Tag Archives: biology

Hermes Copper Butterfly Listed as a Threatened Species: What that Means for Your Projects

On December 21, 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) officially published the final listing rule for the Hermes copper butterfly (Lycaena [Hermelycaena] hermes), designating it as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). As the species is endemic to San Diego County and northern Baja California, Mexico, the final rule designates

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Wheeler North Reef Expansion Project Protects Marine Mammals and Tribal Cultural Resources

As mitigation related to the former operation of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), Southern California Edison (SCE) sought to expand the existing 174-acre Wheeler North Reef, a manmade rocky reef, off the coast of San Clemente, California by an additional 202 acres. Dudek environmental planners, archaeologists, and marine biologists assisted California State Lands

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The Remarkable Restoration of the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly in Edgewood Preserve

On an afternoon in Redwood City, California in 2002, Dr. Stu Weiss documented the last Bay Checkerspot butterfly to fly in Edgewood Preserve. The butterfly was extinct from the area. Following its extinction, Dr. Weiss was determined to change the butterfly’s fate and understand what caused its massive collapse from an area where it used

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Revisions to 4 Key Wildlife and Wetlands Rules: What It Means for Your Projects

Several federal and state entities have enacted or proposed rule revisions in the past year, which may affect your projects. Read on to find out how. Enacted Rule Revisions Rule revisions to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) by the Department of the Interior (DOI) and to the Clean Water Rule by the U.S. Army

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Federal ESA Implementation Would Change under New Proposed Rules

On July 25, 2018, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published three proposed rules in the Federal Register that would substantially revise regulations implementing portions of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The three rules pertain to (1) the level of protection for Threatened species, (2) regulations for

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How Changes to the MBTA May Affect Your Project

USFWS Reinterprets MBTA Section 2 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) makes it unlawful to “take” (hunt, pursue, capture, injure, kill, or attempt to do so) a wide variety of migratory birds, except as permitted by regulations (16 U.S.C. § 703). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has consistently interpreted Section 2 as

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What You Need to Know about the 2015 and 2018 Clean Water Rules

After a nationwide implementation delay spanning more than 3 years, the 2015 Clean Water Rule became law in late August 2018 in 22 states (including California) as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories. Wetland delineations in all participating states must now follow the 2015 rule. The 2015 rule was published by

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New Guide for Desert Conservation Management

Ten million acres of public land in California deserts are under a new management blueprint with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s approval of the Record of Decision for the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) in September. The new landscape-level plan being implemented includes designation of use zones and management directives for renewable energy,

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Environmental Awareness Training Avoids Project Delays

Thorough knowledge and understanding of a project site is essential to ensure construction occurs in compliance with agency regulations. Proper environmental awareness training (EAT) prior to construction activities can help avoid delays due to unexpected wildlife on site.Benefits of Environmental Awareness Training EAT can be conducted by the project biologist, and may include construction crews

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How to Restore Aquatic Habitat to Increase Fish Populations

Restoring California fish habitat is crucial to maintain native fish species as anadromous and other native fish populations decline in California rivers and streams. Drought conditions have exacerbated competition for dwindling water resources, increased aquatic habitat degradation, and contributed to invasions of non-native fish species. Fish and other aquatic species require specific habitat for all

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