Transcon specializes in assisting our clients with identifying the best site or route for their development projects. Transcon’s experience in land use planning and facility siting includes compiling detailed land use inventories; developing short- and long-range land development goals and objectives; identifying and analyzing optimal land management techniques; developing computerized geographic land management systems; and preparing site-specific, community-wide, or regional land use planning programs. Transcon’s planners collaborate with multi-disciplinary environmental professionals to evaluate study areas and determine opportunities and constraints to permit and construct development projects. By examining environmental resources such as biological, cultural, geology and soils, visual, and water, Transcon assists our clients in identifying sites or routes that are efficient, environmentally responsible, and acceptable to government agencies and the public.

A successful development project begins with thorough planning so that a project proponent has a clear and focused sense of direction, challenges can be anticipated, and solutions can be quickly implemented. Transcon’s environmental planners use proven strategies and processes to establish a strong foundation for development projects. Our long-standing and focused experience equips us with strong agency relationships and intimate knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and local laws; regulations; and guidance. Early in the process, Transcon planners engage stakeholders, including federal, state, and local government officials; conservation groups or other non-governmental organizations; affected property owners; and members of the public to understand their concerns and comply with regulatory requirements. The Transcon siting methodology utilizes cutting-edge technology and a comprehensive siting procedure that fully integrates environmental, engineering, economic, regulatory, and community considerations at the onset of a project and appropriately accounts for each throughout the siting effort.

Since 1999, research on existing and new utility infrastructure has been a major part of the work performed by Transcon staff. We consult with utilities, corporations, and agencies involved in the maintenance, operation, and development of energy, mining, and communications infrastructure and resources. We have worked with many of the major utility companies in the United States and have been at the forefront of recent developments in renewable resources, electrical transmission lines, and pipelines. Transcon specializes in helping our clients meet federal and state requirements for environmental assessments, plans, and inspections.

Depending on specific project needs, the following planning and facility siting expertise is offered by Transcon:

• Siting and linear routing studies
• Feasibility and strategic studies
• Fatal flaw analysis
• Permit plan development
• Federal, state, and local permitting
• Resource management plans
• Land use studies and reports

Transcon assists our clients and their development plans by conducting a variety of environmental resource studies and documenting the results. Our planners and scientists have extensive experience with various agencies and their differing applications of important aspects of the National Environmental Policy Act; California Environmental Quality Act; and other federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, and guidance. Transcon personnel have in-depth environmental resource knowledge; a thorough understanding of government laws, requirements, and guidance; and a strong understanding of agency review times and processes, which results in timely project approvals and clearances. Transcon excels in complex projects as demonstrated by our ability to involve multiple agencies and our experience in conducting intensive resource analysis in the preparation of environmental documents and mitigation planning. Our strength is keeping complicated projects focused and our technical writing cogent.

Agencies for which resource studies, permitting/planning, and documentation was or is being performed include the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Federal Communications Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of State. State agencies for which Transcon has provided environmental services include the Departments of Agriculture, Departments of Environmental Quality, Departments of Transportation, Historic Preservation Offices, Wildlife Departments, and State Land Departments. In addition, Transcon has provided environmental services to many of the Tribes in the western United States.

Our primary services include:

• Environmental Impact Statements
• Environmental Assessments
• Categorical Exclusions
• Environmental Impact Reports
• Negative Declarations and Mitigated Negative Declarations
• Project Descriptions/Plans of Development
• Public scoping/public comment database management
• Public involvement programs
• Project communications plans
• Land use and recreation plans
• Cultural resource inventories
• Archaeological surveys, excavation, testing, and data recovery
• Section 106 cultural resource overviews and technical reports
• Programmatic Agreements
• Memoranda of Agreement / Understanding
• Biological Assessments and Evaluations
• Mitigation plans and implementation
• Clean Water Act Section 404 permits
• 401 water quality certification
• Endangered Species Act compliance, including Section 7 consultations, Section 10(a) permitting, and threatened & endangered species surveys
• Inter-agency planning/coordination
• Third-party technical review
• Public involvement and outreach
• Facility siting and feasibility studies
• Visual / viewshed analysis
• Socioeconomic studies
• Habitat Conservation Plans
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans