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Spring: You Don't Bring Me Flowers Anymore...

Rare Plants

While much of the country struggles with winter snow and ice, here in California we are experiencing hot, dry conditions. With little rain in sight, one wonders if there will even be a spring. However much rain we receive, plants respond and begin their growth cycle or remain dormant. If we do not get substantial rain during February or March, it may be a very poor year for conducting plant surveys.

Projects that involve ground disturbance have the potential to affect rare plant species. Many plant species in California are endangered and require special permits and mitigation in order to address impacts to them. Right now is the time to start planning

for spring rare plant surveys. This is especially true in the desert areas where spring weather is of particularly short duration.

But what if the weather does not cooperate and we don't experience adequate rainfall levels? There are other options. ECORP can coordinate with local regulators in order to still achieve project compliance with existing laws. In some cases, a thorough habitat assessment may be adequate in addressing the potential for rare plant species.

If you are building a project in the next calendar year and have not yet conducted rare plant surveys or assessed a project site for plant species potential, ECORP highly recommends that you contact us. ECORP has the skilled botanists on staff that can help your project comply with existing legal requirements protecting plant species.

Burrowing Owls

One of the seldom-seen rare species of California is the burrowing owl, a ground-dwelling species of owl that favors vacant lots and other sparse and desolate areas. This owl species is protected by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as a California Species of Special Concern. Although the burrowing owl inhabits much of the western United States, its California populations are in decline. And even though this year has consisted of very dry conditions so far, the burrowing owl is still expected to be active.

In 2012, the CDFW (then, CDFG) released a Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation, in recognition of the need for a statewide strategy for conserving burrowing owls. The report also describes exact methods for addressing the burrowing owl at the project level. Chances are, if you have a development project located in California, you will need to comply with these state requirements for burrowing owl impact evaluations.

The season for conducting field surveys for burrowing owls extends from February 1 through August 31. The first field survey must be completed between February 15 and April 15 of any given year. These dates are important for all public agencies and private interests considering implementation of a project in the next calendar year. If the surveys are not conducted in the year prior to ground-disturbance, there is a risk of project delays.

If you are building a project on open lands in California, we recommend that you contact us to discuss the potential need for surveying for this rare species of owl, in compliance with existing legal requirements.

Contact Scott Taylor (Southern California) at (909) 307-0046, or Brian Mayerle (Northern California) at (916) 782-9100 for more information.

Water Quality Management and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans

ECORP offers a wide range of storm water management expertise to both private and public sectors for development projects and industrial facilities. Our water quality specialists approach each project with site-specific and cost-effective techniques to minimize storm water pollution and comply with state, federal, and local regulations.

Qualified SWPPP Developers (QSD)

Site-specific Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs)
Selection of appropriate and cost-effective Best Management Practices (BMPs)
SWPPP Plan Amendments
Storm Water Multiple Application and Report Tracking System (SMARTS) assistance
Permit Regulation Documentation (PRD) submittals
Notice of Intent (NOI) preparation
Risk level calculations

Qualified SWPPP Practitioners (QSP)

Linear Underground/overhead Projects (LUP) and traditional construction site monitoring and reporting
Rain Event Action Plan (REAP)
Water quality monitoring, sampling, analysis, and reporting

Storm Water Consultation/National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Technical Assistance