Wetlands

Wetlands are areas that are protected from impact by both the federal and the state government in accordance with the Clean Water Act of 1970 and subsequent regulations.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly define wetlands as, “Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances, do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.”  For most projects involving land development, the government will require wetland delineation in accordance with the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual.

EnviroScience has a full time staff of nine completely accredited wetland biologists that have over 70 years of combined experience.  We are extremely familiar with all realms of wetland study and compliance nationwide.  Some of our most frequently used services include regulatory consulting, site assessments, delineations, mapping services, quality evaluations, vegetation surveys, 404/401 and isolated wetland permitting, mitigation planning and design, planting plans, mitigation monitoring, and ecological impact studies.

High Qualtiy Forested Wetland in a River Floodplain

Ecological Services Wetlands

Properties that contain natural resources and are proposed for development projects are subject to coordination and/or permitting with regulatory agencies in conjunction with the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, United States Army Corps of Engineers, and Environmental Protection Agency Regulations.  State and local requirements must be taken into consideration.  A site assessment, also known as a red flag survey, can be a useful tool to identify natural resources that may need to be avoided, coordinated, or addressed prior to property purchase, site selection, or design.

EnviroScience offers site assessment services to assist in the development process. Included in this service is an initial review of secondary resource mapping to identify potential resource areas on the site. Biologists then visit and investigate the site to locate and identify any wetlands, streams, or other waters, endangered species habitat, or special aquatic or terrestrial areas that may fall under federal, state or local protection laws. Once the site resources are identified EnviroScience provides a detailed review of the investigation findings along with generalized mapping or other documentation that may be helpful to the client. This also allows EnviroScience to advise clients of potential permitting requirements, coordination timelines, cost estimates for permitting or required surveys, and other issues that may be involved in the development process. In this way clients are aware of any hurdles or restraints that they may face during the development of the property. Site assessments can be customized to the particular needs of the property or generalized to include a full red flag survey.

Biologists identify site resources that may need coordinated with agencies

Ecological Services Permitting Wetlands

Wetlands Mitigation / Restoration

Wetland mitigation is a term given to the creation or enhancement of wetlands to offset impacts to other systems. When wetlands impacts are unavoidable, wetlands mitigation often becomes a necessary part of obtaining a fill permit. EnviroScience completes all aspects of the mitigation process, either through an approved mitigation bank or other custom designed, solution depending on project requirements.

Mitigation banks are agency approved sites where the wetlands creation and monitoring is handled entirely by a third party. This option can make the mitigation process fast and easy, however, it can be costly and is not available for all circumstances. EnviroScience is aware of all approved mitigation banks in Ohio and will take measures to find the best, most cost-effective facility. If a mitigation bank is not a feasible option or a custom designed wetland is desired, EnviroScience personnel are skilled and experienced in wetland design, creation, and monitoring.

Because of the extremely important functions and values of wetlands and other aquatic systems, municipalities, parks, and individual land owners often attempt to restore or enhance them.

ES biologists wetland restoration planting

Wetlands