Hosted by Lotis Environmental
Environmental and regulatory reviews can be some of the biggest “invisible blockers” to telecom projects. Even when funding, design, and carriers are ready to move forward, delays in Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) or NEPA reviews can stall a build before it starts.
This session offers a practical introduction to the basics of Phase I ESAs and NEPA consultation in the telecom industry. Attendees will learn what these reviews involve, why they matter, and strategies to avoid common slowdowns that can derail project timelines.
What You’ll Learn:
- What a Phase I ESA is in telecom—and why scope matters (lease area vs. full parcel).
- How NEPA consultation works, including THPO, SHPO, USFWS, and other agencies.
- Real-world examples of environmental reviews in action.
- Common bottlenecks such as delayed site access, missing records, long agency timelines, and seasonal restrictions.
- Strategies to keep environmental due diligence moving and projects on track.
Why It Matters:
Understanding environmental requirements upfront helps teams anticipate challenges, shorten review cycles, and keep builds moving forward without costly delays.
Miles Walz-Salvador
Nationwide NEPA/NHPA Manager, Lotis Environmental
Miles Walz-Salvador has over 12+ years of experience in environmental consulting, specializing in NEPA and NHPA compliance for wireless telecommunications projects across the United States and US governed territories. As Nationwide NEPA/NHPA Manager at Lotis Environmental, he leads assessments addressing wetlands, endangered species, historic resources, and other state and federal environmental concerns.
nvironmental consulting, specializing in NEPA and NHPA compliance for wireless telecommunications projects across the United States and US governed territories. As Nationwide NEPA/NHPA Manager at Lotis Environmental, he leads assessments addressing wetlands, endangered species, historic resources, and other state and federal environmental concerns.
His background spans from biological field research with the U.S. Geological Survey and Missouri Department of Conservation, as well as extensive consulting experience with major tower companies including Vertical Bridge, Phoenix Towers, APC Towers, TowerCo, etc. Miles also has certifications and course work completions in asbestos inspection/sampling, wetland identification/delineation, focused species surveys, hazardous waste operations, and safety compliance.
Kelly Reidy-Kaczmarek
Director of Operations & Senior Environmental Professional, Lotis Environmental
Kelly Reidy-Kaczmarek is the Director of Operations and a Senior Environmental Professional at Lotis Environmental, a nationwide due diligence firm specializing in telecommunications infrastructure. She oversees operations and project delivery, working closely with clients and internal teams to streamline environmental reviews and maintain high-quality standards.
Ms. Reidy-Kaczmarek began her environmental career overseeing asbestos abatement projects before transitioning into environmental due diligence within the banking sector. Since 2015, her work has primarily focused on the communications industry.
She holds a Bachelor of Science from the College at Brockport and lives in Buffalo, NY, with her husband and twin boys.
