Ensuring Smooth Development: Wetlands Evaluation for Slatewood Apartments in Tooele, Utah
Introduction
Environmental assessments ensure new developments comply with regulations and avoid costly delays.
The Slatewood Apartments project in Tooele, Utah, required a wetlands evaluation to determine if any protected wetlands were present on-site.
Anderson Engineering was contracted to conduct a wetlands delineation study following concerns raised by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory (NWI).
This key regulatory body is responsible for identifying and protecting wetlands. The study was necessary to confirm whether the site required additional permitting and environmental considerations before development could proceed.
The Problem: Potential Wetland Restrictions
During the initial Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)—conducted by another firm—the site was flagged for a possible wetland feature based on NWI mapping. If wetlands were confirmed, the project could face:
- Additional permitting requirements with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Development restrictions that could alter site plans
- Increased costs and delays in environmental compliance
To avoid these potential issues, a wetlands delineation study was required.
The study aimed to determine if the identified feature met wetland classification criteria.
The Solution: Anderson Engineering’s Wetlands Evaluation
Anderson Engineering conducted a detailed wetlands evaluation in compliance with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) guidelines. The assessment included:
- A site visit to inspect vegetation, soil conditions, and hydrology
- A review of historical aerial imagery and mapping data
- Soil sampling and classification to determine if hydric soils were present
Findings & Results
The wetlands evaluation determined that:
- No standing water or wetland vegetation was present on the site
- The soil conditions did not meet hydric soil criteria
- No natural drainage channels consistent with wetland environments were identified
Based on these findings, Anderson Engineering confirmed that no wetlands were present.
This meant that the Slatewood Apartments development could proceed without additional permitting or environmental restrictions.
Project Results: Key Benefits to the Client
1. Eliminated Wetland Permit Requirements
The confirmation that no wetlands existed on-site prevented the need for costly and time-consuming federal permitting.
2. Prevented Development Delays
With the wetlands concern resolved, the project could move forward on schedule without modifications to site plans.
3. Reduced Costs & Regulatory Hurdles
Avoiding wetlands-related restrictions saved the client money on compliance and permitting fees while streamlining project approvals.
Conclusion: A Clear Path for Development
Anderson Engineering’s wetlands evaluation helped ensure that the Slatewood Apartments project in Tooele, Utah, moved forward without environmental permitting obstacles.
By verifying that no jurisdictional wetlands were present, the study eliminated unnecessary costs and potential delays.
This made way for a smooth and compliant development process.
