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

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

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.

NEPA Documentation

NEPA Documentation

We guide clients through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental clearance process by producing technically accurate documentation, including Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, and Categorical Exclusions.

Protected Species Surveys

Protected Species Surveys

If threatened or endangered species, rare species, or critical habitats are present at your identified in your project area, a Protected Species survey may be required to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments

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

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

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

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

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:

  • Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay Program – Orange County Coastal Storm Risk Management Project

    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.

  • State Highway 87 Revetment

    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.

  • State Highway 99 Segment I-2 Cedar Bayou Bridge

    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.

  • Halls Bayou Watershed Program

    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
Environmental Services
Environmental Services
Environmental Services

Your Environmental Services Team of Specialists:

We provide a complete team of experts to support you at every stage of the process.

Taffeta Burleson
Associate Environmental Scientist

Taffeta Burleson

John Simmons
Environmental Scientist + GIS Specialist

John Simmons

Sam Blanco, AICP, PMP
Vice President of Statewide Environmental Services

Sam Blanco, AICP, PMP

Kasey Clarke, WPIT
Sr Environmental Scientist II

Kasey Clarke, AWB, WPIT

Molly Lenihan
Sr Environmental Scientist I

Molly Lenihan

Chris Garza
GIS Specialist + Sr Environmental Scientist I

Chris Garza

Carmin Romero
Associate Environmental Scientist

Carmin Romero

Justin Tassin
Senior Environmental Scientist I

Justin Tassin

Taffeta Burleson

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.

John Simmons

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.

Sam Blanco, AICP, PMP

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.

Kasey Clarke, WPIT

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.

Molly Lenihan

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.

Chris Garza

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.

Carmin Romero

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.

Justin Tassin

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.