Example Projects

Lopez Island Beach Access Stairway

The project involved replacing a deteriorating wood stairway structure leading down a steep shoreline bluff with a new aluminum stairway and pile foundation. The improvements triggered habitat and geological critical area reviews per San Juan County code. Element undertook a multidisciplinary approach to satisfy both requirements. Our qualified staff visited the site for reconnaissance and documentation, OHWM delineation, slope measurements, and hand-operated subsurface explorations. We produced reports addressing impacts and benefits of the stairway replacement, and provided recommendations for foundation design and construction to ensure stability of the structure while minimizing new and future impacts to the shoreline environment.