Specialty Service Areas

Real Estate Due Diligence

Industrial Hygiene

Mold Consulting

Petroleum Storage Tank Management

Environmental Compliance & Hazardous Materials Management

NORM & Oilfield Waste Characterization and Management

Risk-Based Closure Remediation

Wetlands, Endangered Species, & NEPA

Litigation Support

Compliance

As an outgrowth of our experience in real estate due diligence, performance of wetland and endangered species projects have allowed us to develop a vital service area and provide these services to clients such as developers, financial institutions, and pension fund managers. Our projects include both small (localized) efforts designed to re-evaluate projects following changes to the Corps of Engineers rules and complex projects dealing with major shopping malls, recreational facilities, and multi-family developments.

• Development Tract (Pasadena, Texas)
  As part of a large multi-phased due diligence assessment, TGE conducted wetland and habitat evaluation of a 62 acre tract of land. This site was slated for development as a large retail center. The project involved delineation and characterization of freshwater wetlands and habitats along the headwaters of Armond Bayou. Services provided included U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit application as well as preparation of mitigation plans to allow development to proceed. TGE also interfaced with the county flood control authority to address storm water management at the site.
  
  

• Endangered Species Evaluation - Mall Developer (Austin, Texas)
  TGE reviewed documentation, conducted necessary site visits, and investigated the habitat of concern for an endangered species protected by the federal program and administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife. This effort was conducted to determine compliance with the presence of an endangered species (blind salamander) within a sub-surface cave habitat, at the outskirts of the parking lot of this regional mall/shopping center. Following this effort, TGE consulted with the client regarding the responsibilities of habitat management and associated liabilities.
  
  

• Development Tract - 200+ Acres - Community College District
  During the performance of pre-acquisition due diligence, and based upon findings and recommendations presented within a Phase I ESA for this tract intended for a new college campus, TGE performed a wetlands investigation. Upon evaluation of vegetation, soils and hydrology, TGE concluded that 40 to 60 percent of the total acreage exhibited marginal wetland conditions. TGE petitioned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling, the site should be considered an “isolated wetland” and therefore “non-jurisdictional”. The Corps subsequently issued concurrence verifying TGE’s findings. This property is now developed as a college campus which includes a greenspace reserve.
  
  

• Confidential Buyer/Developer - Unimproved Tract of Land (Houston, Harris County, Texas)
  The property subject to TGE’s investigation consisted of approximately 4 acres of land located along Greens Bayou in northwest Harris County. TGE evaluated the potential for the existence of jurisdictional wetlands on the subject site using guidelines based upon the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. TGE documented the absence of wetland conditions, clearing the way for site development.
  
  

• Protected Species Management - Major Developer (Colorado)
  While conducting due diligence for this developer (on three separate properties within greater Denver with combined area of over 1,000 acres) TGE established the presence of a protected species (prairie dogs) which required alternative control measures prior to site development. As such, TGE conferred with local, state and federal agencies prior to making recommendations which would best meet the needs of the project while protecting the species.
  
  

• Various Office Park Developments and Recreational Facilities (Throughout Texas and Florida)
  As a result of TGE’s due diligence efforts related to mortgage financing by its client, TGE conducted numerous compliance reviews and assessments of wetland and endangered species mitigation plans prepared by others. Specifically through site visits and contact with the agency of record and consultant, TGE determined compliance with existing Corps requirements to circumvent possible enforcement on behalf of the mortgage holder.
  
  

• Numerous Commercial Properties and Development Tracts - Various National Banking Clients
  During the performance of comprehensive due diligence efforts, TGE conducted numerous National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) audits/assessments prior to the award of federal, state and local funding consistent with NEPA requirements. Such investigations included not only typical ASTM-style Phase I efforts, but also provided for wetlands, endangered species, archeological and historic “place” reviews (both national and state-significant). TGE cost-effectively excels at this service and is able to determine whether the proposed action (such as development of a property) will have “significant” environmental effect consistent with NEPA goals.