Stillwater Sciences has pioneered the use of modeling approaches as tools for predicting the behavior of systems in response to a range of different real or simulated management actions. Stillwater’s reputation for developing state-of-the-art scientific models that successfully address watershed-based issues has enhanced our strong working relationships with regulatory agency staff. These models are designed to be adaptable and transferable, allowing them to be applied within a variety of different contexts. A great advantage of the modeling process is that it allows the process of “gaming” to systematically simulate the effects of possible management options. Gaming results in the determination of the option that will result in the optimal balance between the often opposing goals of compliance with regulatory requirements and minimizing unnecessary restriction of stakeholder activities in a watershed.

Stillwater Sciences applies its model, BasinTemp to predict stream temperatures throughout entire river basins. BasinTemp identifies those parts of the river channel network where excessive temperatures degrade aquatic habitat. The model requires a minimum of input data and is readily transferable to a variety of basin conditions. Water temperature modeling is applicable to the following regulatory requirements:

• TMDL/water quality plans under the Clean Water Act
• Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act
• Forest management plans, incuding Sustained Yield Plans, under the California Forest Practice Rules
• Hydroelectric project relicensing under the Federal Power Act for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
• Biological Assessments under Section 7 of the ESA
• Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
• Environmental Impact Reports under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

Stillwater works closely with both clients and regulatory agencies to provide supportable solutions acceptable to all stakeholders. Our experience with regulatory compliance and documentation provides our clients with a complete package of services, including the identification of key issues, study design, scientific analysis, reporting, and federal and state agency negotiations.