Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis)

On November 29, 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced a final rule to reclassify the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The rule takes effect on January 30, 2023.

This change in status from “threatened” to “endangered” signifies that this species requires additional conservation efforts to address the impacts of its primary threat of white-nose syndrome (WNS). When final, the prior 4(d) rule will be nullified and replaced with protections under the ESA.

The northern long-eared bat faces extinction due to the devastating impact of WNS, a deadly disease that is decimating cave-dwelling bats and “has spread to approximately 80% of the species’ range and almost all of the U.S. range since it was listed as threatened in 2015…and is expected to affect 100% of the northern long-eared bat’s U.S. range by 2025, spreading more quickly than anticipated across the continent.”

The change in the species’ status comes after an in-depth review found that northern long-eared bat populations continue to decline, and the species now meets the definition of an endangered species under the ESA. Data indicate white-nose syndrome has caused estimated declines of 97 to 100% in affected northern long-eared bat populations. Other factors influencing northern long-eared bat viability—though to a far lesser extent than the influence of WNS—include wind energy mortality, effects of climate change, and habitat loss.  

In many cases, the USFWS will identify “critical habitat” areas considered particularly important for the survival of an endangered species. Officials decided against doing so for the northern long-eared bat because habitat loss isn’t the primary reason for its decline, spokeswoman for the USFWS Georgia Parham said. She added, calling attention to their winter hibernation spots could make things worse.

Found in 37 states in the eastern and north central United States, the northern long-eared bat is one of many bat species that are critical to healthy, functioning natural areas and contribute at least $3 billion annually to the U.S. agriculture economy through pest control and pollination. Northern long-eared bats live in mature interior forests and forage along wooded hillsides and ridgelines. Recovery efforts will focus on wooded areas where these bats roost in the summer, typically solitary or in small groups, beneath bark or within tree cavities and crevices.

EnviroScience Bat Ecologist Mary Gilmore

Transportation projects covered under various programmatic consultations will not be impacted by the reclassification provided they are completed by January 29, 2023. The USFWS is developing tools to assist project proponents with consultations for endangered bat species and updating programmatic consultations with federal agencies.

EnviroScience can help you navigate your project and streamline the ESA Section 7 Consultation process. Our bat biologists routinely conduct both acoustic and mist-net bat surveys, develop conservation and management plans, and work with clients to create conservation and avoidance measures. ES bat experts are qualified to work with the federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and the northern long-eared bat, as well as the gray bat (Myotis grisescens)—another federally endangered cave-dwelling bat species.

Visit https://www.enviroscienceinc.com/services/threatened-endangered-species/endangered-bats/ for more information, or give us a call at 800.940.4025 to answer any questions or concerns as to what this reclassification may mean for your projects.

The tricolored bat is another cave-dwelling bat species whose population has been decimated by WNS and is currently proposed to be listed as endangered. The comment period for the proposed rule to list the tricolored bat as endangered closed on November 14, 2022. The USFWS is currently evaluating all information received during the comment period and will announce a final decision within 12 months. EnviroScience will continue to post updates on the status of these bats and updates to regulatory guidelines. 

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today, as our scientists explore the latest in environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to: aquatic survey (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring);  emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

Have you heard?

The Fall 2022 edition of the ES Quarterly Update is now available!

CLICK HERE to View the Fall 2022 ES Quarterly Update

It’s that time of year again! EnviroScience’s Corporate Responsibility Committee (CRC) has arranged for the Fall Little Cuyahoga River Cleanup event to take place this Saturday, October 8th from 8:30 am until 12:00 pm.

This is an employee-led tradition that EnviroScience has spearheaded for at least 20 years, with the goal being to bring employees, family members, loved ones, and community members together to remove trash from the Little Cuyahoga River and raise awareness of the litter problem in our local streams.

This has always been a fun event, all ages are welcome, and we need all the help we can get! Here’s what you need to know:

Who: Anyone willing to help! We’ve had volunteers of all ages at this biannual event.

When: Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm

Where: Mustill Store, 57 West North Street, Akron, Ohio 44304 (Check-in at the tables)

What to Wear: Old clothes that you don’t mind getting wet/dirty and waders or rubber boots if you have them. (We may have extra waders and rubber boots for those who don’t have them.)

Registration: No formal registration is necessary. Adults will be required to sign a waiver onsite. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult who is authorized to sign the waiver on their behalf.

Questions: Any questions should be directed to Michael Liptak.

EnviroScience will provide gloves, snacks, and drinks. Join in on the fun as we help clean up our local river! We hope to see you there on Saturday morning!

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results. Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today, as our scientists explore the latest in environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to: aquatic survey (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring);  emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

Tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus)

On September 13, 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to list the tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). As of the time of this proposed listing, guidance and regulations have not yet changed; however, changes may be expected—as is the case for the northern long-eared bat, which will be ruled on in November.

Based on a thorough review of the species’ status, the species was found to have declined so dramatically across its range that it now meets the definition of endangered under the ESA. White-nose syndrome has caused estimated declines of more than 90% in affected tricolored bat colonies and is currently present across 59% of the species’ range. 

In the United States, the tricolored bat’s range includes Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.    

During winter, tricolored bats hibernate in caves, abandoned mines, and abandoned tunnels ranging from small to large in size. In the southern U.S., tricolored bats may hibernate in road-associated culverts. During spring, summer, and fall months, they roost primarily among leaf clusters of live or recently dead deciduous hardwood trees. They also roost among Spanish moss in the south and bearded lichen in the north.   

The proposed rule to list the tricolored bat as endangered appears in the September 14, 2022, Federal Register. Public comments on the proposal may be submitted through November 14, 2022. 

Transportation projects covered under various programmatic consultations will not be impacted by the reclassification provided they are completed by the end of the year. Biologists strongly encourage mist-net surveys proposed for the 2022 summer survey season to include radiotelemetry for both species. EnviroScience bat biologists routinely conduct both acoustic and mist-net bat surveys, develop conservation and management plans, and work with clients to create conservation and avoidance measures. Our team is qualified and able to help you navigate your project through the ESA Section 7 Consultation process. We are keeping up with the latest information and are available at 800.940.4025 to answer any questions or concerns as to what this proposed reclassification may mean for your projects.

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results. Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today, as our scientists explore the latest in environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to: aquatic survey (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring);  emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

Candy Darter (Etheostoma osburni) | Ryan Hagerty, USFWS

Congratulations to EnviroScience Aquatic Ecologist Brian Carlson, who has just added the Candy Darter (Etheostoma osburni) as an authorized species to his federal recovery permit. The Candy Darter has a very small range; it is only known from West Virginia and Virginia’s Upper Kanawha River Basin, which is synonymous with the Gauley and Greater New River watersheds.

Brian was already permitted for a wide range of freshwater mussels, as well as the federally endangered Guyandotte River crayfish and federally threatened Big Sandy crayfish. During off-season winter months, Brian prefers identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates using his SFS EPT East & North American Chironomidae certifications.

Click here for more information on the EnviroScience Ichthyology Team and its fish surveys.

If you have specific questions about presence/absence surveys or potential project needs, please contact Brian at:  BCarlson @ EnviroScienceInc.com

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today, as our scientists explore the latest in environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to: aquatic survey (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring);  emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

The Summer 2022 edition of the ES Quarterly Update is now available.

>>>  CLICK HERE to View the Summer 2022 ES Quarterly Update   <<<

The EnviroScience mussel team is hard at work as the 2022 mussel season is well-underway. Our malacologists are performing mussel surveys within the Mississippi River basin to the Atlantic Slope, and all the rivers in between.

EnviroScience is fortunate to have some of the best malacologists in the country, each of whom exemplify our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. Below are just a few of the many reasons we find them to be uniquely special and why we are honored to have them on our team (and these are only a handful of the members of our robust marine group!) The EnviroScience mussel team is also supported by two other phenomenal mussel biologists, Mr. Matt Gilkay (West Virginia and Ohio approved surveyor) and Dr. Marty Huehner. 

The end of mussel survey season in Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia quickly approaches. If you have a project with in-water work slated to start before July 2023, be sure to call us now to help get your project cleared for mussel resource issues prior to construction!

Becca Winterringer

ES Malacologist Becca Winterringer

Becca is federally permitted throughout much of the Interior Basin and Atlantic Slope drainages. She has handled over 100 of North America’s 300+ mussel species; and yet, the elusive salamander mussel remains on her watch list. This is her year! A senior biologist and project manager for EnviroScience, as well as a key member of the Corporate Responsibility Committee, Becca loves outreach and all the places mussel surveys take her in the country. According to Becca, “This is my year for my bucket list mussel: a salamander mussel.” 

Phil Mathias

ES Malacologist Phil Mathias

Phil enjoys his days in remote small creeks and rivers surveying for mussels, but also willingly accepts the challenges of managing large mussel surveys. He is a permitted malacologist throughout most of the Great Lakes and Ohio River drainages. The French Creek in Pennsylvania and the Kankakee River in Illinois are two of his favorite rivers in which to perform mussel work. As a senior scientist and project manager at EnviroScience, Phil supports our clients’ mussel service needs from private landowners; nonprofit organizations; local, state, and federal government agencies; and major international corporations.

Brian Carlson

ES Malacologist Brian Carlson

Like many folks who develop expertise in mussels, Brian is an “accidental” mussel expert. A man of many skills—from aquatic insects to mussels, fish, and crayfish, Brian manages and leads our Ohio and West Virginia mussel projects. He is federally permitted for Ohio River basin mussels as well as the Guyandotte and Big Sandy crayfish. Brian’s motto is “right-on,” and his favorite place to be (other than playing with his daughter) is face-to-face with the stream bottom looking at darters, mussel siphons, and crayfish.

Emily Grossman

ES Malacologist Emily Grossman

Emily is a federally permitted malacologist and project manager at EnviroScience, specializing in Upper Mississippi River mussel surveys. While she primarily spends her time on a boat leading big river survey teams, Emily also enjoys snorkeling for mussels in her free time in beautiful streams like those in northern Wisconsin. She looks forward to getting back on the mighty Mississippi this summer in locations from the Twin Cities all the way down to St. Louis, assisting clients with endangered species surveys and permitting issues.

Joanne Pem

ES “Marine Mom” Joanne Pem

Joanne began her journey with the Marine Services practice area at EnviroScience in 2013, and just completed the Project Management and Leadership training programs through Kent State University. Also known as the “Marine Mom,” she handles the internal functions that keep our Marine Services practice area efficient and running smoothly at all times. A consummate organizer and planner extraordinaire, Joanne enjoys the challenges the busy field season brings and looks forward to joining the crew in the field one day for a more hands-on approach.

Greg Zimmerman

ES VP & Malacologist Greg Zimmerman

Greg is a federally permitted malacologist throughout the eastern U.S. and an ADCI-certified commercial diver. As VP, he focuses on project management, business development, and health and safety. However, Greg still supports fieldwork and freshwater mussel research. He recently noted, “I like to mix things up…pre-mussel season, I performed coral reef monitoring in Guam, experiencing giant clams in the wild—a huge thrill. But I still love the challenge of freshwater mussel projects and working with our great staff.”  

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results. Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today, as our scientists explore the latest in environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to: aquatic survey (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring);  emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

It is with great pride that we highlight our Asheville, North Carolina office—ClearWater, an EnviroScience Company—and two of its many areas of expertise: remediation plans and implementation for Notices of Violation (NOV) and bat surveys.

Formerly known as ClearWater Environmental Consultants, Inc., the office was founded, owned, and operated by Clement Riddle since 2002. When EnviroScience acquired the company last fall, we knew that under Clement’s leadership, his team of four had tremendous potential. And we weren’t wrong—the office is thriving and continues to grow! Now at six staff members, we are always looking to add key personnel to enhance and increase our capacity and capabilities.

Rooted in our core values of Teamwork, Client Advocacy, Respect, Accountability, Quality, and Safety, every EnviroScience office strives to provide high-quality, region-specific natural resource and environmental services. Our North Carolina office is no exception, offering top-notch expertise in services that include: wetland delineation; threatened and endangered species surveys; 401/404 permitting; NEPA/SEPA environmental assessments; remediation plans and implementation for notices of violations; and wetland and stream mitigation planning and monitoring.

With over 30 years of experience managing complex projects, EnviroScience experts have a rich understanding and familiarity with environmental laws and regulations, as well as an outstanding reputation with these regulatory agencies. Because most of our employees have over ten years of experience in their respective fields, our team’s collective knowledge and diverse backgrounds—paired with state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technologies—afford our clients innovative, cost-conscious solutions. We always put our clients’ needs first and only use necessary resources, allowing us to reliably complete projects on time and within or below budget.

Abiding by the same credo, our North Carolina office holds its assets and values to the same standard, carefully selecting highly specialized and capable employees when staffing and consistently delivering first-rate services. These practices are evidenced by the master service agreements we hold with clients in the transportation, energy, and manufacturing industries, as well as municipal, state, and federal agencies. 

NORTH CAROLINA EXPERTISE: NOTICES OF VIOLATION (NOV)

ClearWater, an EnviroScience Company, has helped over one hundred clients successfully resolve Notices of Violation or Unauthorized Activity. These notices can result from unexpected weather events, rogue contractors, or unintentional misunderstanding of plans or permit conditions.

The team at our North Carolina office is experienced in evaluating sediment impacts to streams and conducting forensic evaluations of site conditions. This includes preparation of remediation plans, oversight of cleanup work, regulatory coordination with staff from North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and final documentation and reporting.

NORTH CAROLINA EXPERTISE: BAT SURVEYS

Bats represent one-quarter of all mammal species worldwide. Of the 17 species that occur in North Carolina:

• Three are federally endangered:
  • Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus)
  • Gray bat (Myotis grisescens)
  • Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)
• One is federally threatened: Northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis)
• Ten are listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan).

Projects located within the range of protected bat species may require coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Bat populations are surveyed by a variety of methods including: mist-netting; acoustic recording; trapping; roost monitoring; portal searches; bridge and cave inspections; and radio telemetry. These surveys can be used to determine presence or probable absence of threatened or endangered bat species.

EnviroScience biologists are highly experienced and qualified to conduct bat surveys in North Carolina and hold USFWS Recovery Permits for threatened and endangered bats. EnviroScience has over 20 years of experience performing bat surveys for state and federally listed species, and helping clients comply with USFWS and state regulatory agencies. Our team provides expertise with the coordination and permitting process for Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 Consultation, the development of Habitat Conservation Plans, and development of natural resources and conservation management plans. 

Northern long-eared bats are currently under review to be uplisted to endangered by November, 2022. Should this uplisting transpire, EnviroScience can help navigate your projects through the bat survey process.

Before breaking ground on your next project, protect your efforts and the environment by entrusting EnviroScience to help safeguard your plans under applicable requirements and regulations. The biologists at our North Carolina office provide an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving you time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results. Click here to learn more today!

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results. Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today, as our scientists explore the latest in environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to: aquatic survey (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring);  emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

Be sure to check out Part II of Environmental Monitor’s article about endangered mussel surveys by Fondriest Environmental, Inc. featuring EnviroScience Vice President and approved freshwater mussel surveyor Greg Zimmerman, MLS, as well as photo contributions from Becca Winterringer, Phil Mathias, and other ES Marine Services team members.

In the same vein as Part I, Part II does a great job outlining endangered mussel surveys—delving further into why they are necessary, standard procedures and protocols, search methods, equipment, and post-construction monitoring. It even touches on the work EnviroScience performed at Hunter Station Bridge in Pennsylvania—the largest relocation of endangered mussels ever completed in the U.S.! (Over 190,000 mussels were moved to different streams and rivers in various states over two years, earning PennDOT District 1-0 the Pennsylvania Governor’s Award.)

With six permitted, in-house staff members, the experience and expertise of EnviroScience’s malacology team is unparalleled. As a company, we’re passionate about maintaining our core values (including client advocacy, accountability, and quality work) and working as an intermediary between our clients and state agencies to identify the most efficient way to get any environmental job done.

CLICK HERE TO READ PART II OF THIS COMPELLING ARTICLE BY FONDRIEST ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results. Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today, as our scientists explore the latest in environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to: aquatic survey (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring);  emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

Did you know freshwater mussels work as “ecosystem engineers” to improve fish populations, water quality, and even property values? Check out the latest edition of Environmental Monitor from Fondriest Environmental, Inc., featuring Part I of a compelling article that offers a fresh look and an eye-opening perspective on mussels.

In the article, EnviroScience Vice President Greg Zimmerman, MLS (an approved freshwater mussel surveyor) breaks down exactly how mussels impact the ecosystem, how environmental challenges like construction projects and runoff can lead to mussel population loss when not carefully managed, why federal legislation and state regulations exist to protect mussels, and how EnviroScience works to help clients navigate projects in adherence to these protective measures.

CLICK HERE TO READ PART I OF THIS FASCINATING ARTICLE BY FONDRIEST ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.!

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results. Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today, as our scientists explore the latest in environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to: aquatic survey (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring);  emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.