Natural Resources

State Highway 45 Southeast (SH 45 SE) to connect Interstate Highway 35 and State Highway 130.
EISs constitute the most in-depth investigations of potential impacts outlined in the NEPA process. aci consulting prepared an EIS for SH 45 SE which will assessed the potential direct, secondary, and cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the natural environment (wetlands, waters, wildlife, endangered and threatened species, prime farmland, air, and noise); the cultural environment (prehistoric and historic sites); and the socio-economic environment.

New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission Miscellaneous Purposes EIS, Eddy County, New Mexico
aci consulting assisted the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and Bureau of Reclamation in the preparation of an EIS analyzing aspects of the execution of a long term miscellaneous purposes contract. aci consulting assisted with the natural resources aspects of the analysis including the preparation of a biological evaluation addressing threatened and endangered species. This project also included a vegetation survey of the lower Pecos River in New Mexico.

Environmental Assessment (EA) Preparation
Improvements to United States Highway 290 from FM 696 to FM 2104.
aci consulting assisted TXDOT in the preparation of environmental studies for the improvements to US Hwy 290 between FM 696 and FM 2104 in Bastrop County, Texas. The project is approximately 13.8 miles in length. Environmental studies proposed for aci consulting included an Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Biological Assessment (BA) for the Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis).

The Meadows Project
The Meadows Project included the preparation of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for an approximately 500-acre Meadows property located in Douglas County, Colorado. The Meadows EA/HCP involved permitted the take of the federally endangered Preble's meadow jumping mouse ("Preble's") (Zapus hudsonius preblei). The project was listed in the Federal Register on December 18, 2002.

Cibolo Canyon, Bexar County, Texas
aci consulting prepared an Environmental Assessment/ Habitat Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the Cibolo Canyon property northwest of San Antonio, Texas. The EA/HCP permits the take and outlines mitigation of the golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia). The permit outlines the first non-federal mitigation site for golden-cheeked warbler in Bexar County.

US 71/ RM 620 Environmental Assessment
aci consulting recently completed an environmental assessment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for proposed improvements to US 71 in the Village of Bee Cave, Texas. The investigation involved natural resources such as endangered species and waters of the United States, and cultural resources surveys. Texas Department of Transportation issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in Spring 2004.

Loop 1 South, Travis County, Texas
aci consulting biologists prepared a Biological Evaluation (BE) for Loop 1 from U.S. Highway 290 South across William Cannon Boulevard. The BE analyzed the impacts of the Highway Improvements to endangered species, specifically the Barton Springs Salamander. The facility was designed and constructed in such a manner to improve stormwater potentially recharging the Edwards Aquifer (picture of constructed Loop 1).

Commanche Canyon Ranch, Travis County, Texas
aci consulting is currently working with the owner of Commanche Canyon Ranch monitoring golden-cheeked warbler populations, wildlife populations, and vegetative grazing. All these activities are associated with the properties Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit and Wildlife Management Plan.