Natural System Design Services

ARM’s Natural System Design Practice is a recognized leader in meeting the many challenges and opportunities of water resource compliance and restoration. With years of experience and specialized expertise in surface and groundwater hydrology, wetlands, and regulatory programs and policy, our goal is to provide clients with balanced and sustainable solutions for environmental conflict resolution and water resource remediation. Our team of engineers and scientists provide cost-effective and sustainable technology-driven solutions to benefit water resources and the environment at multiple levels by integrating design principles with accepted environmental engineering practices. We are passionate about the water resources within the communities in which we live and work and we strive for improvement, maintenance, and conservation of water resources while educating the public and our clients about how to convert a potential liability into a benefit, while achieving project objectives.

Mitigating Wetland Habitat Loss
- Desktop Analysis & Field Review Potential Wetlands
- Wetland Delineation, Boundary Surveys, Functional Assessments
- Invasive Species Assessments
- Water Quality Assessment
- State & Federal Regulatory Coordination
- Avoidance & Minimization Alternatives and Impact Analysis
- Mitigation Need Assessment, Site Selection & Design
- Banking Options
- Wildlife Species & Habitat Value Benefits
- Permitting
- Post-construction Wetland & Stream Performance Monitoring
- Construction Management & Value Engineering
- Conservation Area Protective Easements
Mitigating Stormwater Impacts
- Soil Analysis & Infiltration Testing
- Hydrogeologic Investigations
- Watershed Assessments & Planning
- Flow Modeling, Monitoring & Automation
- Cost Benefit Analysis
- Infrastructure Evaluation
- Erosion and Sediment Control Design & Permitting
- Stormwater Planning, Design & Repair/Retrofit
- Subsurface Storage & Injection Well Design
- MS4 Plans & Compliance
- Best Management Practices
- Low Impact Development Planning and Design (Bioretention Water Gardens, Bioswales, Soil Augmentation)
- Remediation Engineering (Sinkhole Stabilization, Floodplain Reattachment, Channel Stabilization)
Stabilizing / Restoring Stream Systems
- GIS Land Use Assessment & Modeling
- Urban Stormwater Runoff Modeling
- Streambank Erosion Loss Estimates
- Stable Stream Channel Capacities
- Aquatic Habitat Loss Estimates
- Water Quality Impairment Surveys
- Macroinvertebrate Surveys
- Design Solutions (Floodplain reattachment, Natural Channel Design, Bio-stabilization, Riparian Planting Plans)
- Watershed Restoration Plans
- Construction Support & Value Engineering
- Grant & Other Funding Support
Designing Wetlands for Water Treatment
- Potential Applicability of Constructed Wetland Treatment
- Monitoring Programs for Waste Stream Characterization
- Data Analysis & Conceptual Treatability Evaluations
- Laboratory Bench-Scale Treatability Studies
- On-site Pilot-Scale Testing Programs
- Conceptual Treatment system Designs& Cost Estimates
- Site Selection Studies
- Technical Treatment Process Design
- Construction Plans & Technical Specifications
- Construction Cost Estimates & Schedules
- Technical Assistance & Bid Solicitation
- Regulatory Coordination & Permitting
- Operational, Maintenance & Monitoring Guidance Documents & Support
- Initial System Set-up & Flow Balancing
- Performance Data Review & System Optimization
- System Inspections & Performance Evaluations
Monitoring Ecological Changes / Trends
- Acid Rain Impact Analysis
- Bank Erosion Losses
- Benthic Habitat Changes
- Fish Population & Reproduction Changes
- Comprehensive Impact Analysis
- Water Quality Investigations (Industrial Discharges, Toxic Element Analysis, Treatability Options, and Treatment System Performance)
- Hydrologic Monitoring & Modeling (Stream Flow, Point Source Discharge, & Stormwater Monitoring, Continuous Stage Recording & Remote Telemetry Flow Monitoring)
Environmental Construction Management
- Pre-contractor Selection Support (Cost Estimates, Bid Package Preparation, Specification of Contractor Qualifications, Assessment Permit Conditions, Evaluation of Design Build Options)
- Contractor Selection (Site Meetings, Documentation of Contract Clarifications, Evaluation of Bid Submittals, Review of Contractor Qualifications)
- Construction Quality Assurance Documentation
- Resource Agency Communication
- Permit Compliance Tracking & Post-Construction Monitoring
- Inspections & Testing
- Approval of Contractor Pay Requests
- Change Order Authorizations
- Preparation of As-Built Documentation

Check out ARM's Wetland Creation & Stream Restoration
in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania

Natural System Design Featured Projects

Michelle Cohen

Vice President of Natural Resources

Michelle oversees all aspects of ARM’s Natural System Design Practice Service line, including wetlands, stream and aquatic resources, threatened and endangered species, wildlife/habitat assessments, impact analysis, mitigation, monitoring, and permitting.

Ms. Cohen has more than 27 years’ experience as an environmental consultant and is responsible for leading ARM’s Natural Resource Services, including administration, management, technical studies, and quality oversight for broad range of projects with various degrees of complexity.