Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) Compliance
No other action has had as profound an affect on permitting in Washington state as the 1999 Endangered Species Act listing of Puget Sound Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) as threatened species . No species so widely distributed across a developed urban area has been listed for Federal protection before. In addition to the salmon and bull trout, Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and Marbled murrelet (Brachyamphus marmoratus) were already listed as threatened in Washington State. As a result, the ramifications on the regulatory and permitting communities are still developing with new policies being implemented on an almost daily basis. Ashley Shoreline Design & Permitting dedicates many hours to understanding and staying current on new regulations.

Most in-water construction projects require a Biological Evaluation (BE) to assess the impacts of the project on listed endangered species. Along with the BE, a planting plan will most likely be required to enhance the shoreline habitat to offset any perceived negative impacts the project may have. Ashley Shoreline Design & Permitting provides designs of natural and semi-natural shorelines, as well as mitigation plantings to satisfy both the requirements of ESA compliance and the home owner's vision of their waterfront property.