Wetlands & Streams

What is a Wetland?

A wetland is an area where the ground is either covered with water or very damp, either all the time or at certain times of the year. This creates special conditions where only certain types of plants and animals can thrive.

Wetlands act as natural filters by cleaning water, helping prevent floods by absorbing extra water, and providing homes for various wildlife. They are like natural “in-between” areas that link land and water, supporting unique ecosystems. The federal and state governments protect wetlands in accordance with the Clean Water Act of 1970 and subsequent regulations.

Wetland Delineation Services

EnviroScience’s wetland scientists perform wetland delineations on properties ranging in size from one to 6,000+ acres and in appearance from nearly pristine to severely disturbed landscapes.

Our environmental experts are fully trained and employ the most current methods of wetland delineation under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Delineation Manual and Regional Supplements. Additionally, they are well-versed in performing survey techniques using a state-of-the-art Trimble differential GPS.

GPS data collection allows EnviroScience to prepare wetland maps without the need and additional cost of traditional survey teams. The survey map and flagging of wetland boundaries provide a strong planning tool for any project involving changes in land use.

Delineation reports are completed to suit the client’s project-specific needs while complying with state and federal reporting requirements. Wetland maps are prepared using AutoCAD or ArcGIS software and are available in digital format to ensure compatibility with construction drawings.

Wetland Permit & Water Quality Certification Applications

Projects requiring unavoidable impacts to wetlands require USACE and/or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval. EnviroScience prepares and submits wetland packages for clients applying for Section 404 Permits, Section 401 Water Quality Certifications, and Isolated Wetland Permits. Our biologists have an excellent reputation with regulatory agencies based on our decades of quality work, and this reputation helps our clients obtain approvals in a timely manner. 

Wetland Mitigation and Restoration

Mitigation for wetland impacts and stream habitat losses is frequently a necessary part of project planning given today’s rules governing impacts to wetlands and other aquatic resources. EnviroScience wetlands scientists consult with clients to identify strategies to avoid and/or minimize construction impacts to wetlands and streams.

When impacts are unavoidable, we develop project-specific wetland mitigation plans which may include mitigation banking, in-lieu fee arrangements, and wetland creation. When wetland creation is the preferred mitigation choice, EnviroScience can complete turnkey wetland creation services including analyzing of wetland functions and values, site selection, water budget, design, construction, and plantings.

EnviroScience biologists remain involved after wetland creation to ensure successful completion through regular ecological monitoring, follow-up plantings, invasive species control, and submission of required reports to USACE. Our design-build approach allows our biologists to be involved in projects from start to finish ensuring that the completed project meets the client’s needs.

Our Wetland Services

EnviroScience provides a wide range of wetland and stream services to clients in a variety of industries such as oil, gas and energy corporations, engineering and design firms, development companies, legal firms and public agencies. Our robust staff of wetland and stream delineators enable the company to tackle even the largest projects and most challenging deadlines.

Our wetland services include, but are not limited to:

• Regulatory Consulting
• Site Assessments
• Wetland Delineation & Mapping Services
• Habitat Quality Evaluations (ORAM, VIBI, QHEI, HHEI, AmphIBI, etc.)
• Vegetation Surveys
• 404/401 & Isolated Wetland Permitting
• Wetland Mitigation Planning & Design
• Planting Plans
• Mitigation Monitoring
• Invasive Species Control
• Wetland Restoration

What is a Stream?

A stream is a natural flow of water moving continuously along a defined path, typically smaller than a river. Streams can vary in size and may be referred to as brooks or creeks. They play a vital role in the water cycle by transporting water from higher elevations to larger bodies like rivers, lakes, or oceans. Additionally, streams support diverse ecosystems, providing habitats for various plant and animal species.

Available Habitat is a Key Limiting Factor for Species Diversity

Assessment of stream habitat is an important step in biomonitoring and restoration projects. Almost every project has a habitat evaluation component because it can be a critical limiting factor for species diversity, therefore cost and effort can be minimized by first assessing habitat.

EnviroScience has decades of experience evaluating in-stream and riparian habitat. Our scientists can evaluate stream habitat from small headwater streams to major river systems like the Allegheny and Ohio rivers.

Oftentimes, habitat can vary greatly—even within a few feet. Therefore, EnviroScience incorporates the latest technology, such as underwater video and GIS/GPS mapping, in conjunction with standard evaluation forms such as the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) to provide a visual and descriptive analysis of project area habitat.

Our Stream Services

EnviroScience provides a wide range of wetland and stream services to clients in a variety of industries such as oil, gas and energy corporations, engineering and design firms, development companies, legal firms and public agencies. Our robust staff of wetland and stream delineators enable the company to tackle even the largest projects and most challenging deadlines.

Stream Restoration

EnviroScience offers a range of stream restoration services for a wide variety of clients. Restoring streams and wetlands is a rapidly growing discipline that supports water quality, mitigation, stormwater and watershed management issues. Our biologists design natural functional restoration projects to address water quality issues, habitat enhancement, mitigation and permit requirements. 

Our biologists can assess stream habitat using a range of innovative methods, including:

• GIS/GPS Mapping
• Rosgen Stream Classification
• Aquatic & Shoreline Vegetative Surveys
• SCUBA Surveys
• Bottom Contour Mapping
• Bottom Typing using Hydroacoustics
• Underwater Video
• Habitat Assessment Forms (per state/federal regulatory agency)

In Action

Need help with your project?

Our experts are here to discuss your needs and how we can help you move your project forward. Fill out the form below for more information on our services or to request a quote and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours. If you need a response within an hour or less, please call us at 800-940-4025.

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Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.