works for New Traffic Generation, Public/Private Roadway Curb Cuts, Physical Alteration, Easement Agreements, Signalization, and Construction Activity.
Navigation: Reviews and approvals by the US Army Corps of Engineers, US Coast Guard, state Waterways Programs and local Harbormasters and Harbor Commissions for Dredging and Dredged Material Disposal, Coastal and Offshore Structures, Navigation Channels, Aids to Navigation, and Construction Activity.
ESS staff has worked with local, state, and federal agencies to site, permit, and/or construct projects throughout the United States and internationally. |
