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Environmental Science & PermittingBalancing the Built
and Natural Environments.

At MacKay Sposito, our Environmental Science and Permitting team helps strike the right balance between the built and natural environments. This team of skilled scientists identifies and maps natural resources that may be impacted by a project — from wetlands and streams to wildlife, plants, and fish. Working closely with our engineers, our natural resource specialists identify ways to avoid and minimize environmental impacts, and when necessary, develop thoughtful permit applications and mitigation strategies for any remaining impacts. Through this collaboration, our team ensures that we’re supporting our clients and communities while protecting the health of the environment we all rely on.

 Metal riverside viewing platform with railings extends over a calm, tree-lined river, with mossy boulders in the foreground and forest reflections on the water.

We aim to balance the need for development while maintaining crucial natural resource functions our communities rely on.

The Environmental Science and Permitting team carries a deep responsibility to both ecosystems and the communities we serve. We balance communities’ growth with maintaining habitat, water quality, and flood control functions on the landscape. To achieve this balance, our team builds strong relationships with engineers, clients, and regulatory staff, founded on trust and shared values, to ensure every project champions both people and the environment.

MacKay Sposito team member in a high-visibility vest holds a tablet while standing in a narrow grassy corridor surrounded by dense forest, with a yellow marker post at left under a cloudy sky.

We aim to balance the need for development while maintaining crucial natural resource functions our communities rely on.

The Environmental Science and Permitting team carries a deep responsibility to both ecosystems and the communities we serve. We balance communities’ growth with maintaining habitat, water quality, and flood control functions on the landscape. To achieve this balance, our team builds strong relationships with engineers, clients, and regulatory staff, founded on trust and shared values, to ensure every project champions both people and the environment.

MacKay Sposito team member in a high-visibility vest holds a tablet while standing in a narrow grassy corridor surrounded by dense forest, with a yellow marker post at left under a cloudy sky.

Our areas of Environmental Science & Permitting expertise:
Field worker in a high-visibility vest kneels on grass, comparing a soil sample to a color chart next to a clipboard by a fresh pile of dirt.

Field Assessments

  • Wetland/waters delineations and reports
  • Critical area assessment and reports
  • Wetland ratings and buffer determinations—WA
  • Oregon Rapid Wetland Assessment Protocol—OR
  • High tide line delineations
  • Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) determinations—WA, OR
  • Stream buffer determinations—WA
  • Stream functional assessment methodology—OR
  • Rare plant/noxious weed surveys
  • Wildlife habitat and species surveys
  • GIS mapping, analysis, and database services

Federal Permits

  • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Environmental Assessments (EA), and Categorical Exclusions
  • Endangered Species Act compliance – programmatic, formal, informal consultations, and no effect assessments
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404, 408, and Section 10 permits

State & Local Permits

  • Wetland/waters administrative orders—WA
  • Wetland/waters removal/fill permits—OR
  • Stream 310 permits—MT
  • Hydraulic project approvals—WA
  • Fish passage plans—OR
  • Section 401 water-quality certifications–WA, OR, MT
  • NPDES construction stormwater permits—Construction stormwater general permit in WA and 1200-C in OR
  • 318 Temporary Turbidity Authorizations—MT
  • Goal 5 permitting—OR
  • Natural resource assessments and restoration, enhancement, and mitigation planning—Clean Water Services
  • Shoreline and critical area permitting—WA
  • SEPA checklists—WA

Mitigation Planning

  • Impact avoidance and minimization consultations
  • Mitigation/restoration feasibility studies

Featured Environmental Science & Permitting Projects

View More Environmental Permitting Projects

Riparia Environmental

A subsidiary of MacKay Sposito, Riparia Environmental offers construction-based natural resource services for residential, commercial, public works, and retail development. After the Environmental Science and Permitting team obtains required permits for a project, the Riparia team employs erosion and sediment control measures to protect water quality during construction. After construction, the Riparia team plants, monitors, and maintains all restoration and mitigation to ensure the balance of the built and natural environment is complete.

Four MacKay Sposito team members review site plans beside a Riparia Environmental pickup during a roadside field visit.
Four MacKay Sposito team members review site plans beside a Riparia Environmental pickup during a roadside field visit.

Riparia Environmental

A subsidiary of MacKay Sposito, Riparia Environmental offers construction-based natural resource services for residential, commercial, public works, and retail development. After the Environmental Science and Permitting team obtains required permits for a project, the Riparia team employs erosion and sediment control measures to protect water quality during construction. After construction, the Riparia team plants, monitors, and maintains all restoration and mitigation to ensure the balance of the built and natural environment is complete.