Bioacoustics, the study of how sound influences and interacts with living organisms, is an increasingly important component of environmental analysis. ECORP integrates bioacoustics monitoring into projects by pairing real-time acoustic measurements with direct wildlife observations to assess how sound levels generated from construction activities influence sensitive species. Our team utilizes precision sound level meters that meet the American National Standards Institute Type 1 and Type 2 criteria, ensuring data accuracy, defensibility, and compliance with regulatory standards.
At the Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project in the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor, ECORP collected baseline in-air noise measurements prior to pile driving at multiple locations, including marine mammal haul outs. During pile driving, ECORP measured construction noise levels and verified compliance with applicable regulatory thresholds. These data provided the City of Santa Cruz and the California Coastal Commission with quantitative evidence of real time sound exposure, which was critical for evaluating potential impacts to sensitive marine mammals within the harbor, including California sea lions, Pacific harbor seals, and federally-listed (endangered) southern sea otters.
A similar approach was implemented during construction of the State Route 51 Bridge Deck Replacement Project on the American River, which occurred adjacent to an active Swainson hawk nest (a California State threatened species). ECORP collected baseline and construction noise measurements at the nest site during pile driving while observing nesting activity. This combined dataset captured both acoustic exposure and observable behavioral responses, providing the project team and resource agencies with practical information to adaptively manage potential noise-related impacts from construction.
At the El Capitan State Beach Entrance Road Improvements Project, ECORP collected baseline noise measurements in both the audible and ultrasonic range at the Project site to assess construction noise impacts on a maternity colony of bats roosting within a bridge in the Project area. The noise data were assessed to reevaluate the appropriate non-disturbance buffer size around the bat roost in coordination with CDFW to ensure the colony was protected from noise impacts during construction.
Through rigorous instrumentation and systematic monitoring, ECORP’s bioacoustics services provide precise, actionable data that support project efficiency while ensuring environmental and regulatory compliance.
For more information on our Bioacoustics services, please contact Dave Thomas or Rosey Worden
