Brandon B. Faneuf, Principal Scientist
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science – Wildlife Biology
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Master of Science – Wetlands Conservation
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Two-years with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Wetland Permitting Program, including:
- Reviewing applications for wetland presence determinations, wetland edge delineation verification, preliminary determinations, and applications to alter wetlands
- Reviews included single-family house lots, 100+ lot-subdivisions, condominium developments, hotels, emergency agricultural permits, golf courses, commercial properties, bridge construction, highway improvements, utility lines, sand and gravel operations, and hazardous waste cleanup sites
- Reviewed permit applications throughout the State of Rhode Island
- Fluency with the Rhode Island Freshwater Wetlands Act and Rules and Regulations Governing the Administration and Enforcement of the Freshwater Wetlands Act (Regulations)
Three-years with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Total Maximum Daily Load Program, including:
- Development of water assessment and restoration projects (Total Maximum Daily Load-TMDL) per Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and EPA’s Water Quality Planning and Management Regulations (40CFR Part 130), including project management of the Saugatucket River watershed pathogen TMDL, Indian Run Brook heavy metals (copper, lead, and zinc- using clean hands, dirty hands collection method) TMDL, Saugatucket Pond water quality and noxious aquatic plant investigation, and the Point Judith Pond pathogen TMDL within the Towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown
- Appearing and speaking (slide show presentations) before local government officials and various private and public organizations during organizational and public meetings, including the Town of South Kingstown, the Saugatucket River Heritage Corridor Coalition, and the Salt Ponds Coalition in order to explain water quality issues, actions proposed to be taken, and state policies regarding those actions
- Characterization of water pollution problems in rivers, streams, and reservoirs, including the design, supervision, and execution of field investigations to characterize water quality conditions, determine the degree of pollution, including the collection of physical, hydrological, and biological data (i.e. Winkler titrations & YSI meters)
- In-depth analysis of water quality data using computer programs (i.e. Excel), combined with a thorough knowledge of watershed processes to assess and locate pollution sources
- Review of research proposals and reports including the review of staff surveys and investigations of TMDL’s in other regions of the state, interpreting those findings, preparing written reports; and making recommendations for water quality restoration in waters throughout the state
- Coordinate between Rhode Island Pollution Discharge Elimination System (RIPDES) Phase II Program and Municipalities regarding TMDL studies and subsequent BMP recommendations
- A working knowledge of RI Water Quality Regulations
- The Final Saugatucket River TMDL
Two-years with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Shellfish Program, including:
- Conducting sanitary shoreline surveys for open, closed, and conditionally open/closed shellfishing waters, including the Narragansett Bay and the South County Salt Ponds
- Characterizing water pollution problems in coastal shellfishing waters using computer programs (Excel), as well as designing and executing field investigations to characterize water quality conditions, determining the degree of pollution, including the collection of physical, hydrological, and biological data via manual and mechanical methods
- Reviewing staff surveys, interpreting the results of their findings; as well as prepararing written shoreline survey reports (1, 3, and 12-year); and recommendations for future shellfish classification
- Working knowledge of National Sanitary Shellfish Program (NSSP) requirements
Four years self-employment providing wetland science services for clients in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including:
- Founding Ecosystem Solutions in August of 2002 and Ecosystem Solutions, Inc. in April of 2003
- Wetland delineations using the Army Corps of Engineers methodology, incorporating techniques from “Delineating Bordering Vegetated Wetlands Under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act,” and Rhode Island wetland delineation criteria per Appendix 4 of the Wetlands Regulations
- Wildlife habitat assessments under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (310 CMR)
- Request for Determination of Applicability and Notice of Intent preparation for submittal to Massachusetts Conservation Commissions
- Attending and representing clients at local Conservation Commission meetings, and in front of RIDEM and the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC)
- Guiding and offering land use planning advice and alternative design analysis to clients throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island
- Coordinating with the professional engineers, professional land surveyors, landscape architects, and other professionals to design and permit construction projects
- Performing soil evaluations for septic system installation for clients throughout Rhode Island
Professional Certifications & Licenses:
Associate Wildlife Biologist, The Wildlife Society, 1999
Registered Wetland Scientist, Rhode Island Association of Wetland Scientists, 2000
Professional Wetland Scientist, Society of Wetland Scientists, 2003
Class IV Soil Evaluator, State of Rhode Island (license no. D4059), 2003
Certified Professional in Soil Erosion & Sediment Control (Soil & Water Conservation Society, International Erosion Control Association), 2003