Projects proposing encroachments to wetlands and other surface waters often encounter a wide range of technical and regulatory challenges. Depending upon the complexity, schedule and cost for a particular project, wetland resources should be identified early as part of the initial project feasibility studies.  Kingfisher Natural Resource Management (KNRM) offers a wide range of complementary services to ensure the challenges that wetland resources present are managed effectively and efficiently from project inception, all the way through final agency authorization and beyond. Our principals are Professional Wetland Scientists with over 25 years of combined experience managing wetland projects for a diverse client base and can apply this experience to your specific project requirements. KNRM’s expertise extends to the following disciplines:

 

• Preliminary Wetlands Assessments - By employing a variety of screening resources and reconnaissance techniques, KNRM can rapidly identify specific wetland resources and ascertain initial quantitative and qualitative information regarding your proposed project area. From this information we can outline regulatory implications and develop strategy alternatives to assist in refining your project plan.

 

• Wetland Delineations and Documentation - Once wetlands and other surface waters have been initially identified within your project foot-print, KNRM can perform more intensive wetland investigations to determine the exact limits of these resources.  KNRM’s staff is experienced with state and federal wetland delineation protocols and regulations including:

 

• USACE Wetland Data Forms

• USACE Wetland Delineations Reports

• Data and Point Tables

• Hydric Soil and Hydrologic Analysis

• AHTL and SHW Determinations

• Verification Petitions and Reviews

• Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62-340

• Functional Assessments (HGM, UMAM, etc.)

 

• Jurisdictional Determinations - Various agencies have regulatory limits to the exertion of jurisdiction over wetland and other surface waters. These investigations not only require an understanding of hydrologic characteristics of a project area, but also characteristics of the surrounding sub-basin and watershed. KNRM has extensive expertise developing documentation for USACE Approved Jurisdictional Determinations, as well as, the strategic knowledge in determining a course of action to reduce process exposure and expedite project execution.

 

• Classification and Mapping – There are a number of classification systems and mapping conventions currently in use by various agencies to characterize wetlands and their adjacent landscapes.  KNRM scientists have extensive knowledge in macro-vegetative community identification and classification.  This knowledge coupled with efficient ground truthing and aerial extrapolation techniques allows our scientists to develop accurate habitat and landscape level geographic datasets and map products to support many different natural resource applications.

 

• Permitting - The regulatory authorizations process (link to wetlands under regulatory section) requires a significant level of documentation and coordination with the issuing regulating agencies.  KNRM has processed numerous projects under CWA Section 404, RHA Section 10 and Florida Statutes Chapter 373, et al.  We have extensive experience developing documentation for:

 

• Agency Negotiation

• Purpose and Need Documentation

• Alternatives Analysis

• Avoidance and Minimization

• Mitigation Planning

• Demonstrations of Compliance

• PCN Preparation