Environmental Compliance and Ecological Services

Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting offers a wide variety of ecological and environmental compliance services to meet the needs of our clients. Functioning independently, or in collaboration with other environmental organizations, we participate in NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) projects across the intermountain west. Addressing forest management, oil and gas infrastructure development, communication facility construction, water development and conveyance are our fields of expertise.

We are familiar with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and its requirements. Our team of ecological experts has conducted wetland delineations, threatened and endangered species surveys, rare plant surveys, and ecological assessments.

We provide the following services:

Environmentally Sensitive Areas Reports

Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting provides Environmentally Sensitive Areas Report services for counties and municipalities along the front range of Colorado and eastern Wyoming (EPA Region 8).

Environmentally sensitive areas (ESA’s) include ecosystems that are vulnerable to the potential impacts on land use. These include development and management activities, destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, permanent or temporary soil disturbance, the removal or modification of native vegetation cover, or the release of biological or chemical contaminants.

These reports may be required if a site inventory indicates potential impact on the environment. The report facilitates informed decision making with respect to proposed development. We also recognize and preserve the natural qualities of environmentally sensitive areas. Our reporting identifies the natural areas within the project site and adjacent areas that may be impacted by the proposed development.

BMEC has extensive knowledge and experience with this process which can identify habitat including isolated areas and stream corridors, while providing services in a timely and professional manner.

Threatened and Endangered Species Survey

Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting conducts Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys. There are approximately 1,300 endangered or threatened species in the United States today. Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the government protects endangered and threatened plants and animals (listed species) and the habitats upon which they depend.

The ESA requires federal agencies to make sure that any action it authorizes, funds, or carries out, does not “adversely impact” any listed species, or “destroy or adversely modify” any critical habitat for that species. Blue Mountain will identify potential species that may be present on specific properties and provide information on how to manage habitat.

Phase 1 Environmental Assessment

Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting provides Phase 1 Environmental Assessments in accordance with the American Society of Testing and Materials Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments (ASTM E1527-05, ASTM E1528, E2247-08) and the within the scope of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) throughout Colorado.

Wildlife Management

Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting provides services in the field of wildlife management throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West. Our services include wildlife plans, habitat assessments, harvest recommendations, population estimates of game and non-game species, and habitat manipulation. Each service is tailored to meet the client’s individual needs through conservation, stewardship, and management.

FEMA Conditional Letter of Map Revision

Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting will prepare a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) review.

This letter indicates whether a project, if built as proposed, would impact a floodplain and therefore warrant a change to National Flood Insurance Program flood hazard maps. Projects require a CLOMR if they modify the floodway by causing any increase in the base flood discharge in regulatory floodways, or more than a one-foot increase in any portion of a Special Flood Hazard Area if no regulatory floodway is designated.

Blue Mountain coordinates with the the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through the Information for Planning and Consultation site.

NEPA Support

Blue Mountain has participated in numerous NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) projects across the intermountain west. We’ve addressed forest management, oil and gas infrastructure development, communication facility construction, water development and conveyance.

In this capacity, our team has conducted wetland delineations, threatened and endangered species surveys, ecological assessments and prepared documentation per NEPA requirements.

Past Projects in Environmental Compliance

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Bald Mountain Communications Facility NEPA Assessment

Blue Mountain assisted Mangi Environmental Group in NEPA planning and oversight for the development of a communications tower on USFS land in Larimer County.

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Fort Collins Nissan-Kia Ecological Study

The proposed commercial development near the City of Fort Collins Redtail Grove Natural Area required several types of environmental compliance.

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Gelvin Ranch Phase 1 Environmental Assessment

Gelvin Ranch is a 920-acre working ranch located in eastern Yuma County, Colorado. A Phase I Environmental Assessment was initiated because the landowner transferred developmental rights to The Nature Conservancy through a conservation easement.

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Wyoming Ranch Wetland Delineation

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contracted Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting to complete a wetland delineation report for a 500-acre ranch with extensive wetlands, including a large fen.