Department Spotlight: Biology
Aspen Environmental Group is a leader in providing professional biological services in support of public and private clients. The accurate identification, documentation, disclosure of biological resource information, and identification of any potential significant impacts and measures to avoid or minimize these impacts are critical to ensuring that projects commence on time and without costly delays. This year our biologists have worked on a number of exciting large-scale infrastructure, private renewable energy, and permitting projects, as well as continuing to support clients with compliance phase activities such as mitigation monitoring and habitat restoration services. Some of Aspen’s recent work has included:
Protocol and focused surveys for rare plants and sensitive vegetation, burrowing owl, least Bell’s vireo, Swainson’s hawk, California spotted owl, southwestern willow flycatchers, golden eagles, Santa Ana sucker, Arroyo chub, steelhead, arroyo toad, California red-legged frog, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, southwestern pond turtles, and many other sensitive wildlife.
Habitat assessments for sensitive plants and wildlife including Mohave ground squirrel, Coachella fringe-toed lizard, desert tortoise, and bighorn sheep for infrastructure projects and the acquisition of mitigation lands.
Mitigation monitoring and compliance reporting for electrical transmission line projects, substations, water conveyance systems, pipelines, erosion control, and restoration projects.
Sand transport studies and the effects of flood control structures on sand migration.
Sensitive fish relocation and habitat enhancement projects for Santa Ana Sucker and arroyo chub.
Assessment of impacts to marine and intertidal communities from the installation transpacific fiber-optic cables and shore facilities.
Assessments of impacts to birds from the operation of large scale-solar thermal and photovoltaic electrical generating facilities
Landscape level jurisdictional waters/wetlands delineations for housing and solar facilities.
Compliance reporting and data management for large-scale infrastructure and transmission projects.
Permitting and biological support for emergency repairs and preparation for the upcoming El Niño event.
These studies and assessments have been used to support our clients through the environmental review, permitting, and compliance process. The Biological Resources group continues to broaden and grow our existing in-house technical expertise, biological knowledge, and practical field experience. As part of this, Aspen is actively growing our in-house fisheries expertise. We look forward to providing these services to our existing and new clients.