Discover the
Potential.

Environmental Assessments

Coastal Systems' diverse staff of
marine scientists designs studies for a
variety of environmental assessment
needs, all relative to natural coastal
resources.

Our marine biologists and marine
geologist apply their knowledge
of local environments and
resources toward providing our
clients with a wide scope of
services including: comprehensive
marine resource surveys,
seagrass and benthic
community assessments,
terrestrial and marine wildlife
surveys, qualitative and
quantitative biological assessments relative to beach
nourishment activities and coastal construction
activities, mitigation assessment and design, and
monitoring programs.

 

 

 

 

Environmental Impact Assessments

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are conducted to determine whether an activity will have a significant impact on the human and natural environment. Environmental assessments outline the need for proposed developments, alternatives to project designs, a description of existing on-site conditions, impacts from the proposed activity, and mitigation for proposed impacts.

Coastal Systems prepares EIA's and Strategic Environmental Assessments ranging from small marinas to private island destination developments. Through the EIA process, Coastal Systems is able to propose optimal project designs with minimal impacts to the natural resources. In conjunction with project design, Coastal Systems conducts thorough, on-site investigations for the generation of baseline data and detailed analyses of the existing site conditions.

Our experience ranges from the inspection of pre-existing marine structures to assess storm damage, to analyses of locations for proposed marinas and mooring facilities. Other services include:

  - Surface and sub-surface water inspections
  - Structural inspections
  - Bathymetric and hydrographic surveys
  - Tide and current measurements
  - Wind/wave analysis
  - Numerical modeling
  - Jet probe investigations
  - Wave refraction and storm impact evaluations
  - Historical erosion/accretion analysis
  - Coastal and marine biological assessments

For more detailed information, click here to download section brochure.

 

Resource/ Habitat Mapping

Natural resource or community mapping is an important component of project design, site planning, and resource management. Coastal Systems provides clients with a high-quality, multi-disciplinary approach to marine and upland resource mapping.

Aerial photograph interpretation allows Coastal Systems' specialists to assess natural resources over a large geographic area efficiently. Results from these analyses are verified in the field using Differential GPS in conjunction with underwater video and/or still photography. With this technology, Coastal Systems' staff is able to generate large-scale resource base maps.

These maps provide the foundation for future monitoring in addition to establishing a comprehensive inventory of the project site's natural resources, and the accurate determination of spatial and temporal changes to those resources.

For more detailed information, click here to download section brochure.

 

Endangered and Threatened Species

Activities that may affect endangered and threatened species are federally reviewed to ensure no significant impact will occur to listed species or their respective habitats.  As a result, prospective developers should be aware of the significance of these species and the associated potential costs to a proposed project.

Coastal Systems' scientists are trained to recognize and identify endangered species along with the habitats that support them and resolve problems concerning endangered species.

Our staff is prepared to provide expert testimony as it relates to endangered species and is experienced in designing projects that minimize and avoid impacts on key species and/or their habitats.

For more detailed information, click here to download section brochure.

 

Mitigation Services

Mitigation projects are designed to provide long-term, ecologically sustainable alternatives that offset potential losses to ecosystem productivity resulting from project activities.

Coastal Systems' staff is experienced in permit compliance and the determination of permit conditions as they relate to mitigation.

Our staff accurately anticipates the extent of proposed impacts and designs mitigation strategies accordingly, to offset these proposed losses.

For more detailed information, click here to download section brochure.

 

Monitoring

Pre, During and, Post Construction Monitoring of natural resources and mitigation projects is necessary to determine significant natural or man-made ecosystem changes and project success respectively.

Through the use of differential GPS, underwater video camera, and field sampling techniques, Coastal Systems' staff determines and conducts monitoring investigations in order to selectively detect impacts to the coastal environment. Monitoring studies have been developed independently and in conjunction with regulatory agencies, to determine project outcome.

For more detailed information, click here to download section brochure.