Restoration and Conseravation

San Joaquin Valley HCP Implementation

• HCP Implementation

• Electrical transmission and distribution repairs and maintenance, including test and treat sessions and pole replacements

• Successful take avoidance and HCP compliance during completion of approximately 30 projects from 2012 to 2013

• Compliance oversight and reporting

• Maintenance of quality control expectations

• Recommendation and implementation of species avoidance measures including San Joaquin Antelope Squirrel (SJAS), SJKF, and BNLL

• Participation in calibration and coordination among consultant team

• On-call Biological Services

• Coordination with project planners, biologists, construction personnel, and prime contract biological resource staff

• General and focused biological surveys for listed species

• Nesting bird surveys

• Construction monitoring

Monterey County General Plan/San Joaquin Kit Fox Conservation Strategy

Client: EMC Planning Group, Inc.

• Location: Monterey County, California

• Completion Date: 2014

Conservation strategies were designed to guide Monterey County in the long-term conservation and preservation of natural resources while protecting private property rights (www.co.monterey.ca.us). Based on the results of literature review, agency correspondence and field studies, an SJKF conservation strategy was formulated for review, approval, and implementation by the County.

MBI Project Highlights

• Providing Technical Expertise

  • SJKF habitat requirements

  • Literature review, agency correspondence and field studies

  • Document review/contributed to formulation of SJKF conservation strategy

• Wildlife Studies within SJKF Habitat

  • Camera station utilization

  • Coordination of spotlighting sessions

  • Identification of canids, badgers, burrowing owls, and other wildlife

Chevron Lokern Habitat Conservation Plan EIS/EIR

Client: Chevron U.S.A. Inc./URS Corporation Americas

• Location: Kern and Kings Counties, California

• Completion Date: Ongoing Since 2009

MBI has provided technical expertise during the preparation of an EIS/EIR evaluating the Lokern HCP. The area under permit consideration includes four Kern County oil fields (Kern River, Lost Hills, Cymric-McKittrick, and Midway Sunset), and the Lokern Natural Area. Due to the nature of the HCP, analysis has considered the entire area encompassing these fields, not just Chevron-managed lands. The total area being evaluated covers approximately 204,000 acres in the oil fields and an additional 28,000 acres in the Lokern Natural Area.

MBI Project Highlights

• Data and Literature Review

  • Review of orignal survey data and publicly available records

  • Compilation of data regarding potential impacts to biological resources

  • Analysis of 232,000 acres of land (oil field and conservation lands)

• Document Preparation

  • Review of biological resources section and supporting documentation

  • Application of knowledge of oil and gas production activities, permitting issues, effectiveness of minimization, avoidance and mitigation measures

  • Team regional expert for biological resources of the San Joaquin Valley as part of the technical team assembled for the project

  • Collaboration with agency personnel and legal counsel during FESA and CESA permitting activities

• Continuing Support

  • Habitat management and monitoring

  • Annual biological surveys assessing condition on conservation lands (including BNLL, SJKF, SJAS, GKR, and sensitive plants)