ESA welcomes Dr. Daniel Swenson as Senior Permitting Specialist in its Biological Resources and Land Management Business Group. Based in the firm’s Los Angeles office, Daniel will work with clients and colleagues across the country to navigate and facilitate the permitting process for projects in a wide variety of industries. He has spent his nearly 20-year career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), most recently serving as Regulatory Branch Chief for the Baltimore District.
In addition to his role with USACE as Regulatory Branch Chief, Daniel served as Regulatory Section Chief for the Los Angeles District, leading a team of project managers and overseeing the review of complex permit applications under the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act. While in this position, he led a multi-district team in developing two regional project permitting procedures (Mitigation Ratio Checklist, Uniform Performance Standards) and establishing mitigation guidelines that are currently used in seven states. Daniel’s vast experience includes permitting transportation, coastal infrastructure, restoration, aquaculture, energy and utility line, flood control, and residential and commercial development projects. He is well-versed in the technical review of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents, as well as ensuring compliance with other environmental laws such as the Endangered Species Act.
“Dan is incredibly proficient at navigating complex environmental situations by building consensus, resolving conflict, and managing people, projects and initiatives in a manner that is relatable and efficient,” said Barbra Calantas, Southern California Biological Resources and Land Management Business Group Director. “His unique agency experience with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will greatly benefit our clients, particularly as it relates to finding strategic solutions for programmatic regulatory permitting, ensuring that important restoration, infrastructure, and development projects are able to move forward in a responsible way.”
Daniel completed the Wetland Delineation PROSPECT Course through USACE; while there, he also prepared and reviewed a wide array of complex jurisdictional determinations. He earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Miami, Florida; an M.S. in Biology from the University of Alabama, Birmingham; and a D.Env. in Environmental Science and Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles.
“With the addition of more than ten biologists, ecologists, arborists, and permitting specialists since just the turn of the year, our Southern California Biological Resources and Land Management Group has seen tremendous growth,” said Ruta Thomas, Senior Vice President and Southern California Regional Director. “Clients come to ESA to solve their most complex challenges and ensure successful completion of their projects, and we are thrilled to be able to continue doing so on a broader scale. Dan’s permitting expertise, coupled with his versatility in working across different regions, agencies, and project types, allows our team to deepen its bench of resources and provide unparalleled natural resource services in the industry.”
