
Environmental Review & Documentation
When the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) into law on January 1, 1970, by then-President Nixon, it was the first national law that encouraged balance and harmony between man and the environment.
Shortly thereafter, California and Washington enacted supplemental laws―the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA 1970) and Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA 1971). The result is a powerful permitting and environmental assessment process.
ESA was founded with the mission to provide environmental consulting services to help clients respond to the then-nascent permitting process. Since then, our scientists and technical specialists have provided critical thinking and measured analysis to guide successful policy development, project planning, and enduring solutions.
Our clients’ challenges come in all forms—from needing to resolve complex public issues such as regional water quality or coastal erosion, to local noise and air quality. Our experts deliver a full range of analyses, from focused studies to complex multi-year models.
Our ability to effectively communicate complex technical analyses is key to our success, and a talent both appreciated and valued by our clients. Our technical staff works closely with a robust, in-house publication team who prepare high quality, accessible, and easy-to-interpret documents. We are experts at presenting complex concepts in terms that everyone can understand.
Our Expertise Covers:
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Featured Projects
Tools & Resources
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Web app
Permitting Policy Tracker
Federal permitting rules, guidance and executive actions, tracked as they change.
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AI assistant
NEPA Assignment Navigator
A conversation-based guide to the day-to-day realities of NEPA Assignment for transportation practitioners.
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AI assistant
CE Virtual Assistant
Screens more than 2,000 federal categorical exclusions for a fit with your program or project.
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News & Ideas
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The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 proposes sweeping permitting reforms. Eric Beightel…
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ESA’s policy leaders will discuss the recently introduced bipartisan permitting reform language, final rules affecting…
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California’s new CEQA laws bring changes to environmental review, exemptions, streamlining, and project planning. We…
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California voters’ November ballot includes Proposition 45 (Prop 45), a measure that would make major…
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AI is reshaping environmental planning, but responsible adoption requires more than just choosing the right…
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The Department of the Interior’s new Section 106 policy brings new changes for project review…



















