Our Natural Resources Consulting Services
ESE Partners offers natural resources consulting services spanning wetland science, protected species biology, and federal regulatory documentation. Our team of permitted biologists and wetland scientists has worked across Texas and other states on projects of all scales, from single-site commercial developments to multi-state pipeline corridors. Each service area reflects the specific technical capabilities we bring to permitting and assessment work, backed by hands-on field experience and direct agency relationships.
Wetlands & Waters of the US
Wetlands and waters of the US fall under some of the most closely enforced environmental regulations in the country, and a missed delineation or unpermitted impact can stop a project cold. Our wetland scientists conduct thorough field investigations to identify and document jurisdictional features before your project breaks ground. Whether your project crosses a single tributary or spans hundreds of acres of potential wetland habitat, we give you an accurate, defensible picture of what you’re working with so your team can plan accordingly.
- Wetland Delineation
- Water Resource Evaluation
- Jurisdictional Determination for all Waters
- Clean Water Act Compliance via U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Section 404 CWA Permits
- Section 10 River and Harbors Act Permits
- Mitigation Plans for Streams and Wetlands
- Wetland Monitoring
- Functional Assessments for Streams and Wetlands
Protected Species and Wildlife
ESE Partners provides a wide range of protected species and other wildlife-related services to our clients. ESE’s seasoned Biologists are permitted to conduct presence/absence surveys for federally endangered species and habitat assessments. We have conducted acoustic monitoring and analysis in multiple states for a wide variety of bat and herpetological species. We provide natural resource assessments and federal and state regulatory consultation services as required by our clients’ projects.
- Endangered Species Surveys and Federal Consultation
- Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessments
- Eagle, Raptor and Songbird Studies
- Bat Acoustic Monitoring
- Biological Monitoring
- Post-Construction Mortality Studies
Regulatory and Planning Documentation
ESE is experienced with a variety of reporting and field investigations required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) including Environmental Assessments and Categorical Exclusions and other similar studies requested by our clients. ESE conducts Critical Issues Analyses and Site Characterization Studies for a variety of clients, but primarily for proposed renewable energy development. ESE is experienced with studies required by municipalities, including but not limited to, Environmental Resource Inventories required by the City of Austin.
- NEPA Environmental Assessments and Categorical Exclusions
- Critical Issues Analyses (CIA)
- Site Characterization Studies (SCS)
- Environmental Evaluation Studies
- City of Austin Environmental Resource Inventories (ERI)
Industries That Benefit From Our Natural Resources Consulting
We build our natural resources consulting services around the real-world demands of industries that regularly encounter regulatory complexity in the field.
Residential & Commercial Development
Developers need to know which natural resource constraints exist on a site before committing capital. ESE’s natural resources assessments identify wetlands, jurisdictional waters, and species concerns early, giving development teams the information needed to make informed siting and design decisions. Our work integrates cleanly with our environmental due diligence services for clients who need a comprehensive picture of a site.
Renewable Energy
Solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects frequently cross jurisdictional wetlands, require threatened and endangered species surveys, and must satisfy NEPA requirements before interconnection or construction approvals can proceed. ESE serves as a single-source natural resources partner for renewable developers, integrating our work with our broader renewable energy environmental services to reduce coordination burden and keep projects on schedule.
Upstream & Midstream Oil and Gas
Pipeline corridors, well pads, and midstream infrastructure regularly require wetland delineations, jurisdictional determinations, and protected species surveys across large, geographically distributed project areas. ESE’s field teams are experienced working in the demanding conditions typical of upstream and midstream operations throughout Texas and beyond.
Transportation
Road, bridge, and infrastructure projects frequently trigger Section 404 and Section 10 permitting requirements. ESE conducts stream and wetland functional assessments, prepares mitigation plans, and coordinates with the Army Corps of Engineers and state agencies to move transportation projects through the permitting process.
How Our Natural Resources Consulting Works
Every ESE natural resources consulting engagement starts with a clear scope and a realistic schedule. We know that project timelines don’t accommodate open-ended processes, so we build our workflow to move efficiently from initial assessment through regulatory close-out.
1. Project Scoping and Desktop Review
We begin with a thorough desktop review using the best available data, including National Wetlands Inventory maps, USFWS IPaC reports, topographic and soils data, and aerial imagery. This upfront analysis identifies likely constraints, informs field investigation priorities, and allows us to flag potential issues before your team invests in field mobilization.
2. Field Investigation
Our permitted biologists and wetland scientists conduct on-site investigations calibrated to the specific regulatory questions your project faces. We document findings thoroughly, using methods that meet or exceed agency standards, so our data holds up through the entire permitting process.
3. Regulatory Strategy and Agency Coordination
Permitting success often comes down to how an application is framed and who presents it. ESE manages agency coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and applicable state agencies. Our team’s familiarity with agency expectations means fewer revision cycles and faster approvals.
4. Documentation and Permit Preparation
We prepare all required reports, permit applications, mitigation plans, and supporting documentation in-house. From jurisdictional determination requests to full individual permit packages, we handle the paperwork, so your team stays focused on the project.
5. Post-Permit Compliance and Monitoring
Permits come with conditions. ESE provides biological monitoring, wetland monitoring, and compliance documentation throughout the construction period and, where required, into the post-construction phase. Our environmental compliance services can extend this oversight across your project’s full lifecycle.
Why Choose ESE Partners for Natural Resources Consulting?
We have a depth of expertise and knowledge unmatched in our industry. Our clients rely on us because of our:
Deep Field Experience Across Texas and Beyond
ESE’s biologists and wetland scientists have worked in diverse ecological settings across Texas, the Gulf Coast, the Southeast, and other regions. That field breadth means we know the species, habitats, and local regulatory nuances that affect your project, not just what the federal guidance documents say.
Permitted Biologists with Active Agency Relationships
Our team holds federal permits for endangered species surveys and maintains active working relationships with the Army Corps of Engineers, USFWS, and state agencies. Those relationships translate into faster turnaround and fewer surprises during the permitting process.
Integrated Environmental Services Under One Roof
Natural resources rarely exist in isolation from other environmental concerns. ESE’s in-house capabilities in cultural resources, environmental compliance, and remediation mean your project team has a single point of contact for a broad set of regulatory needs.
Project-Focused, Not Process-Focused Approach
Our clients operate in industries where schedules are commitments. We structure our natural resources assessments and permitting work to fit project timelines, communicate proactively, and flag issues early.
Texas Roots, National Reach
Headquartered in Houston with offices in Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and beyond, ESE Partners has the geographic coverage to staff projects across a wide footprint without sacrificing the local knowledge that makes a difference in the field.
Texas Firm with a
National Reach.
Discover featured projects from across ESE Partners’ disciplines: Due Diligence, Building Sciences, Remediation, Compliance, and Natural & Cultural Resources.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Resources Consulting
How far in advance of construction should I start the natural resources assessment process?
The timeline varies by project complexity, but starting six to 12 months before your target construction date is a reasonable baseline for projects with potential wetland or species concerns. Some surveys, including certain bat acoustic monitoring protocols and migratory bird breeding surveys, are seasonally constrained, meaning they can only be conducted during specific windows of the year. Missing a survey window can delay a project by months. The earlier we can scope the natural resources work, the more options your team has for scheduling.
What is the difference between a wetland delineation and a jurisdictional determination?
A wetland delineation is a field investigation that identifies the location and extent of wetlands and other waters on or adjacent to a project site. A jurisdictional determination (JD) is the formal ruling from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirming which of those features fall under their regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act. You need the delineation first, but the JD provides regulatory certainty and is typically required before a Section 404 permit application can be submitted.
What happens if protected species are found on my project site?
Finding listed species or suitable habitat does not automatically stop a project. It triggers consultation requirements under Section 7 (for federal-nexus projects) or Section 10 (for nonfederal projects) of the Endangered Species Act. ESE manages that consultation process, which may result in project modifications, taking avoidance measures, or the preparation of a habitat conservation plan. The goal is to find a path to project approval that satisfies the regulatory requirements.