Environmental Services

• Environmental Site Assessments
• Baseline Natural Resource Inventories
• Range Analysis/Carrying Capacity Studies
• Wetland Jurisdictional Line Determinations
• Wildlife Evaluations
• Protected Species Permitting
• Protected Tree Surveys and Permitting
• Mine Reclamation Plans
• NPDES Permitting
• Environmental Planning
• Water Resources Evaluations
• Pond Maintenance
• Impact Analysis

Coastal Engineering Associates, Inc. has been conducting Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments (ESA’s) for over twenty years. Our well qualified engineers and environmental scientists are highly trained to identify potential environmental risks on and around the subject property. ESA’s are conducted on site and search up to one mile away in order to give a thorough analysis of the site and surrounding area. A background search is also made 50 years back or when the subject property was first developed to determine historical use. ESA’s are normally prepared when purchasing or selling property. Most financial institutions require an ESA be prepared prior to financing property. Developers, attorneys and governmental entities may also have ESA’s performed on properties they may be interested in purchasing.

Property owners should also have an ESA performed prior to selling their property as many prospective buyers may feel more comfortable about the investment they may be marketing.

Coastal’s Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments are conducted in accordance with the latest ASTM Standard E-1527-05 and EPA’s All Appropriate Inquiry Rule. Our reports are detailed and concise and fully document any potential environmental risk to the subject property being examined. Our reports can normally be delivered in 2—3 weeks, however the report can be completed on an expedited basis should that be necessary. Coastal makes every effort to meet our clients deadlines and to work within the difficult time-frames typical of many real estate transactions.

Currently there are more than 500 plant and animal species protected by federal, state and local governments and the specific laws that govern protection and management of these species are very complex. Coastal Engineering Associates, Inc. environmental scientists are well versed in identifying listed species and resolving threatened/endangered species issues. Our trained scientists can identify and survey appropriate habitats and help to avoid potentially expensive conflicts with listed species and the regulatory agencies which govern them. Coastal can develop mitigation strategies and long-term management plans in an effort for your project to co-exist with the listed species which may be present on your project site. Our listed species surveys are conducted in accordance with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) methodologies and guidelines. Our reports are detailed and will provide you with the available mitigation options.

Services Offered: Surveys, Permitting, Management Plans, and Relocations

Frequently Surveyed Wildlife Species: Gopher Tortoise, Southeast American Kestrel, Listed Wading Birds, Red-cockcaded Woodpecker, Eastern Indigo Snake, Florida Mouse, Gopher Frog, Bald Eagle, and Sherman’s Fox Squirrel

Frequently Surveyed Plant Species: Brooksville Bellflower, Florida Pigmy Pipes, Garberia, Cooley’s Water Willow, and Rain Lily

Coastal Engineering Associates, Inc. environmental staff are highly trained and skilled to identify and maintain problematic nuisance and exotic plants which are aesthetically unpleasing to the eye and have the potential to interfere with the normal functions and operation of a permitted and properly constructed drainage retention area (DRA). Our staff can reduce and eradicate nuisance and exotic plants in ponds and other waterways which may clog overflow drainage structures and potentially cause flooding. Properly managed lakes and DRA’s are valuable aesthetic amenities within the landscape which can provide for wildlife viewing and other recreational opportunities. A properly maintained pond, which contains desirable wetland plants, can help filter pollutants from stormwater runoff and improve the overall water quality prior to discharging to receiving waters.

Coastal’s environmental staff are former environmental inspectors with the Southwest Florida Water Management District and are well versed in plant identification, herbicide applications and proper pond maintenance requirements. Our staff uses herbicides and algaecides which are EPA registered and approved for aquatic systems. These materials have been shown to be both effective and environmentally safe in an aquatic environment.

Services Offered:

Aquatic Plant Management
Herbicide Applications
Water Quality Assessment
Exotic Vegetation Identification and Removal
Native Plant Installation
Algae Control
Wildlife Nest Box Construction & Installation

Authorized gopher tortoise agents are individuals who are permitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for some or all of the following activities: surveying, trapping, marking, transporting and relocating gopher tortoises and gopher tortoise commensal species. Each agent permit will clearly state what the agent is allowed to do and will be conditioned accordingly. Agent permits are authorizations to the agents and their assistants under their supervision to conduct the activities specified.

Use of an authorized agent is required for:

All off-site relocation projects, regardless of capture method
On-site relocation projects that involve the relocation of more than five gopher tortoises (10 burrows).
On-site relocation projects that involve any method of capture other than bucket trapping, live trapping or hand shovel excavation.

Coastal Engineering Associates, Inc. environmental scientists are specially trained in the gopher tortoise conservation actions required by the FWC. Coastal Engineering Associates environmental staff has relocated hundreds of tortoises for our public and private clients during the past twenty years.

Services Offered: Tortoise Burrow Surveys, Permitting, Bucket Trapping, Burrow Excavation (Backhoe), On—Site Relocation, Off—Site Relocation

For more information or a quote for services, please contact: Joe Calamari at (352) 796-9423