ESI has conducted all of the environmental work for a new interchange at Interstate 95 and Old St. Augustine Road in southern Duval County.  Though initial funding is from Flagler Development Company, the project will be turned over to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and therefore is designed and is being constructed to their standards and under their oversight.

ESI has completed PD&E/NEPA assessments for:

• Wetlands,
• Water quality,
• Wildlife and habitat,
• Endangered and threatened species,
• Archaeological/cultural resources, and
• Environmental contamination. Following approval of the NEPA Type II Categorical Exclusion, ESI prepared environmental portions of permitting required for the St. Johns River Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

ESI work on the project also included:

• Wetland delineation
• WRAP (Wetland Rapid Assessment Procedure) to determine relative wetland functional values
• Wetland mitigation plans including wetland creation, wetland preservation, and upland preservation
• Education program to familiarize construction workers with procedures to follow in the event that the federally threatened eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais cooperi) is found on the project site; the program included the creation of signage for posting both in the construction trailer as well as at specified intervals around the work area.