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Phil Scoles

Phil Scoles, RPSS, PWS

 

CURRENT POSITION:
Soil and Water Scientist, Terra Science, Inc., Post Office Box 2100; Portland, OR  97208-2100; Phone:  503-274-2100; Fax:  503-274-2101.
 


PROFESSIONAL SPECIALTY
Wetland delineation, hydric soil evaluation, wetland hydrology assessment, wetland fill permitting and compensatory mitigation design & construction.
 


CERTIFICATIONS:  
Registered Professional Soil Scientist (no. 047; Natl. Soc. Of Consulting Soil Sci.)
Professional Wetland Scientist (no. 496; Soc. Of Wetland Scientists)

 


EDUCATION: 
B.S., Soil and Water Science; University of California, Davis (1984)
 


INSTRUCTION:  
Adjunct instructor since 1997 with the Portland State University and Wetland Training Institute.  Prepared and delivered lectures on wetland delineation, hydric soil formation, redoximorphic feature identification, and problem area delineations.  Courses taught in Portland, Seattle, Sacramento, San Diego, and Madison (WI).  Also conducted one workshop on alpine and volcanic hydric soils for 2004 Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting, Seattle, Wash.
 


WORK SUMMARY:  
Managed more than 350 projects involving wetland delineation, soil survey and land capability classification, riparian, geomorphic and natural resource assessment, soil and water sampling, ground water monitoring, contaminated soil and water reclamation, UST decommissioning, proposed landfill impact on soils and surface water, and wetland permitting and mitigation.  Evaluated and documented soil resources for seven EA and EIS projects as well as participated in research projects that focused on soil salinity and heavy metals distribution in arid lands.  2005 President and Member of the Board of National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (NSCSS).

        Wetlands and Natural Resources.  Arranged, implemented and completed hundreds of studies involving plant identification, natural resource inventory, and delineation of wetland conditions.  Typical wetland projects ranged from 5 acres to more than 200 acres.  Specialized in documentation of disturbed sites and agricultural wetlands, report generation and documentation for federal and state wetland permits (Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Oregon Removal/Fill Law).  Designed and supervised construction of compensatory mitigation projects and annual monitoring, and implementation of corrective measures.  In addition, supervised field staff for studies assessing wildlife and documenting habitats, including endangered species.  Typical wildlife projects involved field reconnaissance, laboratory identification (when appropriate), discussion of ecological factors, report writing, and presentations.  Assisted with biological assessments for vernal pool fairy shrimp and Columbia White Tailed Deer.

        Soils, Water Quality and Erosion Control.  Conducted soil survey and soil resource evaluation for 4 Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).  Tasks included field reconnaissance and detailed mapped (as needed), geomorphic classification, data analysis, technical report preparation, and recommendations for minimizing or mitigating soil resource impacts.  Identified appropriate soil erosion control measures for new development, including stream restoration and new ski lift construction.  Also prescribed Best Management Practices (BMPs) for residential, commercial and industrial development, including sediment trapping catch basins, wet ponds, dry ponds, filter strips, infiltration galleries, and biofiltration swales  Such projects often overlapped with additional work relating to wildlife habitats assessments or wetland delineation.

        Monitoring and Regulatory Compliance: Conducted annual monitoring of numerous wetland mitigation projects consisting of emergent, scrub-shrub and forested habitats.  Compiled and analyzed data, then prepared technical reports for agency review.  Prepared and implemented recommendations to keep mitigation success on track and reduce invasive weed composition.  Also, resolved over 50 cases involving permit non-compliance, unauthorized wetland fill and ineffective erosion controls.  Constant review of planning and land use ordinances, and proposed and existing state wetland regulations.  Extensive understanding of Section 404 of Clean Water Act and Oregon Removal/Fill Law, plus many local natural resource protection ordinances.

        Wetland Habitats: Palustrine meadows and forests, vernal pools, peat bogs, interdunal swales, intermittent drainage features, stream terraces, lake and pond fringes, ground water seepages, tropical and volcanic soils, alpine meadows, agricultural fields, orchards, fill terraces, pastures and grasslands, and disturbed landscapes.
 

EMPLOYMENT:     
Soil and Water Scientist, President; Terra Science, Inc. (1999-Present).
Soil and Water Scientist, President; Scoles Associates, Inc. (1988-1999).
Soil Scientist, Vice-President; Roger N. Smith Associates, Inc. (1986-1988)
Hydrologic Technician; Reidel Environmental Services, Inc. (1985-1986).
Field Technician; U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Div. (1985)
Research Assistant, U.C. Westside Field Station, Five Points, CA (1984).

 


REPRESENTATIVE PROJECT EXPERIENCE:
Wetland Determination, Delineation and Inventory
        Determined boundary of hydric (wetland) soils and/or planned mitigation measures for wetland delineation process and/or Section 404 permitting at over 250 industrial and residential developments in Beaverton, Eugene, Lake Oswego, Medford, Milwaukie, Portland, Roseburg, Salem, Tigard, Wilsonville, Ore. plus Auburn, Marysville, Orchards, Renton, Seattle, and Vancouver, Wash.

        Evaluated and mapped the extent of vernal pool wetlands within a 760-acre Industrial Park in Jackson County, Oregon.  Drainage patterns, geomorphic surfaces, soil conditions, vegetation composition and endangered plant species were also documented during the field study.

Managed an extremely complex wetland delineation of over 100 acres where Mt. Hood Meadows ski facilities will be expanded or constructed.  The field study involved extensive documentation of mid- to high alpine conditions, summer hydrology, volcanic soil profiles, and unique plant communities, ranging from forested wetland to organic soil meadows.  The technical report included discussion of drainage patterns, location of ditches or other hydrology alterations, and presence or absence of redox features in the soil, as well as irregular vegetation patterns attributed to high altitudes, hillside seepages and mountain terrain.  Additional consulting for erosion control was provided for the Cooper Spur Ski Area (also owned by Mt. Hood Meadows).

Conducted wetland delineation for a 175-acre parcel and mapped riparian habitats for a proposed golf course.  The delineation involved shallow water table monitoring for agricultural wetlands, in addition to typical delineation tasks.  In addition, managed natural resource study to document plant and animal species, canopy cover and closure, nesting and feeding habitat, artificial disturbances, structure diversity, creek bank stability, natural woody debris, created and natural barriers, and food sources for mammals, birds, amphibians and fish.  Managed consultant team prepared a technical report to summarize the field results and to provide input on golf course design.
        

As part of a multi-disciplinary team, completed wetland inventories for the Cities of Rockaway Beach, Bay City, and Tillamook, Ore.  These inventories included wetland identification, mapping, identification of potential mitigation sites, analysis of anticipated impacts, and preparation of land use recommendations.  Final mapping products included tax lot map overlays, aerial photograph overlays, and digital map formats.

Wetland Restoration and Mitigation
        Restored wetland prairie to a former farmed 37-acre farm tract in west Eugene, Oregon as part of compensatory mitigation project and wetland fill permit.  The restoration involved eradication of invasive perennial ryegrass and reed canarygrass using herbicides, burning, and farming techniques.  Local seed sources were identified and seeds were hand collected in an effort to restore the plant community to native condition.  Supplemental management of the mitigation site has required weeding, mowing and herbicide applications to prevent re-invasion of perennial ryegrass, reed canarygrass, additional seeding of specific wetland prairie target species, and seasonal mowing for additional weed control.

        Completed a wetland delineation for a 75-acre parcel for future construction of a new wood products facility.  The delineation consisted of a thorough field study of site features, including natural drainages, seepages and gravel mined areas.  The field work also differentiated natural wetlands from created wetlands associated with gravel (aggregate) removal. After obtaining the appropriate wetland permits, a 14-acre mitigation area was constructed using a former gravel pit.  Salvaged topsoil was placed and graded to form subtle depressions, then seeded with a mixture of native grasses and sedges.  After three years, the mitigation area has an large variety of seeded and volunteer native species, plus extensive use by wildlife.

        For another 20-acre tract, subsurface drainage tiles were destroyed and plugged across to restore an emergent wetland formerly composed of drained organic soils.  Other site preparation included supplemental site grading to reduce offsite runoff, hand seed collection appropriate for marsh restoration, and crop removal (by herbicide application and subsequent plowing).  Also compiled deed restrictions and long term site management covenants for dozens of wetland mitigation projects.

Soil Surveys and Soil Resource Inventory
        In anticipation of future urban development, Order I soil surveys were completed for these 20- to 80-acre parcels (one south of Lake Oswego and one west of Wilsonville).  The primary purpose of the field study was to more accurately define soil boundaries and update the land capabilities classification (USDA Class I to VIII).  Each study involved soil sampling, geomorphic classification, testing for texture, water holding capacity, and moisture content.  The reports quantified the amount of high value agricultural land (Class I to IV) in relation to less valued land (Class V to VIII).

        For two proposed golf courses (one constructed, the other not), Order II soil surveys were completed to assist layout designs and determine land capability classifications.  Each survey included revised mapping of soil types (more detailed than government soil survey) and discussion of soil limitations.  Additional discussion focused on minimizing soil erosion, and protecting significant natural resources (such as creeks, draws, wetlands, or riparian zones).

Environmental Impact Statements.
        Soil survey for a 32-acre mining site near Detroit, Marion County, Oregon.  The soil survey consisted of a field study to sample, identify, map and describe the soil resources of the potential mining site.  As a mountainous location, it was necessary to define new mapping units on the basis of slope categories and landform origin.  The technical report included soil profiles, geomorphic surface descriptions, land limitations discussions regarding erosion and re-vegetation potential, plus recommendations to minimize potential impacts to downgradient wetlands, streams and natural resource zones.

        Surveyed and mapped existing soil conditions for the environmental impact statement of the proposed expansion of Mt. Hood Meadows ski resort.  The field study consisted of defining and described soil mapping units for the land between their current base, Highway 35 and Hood River Meadows area.  For each mapping unit, written discussions were generated to summarize physical limitations and hazards of the soils (non-geotechnical), plus identification of potential impacts of proposed activities and planning of appropriate mitigation measures.  The results of the soil survey were included in the environmental impact statement submitted to the U.S. Forest Service.

        Conducted Order II and III soil surveys for two proposed heap-leach gold mines -- one between Klamath Falls and Lakeview, Oregon (Quartz Mountain site), and the other in Elk City, Idaho (Buffalo Gulch site).  The field studies involved field sampling and soil testing for texture, organic matter and nutrients.  The data analysis portion of the work focused on evaluation of hydrology alterations, soil profile characteristics, and farming or forestry practices in preparation of aerial photograph interpretation and mapping.  Field observations included documentation of drainage patterns, historical redox features in the soil, as well as land capability classifications (USDA Class I to VIII).

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