Over the past 15 years, BEM has been intimately involved with two of the most complex large-scale ecosystem restoration projects in the country.
- The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP) in South Florida was authorized in 2000 to address ecosystem restoration, water supply, and flood protection needs. Working for the South Florida Water Management District, BEM performed biological and water quality studies, hydraulic modeling, monitoring of Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs), and ecological surveys for invasive and endangered species. BEM also developed the agenda and moderated a workshop for how to streamline project delivery for large scale restoration projects. Bringing together representatives from the engineering, construction, insurance and financing sectors the workshop looked at various project delivery mechanisms such as Public-Private Partnerships (P3), Construction Management at Risk (CMaR), and Design Build.
- In 2007, in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, BEM brought their experience with the CERP to Louisiana, assisting the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) in addressing the problems and needs identified in Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast. Under multiple task order contracts over the course of 9 years, BEM prepared Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Assessments (EA) in support of NEPA, as well as the full range of environmental permitting in support of coastal restoration projects (e.g., Section 404/10 Clean Water Act permits; Section 106 for cultural resources; Coastal Zone Management Act consistency determinations; and others). We also prepared Biological Assessments in support of the USFWS Biological Opinion, and developed Feasibility Reports from initial scoping to the Record of Decision.
BEM’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scientists and ecologists can provide NEPA compliance expertise to a wide range of clients. Our approach combines our in-depth knowledge of regulatory compliance issues with our experience in remediation and restoration, hydrologic and ecologic modeling, and Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. We can support the full NEPA compliance process from initial public scoping, alternatives development and analysis, and EA and/or EIS preparation to Water Quality and other permit applications and Coastal Zone Management Act compliance.
The following projects provide examples of our NEPA capabilities such as:
- Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)
- Environmental Assessments (EA)
- Environmental Baseline Surveys (EBS)
- Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
- Biological Assessments and Ecological Surveys
- Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plans and Updates (ICRMP)
- Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans and Updates (INRMP)
- Public Involvement/Agency Coordination
Read More About These Individual Projects:
- Southwest Coastal Louisiana Feasibility Study
- LCA: Point Au Fer Island and Caillou Lake Land Bridge
- Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), Louisiana, and Lake Borgne – Wetland Creation and Shoreline Protection
Other Projects:
- Cameron Meadows Marsh Creation and Terracing (CS-66) Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
- Bayou Bonfouca Dissolve Oxygen Monitoring
- Billy Don Grant Wetland Enhancement and Restoration Project
- CIAP Freshwater Bayou Marsh Creation Sediment Sampling
- CIAP West Caminada Headland Beach/Dune Restoration and Marsh Creation Sediment Sampling
- Packaging Louisiana Sand Resources Database (LASARD) Data into the Searchable SONRIS GIS Framework
- Mississippi River Hydrodynamic and Delta Management Study Environmental Impact Statement Support
- Mississippi River Hydrodynamic and Delta Management Study Data Management
