Our Experience

Environmental Permitting for Boeing’s Expansion

GEL played a critical role in obtaining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ approval for Boeing to move forward with expansion plans on 468 acres adjacent to it's current 787 facility.

The Challenge

Boeing had used up all available space on its existing manufacturing campus.  Boeing must protect for the future growth of the site for the next 25+ years and identified 468 acres adjacent to its existing operation for this purpose.  The challenge was that 150+ of these 468 acres were wetlands.  To obtain permits to fill these wetlands for development required extensive permitting through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC).

GEL Services Provided

GEL was part of the project team that formulated and prepared the comprehensive wetlands permitting package, including offsite mitigation (preservation and restoration of wetlands and uplands) on three properties adjacent to the Francis Marion National Forest.

The Result

Boeing received project permits to expand onto these 468 acres in July 2014, only seven months after the permit applications were filed in December 2013.  The wetlands mitigation project includes enhancements and habitat improvements on nearly 4,000 acres of land that will eventually be turned over to the National Forest Service and State Department of Natural Resources for public access and recreation.

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