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Information on terrestrial conditions is needed prior to preparation of detailed designs. The property should be surveyed; all corners and sidelines clearly marked and the topography recorded. It may also be prudent to establish permanent corner markers with concrete and steel. Unless the hatchery site is clearly within the property boundaries, use registered surveyors to establish a legal basis for any property disputes. It is also desirable to bring in a vertical datum from the nearest benchmark. At sites where it is prohibitively expensive to bring in a vertical datum, comparison of observed and predicted tides may allow a rough estimate of mean sea level. A permanent vertical benchmark based on mean sea level can then be established near the hatchery. In addition, soil types on the site to a depth of at least 2 m should be established. If the site has relatively uniform soils, such as all sand, this might be very simple. If the soils are variable or of low bearing strength, detailed soil testing may be required. Extensive filling and compacting can significantly increase the cost of site development (Colt & Huguenin, 1992).
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