Berlin Wetland Delineation and Environmental Studies (Multiple Sites) – Federal Bureau of Prisons, New Hampshire

To meet the needs of a growing federal inmate population, the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is currently seeking locations for the development of new federal correctional facilities throughout the United States. Through this process, local officials representing the City of Berlin, Coos County, New Hampshire identified potential locations for federal correctional facility development and offered four sites for BOP consideration. The proposed sites, totaling over 2,000 acres were subjected to environmental and planning studies by the BOP. Berger was retained by the BOP to provide environmental support services for the proposed development.

Due to the short growing season (May 20 to September 24), and long winter period, Berger used alternative methods, including stereoscopic infrared photos, to provide the BOP with the wetland and habitat information needed to evaluate the alternative sites for possible development impacts prior to the actual field surveys.

During the summer of 2004, wetlands within the four sites were delineated in accordance with the procedures outlined in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wetland Delineation Manual, with guidance outlined in a clarification interpretation memorandum from the Directorate of Civil Works. Hydric soils were determined in accordance with the manual Field Indicators for Identifying Hydric Soils in New England (Version 2, July 1998), published by the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission., and wetlands were classified in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Manual - Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (Cowardin et al. 1979). A total of 457 acres of jurisdictional wetlands were identified and delineated within the four sites. For each of the sites, a Jurisdictional Determination was obtained from the USACE, New England District.

Berger prepared federal and state wetland permits required for construction of the correctional facility within wetlands and waters of the U.S. Based on the wetland impact analysis and the guidance received at interagency meetings with the USACE, New England District, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USFWS, and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) the proposed project required a USACE Individual Permit and a NHDES Water Quality Certification. All impacts will require compensatory mitigation to replace lost wetland functions and values.

As part of the permit submission, Berger assessed the functional value of the impacted wetlands as they exist today and comparatively assessed wetland functional value losses attributable to the correctional facility construction. Wetlands were evaluated using the Corps New England’s Highway Methodology Supplement Workbook entitled Wetland Functions and Values, A Descriptive Approach. A wetland mitigation plan was also developed and approved by regulatory agencies.