Posted on

Archaeological Surveys

Archaeological Surveys

Archaeological surveys for Section 106 review typically requires a phase I archaeological survey using surface and subsurface investigative techniques. During this survey we encountered many Sandstone Outcrops like the one pictured below extending out of the local topography within steeply cut valleys. Biological Systems Consultants’ archaeological survey team is equipped to take on all of your cultural resource survey needs. Our staff is fully permitted and qualified to conduct surveys for historic and prehistoric sites and has extensive experience with Section 106 compliance. If you have any questions about your Section 106 compliance  or have been requested to address archaeological resources on your project for any reason, please give us a call and we will be happy to walk you through the process and take care of all your archaeological survey needs.

We can walk you through the process of conducting your archaeological survey in many states including but not limited to Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, and Massachusetts. Call us or request a quote today.

Phase 1 Archaeological Survey
Sandstone Outcrop Creating Overhang
Posted on

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.

 

 

 

Posted on

Acoustic Mistnet Bat Survey

Acoustic Mistnet Bat Survey

Acoustic mistnet bat survey for the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) which was listed as endangered in 1967, are provided by our federally permitted bat biologists.  Most state, federal, or local projects that require tree removal will also require a bat habitat assessment, mistnet and/or acoustical survey, or a protection and enhancement plan to protect the species and its habitat.

More recently (April 2, 2015) the Northern Long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to the white-nose syndrome which has resulted in declines of the population. This species also requires absence or presence and habitat surveys or protection and enhancement plans for projects requiring tree removal.

Located in Lexington, Kentucky we provide all bat surveying services needed for complying with the Endangered Species Act requirements for these and other bat species.

Contact us today or request a quote.

Posted on

Ecological Surveys

Ecological SurveyEcological surveys such as fish census or stream habitat assessments are necessary to provide data for assessing the current conditions of an ecosystem. A fish census provides a snapshot into the populations (i.e. diversity) of fish species within a segment of stream. A stream habitat assessment can provide insights into the current habitat conditions of epifaunal substrates, re-oxygenation zones, and embeddedness of the stream bottom. Using quantitative metrics these assessments can provide one time or on-going monitoring of these aquatic resources. Biological Systems Consultants’ team of scientists are familiar with various state protocols and routinely perform these types of assessments.

Posted on

Clean Water Act

Our team of stream and wetland scientists can assist with Clean Water Act permitting and compliance with agencies such as the  Corps of Engineers. We can provide jurisdictional determinations for your property, tract of land, or project site. Once a very simple concept, is now a complex process. Located in Lexington, Kentucky we regularly consult with various Corps of Engineers Districts and can help facilitate your project. Can you tell which of these features below are considered jurisdictional?

Jurisdictional Determination Clean Water Act

Jurisdictional Determination Clean Water Act

Jurisdictional Determination Clean Water Act

Jurisdictional Determination Clean Water Act

Biological Systems Consultants performs ecological and environmental studies for Clean Water Act compliance, monitors and assesses water quality, provides hydrological modeling, and develops project alternatives such as watershed management plans that provide a balance of business objectives with agency requirements. Biological Systems Consultants also conducts wetland determinations and delineations, collecting information on vegetation, hydrology, and soils to accurately locate and define the boundaries of wetlands. Based on the results, we develop wetland mitigation strategies and to offset wetland impacts. We provide a full suite of stream and wetland mitigation services.

Biological Systems Consultants prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) and supporting studies for a proposed coal mine operation in Whitley County, KY.

The EA assessed the potential ecological impacts from the proposed mine site on endangered species, streams and wetlands, and archaeological resources on this site. These assessments provided the needed scientific documents to allow for permitting of the NPDES, Corps of Engineers, and SMCRA permits required to begin the operation. This project was found to provide an overall “lift” to the aquatic resources on this site which had been disturbed by pre-SMCRA mining. Our client was able to restore miles of abandoned highwalls and thousands of feet of streams that had been previously impacted. Natural rock and log vanes were used to provide stream habitat for macroinvertebrates and other aquatic life.

Ecological Assessments for Stream Mitigation