Safe Harbor is available for State and local wetlands and endangered species permitting.
Safe Harbor has developed high performance, low impact and affordable systems for erosion control, steep slope stabilization, storm water management and sustainable habitat restoration. We believe that innovative planning, using construction sequencing and “Smart Growth” techniques can save natural and financial resources. We also monitor “Violation Choke Points” during construction to protect property owners and contractors from unnecessary enforcement delays and fines.
Safe Harbor is a learning company that works outdoors. We believe in solving environmental problems by including the cause of the problem in the solution. Sustainable thinking develops alternative solutions the homeowner can choose from. Sustainable solutions protect both natural and financial resources.
Safe Harbor designs compliance techniques to minimize environmental impacts to natural resources during construction projects.
Environmental permitting requires careful attention to detail and deadlines. Prior to submission, Safe Harbor creates a site management plan that integrates necessary project sequencing, resource area delineations, site use designations and specific mitigations for construction activity. Safe Harbor provides a built in liaison with regulatory agencies. We participate in public hearings, provide detailed technical responses as necessary and respond to requests for additional information.
Safe Harbor protects the property owner’s liabilities. We install erosion control systems, exclusionary fencing or any other combination of requirements. Safe Harbor makes long term commitments. Until project completion, Safe Harbor remains on call: inspecting erosion control systems; providing emergency response; processing project change protocols and working with the contractor to solve unforeseen problems. Most importantly, we create , maintain and protect the constructive relationship between the property owner and the regulatory agency.
A portion of our work is also directed towards resolving enforcement actions if you are a property owner or contractor who has unintentionally violated State Wetlands Protection and local Conservation Commission bylaw regulations. We are experienced at providing mediation and satisfactory settlement for outstanding violations.
Safe Harbor’s core values are reflected by our Educational Initiative. We direct a significant amount of energy and effort towards environmental education. Our OCEAN email newsletter links Outer Cape organizations, individuals and Towns. We offer free publications and 30 different, free professional and educational seminars (to groups of 10 or more). Safe Harbor believes the best way to protect our natural resources is through education and understanding.
Email Gordon to request your free consultation gordonsafeharbor@yahoo.com
Solving Problems
- Conservation Commission Permitting
- Endangered Species Permitting
- Comprehensive Site Management Planning
- Compliance Monitoring
- Chapter 91 Mitigation Plans
- Environmental Conflict Mediation
- Storm Water Management Systems
- Green Building Techniques
- Erosion Control
- Steep Slope Stabilization System
- Sustainable Habitat Restoration
- Wetland delineations
- Vista Clearing Management Plans
- Innovative Techniques
- Affordable Materials
- Low-Impact Low-Cost Systems
- Invasive Plant Management
Above: Low-Impact, Low Profile, Low Maintenance, High Performance Bio-Log System.
Erosion Control Uses Straw Bales down slope and our Bio-Log System on side slopes. Note design of Animal By Pass.
Healthy Beach Plum bushes symbolize the habitat values of indigenous vegetation to provide food and shelter for native animals.
INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT
Invasive (non-native) plants in our sensitive resource areas crowd out native species. Invasive plants are fast growing and aggressive. They easily out compete native vegetation for nutrients, sunlight and moisture This crowds out native species and reduces native plant biodiversity. Reductions in native plant population stress native animals by reducing food and shelter options. This overall pattern creates economic impacts.
Invasive plants appear in disturbed areas because their growth rate easily out competes native vegetation that may have been present prior to the disturbance. This requires careful re-vegetation on construction sites. Our Intern Vida is shown above, removing Queen Anne’s Lace, or “wild carrot” from a sensitive, coastal habitat restoration. This invasive is removed after flower and before seeding, by gently (so seeds aren’t released) pulling up the stems, root and all.
Large scale removal of invasive plants must be matched with re-planting of native species or the invasives will simply reappear. Large scale invasive plant removal should be done with a three year management plan, to give slower growing native vegetation the chance to become dominant.
A warning to homeowners removing invasive vegetation themselves: please DO NOT put the removed vegetation in compost piles! This will spread the seeds to dozens of other homes. Bag the removed plants and dispose of them with household trash. On Cape Cod, our trash is incinerated to produce electricity.
Free Consultations, 508-237-3724
gordonsafeharbor@yahoo.com