WETLANDS

WET has completed several restoration projects related to stream and wetland habitat projects

Construction projects can have adverse impact to wetlands, streams, and other aquatic resources, and these impacts must be avoided or minimized to the extent practicable.

Surface water resources are regulated under the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and include areas below the ordinary high-water mark of stream channels, lakes/ponds connected to the tributary system, and wetlands adjacent to these waters. Wetland areas are inundated or saturated with water long enough to support vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated conditions. Approximate wetland boundaries are found using resources such as the National Hydrology Data (NHD) set and National Wetlands Inventory (NWI); however, site-specific wetland delineations are typically needed to determine boundaries.

Our permitting staff regularly complete wetland delineation projects and help clients with wetland minimization impact strategies and compensatory on-site mitigation (i.e., purchasing wetland banking credits and coordinating with in-lieu fee programs). WET has completed several restoration projects related to stream and wetland habitat projects. WET has permitted projects to mitigate environmental impacts associated with in-stream work within bull trout critical habitat, including stream diversions and soft bank armor design and implementation.

This work included creating environmental assessments to satisfy the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) consultation for threatened and endangered species act. Specific services include serving as an environmental permitting liaison for local, state, and federal agencies, to ensure project regulatory compliance during all phases of project planning and implementation.

WET prides itself on understanding the ever-changing regulatory environment and trains its permitting specialists in the nuances of the Clean Water Act as well as state and local environmental regulations.