2025
Comparably’s Best Company Outlook
Service
Land Services
Grounded in precision and guided by data, SWCA delivers comprehensive land services for every project phase.
We Want to Hear From You
For questions or further information, please fill out the form below.
Lucas Coleman
Land Services Director
Andy Belski
Principal Land Survey Team Lead
Overview
SWCA’s land services provide seamless support across all phases of a project, from initial planning and site selection to survey, development, and implementation. By combining cutting-edge technology, science-based solutions, and local expertise, we deliver reliable results tailored to each client’s unique needs. Whether trying to find a site with nuanced requirements, navigating complex regulations, engaging with stakeholders, or ensuring environmental compliance, our team is dedicated to bridging gaps and driving projects forward efficiently and transparently.
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Preliminary Site and Needs Assessment
Our services leverage advanced GIS analysis to identify optimal sites for project development. Utilizing our in-house GIS model and boots on the ground knowledge, we analyze a mixture of environmental and social constraints with a mixture of GIS tools, statistical models, and SWCA developed software to pinpoint highly buildable sites with minimal environmental and societal impact.
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Agency Coordination
SWCA works with clients to develop and implement stakeholder engagement strategies at every stage of the project lifecycle. Our approach builds trust, credibility, and respect through meaningful engagement and clear communication. We help clients involve stakeholders and incorporate their concerns and expectations into project design, planning, and decision-making. Our team brings diverse expertise in planning, real estate, law, and scientific fields.
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Public Education and Engagement
By employing proactive strategies such as strategic counseling, stakeholder mapping, and tailored communication planning, we help clients deliver educational messages that resonate with diverse audiences. Using state-of-the-art technology, such as mapping tools and customized outreach platforms, we ensure public education initiatives are both informative and engaging, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue and collaborative learning.
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Environmental Permitting
Our permitting experts bring together in-depth knowledge of local resources, strong relationships with regulatory agencies, and a thorough understanding of ordinances at every level of government. This expertise allows us to facilitate timely environmental permit approvals and clearances, helping to eliminate surprises and delays. We objectively evaluate project options and develop both immediate and long-term strategies to help our clients achieve their goals.
Land Survey
Our land survey experts provide clients with accurate and reliable data to support projects from concept to completion. Using advanced technologies such as GPS, LiDAR, aerial drones, and 3D scanning, our experienced surveyors deliver precise measurements and mapping tailored to project needs. From boundary and topographic surveys to construction staking and utility mapping, we help clients navigate complex challenges with efficiency and expertise. By integrating environmental considerations and maintaining a focus on safety, timelines, and budgets, SWCA ensures that every survey contributes to the success of the overall project.
Relevant Services
- Architectural Stakeout
- As-Built Surveys
- Boundary Line Adjustment
- Construction Site Calibration and Localization
- Court Order Surveys
- Easement Preparation
- Elevation Certification
- Expert Witness Testimony
- Family Transfer
- Global Navigation Satellite System/GPS Surveys and Geodesy
- Hydrologic/Hydrographic Surveying
- LiDAR Coordination and Ground Control
- Lot Aggregation
- Machine-Grade Surface Design and Certification
- Photogrammetric Acquisition and Ground Control
- Property Corner and Property Line Location
- Retracement
- Sonar and Conventional Bathymetry
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP)
- Subdivision Design and Planning
- UAS Mapping and Imaging
Site Identification and Assessment
Built from the ground up as a land siting tool, SWCA’s in house model utilizes dynamic datasets, statistical models, and custom written software to identify sites missed by other tools on the market. With its modularity, SWCA is also able to utilize its model to provide site assessments for client-identified sites, giving rapid insights into constructability and high-level constraints.
Relevant Services
- Alternatives Analysis
- Cultural Resources
- Environmental Planning
- Environmental Permitting
- Geographic Information Systems
- Natural Resources
Site and Right-of-Way Acquisition
SWCA’s land agents believe in a community-focused approach to site acquisition. By serving as an extension of our clients’ team, we guide and represent them throughout the project development process, building trust and bridging the gap between client needs and landowner concerns, stakeholder requirements, and community interests. With an understanding of local markets and professional expertise, we ensure project needs are met while fostering education, open communication, and transparency within surrounding communities.
Relevant Services
- Land Use Acquisition
- Local Permitting
- Public Education
- Public Involvement and Stakeholder Engagement
- Virtual Engagement and Digital Public Outreach
- Visual Resource Assessment
Meet the Experts
Land Services Director
Lucas Coleman
Lucas manages SWCA’s land services team who provides site identification and acquisition services to clients. He specializes in managing landowner and client relationships, co-developed SWCA’s renewables siting model, and holds a national outlook on early-stage development opportunities.
Principal Land Survey Team Lead
Andy Belski
Andrew has more than 33 years of experience in applied surveying and AutoCAD design, including 23 years working on river projects. Andrew oversees SWCA land surveying, including traditional land surveying tasks and hydrographic surveying to support river restoration and fish passage projects.
Senior Land Surveyor • Whitefish
Josh Lenderman
Josh is a registered Professional Land Surveyor in the state of Montana. He leads field surveys for stream and wetland projects in Montana, Idaho and Oregon. He is proficient using survey-grade GPS and total station, along with single beam sonar for bathymetric surveys. He also assists SWCA’s design team with the production of plan-set drawings. Josh is a licensed FAA commercial remote pilot and utilizes UAS systems to acquire pre- and post-restoration project aerial photos to document site conditions. He leads the monitoring division of instream and groundwater monitoring of various projects throughout the region, including field implementation of data loggers, data download, and data processing.
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