KCI Insights: How Stream Quantification Tools Support Environmental Mitigation

Over the past decade, restoration efforts have increased nationwide, with a heightened focus on environmental sustainability through engineered solutions to counterbalance the development of urban infrastructure.

As more companies seek to acquire mitigation credits for their own initiatives, regulatory agencies and mitigation providers are turning to calculating Adjusted Mitigation Units (AMUs) to deliver mitigation banking and restoration projects accurately and effectively.

SQTs and Their Functionality

The emergence of assessment protocols like the Stream Quantification Tool (SQT) has paved the way for more accurate assessment of waterways, habitat uplift, and mitigation credit development. The tool functions by:

• Taking existing condition data gathered on-site by experienced individuals;
• Analyzing data against scales developed for each state that the SQT has been calibrated for that develops a score of the existing stream that helps inform how close to a high-quality habitat it is functioning;
• Determine a proposed condition SQT score based upon the planned restoration design and anticipated;
• Compare the net increase in natural stream function based upon the SQT scoring to determine AMU generation for the project.

Equipped with this information, designers can tailor their plan for site restoration, address the determined level of need, and redeploy the SQT after work has been completed to assess the success of the site.

Leveraging Our Industry Expertise

To function properly, SQTs must be unique to the geographical environment in which they are expected to perform. As stream and river characteristics – as well as regulatory expectations – vary from state to state, proper analysis requires specific calibration for accurate output. For this reason, SQTs must be custom developed for the region where they will be utilized. With a strong presence in this market, KCI actively operates as well as has the ability to operate SQTs in numerous states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Tennessee. Our natural resources team is highly experienced in leveraging the tool, efficiently accomplishing restoration and mitigation projects for clients nationwide.

Employing Innovation in the Field

KCI has utilized the SQT on numerous projects, leveraging the innovative approach to deliver efficient and accurate results for clients seeking help with restoration efforts or mitigation credits for new developments. For example, our natural resources team worked on the Little LaCrosse River Headwaters Stream and Wetland Mitigation Bank project, which leveraged SQT technology to support the conservation of a 90-acre site in the headwaters of the LaCrosse River system in Melvina, Wisconsin. The team was able to efficiently slow the rapid and destructive flow of the system’s surface water, fill ditches and disable drain tiles where necessary, and restore the wetland’s hydrology, all while maintaining steady improvement to stream health and function supported by the SQT analysis.

The Future of Restoration and Mitigation

 As environmental engineering continues to expand its reach nationally, efficiency and innovation are necessary advancements. The implementation of SQTs can create improved output with a high level of precision, enabling the enhanced progression of projects that incorporate the technology.

KCI’s team of trained SQT experts leads environmental restoration and mitigation banking initiatives for a wide range of client types. To learn more about how we support environmental and sustainable efforts, visit our Natural Resources service page.