A natural gas distribution company is undertaking multiple active pipeline replacement projects across its Texas service territory. ECT was engaged to provide aquatic resources assessments and subsequent natural and cultural resources support for more than 180+ miles of natural gas pipeline in West Texas, helping the client navigate U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permitting requirements.
Field teams support this work with day-to-day data collection, documenting archaeological sites, aquatic resources, and endangered species observations. These included surveys for potential habitat for the dunes sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus), which required specialized field assessments to identify habitat quality and effective best management practices. At the time this work was conducted, the species was listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act, in addition to state-level protections in Texas. Addressing potential impacts on this species required careful consideration, planning, consultation, and action to satisfy federal and state requirements before construction could proceed.
Services provided to the client have since expanded further to include due diligence support such as desktop assessments, critical issue analysis, and fatal flaw analysis, as well as Pre-Construction Notifications (PCNs). As each new phase begins, ECT applies its extensive regulatory and environmental expertise through desktop assessments and constraint analysis to surface potential permitting obstacles upfront, helping chart the most advantageous path and minimize delays.