Wetlands and Endangered Species Wetlands and threatened and endangered species have been the objects of Versar study for many state, federal and private clients. Versar staff have conducted wetlands delineations for many clients across the country, including the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, Illinois, California, North Carolina. In accordance with the regulations applicable in the geographical locations where the work was performed, the delineations were accomplished using either the 1989 Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands, or the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (the 1987 Manual is the currently used wetlands methodology). For all wetlands projects, Versar delineates existing wetlands, and documents the presence of predominant hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetlands hydrology, presenting the results in the form of GIS data layer maps. Versar’s threatened and endangered species surveys have most commonly been conducted as elements of broader studies or NEPA-related projects. Species addressed have been both state- and federally-listed, ranging from bald eagles to freshwater mussels. Vesar has prepared a number of Biological Assessments as a basis for Section 7 consultation with federal agencies regarding threatened and endangered species. Biological Indicators Versar's ESM Division has a national reputation for innovative research contributing to the development of ecological indicators for the assessment of resource conditions in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. Using information from biological monitoring surveys, these indicators of the health or integrity of a waterbody are used to compare biological communities in impaired and reference conditions as a basis for establishing environmental status and trends in various ecosystems. Indicators provide a quantitative description of ecological conditions and are useful for detecting environmental impacts, assessing the degree and extent of impairment, and evaluating the success of ecological restoration. Versar's estuarine benthic indicator has been used to set restoration goals for the Chesapeake Bay and our freshwater fish indicator forms the basis of stream management in Maryland. Fisheries Surveys, Modeling, and Management Impacts on and the management of populations of exploited aquatic species have been the topics of Versar projects for over 30 years. Work conducted by Versar over three decades have served as the basis for management of many of the most sought after fish species in the country, such as striped bass. Versar’s contributions to resource management have ranged from the design and implementation of surveys of all life stages of species, from icthyoplankton to adult, to populaton modeling and preparation of state and interstate management plans. Versar's support to resource management agencies has given us the ability to assess local impacts and permitting issues within a regional or national context. watershed managment | environmental compliance | power plant assessment | dredging/army corps | about versar | client showcase | publications | careers | site map | search | contact us | home © 2001 by Versar, Inc.