Environmental Planning
As a core component of our business, Rocky Mountain Environmental (RMEA) provides a host of services related to Permit Applications, Inventories Analyses, Physical Analyses, Natural Factors Analyses, Wildlife Habitat Inventories, Site Planning, and Landscape Architecture.
- Physical Analyses
- Natural Factors Analyses
- Wildlife Habitat Inventories
Local planning authorities have been requiring wildlife habit assessments as residential development encroaches and fragments wildlife habitat. RMEA has performed site evaluations for wildlife utilization by big game unglulates, large carnivores, furbearers, and avian wildlife. Reports typically include measures to mitigate and enhance habitat opportunities as a result of specific development proposals. We recommend that these assessments be performed before any major commitment is made on site development plans. The most easily approved plans are those that respond to local planning goals and ordinances for wildlife protection. Some localities are requesting more comprehensive inventories of physical and natural factors site rather than just an assessment of habit opportunities. The goal is to make land-use decisions that respond to site conditions rather than dominate or obliterate the natural character of a project site. Following the principles of the legendary Ian McHarg, RMEA will prepare comprehensive site inventories describing geology, hydrology, topography, soils, vegetation, and wildlife. Based on this analysis, recommendations will be made regarding site opportunities and constraints to promote site development that is a marriage of nature and human use.
In concordance with a planning philosophy derived from a respect for physical and natural site factors, RMEA offers landscape architectural services that promote the enhancement of both our natural environment and the outdoor spaces that we occupy. This is accomplished by use of native and naturalized plant species and materials (fencing, stone, paving) appropriate to specific project sites. Good landscape architecture respects cultural values and context as well as the natural environment.