Michael Claffey operates Claffey Ecological Consulting, Inc., a firm providing consulting services in wetland science, Section 404 permitting, wetland mitigation, stream restoration, wildlife habitat evaluations and NEPA compliance. His education includes a BS in Biology, an MS in Wildlife Biology and training with the Federal government. He has the benefit of 26 years of experience in wetland and wildlife ecology and management. Mike spent 15 years with the Corps of Engineers in the Regulatory program working on a variety of Section 404 issues including permitting, enforcement and testifying as an expert witness in Federal court cases. His involvement in the 404 permitting and NEPA process on several large ski area expansions in western Colorado provided valuable experience in wildlife issues and the affects of development on wildlife in the Rockies. In 2001, Mr. Claffey entered private practice. Today, his firm provides consulting services to a number of clients including large development firms, private land owners, the ski industry, county governments and the U.S. Department of Justice. Mike’s free time is spent with his family in Fruita, Colorado, where he enjoys hunting, fishing and the desert canyons and mountains of western Colorado.