Fall 2023 TBird "Flight Status"

Welcome to the Fall 2023 TBird "Flight Status" update, presenting recent company news, information, and fun things we enjoy sharing with our friends, colleagues, and valued clients. Please enjoy the news, and feel free to reach out to us directly if you have any questions or comments about the items in this update. 

RECENT PROJECTS

Thunderbird Environmental Completes

30 Projects in 2023 for

USDA NRCS

Throughout 2023, Thunderbird completed more than 30 projects for the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in support of USDA's Wetland Reserve Easement (WREP) Program. The Program provides habitat for migratory waterfowl and other wetland dependent wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. It also improves water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduces flooding, recharges groundwater, protects biological diversity, and provides resilience to climate change. Land eligible for wetland reserve easements includes privately held farmed or converted wetlands that were previously degraded due to agricultural uses and can be successfully and cost-effectively restored. NRCS will prioritize applications based the easement’s potential for protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

For more information on the USDS NRCS's wetland reserve easement programs go to:

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/wre-wetland-reserve-easements

or email Thunderbird at darby@tbirdenv.com.

REGULATORY UPDATES

USEPA Issues Final Amended Rule on

Definition of

"Waters of the United States"

In September 2023 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published a final rule in the Federal Register to amend the definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) to conform that definition to the Supreme Court’s recent Sackett decision. 

The 2023 Rule, as amended, now expressly asserts jurisdiction over:

• Waters which are currently used, or were used in the past, or may be susceptible to use, in interstate or foreign commerce

• Territorial seas

• Interstate waters

• Impoundments

• Tributaries of traditional navigable waters or impoundments that are relatively permanent, standing, or continuously flowing bodies of water

• Wetlands with continuous surface connection to traditional navigable waters or relatively permanent, standing, or continuously flowing bodies of water qualifying as jurisdictional impoundments or tributaries

• Intrastate lakes and ponds not identified above that are relatively permanent, standing, or continuously flowing bodies of water with a continuous surface connection to jurisdictional traditional navigable waters or tributaries.

For more information regarding how this new EPA Final Rule could impact your planned projects throughout the U.S., please feel free to contact Darby Hittle at darby@tbirdenv.com.

Employee Spotlight

Adam Marenholz and Emily Koenig Celebrate One Year with the Thunderbird Team!

Adam Marenholz and Emily Koenig recently celebrated One Year of Employment at Thunderbird Environmental. Adam and Emily have become valued team members and we have enjoyed working with them over the past year. Congratulations on a great first year at TBird, Adam and Emily! We look forward to growing with each of you in the year ahead!

Mason Comrie Celebrates Two Years

with Thunderbird Environmental

In September 2023, Mason Comrie celebrated Two Years of Employment at Thunderbird Environmental. The past year has been one of tremendous growth for Mason, and he has become a critical part of the TBird team. Congratulations on your second year at TBird, Mason! We are thankful for the opportunity to work with you each day, and we look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in the year ahead.

Thunderbird Therapy

Thunderbird Staff Members Participate

in "Clays For Cancer" fundraiser

Clinton, South Carolina

In October 2023, Thunderbird staff members Mason Comrie and Cedar Hittle participated in the HRP Associates Clays for Cancer fundraising event at the Clinton House Plantation in Clinton, South Carolina. What started out as a rainy morning turned into a gorgeous day on the shooting range. Thunderbird was the Cart Sponsor for the event, and Cedar ended up winning a really nice bottle of Rye Whiskey in the raffle afterwards. Thanks to Shaun Malin and everyone at HRP for including Thunderbird in this fantastic event.

Thank you for reading the Fall 2023 TBird Flight Status update.  We hope you enjoyed hearing about all that's been going on with us lately at Thunderbird. We look forward to updating you again in the Winter. Until then, be well and keep moving forward.

 - Darby and the entire TBird Team

Thunderbird Environmental

darby@tbirdenv.com

(860) 227-4714