Environmental Planning

Trihydro’s environmental planning experts guide clients through the complex environmental regulatory frameworks with permitting strategies that align with project goals, minimize delays, and facilitate environmental compliance. We support all phases of permitting, from early constraints analysis and field studies to application development, agency coordination, and post-approval monitoring, delivering documentation tailored to local, state, and federal requirements.

Our team has experience key environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA) , Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and Clean Air Act (CAA). Our capabilities include:

• Biological Assessments (BAs)
• Section 404/401 permit applications
• Mitigation and monitoring plans
• Cultural resource consultation materials

Trihydro frequently leads coordination with the USFWS, USACE, State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs), Tribal governments, and local planning agencies. We facilitate consultations, interpret evolving regulatory guidance, and develop strategies that address both compliance obligations and project constraints. For large, multi-jurisdictional projects, we implement spatially-referenced permit matrices and GIS-enabled compliance tracking to integrate permitting with field execution and construction.

Trihydro delivers clear, defensible environmental reviews to support agency approvals, secure funding, and advance project development. Our team prepares Environmental Assessments (EAs), Categorical Exclusions (CEs), and other documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for both public- and private-sector clients.

We work closely with agencies such as the USFWS, USACE, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and state environmental agencies to ensure compliance with applicable standards and procedural requirements. Our experience spans a wide range of sectors, including energy, water resources, linear infrastructure, transportation, and carbon management.

Trihydro’s interdisciplinary team, including NEPA practitioners, planners, permitting specialists, and GIS analysts, collaborates to assess environmental impacts, evaluate project alternatives, and develop mitigation strategies. We support every stage of the review process, from project scoping and stakeholder engagement to technical impact analysis and public comment response, ensuring that environmental documents are both technically sound and aligned with client objectives.

A specialized focus within our ecological services addresses the unprecedented challenges impacting forest health and associated watersheds. These vital ecosystems support critical ecological functions and societal needs but face increasing stress. Trihydro provides full-scale environmental and ecological services to reduce impacts, promote adaptive management, and enhance forest health and resiliency. We apply our expertise in strategic planning, modeling, ecological design, permitting, grant procurement, and project implementation to develop practical solutions for a spectrum of forest health issues, including:

• Drought Impacts and Water Supply
• Increased Wildfire Intensity and Risk
• Hazardous Fuel Buildup
• Post-Fire Response and Watershed Recovery
• Invasive Species and Tree Disease Management
• Wildland-Urban Interface Challenges
• Overall Watershed and Ecosystem Health Degradation

Organizations face an evolving regulatory and operational landscape influenced by changing climate conditions and future weather uncertainties. Events such as flooding, drought, wildfires, and sea level rise highlight the increasing importance of developing both short-term and long-term climate adaptation strategies. Trihydro recognizes that many clients are also focused on understanding and reducing their climate impact to support regional resilience measures.

Trihydro helps clients make data-driven decisions for a more resilient future, offering services that include:

• Climate change vulnerability assessments and mitigation plans
• Sea-level rise evaluations and impact studies
• Floodplain analysis and management
• Community wildfire protection and mitigation plans
• Forest health surveys
• Nature-based solution design and implementation
• Groundwater usage evaluation and prioritization
• Managed aquifer recharge design
• Greenhouse gas quantification (Scope 1, 2, and 3 emission inventories)