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USFWS Lists the Eastern Hellbender in Missouri
Office Director | Arlington
Derek Richard
Derek has over 18 years of environmental consulting experience preparing EA, EIS, and other NEPA documentation. His project management experience includes NEPA environmental assessments, new nuclear power plant license applications, existing plant license renewal applications, site screening and permitting for oil and gas facilities and renewable energy installations, Phase I pedestrian archaeological surveys and reports, stormwater pollution prevention plans, wetlands delineation and mitigation, environmental permitting, and environmental site assessments.
Derek has coordinated environmental planning with state and federal agencies for a variety of projects in Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Mississippi, Wyoming, and Utah. He also managed the preparation of environmental feasibility and siting studies for multiple sites as part of the site selection process for new nuclear power plants in Nebraska and Idaho.
Principal Project Manager
Heath Garner
Heath Garner is a senior ecologist and project manager. Heath has extensive experience with wildlife ecology, plant taxonomy, GPS and GIS mapping, wetland, forest, and grassland ecology, ecological restoration, forestry practice, natural resources planning, vegetation management, and public relations. These skills have contributed to project study design, technical data collection, project logistics and management capabilities related to a diversity of project and clients including residential, commercial, and industrial development, oil/gas development and midstream, conventional power generation and transmission, and renewable energy development.
Mr. Garner has more than 30 years of experience specializing in avian ecology, wetlands, environmental assessments, ecological monitoring, threatened and endangered species surveys, habitat restoration, and conservation planning. He possesses comprehensive knowledge of federal and state regulatory requirements including NEPA, ESA, CWA, MBTA, BGEPA and serves as a technical lead of the SWCA renewable energy team with expertise in rangeland grouse species, bald and golden eagles, migratory birds, and a diversity of bat species across North America.
Written By
Derek Richard
Office Director | Arlington
Heath Garner
Principal Project Manager
Posted
April 5, 2021
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Effective April 8, 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the Missouri Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to threats from sedimentation, water quality degradation, disease, and other factors.
The eastern hellbender Missouri DPS will now require consideration as a federally listed species, which could lengthen project timelines and add costs for studies, planning, and conservation measures. Coordination with the USFWS and the Missouri Department of Conservation may be necessary
The listing also creates opportunities for conservation projects, such as stream restoration or watershed planning, that might be eligible for cost-sharing grants or other partnerships.
The endangered eastern hellbender Missouri DPS occurs within the state’s boundaries in the rivers shown in the graphic to the right.
Ground-disturbing activities that directly or indirectly cause sedimentation or water quality degradation in these rivers could be affected. This includes projects that cross and/or occur upland of one of these rivers.
SWCA Can Help
Our team includes scientists with eastern hellbender expertise. We have experienced field survey biologists; watershed planners and water quality specialists; stream restoration experts; and state and federal permitting experts. With our experience and expertise, we can help you understand how this listing may affect your project and what actions to take next.
For questions or to discuss what this listing might mean to your project, please contact:
