Environmental (NEPA)
SCI prides itself on understanding environmental constraints and opportunities, both in the context of the community and in the realm of federal regulations. We have a strong portfolio of experience when it comes to regulatory know-how and the ability to work with interdisciplinary teams. Our unique expertise is a strong understanding of the triangulation of planning, environment, and public involvement. These three areas form the crucible for the planning process.
Our experience with the environmental process relates to roadway, aviation, transit and rail projects and has produced a full gamut of NEPA documentation, including: specialized studies in the areas of community impact assessment, environmental justice/Title 6, land use, and socioeconomic impacts. We have led the public involvement efforts for numerous environmental impact statements and are well-versed in the CFR 771 regulations for scoping, notification, and public meetings/hearings.
SCI has acted as an environmental technical advisor to American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) members since 1997 with special focus on the environmental process, public involvement, and environmental justice. We also have worked on NEPA documents under the lead agencies of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
US 27 Road Widening Environmental Justice Analysis
Sycamore Consulting performed an environmental justice analysis for the widening and reconstruction of US 27 in LaGrange, Georgia. Through surveying, mapping and community interviews, Sycamore staff collected data in an effort to determine the level of community cohesion along the project corridor. We then applied the data to an assessment of the impacts and issues faced by the community involved. The next step was to identify and review community comments suggesting alternatives to the proposed plan that would minimize negative impacts on the area and the residences, businesses, greenspace and historic resources therein.
DeKalb Peachtree Airport Master Plan: Phase I
Sycamore Consulting provided its public involvement expertise to the DeKalb Peachtree Airport (PDK) Master Plan project team. We identified and interviewed an extensive list of key stakeholders, summarized, analyzed and compiled these interviews, and drafted a Vision and Policy Document based on the results. Sycamore distributed this document to PDK staff, the Airport Advisory Board and all interested citizens. We also prepared fact sheets to be distributed during public meetings and to be posted on the project website.
In addition, Sycamore prepared the Citizen Participation Plan, which outlined both activities for interested stakeholders to participate in the master plan process and public information techniques to be used to inform various public audiences about the master plan progress and decisions during the airport’s Phase II.