Endangered Species Act

Temporary Acclimation Facility Biological Impacts

Grant County PUD
Chelan County, Washington

Hart Crowser evaluated potential biological impacts of a temporary acclimation facility for endangered spring chinook salmon smolts on the White River, and conducted wetland and stream studies on Grant PUD properties on Nason Creek and the White River. The acclimation study involved a biological assessment of the potential impacts of in-water construction and fish handling facilities. Our biological assessment addressed the potential effects of this project on fish and wildlife species listed, or proposed for listing, as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act; evaluated designated critical habitat; and listed mitigation to minimize negative impacts on fish and wildlife.

Study of Construction Impacts on Fish

Port of Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska

Hart Crowser completed a unique field and laboratory investigation on the effects of pile driving noise on juvenile salmon. As part of this complex field study, we deployed live cages containing juvenile coho salmon into Knik Arm and collected acoustic measurements during impact and vibratory pile driving operations. Our work provided data that are being used to make science-based management decisions on construction activities for this large Port expansion project.


Sitka Airport Runway Safety Area Expansion

Barnard Dunkelberg & Co. and Federal Aviation Administration
Sitka, Alaska

Hart Crowser conducted marine intertidal and subtidal diver studies and provided technical oversight and review of studies of marine resources at risk during extension of the runway safety zone at the Sitka Airport. Our work was used to assess project alternatives and to help define reasonable mitigation for unavoidable impacts. We prepared biological sections of a NEPA EIS assessing the impacts of various airport expansion alternatives, and analyzed effects on Essential Fish Habitat. We also prepared a Biological Assessment of potential project impacts on Endangered Species. We developed an innovative approach to quantifying project impacts and mitigation requirements, led meetings to cooperatively enhance the understanding and acceptance of the approach. Finally, prepared and negotiated a Mitigation Plan and a developed Monitoring Plan to document colonization rates of new rock to be placed for the safety area extension.

Oregon Department of Transportation Biological Assessments

Oregon Department of Transportation
Various Locations, Oregon

Hart Crowser has completed multiple natural resources projects statewide for the Oregon Department of Transportation related to the Endangered Species Act, fisheries, culvert replacement and fish passage improvements, wildlife, exotic species, and water quality. We have prepared BAs and “No Effect” documentation under Section 7 of the ESA to determine the potential for impacts to listed fish and wildlife species from highway and bridge construction projects.


Biological Assessment, Thea Foss Waterway

City of Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington

Hart Crowser produced an Addendum to the NMFS-prepared Biological Assessment that evaluated the effects that remediation activities would have on Endangered Species. The project met severe time constraints; permitting had to be completed before approved work windows opened. Cleanup of contaminated sediments at this Superfund site has now been completed.