Overview:

JF Properties in Denver Colorado retained SWCA to conduct cultural and natural resource surveys and assist with Clean Water Act, Section 404 permitting for the proposed 3,500-acre Trillium Residential Development in Buckeye, Arizona.

Services Provided

• Archaeological survey
• Biological evaluation
• Jurisdictional water delineation
• Clean Water Act, Section 404 permitting

Results:

The project area is adjacent to the Hassayampa River in the Town of Buckeye, which has proven to be a difficult area for receiving a Section 404 permit. As with all projects in this area, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) became involved. SWCA has been able to aid the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the client by being proactive in our efforts with regular meeting and constant communication, thus avoiding potential conflicts with the EPA and ultimately increasing the speed of the permitting process. The permitting process is not complete at this time; however, the Trillium project is further along in the permitting process than many projects in the area that were started prior to Trillium. The permitting process was terminated after long deliberation regarding the uncertainties of EPA's involvement via the ARNI regulation. SWCA then assisted the client (Trillium LLC) with negotiating the permit application termination process by demonstrating that, by re-designing the project, the applicant was able to avoid all impacts in US Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction.