Environmental Energy Permitting – Dominion Transmission

Larson Design Group (LDG) provided environmental, survey, design, inspection, and permitting services for multiple sites in Tioga County & Potter Counties, Pennsylvania, and Allegany, Chemung, Steuben, Schenectady, Montgomery, Oneida, Herkimer, Tompkins, and Wyoming Counties, New York. The multiple project sites included repairs and replacements to Dominion Transmission’s (DTI) existing infrastructure. Many of these sites traversed rural and environmentally sensitive terrain. LDG personally provided guidance for the project by identifying and designing the project sites to have a balance between the least amount of impact on the environment while maintaining cost-effective construction solutions for the client.

Due to multiple sites consisting of temporary wetland impacts and stream bed/bank restoration, permitting from state and federal agencies was required. LDG was consistent and communicated efficiently with these agencies to ensure permits were in place for construction.

LDG also acted as the qualified inspector for various project sites in the New York portion of the project. Some of the construction obstacles for these sites included steep slopes, multiple stream crossings, temporary wetland disturbance, and difficult access roads. Onsite guidance was given to DTI personnel and contractors when a problem area was identified so immediate action could be taken to keep the client out of violation and keep the construction project moving forward.

Creative design solutions helped to keep the client on schedule. Site restraints to floodplain location caused for a proposed building to be constructed using a raised concrete slab with exposed foundation in order to elevate equipment above the 100-year floodplain elevation. This allowed the client to receive permit approval and keep costs down due to not having to flood proof equipment or provide floodplain displacement studies for the project.