Drone construction monitoring provides current aerial data (images, video, etc) for your construction site. Allowing for better decision making and compliance with regulatory permits. We can help provide real-time digital data from your site allowing for better decision making and monitoring of sensitive sites.
During this Phase I Archaeological survey which was conducted within the Benham, KY U.S.G.S. 7.5′ topographic quadrangle, steep side slopes of Black Mountain were surveyed to identify any archaeological resources within the project area and assess their potential eligibility for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NHRP). The field efforts consisted of visual inspection and systematic shovel testing appropriate to site. During this survey one site was identified which consisted of a scatter of prehistoric cultural material that consisted of a low-density of lithic debitage. Learn more about our all of our services here or just Phase I Survey services here. Otherwise contact us for a quote on your upcoming project today.
Phase I Archaeological Survey conducted in Whitley County, KY for Section 106 Review compliance. No sites were discovered but a historic cemetery was located just outside of the project area. Learn more about our all of our services here or just Phase I Survey services here. Otherwise contact us for a quote on your upcoming project today.
This was one of the few areas we were able to shovel test due to the slope of the site and previous disturbances.
Mitigation monitoring compliance has become a very high priority for many government agencies, in particular, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We have helped design, manage, monitor or construct over one hundred thousand feet of stream and over 50 acres of wetlands and have achieved the ultimate goal of receiving a letter from the appropriate regulating agencies, indicating compliance with all mitigation monitoring conditions and the release of liability. We strive to provide our clients with cost-effective monitoring services and now our EcoDrones can provide better quality data for the agencies to review and place in their files. Request a quote today for mitigation monitoring services for your sites or contact us.
Jurisdictional Determinations are conducted by BSC personnel in support of the requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) to identify “waters of the U.S.” as identified by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Field surveys for the determination were conducted in accordance with the 1987 USACE Wetlands Delineation Manual (USACE, 1987) and the Final Regional Supplement for the Piedmont and Eastern Mountains Region (USACE, 2012). BSC investigators also evaluate the potential for federal jurisdiction under Section 404 of the CWA over aquatic features in the study area based on USACE revised guidance published December 2, 2008.
Kentucky contains seven Level III ecoregions. These ecoregions were defined by similarities in geology, physiography, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife, and hydrology. The proposed project area is located within the Central Appalachians ecoregion (69) which drains 23,698 square miles. Specifically, the project is within the Level IV ecoregion 69e (Cumberland Mountain Thrust Block) which encompasses 1,083 square miles. The topography in this area is characterized as highly dissected, hilly and mountainous plateau with steep ridges, very narrow ridge tops, narrow valleys, and deep coves. 69e contains elevations ranging from approximately 980’- 4,139’ in Kentucky and contains streams with high gradients, waterfalls, many riffles, few pools, and cobble or boulder substrates (Woods et al., 2002).
Selenium Fish Tissue Sampling
Many NPDES Permits now contain a Selenium Fish Tissue sampling trigger for collection of fish and application of EPA Method 200.8. This method identifies the amount of Selenium accumulated in the tissue of certain fish species. Waypoint’s selenium fish sampling team is equipped to take on all of your fish survey needs. Our staff is fully permitted and qualified to conduct Selenium Fish Surveys.
This methodology is outlined in the Methods for the Collection of Selenium Residue in Fish Tissue Used to Determine KPDES Permit Compliance SOP manual published by the Commonwealth of Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Department for Environmental Protection, Division of Water (KDOW, 2019).
Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW). 2014. Methods for the Collection of Selenium Residue in Fish Tissue Used to Determine KPDES Permit Compliance. Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, Division of Water, Frankfort, Kentucky.
During this Phase I archaeological survey which was performed by means of surface and subsurface testing, we identified one archaeological site. It was a prehistoric open habitation without mounds consisting of a scatter of chert debitage of undetermined temporal-cultural affiliation. This survey was performed prior to coal resource extraction to identify any historic or prehistoric sites that may be disturbed by the land clearing activities. Learn more about our all of our services here or just Phase I Survey services here. Otherwise contact us for a quote on your upcoming project today.
This month we have been in Breathitt County, KY surveying for historic and prehistoric sites on a tract of land. The steeply incised valleys expose a Sandstone formation that creates rock overhangs. Learn more about our all of our services here or just Phase I Survey services here. Otherwise contact us for a quote on your upcoming project today.
At least once a year, our field teams gather for Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Annual Training to review and demonstrate our field methods. All of our field methods are based on published Standard Operating Procedure Manuals that guide all sampling or monitoring techniques.
This is also a part of our Kentucky Division of Water Field Lab Certification Compliance Program headed by Project Scientist, Tom Wilson.
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) are typically performed to identify potential or existing environmental contamination liabilities related to a tract of land, business, loan, lease, or other type of property transaction. A Phase 1 Environmental report is typically requested lenders and is highly recommended prior to property or land acquisitions. This assessment would help identify potential contamination in the land or water surrounding the site or help identify potential liabilities related to the property. The assessment typically addresses both the underlying land as well as physical improvements to the property. We can perform Phase 1 desktop assessments or a full Phase 1 Assessments which includes an on-site visit to verify the background information. The desktop assessment would include review of historic aerial maps, environmental database searches and current property owner questionnaires. The full Phase 1 would include an on-site visit and is usually recommended to help verify the findings of the desktop review.
A BSC desktop review would include the following:
1. Review of an environmental database
2. Review of readily available historical records for the subject property
3. A file search with local environmental oversight agencies
4. Submittal of environmental questionnaire to owner or occupant, if they are available.
5. Issuance of a Letter Report with conclusions and recommendations.
If the need for a full Phase 1 Environmental report is determined during the Desktop Review, then the desktop review information can be used for the full Phase 1 report. To get a quote for an Environmental Desktop Review, please submit a quote request.
“In defining a standard of good commercial and customary practice for conducting an environmental site assessment of a parcel of property, the goal of the processes established by this practice is to identify recognized environmental conditions. The term recognized environmental conditions per the ASTM Standard E-1527-05 means the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products on a property under conditions that indicate an existing release, a past release, or a material threat of a release of any hazardous substances or petroleum products into structures on the property or into the ground, ground water, or surface water of the property. The term includes hazardous substances or petroleum products even under conditions in compliance with laws. The term is not intended to include de minimis conditions that generally do not present a threat to human health or the environment and that generally would not be the subject of an enforcement action if brought to the attention of appropriate governmental agencies. Conditions determined to be de minimis are not recognized environmental conditions.”
