It’s Mussel Survey Season: Meet Liesel, Malacology Expert

INTRODUCING LIESEL FENSTERMAKER OF OUR MALACOLOGY TEAM

As freshwater mussel survey season begins, EnviroScience is excited to highlight the expertise of one of our leading biologists—Liesel Fenstermaker, a qualified malacologist and project manager. Liesel plays a key role in supporting projects that require Endangered Mussel Surveys and regulatory permitting across Ohio, West Virginia, and the greater Appalachian and Midwest regions.

Leading Mussel Survey Projects Across the Region

Since joining EnviroScience in 2024, Liesel has brought her extensive knowledge of malacology and aquatic resource management to projects requiring compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA). She currently holds survey permits for streams in Ohio and West Virginia, qualifying her to conduct freshwater mussel surveys across a diverse array of sensitive habitats.

Her responsibilities range from early-stage desktop evaluations to in-stream endangered mussel surveys, relocation efforts, and post-project monitoring and evaluation. Liesel’s work supports construction, transportation, and stream restoration projects while ensuring compliance with Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act. In 2024, she led and coordinated the field efforts and reporting at over 100 sites targeting large rivers for the detection of federally and state-listed species.

Freshwater Mussel Survey Season: Is Your Project Compliant?

Freshwater mussel surveys are typically restricted to warmer months when mussels are more active and easier to detect. Because this survey season is limited, now is the time for project managers and environmental consultants to schedule mussel surveys and meet agency deadlines.

Our malacology team—led by experts like Liesel—performs endangered mussel surveys for:

• Federal, state, and local infrastructure and development projects
• Stream crossings, utility installations, and stormwater upgrades
• Stream and wetland restoration efforts
• Bridge replacements and transportation planning

Expert Malacology Services from EnviroScience

EnviroScience’s malacologists are U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-approved surveyors and are well-versed in state-specific permitting procedures. With decades of combined experience and close relationships with regulatory agencies, our team offers streamlined, compliant mussel survey services across the Midwest and Appalachia. We specialize in:

• Habitat assessments and reconnaissance-level reviews
• Quantitative and qualitative mussel surveys
• Endangered species identification, relocation, and salvage
• Long-term monitoring and reporting
• Permitting consultation under the Clean Water Act

Work With Our Endangered Mussel Survey Experts

Liesel’s leadership and technical expertise reflect the caliber of EnviroScience’s nationally recognized malacology services. Whether your project is in the early planning phase or approaching construction, our freshwater mussel survey team can provide the data and regulatory support needed for successful permitting.

To learn more about how our expert malacology team can support your next project, visit our Endangered Mussel Surveys webpage.

Want to join our team of mussel experts? Visit our Careers page to view a comprehensive list of current openings, including complete job descriptions, and apply online today!

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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 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 surveys (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; sustainability services; 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.