Natural Resources

The SES staff is comprised of scientists with extensive experience in natural resource management and planning, including range assessment, rangeland inventories, disturbed site restoration, vegetation management, habitat assessments, wetlands, botany, soils, aquatic biology, stormwater best management practices (BMPs), sediment and erosion control, geology, and mitigation planning, design, installation and construction oversight.  In particular, we have developed a strong reputation of providing natural resources and environmental management support to the agricultural industry in addition to federal and state government agencies, municipalities, the railroad industry, and various business interests. SERVICES Rangeland:  SES provides the expertise, information and tools needed to properly manage, conserve and sustain rangeland soils, plants, water and wildlife.  Our scientists and policy experts are highly skilled in land-use planning and monitoring, environmental assessments, and development of best management practices for all rangeland types and uses.  We provide independent review and verification for all aspects of rangeland use, condition and management. SES has collected data on over 2,200 sampling sites throughout Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) National Resources Inventory (NRI) Grazing Lands Field Study.  Types of data collected about grazing land include land cover and use, rangeland health, plant census, disturbance indicators, and biomass cover, density and height.  In addition, SES has verified rangeland health conditions on more than 2.5 million acres in 10 states. Our professional expertise includes:

• Baseline surveys and studies
• Rangeland reclamation and revegetation
• Innovative compliance, mitigation and monitoring for rangeland impacts
• Development/implementation of livestock best management practices
• Verification of rangeland monitoring, management and condition
• Soil, hydrological, riparian and watershed health and function

Soil Resources and Erosion Control:  SES understands the role that soils play in plant growth, water resources, stormwater management, water quality, waste management, and, ultimately, the cost of facilities management.  Our soil scientists are experienced in classification, evaluation and management of soils in nearly all aspects of environmental and land management.  SES has the expertise for developing erosion control systems, evaluating damages caused by erosion, and developing the designs for stabilizing land and streams from erosive forces.  Where damages have occurred along streams, we are experienced at determining the best method of stabilizing eroded stream banks using natural, biological systems, or, if necessary, using armoring to protect property and life. With advanced degrees in soil science and associated professional certification and registrations, our soils experts have experience that includes the following:

• Soil quality evaluation
• Soil chemical analyses
• Erosion control/mitigation measures
• Sediment and erosion control plans
• Stormwater pollution prevention plans
• Minesoil reclamation
• Restoration of disturbed sites
• Streambank stabilization

Ecological Assessments:  SES has assisted clients throughout the United States with ecological assessments, environmental studies and permit development for many varied projects, from habitat restoration to construction of linear facilities, including pipelines and power transmission projects.  SES provides a team of experts fully capable of meeting your critical ecological and environmental assessment needs. Our team of scientists offers expertise in the following areas:

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation
• Integrated natural resource management plans
• Wetlands delineation, mitigation and banking
• Wetland easement monitoring
• Ecological assessments
• Watershed assessments
• Threatened, endangered and protected species listing assessments and surveys
• Rare plant surveys
• Timber Stand Improvements (TSIs)
• Rangeland, forest and habitat surveys
• Stream surveys and Use Attainability Analyses (UAAs)
• Aquatic habitat surveys
• Socioeconomic impact assessments

If you have any questions pertaining to the services SES can provide, please contact Patrick Splichal at 1-800-897-1163.