On behalf of the BREC, Chenier Environmental Consulting, LLC (Chenier) and CSRS inc. (Project Team) conducted a Wetland Delineation of a 130-acre tract in Baker, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.

The purpose was to collect field data, habitat descriptions, and other pertinent information on the three diagnostic characteristics of wetlands and non-wetland Waters of the United States (WOUS) within the survey boundary.

Wetlands and watercourses were delineated in accordance with the USACE Wetland Delineation Manual (USACE Environmental Laboratory 1987) and Interim Regional Supplement of the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual: Atlantic and Gulf Coast Region (USACE 2010).

The features were described based on field assessments and reviews of readily available data, including NWI maps, NRCS soil surveys, 7.5-minute USGS topographic quadrangles maps, and USGS NHD data.

Services Provided:
Coordinated access with landowners

Conducted field reconnaissance

Obtained and assimilated historical data

Prepared Wetland Delineation Report

Chenier assisted with the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Third-Party Environmental Impact Statement – BA-0153. As the Resources Lead (Wetlands and Waters of the U.S.), Chenier was responsible for data gathering and compilation, and preparation of Analysis of Affected Environments, and Environmental Consequences sections of the report. Chenier participated on the Modelling Working Group (MWG) and Habitat Evaluation Team (HET).

The MWG assessed methods used to calibrate and validate Delft3D Model as well as parameters used in the wetland vegetation models. The MWG also reviewed preliminary model results and determined output format for incorporation into the EIS.

The HET provided technical input on the methods for predicting benefits of the proposed alternatives including Wetland Value Assessment (WVA) assumptions (project life, target years, HH modeling, bathymetry, SLR) and provides technical comments to the Delft modeling team.

Services Provided:
Preparation of EIS

Resources Lead – Wetland Resources and Waters of the U.S.

Data gathering and compilation

Gap analysis

Analysis of affected environments

Environmental consequences

Modeling Working Group

Habitat Evaluation Team

Chenier was a lead author and project manager for the Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion (BS-30) Third-Party Environmental Impact Statement project. Chenier served as the Natural Resources Technical Lead and was responsible for preparation of the Wetland Resources and Waters of the U.S., Terrestrial Wildlife and Habitat, Aquatic Resources, Water Quality, Essential Fish Habitat, and Threatened and Endangered Species sections of the report.

In this role, Chenier provided project management support and participated in interagency meetings and conference calls with federal, state, and local agencies to support NEPA coordination and compliance.

Chenier conducted comprehensive reviews of CPRA-provided technical documents including existing conditions, alternatives analysis, modeling, habitat suitability indices, and environmental consequences.

Chenier’s responsibilities also included ensuring consistency across technical disciplines, identifying data gaps and potential resource impacts, supporting agency comment responses, and integrating interdisciplinary feedback into the EIS to facilitate informed decision making.

Services Provided:
Natural Resources Lead

Data gathering and compilation

Gap analysis

Technical reviews and writing

Analysis of affected environments

Environmental consequences

Modeling Working Group

Habitat Evaluation Team

Chenier provided regulatory support to obtain USACE authorization to implement the Bayou D’Inde/Lower Canal Sediment Remediation Project.

Specific tasks included: preparing USACE Section 404 Permit application package, facilitating pre-application meetings and coordination with State and Federal regulatory agencies, preparing responses to agency and public comments, and developing a compensatory mitigation plan. The constructed project remediated approximately 180 acres of impacted soils in the Calcasieu Estuary.

Services Provided:
Prepared USACE Section 404/10 Permit Application Package

Prepared LDNR Coastal Use Permit Application Package

Prepared supporting documents to obtain state and federal permits

Compensatory Mitigation Planning

On behalf of the City of Central, Chenier Environmental Consulting, LLC (Chenier) and CSRS inc. (Project Team) conducted a Wetland Delineation of a 500-acre tract in Central, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.

The purpose was to collect field data, habitat descriptions, and other pertinent information on the three diagnostic characteristics of wetlands and non-wetland Waters of the United States (WOUS) within the survey boundary. Wetlands and watercourses were delineated in accordance with the USACE Wetland Delineation Manual (USACE Environmental Laboratory 1987) and Interim Regional Supplement of the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual: Atlantic and Gulf Coast Region (USACE 2010). The features were described based on field assessments and reviews of readily available data, including NWI maps, NRCS soil surveys, 7.5-minute USGS topographic quadrangles maps, and USGS NHD data.

Services Provided:
Coordinated access with landowners

Conducted field reconnaissance

Obtained and assimilated historical data

Prepared Wetland Delineation Report

On behalf of the Parish Water Company, Chenier prepared and submitted a USACE Nationwide Permit Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) package for the installation of a drinking water utility line beneath the Comite River near Baker, Louisiana.

Chenier also prepared and submitted a Biological Assessment and Scenic Rivers Permit Application Package to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Chenier conducted a desktop review of the Office of Cultural Development (OCD) Standing Structures database and performed an Endangered Species Act (ESA) project review to assess the potential effects to federally listed threatened and endangered species (T&E) and their critical habitat (CH) using the USFWS online application.

Services Provided:
Biological Assessment

USACE Permit Application

LDWF Scenic River Permit

Cultural Resources Desktop Review

Threatened and Endangered Species Survey

Chenier is conducting a reconnaissance geophysical and geotechnical investigation to better understand Ship Shoal’s sediment characteristics and to quantify the available volume of restoration quality sediment within the shoal.

By accurately delineating the shoal boundaries and estimating the shoal’s thickness based on existing and newly collected geophysical and geotechnical data, we will be able to calculate the available volume of sediment available for restoration projects.

The volume of sediment available for restoration use within Ship Shoal is limited by a dense network of oil and gas related infrastructure. The geophysical data we collect will provide an accurate idea of oil and gas platforms and pipeline locations across the shoal. This will provide a better and more current understanding of the volume of sediment within the shoal that is accessible for dredging.

This information is crucial to Louisiana’s Regional Sediment Management Program. Implementation of the Coastal Master Plan (CMP) for restoration and protection of coastal Louisiana depends heavily on a comprehensive Louisiana Sediment Management Plan (LASMP) that integrates various restoration quality/compatible sediment emplacement mechanisms. Delineation of shoal boundaries will also provide baseline data that can be used to track future shoal migration.

Services Provided:
Project management

Field data collection (geophysical and geotechnical)

Data analysis and management

Technical report preparation

Literature review

Chenier is assisting Coastal Estuary Services, LLC by assisting with field data collection and management including hydrology (salinity, specific conductance, water level, and temperature), surface elevation, accretion, soil properties, and vegetation (composition and cover).

The Coastwide Reference Monitoring System (CRMS) was designed to monitor the effectiveness of restoration actions at multiple spatial scales from individual projects to the influence of projects on the entire coastal landscape.

The CRMS design includes a suite of sites encompassing a range of ecological conditions in swamp habitats and fresh, intermediate, brackish, and salt marshes. Approximately 390 sites are monitored using standardized data collection techniques and fixed sampling schedules.

Chenier also assists with hurricane damage assessments, sample sorting and processing, data entry, QA/QC, and site construction due to damages.  Chenier is currently supporting the Houma, Belle Chasse and Laplace field offices.

Services Provided:
Program management

Hurricane damage assessments

Field data collection and management (hydrology, surface elevation, accretion, vegetation)

On behalf of Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), Chenier Environmental Consulting, LLC (Chenier) conducted a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) of the 647-acre Breton Land Bridge Marsh Creation (West) project area in Region 2, Breton Basin, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

The Phase I ESA was performed in general conformance with the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process, ASTM E1527-13 and the All-Appropriate Inquiry Standard per the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR §312.

The intent of this Phase I ESA is to provide CPRA with information on potential liability concerns in connection with the Property.

Services Provided:
Coordinated access with landowners

Conducted environmental site field reconnaissance

Obtained and assimilated historical data

Obtained and reviewed oil and gas infrastructure data with respect to potential impacts to the site

Prepared Phase I Environmental Site Assessment/HTRW

The Lake Borgne Marsh Creation Project is a large-scale restoration strategy for the southwestern shoreline of Lake Borgne that will restore degraded intertidal marsh habitat through strategic placement of dredge material.

The comprehensive project will restore approximately 4,100 acres of marsh habitat and be implemented in three increments though multiple design and construction phases. The current project, funded through the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA) will focus on the implementation of Increment One (PO-0180) with an estimated area of 1,548 acres.

The project objectives were to review and summarize known environmental resources based on previous investigations in the Lake Borgne Marsh Creation (LBMC) Project – Increment One area and to provide recommendations for impact avoidance relevant to project design and construction.

The Project Team prepared a list of available data sources and conducted a preliminary review of those sources for potential use in the project. The Project Team conducted a habitat survey then drafted and submitted a Technical Memorandum focusing on identifying the presence of, or potential habitat for, Threatened and Endangered (T&E) species, Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), and species covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Additional resources discussed included potential impacts to wading bird/nesting colonies and submerged aquatic vegetation. The intent of this task was to identify environmental resource issues that could influence the selection of the borrow area and design of the marsh creation fill area. Chenier also prepared a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment.

Services Provided:
Data Review and Assimilation – Technical Memo for Baseline Biological Site Conditions

Field Surveys and Reporting

CPRA and Project Team Coordination

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

On behalf of Magnolia Terminal, LLC (Client), Chenier Environmental Consulting, LLC (Chenier) and Surveys Unlimited Research Associates (SURA) (Project Team) conducted a Phase I Cultural Resource Management Survey (CRM) of the 1,230-acre lot located off Highway 23 in West Point à la Hache, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

The Phase I CRM survey was conducted in general conformance with the field and reporting standards established by the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, Division of Archaeology.

The purpose of the Phase I CRM survey was to identify, locate, and define the boundaries of any archaeological resources within the project area. The survey further evaluated the presence and potential significance of cultural resources or artifacts that could be affected by the proposed development.

Results of the survey are intended to support regulatory compliance, assess potential project-related impacts to cultural resources, and, where applicable, inform avoidance, minimization, or mitigation strategies consistent with state and federal preservation guidelines.

Services Provided:
Coordinated access with landowners

Conducted shovel test and archeological delineations

Obtained and assimilated historical data

Prepared Phase I Cultural Resource Management Assessment

On behalf of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, Chenier Environmental Consulting, LLC (Chenier) and CSRS inc. (Project Team) conducted two Wetland Delineations on approximately 1,750-acre and 470-acre tracts near Elton, Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana.

The purpose was to collect field data, habitat descriptions, and other pertinent information on the three diagnostic characteristics of wetlands and non-wetland Waters of the United States (WOUS) within the survey boundary.

Wetlands and watercourses were delineated in accordance with the USACE Wetland Delineation Manual (USACE Environmental Laboratory 1987) and Interim Regional Supplement of the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual: Atlantic and Gulf Coast Region (USACE 2010).

The features were described based on field assessments and reviews of readily available data, including NWI maps, NRCS soil surveys, 7.5-minute USGS topographic quadrangles maps, and USGS NHD data.

Services Provided:
Coordinated access with landowners

Conducted field reconnaissance

Obtained and assimilated historical data

Prepared Wetland Delineation Report