All soil assessments and reporting are tailored to our clients’ needs. A minimum of two soil boring are recommended for seasonal high saturation determinations and a minimum of four borings are recommended for subsurface investigations. Classification of the soils are optional but often support the findings and any engineering needs for project design.

Formal Wetland Delineation (State and Federal Methods): Determining the extent of wetlands requires an understanding of natural vegetation communities, hydrology, soils, and plant identification. The state and federal methods for wetland delineation both require and evaluation of the plants, soils, and hydrology, however, the state method only requires that two of the three are indicative of wet conditions. The state methodology is detailed in Chapter 62-340 Florida

Administrative Code and is implemented by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The federal method is detailed in the 1987 Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and the Atlantic and Gulf Coast Regional Supplement. Richardson previously worked with the St. Johns River Management District and provided soil and wetland delineation training to staff from Brevard County north to Nassau County and supported FDEP wetland delineation trainings. Richardson can complete formal and informal wetland determination accurately and efficiently.

Forensic Wetland Assessments: Oftentimes a land owner may clear property or dig ponds without considering that there may be regulatory restrictions. When the vegetation or soils have been substantially altered a forensic wetland assessment may be required. A forensic wetland assessment may require digging trenches to assess buried soil characteristics, there may be adjacent property that can support an assessment, and a review of aerial imagery and other remote sensing data is typically needed. Forensic wetland assessments are common when a regulatory agency is pursuing a compliance action against a land owner.

Compliance: Compliance can take many forms and require multiple follow-up actions. Oftentimes remaining in compliance with permit conditions requires some action, such as monitoring, recording conservation easements, or implementation of mitigation. Sometimes activities are completed that may have required a permit and the regulatory agency is pursuing compliance action against a land owner.

In either case, we are here to help. Richardson can complete monitoring actions, assist in the recording of conservation easements, and complete forensic wetland assessments to support our clients’ needs.

Permitting: Local, State, and Federal agencies may regulate activities from land clearing, to impacting wetlands, to constructing docks. We will help our clients through the permitting process and coordinate with regulatory agencies to try and identify and minimize hurdles.

Mitigation: When adverse impacts occur to wetlands mitigation is typically required. We can develop simple to complex mitigation plans to fully address our clients’ needs. Mitigation may include preservation, enhancement, restoration, or creation of wetlands or the purchase of mitigation bank credits.

Monitoring: Monitoring may be required by a permit condition, to support mitigation success, or as part of regional water supply studies. Our monitoring efforts focus on identifying soil characteristics and vegetation species. Monitoring may be quantitative or qualitative and will be completed to the specifications required. Monitoring reports will be prepared consistent with any regulatory criteria and will be provided to the client and/or regulatory agency.

Feasibility studies are regularly needed to determine what use a piece of property may have and identify any regulatory hurdles that may need to be addressed. These studies can involve a wetland determination, identification of optimal septic drainfield location, depth to seasonal high water table, and potential occurrence of Threatened and Endangered Species. A report will be provided to the client documenting all site features and recommendations.

Richardson has been an expert witness in two administrative hearings and a fact witness in one civil trial. Richardson has also provide expertise for two eminent domain cases with respect to soil quality. Richardson is a Certified Professional Soil Scientist and is an expert wetland delineator. He will work to fully understand your case and provide recommendations and guidance with respect to soil and wetland assessments.

Hydric Soils: Many environmental scientists have limited expertise regarding identification of hydric soils. Richardson has provided soils training to the public and private sector from central Florida to South Carolina. Richardson removes the mystery of soils and helps students understand how and why wetland soils form. Richardson will tailor a soil training to fit your needs. Contact us today!

Wetland Delineation: Richardson has been involved with many wetland delineations in very complex situations. Have permanent hydrologic alterations resulted in the loss of wetland conditions? Has fire suppression allowed wetland species to encroach into the upland community. Richardson can provide entry level to advanced wetland delineation training tailored to your needs. Contact us today!