Biological Assessment/ Biological Evaluations

Assessments and evaluations to determine the effects of a proposed project on federally Threatened and Endangered species. Assessments document compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Report findings are based upon information obtained in the formal species listings from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Work product includes a technical report detailing project description, the action area, and species habitat information, including the species listed for the site and a description of project habitat. This task typically includes a single consultation meeting with WSDOT, HUD or the Corps.

Biological Supervision/Construction Oversight

Project installation is critical to project success. We assist contractors before, during, and after construction to ensure they understand the design and project goals. With our assistance, contractors can have their permitting questions answered and change orders approved with minimal project delays. Contractors and Clients can rely on us to help keep their project on schedule and within budget.

Environmental Permitting

We provide assistance in obtaining a variety of local, state and federal environmental permits including:

• JARPA - Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application for local, state and federal permits
• Local Critical Areas Ordinance Permits
• Shoreline Master Program Permits
• Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 & 401 Permits: Nationwide and Individual permits from the Army Corps of Engineers (Section 404, CWA) and Water Quality Certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology (Section 401, CWA)
• Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Low Impact and Sustainable Design

We are experienced in designing LEED®, low impact, and sustainable landscapes. As members of integrated design teams, we have helped contribute to a variety of land use projects including park/trail design, residential development, institutional development, and commercial development. Our areas of expertise include:

• Sustainable site planning
• Natural systems assessment
• Low-water and native landscape design
• Landscaping for wildlife
• Raingardens, bioswales, and naturalized stormwater wetlands
• LEED® and LID

Mitigation Plans

Mitigation Plans are required when a project results in an impact to a critical area (wetland, stream, wildlife habitat) or its associated buffer. These plans may be required by the local, state and/or federal agency reviewing the project. A mitigation plan includes a description and analysis of existing conditions, an assessment of impacts to critical areas and critical area buffers, and mitigation sequencing. It also contains a review of the requirements of local and federal jurisdictions, including local municipalities, the Corps, DOE, and WDFW. Mitigation projects generally include creation, rehabilitation, and enhancement of wetlands, streams and their buffers.

Monitoring

Regulatory agencies require as-built reports and yearly monitoring of mitigation plans. An as-built report documents final installation of the mitigation plan. Yearly monitoring typically occurs annually for five or ten years after installation. Yearly monitoring documents the status of the mitigation plan relative to the mitigation goals, objectives and performance standards, and includes management recommendations to ensure future project success.

Reconnaissance Level Survey

This survey includes a site visit to provide a general assessment of wetland presence and a review of available background data sources. A field map is produced depicting the general locations of site critical areas. This level of survey does not include flagging features or collecting data. The accuracy of a reconnaissance level survey will vary depending on site conditions. This product is useful as a planning tool, providing reasonably accurate information at a lower cost. This level of survey is not sufficient for permit submittal or site design.

Research

We are currently working on two research projects:

• Oregon Fairy Shrimp – mapping and analysis of weltand habitat inhabitated by the Oregon Fairy Shrimp (Eubranchipus oreganos) in the northern Puget Sound area.
• Western Toad – documenting and maintaining a data base of western toad populations in Whatcom County.

Stream Delineation and Regulatory Assessment

This is similar to a wetland delineation, but is directed toward identifying regulated streams, ditches and drainages. If a water is found to be jurisdicitional, the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) is flagged in the field and indicated on a sketch map. Final product includes a technical report identifying stream type, fish use, buffer functions, and regulated buffer widths. Stream delineations may also include regulatory status analysis of manipulated features (ditches).

Training Workshops

We provide a range of workshop topics including wetland permitting, wetland identification, botany, northwest amphibians, wildlife habitat identification and planning. We can tailor our workshops or fieldtrips to any audience from the working professional to the general public. Contact us regarding current workshop topics.

Wetland Delineation

A wetland delineation provides the most accurate documentation of the location and size of a wetland. Data on vegetation, soils and surface water is collected in order to make a jurisdictional wetland determination. Wetland boundaries and regulated surface waters are identified and flagged in the field using protocols detailed in state and federal regulatory analysis documents. The final product includes a technical report identifying wetland type, categorization, wetland function assessment, and regulated buffer widths. Wetland delineations are generally required for local land development permits.