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SWCA Hydropower Services

SWCA delivers hydropower solutions for FERC licensing and compliance, integrating natural and cultural resources experts with dedicated regulatory specialists and project management expertise.

Hydropower Dam

SWCA’s team of hydropower specialists integrates in-depth knowledge of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulatory and licensing processes with the expertise of our in-house, technical experts in natural, cultural, and water resources, to collaboratively deliver creative, cost-effective solutions to our clients.

FERC licensing, permitting, and compliance processes can be complex and difficult to navigate. Our hydropower team develops sound strategic approaches for each project that fully acknowledge our client’s needs and desired outcomes, while satisfying all regulatory requirements. At the core of this approach is a solid understanding of the Federal Power Act and its licensing regulations; a commitment to evaluate each project’s unique operational parameters and environmental resources, including early identification of potential resource issues; and early and frequent engagement with agencies, Tribes, and other interested parties to build key relationships and allow for candid discussions and collaboration. Our team doesn’t sit on the sidelines—we work in the trenches with our clients to understand each project holistically, share information and data, anticipate potential resource issues or conflicts, and expedite agency approvals or stakeholder agreement. This approach allows us to successfully navigate our clients through the many facets of hydropower licensing and permitting and come out on the other side with stronger relationships and a solid foundation for continued project success

Services and Markets

Service

Biological and Ecological Services

Investigating species and their habitats to help manage sensitive ecosystems.

Our scientists and technical experts have training and real-word expertise gathering, analyzing, and applying data on terrestrial and aquatic species and their habitats to help plan, permit, and implement projects. We use traditional methods and cutting-edge technologies to generate technical information and insights for meeting project challenges. We are also prepared to develop and pilot new methods to address novel questions when the need arises. Our staff can step into any phase of the project lifecycle and take on a variety of roles and responsibilities alongside our clients’ teams.

Service

Community Engagement

Engaging with stakeholders proactively is more critical than ever before.

Rear view of an audience in a lecture hall, attending a lecture.
Rear view of an audience in a lecture hall, attending a lecture.

Engaging and communicating with stakeholders proactively is more critical than ever before. Agencies and project proponents must navigate shifting regulatory requirements and public expectations for stakeholder involvement in their projects. Identifying and addressing risks before they arise is increasingly important.

SWCA has decades of experience helping clients develop, manage, and implement stakeholder engagement and strategic communications strategies. We provide a full-service offering for all types of clients and every stage of the project lifecycle.

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Cultural Resources

SWCA supports clients in high-level consultation and planning efforts.

One person holding a shovel and pouring dirt through a sifter that another person is holding.
One person holding a shovel and pouring dirt through a sifter that another person is holding.

With more than 500 cultural resources experts, SWCA is one of the largest cultural resources consultants in the U.S. Our nationwide presence means we have the capacity, reliability, and experience to support projects of all sizes, types, and complexity, while our local expertise provides the knowledge and nuance to consult with the various stakeholders that manage the nation’s resources. We provide a full suite of services to private and public clients, led by experts in archaeology, historic preservation, management and planning, and Tribal relations and ethnography.

Service

Indigenous Services

Respectful, experienced partnerships with Indigenous communities and cultures.

SWCA builds and maintains deep, longstanding relationships with Indigenous communities as demonstrated in our long service history. Our clients include hundreds of Indigenous Tribal, Alaskan, and Hawaiian entities, representing a wide variety of endeavors completed throughout the U.S. for the benefit of the connected communities’ cultural, natural, and traditional resources.

Service

Planning and Permitting

Guiding projects from vision to reality with expert regulatory solutions.

Our environmental planning and permitting experts provide strategic guidance and tailored solutions to help clients achieve community planning goals while preserving environmental resources and navigating complex regulations. With local knowledge, strong agency relationships, and expertise in ordinances at all levels of government, our team ensures timely permit approvals and clearances, minimizing surprises and delays. Through collaboration, documentation support, and innovative approaches, SWCA delivers successful outcomes that move projects forward with confidence.

Service

Water Resources

Clean water and healthy watersheds benefit both people and the environment.

Low angle view of a winding river with wild grass at the shoreline.
Low angle view of a winding river with wild grass at the shoreline.

At SWCA, our water resources services support clients in understanding surface waters and groundwater systems for regulatory, planning, and project implementation purposes.

Our water resources permitting services focus on compliance with water quality regulations including delineations of waters under state and federal jurisdiction, compliance with water quality and water right regulations, and aquatic resources mitigation. Our experts bring an interdisciplinary approach to help clients navigate water laws at all levels of government.

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Let’s find an opportunity to work together and keep your projects moving forward. Connect with SWCA using the form below for more information.

SWCA Hydropower Services

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