There are many reasons why you should hire a civil engineer to oversee your residential, commercial or public project. As you may know, a civil engineer is fluent in all phases leading up to project completion, but they also must possess the skills needed to be successful—design skills, the ability to do complex calculations and being up to date on local land building codes and regulations, to name a few. Contact Mason & Stanfield, Inc. to learn how your project can benefit from hiring the right civil engineer.
Just as a land surveyor’s job can vary depending on who hires them and what they are hired to survey, a civil engineer—known for providing construction project services—can also take on tasks relating to public municipal services. Municipal services are the basic city services guaranteed to all residents of a city—including water, sewer, garbage collection and street maintenance. Citizens expect these basic city services since they pay taxes.
Now, let’s ask a seasoned civil engineer in Idaho about the importance of municipal agency reviews. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
What is a municipal agency review?
States and counties rely on municipal agency reviews to ensure their residents are provided with adequate municipal services. By definition, a municipal agency review is a complete assessment that includes looking at all aspects of local government agencies’ abilities to effectively and efficiently supply basic municipal services.
These service reviews put a spotlight on topics that may have an effect on the city’s residents or environment—such as planning for new infrastructure, revitalizing existing infrastructure, expanding to accommodate community needs and remedying inefficient municipal services.
Will the structure impact the neighborhood’s utility service?
Growth and development is good for an area, but any project that will or could interfere with a neighborhood’s city-provided utility services is not usually permitted. A comprehensive municipal agency review will address the structure’s direct impact on an area’s utilities, and maybe show if a municipal service can be upgraded to accommodate a new structure without causing major service interruption.
Does this type of project pose an environmental risk?
What counts as an environmental risk for an area may vary depending on whom you are talking to. Will a project pose a risk to local wildlife, or change the integrity of the land for the worse? Furthermore, if there’s open space marked for indefinite protection by the state, or an agricultural land resource is to be preserved, a municipal agency cannot start projects in those areas. A civil engineer will also look at the potential impact a project can have on soil erosion, both during construction and for the foreseeable future.
It’s good to be aware of the importance of municipal agency reviews, whether you are employed by a local government utility service department or are a homeowner in the area. When you need municipal agency review services, look no further than Mason & Stanfield, Inc. to be your knowledgeable civil engineer in Idaho. Contact us today with questions!