Environmental
Management
Pinnacles’ experienced scientists and project managers are able to provide excellent project management and oversight services to our clients. Pinnacle focuses on environmental due diligence, feasibility and risk assessment studies to identify potential short and long term risks associated with port dredging and related coastal development.
Scientific Dive
Training &
Safety Management
It’s often difficult to fit into our busy schedules, but so important to make time for safety training. CPR/First Aid training is typically required every 1 to 2 years. With frequent practice, this knowledge becomes second nature and skills become muscle memory. Eight years ago, we established a Rescue Diver training program which we offer every year similarly to CPR/First Aid training.
OUR PROJECTS
PINNACLE IS RECOGNIZED
throughout the industry as experts in the field of marine environmental science, implementing sound scientific methodology, and producing exemplary scientific reports which help to streamline the environmental permit process from concept through completion to avoid potential impacts and maintain project schedules.
Additionally, Pinnacle provides reasonable, cost-effective solutions for avoiding and/or minimizing irreversible environmental impacts that may affect water quality, fishing, tourism and resource health.
PORT EVERGLADES DREDGING
HABITAT MAPPING AND
CORAL RELOCATION
Pinnacle staff worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to survey and relocate corals from the Port Everglades turning notch from 2017-2019. Over 1,000 corals have been successfully relocated to an artificial reef off of Dania Beach.
HILLSBORO BEACH
RENOURISHMENT PROJECT
Pinnacle was contracted as the environmental science consultant to conduct Biological Monitoring associated with the Beach Nourishment Project at Hillsboro Beach and Deerfield Beach, Florida. The objective of biological monitoring was to assess the general performance of the 2015 beach fill project, identify any adverse effects that may occur to nearshore hardbottom habitat as a result of the project, and identify the need for adjustments, modifications, or mitigative responses that may be required to avoid or further project related impacts.
ISLAMORADA SEAGRASS RESTORATION
Pinnacle was contracted as the environmental consultant to assess the impact of a propeller scar offshore Islamorada, Florida. After the assessment, the scientists at Pinnacle created a plan for seagrass restoration with bird stakes and burlap sacks in order to facilitate regrowth in the scar area. The original impact assessment was 2016, restoration began in 2017, and post-restoration monitoring is being completed to make sure the project is meeting the success criteria.
HUGH TAYLOR BIRCH SEAGRASS MITIGATION AND MONITORING
Pinnacle conducted a seagrass assessment survey at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (Park) in Broward County, Florida. The survey was conducted in support of a proposed rock revetment construction project and floating dock installation. Pinnacle’s team of scientific divers surveyed a total of 33,612 meters (8.3 acres) of the seafloor immediately adjacent to the concrete bulkhead that borders the Park’s west boundary along the ICWW. The objective of the assessment survey was to identify, delineate, and map marine benthic resources in the vicinity of the proposed project area which could be impacted by construction-related activities.
Describe your image
Describe your image
LAKE WORTH LAGOON ICWW DREDGE PROJECT BENTHIC ASSESSMENT AND RESOURCE MAPPING
Pinnacle completed a benthic assessment and resource survey in fulfillment of Florida Inland Navigation District's (FIND) request for a “Benthic Survey: Palm Beach County Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW) Deepening Project - South.” The objective of the benthic assessment and resource survey was to delineate and map benthic habitats throughout the entire survey area, including seagrass and hardbottom habitats, to identify and quantify resources occurring in these habitats, and to collect stony coral size data.
KEY BISCAYNE USCG ATON PROJECT CORAL RELOCATION
Pinnacle conducted coral relocation for the USCG Miami Main Channel Aids to Navigation (ATON) Entrance Range Replacement Project. The purpose of the coral relocation project was to ensure permit compliance to minimize potential environmental impacts that could occur as a result of project construction and demolition activities. A coral recipient site was located offshore Virginia Key and Biscayne Bay. A coral relocation plan was prepared and submitted to FDEP, FWC, Miami-Dade DERM, and USACE to meet permit requirements. A special activity license was obtained from FWC which provided State and Federal authorization to collect, transport and relocate corals.
BENTHIC RESOURCE SURVEY
RINCÓN & SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
Pinnacle surveyed and mapped roughly 1,500 acres of benthic resources offshore Rincón and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Data was collected on hardbottom and seagrass habitats in support of the Puerto Rico Coastal Storm Risk Management feasability study as well as the National Marine Fisheries Service. Using SARBO guidlines, scientists delineated and identified biota listed as threatened/endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and quantified the composition of each habitat.
JUPITER ISLAND BEACH NOURISHMENT HARDBOTTOM MONITORING
Pinnacle was contracted by the Town of Jupiter Island, Florida to conduct yearly surveys to monitor physical and biological parameters in the nearshore environment off of Hobe Sound Beach after local beach renourishment. Since 2020, Pinnacle scientists have been conducting biological monitoring surveys, sediment surveys, and hardbottom mapping to determine any ecological impacts potentially resulting from the renourishment activities.
GIWW AND LONGBOAT PASS
BENTHIC RESOURCE MAPPING
Pinnacle scientists, in conjunction with scientists from LG2, completed benthic resource surveys and visual assessments in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) on behalf of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The team used diver propulsion vehicles (DPV), global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), and HYPACK to delineate and map over 8 square kilometers of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and hardbottom habitat that could be affected by dredging in the area.
