Daniel Zay Email & Phone Number

East Lansing, Michigan, United States

Manages the Ecological Sciences Section in Michigan NRCS. Provides technology leadership to the largest Wetland Compliance program in the nation. The Section provides training and conservation technology transfer to Area and Field staff throughout Michigan to support sustainable agriculture.

East Lansing, Mi

Provides a lead role in technology transfer to NRCS field staff. Coordinates with NRCS Program staff on biological aspects of NRCS conservation programs such as ACEP, EQIP, RCPP and CRP. Provides training on policy and provides conservation technical assistance to field staff in the areas of planning, conservation practice standards, NEPA compliance, endangered species, prescribed fire, plant identification and wetland compliance. Implements various aspects of wetland compliance under the… Show more Provides a lead role in technology transfer to NRCS field staff. Coordinates with NRCS Program staff on biological aspects of NRCS conservation programs such as ACEP, EQIP, RCPP and CRP. Provides training on policy and provides conservation technical assistance to field staff in the areas of planning, conservation practice standards, NEPA compliance, endangered species, prescribed fire, plant identification and wetland compliance. Implements various aspects of wetland compliance under the Farm Bill including review of Level I and II wetland determinations, conducts field investigations for Level III appeals, assists in compiling and presenting the agency record for appeals to the USDA National Appeals Division, conducts review and approvals for NRCS wetland mitigations statewide. Provides agency outreach to other Federal, State, local and NGO resource agencies. Certified as a Level I Contract Officer Representative for assigned Agency contracts. Show less

Grand Ledge, Mi

Assists in directing the activities of the Township Planning Commission. The commission reviews all township land use activities including master planning, zoning appeals and site plan reviews and recommends policy actions to the Township Trustees for adoption.

The mission of the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council is to protect, conserve and expand the safe use of prescribed fire on the Michigan landscape.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Project Manager in Louisville District, Indianapolis field office. Specialized in CWA 404 permitting for transportation projects. Evaluated and managed proposed water resource activities within the regulatory authority under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. This includes applications for Department of the Army (DA) permits, violations of permit conditions, compliance inspections, refusal to comply, routine issues that may become politically… Show more Project Manager in Louisville District, Indianapolis field office. Specialized in CWA 404 permitting for transportation projects. Evaluated and managed proposed water resource activities within the regulatory authority under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. This includes applications for Department of the Army (DA) permits, violations of permit conditions, compliance inspections, refusal to comply, routine issues that may become politically controversial, and jurisdictional determinations. Informed and assisted potential applicants regarding the Regulatory Program; conducted pre-application meetings, prepared combined decision documents (Environmental Assessments and Statement of Findings); composed and issued a variety of documents; recommended issuance or denial of DA permits; ensured coordination with other State and Federal Agencies; prepared regional permits; and investigated reports of unauthorized activities. Conducted the field portion of special investigations such as delineation of district wetland areas and the district’s extent of navigable waters specifying the unique biological, ecological, or environmental factors associated with the project area. Conducted field review of wetland mitigation areas to confirm that they meet project success criteria prior to release. On special assignment worked as a Project Manager funded under a WRDA funded agreement, focusing on permitting efforts for State Transportation and Local Planning Agency (LPA) transportation projects. The position included outreach efforts to State, local agencies and the regulated public. Show less

Lansing, Michigan

Provided project management and technical support for a variety of projects including NEPA clearance for highway and airport projects, planning for USACE projects and T&E species studies. Provided lead technical support for wetland projects from site investigations, delineation, permitting, mitigation and long term monitoring. Created prescribed burn service for clients including MDOT, Michigan AERO, Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (Fort Custer Training Center) and others.

Walkerton, In

Provided project management for planning, design, wetland permitting and ecological restoration projects. Initiated first contract prescription burn service in Indiana for clients including Indiana DNR, Initiated native plant nursery including collection of core seed stock, layout of production beds, seed collection and handling protocol and development of order/inventory software system.

Indianapolis, In

Managed 43 nature preserves encompassing 5706 acres. Created management plans for a variety of habitat types including old growth mesic forests, savannas, prairies, fens and wetlands. Resource management activities included exotic plant control, prescription burning, biological inventories in savannas, prairies, fens and wetlands and trail maintenance. I continued in my role as consultant to the Division of State Parks on resource management issues. As Regional Ecologist, I… Show more Managed 43 nature preserves encompassing 5706 acres. Created management plans for a variety of habitat types including old growth mesic forests, savannas, prairies, fens and wetlands. Resource management activities included exotic plant control, prescription burning, biological inventories in savannas, prairies, fens and wetlands and trail maintenance. I continued in my role as consultant to the Division of State Parks on resource management issues. As Regional Ecologist, I supervised seasonal employees and lead volunteer groups to achieve program goals. I initiated public outreach efforts to public interest groups and represented Nature Preserves at the Natural Areas Association national meeting. Show less

Indianapolis, In

Responsible for management of roadside program encompassing 100,000 acres and 5 million dollar budget. Responsible for statewide mowing and herbicide contracts. Conducted quality control program for 37 rest areas. Coordinated with six District Landscape Supervisors and implementing CEU training for pesticide certifications for the roadside program. Coordinated roadside research projects with Purdue University Professors under the Joint Highway Research Program. Worked as a consultant to… Show more Responsible for management of roadside program encompassing 100,000 acres and 5 million dollar budget. Responsible for statewide mowing and herbicide contracts. Conducted quality control program for 37 rest areas. Coordinated with six District Landscape Supervisors and implementing CEU training for pesticide certifications for the roadside program. Coordinated roadside research projects with Purdue University Professors under the Joint Highway Research Program. Worked as a consultant to Purdue University to create a roadside pesticide applicator training program for the Indiana State Chemist. Received the Excellence in Roadside Management Award from the National Roadside Vegetation Management Association, 1986.Developed the Roadside Wildflower Program reporting directly to the INDOT Director. The project identified management and restoration of roadside prairies as a desirable alternative roadside treatment. This resulted in many hundreds of acres of roadside prairie plantings in the State of Indiana. I was responsible for an Assistant Landscape Architect, assigning work, setting performance goals and conducting annual reviews. Show less