Some environmental work is inherently seasonal. Certain biological surveys must occur during specific times of year or under particular field conditions, making advance planning an important part of the environmental review process.
For projects requiring review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), identifying anticipated field studies early can help project teams understand how those activities fit into the larger project schedule.
Understanding Seasonal Survey Windows
Different environmental resources require different survey approaches, and some studies can only be completed during established seasonal windows.
For example, freshwater mussel surveys have established survey windows that vary slightly by state, along with suitable field conditions that must be present, including water clarity and stream flow.
Similarly, projects requiring bat mist net surveys must account for established survey windows.
These considerations can influence when fieldwork is scheduled and how environmental studies are coordinated with other project activities.
Identifying these needs early helps project teams understand when fieldwork must occur and how it fits into the larger project schedule. It can also reveal where additional agency coordination, conservation measures, or permitting may be necessary.
Planning Ahead for Field Season
The months before field season provide an opportunity to evaluate anticipated environmental studies, identify scheduling considerations, and coordinate the resources needed to complete fieldwork.
EnviroScience’s ecological services include biological surveys, regulatory compliance, environmental impact assessments, permitting, wetland delineations, habitat assessments, and other services that can support the environmental review process.
By considering these needs before field season begins, project teams can be better positioned to schedule the appropriate specialists and avoid discovering a seasonal constraint after an important survey window has passed.
Environmental planning should not stop when seasonal fieldwork is done. Taking time to prepare for upcoming surveys can help project teams reduce uncertainty and better understand the work needed to advance environmental reviews.
Have projects on the horizon? Contact EnviroScience to discuss how early NEPA and environmental planning can help your team prepare for the work ahead.
Part 3 of 4 in EnviroScience’s NEPA Planning Series.
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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.