Contact All Sides
Environmental
When Ecological Consulting Is the Right Call
- You’re developing land near a waterway, floodplain, or coastal area
- Your project requires a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit
- A site survey has flagged potential wetlands or protected habitat
- You’re acquiring land and need to understand its ecological constraints
- A federal or state agency has requested a biological or ecological assessment
Know the Natural Landscape Before You Build
Before a single permit is filed or a shovel hits the ground, understanding the ecological conditions of your site can save your project from costly surprises. All Sides Environmental helps developers, landowners, and agencies understand exactly what they’re working with.
It’s the Environmental Side of a Project That Most People Don’t Think About
Ecological consulting involves assessing the natural resources on or near a property, wetlands, waterways, plant communities, and wildlife habitat, and determining how those resources interact with your planned project under federal, state, and local regulations.
In Texas, developments near water bodies, floodplains, and certain habitat types can trigger regulatory requirements from agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Knowing where those boundaries are before you start planning saves you from redesigns, permit denials, and costly delays down the road.
The Ecological Services We
Provide Across Texas
Here’s a breakdown of our ecological services, so you can pick the right one.
Wetland Screen (Desktop)
A wetland screen is a preliminary desktop review that evaluates whether wetlands are likely present on or near a property, before any fieldwork is scheduled or money is spent on a full investigation.
Using aerial photography, National Wetland Inventory maps, soil surveys, topographic data, and other available resources, we assess the site remotely and give you a clear early-stage picture of what you may be dealing with ecologically. It’s the fastest and most cost-effective first step for any project where wetland presence is uncertain.
- Reviews aerial photography, NWI maps, soil surveys, and topographic data remotely
- Identifies areas of potential wetland presence without requiring a site visit
- Provides a low-cost basis for deciding whether a field investigation is warranted
- Commonly used during early project planning or land acquisition due diligence
Wetland Confirmation (Field Check)
A wetland confirmation takes the desktop screen one step further by putting boots on the ground to verify whether the areas flagged as potentially wetland actually meet the Army Corps of Engineers’ three-parameter criteria: hydric soils, wetland hydrology, and hydrophytic vegetation.
It’s a targeted, focused field visit rather than a full property-wide investigation. When you need more certainty than a desktop review can provide but aren’t yet ready to commit to a full delineation, a confirmation gives you the field-based answer you need to move forward with confidence.
- Evaluates hydric soils, wetland hydrology, and hydrophytic vegetation on-site
- Confirms presence or absence of wetland conditions in areas of concern
- More targeted and cost-effective than a full delineation when boundaries aren’t yet needed
- Provides field-verified data to support planning decisions and next-step determinations
Wetland Delineation (Boundary Mapping)
A wetland delineation is the full, formal field investigation that establishes the precise boundaries of all wetlands and jurisdictional waters present on a property, mapped and documented in accordance with the Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and applicable regional supplements.
This is the foundational document that most permits, lenders, and regulatory agencies require before a project involving potential wetland impacts can move forward. Knowing exactly where your wetland boundaries sit gives your design and planning team the information they need to make smart, defensible decisions from the start.
- Establishes precise wetland boundaries across the full project site using Corps of Engineers methodology
- Documents all three wetland parameters, soils, hydrology, and vegetation, at multiple sample points
- Produces a written delineation report with maps, data sheets, and boundary coordinates
- Required for Section 404 permit applications, lender review, and regulatory agency coordination
Jurisdictional Determination (JD) Support (USACE)
A jurisdictional determination is a formal written decision from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirming whether the wetlands and water features on your property are subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.
All Sides Environmental prepares the supporting documentation and coordinates directly with the Corps to request and obtain the JD on your behalf. An approved JD is legally binding for five years and gives developers, lenders, and landowners a clear, agency-backed answer to what on their property is regulated and what is not.
- Preliminary JD provides a non-binding assessment suitable for early planning purposes
- Approved JD is a legally binding, agency-issued determination valid for five years
- Includes preparation of all supporting documentation and direct Corps coordination
- Gives lenders, buyers, and developers a defensible regulatory baseline for the property
Threatened & Endangered Species (T&E) Screening
A threatened and endangered species assessment evaluates your project site for the potential presence of plant and animal species protected under the federal Endangered Species Act or Texas state wildlife protections.
The process begins with a desktop review of agency databases and known species ranges, followed by field surveys if suitable habitat or listed species are identified. Getting this assessment done early, before any ground disturbance, gives your project team the most room to respond, adjust site design if needed, and avoid triggering formal consultation requirements at a later, more disruptive stage.
- Desktop review of USFWS databases, Texas Parks and Wildlife records, and published species range data
- Field surveys are conducted where suitable habitat or listed species are identified in the desktop review
- Documents presence, absence, or potential for listed species and critical habitat on the site
- Findings support permit applications, agency coordination, and ESA consultation requirements
Biological Assessments & Consultation Support
When a project triggers agency coordination related to protected species, the paperwork and timing can become the critical path. We support the technical documentation and coordination steps, so your team can respond clearly, stay consistent, and keep the project moving without losing weeks to misaligned submittals.
- Prepares supporting technical narratives and exhibits
- Organizes inputs from project, design, and field teams
- Helps manage agency comments and revisions
- Keeps consultation steps tied to schedule milestones
Section 404 / Section 10 Permitting Support
If work may affect regulated waters, permitting can become the difference between a smooth build and a long pause. We help you understand what’s likely required, assemble the right documentation, and keep the workflow tight so you’re not guessing at submittal expectations mid-project.
- Permitting pathway guidance tied to your footprint
- Coordinates required exhibits and supporting documents
- Helps respond to agency questions efficiently
- Keeps permitting steps aligned with construction sequencing
Mitigation Planning Support
When a project unavoidably impacts wetlands or other regulated natural resources, compensatory mitigation is required to offset those losses, and the approach has to be acceptable to the Army Corps of Engineers before your permit is finalized.
All Sides Environmental evaluates your mitigation obligations, identifies the most practical and cost-effective options available, and develops a mitigation plan that satisfies regulatory requirements without adding unnecessary cost or delay to your project timeline. Whether that means purchasing mitigation bank credits, proposing permittee-responsible mitigation, or coordinating an in-lieu fee arrangement, we guide you through the process clearly.
- Evaluates project impacts and determines compensatory mitigation obligations under applicable regulations
- Identifies available mitigation options, including mitigation bank credits, in-lieu fee programs, and permittee-responsible mitigation
- Prepares mitigation plans and supporting documentation for Army Corps review and approval
- Coordinates directly with the Corps and other agencies to confirm mitigation acceptability before permit issuance
HOW WE WORK
How Our Ecological Services Work
1
Site Review & Scoping
We review available maps, aerial photography, soil surveys, and regulatory databases to identify any ecological features that may affect your project before we ever set foot on the property, so the field visit is targeted and efficient.
2
Field Investigation
We conduct an on-site investigation to assess wetland indicators, document vegetation communities, evaluate wildlife habitat, and delineate any jurisdictional boundaries. All fieldwork follows established Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protocols.
3
Reporting & Documentation
We prepare clear, well-documented technical reports that meet the requirements of the relevant regulatory agencies. Whether it’s a wetland delineation report, a biological assessment, or a habitat survey, the documentation is accurate, thorough, and built to hold up through the permitting process.
4
Agency Coordination & Permitting Support
We work directly with the Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other relevant agencies on your behalf, coordinating reviews, responding to agency comments, and helping move the permitting process forward so your project timeline stays on track.
Discovering a Wetland Halfway Through a Project Can Shut Everything Down
Texas has a vast and varied land, coastal wetlands, river corridors, floodplain forests, and sensitive habitat areas spread throughout the state. Developing land that contains regulated natural resources without the proper permits isn’t just an environmental issue, it can result in project shutdowns, restoration orders, and significant financial penalties from federal and state agencies.
Getting the ecological picture right before planning begins is what allows a project to move forward confidently, on schedule, and without unexpected detours.
OUR RECENT WORKS
Showcasing Our Latest
Environmental Successes
FAQ’S
What is wetland delineation, and when is it required?
Wetland delineation is the process of establishing the exact boundaries of any wetlands present on a property, following the Army Corps of Engineers methodology. It’s typically required when a development project could affect wetlands or waters of the United States, which triggers federal permitting requirements under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
How do I know if my property has wetlands?
Common indicators include low-lying areas that hold water, soils with a dark or mottled appearance, and vegetation typically associated with wet conditions, like cattails, willows, or certain grasses. That said, many wetlands don’t look like what most people picture. The only reliable way to confirm their presence and boundaries is a formal delineation by a qualified consultant.
What is a Section 404 permit, and do I need one?
A Section 404 permit, which is granted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is necessary for any project that entails the placement of dredged or fill material into United States waters, which also encompasses wetlands. Whether you need one depends on the scope of your project and what’s on the ground. We can help you determine that early in your planning process.
What happens if a threatened or endangered species is found on my property?
If a listed species or its habitat is identified on or near your project site, it may trigger consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 7 or Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act. This doesn’t necessarily stop your project, but it does require proper documentation, assessment, and potentially a mitigation or management plan.
How long does a wetland delineation take?
For many project sites, the field investigation can be completed in a day or two, with the written delineation report following within one to two weeks. Larger or more complex sites may take longer. Timeline also depends on any follow-up coordination required with the Army Corps of Engineers for a jurisdictional determination.
OUR TESTIMONIALS
Honest Words from Clients Who’ve
Worked with Us
– Juan P. Domínguez
Customer
A tenant complained of headaches and a strange smell that no one else noticed. All Sides Environmental’s IAQ testing pinpointed elevated VOCs from new flooring adhesive, not mold or other previously considered issues. We fixed it fast, and the tenant stayed. Their expertise saved the relationship.
– Lewis Okser
Customer
Our Phase I flagged a recognized environmental condition on a Houston-area tract. All Sides Environmental decoded complex Phase II findings into plain language, explaining exactly what contamination levels meant for our plans. This clarity helped us confidently decide whether to proceed, that’s rare expertise in this field.
– Lena Brewster
Customer
Renovating a late-70s facility wing, our contractor required asbestos clearance. Dean’s team sampled floor tiles, ceiling material, and pipe insulation on short notice, delivering a report in four days, and flagged an area we’d overlooked. Their thoroughness saved us from a costly mid-renovation surprise.
– Joanna Prentice
Customer
Two companies gave us a clean bill of health, but something felt off. The All Sides team dug deeper and inspected longer. They used tools that looked inside the walls near our HVAC closet and found a hidden mold colony. All Sides oversaw remediation end-to-end, and we tested clean and received our clearance certificate within a week.
– Randy Cabrera
Customer
Three weeks from closing on a Katy strip mall, our lender suddenly required a Phase I ESA. All Sides scheduled us in two days, was on-site by Thursday, and delivered the report before our deadline. The lender accepted it without question, and I’ve since referred them twice.
