Brandt, SD Topeka Shiner Seining

Location
Brandt, SD

Banner Associates provided environmental support services for a bridge replacement project near Brandt, South Dakota, completing required Topeka shiner compliance activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Programmatic Biological Opinion in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for linear transportation projects.

Prior to demolition of the existing bridge and installation of the new box culvert, Banner's Environmental Team conducted a fish trap-and-transfer operation using stream seining, a hands-on collection method that allows aquatic species to be safely captured, identified, documented, and relocated outside the construction area. During the effort, Banner's certified biologists also evaluated stream conditions and documented species present within the project corridor.

Project Details

Before construction began, the contractor diverted stream flow through a temporary diversion channel, allowing water to bypass the work area while maintaining downstream flow. Once the diversion was established and the project area isolated, an enclosed pool of water remained within the construction limits.

Banner's Environmental team completed multiple seine passes through the isolated pool to capture and safely relocate fish and other aquatic organisms before dewatering activities started. The team documented and relocated a variety of aquatic species, including turtles, shiners, minnows, sunfish, bullhead, crayfish, and freshwater mussels.

Following project completion, Banner will prepare and submit the required documentation to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to satisfy Section 404 permit requirements and associated Programmatic Section 7 Biological Opinion obligations. Through detailed field investigations, regulatory coordination, and technical reporting, Banner helps protect sensitive aquatic resources while supporting timely delivery of critical transportation infrastructure projects.

Project Disciplines

Environmental

Transportation