Fish

 

FISH STUDIES

Curtis Wambach, M.S. Principal and Senior Biologist has more than 15 years of experience in performing fish studies for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the private sector. We have performed fish studies for Cities, such as the City of Marysville, and for hatcheries, developers, and other private sector Clients. Often stream buffers depend on fish use. Thereby, fish studies aid in stream classification and can determine buffer widths and allowable adjacent land use. Some jurisdictions require a stream study when a project is located within the watershed of certain drainage basins.

We perform fish studies using techniques that include seining, electrofishing, surveying, minnow traps, and tagging. Proper scientific collection permits are obtain to perform the study. Study techniques vary depending on the type of study required.

Salmon: We perform salmon and trout studies to determine fish use in streams, rivers, or basins. Downstream analyses are performed to determine fish presence, considering fish barriers, water capacity, and other limiting factors. We prepare studies and reports that clearly identify fish usage of a watercourse or basin, quantify land use impacts, and propose measures to off-set those impacts.

Olympia Mudminnow: EnviroVector performs mudminnow studies to determine species presence within 1000 feet of a site. The Olympic mudminnow is a protected species in western Washington. Mudminnows prefer mud-bottom, very slow moving streams that flow less than 3 cm/sec. EnviroVector has performed mudminnow studies on properties containing wetlands and slow-moving streams in the southern Puget Sound area. Our mudminnow and other fish studies are prepared to comply with Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements.

 

Mussel Float
Hatchery Structure
Salmon Studies

 

STREAMS & RIVERS

EnviroVector classifies and characterizes streams, ditches, drainages, and watercourses to determine buffer widths and development constraints. We determine fish presence, usage, and habitat applying a variety of methodologies, including electrofishing, seining, habitat studies, minnow traps, downstream analysis, and fish trapping. We perform downstream analyses to document fish barriers and obstructions, such as water falls, poor water quality, culverts, beaver dams, low water levels caused by sheet slow, velocity barriers, and other structures and conditions. We prepare stream mitigation plans, biological evaluations, stream relocations, flood control, erosion control, beaver management, habitat management plans.

Curtis Wambach, M.S., Principal and Senior Biologist, has over 15 years of experience performing fish studies as a biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and as a private consultant. EnviroVector prepares Habitat Management Plans (HMPs), Habitat Assessment Reports, and fish studies that are required by Federal, State, and local regulatory agencies during the land use permit process when sensitive fish species or habitats are present. These reports describe the existing fish habitat, use patterns, species presence, projects impacts, and mitigation or conservation measures. We identify fish species that may occur in a reach of a watercourse, determine possible impacts as a result of land use, and propose conservation measures to off-set potential impacts. We prepare Biological Assessments (BAs) addressing potential impacts to Federally-listed fish species and their habitat as a result of land use projects.

HABITAT & EROSION CONTROL

Moving water causes erosion to riverbanks, channels, levees, and valuable river-side property. EnviroVector provides services to provide required plans, designs, environmental reports, and permitting to protect your shoreline and your property. We will classify streams, wetlands, and shorelines, assess property damage, and propose measures to repair and protect your shoreline, to prevent future damage, and to protect and enhance the resource.

Road & culvert washouts are common during the winter months in the Pacific northwest. We provide the quickest and easiest solutions that will allow for fast and efficient repairs restoring important assess to your property. A thorough environmental evaluation allows for repairs to occur that will minimize impacts to streams, riparian habitat, wildlife, and fish usage.

HATCHERY

Curtis Wambach, M.S., Principal & Senior Biologist has permitted water dependent uses associated with resource harvest for over 15 years as the permit manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and as a private consultant. EnviroVector skillfully prepares permit applications and required marine studies for agency approval of aquaculture and marine resource harvest. We perform analyses of environmental impacts and propose measures to off-set those impacts. We prepare Biological Assessments as a part of Section 7 consultation to satisfy Federal requirements under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). State and local permit applications and resource studies are also prepared to satisfy State and local requirements that address protected species, habitats, water quality standards, and the marine ecosystem.