Stream & Wetland Mitigation Monitoring

Stream & Wetland Mitigation Monitoring

Section 404 Clean Water Act Mitigation compliance documentation can be very difficult due to the complexity and detail of many permit conditions. In recent years we have implemented the deployment of our EcoDrones. This technology allows us to provide high resolution aerial imagery and gives our clients the data they need to make decisions and identify potential adaptive management areas or allows to display their stream & wetland mitigation monitoring and construction efforts for marketing purposes.

Biological Systems Consultants specializes in regulatory compliance assistance and has been monitoring sites in multiple states for many years. Achievement of mitigation goals and objectives for stream restoration, stream enhancement, stream creation, and stream preservation projects has been our goal for years, with the final goal always being release of liability from the monitoring program. Biological Systems Consultants has been able to achieve these goals for their clients. Biological Systems Consultants’ stream mitigation compliance team is equipped to take on all of your mitigation compliance needs (baseline studies, during, post). Our staff is fully permitted and qualified to conduct stream and wetland mitigation surveys and has extensive experience with various habitat assessment protocols. See more about stream restoration services here or if you have any questions about your Section 404, 401 or other mitigation compliance Contact us or request a quote today. To see a list of all of our services go here.

September 29, 2016May 12, 2017

Selenium Fish Tissue Sampling

Selenium Fish Tissue Sampling frequencies are conducted by Biological Systems Consultants to help our clients comply with NPDES/KPDES permits issued by the Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) or the EPA. Following the standard operating procedures (SOP) for selenium fish tissue sampling set forth by KDOW/EPA we maintain scientific collectors permits and provide field personnel with extensive experience identifying the target species as required by the protocol. These are very time sensitive events so keep this in mind as soon as you find out you need a sampling event conducted.

Many NPDES Permits now contain a Selenium Fish Tissue sampling trigger for collection of fish and application of EPA Method 200.8. This method identifies the amount of Selenium accumulated in the tissue of certain fish species. This methodology is outlined in the Methods for the Collection of Selenium Residue in Fish Tissue Used to Determine KPDES Permit Compliance SOP manual published by the Commonwealth of Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Department for Environmental Protection, Division of Water (KDOW, 2014).

Biological Systems Consultants’ selenium fish tissue survey and NPDES compliance team is equipped to take on all of your NPDES compliance needs. Our staff is fully permitted and qualified to conduct surveys in multiple states. If you have any questions about your Section 402 NPDES Selenium Fish compliance or have been requested to address selenium fish tissue sampling on your project for any reason Contact us or request a quote today. Our fish tissue collection team strives to be cost effective and project oriented to ensure our clients receive the attention they need for each project. This often entails following on-site safety protocols beyond that required by the State or Federal Regulations. NPDES permit projects are complicated in nature and have many different project requirements. Our NPDES staff can help with any project. See additional services here.

August 3, 2016May 12, 2017

Kentucky Stream Restoration

Kentucky Stream Restoration

Stream mitigation including stream restoration design and construction monitoring services. Whether it is a baseline study or full stream restoration design plan our team regularly performs these tasks to help our clients meet their project goals. Using Rosgen and standard survey trained stream restoration specialists, Biological Systems Consultants provides their clients with longitudinal profiles, profile and dimension information (plan-views, cross-sections), pebble counts, and complete Rosgen stream assessments. Using existing stream conditions or reference streams, Biological Systems Consultants provides detailed stream channel information for these types of projects. See additional services here.

August 3, 2016May 12, 2017

Stream Restoration Kentucky

Stream Restoration Kentucky

This stream restoration in Harlan County, Kentucky was completely restored post-mining and has now been restored to its natural profile, pattern, and dimension using natural stream design techniques. Biological Systems Consultants has been monitoring this site for four years and is planning to request mitigation release of liability after this year because the permittee has met the conditions of the permit. Contact us or request a quote today. See additional services here.

Kentucky Stream Restoration and Mitigation — Stream Restoration Site

July 26, 2016May 12, 2017

KY Selenium Fish Tissue Collection

KY Selenium Fish Tissue Collection

Selenium Fish Tissue Collection frequencies are conducted by Biological Systems Consultants to help our clients comply with NPDES/KPDES permits issued by the Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) or the EPA. BSC staff maintain scientific collectors permits and provide field personnel with extensive experience identifying the target species as required by the protocol. These are very time sensitive events so keep this in mind as soon as you find out you need a sampling event conducted.

Biological Systems Consultants’ selenium fish tissue survey team is equipped to take on all of your NPDES compliance needs for this type of project. Our staff is fully permitted and qualified to conduct surveys in multiple states. If you have any questions about your Section 402 NPDES Selenium Fish compliance or have been requested to address selenium fish tissue sampling on your project for any reason Contact us or request a quote today. The SOP for collection in Kentucky can be found at this link SOP Selenium Fish Tissue KDOW 2014. Read more about this service here or see additional services here.

Creek Chub – Selenium Fish Tissue Sampling for EPA Method 200.8

July 19, 2016May 12, 2017

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Surveys

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Collection and Analysis

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Surveys

Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys and analysis is provided by our team of aquatic entomologists and biologists. Biological Systems Consultants’ macroinvertebrate survey team is equipped to take on all of your aquatic survey needs. Our staff is fully permitted and qualified to conduct surveys for the. If you have any questions about your biological monitoring compliance needs or programs, please give us a call and we will be happy to walk you through the process and take care of all your benthic macroinvertebrate survey needs. Contact us or request a quote today. See additional services here.

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Survey Collection Analysis — Benthic Macroinvertebrates

July 10, 2016July 19, 2016

KY Stream Restoration

Using our EcoDrones (UAV, sUAS, Drones) Biological Systems Consultants can also assist in stream or wetland mitigation or bond releases or pre, post, and during construction monitoring, baseline assessments by providing video, still images, or 3D modeling of sites. Capturing low-elevation data we can create or provide highly accurate DEM (digital elevation models or elevation point clouds) data to our clients to work with. This technology allows us to capture millions of points, exponentially greater than traditional survey methods. This method is also safer than putting a traditional airplane into the sky. Using the latest available technology we aim to save our clients time and money in the field and in the office and can deploy EcoDrones very quickly to complete projects.

EcoDrone Ecological Assessments

EcoDrone Stream and Wetland Mitigation Monitoring and Documentation Videos

General Services Video

July 6, 2016July 19, 2016

KY Mitigation Compliance

KY Mitigation Compliance

Section 404 Clean Water Act Mitigation compliance documentation can be very difficult due to the complexity and detail of many permit conditions. Biological Systems Consultants specializes in regulatory compliance assistance and has been monitoring sites in multiple states for many years. Achievement of mitigation goals and objectives for stream restoration, stream enhancement, stream creation, and stream preservation projects has been our goal for years, with the final goal always being release of liability from the monitoring program. Biological Systems Consultants has been able to achieve these goals for their clients. Biological Systems Consultants’ stream mitigation compliance team is equipped to take on all of your mitigation compliance needs (baseline studies, during, post). Our staff is fully permitted and qualified to conduct stream and wetland mitigation surveys and has extensive experience with various habitat assessment protocols. If you have any questions about your Section 404, 401 or other mitigation compliance Contact us or request a quote today.

June 27, 2016July 19, 2016

Selenium Fish Tissue Sampling

Selenium Fish Tissue Sampling

Many NPDES Permits now contain a Selenium Fish Tissue sampling trigger for collection of fish and application of EPA Method 200.8. This method identifies the amount of Selenium accumulated in the tissue of certain fish species. Biological Systems Consultants’ selenium fish sampling team is equipped to take on all of your fish survey needs. Our staff is fully permitted and qualified to conduct Selenium Fish Surveys. If you have any questions about your Section 402 NPDES permit conditions or compliance or have been requested to collect selenium fish tissue samples on your project for any reason Contact us or request a quote today.

This methodology is outlined in the Methods for the Collection of Selenium Residue in Fish Tissue Used to Determine KPDES Permit Compliance SOP manual published by the Commonwealth of Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Department for Environmental Protection, Division of Water (KDOW, 2014).

Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW). 2014. Methods for the Collection of Selenium Residue in Fish Tissue Used to Determine KPDES Permit Compliance. Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, Division of Water, Frankfort, Kentucky.

May 19, 2016May 8, 2017

Bioassessments & Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Waterfall / Step Pool / Stream Assessments

Bioassessments & Benthic Macroinvertebrates collections were conducted this week and we had to share some photos from the field during the macroinvertebrate surveys in Harlan County, Kentucky. The above average rainfall in May 2016 revealed breathtaking waterfalls in this watershed.

Biological Systems Consultants typically assesses sampling sites for Kentucky macroinvertebrates February through May in headwater streams and May through September in wadeable streams.

Confluence / Stream Pool / Bedrock Substrate — Confluence of two tributaries / Pool Feature

May 17, 2016July 19, 2016

Kentucky Selenium Fish Tissue Sampling

Kentucky Selenium Fish Tissue Sampling

Kentucky Selenium Fish Tissue Sampling frequencies are conducted by Biological Systems Consultants to help our clients comply with KPDES permits issued by the Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) or the EPA. Following the standard operating procedures (SOP) for selenium fish tissue sampling set forth by KDOW we maintain scientific collectors permits and provide field personnel with extensive experience identifying the target species as required by the protocol. These are very time sensitive events so keep this in mind as soon as you find out you need a sampling event conducted.

May 1, 2016June 27, 2016

Selenium Fish Tissue Sampling

Selenium fish tissue sampling is required for exceedances of many NPDES/KPDES permit limitations. The results must be submitted on the next months DMR so depending on the sampling dates this typically reduces the available sampling time to a short period after the exceedance is determined to when the sample can be collected.

Selenium Fish Tissue Kentucky KY — Selenium Fish Tissue Sampling

Many Kentucky KPDES Permits now contain a Selenium Fish Tissue sampling trigger for collection of fish and application of EPA Method 200.8. This method identifies the amount of Selenium accumulated in the tissue of certain fish species. This methodology is outlined in the Methods for the Collection of Selenium Residue in Fish Tissue Used to Determine KPDES Permit Compliance SOP manual published by the Commonwealth of Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Department for Environmental Protection, Division of Water (KDOW, 2014). Contact us today for a quote.

April 21, 2016May 11, 2017

Macroinvertebrate Analysis & Identification

Order: Ephemeroptera

Family: Ephemeridae

Genus: Ephemera

Total Number of Species: 6 (1 recently extinct)

Habitat: Lotic & Lentic Systems – Depositional Areas, consisting of sand and gravel

Habit: Burrowers

Trophic Relationships: Collectors; Predators; Filterers

North American Distribution: Widespread

Specimen taken from an aquatic macroinvertebrate sample conducted in Bell County, Kentucky during baseline studies for an individual KPDES/NPDES permit.

Contact us today or request a quote for your project.

Reference

Merritt, R. W., K. W. Cummins, and M. B. Berg (eds). 2008. An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America (4th ed.). Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co., Dubuque, IA 1158 pp

April 15, 2016April 15, 2016

Spring Mitigation Monitoring

Spring mitigation monitoring has begun. This stream restoration site was permitted under the Clean Water Act using a Nationwide Permit. Natural stream design techniques were applied using a combination of Rosgen and standard survey practices using a reference reach. The restoration project has been successful in restoring fish and macroinvertebrate habitat, and has also been successful in the physical restoration of a more natural pattern, profile, plan-view and dimension. The macroinverebrate communities are highly diverse and minnows were found just below this area.

Stream Restoration Plan — Restored Stream Reach

Bioassessment — Minnow caught in net during macroinverebrate survey in restored stream channel.

April 2, 2016April 12, 2016

Fish Survey

Chrosomus erythrogaster

March 21, 2016April 12, 2016

Fish Inventory

Stream Survey — 2016 Blackside Dace Fish Inventory and Habitat Assessment for threatened species. We provide a wide variety of consulting services related to the aquatic ecosystem.

June 12, 2012April 12, 2016

Habitat Restoration

Habitat restoration is an important tool for addressing a broad range of environmental challenges including providing permits for mitigation for streams using constructed wetlands. The BSC approach incorporates cost-effective design and build projects for the long-term management of natural resources by employing collaboration across experts from different fields ranging from biologists and ecologists to archaeologists. The site pictured below is currently in the early stages of restoration and are trending toward success thanks to some mitigation efforts and mother nature. Pictured below are restored stream channels, which are providing the revival of biological, chemical, and physical functions. Many macroinvertebrate and fish species have been observed throughout the sites; a great indication of restored habitat. Our experience covers a wide range of project development, from design to construction supervision and monitoring. BSC is also well trained to communicate with multiple regulatory agencies at the state, local, and federal levels. Our team has years of experience successfully negotiating agreements on restoration and permitting issues.

March 26, 2012April 1, 2016

Fish Surveys

Jesse carrying the battery and backpack electro-fish shocker. The device stuns fish for several seconds so populations can be counted. These surveys can be used for baseline studies required for projects needing Clean Water Act permitting (NPDES), Section 404, Nationwide or Individual Permits or Protection and Enhancement Plans.