Carolyn Belak

Ecologist

Bio
Relevant Experience
Education & Credentials

Bio

Ms. Carolyn Belak is a fish and invertebrate ecologist. She has 6 years of research and professional ecological experience, earning her Master of Science in biology at Cal Poly Humboldt, conducting research on rockfish recruitment dynamics and population modeling. Combining several years of ecological research and other work on and in the water with strong data collection and analysis skills, she is well versed in studying and assessing aquatic ecosystems. As a certified scientific diver, Ms. Belak is trained in Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) survey methods.

Ms. Belak contributes her fish and invertebrate ecology expertise to projects with fish and aquatic-related issues. She performs data collection and analysis and assists with mitigation efforts for special-status aquatic species and permit applications.

Prior to joining Integral Consulting, Ms. Belak was an ecologist at H. T. Harvey & Associates.

Relevant Experience

Renewable Energy

Redwood Marine Offshore Wind and Heavy Lift Multipurpose Marine Terminal, Eureka, California — In support of the Harbor District Redwood Multipurpose Marine Terminal project, assisted with drafting and editing a Marine Impacts Evaluation, including potential project effects of construction and operation on marine resources and habitats. Project roles also include conducting an in-water noise assessment and the preparation of several white papers evaluating potential project impacts to oyster aquaculture operations.

Even Keel Offshore Wind Project, San Luis Obispo County, California — Drafted a data gap outline and data collection strategies document covering marine mammals and sea turtles to support an offshore wind project in federal waters off the coast of California in the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area. Assessed potential data needs for CEQA, NEPA, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.

Offshore Wind Secondary Entanglement Studies Project, Humboldt County, California — Assisted with drafting and editing an Environmental Data Memo to address California Energy Commission comments for the Offshore Wind Secondary Entanglement Studies project in Humboldt and Morro Bays.

Fish and Aquatic Ecology

Dr. Fine Bridge Reconstruction Project, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake and Mendocino Counties — Contributes invertebrate and in-water expertise to collect data on freshwater mussel migration and population dynamics in the Smith River, in support of the project. Focuses on snorkel surveys, quadrat sampling, and locating PIT-tagged individuals. Also serves as a construction monitor during pile driving and removal activities.

Regionally Advancing Living Shorelines in San Francisco Bay Project, Marin, San Francisco, and Alameda Counties, California — Described existing habitat conditions for intertidal and subtidal fish, invertebrates, and mammals at five restoration sites in San Francisco Bay, in support of the project led by California State Coastal Conservancy.

Bay Rise Park Project, Burlingame, California — In support of the project, prepared a Section 7 Biological Assessment for impacts to listed species, collaborated on CESA incidental take permit consultations, and assisted with the project’s California Department of Fish and Wildlife Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 401 Water Quality permit. Assessed intertidal and subtidal habitat for living shoreline design, including algae, invertebrate, and fish species at the site.

Nordic Aquafarms Project, Humboldt County, California — Assisted with mitigation acreage calculations for longfin smelt (LFS) incidental take permit at intake. Estimated larval LFS entrainment and outlined potential plankton entrainment impacts, entrainment impacts, and prepared responses to agency and public comments, presentation materials and analysis through project appeals and continuation of permitting with the Coastal Commission and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The project evaluates the effects of Nordic Aquafarms’ effluent discharge and Humboldt Bay intakes on marine resources as part of the CEQA process and project permitting. Includes Endangered Species Act consultation for effects on listed salmonids and green sturgeon with the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Chevron Eureka Terminal Seismic Retrofit-Eelgrass Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, Eureka, California — Prepared Biological Assessment for impacts to listed salmonids and an Incidental Take Application for impacts to state-listed longfin smelt. Also serves as a construction monitor and assists with pre- and post-project eelgrass surveys.

Russian River Floodplain Restoration, Sonoma County, California — Assists with development of the project’s Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan. Fish species of concern include listed coho salmon, steelhead, Chinook salmon, and native Russian River tule perch. The purpose of the project is to improve floodplain habitat impacted by gravel mining projects along the Russian River west of Windsor.

Subtidal Marine Protected Areas Biodiversity Surveys, California North Coast — As a dive research coordinator in a previous role, led field operations logistics and analysis for subtidal Marine Protected Areas (MPA) biodiversity surveys on California’s north coast, using PISCO survey methods to assess MPA efficacy. Served as lead ecologist for evaluation of bull kelp ecosystem health, including fish, abalone, and sessile invertebrate population assessments.

Queen Conch Surveys, Bahamas and Florida Keys, Florida — In a previous role as a volunteer research assistant with the Shedd Aquarium in the Bahamas and Florida Keys, conducted extensive dive surveys and analyzed habitat associations and spawning behavior of the ESA-threatened queen conch. These long-term studies focus primarily on the efficacy of an established marine protected area and identifying population stressors in the context of proposed marine development (e.g., dredging projects).

Marine Biology and Oceanography Undergraduate Course Instruction, Indonesia, Palau, and Thailand — In a previous role with Sea|mester, taught undergraduate marine biology and oceanography courses, including lectures and laboratory activities, throughout Palau, Indonesia, and Thailand. Tailored course curriculum to local species and habitats and created immersive SCUBA experiences to illustrate fish and invertebrate ecology.

Young Fish Investigations Project, Central and Northern California — As a scientific aid in a previous role, worked with the CDFW Young Fish Investigations project, focused on the juvenile stages of native and invasive fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Assisted with habitat assessments, including water quality metrics and prey availability, and green sturgeon egg mat sampling (in conjunction with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

Education & Credentials

Highlights

6 years of research and professional experience

Fish and invertebrate ecology

Marine ecology

Endangered Species Act compliance

Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans survey methods

R and data analysis

ArcGIS

Education & Credentials

M.S., Biology, Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata, California, 2020

B.S., Biology, Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, University of California, San Diego, 2012

United States Coast Guard Captain’s License 100 Ton Master

American Academy of Underwater Sciences Scientific Diver Certification

Professional Experience

Ecologist 2, H. T. Harvey & Associates, 2024–July, 2026

Lecturer, Cal Poly Humboldt, 2024–present

Mate, marine science and PADI dive instructor, Sea|mester, 2021–2022

Dive research coordinator, North Coast Region Marine Protected Area Monitoring Project, 2020–2021

Fish and Wildlife, 2016–2017

Research scientist and lead diver, 2018–2020

Teaching associate, Cal Poly Humboldt, 2017–2020

Scientific aid, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2016–2017

Clear Filter