Bowman Consulting Demonstrates Expertise in Disaster Recovery and Wildfire Protection
Bowman Consulting Demonstrates Expertise in Disaster Recovery and Wildfire Protection
27 June 2013
published by http://finance.yahoo.com
USA — Bowman Consulting today announced its ongoing involvement in the Lost Pines Recovery project and the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) in Texas. These projects highlight Bowman Consultings expertise in disaster recovery and wildfire protection.
The Bastrop County Complex Fire (BCCF) in September 2011 destroyed over 34,000 acres and 1,700 homes within Bastrop Countys Lost Pines region. The area was immediately declared a Major Disaster, and Bastrop County, Texas was subsequently awarded approximately $25 million in grant funds to assist with recovery efforts. The Lost Pines region is an environmentally sensitive area, designated as critical habitat and the last remaining stronghold for the federally endangered Houston toad.
Bowman Consulting was selected by Bastrop County as the Project Manager for the Lost Pines Recovery to assist with planning and implementation of repair and recovery projects resulting from the wildfire. Coordination between local, state, and federal entities for implementation of recovery efforts using Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds was required due to the severity of the fire, multiple funding sources, and significant environmental factors.
Recovery efforts are focused on repair and restoration projects involving erosion control and soil stabilization throughout the burned zone to 25 drainage sites, 94 miles of county road right-of-way, approximately 1,200 acres of Bastrop State Park, up to 800 acres within Griffith League Ranch, and multiple drainage easements on privately owned property.
Specific tasks for Bowman include review of all environmental and engineering documentation associated with both the housing and non-housing portions of the CDBG grant, identifying project sites, determining and preparing appropriate restoration plans, review of existing plans, acquiring easements, obtaining all necessary local, state, and federal permits for implementation of the restoration efforts, environmental monitoring, and construction management activities. Bowman is also working closely with the Lost Pines Restoration Team and other stakeholders to implement the restoration goals of the Bastrop Lost Pines Habitat Recovery Project Master Plan, as well as assisting the County with public involvement activities associated with recovery efforts.
On the heels of this success with Bastrop County, Bowman Consulting, Travis County and the City of Austin, Texas are partnering to produce a countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) designed to provide the framework for the areas efforts to become a fire-adapted community one that has taken significant steps to reduce its risk of wildfire damage.
The plan will assist area cities and communities in understanding their wildfire risks and provide guidance for reducing the wildfire threat to avoid potentially catastrophic fires. Led by the City of Austin and Travis County Joint Wildfire Task Force, and managed by Bowman, the effort includes scheduled opportunities for community leaders, neighborhood groups, natural resource organizations, and any interested persons to participate in plan development.
Bowman is the prime contractor and has partnered with technical experts in various aspects of wildland fire to develop the CWPP including: developing a wildfire risk assessment model specific to the unique fuel types of Travis County and Central Texas; compiling, analyzing and recommending wildfire mitigation tools appropriate for different communities within the county; facilitating community involvement regarding concerns and priorities relating to wildland fires; and preparing the Austin-Travis County Regional CWPP for submittal to Travis County and the City of Austin.
We are building a strong reputation for providing effective solutions from planning through implementation for complex, high profile disaster recovery and wildfire protection projects, especially related to endangered species issues, said Clifton Ladd, Vice President, Bowman Consulting. These two projects highlight the expertise the Bowman team brings to mission-critical programs that directly impact the environment. We are proud to support our clients and communities in this manner.
To learn more about Bowmans disaster recovery efforts and assistance in the aftermath of events such as wildfires that directly impact endangered species, please send inquiries to info@bowmancg.com.
About Bowman Consulting
Bowman Consulting is a multidiscipline design firm with the singular mission of delivering success to clients with a sense of urgency. With 25 locations across the country, the company serves a broad array of industries including urban land development, transportation, water resources, oil and gas, and mining. Bowman has garnered numerous awards and recognition for growth, as well as for environmentally sensitive designs. www.bowmanconsulting.com.
