Environmental Assessment

The integrated team approach along with our field and laboratory capabilities allows GLEC to deliver a full spectrum of environmental assessments in support of research, regulatory compliance, permitting and licensing, and conservation planning. GLEC researchers are experts in aquatic ecology, wetland ecology, vertebrate and invertebrate biology, aquatic toxicology, environmental chemistry, botany, habitat assessment, GIS and regulatory agency interaction.  GLEC fisheries biologists have extensive nationwide experience in small and large river fisheries assessments, lake and coastal marine surveys, and Great Lakes assessments in support of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Clean Water Act (CWA), Federal and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) requirements.

While state and tribal surface water quality standards are subject to U.S. EPA approval when adopting EPA’s 304(a) criteria recommendations. Under the Endangered Species Act, U.S. EPA must first consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service to demonstrate that approvals will not adversely affect endangered species. 

GLEC researchers have played an important role in federal inter-agency biological evaluations of aquatic and aquatic-dependent species to determine if adoption of water criteria standards by states and tribes will adversely affect endangered species. GLEC owns and operates a wide array of boats, vehicles and field equipment to support environmental/ecological surveys, monitoring and assessments. Our extensive inventory and full ownership of all assets assures availability for rapid response  for client monitoring and assessment projects.

Great Lakes Environmental Center

739 Hastings Street
Traverse City, MI   49686

Phone: (231) 941-2230
Fax: (231) 941-2240