The environmental movement of the 1970s called attention to the contamination which has occurred at industrial sites and military facilities during the period of our history when laws were not in place to protect the public health and environment of our citizens. Environmental laws passed by Congress in the past thirty years now require that government owned facilities, such as active duty military bases, be cleared of various contaminants that resulted from weapons testing and other military activities.

These cleanup requirements have become particularly important during the last decade of base realignments and closures, as scores of former military sites have been turned over to local communities for private economic development. Such development cannot take place until the land, the groundwater, or any airborne contaminants have successfully been addressed, and the facility declared safe for public use. These cleanup activities are performed under laws such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Defense Environmental Restoration Act (DERA), as well as under the supervision and policy guidance of agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Environmental legislation has also addressed the ecological system of the country, including our waterways and marshlands that support wildlife and vegetation which are essential to a healthy environment. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the federal agency responsible for the oversight of waterways and wetlands and has specific authority for issuing permits for private sector construction where wetlands are present and would be disturbed by such construction.

Within this policy and legislative framework, HYJEK & FIX, INC. has been successful in working with clients to maintain sufficient levels of funding for environmental restoration of facilities across the country. The firm's personnel can expertly assist clients in developing the necessary political constituency and strategy to provide sufficient funding for an environmental restoration effort and in obtaining legislative changes which assure funding for the cleanup of specific facilities which have particularly acute requirements.

HYJEK & FIX, INC. has also successfully assisted clients in the development of extensive wetlands construction applications which are submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Office Permitting Sections. The firm's experience in navigating the bureaucracy of the federal wetlands permitting process to obtain appropriate permits in a timely manner has been of great value to both our private sector clients and to those public sector clients benefitting from the associated economic development activities.

Summaries of HYJEK & FIX, INC.'s areas of expertise and services in working with companies and communities to secure environmental remediation and permitting objectives include:

Budget Analysis: The firm provides a review and assessment of budget presentations to Congress to determine proposed funding levels for the various environmental restoration related budget requests, and an analysis of requirements for specific projects in the pipeline.

Legislative Activity: The firm identifies projects and establishes a plan, in concert with the client, for presentation to affected Members of Congress for consideration in the development of authorizing and appropriations legislation. HYJEK & FIX, INC. has been successful in securing language in appropriations bills to provide funding for specific clean up projects.

Wetlands Review: The firm provides clients with an overview of the specific information which the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking in wetlands permit applications and detailed guidance in completing permit applications to ensure content sufficient to fully address requirements.

Advocate to Authorities: HYJEK & FIX, INC. develops a comprehensive contact plan to provide outreach to appropriate agency staff (such as EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), as well as to those Congressional offices whose support is often essential in ensuring timely action.

Coordination: The firm is constantly in communication with the client, Corps of Engineers authorities, and Congressional advocates to ensure the proper functioning of the process — from establishing meetings between interested parties when necessary, to reviewing documents, and to making suggestions on necessary changes of documentation requested by permitting authorities. This component of the company's services is key. Itresults in a more comprehensive understanding on the part of both the client and the governing agency regarding the information which must be submitted. This coordination and comprehensive approach will ultimately lead to the necessary funding being released or the desired permit being issued.

HYJEK & FIX, INC. looks forward to discussing with you your environmental and wetlands concerns and priorities, as well as how the firm can assist you in achieving your goals in this area.