Tag Archives: biology

Re-Establishing Native Host Plants to Recover Butterfly Populations Along the Southern California Coast

Nicole Flewellen

Volunteer habitat rehabilitation efforts in drought-stricken Southern California have proven helpful in recovering butterfly populations threatened by weeds, which have crowded out butterfly host plants. Host plant re-establishment represents just one aspect of full habitat restoration, but without preservation efforts on the Palos Verdes Peninsula (Peninsula), extinction of two rare subspecies of blue butterflies—the El

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Protected Bird Species Rescued from Carlsbad Desalination Plant Project Site

Nicole Flewellen

While installing the conveyance pipeline for the Poseidon Carlsbad desalination plant, crews lowered a crane for maintenance and were surprised to find a nest containing five bird eggs. The contractor, Kiewit Shea Desalination (KSD), immediately halted work. Dudek biologists—serving as environmental monitors for the project—identified the nest as belonging to Cassin’s Kingbird, a native species

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New Fairy Shrimp Survey Protocols Released

Nicole Flewellen

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) issued updated survey protocol guidelines for listed fairy shrimp in California and southern Oregon on June 25. The guidelines divide California into Zones A, B and C (see map below) for surveying protocol purposes. Protocol Guidelines Brock Ortega, a Dudek biology practice lead and long-time permit holder, offers

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Missed Pre-Construction Deadlines? We Can Help!

Dudek

Missing the February deadline to clear vegetation at pre-construction sites prior to bird nesting season doesn’t need to put the project on hold until September 15 when nesting season ends. To avoid potential construction delays, vegetation should be cleared at pre-construction sites prior to the breeding season because destroying a bird nest or causing nesting

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“Water Bugs” Target of New Water Quality Sampling Requirement

Dudek

Water quality permits in California for projects impacting wetlands, “blue-line” streams, and other jurisdictional water bodies are starting to require sampling for “water bugs” known as benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI). BMI live on or in the substrate under bodies of water. They respond quickly to changes in water quality and nutrient input and are regarded as

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Eagles and Wind Turbines: What USFWS Guidelines Mean for Wind Energy Projects

Dudek

In response to increasing wind energy development in the United States, particularly California and its bordering states, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has released for public comment various guidelines on how to assess and mitigate potential adverse effects of wind turbines on wildlife resources. Particular emphasis has been placed on addressing the potential

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Managing Unexpected Endangered Species

Dudek

Even with environmental permits in hand and construction set to begin, routine pre-construction surveys sometimes result in the unexpected discovery of sensitive (endangered) species. The San Diego County Water Authority’s project to raise San Vicente Dam – the largest such project in the United States – had been issued permits for three federally listed endangered

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