R.K.R. Hess has the proven capability to deal with
wetland issues and with the impact of wetland regulations on
property owners and their plans. We have been dealing with these
wetland issues since they first began to affect property owners
during the 1980's. Services which we can provide include the
following:
R.K.R. Hess has the experienced personnel required to successfully complete projects in all of these areas. Our staff includes professional wetland scientists, soil scientists, hydrologists, engineers, planners and surveyors. Our staff has the knowledge, experience and ability to deal with the wetland issues which may affect your project.
1. PRELIMINARY WETLAND
INVESTIGATIONS
A person intending to purchase a property or to design a project will often find it advantageous to have a preliminary wetland investigation performed as a first step in the process. The first step of the investigation is a review of available records such as the county soil survey, FEMA flood hazard maps, National Wetland Inventory Maps, etc. A wetland biologist then performs a field reconnaissance on the property to determine the approximate location and extent of any regulated wetlands on the site. The results of the investigation are then sketched on a map of the property.
The property owner/purchaser may use the results of the preliminary investigation to determine whether the site is suitable or feasible for his proposed project. The cost of this type of project is relatively low, and the results will reveal whether a site is suitable for a project before significant resources are invested in land purchase or project design. To request more information on wetland services performed by the professionals at R.K.R. Hess Associates contact webmaster@rkrhess.com.
2. SMALL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
Many residential developments contain areas of regulated wetlands. Many lot purchasers, and their real estate agents and attorneys, have recognized the desirability in having a property checked for the presence of wetlands prior to its purchase. The obvious benefit of this action is to avoid the purchase of an unbuildable lot. R.K.R. Hess has examined hundreds of residential lots for potential sellers, purchasers, real estate agents, etc. to assist them in determining whether the properties are suitable for their desired uses.
Current lot owners also find it advantageous to have their lots checked for the presence of wetlands prior to having a dwelling constructed on the site. This can avoid the penalties and expense of building a house in a wetland area without the required state and federal permits. If wetlands are present on a lot it may be possible to obtain the permits necessary to fill enough of the area to allow construction of a house on the property. R.K.R. Hess has been successful in obtaining such wetland encroachment permits for lot owners in communities such as Stillwater Lakes, Lake Naomi and Pocono Lake Preserve. The new PADEP permit (GP-15) will simplify the application process to allow the filling of small areas of wetland on some residential lots. R.K.R. Hess can assist the lot owner in determining whether his/her lot will qualify for the new simple permit, and we can complete the applications for those lots which do qualify. To request more information on wetland services performed by the professionals at R.K.R. Hess Associates contact webmaster@rkrhess.com.
3. WETLAND DELINEATIONS, LARGE
TRACTS
An early step in the process of planning the development of a tract of land is to delineate (identify and locate) the extent of any regulated wetlands on the property. A tract map showing the location of regulated wetlands is a planning tool which is necessary in order to devise a development plan which both meets the owner's objectives and is suitable for the site. A recommended follow-up to the wetland delineation is the submission of a delineation report to the US Army Corps of Engineers with a request for a Jurisdictional Determination which is an official confirmation and verification of the delineated wetland boundary. The use of an accurate wetland delineation in the planning process will avoid the costly mistake of unknowingly disturbing a wetland without the necessary permits.
R.K.R. Hess wetland biologists have performed wetland delineations and obtained Jurisdictional Determinations for properties ranging in size from less than 10 acres to well in excess of 1000 acres throughout the region. To request more information on wetland services performed by the professionals at R.K.R. Hess Associates contact webmaster@rkrhess.com.
4. WETLAND ENCROACHMENT PERMIT
APPLICATIONS
Our planners will design your project to either avoid or have minimal impact on regulated wetlands. On some projects, wetland encroachment cannot be completely avoided if the property owner is to achieve his/her objectives. If your project does require wetland encroachment permits for road crossings, commercial development, etc, R.K.R. Hess has the experienced staff necessary to provide the detailed engineering, hydrological and environmental impact analysis required by the permitting regulatory agencies. We have obtained wetland encroachment permits for municipal road construction/improvement projects, commercial site developments, recreational developments, and road crossings to provide access for residential developments. We have a good working relationship with the regulatory agencies and we can design a project which will meet their requirements for approval. To request more information on wetland services performed by the professionals at R.K.R. Hess Associates contact webmaster@rkrhess.com..
5. WETLAND MITIGATION AND
RESTORATION
A condition of approval for some wetland encroachment permits is the creation of a new wetland area to compensate for the area of wetland lost to the project. This wetland creation or the restoration of a previously disturbed wetland may also be required to resolve a violation of wetland regulations which is being pursued by the regulatory agencies. A requirement of any such mitigation or restoration project is that the resulting project area is to be judged a successful functioning wetland within five years of construction. It is important that a suitable site be selected and that the new wetland be designed properly if the required successful results are to be achieved.
R.K.R. Hess has designed and received approval for wetland creation/restoration plans for small projects on residential lots as well as for larger municipal and commercial projects.
Our multidisciplinary team of professionals has the knowledge and experience to select a suitable site and design a wetland area which will meet the requirements of your project. All of the mitigation/restoration areas which we have designed and on which construction has been completed are successfully functioning wetlands. To request more information on wetland services performed by the professionals at R.K.R. Hess Associates contact webmaster@rkrhess.com.
RKR Hess Home Page
Back to Client Services
Page