On-Call Biological Services

Project Specifications

Client: Western Area Power Administration

Location: Shasta County

Services: Biological Resources, Cultural Resources

Under an on-call contract with Western Area Power Administration, Aspen has been conducting biological and cultural surveys and monitoring for various task order projects.

Malin-Round Mountain Bio Surveys/Monitoring. Aspen conducted biological surveys to detect raptor and other bird nesting activity in and adjacent to transmission towers. Aspen biologists also conducted pre-construction surveys of sensitive biological resources.

Churn Creek 404 Permit. Aspen prepared US Army Corps of Engineers Pre-Construction Notification in accordance with General Conditions #32 and Sacramento District Regional Conditions for a bank stabilization project which meets criteria for Nationwide Permit #13.

Wick’s Corner. Aspen prepared biological surveys for rare plants and water features at the Wicks Corner vicinity, which is an unincorporated community in Butte County, CA. The survey site is a proposed helicopter landing pad located just inside the entrance to the Vulcan Materials Company at Table Mountain boulevard and Flag Creek Road. Bloom season surveys were conducted for the rare plants Wooly rose-mallow (Hibiscus lasiocarpos var. occidentalis) (CNPS rare), Butte County golden clover (Trifolium jokerstii) (CNPS rare), and Butte County meadow foam (Limnanthes floccosa) (federal/state endangered). Surveys were not conducted for Vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus packardi) (federally endangered) or Vernal pool fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lynchii) (federally threatened), as there was no water onsite during the survey date.

Southfork Mountain. Aspen prepared a plant and wildlife survey at South Fork Mountain in Shasta County, in an unincorporated area West of Redding, Ca. The surveys were conducted for rare plants and animals at a proposed helicopter landing zone and surrounding 100 buffer zone at the top of South Fork Mountain. A dirt road (South Fork Mountain Lookout Road) accesses the site. The existing site consists of two large radio towers with microwave and radio wave transmitters. Two other small power buildings and related infrastructure are adjacent to the towers to the east. The proposed helicopter landing pad is to the west of the tower. A bloom season survey was conducted for rare plants including Canyon Creek Stonecrop (Sedum obtusatum ssp. Paradisum) (not federally listed), and Shasta huckleberry (Vaccinium shastense) (CNPS Rank 1B.3). Wildlife surveys were also conducted for the Shasta salamander (Hydromantes shastae) (state threatened).