|
For Presley Homes, Sycamore Associates LLC conducted permitting and mitigation planning on this complex and controversial 550-acre San Jose site that integrated mixed residential areas, a golf course, open space, wetland enhancement, and habitat conservation areas. Special-status species included the Bay checkerspot butterfly, California tiger salamander, burrowing owl, Santa Clara Valley dudleya, Metcalf Canyon jewelflower, and the Mt. Hamilton thistle.
Sycamore implemented numerous steps including detailed plan review and analysis, pre-construction and construction monitoring, transplanting and propagation of special-status species, special-status species population mapping, preparation of a Habitat Conservation Plan, acquisition of local genetically adapted serpentine plants for planting, development of a geographic information system and library, development of evidentiary documents, installation of a data-logging weather station, preparation of a complex mitigation and monitoring plan, and development of Best Management Practices addressing water quality concerns.
Sycamore also designed and implemented a unique California tiger salamander salvage plan for the Ranch on Silver Creek that included the construction of an on-site mitigation pond, salvage and relocation of California tiger salamanders via pitfall trapping, and additional off-site mitigation. A template was developed for a Regional Environmental Trust geared to in perpetuity resource-focused management of special-status species.
Additional key issues included habitat interfaces, public access, and quarry reclamation. To finalize Sycamore's involvement with the project, staff negotiated permits with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Game, and the City of San Jose. Sycamore prepared the draft California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) text, which was directly incorporated by the City's Environmental Impact Report (EIR) consultant.
Key issues included: Biological Assessment & Impact Analysis; Restoration, Construction & Monitoring; Restoration, Mitigation, & Permitting; Urban Creek & Park Planning;
Water Resources & Water Quality; Resource Management Planning; and Wildlife Relocation
Due to the significant controversy of the Pamo Dam project, which was threatened by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) veto, we were brought in to conduct a regulatory and biological feasibility analysis and final evaluation of the controversial Pamo Dam project involving the City and County Water Authority of San Diego, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Fish and Game, the Forest Service, and several community groups. The proposed project included the creation of over 1,500 acres of wetland riparian and oak woodland habitats as mitigation.
Major issues involved the 404 (c) EPA veto, 404 (b)(1) Alternative Analysis, site and mitigation plan feasibility, massive exotic plant eradication, restoration costs, habitat creation for the least Bell's vireo, and long-term maintenance and monitoring. Feasible alternatives to the proposed mitigation plan were identified, as were recommendations on management of the regulatory process.
Key issues included: Biological Assessment & Impact Analysis; Restoration, Mitigation, & Permitting; Water Resources & Water Quality; and Economic & Feasibility Analysis
Sycamore Associates LLC conducted biotic surveys including a reconnaissance-level biological assessment, formal wetlands delineation, and a California red-legged frog and Alameda whipsnake site assessment for the proposed San Ramon Valley YMCA project in the town of Alamo. Sycamore negotiated on-site mitigation requirements with California Department of Fish and Game, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sycamore prepared the mitigation plan and permit applications for this proposed project.
Key issues included: Biological Assessment & Impact Analysis and Restoration, Mitigation, & Permitting
For Redhorse Constructors, Sycamore Associates LLC conducted field surveys for vegetation and wildlife, and delineated wetlands for a 30-acre property in Marin County. Sycamore assisted project planners and engineers in preparation of development plans that protect special-status species and habitats, including nesting cooper's hawk and other raptors and passerines, California red-legged frog, special-status bats, wetlands and waters of the U.S. and State, and two rare plant species; Oakland star-tulip and bristly linanthus.
A salvage and relocation effort of seeds and bulbs was coordinated for populations that could not be avoided. Guidelines were provided for wetland and heritage tree mitigation. Sycamore also conducted focused and pre-construction surveys for the California red-legged frog and special-status bats according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protocols, and negotiated permits with the California Department of Fish and Game, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Key issues included: Biological Assessment & Impact Analysis; Restoration, Mitigation, & Permitting; and Biodiversity Conservation Planning
For Braddock and Logan, Sycamore Associates LLC led permitting and mitigation planning on this large residential development project in San Jose that included 213 residential units, open space, wetland enhancement, and habitat conservation areas. The Bay checkerspot butterfly, California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, Western burrowing owl, and other special-status species inhabit this 260-acre site.
Sycamore's team conducted focused surveys, mapped plant and animal populations, prepared a Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, designed mitigation features including wetland habitat and other wildlife enhancement features, and will oversee the construction of mitigation areas and the translocation of California tiger salamanders, Western burrowing owls, and California red-legged frogs to the mitigation area as needed.
Sycamore negotiated with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Game, and the City of San Jose to ensure in-perpetuity conservation of 200 acres of open space, including habitat for several special-status species. Sycamore worked with the City and the Regional Water Quality Control Board to plan Best Management Practices to fully address water quality concerns. Other issues included: preservation of serpentine soils, wetland mitigation, habitat interfaces, and wildlife corridor movement.
Key issues included: Biological Assessment & Impact Analysis; Restoration, Mitigation & Permitting; Biodiversity Conservation Planning; Water Resources & Water Quality
Sycamore Associates LLC coordinated reconnaissance-level biological surveys and prepared Biological Evaluation (BE) and Biological Assessment (BA) for the Federal Highways Administration on their Forest Highway 195, Big Creek Road improvement project in Sierra National Forest in eastern Fresno County. Sycamore also performed a formal wetland delineation and preliminary jurisdictional determination conforming to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers protocol on the 2.3 km linear study area. Following recommendations from the BA/BE, Sycamore revisited the study area and performed focused botanical surveys to determine the presence or absence of rare plant species.
Key issues included: Biological Assessment & Impact Analysis
Marin County Department of Public Works is proposing to maintain and upgrade forty-nine drainage culverts and portions of associated drainages along a linear corridor in western Marin County, California. Sycamore Associates LLC conducted a biological assessment of the study corridor to assess the potential for the occurrence of special-status plant or wildlife species and sensitive vegetation communities within the areas to be affected by the project.
In addition to the biological assessment, Sycamore conducted a formal wetland delineation and preliminary jurisdictional determination to identify the extent of waters of the U.S. expected to fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers within each of the project work areas. Also identified were potential waters of the State of California, which are anticipated to fall under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Fish and Game and/or the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Sycamore provided an analysis of impacts to regulated resources, recommendations for avoidance and minimization of impacts to sensitive biological resources, and pre-permit application agency coordination.
Key issues included: Biological Assessment & Impact Analysis and Restoration, Mitigation, & Permitting
|
Services
