Ecology & Environment (EEI) 10-Q 23 Jun 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	31-May-14	31-May-14
		Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000809933	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--07-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	2,645,539	1,643,773
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Apr-14	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$6,970,725	$9,444,660
Investment securities available for sale	1,400,027	1,463,864
Contract receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments of $5,340,200 and $5,592,800, respectively	43,675,999	47,134,007
Deferred income taxes	4,453,154	4,308,538
Income tax receivable	2,839,603	4,355,260
Other current assets	1,980,668	1,784,826
Total current assets	61,320,176	68,491,155
Property, building and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $27,597,985 and $24,569,139, respectively	8,170,588	10,122,801
Deferred income taxes	1,090,568	1,089,060
Other assets	1,942,458	1,978,668
Total assets	72,523,790	81,681,684
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	7,164,325	9,864,138
Lines of credit	1,002,366	6,528,691
Accrued payroll costs	8,078,395	7,102,910
Income taxes payable	535,533	0
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	420,729	199,658
Billings in excess of revenue	6,307,184	6,437,730
Other accrued liabilities	4,122,457	4,070,073
Total current liabilities	27,630,989	34,203,200
Income taxes payable	124,793	124,793
Deferred income taxes	658,210	462,787
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	411,796	251,614
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued)	0	0
Capital in excess of par value	17,042,290	20,016,873
Retained earnings	23,605,181	25,365,853
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-151,844	-84,527
Treasury stock, at cost (Class A common: 39,612 and 79,110 shares; Class B common: 64,801 shares)	-1,223,899	-1,798,233
Total Ecology and Environment, Inc. shareholders' equity	39,315,666	43,543,904
Noncontrolling interests	4,382,336	3,095,386
Total shareholders' equity	43,698,002	46,639,290
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	72,523,790	81,681,684
Class A [Member]	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	26,851	26,851
Class B [Member]	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	$17,087	$17,087

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Assets	'	'
Contract receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments	$5,340,200	$5,592,800
Property, building and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$27,597,985	$24,569,139
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0
Class A [Member]	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	6,000,000	6,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	2,685,151	2,685,151
Treasury stock (in shares)	39,612	79,110
Class B [Member]	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	1,708,574	1,708,574
Treasury stock (in shares)	64,801	64,801

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, net	$31,503,899	$32,218,923	$95,330,462	$105,192,174
Cost of professional services and other direct operating expenses	10,496,666	11,376,594	33,617,106	37,024,544
Subcontract costs	6,219,573	6,160,917	17,660,823	18,587,985
Administrative and indirect operating expenses	10,206,247	10,766,068	31,244,612	33,107,200
Marketing and related costs	3,446,837	3,337,573	9,949,290	10,381,108
Depreciation and amortization	1,036,010	622,208	3,138,502	1,805,975
Income (loss) from operations	98,566	-44,437	-279,871	4,285,362
Interest expense	-31,912	-64,475	-126,623	-249,581
Interest income	38,938	77,573	125,177	188,685
Other (expense) income	-30,585	-34,289	119,075	-20,863
Gain on sale of assets and investment securities	0	63,422	0	63,422
Net foreign exchange loss	-23,971	-23,737	-21,481	-138,526
Income (loss) before income tax provision (benefit)	51,036	-25,943	-183,723	4,128,499
Income tax provision (benefit)	57,624	80,732	-48,542	1,760,936
Net (loss) income	-6,588	-106,675	-135,181	2,367,563
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-316,276	-333,919	-591,940	-654,544
Net (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.	($322,864)	($440,594)	($727,121)	$1,713,019
Net (loss) income per common share: basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.08)	($0.10)	($0.17)	$0.40
Weighted average common shares outstanding: basic and diluted (in shares)	4,289,900	4,251,200	4,282,348	4,247,150

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Comprehensive income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) income including noncontrolling interests	($6,588)	($106,675)	($135,181)	$2,367,563
Foreign currency translation adjustments	172,777	-201,500	-257,493	111,247
Unrealized investment gain (loss), net	4,006	-37,552	2,040	364
Comprehensive income (loss)	170,195	-345,727	-390,634	2,479,174
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-291,953	-301,671	-468,097	-641,896
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.	($121,758)	($647,398)	($858,731)	$1,837,278

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net (loss) income	($135,181)	$2,367,563
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	3,138,502	1,805,975
(Provision) benefit for deferred income taxes	85,407	-292,181
Share based compensation expense	264,246	379,803
Tax impact of share-based compensation	-31,695	0
Gain on sale of investment securities	0	-63,422
Provisions for contract adjustments and doubtful accounts	-530,100	449,946
Decrease (increase) in:	'	'
- contract receivables	3,485,793	10,963,958
- other current assets	-200,050	-764,168
- income tax receivable	1,515,657	631,197
- other non-current assets	28,807	-11,193
(Decrease) increase in:	'	'
- accounts payable	-1,676,038	-1,732,253
- accrued payroll costs	1,043,103	1,009,998
- income taxes payable	515,305	0
- billings in excess of revenue	-156,680	-1,456,271
- other accrued liabilities	335,845	-52,805
Net cash provided by operating activities	7,682,921	13,236,147
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest of subsidiaries	-689,361	-595,556
Purchase of property, building and equipment	-1,176,753	-1,565,642
(Purchase) sale of investment securities	49,338	-62,045
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,816,776	-2,223,243
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Dividends paid	-2,053,506	-2,037,323
Proceeds from debt	555,656	3,170
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	-694,312	-732,825
Net repayments of lines of credit	-5,526,325	-5,543,495
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-431,522	-1,338,842
Purchase of treasury stock	-173,278	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-8,323,287	-9,649,315
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-16,793	127,405
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-2,473,935	1,490,994
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,444,660	10,467,770
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	6,970,725	11,958,764
Cash paid during the year for:	'	'
- Interest	122,188	244,048
- Income Taxes	-2,471,717	1,406,346
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash items:	'	'
Dividends declared and not paid	0	1,018,783
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest of subsidiaries (loans and stock)	1,041,824	212,401
Change in accounts payable due to equipment purchases	$0	$670,678

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]		Total
	Class A [Member]	Class B [Member]
Balance at Jul. 31, 2012	$26,851	$17,087	$19,751,992	$29,534,783	$711,842	($1,897,032)	$4,612,018		'
Balance (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2012	2,685,151	1,708,574	'	'	'	149,531	'		'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'		'
Net (loss) income	'	'	0	-2,130,434	0	0	908,386		'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	'	'	0	0	-790,464	0	-116,171		'
Cash dividends declared	'	'	0	-2,038,496	0	0	0		'
Unrealized investment loss, net	'	'	0	0	-28,675	0	0		'
Share-based compensation expense	'	'	507,796	0	0	0	0		'
Tax impact of share based compensation	'	'	-74,429	0	0	0	0		'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	0	0	0	-1,532,912		'
Purchase of additional noncontrolling interests	0	0	-168,486	0	22,770	98,799	-775,935	[1]	'
Purchase of additional noncontrolling interests (in shares)	0	0	'	'	'	-7,804	'		'
Stock award plan forfeitures	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		'
Stock award plan forfeitures (in shares)	0	0	'	'	'	2,184	'		'
Balance at Jul. 31, 2013	26,851	17,087	20,016,873	25,365,853	-84,527	-1,798,233	3,095,386		46,639,290
Balance (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2013	2,685,151	1,708,574	'	'	'	143,911	'		'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'		'
Net (loss) income	'	'	0	-727,121	0	0	591,940		-135,181
Foreign currency translation adjustment	'	'	0	0	-133,650	0	-123,843		-257,493
Cash dividends declared	'	'	0	-1,033,551	0	0	0		-1,033,551
Unrealized investment loss, net	'	'	0	0	2,040	0	0		2,040
Conversion of common stock - B to A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		'
Conversion of common stock - B to A (in shares)	0	0	'	'	'	'	'		'
Repurchase of Class A common stock	0	0	0	0	0	-173,278	0		'
Repurchase of Class A common stock (in shares)	0	0	'	'	'	16,091	'		'
Issuance of stock under stock award plan	0	0	-194,454	0	0	194,454	0		'
Issuance of stock under stock award plan (in shares)	0	0	'	'	'	-16,387	'		'
Share-based compensation expense	'	'	264,246	0	0	0	0		'
Tax impact of share based compensation	'	'	-31,695	0	0	0	0		'
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		'
Issuance of shares to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	0	0	0	-431,522		'
Reclassification adjustment for prior period acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	'	'	-2,407,027	0	0	0	2,407,027		'
Purchase of additional noncontrolling interests	0	0	-605,653	0	64,293	553,158	-1,156,652	[1]	'
Purchase of additional noncontrolling interests (in shares)	0	0	'	'	'	-44,060	'		'
Stock award plan forfeitures	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		'
Stock award plan forfeitures (in shares)	0	0	'	'	'	4,470	'		'
Balance at Apr. 30, 2014	$26,851	$17,087	$17,042,290	$23,605,181	($151,844)	($1,223,899)	$4,382,336		$43,698,002
Balance (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2014	2,685,151	1,708,574	'	'	'	104,025	'		'
[1]	(10)B Purchases of additional noncontrolling interests are recorded as reductions of shareholdersb equity on the condensed consolidated statements of shareholdersb equity.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'
Cash dividends paid (in dollars per share)	$0.24	$0.48

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres

Organization and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Organization and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Organization and Basis of Presentation	'
	1	Organization and Basis of Presentation
	Ecology and Environment, Inc., (“EEI” or the “Parent Company”) was incorporated in 1970 as a global broad-based environmental consulting firm whose underlying philosophy is to provide professional services worldwide so that sustainable economic and human development may proceed with acceptable impact on the environment.  Together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), EEI has direct and indirect ownership in 19 wholly owned and majority owned operating subsidiaries in 12 countries.  The Company’s staff is comprised of individuals representing more than 80 scientific, engineering, health, and social disciplines working together in multidisciplinary teams to provide innovative environmental solutions.  The Company has completed more than 50,000 projects for a wide variety of clients in more than 120 countries, providing environmental solutions in nearly every ecosystem on the planet.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Ecology and Environment, Inc., without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of such information.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  The Company follows the same accounting policies in preparation of interim reports.  Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information and footnote disclosures, including a description of significant accounting policies normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for any subsequent period or the entire fiscal year ending July 31, 2014.
	Certain prior period amounts were reclassified to conform to the condensed consolidated financial statement presentation for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2014.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	2	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted as of April 30, 2014
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”).  ASU 2013-11 requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows.  To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The Company intends to adopt the provisions of ASU 2013-11 effective August 1, 2014 and apply its provisions retrospectively.  The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”).  ASU 2014-09 is the result of a joint project of FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for use in the U.S and internationally.  ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605 of FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification.  ASU 2014-09 enhances comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets, reduces the number of requirements an entity must consider for recognizing revenue, and requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized.  ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within the annual reporting period.  The Company intends to implement the provisions of ASU 2014-09 effective August 1, 2017.  ASU 2014-09 requires either retrospective application by restating each prior period presented in the financial statements, or retrospective application by recording the cumulative effect on prior reporting periods to beginning retained earnings in the year that the standard becomes effective.  Management is currently assessing the provisions of ASU 2014-09 and is unable to estimate the impact that it will have on its results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	3	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  The Company invests cash in excess of operating requirements in income-producing short-term investments.  Money market funds of $0.6 million and $1.5 million were included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at April 30, 2014 and July 31, 2013, respectively.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	4	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company’s financial assets or liabilities are measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy.  The asset’s or liability’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  The Company has not elected a fair value option on any assets or liabilities. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:
	Level 1 Inputs – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. Generally this includes debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded on an active exchange market (e.g., New York Stock Exchange) as well as certain U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.
	Level 2 Inputs – Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.  The Company’s investment securities classified as Level 2 are comprised of international and domestic corporate and municipal bonds.
	Level 3 Inputs – Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable.  The unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use.
	The availability of observable market data is monitored to assess the appropriate classification of financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy.  Changes in economic conditions or model-based valuation techniques may require the transfer of financial instruments from one fair value level to another.  In such instances, the transfer is reported at the beginning of the reporting period.  The Company evaluated the significance of transfers between levels based upon the nature of the financial instrument.  There were no transfers in or out of levels 1, 2 or 3, respectively during the three or nine months ended April 30, 2014 or the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013.
	The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis is summarized by level within the fair value hierarchy in the following table.
			Balance at April 30, 2014
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Investment securities available for sale		$	1,400,027	$	---	$	---	$	1,400,027
			Balance at July 31, 2013
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Investment securities available for sale		$	1,463,864	$	---	$	---	$	1,463,864
	Investment securities available for sale include mutual funds that are valued at the net asset value (“NAV”) of shares held by the Company at period end.  Mutual funds held by the Company are open-end mutual funds that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  These funds are required to publish their daily NAV and to transact at that price.  The mutual funds held by the Company are deemed to be actively traded.
	Reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from realized gains or losses from the sale of investment securities available for sale are included in gain on sale of assets and investment securities on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.  During the quarter ended April 30, 2013, the Company recorded a realized gain, net of tax impact, of less than $0.1 million from the sale of investment securities available for sale.
	The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximated fair value at April 30, 2014 and July 31, 2013.  These assets were classified as level 1 instruments at both dates.  Long-term debt consists of bank loans and capitalized equipment leases.  Lines of credit consist of borrowings for working capital requirements.  Based on the Company's assessment of the current financial market and corresponding risks associated with the debt and line of credit borrowings, management believes that the carrying amount of these liabilities approximated fair value at April 30, 2014 and July 31, 2013.  These liabilities were classified as level 2 instruments at both dates.  There were no financial instruments classified as level 3 at April 30, 2014 or July 31, 2013.
	Investment securities available for sale are stated at fair value.  Unrealized gains or losses related to investment securities available for sale are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of changes in shareholders' equity.  The cost basis of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.  The Company had gross unrealized losses of less than $0.1 million recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income at April 30, 2014 and July 31, 2013.

Revenue_and_Contract_Receivabl

Revenue and Contract Receivables, net	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Revenue and Contract Receivables, net [Abstract]	'
Revenue and Contract Receivables, net	'
	5	Revenue and Contract Receivables, net
	Revenue Recognition
	Substantially all of the Company's revenue is derived from environmental consulting work.  The consulting revenue is principally derived from the sale of labor hours.  The consulting work is performed under a mix of fixed price, cost-type, and time and material contracts.  Contracts are required from all customers.  Revenue is recognized as follows:
	Contract Type		Work Type		Revenue Recognition Policy
	Time and Materials		Consulting		As incurred at contract rates.
	Fixed Price		Consulting		Percentage of completion, approximating the ratio of either total costs or Level of Effort (LOE) hours incurred to date to total estimated costs or LOE hours.
	Cost-Type		Consulting		Costs as incurred.  Fixed fee portion is recognized using percentage of completion determined by the percentage of LOE hours incurred to total LOE hours in the respective contracts.
	Revenues reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of operations represent services rendered for which the Company maintains a primary contractual relationship with its customers.  Included in revenues are certain services outside the Company's normal operations which the Company has elected to subcontract to other contractors.
	Substantially all of the Company's cost-type work is with federal governmental agencies and, as such, is subject to audits after contract completion.  Under these cost-type contracts, provisions for adjustments to accrued revenue are recognized on a quarterly basis and based on past audit settlement history.  Government audits have been completed and final rates have been negotiated through fiscal year 2005.  The Company records an allowance for project disallowances in other accrued liabilities for potential disallowances resulting from government audits (refer to Note 10 of these condensed consolidated financial statements).
	Change orders can occur when changes in scope are made after project work has begun, and can be initiated by either the Company or its clients.  Claims are amounts in excess of the agreed contract price which the Company seeks to recover from a client for customer delays and /or errors or unapproved change orders that are in dispute.  Costs related to change orders and claims are recognized as incurred.  Revenues and profit are recognized on change orders when it is probable that the change order will be approved and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  Revenues are recognized only up to the amount of costs incurred on contract claims when realization is probable, estimable and reasonable support from the customer exists.
	All bid and proposal and other pre-contract costs are expensed as incurred.  Out of pocket expenses such as travel, meals, field supplies, and other costs billed direct to contracts are included in both revenues and cost of professional services.  Revenue, the cost of professional services, other direct operating expenses and subcontract costs of the Company’s South American subsidiaries exclude tax assessments by governmental authorities, which are collected by the Company from its customers and then remitted to governmental authorities.
	Billed contract receivables represent amounts billed to clients in accordance with contracted terms, which have not been collected from clients as of the end of the reporting period.  Billed contract receivables may include: (i) amounts billed for revenues from incurred costs and fees that have been earned in accordance with contractual terms; and (ii) progress billings in accordance with contractual terms that include revenue not yet earned as of the end of the reporting period.
	Unbilled contract receivables result from: (i) revenues from incurred costs and fees which have been earned, but are not billed as of period-end; and (ii) differences between year-to-date provisional billings and year-to-date actual contract costs incurred.
	The Company reduces contract receivables by recording an allowance for doubtful accounts to account for the estimated impact of collection issues resulting from a client’s inability or unwillingness to pay valid obligations to the Company.  The resulting provision for bad debts is recorded within administrative and indirect operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
	The Company also reduces contract receivables by establishing an allowance for billed and earned contract revenues that have become unrealizable, or may become unrealizable in the future.  Management reviews contract receivables and determines allowance amounts based on historical experience, geopolitical considerations, client acknowledgment of the amount owed, client ability to pay, relationship history with the client and the probability of payment.  Such contract adjustments are recorded as direct adjustments to revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.
	Contract Receivables, Net
	Contract receivables, net are summarized in the following table.
			Balance at
			April 30,			July 31,
			2014			2013
	Contract Receivables:
	Billed		$	27,891,151		$	36,284,950
	Unbilled			21,125,047			16,441,857
				49,016,199			52,726,807
	Allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments			(5,340,200	)		(5,592,800	)
	Total contract receivables, net		$	43,675,999		$	47,134,007
	Billed contract receivables did not include any contractual retainage balances at April 30, 2014 or July 31, 2013.  Management anticipates that the unbilled receivables outstanding at April 30, 2014 will be substantially billed and collected within one year.
	Contract Receivable Concentrations
	Significant concentrations of contract receivables and the allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments are summarized in the following table.
			Balance at April 30, 2014						Balance at July 31, 2013
	Region		Contract			Allowance for			Contract			Allowance for
			Receivables			Doubtful			Receivables			Doubtful
						Accounts and						Accounts and
						Contract Adjustments						Contract
												Adjustments
	United States, Canada and South America		$	41,078,347		$	1,458,553		$	41,302,180		$	1,576,746
	Middle East and Africa			7,482,184			3,752,101			10,876,151			3,886,508
	Asia			455,668			129,546			548,476			129,546
	Totals		$	49,016,199		$	5,340,200		$	52,726,807		$	5,592,800
	Combined contract receivables related to projects in the Middle East, Africa and Asia represented 16% and 22% of total contract receivables at April 30, 2014 and July 31, 2013, respectively, while the combined allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments related to these projects represented 74% and 72%, respectively, of the total allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments at those same period end dates.  These allowance percentages highlight the Company’s experience of heightened operating risks (i.e., political, regulatory and cultural risks) within these foreign regions in comparison with similar risks in the United States, Canada and South America.  These heightened operating risks have resulted in increased collection risks and the Company expending resources that it may not recover for several months, or at all.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Contract Adjustments
	Activity within the allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments is summarized in the following table.
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			April 30,						April 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period		$	5,336,972		$	10,216,404		$	5,592,800		$	10,238,391
	Net increase (decrease) due to adjustments in the allowance for:
	Contract adjustments (1)			94,658			471,830			(163,745	)		707,897
	Doubtful accounts (2)			(78,930	)		103			(66,355	)		(257,951	)
	Transfer of reserves to allowance for project disallowances (3)			(12,500	)		(22,500	)		(22,500	)		(22,500	)
	Balance at end of period		$	5,340,200		$	10,665,837		$	5,340,200		$	10,665,837
		-1	Increases (decreases) to the allowance for contract adjustments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets are recorded as (decreases) increases to revenue on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
		-2	Increases (decreases) to the allowance for doubtful accounts on the condensed consolidated balance sheets are recorded as increases (decreases) to administrative and other indirect operating expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
		-3	Refer to Note 10 of these condensed consolidated financial statements for a summary of the allowance for project disallowances.
	As of April 30, 2013, the Company recorded $7.0 million of contract receivables and $2.1 million of allowance for contract adjustments related to projects in China.  All contract receivables associated with these projects in China were fully reserved and written off during the quarter ended July 31, 2013.
	As of April 30, 2013, $3.4 million of aged contract receivables related to projects in the Middle East and Africa were fully reserved.  All contract receivables associated with these projects were written off during the quarter ended July 31, 2013, resulting in corresponding decreases in contract receivables and the allowance for contract adjustments during that quarter.

Property_Building_and_Equipmen

Property, Building and Equipment, net	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Property, Building and Equipment, net [Abstract]	'
Property, Building and Equipment, net	'
	6	Property, Building and Equipment, net
	Capitalized software costs are recorded in fixed assets, net of accumulated amortization, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  The Company capitalizes acquisition and development costs for internal use software, including costs related to software design, configuration, coding, installation, testing and parallel processing.  Capitalized software development costs generally include:
		·	external direct costs of materials and services consumed to obtain or develop software for internal use;
		·	payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated with and who devote time to the project, to the extent of time spent directly on the project;
		·	costs to obtain or develop software that allows for access or conversion of old data by new systems;
		·	costs of upgrades and/or enhancements that result in additional functionality for existing software; and
		·	interest costs incurred while developing internal-use software that could have been avoided if the expenditures had not been made.
	In November 2013, after an extensive assessment process, management decided to abandon the Company’s existing operating and financial software system and migrate to new system software.  The Company has acquired and is currently developing the new software during fiscal year 2014, with a target go-live date of August 1, 2014 for the Company’s U.S. operations.  The total capitalized cost of the new software system, when fully developed, is expected to range from $1.5 million to $1.8 million for the Company’s U.S. operations.  The process to evaluate and select new operating and financial software systems for the Company’s foreign operations, which was initiated in January 2014, is ongoing.  The Company recorded software development costs of $0.8 million in property, plant and equipment during the nine months ended April 30, 2014.
	The Company will continue to utilize the current software system until the new system go-live date, at which time the current system will be abandoned.  As a result, amortization of software development costs previously capitalized for the current system is accelerated so that unamortized costs of $2.7 million at July 31, 2013 will be completely amortized by July 31, 2014.  Total software amortization expense related to our current operating system was $2.0 million and $0.3 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Lines_of_Credit

Lines of Credit	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Lines of Credit [Abstract]	'
Lines of Credit	'
	7	Lines of Credit
	Unsecured lines of credit are summarized in the following table.
			Balance at
			April 30,		July 31,
			2014		2013
	Outstanding cash draws, recorded as lines of credit on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets		$	1,002,366	$	6,528,691
	Outstanding letters of credit to support operations			2,830,320		3,080,938
	Total amounts used under lines of credit			3,832,686		9,609,629
	Remaining amounts available under lines of credit			30,536,314		24,759,371
	Total approved unsecured lines of credit		$	34,369,000	$	34,369,000
	Contractual interest rates ranged from 2.50% to 4.25% at April 30, 2014 and 2.50% to 5.00% at July 31, 2013.  The Company’s lenders have reaffirmed the lines of credit within the past twelve months.

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	'
	8	Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
	Debt and capital lease obligations are summarized in the following table.
			Balance at
			April 30,			July 31,
			2014			2013
	Various bank loans and advances at interest rates ranging from 3.25% to 14%		$	684,237		$	276,934
	Capital lease obligations at varying interest rates averaging 11%			148,288			174,338
				832,525			451,272
	Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations			(420,729	)		(199,658	)
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations		$	411,796		$	251,614
	The aggregate maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations as of April 30, 2014 are summarized in the following table.
	May 2014 – April 2015		$	420,729
	May 2015 – April 2016			367,678
	May 2016 – April 2017			27,093
	May 2017 – April 2018			17,025
	Thereafter			---
	Total		$	832,525

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	9	Income Taxes
	The estimated effective tax rate was 26.4% and 42.7% for the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and April 30, 2013, respectively.  The decrease resulted mainly from a reduction in forecasted income in the U.S. and an increase in forecasted income from foreign operations in countries with a lower effective tax rate than in the U.S.  For the three months ended April 30, 2014, certain discrete items were recorded which increased tax expense, including additional expenses that were unallowable for tax purposes and foreign dividend income, which were partially offset by a return to provision adjustment that increased available foreign tax credits.

Other_Accrued_Liabilities

Other Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Other Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Other Accrued Liabilities	'
	10	Other Accrued Liabilities
	Other accrued liabilities are summarized in the following table.
			Balance at
			30-Apr-14			31-Jul-13
	Allowance for project disallowances		$	2,385,851		$	2,663,351
	Other			1,736,606			1,406,722
	Total other accrued liabilities		$	4,122,457		$	4,070,073
	The allowance for project disallowances represents potential disallowances of amounts billed and collected resulting from contract close-outs and government audits.  Allowances for project disallowances are recorded when the amounts are estimable.  Activity within the allowance for project disallowances is summarized in the following table.
			Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
			April 30,					April 30,
			2014			2013		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period		$	2,673,351		$	2,724,474	$	2,663,351		$	2,724,474
	Reduction of reserves recorded in prior fiscal years			(300,000	)		---		(300,000	)		---
	Net change during the period, recorded as a transfer of reserves from allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments			12,500			22,500		22,500			22,500
	Balance at end of period		$	2,385,851		$	2,746,974	$	2,385,851		$	2,746,974
	During the three months ended April 30, 2014, as a result of a revised estimate of a settlement liability recorded in a prior fiscal year, the Company recorded a $300,000 reduction in its reserves for project disallowances.

Stock_Award_Plan

Stock Award Plan	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Stock Award Plan [Abstract]	'
Stock Award Plan	'
	11	Stock Award Plan
	Ecology and Environment, Inc. adopted the 1998 Stock Award Plan effective March 16, 1998 (the “1998 Plan”).  To supplement the 1998 Plan, the 2003 Stock Award Plan (the “2003 Plan”) was approved by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting held in January 2004 and the 2007 Stock Award Plan (the “2007 Plan”) was approved by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting held in January of 2008.  The 1998 Plan, 2003 Plan and the 2007 Plan are collectively referred to as the “Award Plan”.  The 2003 Plan was approved retroactive to October 16, 2003 and terminated on October 15, 2008.  The 2007 Plan was approved retroactive to October 18, 2007 and terminated on October 17, 2012.
	The Company awarded 62,099 Class A shares valued at $0.9 million in October 2011 and 16,387 Class A shares valued at $0.2 million in July 2013 pursuant to the Award Plan.  These awards have a three year vesting period.  Total gross compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period.  The Company recorded $0.3 million and $0.4 million of non-cash compensation expense during the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, in connection with outstanding stock compensation awards.  Unrecognized compensation expense associated with outstanding stock compensation awards was $0.2 million at April 30, 2014.  The "pool" of excess tax benefits accumulated in Capital in Excess of Par Value was $0.2 million and $0.3 million at April 30, 2014 and July 31, 2013, respectively.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Equity	'
	12	Shareholders' Equity
	Class A and Class B Common Stock
	The relative rights, preferences and limitations of the Company's Class A and Class B common stock are summarized as follows: Holders of Class A shares are entitled to elect 25% of the Board of Directors so long as the number of outstanding Class A shares is at least 10% of the combined total number of outstanding Class A and Class B common shares. Holders of Class A common shares have one-tenth the voting power of Class B common shares with respect to most other matters.
	In addition, Class A shares are eligible to receive dividends in excess of (and not less than) those paid to holders of Class B shares. Holders of Class B shares have the option to convert at any time, each share of Class B common stock into one share of Class A common stock. Upon sale or transfer, shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock, except that sales or transfers of Class B common stock to an existing holder of Class B common stock or to an immediate family member will not cause such shares to automatically convert into Class A common stock.
	Restrictive Shareholder Agreement
	Messrs. Gerhard J. Neumaier (deceased), Frank B. Silvestro, Ronald L. Frank, and Gerald A. Strobel entered into a Stockholders’ Agreement dated May 12, 1970, as amended January 24, 2011, which governs the sale of certain shares of Ecology and Environment, Inc. common stock (now classified as Class B Common Stock) owned by them, certain children of those individuals and any such shares subsequently transferred to their spouses and/or children outright or in trust for their benefit upon the demise of a signatory to the Agreement (“Permitted Transferees”).  The Agreement provides that prior to accepting a bona fide offer to purchase some or all of their shares of Class B Common Stock governed by the Agreement, that the selling party must first allow the other signatories to the Agreement (not including any Permitted Transferee) the opportunity to acquire on a pro rata basis, with right of over-allotment, all of such shares covered by the offer on the same terms and conditions proposed by the offer.
	Cash Dividends
	The Company declared and accrued $1.0 million of cash dividends during the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, which were paid in February 2014 and December 2012, respectively.  The Company paid dividends of $1.0 million in August 2013 and 2012 that were declared and accrued in prior periods.
	Stock Repurchase
	In August 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a program for repurchase of 200,000 shares of Class A common stock.  The Company acquired 16,091 shares of Class A stock under this program during the nine months ended April 30, 2014 for a total acquisition cost of approximately $0.2 million.  As of April 30, 2014, 122,918 Class A shares were repurchased and 77,082 shares had yet to be repurchased under this program.
	Noncontrolling Interests
	Noncontrolling interests are disclosed as a separate component of consolidated shareholders’ equity on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.  Earnings and other comprehensive (loss) income are separately attributed to both the controlling and noncontrolling interests.  Earnings per share is calculated based on net (loss) income attributable to the Company’s controlling interests.
	Transactions to acquire ownership interest from noncontrolling shareholders during the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and during fiscal year 2013, which were recorded at amounts that approximated fair value, are summarized in the following table.
			Nine Months		Fiscal Year
			Ended		Ended
			April 30,		July 31,
			2014		2013
	Purchases of noncontrolling interests:
	Purchase of 344 Walsh common shares (1)		$	5,653	$	---
	Purchase of 3,705 Walsh common shares (2)			1,120,749		---
	Purchase of 100 Walsh common shares (3)			30,250		---
	Purchase of 50 Walsh common shares (4)			---		18,316
	Purchase of 25 Lowham common shares (5)			---		8,737
	Purchase of 495 Walsh common shares (6)			---		243,653
	Purchase of 2,800 Gustavson common shares (7)			---		293,102
	Purchase of 370 Walsh common shares (8)			---		182,125
	Purchase of 75 Lowham common shares (9)			---		30,002
	Total purchases of additional noncontrolling interests (10)		$	1,156,652	$	775,935
		-1	In January 2014, EEI purchased an additional 0.9% of Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC (“Walsh”) from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.1 million in cash.  Walsh became a wholly-owned subsidiary of EEI as a result of these transactions.
		-2	In October 2013, EEI purchased an additional 9.4% of Walsh for $1.6 million.  The purchase price was paid as follows: (i) one third in cash payable on the transaction consummation date; (ii) one third payable with EEI Common Stock on the transaction consummation date; and (iii) one third payable with a promissory note payable in two annual installments of one half the principal plus interest accrued at 3.25% per annum.
		-3	In October 2013, EEI purchased an additional 0.2% of Walsh for less than $0.1 million in cash.
		-4	In April 2013, EEI purchased an additional 0.1% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.
		-5	In March 2013, Lowham-Walsh Engineering & Environment Services LLC (“Lowham”), a subsidiary of Walsh, purchased shares from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.
		-6	In January 2013, EEI purchased an additional 1.3% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million.  Two thirds of the purchase price was paid in cash while the remaining one third was paid for with EEI stock.
		-7	In December 2012, Gustavson Associates, LLC (“Gustavson”) purchased an additional 6.7% of its shares from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.4 million.  Half of the purchase price was paid in cash and Gustavson issued a three year note for the other half.
		-8	In December 2012, EEI purchased an additional 0.9% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million in cash.
		-9	During the three months ending October 31, 2012, Lowham purchased shares from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.
		-10	Purchases of additional noncontrolling interests are recorded as reductions of shareholders’ equity on the condensed consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	13	Earnings Per Share
	After consideration of all the rights and privileges of the Class A and Class B stockholders summarized in Note 12, in particular the right of the holders of the Class B common stock to elect no less than 75% of the Board of Directors making it highly unlikely that the Company will pay a dividend on Class A common stock in excess of Class B common stock, the Company allocates undistributed earnings between the classes on a one-to-one basis when computing earnings per share.  As a result, basic and fully diluted earnings per Class A and Class B share are equal amounts.
	The Company has determined that its unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities. These securities shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method.  The resulting impact was to include unvested restricted shares in the weighted average shares outstanding calculation.
	The computation of earnings per share is included in the following table.
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			April 30,						April 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.		$	(322,864	)	$	(440,594	)	$	(727,121	)	$	1,713,019
	Dividends declared			---			---			(1,033,551	)		(1,018,540	)
	Balance at end of period		$	(322,864	)	$	(440,594	)	$	(1,760,672	)	$	694,479
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)			4,289,900			4,251,200			4,282,348			4,247,150
	Distributed earnings per share		$	---		$	---		$	0.24		$	0.24
	Undistributed earnings per share			(0.08	)		(0.10	)		(0.41	)		0.16
	Total earnings per share		$	(0.08	)	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.17	)	$	0.4

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	14	Segment Reporting
	The Company reports segment information based on the geographic location of its customers (for revenues) and the location of its offices (for long-lived assets). Revenue and long-lived assets by business segment are summarized in the following tables.
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			April 30,				April 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Revenue, net by geographic location:
	United States		$	19,721,145	$	21,754,001	$	61,328,509	$	67,732,966
	Foreign countries (1)			11,782,754		10,464,922		34,001,953		37,459,208
		-1	Significant foreign revenues included revenues in Peru ($5.5 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $13.9 million and $8.8 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively), Brazil ($3.5 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $10.1 million and $11.5 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively) and Chile ($2.3 million for the three months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, and $7.0 million and $8.1 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively).
			Balance at
			30-Apr-14		31-Jul-13
	Long-Lived Assets by geographic location:
	United States		$	30,456,300	$	29,508,055
	Foreign countries			5,312,273		5,183,885

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	15	Commitments and Contingencies
	From time to time, the Company is a named defendant in legal actions arising out of the normal course of business.  The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceeding, the resolution of which the management believes will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, or to any other pending legal proceedings other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to its business.  The Company maintains liability insurance against risks arising out of the normal course of business.
	Certain contracts contain termination provisions under which the customer may, without penalty, terminate the contracts upon written notice to the Company.  In the event of termination, the Company would be paid only termination costs in accordance with the particular contract.  Generally, termination costs include unpaid costs incurred to date, earned fees and any additional costs directly allocable to the termination.
	On September 21, 2012, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (the "Department") issued a proposed Compliance Order on Consent (the " Proposed Consent Order") to the City and County of Denver ("Denver") and to Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC (“Walsh”).  On the date that the Proposed Consent Order was issued, Walsh was a majority-owned subsidiary of Ecology and Environment, Inc.  The Proposed Consent Order concerns construction improvement activities of certain property owned by Denver which was the subject of asbestos remediation.  Denver had entered into a contract with Walsh for Walsh to provide certain environmental consulting services (asbestos monitoring services) in connection with the asbestos containment and/or removal performed by other contractors at Denver's real property.  Without admitting liability or the Department’s version of the underlying facts, Walsh on February 13, 2013 entered into a Compliance Order on Consent with the Department and paid a penalty of less than $0.1 million and paid for a Supplemental Environmental Project to benefit the public at large in an amount less than $0.1 million.  Denver was served with a final Compliance Order and Assessment of Administrative Penalty against Denver alone for approximately $0.2 million.  Under Walsh's environmental consulting contract with Denver, Walsh has agreed to indemnify Denver for certain liabilities where Walsh could potentially be held responsible for a portion of the penalty imposed upon Denver.  Walsh has put its professional liability and general liability carriers on notice of this indemnification claim by Denver.  The Company believes that this administrative proceeding involving Walsh will not have an adverse material effect on the operations of the Company.
	On February 4, 2011, the Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity Conservation of Brazil (the “Institute”) issued a Notice of Infraction to E & E Brasil.  E&E Brasil is a majority-owned subsidiary of Ecology and Environment, Inc.  The Notice of Infraction concerns the taking and collecting species of wild animal specimens without authorization by the competent authority and imposes a fine of 520,000 Reais, which has a value of approximately $0.2 million at April 30, 2014.  No claim has been made against Ecology and Environment, Inc.  The Institute has also filed Notices of Infraction against four employees of E&E Brasil alleging the same claims and has imposed fines against those individuals that, in the aggregate, are equal to the fine imposed against E&E Brasil.  E&E Brasil has filed administrative responses with the Institute for itself and its employees that: (a) denies the jurisdiction of the Institute, (b) states that the Notice of Infraction is constitutionally vague and (c) affirmatively stated that E&E Brasil had obtained the necessary permits for the surveys and collections of specimens under applicable Brazilian regulations and that the protected conservation area is not clearly marked to show its boundaries.  At this time, E&E Brasil has attended one meeting where depositions were taken. The Company believes that these administrative proceedings in Brazil will not have an adverse material effect on the operations of the Company.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	'
	The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis is summarized by level within the fair value hierarchy in the following table.
		Balance at April 30, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Investment securities available for sale	$	1,400,027	$	---	$	---	$	1,400,027
		Balance at July 31, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Investment securities available for sale	$	1,463,864	$	---	$	---	$	1,463,864

Revenue_and_Contract_Receivabl1

Revenue and Contract Receivables, net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Revenue and Contract Receivables, net [Abstract]	'
Contract Receivables, Net	'
	Contract receivables, net are summarized in the following table.
			Balance at
			April 30,			July 31,
			2014			2013
	Contract Receivables:
	Billed		$	27,891,151		$	36,284,950
	Unbilled			21,125,047			16,441,857
				49,016,199			52,726,807
	Allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments			(5,340,200	)		(5,592,800	)
	Total contract receivables, net		$	43,675,999		$	47,134,007
Contract Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Contract Adjustments by Geographical Areas	'
	Significant concentrations of contract receivables and the allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments are summarized in the following table.
			Balance at April 30, 2014						Balance at July 31, 2013
	Region		Contract			Allowance for			Contract			Allowance for
			Receivables			Doubtful			Receivables			Doubtful
						Accounts and						Accounts and
						Contract Adjustments						Contract
												Adjustments
	United States, Canada and South America		$	41,078,347		$	1,458,553		$	41,302,180		$	1,576,746
	Middle East and Africa			7,482,184			3,752,101			10,876,151			3,886,508
	Asia			455,668			129,546			548,476			129,546
	Totals		$	49,016,199		$	5,340,200		$	52,726,807		$	5,592,800
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Contract Adjustments	'
	Activity within the allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments is summarized in the following table.
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			April 30,						April 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period		$	5,336,972		$	10,216,404		$	5,592,800		$	10,238,391
	Net increase (decrease) due to adjustments in the allowance for:
	Contract adjustments (1)			94,658			471,830			(163,745	)		707,897
	Doubtful accounts (2)			(78,930	)		103			(66,355	)		(257,951	)
	Transfer of reserves to allowance for project disallowances (3)			(12,500	)		(22,500	)		(22,500	)		(22,500	)
	Balance at end of period		$	5,340,200		$	10,665,837		$	5,340,200		$	10,665,837
		-1	Increases (decreases) to the allowance for contract adjustments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets are recorded as (decreases) increases to revenue on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
		-2	Increases (decreases) to the allowance for doubtful accounts on the condensed consolidated balance sheets are recorded as increases (decreases) to administrative and other indirect operating expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
		-3	Refer to Note 10 of these condensed consolidated financial statements for a summary of the allowance for project disallowances.

Lines_of_Credit_Tables

Lines of Credit (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Lines of Credit [Abstract]	'
Unsecured Lines of Credit	'
	Unsecured lines of credit are summarized in the following table.
		Balance at
		April 30,		July 31,
		2014		2013
	Outstanding cash draws, recorded as lines of credit on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets	$	1,002,366	$	6,528,691
	Outstanding letters of credit to support operations		2,830,320		3,080,938
	Total amounts used under lines of credit		3,832,686		9,609,629
	Remaining amounts available under lines of credit		30,536,314		24,759,371
	Total approved unsecured lines of credit	$	34,369,000	$	34,369,000

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat1

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'
Debt Inclusive of Capital Lease Obligations	'
	Debt and capital lease obligations are summarized in the following table.
		Balance at
		April 30,			July 31,
		2014			2013
	Various bank loans and advances at interest rates ranging from 3.25% to 14%	$	684,237		$	276,934
	Capital lease obligations at varying interest rates averaging 11%		148,288			174,338
			832,525			451,272
	Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations		(420,729	)		(199,658	)
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	411,796		$	251,614
Aggregate Maturities of Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	'
	The aggregate maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations as of April 30, 2014 are summarized in the following table.
	May 2014 – April 2015	$	420,729
	May 2015 – April 2016		367,678
	May 2016 – April 2017		27,093
	May 2017 – April 2018		17,025
	Thereafter		---
	Total	$	832,525

Other_Accrued_Liabilities_Tabl

Other Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Other Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Other Accrued Liabilities	'
	Other accrued liabilities are summarized in the following table.
		Balance at
		30-Apr-14			31-Jul-13
	Allowance for project disallowances	$	2,385,851		$	2,663,351
	Other		1,736,606			1,406,722
	Total other accrued liabilities	$	4,122,457		$	4,070,073
Allowance for Project Disallowances	'
	Activity within the allowance for project disallowances is summarized in the following table.
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		April 30,					April 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	2,673,351		$	2,724,474	$	2,663,351		$	2,724,474
	Reduction of reserves recorded in prior fiscal years		(300,000	)		---		(300,000	)		---
	Net change during the period, recorded as a transfer of reserves from allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments		12,500			22,500		22,500			22,500
	Balance at end of period	$	2,385,851		$	2,746,974	$	2,385,851		$	2,746,974

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Effects of Changes in Ownership Interest in Subsidiaries	'
	Transactions to acquire ownership interest from noncontrolling shareholders during the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and during fiscal year 2013, which were recorded at amounts that approximated fair value, are summarized in the following table.
			Nine Months		Fiscal Year
			Ended		Ended
			April 30,		July 31,
			2014		2013
	Purchases of noncontrolling interests:
	Purchase of 344 Walsh common shares (1)		$	5,653	$	---
	Purchase of 3,705 Walsh common shares (2)			1,120,749		---
	Purchase of 100 Walsh common shares (3)			30,250		---
	Purchase of 50 Walsh common shares (4)			---		18,316
	Purchase of 25 Lowham common shares (5)			---		8,737
	Purchase of 495 Walsh common shares (6)			---		243,653
	Purchase of 2,800 Gustavson common shares (7)			---		293,102
	Purchase of 370 Walsh common shares (8)			---		182,125
	Purchase of 75 Lowham common shares (9)			---		30,002
	Total purchases of additional noncontrolling interests (10)		$	1,156,652	$	775,935
		-1	In January 2014, EEI purchased an additional 0.9% of Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC (“Walsh”) from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.1 million in cash.  Walsh became a wholly-owned subsidiary of EEI as a result of these transactions.
		-2	In October 2013, EEI purchased an additional 9.4% of Walsh for $1.6 million.  The purchase price was paid as follows: (i) one third in cash payable on the transaction consummation date; (ii) one third payable with EEI Common Stock on the transaction consummation date; and (iii) one third payable with a promissory note payable in two annual installments of one half the principal plus interest accrued at 3.25% per annum.
		-3	In October 2013, EEI purchased an additional 0.2% of Walsh for less than $0.1 million in cash.
		-4	In April 2013, EEI purchased an additional 0.1% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.
		-5	In March 2013, Lowham-Walsh Engineering & Environment Services LLC (“Lowham”), a subsidiary of Walsh, purchased shares from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.
		-6	In January 2013, EEI purchased an additional 1.3% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million.  Two thirds of the purchase price was paid in cash while the remaining one third was paid for with EEI stock.
		-7	In December 2012, Gustavson Associates, LLC (“Gustavson”) purchased an additional 6.7% of its shares from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.4 million.  Half of the purchase price was paid in cash and Gustavson issued a three year note for the other half.
		-8	In December 2012, EEI purchased an additional 0.9% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million in cash.
		-9	During the three months ending October 31, 2012, Lowham purchased shares from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.
		-10	Purchases of additional noncontrolling interests are recorded as reductions of shareholders’ equity on the condensed consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Earnings Per Share	'
	13	Earnings Per Share
	After consideration of all the rights and privileges of the Class A and Class B stockholders summarized in Note 12, in particular the right of the holders of the Class B common stock to elect no less than 75% of the Board of Directors making it highly unlikely that the Company will pay a dividend on Class A common stock in excess of Class B common stock, the Company allocates undistributed earnings between the classes on a one-to-one basis when computing earnings per share.  As a result, basic and fully diluted earnings per Class A and Class B share are equal amounts.
	The Company has determined that its unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities. These securities shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method.  The resulting impact was to include unvested restricted shares in the weighted average shares outstanding calculation.
	The computation of earnings per share is included in the following table.
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			April 30,						April 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.		$	(322,864	)	$	(440,594	)	$	(727,121	)	$	1,713,019
	Dividends declared			---			---			(1,033,551	)		(1,018,540	)
	Balance at end of period		$	(322,864	)	$	(440,594	)	$	(1,760,672	)	$	694,479
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)			4,289,900			4,251,200			4,282,348			4,247,150
	Distributed earnings per share		$	---		$	---		$	0.24		$	0.24
	Undistributed earnings per share			(0.08	)		(0.10	)		(0.41	)		0.16
	Total earnings per share		$	(0.08	)	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.17	)	$	0.4

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	The Company reports segment information based on the geographic location of its customers (for revenues) and the location of its offices (for long-lived assets). Revenue and long-lived assets by business segment are summarized in the following tables.
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			April 30,				April 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Revenue, net by geographic location:
	United States		$	19,721,145	$	21,754,001	$	61,328,509	$	67,732,966
	Foreign countries (1)			11,782,754		10,464,922		34,001,953		37,459,208
		-1	Significant foreign revenues included revenues in Peru ($5.5 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $13.9 million and $8.8 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively), Brazil ($3.5 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $10.1 million and $11.5 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively) and Chile ($2.3 million for the three months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, and $7.0 million and $8.1 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively).
			Balance at
			30-Apr-14		31-Jul-13
	Long-Lived Assets by geographic location:
	United States		$	30,456,300	$	29,508,055
	Foreign countries			5,312,273		5,183,885

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres1

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014
	Country
	Discipline
	Subsidiary
	Project
Organization and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Number of wholly owned and majority owned operating subsidiaries	19
Number of countries in which the company operates	12
Number of disciplines	80
Number of projects for clients	50,000
Minimum number of countries in which the company completed projects	120

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_Deta

Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'	'
Maturity period considered for highly liquid instruments to be cash equivalents	'3 months	'
Money market funds	$0.60	$1.50

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Gross unrealized losses	'	$100,000	$100,000
Gross realized gain	100,000	'	'
Recurring [Member]	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Investment securities available for sale	'	1,400,027	1,463,864
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Investment securities available for sale	'	1,400,027	1,463,864
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Investment securities available for sale	'	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Investment securities available for sale	'	$0	$0

Revenue_and_Contract_Receivabl2

Revenue and Contract Receivables, net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014		Apr. 30, 2013		Apr. 30, 2014		Apr. 30, 2013		Jul. 31, 2013
Contracts Receivable [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Billed Contracts Receivable	$27,891,151		'		$27,891,151		'		$36,284,950
Unbilled Contracts Receivable	21,125,047		'		21,125,047		'		16,441,857
Contracts Receivable, Gross	49,016,199		'		49,016,199		'		52,726,807
Contract receivables (in hundredths)	16.00%		'		16.00%		'		22.00%
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables (in hundredths)	74.00%		'		74.00%		'		72.00%
Allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments	-5,340,200		-10,665,837		-5,340,200		-10,665,837		'
Total contract receivables, net	43,675,999		'		43,675,999		'		47,134,007
Contractual retainage balance included under billed contract receivable	0		'		0		'		0
Management anticipation for receivables collection	'		'		'1 year		'		'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Balance at beginning of period	5,336,972		10,216,404		5,592,800		10,238,391		'
Net increase (decrease) due to adjustments in the allowance for contract adjustments (1)	94,658	[1]	471,830	[1]	-163,745	[1]	707,897	[1]	'
Net increase (decrease) due to adjustments in the allowance for doubtful accounts (2)	-78,930	[2]	103	[2]	-66,355	[2]	-257,951	[2]	'
Net increase (decrease) due to adjustments in the allowance for Transfer of reserves to allowance for project disallowances	-12,500	[3]	-22,500	[3]	-22,500	[3]	-22,500	[3]	'
Balance at end of period	5,340,200		10,665,837		5,340,200		10,665,837		'
United States, Canada and South America [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Contracts Receivable [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Contracts Receivable, Gross	41,078,347		'		41,078,347		'		41,302,180
Allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments	1,458,553		'		1,458,553		'		1,576,746
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Balance at beginning of period	'		'		'		'		-1,576,746
Balance at end of period	-1,458,553		'		-1,458,553		'		-1,576,746
Middle East, Africa [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Contracts Receivable [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Contracts Receivable, Gross	7,482,184		3,400,000		7,482,184		3,400,000		10,876,151
Allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments	3,752,101		'		3,752,101		'		3,886,508
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Balance at beginning of period	'		'		'		'		-3,886,508
Balance at end of period	-3,752,101		'		-3,752,101		'		-3,886,508
Asia [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Contracts Receivable [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Contracts Receivable, Gross	455,668		'		455,668		'		548,476
Allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments	129,546		'		129,546		'		129,546
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Balance at beginning of period	'		'		'		'		-129,546
Balance at end of period	-129,546		'		-129,546		'		-129,546
China [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Contracts Receivable [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Contracts Receivable, Gross	'		7,000,000		'		7,000,000		'
Allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments	'		2,100,000		'		2,100,000		'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Balance at end of period	'		($2,100,000)		'		($2,100,000)		'
[1]	Increases (decreases) to the allowance for contract adjustments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets are recorded as (decreases) increases to revenue on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
[2]	Increases (decreases) to the allowance for doubtful accounts on the condensed consolidated balance sheets are recorded as increases (decreases) to administrative and other indirect operating expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
[3]	Refer to Note 10 of these condensed consolidated financial statements for a summary of the allowance for project disallowances.

Property_Building_and_Equipmen1

Property, Building and Equipment, net (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
			Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Computer Software [Member]	Computer Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected capitalized cost	'	'	$1.50	$1.80	'	'
Software development cost	0.8	'	'	'	'	'
Unamortized software development costs	'	2.7	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	'	'	'	'	$2	$0.30

Lines_of_Credit_Details

Lines of Credit (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Lines of Credit [Abstract]	'	'
Outstanding cash draws, recorded as lines of credit on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets	$1,002,366	$6,528,691
Outstanding letters of credit to support operations	2,830,320	3,080,938
Total amounts used under lines of credit	3,832,686	9,609,629
Remaining amounts available under lines of credit	30,536,314	24,759,371
Total approved unsecured lines of credit	$34,369,000	$34,369,000
Interest rate, minimum (in hundredths)	2.50%	2.50%
Interest rate, maximum (in hundredths)	4.25%	5.00%

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat2

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Current and Noncurrent	$832,525	$451,272
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	-420,729	-199,658
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	411,796	251,614
Interest rate, minimum (in hundredths)	2.50%	2.50%
Interest rate, maximum (in hundredths)	4.25%	5.00%
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]	'	'
May 2014 - April 2015	420,729	'
May 2015 - April 2016	367,678	'
May 2016 - April 2017	27,093	'
May 2017 - April 2018	17,025	'
Thereafter	0	'
Total	832,525	451,272
Various Bank Loans and Advances [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Current and Noncurrent	684,237	276,934
Interest rate, minimum (in hundredths)	3.25%	3.25%
Interest rate, maximum (in hundredths)	14.00%	14.00%
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]	'	'
Total	684,237	276,934
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Current and Noncurrent	148,288	174,338
Average interest rate (in hundredths)	11.00%	11.00%
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]	'	'
Total	$148,288	$174,338

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated effective tax rate (in hundredths)	26.40%	42.70%

Other_Accrued_Liabilities_Deta

Other Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013
Other Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Allowance for project disallowances	$2,385,851	$2,746,974	$2,385,851	$2,746,974	'
Other	1,736,606	'	1,736,606	'	1,406,722
Total other accrued liabilities	4,122,457	'	4,122,457	'	4,070,073
Allowance for Project Disallowances [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	2,673,351	2,724,474	2,663,351	2,724,474	'
Reduction of reserves recorded in prior fiscal years	-300,000	0	-300,000	0	'
Net change during the period, recorded as a transfer of reserves from allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments	12,500	22,500	22,500	22,500	'
Balance at end of period	$2,385,851	$2,746,974	$2,385,851	$2,746,974	'

Stock_Award_Plan_Details

Stock Award Plan (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 11, 2011	Jul. 31, 2013
				Class A [Member]	Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Shares awarded (in shares)	'	'	'	62,099	16,387
Shares awarded, value	'	'	'	$0.90	$0.20
Share-based award, vesting period	'3 years	'	'	'	'
Compensation expense	0.3	0.4	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation expense	0.2	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits accumulated in Capital in Excess of Par Value	$0.20	'	$0.30	'	'

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Apr. 30, 2014

Apr. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Apr. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Apr. 30, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Aug. 31, 2010

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Class A [Member]

Class A [Member]

Walsh [Member]

Walsh [Member]

Walsh [Member]

Walsh [Member]

Walsh [Member]

Gustavson [Member]

Lowham Walsh [Member]

Lowham Walsh [Member]

Walsh 01 [Member]

Walsh 01 [Member]

Walsh 01 [Member]

Walsh 02 [Member]

Walsh 02 [Member]

Walsh 03 [Member]

Walsh 03 [Member]

Walsh 04 [Member]

Walsh 04 [Member]

Walsh 05 [Member]

Walsh 05 [Member]

Walsh 06 [Member]

Walsh 06 [Member]

Gustavson 05 [Member]

Gustavson 05 [Member]

Lowham 07 [Member]

Lowham 07 [Member]

Walsh 100 [Member]

Walsh 100 [Member]

Installments

Class A and Class B common stock [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage equity holders entitled to elect Board of Directors (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

'

Minimum percentage of the number of outstanding Class A shares to combined classes of shares (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

Voting power of Class A common share holders to the Class B common share holders (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

Cash Dividends [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash dividends declared

'

'

$0

$0

$1,033,551

$1,018,540

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued dividends payable

'

'

0

1,018,783

0

1,018,783

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividends paid

1,000,000

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Repurchase [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

122,918

200,000

Number of Class A share acquired (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,091

'

Acquisition cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

'

Remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

77,082

'

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total purchases of additional non controlling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,156,652

[1]

775,935

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,653

[2]

0

[2]

1,120,749

[3]

0

[3]

0

[4]

18,316

[4]

0

[5]

8,737

[5]

0

[6]

243,653

[6]

0

[7]

182,125

[7]

0

[8]

293,102

[8]

0

[9]

30,002

[9]

30,250

[10]

0

[10]

'

'

Noncontrolling interests shares purchased (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

344

'

3,705

'

50

'

25

'

495

'

370

'

2,800

'

75

'

100

'

'

'

Interest purchased (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.90%

0.10%

1.30%

0.90%

0.20%

6.70%

'

'

9.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase of noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

$689,361

$595,556

'

'

$100,000

$100,000

$200,000

$200,000

$100,000

$400,000

$100,000

$100,000

$1,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of acquisition paid in cash (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

66.67%

'

33.33%

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of acquisition paid with stock (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33.33%

'

33.33%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of acquisition paid with promissory note (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33.33%

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of annual installments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Portion of principal of acquisition paid on promissory note (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest on promissory notes (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term of note issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

(10)B Purchases of additional noncontrolling interests are recorded as reductions of shareholdersb equity on the condensed consolidated statements of shareholdersb equity.

[2]

(1)B B B B In January 2014, EEI purchased an additional 0.9% of Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC (bWalshb) from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.1 million in cash. Walsh became a wholly-owned subsidiary of EEI as a result of these transactions.

[3]

(2)B B B B In October 2013, EEI purchased an additional 9.4% of Walsh for $1.6 million. The purchase price was paid as follows: (i) one third in cash payable on the transaction consummation date; (ii) one third payable with EEI Common Stock on the transaction consummation date; and (iii) one third payable with a promissory note payable in two annual installments of one half the principal plus interest accrued at 3.25% per annum.

[4]

(4)B B B B In April 2013, EEI purchased an additional 0.1% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.

[5]

(5)B B B B In March 2013, Lowham-Walsh Engineering & Environment Services LLC (bLowhamb), a subsidiary of Walsh, purchased shares from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.

[6]

(6)B B B B In January 2013, EEI purchased an additional 1.3% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million.B Two thirds of the purchase price was paid in cash while the remaining one third was paid for with EEI stock.

[7]

(8)B B B B In December 2012, EEI purchased an additional 0.9% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million in cash.

[8]

(7)B B B B In December 2012, Gustavson Associates, LLC (bGustavsonb) purchased an additional 6.7% of its shares from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.4 million.B Half of the purchase price was paid in cash and Gustavson issued a three year note for the other half.

[9]

(9)B B B B During the three months ending October 31, 2012, Lowham purchased shares from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.

[10]

(3)B B B B In October 2013, EEI purchased an additional 0.2% of Walsh for less than $0.1 million in cash.

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.	($322,864)	($440,594)	($727,121)	$1,713,019
Dividends declared	0	0	-1,033,551	-1,018,540
Balance at end of period	($322,864)	($440,594)	($1,760,672)	$694,479
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted) (in shares)	4,289,900	4,251,200	4,282,348	4,247,150
Distributed earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0	$0	$0.24	$0.24
Undistributed earnings per share (in dollars per share)	($0.08)	($0.10)	($0.41)	$0.16
Total earnings per share (in dollars per share)	($0.08)	($0.10)	($0.17)	$0.40
Minimum percentage right of Class B common stock holders to elect Board of Directors (in hundredths)	'	'	75.00%	'

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014		Apr. 30, 2013		Apr. 30, 2014		Apr. 30, 2013		Jul. 31, 2013
United States [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	$19,721,145		$21,754,001		$61,328,509		$67,732,966		'
Gross Long-Lived Assets	30,456,300		'		30,456,300		'		29,508,055
Foreign Countries [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	11,782,754	[1]	10,464,922	[1]	34,001,953	[1]	37,459,208	[1]	'
Gross Long-Lived Assets	5,312,273		'		5,312,273		'		5,183,885
Peru [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	5,500,000		3,100,000		13,900,000		8,800,000		'
Brazil [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	3,500,000		3,700,000		10,100,000		11,500,000		'
Chile [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	$2,300,000		$2,300,000		$7,000,000		$8,100,000		'
[1]	Significant foreign revenues included revenues in Peru ($5.5 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $13.9 million and $8.8 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively), Brazil ($3.5 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $10.1 million and $11.5 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively) and Chile ($2.3 million for the three months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, and $7.0 million and $8.1 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively).

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
	City of Denver [Member]	Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers [Member]	Pending Litigation [Member]	Pending Litigation [Member]
	USD ($)	USD ($)	Ecology and Environment do Brasil LTDA [Member]	Ecology and Environment do Brasil LTDA [Member]
			USD ($)	BRL
			Employees	Employees
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Penalty	$200,000	$100,000	'	'
Supplemental Environmental Project	'	100,000	'	'
Final Compliance Order and Assessment of Administrative Penalty against Denver	'	'	$200,000	520,000
Number of employees individually served with Notices of Infraction	'	'	4	4