Permitting Applications & Regulatory Compliance

A large part of ELOS’ practice focuses on providing comprehensive solutions for assessing and monitoring biological resources. Biological assessments and monitoring play a vital role in understanding the condition and trends of ecosystems, species populations, and the environment’s overall health. These assessments provide valuable information for conservation efforts, land management, and regulatory compliance.

In permitting, assessments of endangered species are often mandatory. In compensatory mitigation banking, biological performance defines the success of the bank in both a financial and biological sense.

We understand the principles that guide the evaluations of habitat quality, biological performance, species of concern, critical habitat, and mitigation bank performance and work well with the agencies that review those assessments. Our team of field biologists specializes in ground-level data collection in difficult environments and reasonable interpretation of that data in well-formulated reports. By employing both accepted techniques and advanced methodologies, we deliver accurate data and actionable insights to support informed decision-making. For habitat restoration projects, success will depend on the field assessment of the biological improvements and the degree to which they are achieved.

By partnering with us, clients can benefit from our expertise in planning and conducting biological assessments and project monitoring capabilities. We can improve project planning by assessing potential impacts, ensuring compliance with regulatory agencies and organizations, and implementing effective monitoring programs for continual support and informing decision-making processes. Our goal is to assist clients in achieving their project objectives while minimizing ecological risks and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Types of Biological Assessments

Endangered Species Assessments: Projects can impact areas that support endangered species. When this is the case, agencies will need information about the species and habitat on the project site to determine how likely harmful impacts are. ELOS’ field team is experienced in identifying suitable habitats and evidence of endangered species in the Southeastern US Region. We can make thorough assessments, predict impact likelihood, and coordinate with agencies through final clearance. This knowledge is also essential for designing conservation plans, establishing protected areas, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Wetland Restoration and Compensatory Mitigation: ELOS routinely conducts biological performance monitoring on commercial mitigation projects and wetland restoration projects in various wetland habitats. Extensive vegetative, soil, hydrology, and wildlife data collection and interpretation are required to document ecological success in wetland mitigation and restoration activities.  ELOS has many years of experience assisting clients with maintaining ecological balance and supporting biodiversity as part of a structured restoration or mitigation plan.

Bird Nesting Assessments/Abatement: In some projects, agencies will require an assessment of the potential impact on colonial nesting birds, migratory birds, or other birds protected by statute or treaty. Bald eagles and ospreys, shore birds (several of which are threatened or endangered), wading birds, and migratory songbirds are present in many project areas and protected to varying degrees. ELOS field biologists are experienced in identifying protected birds, planning for nest avoidance, and working with construction managers and wildlife agencies to discourage bird use in active construction areas.

Construction Compliance Monitoring: ELOS’ experience in environmental regulatory permits allows us to assist clients during the post-permitting project implementation phase by synthesizing the many permits authorizing the work and advising the client through construction to ensure that the work remains compliant with the regulatory provisions contained in the authorizations. Large construction or infrastructure projects can benefit tremendously from the reduced risk of enforcement action or regulatory work stoppage.