Scientists at DuBois and Associates prepare Ecological Evaluations (EEs) and Ecological Risk Assessments (ERAs) for environmentally sensitive natural resources (ESNR) associated with contaminated sites and/or wetland mitigation banks.

EEs are conducted to examine a site or area of concern for ESNRs on, adjacent to, or potentially impacted by the site; the presence of Contaminants of Potential Ecological Concern at the site or area of concern and in the ESNRs; and the presence of a contaminant migration pathway (historic or current) from the site to the ESNR or evidence of contaminated material having been placed directly into an ESNR.  The outcome of the EE is a recommendation either to conduct an ERA or no further ecological evaluation.  ERAs are quantitative assessments of the actual or potential impacts of Contaminants of Potential Ecological Concern from a contaminated site on wildlife and plants. The ERA consists of rigorous site-specific biological tests, determining whether actual or potential ecological risks exist at a site; identifying whether remediation is necessary for constituents posing ecological risks; and generating data needed to determine site-specific risk-based remediation goals and risk management decisions.