Last month, we talked about whether or not your project would benefit from hiring a professional wetland consultant. Assuming that you have decided you need such expertise on your project, the next step is to go about identifying and hiring one. So which one is right for you and how do you even begin the process of finding a wetland consultant?
There are several sources that you can utilize to find a consultant. Resources include: the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, your local DNR office, the Wetland Professionals Association, colleagues and other professional organizations. In Minnesota, the BWSR maintains a list of certified wetland delineators on their website. The Corps St. Paul District (covering MN and WI) lists delineators on their website and local DNR offices in Wisconsin usually keep a list of delineators. Although public agencies are generally not allowed to recommend a specific consultant, asking them questions such as the number of delineations they see from a firm, how responsive they are to information requests and the complexity of the projects they have worked on might be fair questions to ask.
Here are some recommendations I would give if you need to hire a wetland consultant:
1. Look for versatility – not just within an individual consultant but within a firm. What starts off as a relatively straightforward project can sometimes evolve into something much more complicated where specialized expertise in related disciplines (i.e., regulatory issues, threatened/endangered species) may be helpful or necessary.
2. Beware of consultants that have a reputation for arguing with regulatory agencies. You might find yourself caught up in a battle between your consultant and agency staff while money and time tick away. Expect and demand honesty and accountability.
3. Hire someone who will be your advocate. Your consultant should be as concerned about your rights as a landowner as you are. Steer clear of “preservationist” attitudes that believe your rights are less important than preservation of the resource.
4. Ask for references. Any consultant worth their salt should have no problem supplying you with several names that you can call to inquire regarding their experiences with a consultant.
5. Get more than one bid. Keeping in mind some of the foregoing advice as well as cost, choose the one that matches best with your needs and expectations. Compare apples to apples and ask questions once you receive bids so you know what is/is not included in the price. Also be sure that the consultant you choose is properly insured.
