Environmental Consulting and Field Services
About Me
Consulting with Purpose
Michael Sears, M.S. - Maine based Senior Environmental Scientist and Project Manager with over 15 years of experience working in the environmental consulting and renewable energy industries. Highly skilled in fish passage design and evaluation, fish and wildlife sciences, fish telemetry/tracking studies, FERC Hydropower licensing, endangered species, environmental impact analysis, as well as wetland science and regulation.
FishTec strives to collaborate with clients and regulators to find a healthy balance between natural resource protection and economic feasibility.
Services
Expertise. Intuition. Ingenuity.
Fisheries Science and Fish Passage
A Comprehensive Approach
FishTec services are customized to meet the specific needs of each client. Successful fish passage projects require sound science and engineering concepts. FishTec specializes in fish passage feasibility assessments, evaluations, and effectiveness monitoring through fish tracking (e.g., radio and acoustic telemetry, PIT tag monitoring) and underwater video surveillance.
FishTec is experienced in conducting a multitude of fisheries surveys, evaluations, and assessments in the Northeast and across the United States, including electrofishing, net sampling (seining, trap and gill nets, etc.), and eDNA sampling.
​
FishTec has extensive experience with many diadromous fish species, including American eel, American shad, river herring, Atlantic salmon, shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon, striped bass, and sea lamprey.
Environmental Assessment
Expert Guidance
FishTec has years of experience providing guidance to clients regarding the execution of their projects and evaluation of the effects on natural resources. FishTec provides services required to complete requirements of the National Environmental Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, Federal Power Act, and Clean Water Act, particularly for the energy, utility, transportation, and water resource sectors.
Hydropower FERC Licensing
The Path to Success
FishTec provides scientific and regulatory services required to complete the licensing process of hydropower facilities in the Northeast and across the United States. FishTec has experience with the various processes of licensing these facilities, as outlined in the Federal Power Act, and specializes in the development and execution of the suite of environmental studies required to successfully obtain a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FishTec will work with your company and various stakeholders to meet your project goals in a cost efficient and strategic manner to create a smooth and successful process.