In today’s world, whether you are developing a large tract of land, or just trying to build your own home, the number of environmental considerations and permits required seem to be ever increasing. Natural Resources Associates can help you determine what may be an issue, and then handle it appropriately. We feel that the natural environment is important and its benefits have been well established. At the same time, however, we know that development and other activities must go on. We are here to help what can seem to be opposing needs and requirements come together in a beneficial way.
Some of the permitting issues that you may need our assistance with include:
- ENDANGERED SPECIES
- Florida Scrub-jay: Exploratory surveys can be done at any time for the information of the landowner or prospective land owner, but the bird’s behavior generally makes these less reliable in the winter months (November – February). Regulatory Surveys, or surveys done to fulfill the requirements of the USFWS so that the land can be cleared and /or developed, must be done between March 1st and October 31st. If scrub-jays are found, options typically include mitigation, such as replacing the impacted habitat, or contributing to a fund to manage a mitigation area. Each county may be different because of individual agreements between them and the USFWS, however.
- Gopher Tortoise: Surveys can be done any time of year. If gopher tortoises are found, there may be options to, avoid the burrow(s), set aside a portion of the site for the tortoises, or to relocate them to a certified recipient site. Capture and relocation can be dependent on weather and needs to be done when the Low Temperature is above 50F.
- Bald Eagle: While the regulations concerning eagles are less strict than in previous times, there are still highly enforced laws prohibiting the impact of either eagles or their nests. Permits can be obtained to allow construction activity near a nest with certain parameters. These permits often require that the nest be monitored during the activity.
- Other: There are many other protected species. They each have regulations associated with them which we can assist with.
- HABITAT / ECOSYSTEM MITIGATION & RESTORATION
- This includes mitigation for impacts already made, as well as permitting for impacts that are planned.
- Restoration plans are often a part of mitigation, or sometimes done for other purposes.
- TREE SURVEYS
- Many counties have ordinances protecting trees. Whether it is for all trees, or just the designated “Grand” or “Heritage” trees, Natural Resources Associates can assist in obtaining the necessary tree removal permits.
- WETLANDS
- Federal and state regulations require that all wetlands be protected. Sometimes, however, impacts cannot be avoided. Natural Resources Associates can assist in delineating the official wetland edge, mitigating wetland impacts, restoring and maintaining wetlands and finding wetland mitigation sites.