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With federal, state, and local environmental regulations constantly changing, finding an experienced and diversified environmental consulting firm is essential. BDA's staff of environmental professionals provide services that emphasize the client's needs while complying with regulations.
The services we offer include: PHASE I AND PRE-PURCHASE EVALUATIONS WETLAND ASSESSMENTS ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING AND MONITORING MITIGATION/RECLAMATION ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEYS HABITAT EVALUATION, RESTORATION AND DESIGN GOPHER TORTOISE EVALUATION/RELOCATION EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY WILDLIFE CENSUS AND MANAGEMENT PLANS DUE DILIGENCE AND ECOLOGICAL CONSTRAINTS ANALYSIS AERIAL PHOTOINTERPRETATION AND LAND USE MAPPING WATER QUALITY, QUANTITY AND MONITORING STUDIES |
 PRE-PURCHASE EVALUATIONS |
| BDA provides Phase I evaluations to assess the potential for hazardous waste and materials to have been deposited at a site. Standard protocol includes a public record review, examination of aerial photos, and an on-site reconnaissance.
BDA's cost-effective initial evaluation of agency regulatory jurisdiction and permitting requirements provides rapid, incisive constraints analysis and evaluation of the development potential of a site. BDA will provide you with the information needed to proceed with your project in the most efficient manner. Back to Top |
| WETLAND ASSESSMENTS |
You can be assured of getting the most accurate wetland assessments allowable within the criteria established by all the agencies of concern: local, state, and federal.
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| ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING AND MONITORING |
A primary product of the company is obtaining permits for wetland utilization. A thorough knowledge of the federal, state, and local regulations is essential in procuring permits. BDA project managers are skilled at providing the right combination of data collection, agency negotiation, and follow-up for timely, successful completion of the permitting process.
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| MITIGATION/RECLAMATION |
In the Mitigation/Reclamation process, BDA staff assesses the magnitude of proposed wetland impacts and provides resourceful design alternatives. Mitigation plans are developed using areaŞbased, value-based, and innovative techniques specific to site and project needs. In addition to wetland jurisdiction, permitting and mitigation, BDA plays an active part in rules development, and can conceive and negotiate the fairest settlement.
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| ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEYS |
The environmental surveys BDA provides include Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Plant and Animal Surveys, Wildlife Population Censuses, Vegetation Analyses, Biological Systems Analysis, and Urban Wildlife Sanctuary Designs. The description of general plant and animal distributions, as well as specific threatened or endangered plants or animals, is accomplished through aerial photography and ground-level surveys. Detailed vegetation classifications can be performed for the most demanding planning efforts.
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| HABITAT EVALUATION, RESTORATION AND DESIGN |
A computerized Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP) can be completed, allowing staff to calculate habitat value of a site under present conditions and with various development and mitigation scenarios played out over time. You can be provided with hard data to answer questions concerning your project.
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| GOPHER TORTOISE EVALUATION/RELOCATION |
| Site evaluations are typically conducted for clients to determine the presence of threatened or endangered plant or wildlife species. The gopher tortoise is listed as a Species of Special Concern by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC)and may be found within the upland communities of a project site. Given the presence of the gopher tortoise, several commensal species have a moderate potential for occuring on the project site including eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais), Florida mouse (Podomys floridanus), Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus), and gopher frog (Rana areolata). If these commensals are found on-site, it may be required that these species are relocated as well. The FWCC policy requires landowners to minimize impacts to gopher tortoises where possible and mitigate for tortioses that will be taken as the result of development. The June 1991 policy developed by FWCC lists five mitigation alternatives:
Once this permit is obtained, the relocation may be conducted in one of two main ways. The more efficient option is to relocate the tortioses by excavating the burrows using a backhoe. Another way to relocate the tortioses is by bucket trapping the entrances of the burrows.
The captured tortoises are then weighed, sexed, and measured and the data are compiled into a final report to the FWCC. Back to Top |
