Eco-Systems - Consultants, Engineers, Planners, and Scientists

Southern Company

IGCC Power Plant and Linear Facilities

Wetland and Endangered/Threatened Species Surveys

Eco-Systems conducted ecological surveys (wetland and endangered/threatened species) along a 42-mile corridor through three Mississippi counties. Eco-Systems was responsible for field characterization, land use identification, vegetation mapping, and ecological resource surveys. As part of the field characterization procedures, proper documentation of wetlands and streams were recorded on 1) Wetland Rapid Assessment Procedure forms; 2) Routine Wetland Determination forms; and 3) Rapanos forms. In addition, photograph logs were recorded. Eco-Systems utilized Leica GPS units with real-time (DGPS) sub-meter accuracy in the field and associated in-house GIS mapping capabilities to complete the picture. As part of the ecological surveys, Eco-Systems insured project compliance with NEPA, FERC, and CWA. In addition, the project was part of an overall EIS for the project.

404 Wetland Permit and 401 Water Quality Certification.

Eco-Systems prepared the Section 404 wetland permit and the 401 water quality certification application and relevant supporting materials for the approximate 1,650-acre site and associated linear facilities. As part of the process, a wetland and stream mitigation plan was developed and approved by the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) and a Water Quality Assurance Project Plan was developed and approved by the MDEQ.

Wetland and Stream Mitigation Implementation and Construction.

Eco-Systems implemented the wetland and stream mitigation plan at the 1,650-acre site in Kemper County, Mississippi from January—April 2011. The mitigation construction activities included the enhancement of 31 acres of wetlands, 105 acres of riparian buffer, and approximately 3,000 linear feet of stream channel. Construction activities included land clearing, grubbing, and grading: thinning trees in select areas and supplemental planting with desirable species; removing invasive and undesirable species in select areas; removing flow impediments to the stream and restoring hydrology to the watershed; planting desirable wetland and buffer species; and monitoring stormwater runoff. As part of managing stormwater runoff, erosion, and sediment on site, monthly stormwater inspections were conducted and forms prepared. Completed forms were submitted to the client. In addition, ongoing monitoring efforts continue to ensure performance measures and measures of success are achieved through the mitigation implementation. Water quality is also monitored upstream and downstream of the mitigation construction site to ensure water quality standards are met.