Wetlands Consultant List

Wetlands Consultant List:

Wetland consultants provide a variety of services regarding wetlands. Many people hire wetland consultants to help identify and delineate wetlands, provide advice about designing projects that will not need permits, or, if permits are needed, provide assistance in completing the application form. In order to assist you in finding a consultant who can help you in these specific areas, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has compiled a list of available consultants, but cautions you to consider the following:

Finding a qualified consultant can be difficult since "wetland consultants" are not certified, licensed, or bonded. Environmental consulting businesses, however, are sometimes found in the yellow pages of your area telephone book under environmental services or on the internet. They may also be found by requesting the advice of associations or businesses that commonly encounter wetlands in their work.

When interviewing consultants, you should carefully evaluate their qualifications. The DEQ has put together the following suggestions to help you make a selection:

Check credentials. If you are looking for someone to help identify and delineate wetlands, find out whether or not the consultant has a good background in hydrology, soil science, ecology, and (especially important) botany. The consultant you select should have the ability to apply wetland identification methods used by state and federal agencies. Make sure that the consultant can identify wetlands and their boundaries consistent with regulating agencies such as the DEQ and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Ask what kind or type of wetland identification courses the consultant has taken or how many years the consultant has been doing wetland identification work.
Make sure the consultant is knowledgeable of wetland laws. Is the consultant familiar with local, state, and federal wetland regulations? Michigan is one of two states in the country that has the authority to administer its own permit program consistent with federal requirements in most areas of the state. If a consultant is from out of state, make sure they are familiar with Michigan's environmental regulations.
Examine workmanship. Ask the consultant for examples of previous work similar to the services you are requesting, including DEQ permit numbers or Wetland Identification Program file numbers. What type of track record does this company have with local, state, and federal agencies? Request references that include clients who have had projects reviewed and approved by the DEQ. Check all references. You can obtain, at cost, copies of the DEQ's permit and Wetland Identification Program files through the Freedom of Information Act, including correspondence between the DEQ and the consultant.
Ask others. Ask colleagues and other businesses, such as real estate, developers, homebuilders, etc., that are routinely involved in wetland concerns. Ask them about their experiences and knowledge regarding the consultant you are considering.

The consultants included on the list are not recommendations of the DEQ. No attempt was made to compile a comprehensive list of wetland consultants. Listing or omission of any firm does not imply endorsement or disapproval. The DEQ makes no endorsement or representation of any qualifications or lack of qualifications by any of the individuals or companies. Any firm that asks to be included is included without review of qualifications. The State of Michigan makes no warranties, expressly or implied, as to this list's accuracy or completeness, or to the competency, qualifications, or professional abilities of any consulting firm listed. This list is provided as a service by the DEQ, and the user is advised to exercise good judgment in its use. You should investigate these businesses similar to any other service or establishment that you would deal with.

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