This report was prepared by James A. Schmid and Stephen P. Kunz. Both of these professionals have long experience in environmental consulting and impact assessment. Both are certified as Senior Ecologists (Ecological Society of America), as Professional Wetland Scientists (Society of Wetland Scientists), and as Wetland Delineators (Army Corps of Engineers). Both have commented at length to PADEP on proposed amendments to environmental regulations for many years.
The authors regularly prepare applications for PADEP permits for all kinds of construction activities throughout the Commonwealth. Both have been involved with major assessments of environmental resources and impacts of coal mining on behalf of the US Environmental Protection Agency in the West Virginia coalfields. Dr. Schmid has also assessed coal mining operations in Kentucky and Texas and coal-handling rail facilities affecting wetlands and other waters in New York State, on the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, and in southern New Jersey. He has supervised environmental assessments of bituminous coal mining activities, power plants, landfills, and shopping centers in western Pennsylvania for the US Environmental Protection Agency and other clients.
Dr. Schmid and Mr. Kunz each have long experience in wetland identification, assessment, and replacement which includes field delineation, written reports, and successful wetland creation and restoration projects. Schmid & Company has helped clients satisfy major and minor wetland regulatory and permit requirements for diverse projects in western Pennsylvania and in the mid Atlantic states. When the US Fish and Wildlife Service evaluated in the field the effectiveness of all wetland mitigation for Corps of Engineers Section 404 permits issued during the period 1985-1992 in the State of New Jersey, Schmid & Company projects all were deemed "fully successful," and they constituted 21% of all projects so classified Statewide (USFWS 1994).
Assistance was provided by many individuals who furnished information to the authors. Particular appreciation is expressed to the staff of the Bureau of Mining and Reclamation in McMurray, who allowed access to its mine permit files and provided many copies of file information upon request.