Aric Larson Email & Phone Number

Franklin, Wi, Us

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

As Senior Scientist, I serve as the Environmental Planning Group manager for the Milwaukee, WI Terracon office. Our environmental planning services include, but are not limited to, wetlands delineation and permitting, listed species surveys, permitting, compliance monitoring, water quality studies, cultural resource assessments, and environmental due diligence.

Tallahassee, Florida Area

As Senior Scientist, I serve as the Environmental Planning Group manager for the Tallahassee Terracon office. Our environmental planning services include, but are not limited to, wetlands delineation and permitting, listed species surveys, permitting, compliance monitoring, water quality studies, cultural resource assessments, and environmental due diligence. The services have been provided for a variety of projects and clients, and include school sites, hospitals, rail corridors and bridges, roads, natural gas pipelines, transmission corridors, residential development, solar farms, military installations, commercial projects, as well as public conservation lands. Responsibilities include project management, client care and client development, implementation of Terracon's Incident and Injury Free (IIF) Safety program. Also responsible for routine coordination with Federal, State, and local regulatory agencies regarding changes to regulatory rules including Section 404 and the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), and the Florida ERP and State 404 (Assumed Waters) programs.

Tallahassee, Florida Area

Responsible for implementing permitting and program support activities for the Office of Ecosystem Projects in accordance with Chapters 403 and 373 F.S. and all chapters in Florida Administrative Codes used to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP), and the Everglades Forever Act (EFA). Evaluate potential environmental impacts and effects on water quality and surrounding ecosystems which may result from the construction and operations of large-scale civil works projects including reservoirs, impoundments, stormwater treatment areas, and engineering features designed to restore natural distribution of water flow; as well as impacts that may result from alterations to the existing regional surface water management system of canals and flood control structures.

Tallahassee, Florida Area

Land Management Review (LMR) Program Coordinator - Conduct land management reviews on state conservation lands titled to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, in accordance with s. 259.036 F.S., to determine if these lands are being managed in a manner that provides sufficient protection to natural and cultural resources, and in accordance with an approved management plan. These conservation lands include those managed by the Florida Park Service, Florida Forest Service, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Oversee and coordinate all aspects of the LMR process; organize review teams and expert reviewers, schedule reviews, distribute reports of LMR results and coordinates agency responses. Work with agencies to continually improve and streamline LMR processes. Compile LMR data and assemble team findings into reports for presentation to the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) and the Board of Trustees (BOT). Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Contract Manager - Oversee 14 Division of State Lands contracts for conducting ESA services, which include Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments on potential acquisitions titled to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. Services also include Baseline Documentation reports for acquisitions of conservation easements, often conducted in tandem with a Phase I ESA. Ensure contractors adhere to the appropriate ASTM and DSL standards for conducting ESAs. Perform field audits as necessary. Serve as a liaison between multiple bureaus, divisions, and agencies with respect to any environmental issues identified during the due diligence period prior to acquisition. Work with managing agencies to institute appropriate corrective measures, if necessary.

As Team Leader, perform Objective-Based Vegetation Management (OBVM) Assessments in FWC’s Wildlife Management Areas to assess the integrity of plant communities and to evaluate the effectiveness of land management practices in those areas. Responsible for the efficient planning, leading, coordination and execution of field efforts so that all deadlines set forth by the client are met. Routinely coordinate with FWC land managers and biologists to establish work schedules and logistics. Perform wetland delineations in accordance with ACOE guidelines and/or Chapter 62-340, FAC. Perform Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), Environmental Site Observations (ESOs), Conservation Easement Monitoring, Baseline Inventory Assessments, Ecological and Biological Assessments, and Surficial Hydrology Assessments in accordance with either ASTM/AAI Standards and/or client specific scopes of work for various government agencies and private clients throughout the state of Florida.

Worked with the DEP ambient monitoring program (see description for Environmental Specialist below). Additional resposibilities were to install, operate, maintain, and compile data from various types of hydrological monitoring and sampling stations. Also conducted flow measurements in streams, rivers, and stormwater drainage systems during specific hydrologic conditions. Routinely used surveying equipment to perform land and hydrographic surveys, and to establish elevations of hydrological monitoring stations. During 2004, in conjunction with Leon County and National Weather Service (NWS) staff, assisted with the development of the Capital Area Flood Warning Network (CAFWN). The goal of this network was to address the urgent need for real-time storm event information. The project provides real-time rainfall data collection to help identify potential flood conditions so that emergency response can be initiated. The network also supports stream and groundwater condition gauging to further improve the flood prediction capabilities of local, state, and federal emergency staff.

Responsibilities included the collection of ground water and surface water samples, sediment samples on large and small lakes, and the collection of benthic macro-invertebrate specimens from small streams and rivers. As part of the Ambient Monitoring Program, I was required to perform stream habitat assessments on stream and river sites as outlined in FDEP SOP FT3100, and stream condition index sampling (collection of benthic macro-invertebrates) as outlined in FDEP SOP FS7420. These practices were used in conjunction with water quality sampling to help determine the ecological integrity of watersheds. Was also required to become proficient in identification of native and exotic plant species for use in determining degradation to riparian buffers.

Zambia

• Instructed and worked together with 100 rural farmers in the design, construction, and management of 179 earthen fish ponds.• Taught farmers basic biological concepts and rural aquaculture concepts in local Zambian language, as well as utilizing various interpretive techniques.• Compiled and presented production data from project fish ponds on a quarterly basis, as well as information used to monitor and evaluate the progress of individual farmers.• Increased the annual income of individual farmers by an average of 80%.• Transferred practical fish farming knowledge and techniques to government fisheries officials and extension workers.