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ERS Overview - Expertise

Expertise

       

ERS expertise encompasses the science/ecology of fauna and flora, the rules and regulations affecting potential impacts to these natural resources, and the site layout requirements of real world land use projects.  Wetlands, protected species and land use issues relating to wetlands and biota constitute the majority of the work we perform.  This specialization has made ERS an innovative leader in wetlands and wildlife permitting issues and has gained the respect of regulatory and regulated communities alike.

Our staff has been formally trained in and utilizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Rapid Assessment Procedure (WRAP) and the State of Florida's Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM), as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP), and the Environmental Protection Agency's Rapid Bioassessment Protocol's for Use in Streams and Rivers.

Salient examples of our expertise include:

Permitted the majority of the mitigation banks in Northeastern Florida.

Conducted a detailed analysis of multiple regional off-site mitigation area candidates in three separate parts of the state for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Prepared essential fish habitat, wetlands, aquatic preserves, outstanding Florida waters, wild and scenic rivers, floodplains, and wildlife and habitat elements of the tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Jacksonville Transportation Authority Rapid Transit System.

ERS is recognized as being experts in conducting Wildlife Hazard Assessments (WHA) throughout the U.S. Our wildlife biologists are recgonized by the FAA as being Qualified Airport Wildlife Biologists in compliance with FAA advisory Circular 150/5200-36 " Qualifications for Wildlife Biologist Conducting Wildlife Hazard Assessment and Training Curriculums for Airport Personnel Involved in Controlling Wildlife Hazards on Airports".  We are currently conducting Wildlife Hazard Assessments at several airports in Florida as well as in Texas and California.  In addition to conducting WHAs, ERS staff has developed a training module for the wildlife hazard training for airport and carrier personnel per Airport Circular (AC) No. 150/5200-36.  We conduct annual Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP) audits at airports and will develop airport wildlife hazard identification guides to assist airport personnel with proper identification of wildlife and potential wildlife hazards.  We routinely coodinate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), United States Department of Agriculture, (USDA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS).