At Keystone Environmental we can provide information that your engineers can use to eliminate adverse ecological effects at the outset. Where impacts are identified we will suggest measures to avoid, reduce or remedy the impact during the design stage of the project. To assist in the fulfilment of your duties under Section 3 of The Water Industry Act (1991) we can provide advice on the conservation of flora and fauna features of special interest including designated sites.

We employ a team of highly trained people, all experts in a full range of ecological disciplines with membership to the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM). In addition our staff hold various protected species licenses and accreditations. Our technical expertise can be used for your benefit to achieve the quality standards of the Water Framework Directive.

What Keystone can do for the Water Utilities Industry...

Whether the project is large or small scale we will provide innovative, practical and flexible solutions to ensure your organisation falls within the parameters of UK and European legislation. We specialise in providing a raid response to meet tight deadlines and are effective project managers.

• For new infrastructure we undertake scoping studies, preliminary and detailed species/habitat surveys to identify the most suitable alignment from an ecological perspective. Subsequently we can produce the ecology chapter of an Environmental Statement in accordance with the current guidelines produced by the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM)
  
  
• On smaller scale projects we undertake generic or specific habitat and species surveys, including invasive plant surveys
  
  
• Our expertise enables us to identify site-specific objectives for priority habitats and species through baseline surveys. Where these exist we can conduct monitoring programmes to provide feedback on the success of these objectives
  
  
• Through in-depth consultation with relevant organisations we are able to Biodiversity Actions Plans and review those currently in existence
  
  
• We produce Habitat Enhancement Programmes and Conservation Management Plans that identify opportunities to create, enhance and/or maintain the different habitats found on sites, including SSSI's and other designated sites in our clients ownership
  
  
• Where opportunities arise we develop Site Management Statements for sites not covered by Conservation Management Plans
  
  
• We have extensive experience in the design of approved mitigation strategies and can apply for a wide range of licences on behalf of our clients
  
  
• Our in-house contracting department can supply site staff for the supervision of ecological works and site briefings and at the other end of the scale can install exclusion fencing and capture devices, create and restore habitats, build otter holts, rafts for nesting birds and hides etc., and implement habitat management techniques for conservation gain