ABOUT ECO49 Consulting, LLC

ECO49 Consulting, LLC (ECO49) is a certified woman-owned small business that is focused on providing industry, government agencies, and other organizations the technical guidance, supplemental staffing, and support needed to comply with statutory and regulatory mandates. We specialize in environmental compliance required under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA), Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), and other related laws that govern marine and terrestrial projects.

ECO49 has a distinguished track record delivering high-quality, science-based products to our clients at a fiscally responsible cost. Our scientific knowledge combined with our expertise with NEPA, MMPA, ESA, NMSA, and MSA mandates enables us to offer sound, practical, and innovative solutions to the unforeseen challenges that can emerge before and during project implementation. As a nimble small business, we respond quickly to address our clients’ needs to provide very personalized service. Our reputation for partnering with our clients to provide key services demonstrates our leadership not only with environmental statutes but project integration (i.e., engineering, environmental and permitting), scientific research planning, and adaptive management. Our objective is to exceed our clients’ needs and cultivate strong and trusting relationships.

SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Antarctica Palmer Station Pier Replacement LOA and Environmental Assessment, National Science Foundation, Palmer Station Antarctica, 2021

ECO49 supported Leidos (on behalf of R&M Consultants) to prepare an MMPA IHA application for NMFS’ species that may be affected by re-construction of the Palmer Pier in Antarctica which involves pile driving and down-the-hole (DTH) drilling to install 36- and 24-inch piles as well as other support structures. As part of the IHA application, ECO49 calculates potential marine mammal “takes” based on the noise report prepared by Illingworth and Rodkin. ECO49 prepared the marine environment portions of the required Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) in compliance with 40 CFR 8.7 Part 8. Environmental Impact Assessment of Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica.

NMFS Office of Science and Technology (OST), Scientific Technical and Consulting Support Services, Nationwide, 2016 - 2023

Beginning in 2015, NMFS released a series of Programmatic EAs that evaluated the effects of issuing permits for for all fisheries research conducted nation-wide and internationally that may incidentally harass marine mammals. ECO49 is assisting NMFS to prepare Supplemental EAs and is engaged with NMFS leadership at each of the six NMFS Fisheries Science Centers to support compliance with ESA and MMPA for both NMFS and USFWS species. This effort is in response to a high-profile compliance issue raised by enforcement in 2006 regarding NMFS compliance with national regulations under the ESA and MMPA. As part of the NEPA effort, ECO49 must ensure compliance with other applicable laws including NMSA, the National Historic Preservation Act and other relevant statutes and Executive Orders.

Confidential Client, Kalimantan Rapid Cumulative Impact Assessment, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, 2015

Anne Southam was the CIA expert on a team contracted to evaluate potential cumulative impacts of a resource development project in Kalimantan, Indonesia. The assessment followed international best practice including IFC’s Good Practice Handbook on Cumulative Impact Assessment (2013). As the CIA technical expert, Anne designed and led a 5-day site visit in Kalimantan, prepared a site visit summary report, and authored a final Rapid CIA report complete with suggested strategies to minimize potential cumulative effects which she presented in person to the company Vice President.

USGC Reid and Middleton (Prime), Siuslaw Station Environmental Feasibility Study 2017 - 2018

ECO49 provided senior technical expertise for NEPA review and impact assessment associated with the Environmental Feasibility and Permitting efforts for Reid Middleton on behalf of the USCG Siuslaw Station along the central Oregon coast. The purpose of the project was to provide Design, Engineering, and Environmental Services to repair the failing river bank threatening USCG Siuslaw Station along the Siuslaw River in Florence, Oregon. ECO49 was responsible for providing technical guidance for public involvement, alternatives development, impact assessment as well as ESA and MMPA compliance related to protected species within the project area.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC), Alaska Stand Alone Pipeline Supplemental EIS, 2012-2014 and 2014 - 2018

Anne Southam served as the senior NEPA advisor supporting the USACE to prepare a 3rd party Supplemental EIS (SEIS) for the proposed 733-mile natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to southcentral Alaska. Anne worked closely with federal and state agencies on this SEIS including the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Park Service, USFWS, Bureau of Land Management, and State of Alaska agencies. Anne was responsible for overseeing the NEPA process, guiding seven cooperating agencies through development of alternatives and SEIS analyses, cumulative impact assessment and the stakeholder engagement process through preparation of the USACE’s Record of Decision. In an earlier iteration of the project (2012 - 2014), Sue Ban was the Project Manager for preparation of the Draft EIS and response to Draft EIS comments.

CLIENTS of ECO49

• Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

• Alaska Gasline Development Corporation  

• Alaska Oil and Gas Association

• Alaska Water and Wastewater Utility

• Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks, Ltd

• American Petroleum Institute

• BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc.

• Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

• Donlin Gold, LLC

• Eni US Operating Co., Inc.

• Environmental Resources Management

• Exxon Mobil

• Highland Economics

• Hilcorp Alaska, LLC

• Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.

• Narwhal, LLC