Environmental + Planning Services

NorthStar’s Environmental and Regulatory Support Team is dedicated to providing guidance, environmental and planning services, and biological and technical studies to a wide range of both public and private sector clients. With over 50 years of experience, our team applies industry-leading knowledge and techniques to both small- and large-scale site assessments and analysis. We are prepared to assist you with any project, including those with complex regulatory requirements. Our scientists and planners can assist you with due-diligence and support for property acquisitions and expedite your project through the permit process.

NorthStar’s Environmental  and Planning team has long-standing relationships with regulatory agencies in addition to their in-depth understanding of federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This allows us to help our clients navigate an ever-changing regulatory climate, to obtain permits, or to resolve violations when they occur.

Some questions we can help you answer include:

  • What types of permits or environmental documents do I need to develop my property?
  • I have an idea for developing a property. Is this kind of project allowed by local zoning regulations?
  • Does my property, or a property I am interested in purchasing, have environemntal constriants such as rare plants or animals?
  • What is a SWPPP and when do I need one?
  • I have received a notice of violation from a federal, state, or local agency, what do I do now?

Planning and Project Approvals:

Site Analysis and Due Dilligence Assistance

Zoning Analysis and Conflict Resolution

Project Entitlement Applications, including: 

  •  Subdivisions
  • Rezonings
  • Use permits
  • Design Review
  • Annexations

Client Representation and General Consultation

Regulatory Permitting:

All Local Discretionary Development Permits

Clean Water Act 404 Nationwide Permit 

Clean Water Act 401 Water Quality Certification

Fish and Game Code Section 1602 Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement

Fish and Game Code Section 1652 Habitat Restoration or Enhancement

Fish and Game Code 2081 Incidental Take Permit

Fish and Game Code 2080.1 Consistency Determination

Rivers and Harbors Act Section 408 Permission

Central Valley Flood Protection Board Permitting

Client Representation with Federal, State, and Local Agencies

Federal and State Environemtnal Review:

NEPA/CEQA

Exemption Determnations

Initial Studies/Negative Declarations

Environmental Impact Reports

Environmental Assessments

Findings of No Significant Impacts (‘FONSI’)

Notice of Exemptions

Categorical Exclusions

Listed Species Services:

Raptors and Migratory Non-game Birds

Giant Garter Snake

Western Pond Turtle

Foothill Yellow Legged Frog

California Tiger Salamander

Salmonids

Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle

Vernal Pool Crustaceans

Butte County Meadow Foam

Biological Resources:

Biological Resources Assessments

Biological Assessments

Natural Environmental Studies for Caltrans Projects

Wetland Delineations

Botanical Assessments

Fisheries Surveys and Analysis

Bird and Wildlife Surveys

Environmental/Biological Construction Monitoring

Mitigation Compliance and Implementation

Environmental Projects