Environmental Audits

At B&A, our purpose is to help our clients accomplish their goals while meeting regulatory requirements in the most cost-effective way possible. Our biologists and regulatory specialists are qualified to provide services related to the following federal acts, as well as other federal, state and local policies relating to environmental resources:

National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Clean Air Act
Clean Water Act (CWA)
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Endangered Species Act (ESA)

Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys

Buys & Associates' scientists conduct threatened or endangered (T/E) surveys with meticulous care to ensure accuracy. A determination of the presence and/or absence of plant and wildlife species listed as threatened or endangered (T/E) by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and/or state agencies is usually an integral part of baseline environmental investigations and impact analyses. In a typical T/E species study, we interview T/E species specialists, access federal and state databases for existing information and review applicable literature to determine the status of sensitive species in a project area. If necessary, field surveys are performed by qualified B&A biologists. B&A has completed field surveys for the following T/E or otherwise sensitive species and habitats:

Bald Eagle
Ferruginous Hawk
Black-footed Ferret
Mountain Plovers
Sage Grouse
Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse
Blowout Penstemon
Uintah Basin Hookless Cactus
Clay-reed Mustard
Western Burrowing Owl
Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse
Massasalaga Rattlesnake
Least Tern
White-faced Ibis
Lesser Prairie-Chicken
Shrubby-Reed Mustard
Colorado Butterfly Plant
Ute Ladies'-Tresses Orchid

Wildlife Studies & Wildlife Habitat Management

In addition to T/E species studies, B&A provides a number of additional wildlife consulting services, including:

Wildlife Habitat Evaluations
Big Game Population Assessments
Raptor Nest Inventories
Prairie Dog Habitat Mapping
Song Bird Population & Community Studies
Human/Wildlife Interaction Studies
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

Vegetation Inventories and Mapping

The B&A Biological Team offers technical expertise in plant ecology and terrestrial and aquatic vegetation communities. In addition to our T/E plant species survey, B&A has completed large-scale vegetation inventories and community mapping projects in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. B&A also develops operation plans for the prevention and eradication of non-native, noxious weeds.

Wetland Investigation and Delineations

B&A has performed numerous wetland evaluations and jurisdictional wetland delineations. All investigations are completed according to the 1987 Corps of Engineers' Wetlands Delineation Manual. When jurisdictional wetlands are identified, B&A staff make recommendations to avoid or minimize impact to a wetland habitat or will prepare Nationwide Permits.