Services

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watershed assessments and restoration prioritization 

RestoratioN project 
Feasibility and design

Ecosystem Markets and
Mitigation Banking

environmental Mitigation

WETLAND SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING

data analysis and Gis

Wetland Science and
Environmental Permitting

Our expertise in this area includes wetland and stream delineations, wetland functions assessments, Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation, and aquatic resource permitting.

Cascade provides wetland and stream delineation services throughout the Pacific Northwest, with experience using the Arid West and Mountains, Valleys, and Coast delineation manual regional supplements. We have delineated wetlands and streams for transportation and transmission corridor projects, recently disturbed sites, urban sites, and other problem areas.

Cascade has assessed wetlands of all hydrogeomorphic types found in Oregon and Washington. Our staff have served on the technical review team for Washington State's Wetlands Rating System, served on the calibration team for the Wetland Functions Assessment Method, and were contributing authors for the Wetland Functions Characterization Tool for Linear Projects. We are also trained in the Oregon Rapid Wetland Assessment Protocol (ORWAP) and have applied these methods to a range of wetland types and settings. Our staff have developed peer-reviewed, site-specific functions assessment methods and have modified existing functions assessment models to fit case-specific circumstances. Our expertise allows us to complete and interpret wetland functions assessment results and troubleshoot assessment models to make certain the results are applied appropriately.

Cascade staff provide federal ESA consultation services for species regulated by both the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service. We work with clients to identify reasonable and prudent measures to minimize the effects of development on listed fish, wildlife, and plant species, expediting the permitting process while minimizing project costs. We have experience with surveys for special status species throughout Washington and Oregon and preparation of the documentation required for ESA compliance.

Cascade develops permit applications for projects affecting aquatic resources, using Washington's Joint Aquatic Resource Application and Oregon's Joint Permit Application. Our staff has gained approval for local, state, and federal permits covering a range of project types and ecological settings. We recognize that project permitting is based on clear descriptions of aquatic resource conditions and construction project elements. We present information in graphics, tables, and clearly organized text to avoid re-submittals resulting from unclear presentation of material. We receive topical listserv notifications from Washington State Department of Ecology and Oregon Department of State Lands and we attend consultant forums and regional professional conferences to remain on the forefront of the regulatory environment.

example projects

Fernhill NTS Wetlands Vegetation and Biodiversity Analyses
Newell Creek Canyon
Shoalwater Bay Mitigation Bank
Wapato Valley Mitigation and Conservation Bank Wetland Support
Gallagher Creek Mitigation Site
Wetland Delineations for Adapt Engineering
Chehalis Basin Mitigation Bank