Safe Harbor facilitates State and local wetlands and endangered species permitting.
Safe Harbor utilizes affordable, high performance, low impact systems for erosion control, steep slope stabilization, storm water management and sustainable habitat restoration. We use innovative strategies and “Smart Growth” techniques to save natural and financial resources. We also monitor construction to protect property owners and contractors from unnecessary violations, enforcement delays and fines. Safe Harbor specializes in sustainable, coastal habitat restoration. We develop solutions to environmental problems by understanding the cause of the problem. Sustainable solutions protect natural and financial resources.
Safe Harbor designs compliance techniques to minimize impacts to natural resources during construction projects. Environmental permitting requires careful attention to detail and deadlines. Prior to submission,We develop a site management plan that integrates necessary project sequencing, resource area delineations, various use designations and specific mitigations for construction activity. Safe Harbor provides a built in liaison with regulatory agencies. We attend and participate in public hearings, providing detailed technical responses as necessary. Safe Harbor protects the property owner’s liabilities.
We install erosion control systems or exclusionary fencing to meet any requirements. Safe Harbor makes long term commitments to projects until they are completed: 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 local regulators. A portion of our work also include representing property owners or contractors who have unintentionally violated State Wetlands Protection and local Conservation Commission bylaw regulations. We are experienced at providing successful mediation and settlement.
Safe Harbor’s core values are reflected through our Educational Initiatives. We direct a significant amount of energy and effort towards environmental education. We offer 30 free seminars on various environmental topics. These are presented annually, at Colleges, High Schools, public and organizational events or by request, to your group. We also offer free publications on all of our strategies and techniques, which we make public domain. 2000 Cape residents receive our environmental newsletter OCEAN (Outer Cape Environmental Awareness Newsletter). This e-newsletter links communities, groups and individuals seeking solutions to shared environmental problems. We believe 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