Environmental Assessment and Management in Costa Rica
We assess each project in its territorial context to identify environmental constraints, technical requirements and institutional procedures that may affect its planning, development and operation.
We integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS), technical studies, fieldwork and project management to turn environmental and territorial information into actionable decisions.
What do we assess?
Before determining which studies are needed or starting permit procedures, we seek to understand the site's conditions and their relationship to the proposed project. This helps identify environmental and territorial factors that may affect location, design, feasibility, development and operation.
Territory and land use
We examine how the proposed activity relates to the property's location, land-use planning and conditions that may influence how the land can be developed.
Water and sanitation
We consider conditions related to water supply, availability and water resource use , as well as drainage and sanitation solutions that the project may require.
Protected areas and restrictions
We identify environmental and territorial features that may create protected areas, setbacks, land-use limitations or other conditions that must be considered from the earliest project stages.
Natural hazards and risk
We assess natural hazards and processes that could affect the site or determine the location and characteristics of proposed works, so that these factors are considered during planning.
Physical site conditions
We analyze the physical conditions of the site that may influence project decisions and determine the need for specialized studies, checks or tests.
Project interactions and impacts
We examine how the proposed project's characteristics, size and activities may interact with the surrounding environment to identify environmental impacts , as well as needs for prevention, assessment, mitigation or environmental management.
The goal is not to commission studies or initiate procedures in isolation, but to first understand the project and its setting to determine what must be verified, which studies may be needed, what decisions must be made and which procedures should be undertaken.
How do we work?
We combine territorial information, technical analysis and fieldwork to understand each project's conditions before defining solutions, additional studies or institutional procedures.
Geographic Information Systems
We integrate information using mapping and spatial analysis to assess the property and its surroundings and identify territorial and environmental relationships that may affect the project.
- Location and territorial context
- Overlay analysis
- Restrictions and constraints
- Spatial relationships
Specialized technical studies
When an issue requires closer examination, we carry out or coordinate the specialized technical studies needed to characterize it and provide useful information for project decisions.
- Geology and hydrogeology
- Water resources
- Natural hazards
- Environmental assessment
Fieldwork and testing
We compare available information against actual site conditions through inspections, observations, measurements and testing as required by each project.
- Site inspection
- Georeferencing
- Measurements and flow gauging
- Specialized testing
Integrated analysis of findings
We bring together territorial, technical and field findings to determine what matters, how the factors interact and which decisions or actions should be considered next.
- Joint interpretation
- Priority identification
- Additional requirements
- Decision support
From information to actionable decisions
The level of analysis depends on each project. Not all projects require the same studies, tests or checks.
The value of the analysis lies in understanding how all these variables relate to one another, rather than simply producing separate technical findings.
Project management
A project may require multiple studies, checks, professionals and institutional procedures. Our role is to help organize these elements, identify their dependencies and maintain a coherent workflow aligned with the project's environmental and territorial needs.
Coordinating the parts of the process
Project management connects territorial analysis, technical studies, fieldwork and institutional procedures within a single coordinated workflow.
This helps determine what to resolve first, which activities can run in parallel, what information each specialist needs and when a technical finding calls for a change in a subsequent decision.
- Identification of needs and priorities
- Sequence of studies and checks
- Coordination across disciplines
- Follow-up on procedures and requirements
- Integration of findings into new decisions
Plan, coordinate and follow up
From a need to a work plan
New information can change priorities and decisions. Environmental project management must therefore accompany the process and adapt to its findings.
Define the approach
We identify known project needs, constraints and dependencies among studies, decisions and potential procedures.
Coordinate actions
We organize the interaction among territorial analyses, studies, fieldwork, specialists and documentation required at each stage.
Adjust and follow up
We incorporate new findings, respond to requirements and reorganize subsequent actions when project conditions make it necessary.
Studies are part of a project, not isolated deliverables
Our goal is to integrate territorial information, technical studies, fieldwork and subsequent procedures within a coherent project approach, supporting informed decisions as the process moves forward.
Institutional procedures
Once the project's environmental and territorial conditions are identified, we determine which applications, consultations, authorizations or procedures may apply and what technical information is needed to support them.
Connecting technical information with institutional procedures
Institutional procedures involve more than submitting documents. First, we must understand what each process requires, what information needs to be developed and how technical findings relate to project decisions.
- Identification of potentially applicable procedures
- Preparation and organization of technical information
- Coordination with professionals and project stakeholders
- Submission and follow-up of applications when applicable
- Response to requirements and additional needs
First, we identify what the project actually needs
Institutions that may be involved
The institutional framework varies by project. Some procedures concern environmental assessment, others water, territorial planning, infrastructure, health, geology or risk management.
SETENA
SETENA may be involved in environmental assessment procedures and in monitoring commitments associated with project development, where applicable.
SENARA, Dirección de Agua and AyA
Depending on the project, procedures may concern groundwater, water use rights, water availability, wells, supply or sanitation.
Municipal governments, INVU and MOPT
These entities may address territorial planning, land use, required setbacks, access routes, infrastructure and other location-related conditions.
Ministry of Health, CNE, DGM and other agencies
Depending on the activity and conditions identified, procedures may also be required for sanitary matters, natural hazards, geology, mining or other specific institutional responsibilities.
It is not about accumulating permits
Effective management means carrying out each consultation, study or procedure when the necessary information is available and its outcome can inform the project's next decision.
- Project
- Constraints
- Technical basis
- Competent authority
- Follow-up
Institutional procedures are part of environmental management, not its starting point. We first understand the project and its constraints; then determine what must be handled and before which authority.
Environmental management throughout the project life cycle
Environmental and territorial needs change as a project progresses. Identifying them at the right time helps incorporate useful information before decisions are made that may later be difficult to change.
Before purchasing or committing to a property
An initial review can reveal territorial, environmental or water resource conditions worth understanding before making major decisions about a property.
- Land use and territorial planning
- Water resource availability and conditions
- Protection areas and restrictions
- Natural hazards
- General feasibility considerations
During planning and design
At this stage, environmental information can guide the location of structures, access roads, drainage systems, sanitation and other design decisions that depend on site conditions.
- Location and layout of works
- Protection of resources and sensitive areas
- Drainage and water management
- Sanitation
- Need for specialized studies
During studies, permits and authorizations
Identified constraints help determine which studies, checks and procedures may be needed and how to organize the supporting information for each process.
- Specialized technical studies
- Fieldwork and testing
- Technical documentation
- Interdisciplinary coordination
- Institutional procedures
During construction
As the project enters construction, environmental management focuses on implementing established commitments and addressing conditions that may arise during the works.
- Monitoring environmental commitments
- Earthworks and site management
- Drainage and runoff control
- Waste and good practices
- Responding to requirements
During operation and follow-up
Environmental management can continue after the project becomes operational through monitoring commitments, controlling environmental aspects and taking actions to maintain or improve performance.
Addressing an issue early can change the course of a project
A territorial restriction, water resource condition or natural hazard identified early can inform decisions about land acquisition, design or location. The same issue discovered later in development may require much greater changes.
- Assess
- Plan
- Design
- Manage
- Build
- Operate
- Monitor
Related services
Some projects require a closer assessment of property feasibility, a more detailed analysis of constraints or specialized attention to the proposed activity.
Environmental Feasibility of the Property
Assessment designed to identify relevant environmental and territorial conditions before making decisions about buying, planning or developing a property.
Environmental Constraints Assessment
Assessment of environmental, territorial and protected features that may impose relevant restrictions or constraints on property use and development.
Gas Stations and Special Projects
Technical support for projects that must integrate environmental, territorial and activity-specific requirements into a coordinated assessment and management process.
Does your project require specific technical studies?
Some conditions identified during environmental assessment require further investigation to characterize site components or provide technical support for the assessment process.
We can start by identifying what should be reviewed
You do not need to know all required studies or permits in advance. Based on the project's location, characteristics and current stage, we can guide an initial review of its main environmental and territorial needs.