North Beach Outfall Replacement Project, Port Townsend, WA 2019 – Present
Marine Surveys & Assessments partnered with Jacobs Engineering on an outfall replacement project for the City of Port Townsend at North Beach Park. MSA conducted a Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Survey for quantitative density data in conformance with the protocols approved by WDFW, and DNR, and USACE. The SAV Survey results were used to determine where the new outfall pipe should be placed to have the least amount of environmental impact on the native beds vegetation. GIS mapping and data analysis helped refine the placement of the proposed pipe. Eelgrass, kelp and surf grass transplantation surveys were done, and a Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan was developed to ascribe the least temporal and most successful transplant methodologies to return the impacted site to its previous condition. Long-term monitoring will be required to confirm re-establishment of the kelp, seagrass, and eelgrass habitat.
Ocean City State Park, Wetland and Hydrological Study, WA. 2021
A wetland, stream, groundwater, and habitat study to gather data to help determine the root cause(s) of Ocean City State Park’s history of flooding problems. By gaining a better understanding of the surface water hydrology system, the park is hoping to develop a more informed management plan for the future. The park has several factors that make determining the source of the flooding difficult, including sea level rise, invasive yellow flag iris and beaver dams clogging the streams, new development to the north, and a discontinuation of dredge work that used to be conducted in the drainages.
Olympic Water and Sewer Geoduck Survey, Port Ludlow, WA. 2017
Olympic Water and Sewer operates a Wastewater Treatment Plant at the mouth of Port Ludlow Bay in North Hood Canal. Marine Surveys & Assessments conducted a wide-scale survey to establish current geoduck density in the overlapping area of the commercial geoduck zone and the Port Ludlow Outfall Prohibited Area (approximately 679 acres). The purpose of the survey was to ensure that the DNR resource revenue loss calculation impacting Olympic Water and Sewer be based on the most current and accurate geoduck density data. MSA utilized previously established WDFW geoduck survey protocol to implement a 148 transect survey to provide a more representative sampling of this overlapping zone. A siphon show-plot was established to the south of the survey, and the show plot was revisited on each day the survey took place in order to determine show factors and adjust observed densities within the survey. GIS mapping and a survey report were also provided.
North Olympic Salmon Coalition/Kodama Farm, Chimacum, WA. 2018
Marine Surveys & Assessments was contracted by the North Olympic Salmon Coalition (NOSC) to conduct a wetland delineation to determine wetland boundary lines at Kodama Farm in Chimacum Valley, Washington. The wetland boundaries were flagged during the delineation to determine buffers and building setback lines. The delineation and subsequent rating provided the client with the necessary information for future development. A wetland delineation report was then completed with a wetland rating, including GIS mapping, for submittal to Jefferson County.
Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) Determination and Stream Typing for InPeak Properties, Poulsbo, WA. October 2019
MSA performed an Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) determination including GIS and stream typing to determine how far upland the stream buffer would extend, informing clients of buffers and building setback lines. MSA also worked with the clients to develop a potential landscape and vegetation restoration plan to offset any impacts. For OHWM determinations and stream typing, a strong background in native vegetation (specifically vegetation found in “Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Regions”) is required.
Jamestown Tower LLC; Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Sequim, WA June 2019
Marine Surveys & Assessments conducted a Habitat Survey assessing upland habitat, wildlife, and vegetation, along with a wetland determination and GIS mapping for a proposed telecommunication tower and gravel utility road. A Biological Assessment was then completed to comply with the Federal Communication Commission’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) criteria to evaluate potential impacts to threatened or endangered species and associated critical habitat.
Tesoro Eelgrass Monitoring Project. Anacortes, WA. 2018
Marine Surveys & Assessments was contracted by Tesoro Oil and Gas to conduct biennial monitoring for eelgrass densities along a 2,500 ft section of a transfer causeway. Lead Scientific Diver Bryan De Caterina led a team of four MSA divers to survey the habitat and record eelgrass densities. MSA handled all preparational logistics, mapping, data collection and transcription, monitoring, and report writing for this project.