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Solutions for a better world

Ecosystem Restoration

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Relatively few places remain where human interaction has not impacted the function, structure and diversity of the surrounding ecosystem. Unfortunately, the majority of restoration efforts focus on rebuilding specific habitat components rather than a holistic watershed approach.

Louis Berger develops strategic watershed-based restoration plans that balance the realities of future population growth and economic development with the need to sustain increasingly strained natural resources. Louis Berger’s sound technical foundation and ingenuity to blend science and engineering to recreate nature has established us as the leading, full-service environmental consulting firms in the United States.

Our Ecosystem Services Expertise

Pearl Islands | Panama

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Lincoln Park Wetlands | New Jersey, United States

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WATERSHED RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT

Louis Berger provides the full range of required technical assessments for large-scale watershed restoration projects and has consistently developed cost-effective solutions for our clients. Our expertise lies in:

• Ecological modeling including

» Hydrodynamic models

» Water quality models

» Sediment transport models

» Total maximum daily load (TMDL) development

Missouri River Restoration Program | Western United States

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FRESHWATER, ESTUARY AND COASTAL WETLAND RESTORATION

Louis Berger scientists and engineers have collaborated on the design of more than 10,000 acres of tidal and freshwater ecosystem restoration, and have developed and implemented monitoring and assessment programs for mitigation projects. In planning, designing and constructing self-sustaining restoration projects, Louis Berger uses a balanced ecosystem approach. Our expertise spans across the following disciplines:

• Wetland and freshwater ecology and botany

• Wildlife biology

• Wetland hydrology

• Freshwater and marine sciences engineering

RIVER AND STREAM RESTORATION

Louis Berger has designed more than 33,000 linear feet of freshwater stream restoration and associated riparian buffer, of which we have provided construction supervision for more than 19,000 linear feet. In addition, Louis Berger also designed and constructed several miles of tidal stream restoration. We draw from the collaborative experience, creativity and ingenuity of our river and stream restoration teams who are experienced in:

• Hydraulic engineering and river mechanics

• Hydrology

• Riverine ecology

• Biology

• Geomorphology

• River assessment and monitoring

Our staff has also been certified through Rosgen Levels I-IV training and related training in:

• Validation and monitoring

• Classification

• Sediment transport

• Stream restoration

• Watershed assessments

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COASTAL ENGINEERING

Coastal processes can have short-term and long-term detrimental physical and financial effects on shorelines and can damage public and private property. Louis Berger’s expertise lies in coastal engineering projects such as:

• Coastal structures like berms and seawalls

• Numerical modeling

• Coastal and hydrodynamic modeling

• Flood modeling

• Shoreline erosion mitigation

• Harbor breakwater modifications

The models mentioned have been used to analyze the coastal protection benefits of numerous projects on coastal stabilization, including levee design, marsh restoration and barrier island restoration.

BENEFICIAL USE OF DREDGED MATERIAL

Wetland enhancement, restoration and creation using dredged material is an area of evolving interest and requires excellent command of a number of disciplines. Louis Berger provides expertise in:

• Civil engineering

• Hydraulic engineering

• Geotechnical engineering

• Wetland ecology

Marsh Island | Massachusetts, United States

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ECOLOGICAL RESPONSE AND RISK ASSESSMENT

Louis Berger provides a multidisciplinary team for ecological risk assessment in freshwater, tidal and coastal environments with specialized knowledge in:

• Ecology

• Avian sciences

• Botany

• Engineering

• Geology

Louis Berger pulls from its vast experience to address aspects of the National Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process in the following capacity:

• Conducting Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping

• Creating three-dimensional (3D) models and comprehensive databases

• Developing web-based applications

Louis Berger has extensive experience in a number of qualitative and quantitative rapid assessment methods and predictive models to assess habitat quality. Louis Berger provides expertise in these evaluation techniques for use in ecosystem restoration work, with each technique varying by complexity of application, time to conduct, associated cost, and ecosystem attribute focus.

Barataria Historic Canal Restoration | Louisiana, United States

louisberger.com