Ocean Consulting specializes in processing and procuring environmental permits for both domestic and international coastal projects. In Florida, we work closely with both large scale developers and single-family home owners to obtain Environmental Resource, Coastal Construction, and other related specialty permits, depending on the unique circumstances surrounding each project. Through extensive experience in the regulatory review process, coupled with a strong background in marine science, coastal engineering, and coastal law, we have cultivated excellent working relationships with agency staff at federal, state, county, and local regulatory agencies. Our attention to detail and personal interaction with all of our clients have afforded us a reputation in the industry for being efficient, honest, and goal-oriented.
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are investigations geared towards describing the conditions of an area proposed for development and, through scientific analyses, how a location may change once a project comes to fruition. These assessments are generally prepared for large-scale international projects.
EIAs provide an extensive review of the physical, biological, meteorological and oceanographic conditions at a proposed project site, including wind, wave, tide, and current analyses; topography, soil formations, and water drainage assessments; and storm susceptibility, 100-year storm impact projections, and prevalent weather conditions reviews. Marine and terrestrial surveys review the coastal ecosystems, like coral reefs, seagrass beds, wetlands, and dunes that may be impacted by a proposed development. In addition, the human element within the vicinity of a project site is also assessed concomitantly with the biological and physical to understand how local communities will be affected by a project. Historical uses, socio-economic resources, and utilities availability and usage are all evaluated for Environmental Impact Assessments. Ultimately, these assessments enable us to fulfill our Client's individual goals, while protecting and enhancing valuable resources.
Ocean Consulting provides hands-on data collecting and analysis, even in remote, challenging locales. We are capable of performing full scale surveys that incorporate the varied disciplines generally addressed in Environmental Impact Assessments. Because of our extensive experience in drafting these reports for projects facing a myriad of issues, we are able to provide thorough and respected feedback to different governments and offer sound mitigation strategizing.
An integral part of any new coastal development is an asssement of the natural resources within a project site and in its vicinity. Ocean Consulting performs full-scale marine and terrestrial resource surveys using the latest quantitative and qualitative field measurement techniques and mapping equipment. Generally Ocean Consulting biologists classify the habitat and its overall health, identify species of interest and measure their density within the site, and describe what impacts will result if a project comes to fruition. If requested, these surveys can also include mitigation strategies for unavoidable impacts.
Ocean Consulting’s natural resource surveys can be used for project feasibility analyses at the onset of a project or they can serve as required supplements in government-reviewed permit applications, and ultimately permit acquisition.
Hydrographic surveys gather information about navigable waters for the purposes of safe navigation of vessels. Hydrographic surveys can also be used to determine if adequate depths pre-exist at a project site prior to construction, or if dredging will be required. Coupled with the marine resource surveys, hydrographic surveys provide a detailed view of the benthic substrata so coastal engineers can design a project that both minimizes impacts to marine resources utilizing the area and allows for safe navigation.
Water quality monitoring is an integral part of many coastal projects. Data ranging from the concentration of harmful heavy metals to the turbidity of a water body are required to fulfill permit conditions, acquire a permit, or understand how baseline conditions may be affected by a proposed project. Ocean Consulting is capable of daily on-site monitoring, if required.
To understand the unique physical and natural attributes of a proposed project site, a site investigation – or several – is often required. Data gathered during these investigations can help determine the type of permit a project qualifies for, the proper mitigation required to fulfill project goals, and the best possible project design given the limitations of a site.
Ocean Consulting works with its clients and relevant government agencies to formulate the most appropriate mitigation strategies that may be required for permit acquisition.
Our staff of certified coastal engineers provide detailed analyses of the coastal environment of a project site, including its physical nature and the natural forces that effect the littoral environment on a daily or century time scale. Our engineers utilize the most advanced and efficient tools to understand the coast environment of a project site. Ocean Consulting has expertise in the following areas:
• Wave interactions with floating structures;
• Vessel motion analysis;
• Mooring system design;
• Wind-wave hindcasting, statistical and extremal analysis;
• Storm frequency and storm surge evaluation;
• Numerical modeling of wave propagation;
• Numerical modeling of hydrodynamics;
• Sediment transport, beach dynamic study;
• Shore protection and beach stabilization structure design;
• Navigation channel, jetty and breakwater design.
Through dynamic coastal engineering analyses coupled with biological assessments, appropriate designs of bulkheads, docks, piers, or other in-water structure can be crafted to meet the needs of the client and the regulations set forth by the government agencies.