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Our caring team of environmental experts set the standard for quality, and they have the accolades to prove it. It’s no wonder they’ve earned the respect of both clients and environmental review agencies. Their outstanding standards and practices raise the bar for developing environmentally sensible solutions. Services include:
- NEPA Corridor Studies (Env. Impact Statements, Assessments, Categorical Exclusions)
- Environmental Overviews / Footprints for Planning Projects, Greenway Projects and Bicycle / Pedestrian Paths
- Indirect and Cumulative Impacts Analysis for Natural Resources
- Socioeconomic (Community Impacts, Environmental Justice, Relocation Report)
- Noise Analysis Modeling and Barrier Studies (TNM 2.5)
- Air Quality Modeling (Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Hotspot Analysis)
- Section 106 of NHPA for Historic Structures and Archaeological Sites
- Watershed Studies for Land Use, Water Quality, Point and Non-Point Pollution
- Section 4(f) Documentation (Recreation, Federal, Historic, Refuges, and Others)
- Section 6(f) Conversions for Land and Water Conservation Fund Sites
- Preliminary Hazardous Material Site Assessments (UST, RCRA, CERCLA)
- GPS Data Collection and Remote Sensing (ArcGIS Imaging)
- GIS Data Creation, Mapping, Evaluations, Analysis and Modeling
- Statewide GIS layers for Natural and Human Environmental Resources
- Stream Assessments (Rosgen Classification, RBP, QHEI and HHEI)
- Stream Mitigation/Restoration (using Rosgen Natural Channel Design)
- Habitat Mitigation, Restoration and Enhancement
- Karst Studies (Caves, Sinkholes, and Mapping including Dye Tracing)
- Field Surveys for Animals, Plants and Ecosystems (Aquatic and Terrestrial)
- Threatened and Endangered Species Consultation (Section 7 Consultation)
- Water Quality Testing (pH, Tº, DO, Conductivity, Hardness, Turbidity, etc.)
- Construction in Floodway Permit from Indiana Department of Natural Resources
- 401 Water Quality Certification from Indiana Department of Environmental Management
- Section 404 Permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers
- Rule 5, Rule 6, and Rule 13 Stormwater Permitting (NPDES SWPPP)
- Wetland Delineations, Designs, Monitoring, Maintenance, Site Selection and Land Acquisition
- Wetland Assessments (INWRAP)
- Wetland Mitigation
- Wetland Permitting
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- NEPA Documents
- I-69 Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, Evansville to Indianapolis, Indiana
Client: Indiana Department of Transportation
 This transportation facility was envisioned as Indiana’s contribution to the congressionally-designated “high priority” Corridor 18 (I-69) that may eventually provide a mid-continent link between Canada and Mexico. The environmental process required by the Federal Highway Administration was developed in a two-tier process. The first tier of the process established a corridor, generally 2,000 feet in width, along a 142-mile route. BLA managed 11 subconsultants as part of the study comprising the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that investigated all reasonable routes connecting Evansville with the state capital. In order to avoid or minimize impacts to environmental and human resources, BLA developed the most definitive GIS database of natural and cultural resources developed to date for the 26-county study area. Based on this GIS data, specific corridors were identified and mapped for each alternative. Within these corridors, representative “working alignments” were designed to minimize potential environmental disruption within the corridor. The Indiana Department of Transportation was so pleased with this GIS system that BLA later worked as part of the team to include further layers of information and expand the system statewide.
In 2005, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standing Committee on the Environment cited the I-69 Tier 1 Final EIS as one of the Top Ten examples of best practice nationwide. According to the study, the BLA document “illustrates how a complex and potentially overwhelming project with multiple impacts on multiple potential alignments over a very large study area can be analyzed in a relatively succinct manner.” Currently BLA is managing the completion of the Tier 2 studies for this important economic corridor.
- I-69 Tier 2 Environmental Impact Studies, Evansville to Indianapolis, Indiana
Client: Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT
In April 2004, the Indiana Department of Transportation initiated the Tier 2 Studies to begin the next phase of study of the long-awaited I-69 connection between Indianapolis and Evansville. INDOT hired BLA as the Project Management Consultant to oversee the project development activities.
BLA is overseeing all of the project development activities associated with preparation of the Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) and alternatives analysis for the six section consultants hired by INDOT to complete the Tier 2 studies. This effort includes coordinating on a day-to-day basis with INDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the section consultants; developing guidance materials; conducting periodic meetings; coordinating with federal and state resource agencies; reviewing analysis, work products, documentation, and other materials; managing the financial aspects of the project; and preparing and reviewing mitigation plans and activities.
Other services provided to INDOT include:
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Environmental Impact Statement Review |
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Travel Demand Modeling and Traffic Analysis |
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I-69 Corridor Travel Demand Model |
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Traffic Microsimulation |
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Design Concept Traffic Performance Measures |
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Environmental Studies |
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Public Involvement |
- US 31 Environmental Impact Statement, Plymouth to South Bend, Indiana
Client: Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
 BLA led the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Engineering Assessment to evaluate a segment of the US 31 Improvement from Plymouth to South Bend in St. Joseph and Marshall Counties, Indiana. The study area was approximately 20 miles long by 10 miles wide, running from the southern terminus at US 30, near Plymouth, to the northern terminus at US 20 near South Bend.
The purpose of the EIS was to identify and evaluate the social and environmental impacts associated with a proposed project and to reveal those impacts to the public and other federal, state, and local agencies. The EIS conforms to the Indiana Streamlined EIS procedures for preparation of environmental documents as well as all applicable environmental rules and regulations. Key components included public and agency involvement in the decision-making process and social and environmental impact analysis of project alternatives. The Project included coordination with many resource agencies and consulting parties, including the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Agency, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, the South Bend and St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Commission, and many others.
Wetlands- US 68/KY 80 Design Build through Land Between the Lakes, Permitting, Wetland & Stream Mitigation, Trigg County, Kentucky
Client: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC)
 This design-build project is to widen existing US 68/KY 80 within Land Between the Lakes to a scenic 4-lane highway that is aesthetically pleasing and blends within the existing environment. Land Between the Lakes is a National Recreation Area owned and managed by the National Forest Service located between Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lake. BLA is responsible for preparing the required permit packages and mitigating all impacts to wetlands and streams in the project. The project required four separate Section 404 permit submissions to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A Nationwide 12 for installation of a utility line, a Nationwide 26 for one Buildable Unit section, a Letter of Permission for a second Buildable Unit section and an Individual Permit for a third Buildable Unit Section. The project also involved Rivers and Harbor Act Section 10 involvement with the Army Corps of Engineers, Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the Kentucky Division of Water, and a Tennessee Valley Authority Act Section 26A authorization from the Tennessee Valley Authority. Similarly, Endangered Species were of concern of which BLA worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and KYTC to satisfy all requirements. BLA is responsible too for off-site mitigation, documentation, and coordination related to the power and flood control requirements for Barkley Lake from the proposed filling for the bridge causeways. Coordination with these agencies was critical in maintaining the project schedule.
- Statewide On-Call Wetland Mitigation Services, Indiana
Client: Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
This On-Call Wetland Services contract included 27 projects throughout the State of Indiana for INDOT. In addition, BLA was asked to complete permitting for two of these wetland projects requiring coordination with a number of engineering design firms for completion of the US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permit and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management Water Quality Certification applications. Designs included palustrine emergent, scrub/shrub, forested, and open water wetlands with mitigation sites ranging in size from 0.5 acres to 250 acres. Buffers for these wetlands were included in the designs, as needed. In addition, all coordination with the environmental review agencies was completed by BLA. Finding an appropriate mitigation site required the ability to locate environmentally sound areas for wetland restoration, and personable skills for communicating with land owners. BLA was successful in both endeavors.
Stream Mitigation- US 231 Wetlands & Streams Permitting & Mitigation, Spencer County, Indiana
Client: Indiana Department of Transportation
 This project involved the reconstruction of US 231 Road from just north of the Ohio River to I-64. Phase I involved the reconstruction of US 231 from just north of the Ohio River to SR 70 near Chrisney. This project impacted 1.7 miles of Honey Creek and its tributaries and 0.90 acres of wetlands (0.60 acres emergent and 0.30 acres of forested). Phases 2-6 were permitted together and included the construction from SR 70 to I-64 north of Dale. This project impacted 5.7 miles of streams within the Little Pigeon Creek watershed, including relocation of a perennial tributary of the North Fork of Little Pigeon Creek, 2.53 acres of wetlands, and 7.41 acres of open water.
BLA worked closely with Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to develop appropriate stream and wetland mitigation measures. The project included delineation of the wetland impacts, identification of stream impacts, completion of a Wetland and Stream Mitigation and Monitoring Report, coordination with regulatory agencies, and securing the IDEM 401 Water Quality Certifications and the USACE Section 404 Permits and State Isolated Wetlands Permits. Design included incorporation of natural channel design concepts and bioengineering techniques into the replacement stream channel, in addition to wetland mitigation and riparian corridor development to meet permit requirements.
Air Quality- KY 519 Air Quality Analysis (Microscale), Morehead, Kentucky
Client: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
This project involved the widening and improvement of KY 519 from 0.8 km south of Warren Branch to the US 60 Bypass in Morehead including through the community of Clearfield immediately south of Morehead. It connected with US 60 Bypass at Morehead in an area that was experiencing much growth in service and retail commerce. This project was modeled for transportation-related air quality emissions using the CAL3QHC model. The entire length of the project was modeled for transportation related emissions. The results of this model identified that the project was in compliance with the EPA air quality standards for transportation related emissions.
Noise Impacts- I-465 to I-69 Noise Study, Indianapolis, Indiana
Client: Indiana Department of Transportation
 A Highway Noise Analysis Report was prepared for I-465 from Pendleton Pike to the I-69 interchange to identify highway noise impacts and to evaluate the potential to abate any highway noise impacts. A series of field measurements were conducted at 11 receiver locations along I-465. These measurements were conducted using a Larson-Davis Integrating Sound Level Meter Model 824 system.
Using the Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Noise Prediction Model, STAMINA 2.0/OPTIMA, design year 2020 traffic noise levels were calculated using TNM. To mitigate the 2020 noise level impacts, a barrier system was evaluated along with a number of potential barrier locations. Barriers were recommended at five locations. These locations met the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Noise Abatement Policy guidelines. The length, height, and cost of the barriers were calculated.
- KY 114 Noise Analysis of Residential Area, Salyersville to Prestonsburg, Kentucky
Client: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
The purpose of this project was to upgrade the critically deficient substandard highway to current American Association of State and Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design criteria, concurrent with providing the needed capacity and safety. Steep grades, numerous sharp horizontal curves, and limited sight distance were considerations in the facility.
The noise study used the Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Noise Prediction Model STAMINA 2.0 to predict noise levels for a design year of 2024. Over 40 receivers were sampled using a noise meter to determine existing noise levels. It was found that abatement in the form of a barrier wall was not warranted for this project.
Endangered Species- I-69 – Indiana Bat Surveys, Evansville to Indianapolis, Indiana
Client: Indiana Department of Transportation
 Using information gathered from Indiana Bat field surveys in the summer, winter, spring and fall, BLA completed a Biological Assessment (BA) and BA Addendum for the Indiana bat in the 142-mile long by 5-mile wide Summer Action Area from Evansville to Indianapolis. Thirteen Indiana bat maternity colonies were identified as part of the I-69 field surveys. The I-69 BA included considerable research on the natural history of the Indiana bat and uncovered information such as a transmission tower and a light pole being used as roost sites for the Indiana bat, a roost tree within 200 feet from State Road 37 for the Indiana bat, mist netting under State Road 37 which captured Indiana bats, harp trapping many cave entrances in spring and fall, many cave surveys for the Indiana bat, and the genetic analysis of Indiana bat pellets for ascertaining a maternity colony in the Indian Creek area. The BA and BA Addendum were well received and Biological Opinions from US Fish & Wildlife Service confirmed a no-jeopardy determination.
More recently, BLA completed a Biological Assessment for the first 12 miles of I-69 in Section 1. The BA included field surveys, landscape connectivity, indirect effects, and the addition of two additional maternity colonies discovered by surveys unrelated to I-69. The BA reported one pregnant Indiana bat from 2004, however, field crews were unsuccessful in finding a roost tree. Recent sampling in 2008 showed three Indiana bats in the vicinity of Pigeon Creek. The BA located and designed a 160-acre mitigation site in the Pigeon Creek bottoms. It is an excellent site for forest restoration and preservation. Proposed plans are to reconnect the old channel of Pigeon Creek and re-instate bottomland forests along Pigeon Creek and connect existing bottomland forests for preservation in perpetuity. Agencies have been very pleased with the design specifications and general concepts for wetland, forest and stream mitigation. Channels in the mitigation site are designed to pool water for amphibians, reptiles, birds and other wildlife.
- Two-Year Survey of Indiana Bats under Indiana Bridge
Client: Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
 During the course of an Indiana Department of Transportation highway study in 2004 and 2005, 259 bridges and culverts were surveyed for bats. Only one bridge was found to have roosting bats. BLA studied the underside of this bridge over a large river in southwestern Indiana and found it to have federally endangered Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis), little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and to a lesser degree eastern pipistrelles (Pipistrellus subflavus) and a gray bat (Myotis grisescens). Red bats were mist netted near the bridge. The bridge serves as a day and night roost for the Indiana bat, little brown bat, big brown bat and eastern pipistrelle; maternity roost for little brown bats; mating site for the Indiana bats and little brown bats; and an apparent “way station” (stop over) during spring and fall migration for the Indiana bat and other bats . The bridge also appears to provide opportunities for social interactions.
This discovery prompted INDOT, U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to install fencing and signage to protect roosting bats from human disturbance. In addition, BLA has monitored this bridge from 2006 to present on a monthly and sometimes weekly basis for total number of bats, number of species and environmental conditions. Banding of bats under this bridge started in April 2008.
Section 106- Sidewalk Replacement, Washington, Indiana
Client: City of Washington, Indiana
 When the city decided to replace it’s sidewalks along Main Street in their downtown historic district, BLA was asked to determine effects on historic properties in accordance with Section 106 requirements. BLA completed a literature review to identify any structures already listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as well as the Daviess County Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. In the case of Washington, the entire project area was within an already-designated National Register district, so each property was assessed to determine if it contributed to the district and what impacts the project might have on the district. Since the project involved the replacement of existing, non-historic sidewalks, it was determined that there would be no adverse effect to the historic district. A report documenting these findings was then submitted to the State Historic Preservation Officer for review and concurrence.
- Bridge 6, Warren County, Indiana
Client: Warren County Board of Commissioners
Warren County Bridge 6 is a 96 foot single span Warren polygonal chord pony bridge on concrete abutments over Possum Run. It showed severe deteriorated wing-walls and its historic integrity was compromised from the incorporation of other bridge elements over the years. Nonetheless, it was one of only a few number of pony truss bridges left in Indiana. BLA worked together with the Indiana Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to evaluate the replacement of this bridge due to the scarcity of pony trusses in Indiana. The team decided to go to the Keeper of the National Register in the United States Department of Interior (National Park Service) for a decision. The official response from the Keeper showed that the original bridge was built in 1922, and that in 1960, it was dismantled. One span was moved, and reconstructed, and this resulted in a loss in its historic integrity from the cumulative impact of alterations. It was decided that the bridge was not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and it could be replaced by Warren County. This project required not only historic expertise by BLA, but also the ability to work with agencies to arrive at a consensus.
Community Impact Assessments- KY 114 Public Participation Plan, Salyersville to Prestonsburg, Kentucky
Client: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC)
This project involved the reconstruction and widening of a 20.9-mile section of KY 114 in eastern Kentucky. BLA developed a Public Participation Plan that described a strategic communications plan for the KYTC. The goal of this plan centered on uniting local stakeholders with KYTC in a partnership to work through various project issues. Issues jointly addressed included neighborhood disruption, relocations, and construction activities. Instead of the traditional public meetings, the stakeholders were offered direct communications with KYTC through a roadside tent that was fully equipped with posters, maps, handouts, and brochures. BLA and KYTC personnel were available for two weekends (Saturday and Sunday) to answer questions and address concerns in an environment that also offered food and entertainment. The public outreach and media campaign was very successful and utilized multiple media outlets such as newspapers, radio, flyers, and the internet. In addition, BLA and KYTC conducted field site visits with agencies during this time.
- I-66 Bowling Green Outer Beltline Community Meetings, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Client: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
BLA initiated a planning study for a 40-mile section of the I-66 Corridor in the vicinity of Bowling Green, and six months later, a planning study of the Bowling Green Outer Beltline. BLA was presented with the task of communicating two distinct yet compatible projects serving different purposes with coincident study areas. Following the round of public information meetings midway through the studies, it was determined that an effort was needed to reach out to groups within the Bowling Green community that either were not represented by those attending the previous public meetings or had been historically “left out” of the planning process. Within Bowling Green, these groups included low income and minority communities, emergency service providers, and rural and small town residents. Working closely with KYTC staff, BLA developed unique and innovative ways of taking our client’s message to the people impacted by the projects featuring an educational and interactive fair-like forum complete with barbeque food. A crash test dummy illustrated highway statistical information and served as a conversation piece to facilitate conversation with the attendees. Outreach with local classrooms involved an informative presentation after which children were given a homework assignment to interview their parents about the project. Utilizing local town meetings at a number of local fire stations attended by community members, BLA provided information and an opportunity for including citizens that otherwise may have been missed.
GIS- Indiana Statewide GIS
Client: Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
The Indiana Statewide Geographic Information System (GIS) comprises approximately 280 different layers of aquatic, terrestrial, mineral, social, and economic information for Indiana. BLA developed this atlas with GIS and included digital ortho quarter quads (aerial photography) covering the entire state of Indiana. The layers and the FGDC-compliant metadata were created and compiled by BLA and the Indiana Geological Survey (IGS). Layers from these agencies were edited, cleaned, and transformed by BLA and IGS to create a comprehensive GIS dataset for Indiana.
This environmental atlas allows INDOT to provide its consultants with a “red flag survey” identifying any environmental or related issues within a project area, prior to design. The success of the atlas is evidenced by the awards it has received on both a state and national level, including 2004 Indiana GIS Initiative Award for Achievement in GIS.
Public Involvement- State Road 25 Hoosier Heartland Highway (Central Segment) Context Sensitive Solutions, Delphi, Indiana
Client: Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
 The Hoosier Heartland Highway is a 99-mile section of the Heartland Industrial Corridor Improvement between Lafayette, Indiana and Toledo, Ohio. BLA’s responsibilities involve the connection between the western and eastern sections of the Hoosier Heartland Highway between Lafayette and Fort Wayne, Indiana. In a Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement signed by the INDOT, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Indiana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in September of 2004 the commitment was made to design and construct this project with sensitivity to aesthetic values, historic cultural landscapes, and the historic context, utilizing the services of professionals with experience in areas related to historic preservation and the Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) approach. The CSS approach takes into consideration the communities and lands surrounding the project. This helps balance the need for effective transportation with the desire to preserve historic communities and environmental sustainability.
To help meet this commitment, a CSS Advisory Team was formed that included BLA staff; representatives from INDOT, FHWA, and SHPO; and representatives from the City of Delphi, Carroll County, and interested organizations’ members. BLA’s role included assisting in the facilitation of these committee meetings and providing design options for consideration. Some of the design considerations included decorative bridge treatments; lighting options to reduce light bleed to residents near the project; options to incorporate the local rural historic district; and ways to incorporate the local Monon trail system. Besides contributions to aesthetic treatments, efforts of the CSS Advisory Team resulted in design modifications to the interchange on the east side of Delphi that will minimize the amount of mechanically stabilized earth walls while providing the necessary infrastructure to support a signature trail bridge to be placed over State Road 25.
- I-69 Tier 1 & Tier 2 Public Information Meetings, Evansville to Indianapolis, Indiana
Client: Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
This priority project for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has been the focus of a major outreach campaign to get accurate information to the public and facilitate citizens' inclusiveness in the project. Early in this project, during the first tier, BLA created the project identification phase which included developing the name and the logo. A major responsibility for BLA has been the creation and maintenance of the internet web site offering visitors information and an opportunity to submit comments. BLA has worked very closely with INDOT in all communications aspects including media blitzes, editorial board visits, newsletters, and information handouts. The editorial boards have been a particularly effective outreach method to provide newspaper editors with one-on-one contact with INDOT and BLA. During the second tier of this project, BLA has coordinated with the six Environmental and Engineering Assessment firms and all other subcontractors to conduct many studies in each of the six sections of the 142-mile long corridor. This work has included coordinated management of section Citizen Advisory Committees, Section 106 Historic and Archaeology meetings, public meetings, and close communication with the section project offices designed to provide residents in local communities easier access to information.
Mitigation- Heim Road Wetland Design, Mitigation, & Monitoring Plan, Warrick County, Indiana
Client: Warrick County Board of Commissioners
 The project replaced the existing bridge with a new bridge and improvements to the east and west approaches on Heim Road. As part of the bridge replacement and improvements, the project included replacement of wetlands in the Pigeon Creek Bottoms. These Bottoms were considered a notable and environmentally sensitive area by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. It included a lowland area that was inundated each year by the floodwaters of Pigeon Creek. The design was for the most part a palustrine forest with some scrub/shrub, emergent and open water wetlands.
BLA produced a wetland mitigation and monitoring plan for the replacement of wetlands impacted by the construction of the Heim Road bridges across Pigeon Creek and Barnes Ditch. Land was donated to Warrick County by Meadowlark Inc. for the mitigation site. The plan stated that 0.5 acres was to be converted to an emergent wetland, 3.9 acres was to be converted to a wetland forest, 3.1 acres to be converted to upland woods, and the remaining 1.4 acres would join existing wetlands with a very small fringe of farmland. Plants unique to this project were swamp cottonwood, deciduous holly, various oaks and hickories, and halberd-leaved rose mallow.
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