Permitting Support
Federal, state and local regulatory agencies have multiple requirements for permits associated with the construction and operation of water-related infrastructure projects. Some permits, such as Corps of Engineers 404 permits and water rights negotiations, can even determine whether the project moves forward or not. Aqua Strategies has worked with multiple law firms and project developers to help craft permit acquisition strategies that meet the needs of the regulatory agencies and stakeholders while streamlining the permit development/review process. Aqua Strategies employs highly qualified professionals, including former regulators and certified mediators, who have earned the credibility needed to negotiate reasonable permitting terms.
Project: Lake Wichita USACE 404 Permit Support
Client: Carollo Engineers
Date: 2015 – 2017
Keywords: Permitting; Water Planning; Water Quality; Sediment Modeling; Hydrographic Surveying; Stakeholder Involvement; Decision Support Tools; Data Collection; Data Analysis; Data Visualization
As part of a team obtaining a USACE 404 permit for the excavation of Lake Wichita, Aqua Strategies supported Carollo Engineers in multiple areas. Due to the extensive scope of the project, an individual permit was anticipated, which triggered the need for multiple site-specific studies. Aqua Strategies supported critical tasks associated with water planning, lake level predictions, hydrographic surveys, core surveys, water quality analyses and water modeling.
To support the 404 permit application, multiple options for sediment disposal or reuse were evaluated and presented to the regulatory agencies and other stakeholders. Aqua Strategies developed the alternative for constructed wetlands to use the sediments for beneficial purposes, including flood storage, water quality and improved ecological habitats. In addition, Aqua Strategies developed a data archive structure to manage the large data sets associated with the project.
After extensive work with the client, community, regulatory agencies and affected stakeholders, the USACE 404 permit was approved in 2017.
