Ingenuity-Summer-2017

12 Pond | www.pondco.com E veryone agrees that clean air and water are essential to life on our planet. And when construction projects come into play, project decision makers have particularly good reasons to preserve these essentials. In an age where a plethora of pertinent local, state and federal environmental protection regulations govern the architectural and engineering industries, the secret to staying on schedule and on budget is staying in compliance. To do that, you have to know which jurisdictions are involved, which agencies to consult for oversight and permitting, and the different stakeholders that the project serves or will impact. Navigating the rules, regulations and laws can sink project managers into a labyrinth of stopgaps that can cost money, time, and plan rework. It all adds up to an excellent reason to call an Environmental Services specialist. They know which state has the strictest water and air regulations (California), which state is most lenient and friendly when it comes to oil and gas development (Texas), and can sort out everything in-between. Pipeline construction permits may be limited by a host of environmental agencies and programs. Here’s a partial list: „ „ Endangered Species Act „ „ National Environmental Policy Act „ „ Clean Water Act „ „ National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) „ „ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service „ „ U.S. Army Corp of Engineers „ „ Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Early environmental planning before a project begins is critical. This involves an impact analysis and a review of regulatory requirements, followed by coordination with project designers to avoid and minimize impacts per the rules. Otherwise, the project runs the risk of prolonged permitting delays once begun, which can have a tremendous impact on the schedule and cost of the project. This is why budgeting a professional regulatory review and impacts analysis is crucial. CLEAN AIR & CLEAN WATER The Core of Pipeline Project Planning: Environmental Compliance Navigating the rules, regulations and laws can sink project managers into a labyrinth of stopgaps that can cost money, time, and plan rework.