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Applied Ecological Services, Inc.
Wisconsin Office
17921 Smith Road,
P. O. Box 256
Brodhead, WI 53520
Phone: 608.897.8641
Voicemail: 608.897.4898
AES Fax: 608.897.8486
TCRN Fax: 608.897.2044
Info@AppliedEco.com
Illinois Office
120 West Main St
W. Dundee, IL 60118
Phone: 847.844.9385
Fax: 847.844.8759
Kansas City Office
1904 Elm Street
Eudora, KS 66025
Phone 785.542.3090
Fax 785.542.3570
Minnesota Office
21938 Mushtown Rd
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Phone: 952.447.1919
Fax: 952.447.1920
East Coast Office
1100 E. Hector Street Suite #398
Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone: 610.238.9088
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QuickLookTM
Realize Your Site's Full Potential
At Applied Ecological Services, Inc. (AES), our goal is to bring the science of ecology to all land use decisions. To help realize that mission, we developed QuickLook™ to provide you with a tool to understand the ecological implications of your projects early on, prior to expensive investments in site planning and project infrastructure development. In short, QuickLook is a cost-effective, rapid ecological evaluation product that can be used to review parcels of land and aquatic systems for regulatory, ecological and due-diligence issues prior to land purchase, planning or design.
AES brings decades of project-proven experience to the challenge of realizing land-use goals while improving ecological values. We have found that our Ecological Systems Approach™ improves economics, assists the regulatory process and produces a quality end product. With QuickLook, AES reviews your intended site use, collects and evaluates selected ecological data, and provides conceptual design input. Ultimately, you get a rapid ecological evaluation while avoiding potential delays and expenses often associated with more detailed site studies.
The ecological value of undeveloped land can be enhanced through properly designed projects. Large tracts of land under consideration for restoration, stormwater management or preservation require focused efforts to successfully achieve ecological-as well as practical-goals. Whether you want to identify regulatory issues, develop a unique image based on a site's natural features, or locate priority areas for stormwater management or restoration, AES QuickLook Modules focus your decision-making, save money and help ensure project efficiency and success.
QuickLook reports are affordable and cost-efficient. Prices vary depending on parcel size, module selected and travel costs. While a QuickLook does not provide the same level of input as a full-scale ecological plan, it does provide a wealth of preliminary information at a fraction of the cost.
QuickLook Modules
Rapid site evaluation may require using one or a combination of QuickLook modules to meet your needs:
Module 1: Rapid Ecological Evaluation and Concept Plan
This is the original QuickLook module that documents existing ecological conditions, evaluates potential development impacts, points out considerations needed to preserve and restore the site's primary ecological values, and provides a basic conceptual design identifying locations appropriate for development. This module helps you understand regulatory circumstances of the site, plan appropriate development, capture a unique image for the site based on protecting and enhancing the ecology, and minimize conflict between development and maintaining a quality natural environment.
Module 2: Stormwater Management Concept
In combination with Module 1, this module creates a framework for understanding how surface run-off moves across and out of a site under a proposed future scenario. The stormwater management concept helps you visualize the best placement and sizing of stormwater management elements such as conveyance channels, swales, created wetlands and receiving waters. Using the AES Stormwater Treatment Train™, this concept sets the stage for ecologically beneficial stormwater management.
Module 3: Wildlife Feasibility Assessment
In combination with module 1, the wildlife feasibility assessment gives you information about wildlife currently using the site and wildlife that could be attracted to the site if proper conditions were provided. Restoration and enhancement activities are proposed to attract potential wildlife, and we provide a list of wildlife expected after this work is done.
Module 4: Endangered Resource Overview
This module is designed to review existing biological and ecological features-such as threatened and endangered species, or rare ecosystems that are regulated or require special attention to be protected and sustained. It includes a site visit to confirm the existence of these features. Preliminary assessment of regulated wetlands is not included (see Module 10).
Module 5: Floristic Inventory
This inventory can be used as a stand-alone module or added to other modules to capture more detailed information concerning plant species on the site. The site is broken down into cover types, ecological condition is noted, and sampled species are recorded.
Module 6: Regulatory Constraints and Permitting
This module identifies potential problems that may add cost and time due to permitting needs.
It provides a basis for decisions on whether to move forward on a land purchase agreement or due diligence option. Strategic plan options for approaching regulatory agencies are discussed, and any potentially insurmountable regulatory or political challenges are reviewed.
Module 7: Bird Inventory
This module creates a scientific benchmark for the bird community at a site. The diversity of bird species and the size of their populations is calculated and then used to describe the quality of bird habitat and to develop management strategies.
Module 8: Stream Quality Assessment
Ecological health and function of streams is assessed using standard in-stream habitat measures and geomorphology. Habitat features assessed include riffle-pool spacing, bottom substrate, riparian vegetation, and other indicators of in-stream habitat quality. Geomorphological features are assessed to identify stream stability and function. Ecological and geomorphological stressors are identified, as are restoration opportunities. Because AES has developed specific GIS methods to quickly assess streams, this module is especially informative when combined with module 12.
Module 9: Lake Quality Assessment
Type, size and hydrology of the lake are noted, along with geological composition of the lake bed. Trophic status-an indicator of nutrient richness and water quality-is determined. Level of development in the lake basin and along the shoreline is recorded, and current shoreline condition, management practices and negative inputs are noted. Disturbance regimes and land cover types are recorded. Lake use pressures and invasive species are identified. Recommendations are made, and water chemistry and water quality parameters may be added to the report if desired.
Module 10: Preliminary Wetland Assessment
This report includes maps showing existing mapped wetlands and estimated acreages from various jurisdictional entities such as the National Wetland Inventory, State DNR, NRCS, County, etc. Hydric soils, wetland hydrology, wetland and upland cover types are reported, along with estimated acreages. Disturbance regimes and erosion/sedimentation risks are identified, as well as opportunities for restoration, conservation and development. Presence of invasive species and likely presence of rare or endangered species are noted. Wetland areas may be flagged as a step toward delineation.
Module 11: Conservation Development Concept
Completing Modules 1, 2 and 11 lays the groundwork for formulation of a conservation development concept. This synthesizes the likely constraints to development with all opportunities for protection and restoration of natural resources in a cost-effective approach. The final product shows streets and lots, stormwater management elements and conservation areas.
Module 12: QuickLook GIS
A QuickLook GIS can take several different forms. As a stand-alone module, it offers a wealth of valuable land planning information on short notice. By integrating all available data and maps, AES can quickly provide vegetation, land cover and natural resource mapping for management purposes. We can also produce watershed maps assessing, for example, potential stormwater storage sites and estimated storage volume created by construction of a two-foot berm. Combined with other modules, a QuickLook GIS can be field-confirmed and incorporate other collected field data.
Module 13: Photo Documentation
This module is used in conjunction with other modules to provide more extensive photo-documentation of site features, flora or other significant site considerations. A photo log with captions explains significance of photos and general location of each photo within the site.
Note: QuickLook is not intended to replace detailed site inventories, delineations or designs required for advanced project development and permitting issues.
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