NEPA and ESA COMPLIANCE
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires agencies to incorporate environmental considerations into their planning processes. The goal of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is to protect and recover at-risk species and the ecosystems they rely on. Peak Ecological Services LLC offers services in NEPA and ESA compliance, including necessary fieldwork and the preparation of, as well as contributions to, compliance documents such as Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Environmental Assessments (EA), Categorical Exclusions (CEX), Biological Assessments (BA), Biological Evaluations, and other environmental reports for local jurisdictions. We serve clients across diverse sectors, including transportation, ski resorts, oil and gas development, land exchanges, and residential and commercial projects.
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​Wetlands and CWA Permitting
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes a program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. Peak Ecological Services LLC offers expertise in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-approved wetland delineations, nationwide and individual permit applications, functional assessments, and the design, implementation, and monitoring of wetland creations and restorations, leading to successful outcomes in a cost-effective and timely manner. We also identify and map wetland fens (old-growth wetlands), which are aquatic resources of special importance to regulatory agencies. We also provide compliance assistance with Colorado's Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), which is implementing a new state wetland permitting program under House Bill 24-1379 to regulate dredge and fill activities in state waters not covered by the federal Clean Water Act.
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​Rare Plant Surveys
Peak Ecological regularly conducts rare plant surveys for federal, state, and county jurisdictions. Targeted plants include federally listed species such as Ute ladies’ tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis), Colorado hookless cactus (Sclerocactus glaucus), DeBeque phacelia (Phacelia submutica), as well as several dozen species listed as Sensitive by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management. One of Peak Eco’s specialties is locating and identifying moonworts (Botrychium spp.), a group of rare ferns of particular concern on USFS lands in the mountains of Colorado.
​Vegetation Mapping, Monitoring, and Floristics
Peak Ecological Services LLC offers comprehensive vegetation mapping for government, private, and commercial sectors. Our maps are created using high-quality aerial imagery, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology, digital elevation models (DEMs), and ground-truthing. They follow the United States National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) system. We also provide detailed information on plant species composition and structural diversity for each mapping polygon, with results delivered in digital formats like GIS shapefiles or geodatabases. Additionally, Peak Ecological Services regularly conducts vegetation monitoring for baseline inventories, assessing wetland mitigation performance standards, and identifying year-to-year changes in sensitive plant communities. We typically use quantitative sampling methods such as Line Point-Intercept transects and Modified-Whittaker plots to gather objective and repeatable data within a scientifically rigorous framework. Our botanists and plant ecologists have strong expertise in plant identification and taxonomy. We routinely compile comprehensive plant species lists for each project and have led several floristic surveys in Colorado and Wyoming.
​Noxious Weed Mapping and Management Plans
Peak Ecological Services LLC identifies and maps noxious and other invasive weed species using GPS and GIS technologies. We also create Integrated Weed Management Plans that outline weed control methods, including mechanical, chemical, cultural, and biological techniques. Rea Orthner, the principal of Peak Ecological, is registered with the Colorado Department of Agriculture as a Qualified Supervisor.
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Ecological Restoration
Peak Ecological Services LLC offers comprehensive ecological restoration services, including concept and final design, construction oversight, planting and seeding plans, and long-term maintenance and monitoring to meet desired objectives. We have the expertise to guide successful restoration projects from start to finish. Our ecological restoration experience covers riparian habitats, wetlands, streams, prairie and grassland, alpine, sagebrush, post-fire restoration, and Clean Water Act compliance, among others.
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GIS/GPS/CAD
Peak Eco employs advanced Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to collect highly precise ecological and geographic data. Field mapping of vegetation types, wetlands, rare plant populations, invasive weeds, wildlife habitats, riparian zones, and stream features is carried out using Garmin or Trimble GPS devices, then digitized into Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) GIS software. We also regularly work with civil engineers to develop Computer Aided Design (CAD) mapping products for various projects.