ECOSCIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

EcoScience Corporation (ESC) maintains extensive experience and expertise in coastal, estuarine, and marine ecology and physico-chemical processes. Our staff is experienced with coastal ecological assessments associated with roadway construction, bridge replacements, harbor/channel dredging, beach renourishment, submerged aquatic vegetation, and protected species. ESC personnel are also experienced with the delineation and permitting of impacts to waters of the United States and Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs).

Examples of projects include:

Hatteras Inlet Beach Renourishment on Ocracoke Island, Hyde County
ESC staff conducted field investigations and subsequently generated a Biological Assessment report concerning the potential affects of beach renourishment on federally protected species with ranges extending into Hyde and Dare Counties. Of primary interest were the potential effects on designated critical wintering habitat for the federally Endangered piping plover. The findings of the Biological Assessment report were subsequently approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Dredged Material Disposal Site Search, Dare County
ESC staff conducted a search on behalf of the N.C. Division of Water Resources for potential disposal sites for dredged material resulting from Shallowbag Bay channel maintenance at Roanoke Island. The search involved: 1) an evaluation of potential upland, wetland, and aquatic disposal sites; 2) project coordination with land owners and natural resources regulatory agencies; and3) generation of a summary report of findings.

Brackish Marsh Restoration Planning, Craven County
Our professionals developed plans on behalf of the N.C. Department of Transportation for restoration of brackish marsh at two sites on the lower Neuse River near New Bern, NC. Both sites previously supported lumber operations for approximately a century. Planning included extensive site investigations, location and characterization of reference ecosystems, and generation of detailed planning documents.

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Survey, US 264 Bridge Replacement, Hyde County
ESC staff conducted systematic surveys for submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in association with highway bridge replacement over Scranton Creek. The project required construction of an on-site, temporary bridge during replacement of an existing bridge. SAV surveys were conducted in the vicinity of both the existing bridge and the proposed location of the temporary bridge with the use of SCUBA equipment. Aquatic vegetation was identified, vegetation boundaries were mapped, and survey results were presented in a summary report.

Coastal Bird Survey, Carteret County
ESC staff conducted breeding bird surveys in association with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation of planning for development of Radio Island as part of the expansion of the Morehead City Port Terminal. Systematic surveys were conducted by foot in various coastal habitats such as dune grassland, inter-dune pond, maritime shrub thicket, and salt marsh. Survey results were summarized in a report format sufficient for approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Port of Wilmington Permitting, New Hanover County
ESC staff conducted a delineation of regulated aquatic resources occurring in association with existing facilities at the Port of Wilmington. ESC staff then coordinated with regulatory agencies (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, N.C. Division of Water Quality, N.C. Division of Coastal Management) to obtain appropriate permits and certifications for proposed facility improvements.