Spotlight: Social Sciences Group

Members of Aspen’s Social Sciences Group conduct a public meeting in San Bernardino County, CA.

Aspen’s Social Sciences Group consists of expert planners who support our public sector and private clients with complex policy development, resource analysis, and permitting efforts. In addition, we regularly assist our clients with land use permitting needs at the federal, State, and local levels, including conditional use permits, special use permits, right-of-way grants, etc. Our planners are highly skilled in land use (including agriculture and recreation), socioeconomics and environmental justice, physical and social science analyses, aesthetics and visual resources, and policy development and analysis.

The following is a list of our services:

  • Opportunities and constraints analyses

  • Policy and code development (e.g., renewable energy plans, habitat plans, resource management plans, public facilities plans)

  • Land use and public policy analyses

  • Agricultural land assessments (including use of LESA Model)

  • Visual and aesthetic resources analyses (including glint and glare and shade/shadow)

  • Environmental justice studies (including GIS demographic analysis)

  • Transportation Analyses

  • Regulatory Impact Analyses

  • Economic Studies

  • Energy Planning

  • Cost-Benefit Analyses

  • Fiscal Impact Analyses

  • Socioeconomic Analyses

  • Expert Witness Testimony

Some examples of our recent projects include:

  • Williamson Rock/Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail Project

  • The San Bernardino County REVEAL Initiative Report, a cost-benefit analysis of small-scale renewable energy development as part of SPARC Phase 2

  • San Bernardino County SPARC Phase 1, renewable energy best case studies and mapping project to show suitable zones for siting

  • Littlerock Sediment Removal Project Recreation and Visual Analyses for the Angeles National Forest

  • San Luis Obispo County Renewable Energy Streamlining Program, including an Opportunities and Constraints Technical Study, Program EIR analysis, and development of the Renewable Energy Zoning Map and Development Standard Updates for the Conservation and Open Space Element of the General Plan

  • Inyo County Renewable Energy General Plan Amendment Socioeconomics Analysis and Policy Directives

  • BLM Hollister Resource Management Plan, Socioeconomics Workshop/Analysis, and Wild and Scenic River and Visual Analyses

  • Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice Analysis and Lands and Realty Analysis

  • Alamitos Generating Station Land Use Staff Assessment and Expert Witness Testimony

  • Environmental Justice and Socioeconomics Baseline Conditions Technical Report for the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, Water Supply Facility Removal Project

  • Pyramid Lake Repairs and Improvements Project, analysis of recreation facility upgrades and permits packet preparation

Aspen Environmental Group

Aspen Environmental Group has offered diverse environmental services since 1991, including compliance, impact assessment, and mitigation for infrastructure, public works, and industrial projects. Our mission involves enhancing the understanding of human-environment interaction, delivering sustainable solutions for economic progress, and promoting diversity within our workforce through inclusive programs. Learn more

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