SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologists, Inc services

Civil engineering is the profession that designs and constructs public works.  SHN’s civil engineers design and build water and wastewater systems, prepare project sites, improve transportation, manage construction, and perform special inspections. SHN extends the profession by pursuing new methods and technologies; for example, SHN is a leader in trenchless technologies, mechanically stabilized embankments, and Low Impact Design (LID).

SHN has provided environmental services for over 35 years, and we continue to find new, faster, and less expensive ways to remediate, limit, and prevent environmental impacts.  For example: We obtain lead analyses in the field; real-time data acquisition allows immediate response, reduces cost, accelerates regulatory decisions, and can significantly shorten project duration. We determine which naturally occurring compounds can interfere or erroneously increase laboratory analyses for suites or families of compounds, such as Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons. Our certified Trainers of Record for stormwater quality prove our commitment to leadership, as we continue work in preventing water pollution through Clean Water Act regulations and permitting, and low impact design (LID) techniques (see Civil Engineering).

SHN geologists and geotechnical engineers bring to your projects: Decades of field experience in Northern California and Southern Oregon, Creativity and ingenuity to apply new technologies such as horizontal directional drilling, high resolution trench photography, and state-of-the-art slope monitoring devices, Understanding of what geosciences information is actually needed, Practical solutions to complex geotechnical problems, These “value added” characteristics can save you money by decreasing the time required for us to understand, evaluate, and solve your geologic or geotechnical problems.

Construction inspectors and materials-testing technicians are vitally important, yet the general public has little appreciation of them—until something fails!  At SHN, we understand that successful engineering design and construction depends on reliable and strong materials and connections.  We help minimize our clients’ construction risks through testing and inspection services, and our inspection teams have developed strong reputations for reliability and professionalism.

SHN’s clients who need planning services generally fall into one of two categories: Public agency or municipal staff such as City Managers, Public Works Directors, and City/County Planners. Private sector representatives or business owners, including real estate developers, ranchers and farmers, construction company managers, and forest products manufacturers. Whether public or private, people needing planning services are often facing complex and intertwined problems such as scheduling and funding/financial pressures, adjacent landowners’ concerns, regulatory hurdles, and controversy from parties not supporting the project.  Our solutions are based on 30+ years of planning experience, providing options, strategies, and contingencies. We develop alternatives for clients and alert them to decision points at the right time, so that we are anticipating and responding—not reacting—to issues and problems that arise during project development.

To properly define and site new projects or expand existing ones, SHN’s professional engineers, geologists, and planners realize that understanding the biological environment is critical.  Offering biological services completes the range of client needs that SHN strives to provide, and we have acquired biological expertise by hiring well qualified, energetic, and enthusiastic biologists and botanists. Biologists and botanists increase project value by finding ways that a project can still occur but with less impact, and therefore less regulation, permitting, and cost.  For example, delineating a wetland and moving the project outside of its vicinity is a good example of mitigation by avoidance.  Fish relocation during temporary dewatering bridge or road construction is another avoidance mitigation that SHN has successfully conducted. 

SHN has provided surveying services for over 35 years, and we are now also providing services related to use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as "drones". In a quickly evolving field, SHN surveyors, pilots, and information technology staff are creating new methods of mapping, measurement, and visualization using drones and supporting data management systems. SHN`s drone program is different because our licensed pilots are professional licensed surveyors and geologists. We combine our expertise in mitigation monitoring, restoration planning, and large-scale earth and materials movement with drones and traditional surveying techniques. We use aerial imagery and video to engage the public and better describe projects.