EcoScience Corporation - MITIGATION SITE SEARCH EXPERIENCE

MITIGATION SITE SEARCH EXPERIENCE

Mitigation has been defined in National Environmental Policy Act regulations to include efforts which: a) avoid; b) minimize; c) rectify; d) reduce or eliminate; or e) compensate for adverse impacts to the environment. As wetland and stream regulations become more stringent, the need for mitigation is more important for a particular project to receive a Section 404 permit and Section 401 Water Quality Certification. Mitigation can often make the difference between project success and failure.

EcoScience Corporation has identified more than 260,000 linear feet of stream for restoration and more than 200 acres of wetland restoration acreage. Our firm uses intensive search protocols involving the use of GIS information (soils and vegetation cover types, topography, hydrography, DWQ hydrologic unit maps, etc.) overlain with aerial photography cross-reference to county tax mapping to initially identify potential restoration sites. Landowner contact is made prior to performing site visits. Upon approval, site evaluations are conducted including classification of stream segments using fluvial geomorphic parameters. The stream and wetland complex is then described and evaluated for restoration potential.

ESC staff regularly receives training in wetland and stream classification and restoration protocols. Training included the use of state of the art technology such as Global Positioning System units with reported sub-meter accuracy, laser surveying equipment, and various software packages including Microstation, Autocad, and Arcview GIS. Our hydrologists are in attendance at national and local meetings or symposia, and we often present papers at these sessions.

Potential mitigation sites in Davidson County
Lower Yadkin River Basin Mitigation Site Search

Detailed stream restoration plans for a site identified through the Lower Yadkin River Basin Site Search

Key projects undertaken by ESC personnel include:

Piedmont Roanoke Mitigation Site Search: This NCDOT mitigation site search covered the Piedmont region of the Roanoke River basin including, 11 counties within four hydrologic units. The search identified 50,590 linear feet of stream restoration, 17,250 linear feet of stream enhancement, 44 acres of wetland restoration, and 27 acres of wetland enhancement.

Lower Yadkin River Basin Mitigation Site Search: This NCDOT mitigation site search encompassed the lower region of the Yadkin River basin, including seven counties within one hydrologic unit. The search identified 71,850 linear feet of stream restoration, 12,850 linear feet of stream enhancement, 15 acres of wetland restoration, and 33 acres of wetland enhancement.

Upper and Eastern Yadkin River Basin Mitigation Site Search: This NCDOT Mitigation Site search encompassed the upper region of the Yadkin River basin, including 14 counties within four hydrologic units. This effort was designed to identify and obtain up to 190,000 linear feet of stream restoration and 100 acres of potential riverine and non-riverine wetland mitigation, with signed entry agreements.

FEMA Land Study: ESC was contracted to identify suitable wetland and stream mitigation sites on all properties purchased through the FEMA buyout program in Wayne, Lenoir, and Pitt Counties, NC.

Dan River Mitigation Site Search: This mitigation site search included the Dan River Basin from the VA/NC State line to the Town of Danbury, NC.

North Toe River Buffer Site Search: This project included the evaluation of the North Toe River for potential buffer restoration, enhancement, and preservation. The reach of the North Toe River targeted for this study extends between the towns of Huntdale and Red Hill on the Mitchell/Yancey County line, NC.

Lower Catawba River Basin Mitigation Site Search: This NCDOT Mitigation Site search encompassed the lower region of the Catawba River basin, including 11 counties within three hydrologic units. No acreage threshold was assigned to this project; however, approximately 60 sites were expected to be identified for review under this scope of service.

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