Ohio EPA Proposing New Rules for Surface Water Quality, Section 401 Water Quality Certifications
In September of 2011, the Ohio EPA made available for public comment draft revisions to the 401 Water Quality
Certification Rules in OAC Chapters 3745-32 and 3745-45. In December they released a proposed rulemaking for a
subset of the draft revisions for review and comment. The previously proposed and controversial “stream mitigation
rule” has been eliminated from the draft.
The federal Clean Water Act requires anyone discharging dredged or fill material into Ohio waters to obtain a permit
from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to Section 404 and a water quality certification from Ohio EPA
pursuant to Section 401 – Water Quality Certification. The purpose of Ohio EPA’s review is to ensure that the
projects comply with Ohio’s water quality standards.
Click here to read the full article
For more information, please contact BHE Senior Biologist Bruce H. Bauer, at 865-925-6371 or
bbauer@bheenvironmental.com
New Webmapping Tools – Fast, Simple, Built for Your Unique Project
BHE is now building hyper-fast, custom web maps that provide an interactive interface to visualize and manage spatial
data. Powered by Esri’s ArcGIS API for Flex, our webmaps are highly customizable with the latest features and
geoprocessing tools to meet your project’s unique needs. This translates into a tailored web map that is at once
sophisticated and user friendly.
Some great new features of the new Flex Web Map Applications:
• Widgets – over 25 in-browser tools that allow functions such as measure, edit, query, geoprocessing and extract as shapefile/KML!
• Fast – seamless basemaps draw straight from Bing Maps
• Secure – share your data with a single user or your entire group
• Custom –let us tailor your webmap to your project needs
These data-rich web maps are easily shared over the internet via a web browser and Adobe Flash (free download) plug in. Don’t want
to share your data? We will implement security and provide you with your own login and user permissions.
Try our sample web map by navigating your web browser to:
http://gis.ultimap.com/flexviewers/bhe_news/index.html
• Add to the BHE Web Map by using the Edit tool to place stars and polygons!
• Comments and suggestions welcome!
Web mapping is just one of the tools that BHE utilizes both internally and outwardly to enhance project communication,
facilitate decision-making, and provide critical insight into their projects.
For more information about our GIS capabilities and services, please contact Tim Gessner at 513 326-1500, or
tgessner@bheenvironmental.com
Illinois “Siting, Zoning, and Taxing” Wind Farms Conference - Sponsored by BHE Environmental
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Dr. Karen Tyrell of BHE will be co-presenting the opening technical session titled “Wind Power 101”. The moderated
session will cover important topics such as;
• General wind farm overview
• Indiana Bat, Eagles, and other wildlife issues
• Sound and setback requirements
• Shadow flicker
Please visit the conference web site for details, or contact Mark Pohlman at
mpohlman@bheenvironmental.com for additional information.
To go the the conference web site click
here.
Upcoming Release of New U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Indiana Bat Survey Guidance
BHE Environmental has learned that USFWS plans a major revision to the long-standing Indiana bat summer survey
guidelines, with new guidance scheduled for release and immediate implementation in early 2012.
According to presentations by USFWS personnel at recent bat working group meetings in Ohio and Kentucky, the new
survey guidelines will pertain only to summer surveys and will apply throughout the range of the species. Draft
guidelines are in review at this time and final guidance is expected to be released in spring of 2012; no Federal
Register notice is planned. While the revisions are expected to be implemented during the 2012 summer bat mist-netting
season, survey results obtained using existing survey methods (as described in the April 2007 Revised Draft Indiana
Bat Recovery Plan) will be considered valid by regulatory agencies during the 2012 survey season.
The new guidelines are expected to recommend a phased approach that starts with habitat assessment and acoustic
monitoring at survey sites. Subsequent mist net surveys, including radiotelemetry studies of Indiana bats, may then
be required on a project-by-project basis based upon the results of initial habitat assessment and acoustic monitoring.
Until release of the final guidance, study methods and approach are subject to change. BHE biologists are keeping abreast
of the latest changes through a variety of avenues, including participation in local and regional bat working groups as
well as reaching out to contacts in various local, state, and federal agencies. Using this information, BHE will continue
to bring our clients state-of-the-industry expertise and innovative solutions to environmental management challenges.
For more information, please contact BHE bat biologist Brad Steffen, at 513-326-1500 or
bsteffen@bheenvironmental.com
BHE Improves Project Management Tools with Upgraded GIS
BHE is now leveraging multiuser ArcSDE technology using ArcGIS Server 10. A centralized geodatabase allows for
more efficient storage of field and mapping data by consolidation and elimination of complicated data paths.
Remote users can take advantage of web map browsers that are linked to published feature services to facilitate
editing and quality control of the data. Version 10 of ArcGIS desktop provides an enhanced ability to search for
geoprocessing tools to aide in spatial analysis. Sharing data has become easier by turning map documents into
‘packaged’ files and with the increased need to provide access to live data in addition to map documents, the
latest version of ArcGIS Server and desktop is essential.
We are upgrading our Trimble GeoXH units and associated ArcPad and TerraSync software to make the process of
sending data and retrieving data from the units a smooth process. The flexibility of ESRI and Trimble data
gathering software has enabled BHE to leverage added value and anticipate project needs. By setting up
predetermined sampling grids and data dictionaries, field survey data transfers more quickly, and contributes
to expedited report preparation.
For more information on BHE’s GIS and mapping capabilities, please contact Tim Gessner at 513 326-1500, or
tgessner@bheenvironmental.com
BHE Statewide County Engineers Association of Ohio (CEAO) Transportation Projects
BHE has recently completed work on multiple projects executed under the County Engineers Association of Ohio
(CEAO) Task Order contract, administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The CEAO task order
contract is a statewide venture, and projects included efforts as far afield as Franklin, Mercer, Miami, Richland,
Summit, Tuscarawas, and Washington counties.
Project work supported the County Engineer’s Offices through the ODOT environmental process on over 15 projects,
resulting in an upgraded local transportation infrastructure across Ohio. These efforts focused primarily on
bridge replacement and intersection reconstruction projects along County and Township Roads, thereby improving
safety features and traffic flow for the traveling public. Typically, these projects included environmental
compliance work across a variety of technical disciplines including hazardous waste studies, history architecture
studies, archaeological surveys, ecological surveys, Clean Water Act permitting, and National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) documentation (Categorical Exclusions).
BHE continues to provide environmental support for a broad range of transportation related projects across an extensive
client base. In both Ohio and beyond, BHE has successfully provided transportation-related environmental services for
private architecture/engineering firms, state Department of Transportation’s, and local municipalities.
Please contact Dave Bell at
dbell@bheenvironmental.com
for additional information concerning BHE’s environmental transportation capabilities.
Great News for the Tankersleys, and a Life Lesson to Share…
For BHE GIS practitioner Jenny Tankersley and her husband Ken, “it’s been a long haul”. Ken is on the mend
from a long bout with a heart condition known as Atrial Fibrillation. The prognosis is good, and Jenny has
requested that we “…please share the story, because it is important for people to know that collaborative
effort is so important when it comes to finding a less invasive solution for a serious medical condition”.
We couldn’t agree more.
Ken's news article.
BHE presenting Risk Assessment Case Study at SETAC 2011 – Boston, Nov. 13-17
Becky Braeutigam will be attending the upcoming Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
North America Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts on November 13-17, 2011. She will be presenting a
technical poster titled "Demonstrating the Value of Freeware Risk Assessment Tools: A Case Study from the
Southeastern United States", co-authored by Fred Dolislager, a BHE consultant at the University of Tennessee.
Poster abstract follows:
No-cost software tools are readily available for use by professionals to conduct both Human Health Risk
Assessments and Ecological Risk Assessments. A case study is presented demonstrating the value of these tools.
In this case study, a human health risk assessment was performed for a portion of a former industrial site in
the southeastern United States. Potential risk was estimated for a range of exposure scenarios and exposure media
for an approximately 1,000 acre portion of the site using no-cost risk assessment software. ProUCL, a software
program developed by Lockheed Martin under a contract with the USEPA, was used to calculate 95th percent Upper
Confidence Limits (UCLs) and estimate exposure point concentrations (EPCs) for exposure media. The Risk Assessment
Information System (RAIS;
http://rais.ornl.gov)
was used to obtain toxicity profiles and values, chemical-specific
parameters, and to perform Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) and Hazard Index (HI) calculations for the study site.
RAIS is a product of the University of Tennessee's Institute for Environmental Modeling funded by the Department of
Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge Reservation through DOE's prime contractor, UCOR LLC. RAIS provides databases and tools
for risk assessment including toxicity value and other databases, guidance documents, tutorials, screening levels,
and risk models. Spatial Analysis and Decision Assistance (SADA;
http://www.tiem.utk.edu/~sada) was used to evaluate
contaminant distribution and to perform statistical analysis of data. SADA was developed and is maintained by The
Institute for Environmental Modeling at the University of Tennessee, and is free geospatial software that
incorporates tools from environmental assessment fields into an effective decision making software package. SADA
tools include integrated modules for visualization, geospatial analysis, statistical analysis, human health risk
assessment, ecological risk assessment, cost/benefit analysis, sampling design, and decision analysis.
Comprehensively, these tools were utilized to generate a human health risk assessment for the study site. Output
from these no-cost risk assessment tools will be used extensively in making future risk management and remediation
decisions for the site. Since these tools are freely available to the regulated and regulatory community, use of
these free tools allow for transparency to the public and enhances communication with the Regulatory Community.
Ms. Braeutigam is currently serving as President of the Ohio Valley Chapter (OVC) of SETAC.
For more information on risk assessment or the SETAC meeting visit
http://boston.setac.org/ or contact Becky
Braeutigam at
bbraeutigam@bheenvironmental.com
SETAC 2011 poster
SETAC 2011 booth poster
Cincinnati, Ohio and Cedarburg, Wisconsin
We are proud to announce today that BHE Environmental and Cedarburg Science have agreed to combine
corporate resources to enhance our collective abilities in providing outstanding environmental management,
science and engineering services throughout the United States. In this new corporate structure,
Cedarburg Science will become fully integrated into BHE.
BHE’s President John Bruck said “We’re excited to have Cedarburg Science join forces with BHE. It is a
perfect alignment of staff skills and service offerings, geography, and strategic outreach to our client base,
including renewable energy, pipelines, Department of Defense, manufacturing and other important markets. We’ve
teamed very well with Cedarburg Science during the past several years, and this will allow us to be even more
cost efficient and will add to BHE’s technical breadth and experience moving forward.”
Ginny Plumeau, Cedarburg Science’s President and Principal Ecologist, said “We are very pleased to combine our
talents and resources with BHE. We have enjoyed a great working relationship with BHE technical professionals.
We have been looking forward to the opportunity to offer expanded capabilities to our existing clients, such as
Endangered Resource Biological Assessments, NEPA studies, utility permitting, enhanced restoration planning and
implementation, and in-demand wildlife surveys. We will continue to maintain our highly skilled staffing and
strength in Cedarburg, WI and in Peoria, IL, while gaining an increased regional and national presence.”
As a BHE Vice President, Ginny will lead BHE’s Natural Resources Management Group from her office in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
For more information, please contact:
Click on the map above for more information on the BHE office locations.
BHE to Exhibit at 2011 Ohio Transportation Engineering Conference (OTEC)
David Bell and Dane Vandewater will be exhibitors at the upcoming
Ohio Transportation Engineering Conference (OTEC), to be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center
on October 25-26, 2011. OTEC 2011 marks the 65th annual meeting of this statewide conference, a two-day conference
attended by over 2,600 people from across the state of Ohio. The OTEC program addresses the latest policy and
technical information, and covers new ideas in transportation policy, planning, environmental, design,
construction, maintenance, operation, local government, and management of transportation resources.
BHE currently provides environmental support for a broad range of transportation related projects across an extensive
client base. In Ohio, BHE has contracted successfully with both private architecture/engineering and the Ohio
Department of Transportation (ODOT); the latter primarily through statewide and district environmental programmatic
task order contracts.
Please visit the conference web site for details, and/or contact Dave Bell at
dbell@bheenvironmental.com
for additional information concerning BHE’s environmental transportation capabilities.
BHE Upgrades Bat Acoustic Monitoring Technology
BHE Environmental Inc. is excited to announce an upgrade to our existing wind project support capabilities.
With the rapid expansion of wind power development in the Midwest, the concern for negative impacts to bats
is growing. Many regulators now require long-term ultrasonic acoustic monitoring of bats both before construction
and after turbines are operational. Long-term monitoring using traditional methods is labor-intensive and
complicated by the frequent need to replace batteries and download data; tasks that can compromise data integrity
and undermine project timelines. BHE has recently acquired a state-of-the-art remote download and monitoring
system produced by Titley Scientific—creators of the ultrasonic acoustic monitoring devices known as AnaBats,
already widely accepted by regulatory agencies. Through the use of GSM (mobile phone) networks, the GML1 system
allows for secure, remote access to downloaded data. Because data can be downloaded and processed daily, real-time
results can be communicated to our clients and together we can identify and address potential concerns as soon as
they arise. The GML1 system also routinely scans the ultrasonic acoustic monitors for mechanical problems; any
issues that may arise trigger an immediate SMS alert to a BHE Environmental biologist equipped to solve the problem.
BHE Environmental has designed a custom solar power collection system to continuously power the ultrasonic monitors
and GML1 remote download systems using clean, renewable energy. This recent equipment upgrade allows BHE Environmental
to download data remotely, increases the quality of the data, and virtually eliminates the need for costly site visits.
Though this technology is not limited to use on wind power projects, it greatly enhances one facet of BHE
Environmental’s
diverse capabilities regarding support
of wind projects.
For more information contact Melanie Gregory at 513-326-1500 or
mgregory@bheenvironmental.com.
BHE’s Braeutigam takes the helm at OVC SETAC
The Ohio Valley Chapter (OVC) of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) held their
28th Annual Meeting at Cleveland State University in downtown Cleveland, Ohio on September 15 and 16, 2011.
The meeting was kicked off with a workshop on urban restoration, remediation, and risks lead by Dr. Michael
Walton of CSU and focused on the “Re-Imagining” of the greater Cleveland area. The workshop also included
speakers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Kent State University, and the Cuyahoga County
Planning Commission. That evenings’ social event included dinner and bowling, where a good time was had by
all who attended. The second day of the meeting focused on student research, with participants from CSU,
Purdue University, Miami University, and the College of Wooster. Three excellent platform presentations
were given by Ph.D. students, and seven Master’s and undergraduate students gave poster presentations, in an
interactive format, on a variety of environmental topics. A total of $1,500 was awarded to student presenters
at the meeting. At the closing business meeting, Becky Braeutigam of BHE Environmental, Inc. became the new
president of OVC SETAC and Tim Rice of Saint Joseph’s College became the past-president. OVC SETAC is currently
accepting nominations for members of the Board of Directors, including the president-elect and secretary-treasurer
positions. OVC SETAC is also already looking for a host for next year’s meeting!
For more information on OVC SETAC visit the website at
www.setacc.org/ohiovalley
or contact Becky Braeutigam at bbraeutigam@bheenvironmental.com.
bbraeutigam@bheenvironmental.com.
BHE Sponsoring 5th Annual “Advancing Wind Power in Illinois” Conference Thursday and Friday, July 21-22, 2011
At Illinois Institute of Technology
Main Campus, Hermann Hall
3241 S. Federal Street, Chicago, IL 60616
Dr. Karen Tyrell will be co-presenting a technical session titled “Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) - What Are
They & When Are They Needed?” at 1:30 PM on Friday.
Please visit the conference web site for details, and contact Mark Pohlman at
mpohlman@bheenvironmental.com for additional information.
To go to the conference web site click
here
BHE presenting HCP 201 at AWEA Windpower 2011, Anaheim, CA
Kely Mertz and Dr. Karen Tyrell will be attending the Windpower 2011 conference and presenting an educational
session on Habitat Conservation Planning. Session details and abstract follow;
557
Habitat Conservation Planning 201: The Winds of Change
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Venue: Anaheim Convention Center
Room: Ballroom B
Conflicts can exist between conservation of listed species and development of renewable energy, including wind power.
While environmental stewardship and policy requirements compel development of renewable energy, as more wind facilities
are built, the likelihood of take of listed species grows. The process for resolving potential conflicts between private
wind energy development and listed species conservation is Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act, which allows
issuance of Incidental Take Permits (ITP). A central component of an ITP application is a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).
Initially, HCPs were completed by single applicants seeking discreet ITPs covering defined activities within relatively
small areas. Over time, more HCPs have been developed, including multi-applicant, multi-species, and large-scale HCPs.
Wind industry faces unprecedented goals and challenges related to species conservation. The US Fish and Wildlife Service
appreciates these challenges and recognizes personnel and budget resources that would be required to participate in and
evaluate multiple, individual HCPs. Multiple developers face similar questions relative to the same listed species and
often within the same region(s). As a result, there is a growing trend towards agency encouragement of multi-applicant,
multi-species HCPs. These HCPs are time-consuming and complex. We will describe the climate which led to this trend,
and discuss challenges, opportunities, and constraints related to various HCP approaches.
For more information contact Kely Mertz at 513 326-1500, or email her at
kmertz@bheenvironmental.com
BHE presenting Adaptive Management poster at AWEA Windpower 2011, Anaheim, CA
Dr. Karen Tyrell and Kely Mertz will be attending the Windpower 2011 conference and presenting a technical poster titled
“ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT IN HABITAT CONSERVATION PLANS: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE UNKNOWN”. Poster introduction follows;
Introduction
Adaptive management (AM) is an approach to structured decision-making that applies when there is uncertainty about the
process needed to conserve resources, such as endangered species. Adaptive management allows "learning by doing" so that
the results of project impact monitoring define future conservation activities. Adaptive management can take a variety of
forms, and may lead to different kinds of conservation responses. Under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act, the
responses of Adaptive Management in a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) are largely, by definition, under the Applicant’s
direction. As covered activities are implemented, monitoring provides feedback as to how well the conservation program is
working. To be effective, conservation strategies may require adjustment over time.
For more information contact Kely Mertz at 513 326-1500, or email her at
kmertz@bheenvironmental.com
To view the BHE Adaptive Managment poster
click here.
BHE Completes Wind Energy Engineering Study For Greater Lafayette Public Transportation
Corporation “Citybus”
CityBus was selected by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to receive grant funding
related to the Transit Investments in Greenhouse Gas Energy Reductions (TIGGER) program.
In order to secure the grant funding, CityBus was required to perform a National Historic
Preservation Act: Section 106 review. BHE was hired by CityBus to perform the review which
included a visual, noise, and shadow flicker impact assessment of the potential project.
The impact assessment deemed no adverse effects on listed historic or archaeologically
significant sites. Results from the assessment were forwarded to FTA and the Indiana
Department of Natural Resources. Both regulatory bodies were in agreement with BHE’s
findings; therefore, the grant monies were secured and the project was deemed buildable.
Subsequently, BHE assisted CityBus in completing a wind energy engineering study and
developing an RFP to utilize the grant for the installation of a wind energy generation
system at their 1250 Canal Road facility in Lafayette, Indiana. The project scope consisted
of an economic and operational feasibility study; a structural and property analysis of
CityBus facilities; identification of preliminary potential siting issues pertinent to the
Project; and preparation of design specifications for the wind power systems to meet budget
requirements. During the duration of RFP development, BHE assisted CityBus in responding to
questions and concerns from FTA and the local West Lafayette and Lafayette communities.
Currently the RFP is out to bidders with responses due on November 15, 2010.
For more information, contact Matt Bruck at 513 326-1500, or email him at
mbruck@bheenvironmental.com
Douglas R. Hull, CFA Joins BHE To Develop Renewable Energy Projects
BHE Environmental, Inc. is pleased to announce that Douglas R. Hull, CFA has joined the
Renewable Energy Development Team as Senior Manager, Finance. Doug has a strong background
in Project and Financial Management, Renewable Energy Projects, Portfolio Management,
Alternatives and Private Equity Investments, Compensation and Benefits Administration,
Research and Analysis, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Corporate Development. With global
experience in the energy and service industries, Doug has a successful track record in managing
cash, reducing costs, developing strategic investment opportunities, and delivering a high rate
of return for investors.
Mr. Hull spent the last 20 years working for Dayton Power and Light Inc., most recently managing
investment and growth opportunities within the renewable energy industry and focusing his efforts
on generation projects in wind, solar, and biomass. Doug received his B.S., Biological Sciences,
M.S., Molecular Genetics, and M.B.A., Finance from Wright State University.
Doug can be reached at 513 326-1500, or by email at
dhull@bheenvironmental.com
BHE selected to present “Habitat Conservation Planning 201” at the 2010 NWCC Wind Wildlife
Research Meeting VIII
October 19-21, 2010, Lakewood, Colorado
Kely Mertz, Sr. Biologist in BHE’s Natural Resources Management group will present “Habitat
Conservation Planning 201”. The presentation abstract follows; Recently, there has been
growing recognition by the wind industry and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that
an inherent conflict can exist between listed species conservation and the need to develop
renewable energy. Environmental stewardship and policy requirements compel development of
clean, sustainable energy; wind energy is compatible with these goals. As increasing numbers
of facilities are built in a wider geographic range, the likelihood of take of listed species grows.
The process for resolving potential conflicts between private wind energy development and
listed species conservation is under Section 10(a)(1)(b) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA),
which allows USFWS issuance of Incidental Take Permits (ITP). A central component of the
ITP application is a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).
Initially, HCPs for development projects were completed by a single applicant seeking a
discreet ITP covering a defined activity within a relatively small (e.g., 50 acres or a single
county) area. Over time, as applicants and USFWS regions have gained experience with
Section 10 consultation, more HCPs have been developed, including a number of multi-applicant,
multi-species, and/or large-scale ("regional") HCPs.
Even with this expanded approach, the wind industry faces unprecedented goals and
regulatory challenges, listed species conservation, and energy development. The USFWS
appreciates these challenges, and the magnitude of personnel and budget resources that
would be required for the agency to actively participate in and evaluate multiple HCPs on an
individual basis. Many developers face similar questions relative to the same listed species
and often within the same region(s). As a result of these and other factors, we are
experiencing a growing trend towards agency encouragement of multi-applicant, multispecies,
“regional”, “umbrella”, or “programmatic” HCPs. These HCPs are time-consuming,
complex, and often cover topics never before addressed by any entity.
In our paper, we will describe the climate which led to this trend, and discuss the present
challenges, opportunities, and constraints related to various HCP structures. We will explain
and answer questions including:
• What differs among various HCP structures?
• How do various HCPs and ITPs operate legally?
• What are benefits to industry and listed species as a result of various HCP structures?
By exploring these issues, we will introduce and provide a basic understanding of HCP process
complexities and how they are applied in meeting the growing challenges faced by wind
power developers now and in the near future.
For additional information contact Kely Mertz at 513 326–1500, or email
kmertz@bheenvironmental.com
Conference details are available at
http://www.nationalwind.org//issues/wildlife/researchmeetingviii.aspx
BHE Presenting AMwind© at the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association’s Michigan Wind
Energy Conference, April 20 & 21 2010
The Wind Energy Group of Cincinnati, Ohio based BHE Environmental will be presenting
AMwind©, an innovative modeling tool developed to help mitigate impacts to birds and
bats at wind farms. AMwind© provides a mechanism to address uncertainty about impacts
to resources while still prioritizing project development goals. “With increasing
concern about the effects of wind turbines on wildlife, BHE developed a solution that
helps resolve the inherent conflicts between project financial goals and potential
project impacts,” says John Bruck PE, President of BHE Environmental. “The AMwind©
model translates mandated operational constraints into power generation and financial
metrics that allow our clients to make better-informed decisions, and that means more
completed projects.”
Conference details are available at
http://www.glrea.org/events/WindConference2010/index.php
For more information, contact John Bruck or Karen Tyrell at 513 326-1500, or visit
BHE at the conference exhibition.
BHE Launches Renewable Energy Project at Headquarters Building
March 10, 2010
Springdale, Ohio BHE Environmental’s headquarters in Cincinnati will soon be home to
one of Southwest Ohio’s largest private solar arrays, as Phase I (52kW) of a planned
150 kW project will be installed and generating electricity by the end of March 2010.
Phase I will provide 30% of the electricity needed to operate the Cincinnati headquarters.
BHE expects to generate a surplus of power during low-consumption periods and will net-meter
(sell) the power back to Duke Energy.
BHE received a $150,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development Advanced Energy
Fund to assist with completion of the project. “Not only does harnessing solar power to
supply our business needs make good economic sense, but BHE is taking action to build a
more sustainable environment for our employees and our community,” according to John Bruck PE,
President of BHE Environmental. “As we work with our clients to develop and build out their
renewable energy strategies and portfolios, we want to operate from a position of leadership
and innovation in all areas – not just in the professional services we provide.”
“The project is a step, albeit a small one, toward lowering our dependence on carbon-based
power and improving our long-term prospect of environmental sustainability”.
BHE is a multi-disciplinary environmental and engineering services firm serving industrial,
commercial, institutional, and government clients nationwide – with core practices in
Permitting and Compliance; Natural and Cultural Resources; Site Assessment, Engineering,
and Remediation; Geosystems; and Industrial Hygiene and Safety.
For more information, please contact John Bruck at 513 326-1500 or email him at
jbruck@bheenvironmental.com
BHE Submits Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) Siting Certificate Application for 50MW Wind Farm
BHE recently managed and prepared an Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) siting certificate
application for JW Great Lakes Wind, LLC, a Cleveland-based developer of utility-scale
wind projects and a wholly-owned subsidiary of juwi, a German renewable energy developer.
The application was submitted on August 17, 2009 for the Hardin County North Wind Farm in
Hardin County, Ohio. This application is the third submitted for any wind farm in Ohio.
The Project will produce up to 48.6 MW of electricity from 19-27 wind turbines on an area
totaling over 3,300 acres of high intensity row-crop agricultural lands. BHE’s role in
the process included agency coordination; GIS mapping; visual impact assessment (photo
simulations); impact analyses for construction and operational turbine noise; ecological,
land-use, and recreational impact analysis; and assessment of impacts to agricultural
districts.
BHE consulted with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the US Fish and Wildlife
Service, and the Ohio Historic Preservation Office to negotiate the scope of field
investigations. BHE’s biologists completed habitat characterization, raptor migration
studies, and nest searches for the state endangered Northern Harrier. Avian and bat risk
assessments were completed to evaluate the potential for direct and indirect effects to
wildlife. BHE evaluated effects of the proposed wind farm to threatened and endangered
species; wildlife species of commercial or recreational value; and vegetation, wetland,
and cultural resources.
Please contact Mike Sponsler at
msponsler@bheenvironmental.com for more information.
Cincinnati Metropolitan Sewer District Selects BHE for Green Infrastructure Engineering
The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSDGC) has selected BHE Environmental
to provide Green Infrastructure Engineering Services under a Master Services Agreement.
The contract will support the MSDGC Wet Weather Improvement Plan aimed at: minimizing the
quantity of storm-water run-off to combined and sanitary sewer outfalls; improving the water
quality of local creeks, streams, and rivers; and limiting rate increases to MSD customers.
The Green Infrastructure program is built around five principles:
1. Focus on individual watersheds to address specific opportunities and challenges
2. Prioritize program actions starting with “source areas”, then “conveyance”,
and finally “end of pipe”
3. Effectively educate, incentivize, and involve the public and communities
4. Continuously evaluate, adapt, and improve program effectiveness at the local level
5. Adequately fund the program and create financial accountability for storm water
costs and impacts.
BHE Environmental is responsible for investigation, evaluation, engineering design, and
construction oversight of Green Infrastructure improvements that utilize technical elements such as:
- Source controls - vegetation management and runoff segregation
- Control systems - infiltration and bioretention basins
- Resource protection - riparian buffers and stream bank stabilization.
Please contact Mark Pohlman at
mpohlman@bheenvironmental.com for more information.
IAA Bat Conservancy proposed for “Sodalis” Nature Park
BHE scientists first discovered endangered Indiana bats (
Myotis sodalis) at the
Indianapolis Airport in 1990, and went on to support United Airlines' terminal
and runway expansion projects by developing and implementing a bat conservation
plan that allowed the Airport’s projects to stay on track.
Originally seen as a project “show-stopper,” the discovery of federally endangered
species and extensive wetlands on the project site required BHE staff to manage
numerous consultation with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and other stakeholders.
As a result, the Airport avoided millions of dollars in fines and completed this
large and complex development project on-time and within budget.”
The Indianapolis Airport Authority board is now set to vote June 19, 2009 on a plan
to lease the 209.5 acres now used as a bat conservancy to Hendricks County Parks
and Recreation as a public nature park. The proposed Sodalis Nature Park is west of
County Road 975 East, between County Road 750 South and County Road 800 South.
Under the proposed 20-year lease, the area would continue to serve as a permanent
protected habitat for the endangered Indiana bat, as required under an agreement
with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Hendricks County would build nature trails,
bat roosts, and viewing platforms, and proposes educational programs on bats. The
park would be completed in 2010, according to an airport board memo.
For more information, contact Karen Tyrell at
ktyrell@bheenvironmental.com
BHE Awarded Fourth Option Year on Environmental Contract to Support The US Army Corps of
Engineers Engineering Research and Development Center
Through support to the US Army Corps of Engineers, BHE serves numerous customers in the
Department of Defense, including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Reserves, and National Guard.
BHE also provides program and project management support to the Corps of Engineers Civil
Works Programs and customers. Our exceptional technical capabilities are teamed with a
thorough understanding of DoD and other federal and state environmental regulations. We
facilitate contracting for our DoD customers by maintaining several comprehensive,
multi-task order contracting vehicles.
This month, BHE was awarded a fourth Option Year extension to our base contract in support
of the USACE Engineering Research and Design Center (ERDC). BHE was awarded this prime
Indefinite Delivery Contract to provide archaeological services in support of the US Army
environmental mission. BHE’s contract supports a wide breadth of cultural resource studies,
including prehistoric and historic archeological investigations and special laboratory
analyses. While the scope of the contract focuses upon DoD installations in the Midwest and
Great Plains, work may be performed anywhere within the CONUS. This is a Small Business contract.
For more information, contact Karen Tyrell at
ktyrell@bheenvironmental.com
BHE Introduces AMwind© to Mitigate Impacts to Birds and Bats
The Wind Energy Group of Cincinnati, Ohio based BHE Environmental has introduced AMwind©,
an innovative modeling tool developed to help mitigate impacts to birds and bats at wind farms.
AMwind© provides a mechanism to address uncertainty about impacts to resources while still
prioritizing project development goals. “With increasing concern about the effects of wind
turbines on wildlife, BHE developed a solution that helps resolve the inherent conflicts
between project financial goals and potential project impacts,” says John Bruck PE, President
of BHE Environmental. “The AMwind© model translates mandated operational constraints into
power generation and financial metrics that allow our clients to make better-informed decisions,
and that means more completed projects.”
For more information contact John Bruck at 513 326-1500, or visit the BHE poster (#556) during
the AWEA poster reception and show.
Adaptive Managment Scenarios Poster
Resolving Endangered Species Conflict Poster
Resolving Endangered Species Conflict White Paper
AMwind© press release in today’s (May 6, 2009) Windpower Show Daily at the AWEA conference. (See page 18)
http://issuu.com/zackinpublications/docs/issuu_wednesday_sd09
BHE News Archive