Aspen Begins New Projects

Aspen has recently been awarded a contract by the San Bernardino County Department of Public Works (SBCDPW) to prepare environmental documents and regulatory permits for the development of the Donnell Basin. Donnell Basin is a regional flood control detention basin located within the City of Twentynine Palms. The San Bernardino County Flood Control District is proposing improvements to Donnell Basin to reduce flows, sedimentation and debris.

Aspen’s Inland Empire office continues to provide field biology expertise to support the SBCDPW. Biologists Justin Wood and Tracy Valentovich are collecting field data to evaluate the progress of the revegetation efforts associated with the San Sevaine/Etiwanda Creek Water Project. Revegetation is required as a permit condition by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as mitigation for temporary habitat impacts as a result of the construction of the Etiwanda Debris Dam. Field data collection is also being performed by Aspen at two adjoining conservation areas that were established as open space reserves to offset permanent habitat impacts. Aspen’s biologists will collate and analyze the field data to evaluate revegetation success criteria established in the projects maintenance, monitoring, restoration, and protection plan.

Aspen is also assisting the SBCDPW with the preparation of an EIR for the Rimforest Storm Drain Project. The County is proposing to construct and maintain a series of drainage facilities in the community of Rimforest, to address historic erosion and landsliding problems that have led to significant property loss in southern Rimforest.

Aspen is currently serving as an On-Call contractor with the department on multiple contracts to provide environmental review, biological, permitting, and processing services.