Services
- Wetlands
Science:
Delineation- Performed in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers / the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published guidelines that
are based on hydrographic conditions, plant community, and hydric soil
conditions. These parameters are used within a matrix to determine where
wetlands end and the upland begins.
Characterization - Wetlands occur within a wide spectrum of types,
ranging from fresh water flood plain woodlands to coastal salt marshes, each
type supporting unique plant and animal communities. Characterization is
performed using the techniques and parameters employed by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and State regulations.
Evaluation - Certain wetlands are considered to be critically sensitive
habitats because of location and the ecological services. Some states require a
statement of interpretation that incorporates an evaluation in accordance to
guidelines published by the State and in agreement with appropriate general
ecological principles.
Constructed Wetlands - Constructed wetlands are wetlands created to
compensate for the loss of wetlands due to man's activities. Many of these
constructed wetlands need physical and biological rehabilitation while newly
constructed wetlands require monitoring of the plant and animal communities and
hydrographic regime to determine if corrective actions are needed. A monitoring
plan and a scheme to implement corrective action is essential for a constructed
wetland to comply with state and federal requirements for placement in the
wetlands mitigation bank system.
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- Design and
Conduct Fate and Transport Investigations:
Often times, spills of hazardous substances and oil are not detected until the
neighboring residents bordering the site have noticed strange odors or fluids
in their basements or nearby streams.
Tracking a subsurface contaminant requires a knowledge of local soils, geology,
groundwater movement, and the physical/chemical characteristics of the
contaminant. TEG has experience in determining the fate and transport of
subsurface contaminants using "state-of-the-science"
technologies.
Knowing the appropriate field analytical contamination and methodologies
combined with the confirmatory laboratory analyses can result in a cost savings
in terms of time and money. TEG will design, recommend appropriate
investigation tools, and conduct studies for locating and tracking contaminant
movement in soils, groundwater, and surface waters.
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- Remediation
Selection and Design Recommendations:
Selecting the appropriate cleanup remedy for contaminated soils and sediments
can be bewildering and daunting for landowners and responsible parties.
Fortunately, decision matrices have been derived from research and
demonstration projects, case histories, and site projects for various remedies
used at hazardous materials sites ranging from incineration, thermal
desorption, pump and treat, and dig/disposal methodologies.
TEG has the theoretical and working familiarity with the advantages and
shortcomings of these remedial technologies from observations and evaluation
under field operating conditions over a twenty year period. As such, this
information is valuable in making recommendations to clients; responsible
parties, public environmental officials of concerned citizen groups.
Contaminant specific
Environmental media
Environmental condition limitations - biological soft engineering
Chemical and physical treatments
Biological and phytoremediation
Remediation and restoration of disturbed sites - A large portion of the total
number of sites on the Federal and states of New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, and Connecticut lists are within a hundred miles of New York
City. Many of these sites are already, or soon-to-be considered for Brownfields
status.
Dr. Nadeau, while with the US EPA's Environmental Response Team, and his
colleagues worked to develop a strategy for using bioremediation technology to
remove diminished heavy metals and petroleum compounds from contaminated soils
at a number of these sites.
On-site soil conditioning in the early phase of treatment, with later
introduction of native plant species leading to the creation of natural
habitats, is critical in the urbanized setting for enhanced biodiversity and
refuges for migratory species.
For petroleum contaminated sites, a Phased Approach involves a scheme to
improve the soil physical and chemical conditions to create the proper
environment for the growth of natural microbial populations. These
naturally-occurring microbes degrade the petroleum compounds over time
providing that the soil conditions are optimally maintained during the active
treatment phase.
Once the contaminant levels are reduced during the active phase, a native
meadow or woodland can be created. A planting program can be implemented that
incorporates grasses, both cool season annuals and warm season grasses, and
forbs common to native meadows.
TEG can evaluate the contaminants and soil conditions on a site-by-site basis
to determine the feasibility of using the Phased Approach or other appropriate
soil rehabilitation technology.
Landowners are encouraged to create successful natural habitats as part of the
redevelopment phase and are often eligible for conservation easements and other
incentives. The Federal and state natural resource agencies, in conjunction
with private conservation foundations, have active programs for acknowledging
habitat creation.
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- Data Review
and Validation:
Many state and Federal environmental regulations require the submittal of data
to environmental enforcement agencies. These data must be generated using
standard protocols and methodologies and be evaluated for conformance with the
precision and accuracy of the procedures. TEG has many years experience and
familiarity with EPA Analytical Protocols that are often required for
environmental data submittals.
TEG is familiar with new and innovative methodologies that can be utilized to
satisfy data submission requirements to the regulatory agencies; e.g., in-situ
measurements using field analytics.
TEG can review data packages and reports from Phase II and Site Investigations
to meet site closure requirements under CERCLA and state regulations.
- Communications
and Training:
TEG realizes the importance of effective communication and teaching skills to
convey ideas, concepts, and environmental principles to the public. The TEG
members and associates give talks and lectures to academic and other groups of
all ages. TEG has a vast amount of experience in organizing workshops and
seminars using steering committees to establish objective and curriculum for
these events. For example, Dr. Nadeau has served as the Course Director for
courses on subsurface investigations, hydrogeology and ecological restoration
for EPA and other agency technical personnel.
TEG will provide trained facilitators for groups with backgrounds and interests
to develop consensus and direction to address controversal issues. These
facilitators are familiar with group dynamics, but as environmental scientists,
they often can address technical issues that arise during the meetings as
well.
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- Watershed
Issues:
Addressing non-point source pollution is now a requirement by the EPA for
municipalities and facilities. A plan that includes management of water quality
parameters; e.g., microbial, suspended solids, petroleum compounds, and
chlorides must be submitted for review and compliance with these new
regulations. Included within this plan is the requirement to address
traditional stormwater issues as well.
Within the past few years, concern for maintaining base flows in small streams
has resulted in alteration in stormwater design and practices. Included in this
are provisions for remediating the impact of pollutant loads from stormwater,
realizing that the greatest pollutant loads occur very early in the hydrograph
of a storm.
TEG can provide advice and consultative services to municipalities and like
organizations who now are required to meet these new regulations, by performing
reviews and commenting on the reports submitted by consulting engineers to
insure that the most up-to-date innovative and Best Management Practices are
being utilized in design and remedy proposals.
TEG scientists are experienced and knowledgeable aquatic ecologists and
chemists who are familiar with the various stormwater control measures
available, both on-site and off-site.
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- Natural Habitat
Creation and Restoration:
With the loss of habitat being the main cause for biodiversity decline in urban
and suburban areas, there is sincere interest on the part of private and public
conservation foundations/agencies to enhance biodiversity across the nation.
TEG, with its strong background in the science of ecology, can serve the public
and private concerns who are interested in creating habitats and enhancing
degraded habitats.
Degradation of habitats occurs primarily through neglect and the intrusion of
alien species. TEG can formulate a remediation plan which includes a plan for
invasive species removal/control. In addition, TEG will recommend steps that
should be taken for replanting and future husbandry practices to bring the
habitat into its fullest enhancement potential. TEG can generate remedial plans
for all ecological habitats from lakes and ponds, wetlands, open fields, and
woodland using sound science to establish habitats which are diverse in species
and provide distinct ecological services.
Related site examples
- Open Space -
Natural Landscape Conservation:
With dwindling open space from sprawl and housing development in the Northeast,
many townships and landowners have realized the need and importance for
preservation and maintaining open space. The benefits of open space to
communities as a whole far exceeds those from development.
TEG, with its ecological-based mission, is well versed with the necessities of
landscape for ensuring population movements within uninterrupted land
corridors. In addition, certain keystone species require more land for
territory and feeding. TEG factors all these requirements in developing a plan
for townships and landowners interested in acquiring and maintaining lands for
open space, using the science of ecology as its basis. With sound science, TEG
will assist those organizations prepare proposals for funding for acquiring key
land parcels to prevent landscape fragmentation and loss of biodiversity.
Related site examples
The Eco-Strategies Group, P.O. Box
433, Allamuchy, NJ 07820
908-850-0859 Fax: 908-850-8406
www.theeco-strategiesgroup.com