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News

Right Whale Paper Published

A paper by GMI marine scientists Amy Whitt, Kathleen Dudzinski, and Jennifer Laliberté has been published in the journal Endangered Species Research. The authors summarize right whale sightings and acoustic data collected from the first year-round study dedicated to marine mammals in New Jersey’s nearshore waters.

Cultural Resources TxDOT Win

The Cultural Resources group of the GMI Environmental Services Division was awarded an Archeological General Services contract by the Texas Department of Transportation in February. One of four awardees, GMI will be involved in archeological survey, test excavations for National Register eligibility determinations, and data recovery projects across the state of Texas.

Biological Inventory Study for Melrose AFR

GMI wildlife biologists, in conjunction with Cannon AFB and Melrose AFR, initiated surveys for a Biological Inventory Study of a 10,968 acre area of land gifted to Melrose AFR by the state of New Mexico.

GMI to Support Fishermen's Energy with Environmental Impact Efforts

As part of the Energy Department's broader efforts to launch an offshore wind industry in the United States, GMI will support the Fishermen's Energy team with R&D for the advancement of traditional thermal and video imaging systems related to the assessment of nocturnal animal (bird, bat) occurrence, strikes and behavior around offshore wind turbines.

GMI Researchers Contribute to Texas Archaeological Literature

Nancy Kenmotsu is a co-editor and author of a new book published by Texas A&M University Press: The Toyah Phase of Central Texas: Late Prehistoric Economic and Social Processes. The volume is about the hunter-gatherers living in central Texas from AD 1300 – 1700.

Estabrook Heads Cultural Resources Dept.

Following 20+ years working as a Project/Program Manager for several of the largest cultural resources firms in Florida, Rich Estabrook has joined GMI as Cultural Resources Program Manager in the Plano corporate office.

Environmental Resources

Airport Services • Environmental Management • Fire Management • GIS • Marine Resources • NEPA • Pest Management • Remote Sensing • Renewable Energy

NEPA and Impact Analysis

GMI is a recognized specialist in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance services and has completed more than 850 NEPA projects to date. We provide high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective services to satisfy our clients’ needs to comply with NEPA and related regulatory requirements. Our full range of services includes:

Internal project scoping and identification of the appropriate level of analysis and documentation (Categorical Exclusion [CATEX], Environmental Assessment [EA], or Environmental Impact Statement [EIS])
Preparation and publication of Notices of Intent and Availability
Development of descriptions of proposed actions and alternatives
Baseline environmental inventories focused on the needs to assess impacts
Thorough assessment of potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts
Development and implementation of mitigation measures
Comprehensive regulatory consultation and permitting support
Coordination of and participation in public meetings/hearings
Document production and distribution
Preparation of decision documents: Findings of No Significant Impacts (FONSI) and Records of Decisions (ROD)

We know NEPA, but more importantly, we know our clients, their implementing regulations, and what their expectations are with respect to the NEPA compliance process. Some of those clients include:

U.S. Air Force
U.S. Navy
U.S. Army
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
General Services Agency
Various State Departments of Transportation
Utilities
Oil & Gas Companies

Our staff’s awareness of environmental and federal issues of concern pertaining to a client’s proposed action is instrumental in our ability to achieve the client’s goals. We’ve developed this awareness by conducting a wide variety of NEPA projects related to:

Federal construction projects (buildings, service centers, training facilities)
Military weapons or training systems
Implementation of management plans or programs
Infrastructure development (highways, roads, airports, mass transit systems)
Right-of-ways (oil and gas pipelines, gas and electric transmission and distribution lines)
Other utility services (cellular towers, pollution control facilities)
Energy development (wind turbines)

PORTFOLIO

Marfa Border Patrol Station Categorical Exclusion (CATEX)

GMI performed a basic habitat evaluation and cultural resources survey to determine if a categorical exclusion is appropriate for fencing activities at the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), Marfa, Texas Border Patrol Station. Surveys indicated that no significant impacts would occur to the existing environmental conditions within the project area and GSA and INS issued a CATEX for the fencing activities.

EA for Shoreline Stabilization Projects at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD

GMI prepared an EA to address the potential impacts from stabilizing five miles of severely eroding shoreline at NAS Patuxent River. This installation is located at the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay and the Patuxent River within the Maryland Coastal Zone and is prone to significant deterioration from tidal changes, constant wave action, and strong currents. In addition to coordinating with the Maryland Department of the Environment for a Coastal Consistency Determination, consultation with USFWS was also required to address the potential impacts to an endangered fish species in the Patuxent River.

Programmatic EIS, JTF-6 Program, Texas to California

GMI conducted a programmatic EIS for the US Joint Task Force-Six (JTF-6). This Task Force is a cooperative arrangement between the Customs Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Border Patrol to monitor and inspect all activities along the United States/Mexico border from Port Arthur, TX to San Diego, CA. The EIS project area included a 50-mile wide strip along the entire US/Mexico border. GMI staff conducted a literature search to determine what environmental baseline information, particularly with respect to biological/ecological resources (particularly threatened and endangered species) and cultural resources, was available for this study area. In addition, Geo-Marine obtained information from the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), who also conducted an EIS for other Federal agency actions along the border. A baseline report was prepared denoting in tabular and graphical form what data are currently available. Further studies and evaluations were completed to determine the impacts of JTF-6 activities on the natural and human environment.

Record of Decision for JTF-6 Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

The Fort Worth District Corps of Engineers contracted with Geo-Marine to develop and coordinate a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) of the Continuation of the Joint Task Force Six Program, Port Arthur, TX to San Diego, CA. Because of the expansive nature of the project area and the program itself, a detailed ROD was developed in order to ensure that all types of projects and mitigation plans would be addressed.

EIS Segment IV President George Bush Turnpike, Dallas, TX

GMI prepared an EIS for Segment IV of the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT). Segment IV of the PGBT was a proposed 5.1-mile transportation corridor between the interchange of the PGBT with Interstate Highway (I.H.) 35E at Trinity Mills Road and the connection of the Project with I.H. 635 at Valley View Lane. Review of the Previously prepared EAs were reviewed and any new data obtained from on-site field investigations were used to document any additional social, economic, and/or environmental factors necessary for the preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIS). Public meetings were conducted to adequately convey to the public any environmental issues and receive public comments concerning those issues. Pertinent resource agencies were contacted to help formalize mitigation procedures and develop cost estimates for environmental mitigation measures (e.g., wetlands, archaeological, hazardous materials). A DEIS was prepared documenting the findings and any additional recommendations of social, economic, and environmental studies for review by resource agencies. The Final EIS was developed upon completion of the Major Investment Study (MIS) and DEIS and receipt of concurrence of the Regional Transportation Council.