Government

Environmental Assessments are generally funded by the landowner however provincial contracts are awarded for specific requirements. Aquatic habitat and fisheries biology studies are required when crown land is managed by provincial and federal governments. Required studies include Environmental Management Reports, Mitigation and Compensation Planning, Environmental Monitoring, Fish Stream Classification, Fish Passage Culvert Inspections and Fish Habitat Confirmation Studies.

Environmental Management Plans

Environmental Management Plans assess the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project. Whether you are seeking a Section 11 Application through the Water Sustainability Act, and/or Approval with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, we will be your project manager, your liason with regulatory agencies and your guide throughout the process. We also prepare the necessary reports specific to your project.

Our knowledge of municipal, provincial and federal environmental legislation and guidelines will ensure that your project meets all regulatory requirements. Our established working relationship with multiple levels of government (including municipal, provincial and federal) reduces overall project cost by ensuring project objectives are on par with government mandates. We will work on your behalf with the applicable regulatory bodies including municipal, provincial or federal governments.

Mitigation and Compensation Planning

Compensation and mitigation plans are used to ensure proper biological function is maintained or renewed when changes are made to sensitive aquatic or terrestrial habitats. Hill Environmental will work with you to develop a plan that is both functional and ecologically sound. Hill will work on your behalf with multiple levels of government to balance your needs with the requirements of applicable legislation.

Environmental Monitoring

Working in a sensitive area? We can provide on-site monitoring to mitigate the impacts to creeks, lakes, wetlands or other sensitive habitats. We will work with you to ensure vital habitats are protected and develop monitoring and mitigation plans for environmental protection, habitat mitigation, compensation plans, restoration and habitat enhancement. We have a comprehensive understanding of the applicable regulations and best management practices.

Hill Environmental provides environmental monitoring services for various construction projects, including in stream works, working in sensitive ecosystems, riparian areas, fish passage restoration, and installation and/or replacement of culverts and bridges. Hill Environmental also provides post construction monitoring including projects that require multiple year vegetation survival monitoring.

Environmental Monitoring for Construction Projects:

  • Culvert installations and replacements
  • Bridge installations
  • Fish Passage Restoration
  • Fish salvage
  • Sediment & Erosion Control
  • Post Construction Monitoring
  • Vegetation mortality/ survival
  • Fish utilization
  • Instream structure function and use
  • Water Quality

Erosion and Sediment Control

Erosion and Sediment control is important to protect sensitive habitats throughout the development process. Hill can provide erosion and sediment control mitigations to meet the all necessary requirements on your project site.

Fish Stream Classification

Stream classifications are conducted to determine the appropriate riparian setbacks in forested areas. Our specialty is aquatic hbitat assessments and fisheries biology. Our senior fisheries biologist has 25 years experience assessing streams, habitat quality and fish passage. We are efficient and have the background in fisheries and aquatic habitats to provide clear, decisive decisions. Our senior fisheries biologist conducts the field assessments to ensure that the correct decisions are made, and we work with our clients to manage projects.

Fish Salvage

Electrofishing is utilized to safely remove fish from work areas. Often, sections of stream are dewatered, and salvage is conducted prior to dewatering. Our staff are certified in Electrofishing and have the first aid certification required under the Workers Compensation Act. We obtain the necessary permits to conduct fish salvage and provide on site monitoring.

Fish Passage Culvert Inspection

Fish passage culvert inspections are conducted to assess road crossing structures ensure fish passage. Our senior fisheries biologist assesses fish habitat quality and determines if the crossing is passable to fish according to the provincial stream crossing criteria. We have experience assessing the habitat quality upstream of the crossing according to the fish habitat confirmation protocol and the PSCIS system.