We have over four decades of combined experience in wetlands environmental planning and regulatory compliance consulting. We strongly believe that protecting and preserving our wetlands provides all of us with healthier, happier lives, and that this can be accomplished while still allowing businesses to thrive. We forge strong partnerships with local and regional businesses, government entities, and other environmental professionals to ensure that the quality of life in our communities is strengthened.
Rutledge Clement Riddle, PWS, Principal
Rutledge “Clement” Riddle, PWS, founded ClearWater Environmental Consultants, Inc. in 2002. He has over 30 years of experience with wetland permitting, environmental planning, and natural resource studies in North Carolina.
Since EnviroScience acquired Clearwater Environmental Consultants in 2021, Clement now oversees all environmental projects and serves as the Senior Scientist for large and technical permitting projects. Ongoing representative projects include mitigation design and monitoring, 404 permitting for golf courses, master-planned communities, retail shopping malls, industrial developments, transmission lines, solar fields, and Environmental Assessments for NEPA/SEPA compliance. He has dealt extensively with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, and the North Carolina Department of Environment Quality. He also created the first stream mitigation bank in western North Carolina in 2011.
In 1998, he obtained his Master of Planning Degree from the University of Virginia with a concentration in Environmental Planning and Land Development and a Bachelor of Science (Forestry and Geology) from the University of the South.
Contact Clement at: CRiddle @ EnviroScienceinc.com
Tyson Kurtz, PWS, Biologist
Tyson Kurtz, a dedicated biologist, joined EnviroScience’s North Carolina Regional Office (formerly ClearWater Environmental Consultants, Inc.) in September 2021. Since then, Tyson has been a driving force in conducting stream and wetland delineations, assessments, and permitting in the Carolinas region.
Tyson’s education in environmental science is comprehensive and impressive. As an honors program graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology with a minor in Environmental Sustainability and Environmental Geoscience.
In addition, Tyson completed the North Carolina Stream Assessment Training (NCSAM), North Carolina Wetland Assessment Method Training (NCWAM), NCAEP North Carolina Stream Identification Method (v4.11), and Swamp School Wetland Delineation and Regional Supplement Training He also completed the Rosgen Basic Survey Skills and Applied Fluvial Geomorphology classes, NC State’s Streambank Repair Workshop, Swamp Schools’ Wetland Design class, NCDOTs ESC/Stormwater Management Level 1 & 2 courses, and Virginia Stormwater Inspector Certification. Most recently, Tyson earned his Professional Wetland Scientist certification from the Society of Wetland Scientists.
Tyson’s role at EnviroScience is multifaceted, encompassing wetland and stream delineations, GIS mapping, aquatic resource monitoring, habitat assessments, threatened and endangered species surveys, and Section 404/401 environmental permitting. His diverse skill set ensures comprehensive solutions to environmental challenges.
Fun fact: Tyson has completed a kickflip (a difficult skateboard trick) in 41 of the 50 United States, with a goal to achieve all 50 in the near future.
Contact Tyson at: TKurtz @ EnviroScienceinc.com
Eric Romaniszyn, Senior Scientist
Based out of our North Carolina Regional Office, Eric Romaniszyn is a Senior Scientist with EnviroScience’s southeastern operations. Eric has worked in natural resource protection of rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands since 1994, but his interest in water developed much sooner. Growing up near a stream, his parents always knew where to find him when it was time for chores.
Eric has worked for EnviroScience since February 2022 but also worked six years for the company earlier in his career. In between, he spent 18 years in the nonprofit sector working for a western North Carolina watershed conservation organization. His career has taken him throughout the Atlantic Coast, Southeast, and Mid-Western parts of the country.
Eric’s work focuses on environmental assessments, biological assessments, threatened and endangered species surveys, NPDES permit compliance, Phase II Stormwater Program Compliance, 404 and 401 environmental permitting, and wetland delineations. Within those focus areas, he has extensive experience coordinating stakeholders from private, commercial, industrial, and government entities; community education and engagement; collecting biological, chemical, and habitat data for evaluating stream health; writing grants and technical reports; and developing Scopes of Work and QAPPs.
Eric holds a B.S. in Biology from Kent State University (1994) and a M.S. in Entomology from The University of Georgia (2000). His graduate research focused on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates in drift and their implications for trout food resources.
He has also served on multiple local, regional, and state advisory committees that focus on watershed restoration, education, and greenways. These include the North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute Advisory Committee, the North Carolina Watershed Stewardship Network Steering Committee, the Tennessee River Biodiversity Network Steering Committee, and the French Broad River Partnership.
Contact Eric at: ERomaniszyn @ EnviroScienceinc.com
McKenzie Beyer, Biologist
Joining the Natural Resources team at EnviroScience in July 2022, McKenzie Beyer, B.S., specializes in wetland ecology, threatened and endangered species surveys, habitat assessments, GIS analysis, water quality monitoring, wetland delineations, project management, and 401/404 permitting.
McKenzie earned a Bachelor of Science with honors in Environmental Science at Western Carolina University. She is trained and experienced in a wide variety of ecological and functional surveys, including streambank repair, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wetland Delineation and Regional Supplements, and North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC)/Stormwater Management Levels I & II. She is a member of the North Carolina Association of Environmental Professionals and the Bog Learning Network.
Prior to her time at EnviroScience, McKenzie managed projects within her university’s Sustainable Energy Initiative program. There, she oversaw and facilitated ecologically beneficial and sustainable projects and coordinated supplemental fundraising. Additionally, she spent a summer as an environmental educator with the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation.
McKenzie is passionate about water quality and wildlife. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her pets and creating.
Contact McKenzie at: MBeyer @ EnviroScienceinc.com
Ryan Romanson, Project Manager & Environmental Inspector
Ryan Romanson serves as Project Manager of the North Carolina Compliance Services Department and has been a valued member of EnviroScience since joining in January 2023. Ryan earned his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida and is working on his Master’s Degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of Denver. In addition, Ryan is an NCDOT Level II Certified Erosion and Sediment Inspector #13102, GSWCC Level 1B Certified Inspector #0000103042, and Colorado Certified QS Pesticide Applicator.
At EnviroScience, Ryan specializes in managing Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) for solar field development to maintain compliance with NPDES permits issued for their construction. He conducts environmental inspections at facilities near Raleigh, NC, and Augusta, GA, to identify areas of non-compliance and recommend solutions for our clients to achieve conformity with their stormwater permits. He provides clients throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia who have received Notices of Violations (NOVs) with professional guidance and develops Sediment Removal Plans for impacted streams and wetlands. To help clients prevent future NOVs, Ryan also provides pre-construction sedimentation analysis of the streams and wetlands found on the subject property.
In November 2023, Ryan was sent on his first emergency response to a local train derailment. During Emergency Responses, he provides on-site guidance on sedimentation and erosion controls, post-incident water quality monitoring/reporting, and on-site monitoring and guidance of stream bank stabilization and restoration efforts.
With a strong focus on steep slopes and stream/wetland restoration, Ryan has been working in the environmental science industry since 2019. Before joining the EnviroScience family, Ryan worked as a Land Reclamation Specialist for a habitat management company in Colorado. In that position, he managed steep slope reclamation crews for the two largest aggregate quarries in the state, managed stream bank restoration and large-scale seeding projects in Chatfield State Park, and assisted in vegetation management projects for local, state, tribal, and federal land agencies across the state.
Outside of his work at EnviroScience, Ryan’s passion for the environment is evident. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and three dogs, engaging in activities like trail running, rock climbing, and exploring diverse ecosystems. This deep-rooted passion for the environment is a testament to Ryan’s commitment to his work at EnviroScience.
Contact Ryan at: RRomanson @ EnviroScienceinc.com
Harry Jones, Environmental Scientist
A valued member of the EnviroScience family since July 2023, Harry Jones proudly serves as an Environmental Scientist in our North Carolina Regional Office. Harry assists solar contractor Blue Ridge Power in maintaining compliance with NPDES permits issued at their solar facilities. He conducts environmental inspections at facilities near Raleigh, NC, and Augusta, GA, to identify areas of non-compliance and recommend solutions for our clients to achieve conformity with their stormwater permits.
Harry’s academic journey has equipped him with the necessary knowledge and skills for his role. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Management with a concentration in Energy & Climate at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA. Additionally, he holds an Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick, GA. His education, which focused on the principles of renewable energy systems and climate science, has been instrumental in his work as an Environmental Scientist. During his time at Humboldt State, Harry was also an active member of the Men’s Lacrosse Club. Go Hogs!
Prior to joining EnviroScience, Harry gained valuable experience in the field. He worked as a Vegetation Management Inspector for ACRT Pacific in Humboldt County, CA, where he inspected overhead electrical lines and the surrounding vegetation as part of the Enhanced Vegetation Management program. He also served as an Environmental Scientist at Trinity Services & Consulting in Enid, OK, where he conducted investigations on hydrocarbon-contaminated soil and groundwater from LUSTs at vacant gas stations throughout the state. These roles have honed his skills and deepened his understanding of environmental science.
Harry has a lifelong passion for protecting public land and loves to explore the natural world. When he is not cruising through the mountains on a bike, Harry enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide during gameday!
Contact Harry at: HJones @ EnviroScienceinc.com
Emily Tarsa, Ph.D., Wetland Ecologist
Joining the Natural Resources team at EnviroScience in July 2023, Emily Tarsa, Ph.D., specializes in wetland ecology, wetland restoration, mitigation wetland design, invasive plant species assessments, habitat assessments, GIS analysis, threatened and endangered species surveys, wetland delineation, and 401/404 permitting.
A seasoned professional, Emily earned her Ph.D. at Utah State University. Her research focused on wetland restoration and revegetation techniques, invasive species management in wetlands, and hydrologic influences on native and invasive vegetation in Great Salt Lake wetlands. With over a decade of experience in wetlands research and ecological consulting, Dr. Tarsa has honed her skills in habitat restoration, securing and overseeing large grants, and conducting community outreach and education.
Emily is trained and experienced in a wide variety of ecological and functional surveys, including the North Carolina Stream Assessment Method (NCSAM), North Carolina Wetland Assessment Method (NCWAM), North Carolina Stream Identification Method, streambank repair, wetland design, and NCDOT ESC/stormwater Management Level 1 & 2. She is a member of the Society for Wetland Scientists, the National Association of Wetland Managers, and the Society for Ecological Restoration.
Contact Emily at: ETarsa @ EnviroScienceinc.com
Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.
Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.
EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.
