Wetlands
United States
GE Former Lagoon Site Soil Remediation and Stream Bank Restoration, Plainville, Hartford County, Connecticut
Project Scientist
Mr. Bernier completed wetland delineation and prepared a joint permit application for a Section 401 Water Quality Certificate and Section 404 for a stream bank restoration plan along the Quinnipiac River as part of a remediation plan to remediate soils impacted by heavy-metals. The restoration included the removal of contaminated materials, regrading the stream channel to reduce sheer stress and flow velocity, replacement of material with clean soil, and revegetation of the slope with native flora.
3419 Transmision Line, Ludlow to Hampden, Hampden County, Massachusetts
Ecological Scientist
Mr. Bernier completed a wetland delineation and habitat assessment along a 12 mile stretch of transmission line in support of an access road construction project. Over 30 wetlands and watercourses were identified. The delineations were conducted in accordance with the Massachusetts Bordering Vegetated Wetlands Delineation Manual as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' 1987 Wetland Delineation Handbook and the Northcentral Northeast Regional Supplement. The results of the delineation were used in support of a Notice of Intent under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, Section 401 Water Quality Certificate, and a Section 404 General Permit.
Shpack Superfund Site, Norton and Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts
Project Scientist
Mr. Bernier supported the compensatory mitigation effort of a landfill historically contaminated with radiological and chemical contaminants in Norton and Attleboro, Massachusetts. Mr. Bernier was responsible for monitoring the construction and performance success of the mitigation wetlands, oversaw the construction of a supplemental stormwater improvement project, assisted in the development of an operation and maintenance plan for the mitigation area, and consultations and negotiations with regulatory agencies.
Benevento Sand and Gravel Quarry, Wilmington and North Reading, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Project Scientist
Mr. Bernier facilitated the closing of an existing compensatory wetland mitigation project by evaluating the success of a created wetland mitigation site which included collecting data regarding the satisfactory development of wetland characteristics. Mr. Bernier also developed a Notice of Intent according the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act for a new stormwater management basin and facilitated the permitting of an expansion to the quarry which involved the identification and evaluation all of the natural resources in proximity to the quarry expansion. Additionally, he was responsible for completing a vernal pool investigation, wildlife habitat suitability assessment, wetland delineations, natural resource inventory, and ecological assessment investigations. Mr. Bernier also assisted in bringing the quarry into compliance with a previous Order of Conditions regarding mitigation efforts to reduce the erosion of a streambank in the vicinity of a haul road bridge.
Brockton Substation, Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts
Project Scientist
Mr. Bernier was responsible for monitoring a restored wetland community as part of a compensatory mitigation effort as part of an upgrade to an electrical substation. Monitoring included documenting the successful restoration of hydrophytic vegetation, hydrology, and hydric soils as well as confirming that the conditions of the regulatory authorizations were successfully met. Additionally, Mr. Bernier was also responsible for the implementation of an invasive species control plan targeting barnyard grass which had become well established within the mitigation area. Control efforts consisted of the mechanical removal of individuals so as reduce potential disturbance to the restored wetland habitat.
Detroit Metro Access Pipeline, Monroe, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties, Michigan
Project Scientist
Mr. Bernier was responsible for delineating an approximately 4.5 mile section of proposed pipeline in proximity to the Detroit Metro Airport in support of a proposed fuels pipeline. He also completed an in-field feasibility study investigating the suitability of potential compensatory wetland mitigation sites. Mr. Bernier was also responsible for completing a rare species survey for cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), goldenseal (Hydrastis candensis), three-awned grass (Aristada dichotoma), and beaked sedge (Carex rostrata). He successfully identified two previously unknown populations of cup plant and beaked sedge located adjacent to the proposed pipeline right-of-way.
NorthMet Project, Saint Louis County, Minnesota
Senior Technical Reviewer
Mr. Bernier served as a senior technical reviewer of comments received in response to a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) developed for a proposed copper, silver, and other precious metals mine that would cover 26 square miles in northern Minnesota. The EIS sought to operate the mine and processing facilities for 20 years at a mining rate of 32,000 tons of ore per day. Mr. Bernier was part of a specialized team that responded to public comments in regards to wetland and aquatic resources including the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of the proposed project, compensatory mitigation ratios and methodology, and other aspects. He was specifically responsible for responding to technical comments regarding the compensatory mitigation of coniferous bogs, climate change, wetland assessment, and potential water quality degradation and contamination from mine tailings.
Four Corners Subdivision, East Fishkill, Dutchess County, New York
Project Scientist
Mr. Bernier completed a Nationwide Permit reauthorization for a residential subdivision for the installation of utility lines across regulated aquatic resources. This project also included negotiations with regulatory agencies regarding issues related to non-compliance of previously awarded permit conditions for impacts associated with regulated wetlands and watercourses as well as cultural resources. Mr. Bernier also designed and monitored the construction of an approximately 1.09 acre mitigation wetland.
William H. Pouch Scout Camp, Staten Island, New York City, New York
Project Scientist
Mr. Bernier was responsible for completing a wetland delineation and rare species habitat assessment of an approximately 143 acre site. The delineation included numerous regulated aquatic resources including streams, ponds, and forested wetlands. The site was also investigated for suitable habitat to support rare flora and fauna species which were known to occur on the site. Additionally, the site was investigated for the occurrence of any natural features that are regulated under New York City Zoning regulations, particularly significant and rare ecological communities and glacial erratics.
Fellows Road & Fairway Meadows, Clifton Park & Halfmoon, Saratoga County, New York
Project Scientist
Mr. Bernier was responsible for monitoring two wetland mitigation sites totaling approximately three acres. Efforts included managing construction activities, issuing field changes, and documenting baseline conditions. Mitigation monitoring included documenting the development of wetland characteristics, aerial coverage, survival of planted saplings, and general condition of the mitigation site. An annual report documenting the conditions of the site including adaptive management strategies was developed to correct adverse conditions.
Hawkins Pond Dam, Glocester, Providence County, Rhode Island
Project Scientist
Mr. Bernier delineated approximately 14.5 acres of aquatic resources in the vicinity of a high risk dam and associated impoundment. Mr. Bernier also completed a wetlands functional assessment and wildlife habitat assessment including an assessment of potential suitable habitat for the small whorled pagonia (Isotria medeoloides), a federally-threatened plant.
Sodco Farm Wetland Restoration, Slocum, Washington County, Rhode Island
Project Scientist
Mr. Bernier designed and permitted an approximately five acre wetland restoration which included the restoration of a perennial stream, multiple wetland habitat types and an Invasive Species Control Program. The project included field reconnaissance to document baseline ecological conditions, consultations and negotiations with both the state and federal agencies regarding the restoration design, and construction oversight. The completed project was enrolled in the federal Wetlands Reserve Program.
Northern Virginia Stream Restoration Bank, Reston, Fairfax County, Virginia
Survey Technician
Mr. Bernier supported the in-field baseline conditions surveys including stream channel profile and cross-section surveys, topographic surveys, tree identification and locations, and construction monitoring for the Northern Virginia Stream Restoration Bank. The project encompassed a total of 29 linear miles of highly degraded urban stream channels. Stream restoration survey methodology followed the methods established by Rosgen. Results of the baseline conditions survey were then utilized to design the correct channel morphology.
Loudon County Wetland and Stream Bank II & III, Ashburn & Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia
Survey Technician
Mr. Bernier supported the construction oversight of a wetland mitigation bank complex which included a mosaic of wetland habitats encompassing approximately 21 acres as well as the restoration of over 1,000 linear feet of degraded stream channel . Monitoring activities included ensuring correct elevations of grade and proper placement and construction of water control devices and habitat features. Additionally, the oversight effort including coordinating with on-site contractors, directing the proper construction of in-stream features, and ensuring compliance with health and safety protocols.