Marine and Limnologic Support Services
Conduct detailed data collections to provide baseline data or assess potential
environmental impact. Services include vessel and
sampling support for
limnological and oceanographic studies including bathymetric,
side-scan,
sub-bottom surveys; collection of surface water and sediment grab or core
samples for chemical or benthic analysis; surveys of water quality, epifauna,
fish, shellfish, and vegetation; and underwater photography and video.
A number of survey vessels with crew are available for charter from CR Environmental. Specification sheets are available on-line and can be augmented and mailed upon request. They include a 16-foot jon-boat; a 22-foot fiberglass survey vessel; 27-foot, and 32-foot aluminum survey and research vessels; and fishing vessels ranging from 26 to 105 feet including three vessels already modified for oceanographic survey work, the 55-foot Barbara L. Peters, 91-foot Isabel S, and 100-foot Atlantic. CR maintains a pool of oceanographic equipment for use on these vessels and a coring raft.
Review of aerial photographs and resource maps followed by site verification to
identify the presence and extent of wetlands. Field surveys of coastal and
freshwater wetland and riverine systems to characterize surface hydrology,
wildlife habitat, identify hydric soil categories and conduct vegetation
analyses. Review projects and suggest measures to reduce impacts to wetlands
through erosion control, and the replacement or restoration of impacted
wetlands. Design, supervise the construction of, and monitor created wetlands.
Regulatory compliance evaluations of projects to establish jurisdiction under
applicable State and Federal regulations, and the preparation of permit
applications for wetlands, water quality compliance and coastal zone
consistency. Assistance in the preparation of State Environmental Impact Reports
and Federal Environmental Impact Statements for projects which impact wetlands.
Assessment of potential short-term, long-term and cumulative impacts to ecosystem functions due to project activities, site contaminants, or nutrient excess, through site investigations, bioassessments, toxicity testing, and the use of simple models, and literature review. Evaluation of environmentally sensitive areas, e.g., wetlands, and preparation of ecological risk assessments for sites regulated by the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP), CERCLA, or RCRA.
Contacts: Chip Ryther (Oceanographic Operations) Charlotte Cogswell (Wetlands/EcoRisk)