Wetland Services
From the simplest to the most complex project, ELS’ biologists will work with you to meet your individual project needs.
ELS has specialized in wetland biology and permitting since 1996. Our staff of biologists provide wetland services throughout Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. With decades of experience in the environmental consulting field, ELS specializes in a wide range of complex issues including wetland mitigation banking, advanced and programmatic wetland mitigation, and coastal wetland systems. Our biologists have had the opportunity to give expert witness testimony, review agency handbooks and studies, and participate in the review, negotiation, writing, and adoption of multiple local critical areas ordinances. The ELS AutoCAD department has many years of experience in creating easy-to-understand wetland permit plans and drawings that follow individual agency requirements.
Wetland:
- Reconnaissance
- Determination
- Delineation and categorization
- Buffer width determination
- Mitigation design and planning
- Local critical area ordinance compliance
- Permit compliance
- Mitigation implementation
Stream Services
ELS offers a full range of services that address streams and riparian areas. With the abundant rainfall in the Pacific Northwest and Southeast Alaska, perennial and seasonal streams are common throughout the landscape. These streams are protected at the local, state, and federal levels resulting in overlapping regulations that can be complex and confusing. When streams provide habitat for listed fish species, permitting becomes challenging and will likely require a review at the federal level under the Endangered Species Act. Our staff has the expertise to guide clients through the complex regulations at all levels of review and permitting.
Stream Surveys and Inventories
- Ordinary high water mark determination
- Site reconnaissance and feasibility studies
- Stream typing and mapping
- Habitat surveys and assessments
- Watershed, stream, and risk assessment
Stream Permitting
- Local, state, and federal agency permits
- Shorelines
- Clean Water Act Sections 10, 401, and 404
- Hydraulic Project Approvals
- Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Applications
- Potential funding and grant assistance
Stream Design and Restoration Plans
- Fish passage
- Culverts and bridges
- Riparian and stream restoration plans
- Erosion control
- Channel design
In-water Work and Restoration
- Electroshocking
- Dewatering and fish removal
- Stream restoration
- Riparian restoration and planting
- Large woody debris placement
