We pursue excellence through a dedicated team of environmental experts, including Professional Wetland Scientists (PWS), botanists, certified wildlife biologists, as well as environmental scientists and GIS experts. No matter the project, we bring the knowledge of our entire team to table, and—in lockstep with our clients—we tailor our project approach to best meet your needs.
We are leaders in providing expert environmental services in the following areas:
Wetland Services
Our wetland and natural resource professionals have vast experience successfully completing Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting, as well as hundreds of wetland delineations and stream and waterbody assessments. We have conducted thousands of acres of wetland delineations and hundreds of miles of stream assessments and continue to gain expertise in the field.
Mitigation Services
Our experts are well-equipped to support your project by providing the planning, execution, construction, and monitoring of both wetland and stream mitigation that may be required for projects that impact natural resources. We will work with appropriate agencies and you to ensure the compliance and success of mitigation plans.
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments
An essential step for a property transaction real estate holding is identifying potential or existing environmental contamination concerns. At Hollaway, we conduct Phase I ESAs on various types of properties, including vacant land, agricultural, multi-family residential, commercial, and industrial uses.
Environmental Training
Hollaway supports our clients by delivering in-person, web-based, and hybrid training seminars and presentations to promote environmental regulatory awareness throughout both public and private entities. This includes training about regulatory permitting requirements, wetlands and waters of the US, SWPPP compliance, and effective community engagement training and presentations, among other topics.
US Coast Guard Permitting
We assist clients in securing U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) permits for the construction or alteration of bridges over navigable waters and facilitate coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard. This process can be difficult to navigate however Hollaway has proven experience working with USCG.
GIS Services
We leverage in-house Geographic Information System (GIS) services to provide our clients with data management tools to produce map-based and project-specific solutions. Our GIS team serves both our environmental and communications practices on a daily basis.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans
Our environmental specialists regularly prepare and assist with the implementation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) for a wide range public and private projects including transportation and capital improvement projects.
Examples of Hollaway’s environmental consulting experience, including field studies, environmental permitting, and mitigation, include:
To support this $4B coastal storm risk management program in the Pre-Construction Engineering and Design Phase, Hollaway provides environmental planning and consulting services, as well as comprehensive communications, stakeholder engagement, and consensus building services.
To support TxDOT, Hollaway prepared a Biological Evaluation (BE) and conducted intensive habitat surveys (ground and drone technology) for the eastern Black Rail, Piping Plover, Rufa Red Knot, and sea turtle to support consultation with USFWS for a proposed revetment project near High Island and Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Galveston County, Texas.
Hollaway worked closely with TxDOT’s contractor to meet restoration obligations under a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit, as construction activities resulted in a severed hydrological connection to a large wetland complex (causing it to dry up). Hollaway facilitated negotiations between TxDOT, USACE, and the contractor to identify a solution that met the spirit of the CWA. Hollaway quickly designed, obtained approval for, and implemented a Voluntary Restoration Plan that restored and enhanced three forested wetlands.
Hollaway serves the Harris County Flood Control District and LAN as the Environmental Program Manager supporting $110 million in projects for the Halls Bayou Watershed as authorized by the 2018 Flood Control Bond. The Halls Bayou watershed covers more than 45 square miles and 20 miles of linear stream within Harris County, and Hollaway supports environmental compliance and field studies necessary to develop and deliver damage reduction projects throughout the watershed.
Who We Work With Regularly to Deliver Your Environmental Clearance:
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- National Marine Fisheries Services
- Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Coast Guard
- Texas Historical Commission
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Texas General Land Office
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Texas Railroad Commission
- Local floodplain administrators
Your Environmental Services Team of Specialists:
We provide a complete team of experts to support you at every stage of the process.
Taffeta Burleson
John Simmons
Sam Blanco, AICP, PMP
Kasey Clarke, AWB, WPIT
Molly Lenihan
Chris Garza
Carmin Romero
Justin Tassin
Monty Criswell
Associate Environmental Scientist
Taffeta Burleson
Taffeta Burleson supports the Hollaway Environmental + Communications Services team as an Associate Environmental Scientist. She has gained experience in a wide range of environmental services during her time with HECS, including Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, wetland delineations, and threatened and endangered species assessments. She supports an array of projects including mitigation, transportation, and municipal infrastructure. She brings with her a strong skillset in field research, data analysis, and GIS mapping.
Environmental Scientist + GIS Specialist
John Simmons
John Simmons has over four years of experience working in both the private and public sectors, serving as a scientist and natural resource specialist. Since joining the HECS team, he has gained experience in Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, wetland delineations, constraints analyses, and threatened and endangered species assessments. He has supported HECS in a variety of projects, including private development and public works. He brings with him a background in geology, environmental science, and remote sensing.
Vice President of Statewide Environmental Services
Sam Blanco, AICP, PMP
Sam Blanco oversees Hollaway’s environmental practice. He is a NEPA practitioner with over 21 years of experience in consulting and government, and has managed environmental on-call contracts for TxDOT; large municipalities; and the nation’s largest public power, natural gas, and electric company. He has conducted NEPA and related studies for projects in Texas, Louisiana, Nevada, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, New Mexico, and the Mexican States of Chihuahua and Nuevo Leon.
Sr Environmental Scientist II
Kasey Clarke, AWB, WPIT
Kasey Clarke has a wide variety of experience in environmental services including wetland delineations, Clean Water Act permitting, threatened and endangered species habitat surveys, oyster surveys, freshwater mussel surveys, mitigation monitoring, and Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. She has managed an array of projects for federal and state agencies, municipalities, and private developers involving transportation improvements, stormwater facilities, utility lines, coastal dredging, and much more.
Sr Environmental Scientist I
Molly Lenihan
Molly Lenihan joined Hollaway in 2020 and is a Senior Environmental Scientist with extensive experience in wetland delineations, threatened and endangered species habitat assessments, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Clean Water Act permitting, National Environmental Policy Act documentation, and a variety of other environmental services. She has managed numerous projects, ranging from large-scale flood reduction projects to small, single family residential developments. She supports the Hollaway team as a project manager, field lead, technical writer, and reviewer.
GIS Specialist + Sr Environmental Scientist I
Chris Garza
Chris Garza has nearly 10 years of professional experience with Texas ecology and over 12 years of experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Chris’ career has focused on landscape management, ecosystem restoration, tree surveys, plant inventories, wetland delineations, threatened & endangered species habitat assessments, and Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs). Chris brings much to the Hollaway as a project manager, GIS specialist, technical writer, reviewer, and a field lead.
Associate Environmental Scientist
Carmin Romero
Carmin Romero supports the Hollaway Environmental + Communications Services team as an Associate Environmental Scientist. Since joining the HECS team, she has gained experience in Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, wetland delineations, and threatened and endangered species assessments, and much more. She brings with her a background in environmental science, data analysis, and in air emission testing.
Senior Environmental Scientist I
Justin Tassin
Justin Tassin brings eight years of experience in environmental and economic development projects to Hollaway Environmental + Communications Services. As a Senior Environmental Scientist I, Justin specializes in wetland delineations, Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments, Clean Water Act permitting, and endangered species habitat assessments. He excels in producing environmental compliance documents under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), GIS Mapping, and coordinating stakeholder outreach for environmental and economic development initiatives.
Senior Environmental Scientist II
Monty Criswell
Monty Criswell joined Hollaway in 2024 as a Senior Environmental Scientist II, bringing eight years of experience in environmental services. His expertise includes wetland delineations, threatened and endangered species habitat assessments, presence/absence surveys, and Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. Monty has contributed to a wide range of projects, including oil and gas developments, renewable energy initiatives, transportation infrastructure, mitigation banking, utility line installations, and coastal restoration efforts.