Restoration and Conservation

 

San Joaquin Valley HCP Implementation

Clients: ICF Jones and Stokes/Cardno ENTRIX/S2S Environmental Resource Management, Arcadis, Garcia & Associates, TRC Solutions; Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno Counties, California (2011-Present)

  • Successful take avoidance and HCP compliance during the completion of at least 30 projects

  • Compliance oversight and reporting

  • Recommendation and implementation of avoidance measures for species such as San Joaquin antelope squirrel (SJAS), San Joaquin kit fox (SJKF), and Blunt-nosed leopard lizard (BNLL)

  • Participation in calibration and coordination among consultant team

  • On-call biological services including; construction monitoring, general biological surveys and focused biological surveys

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

Chevron Lokern Habitat Conservation Plan EIS/EIR

Client: Chevron U.S.A. Inc./URS Corporation Americas; Kern and Kings Counties, California (2009-Present)

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

  • 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

  • Habitat management and monitoring

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

Monterey County General Plan/San Joaquin Kit Fox Conservation Strategy

Client: EMC Planning Group, Inc.; Monterey County, California (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 conducted several wildlife studies in SJKF habitat including, camera station utilization, coordination of spotlighting sessions, and identification of canids, badgers, burrowing owls, and other wildlife on site.