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Client: Port of Los Angeles

  • Project: California Least Tern Monitoring and Associated Studies - KBC annually monitors California least tern nesting in the Los Angeles Harbor, a continuing project since 1987. This includes marking all nests and collecting data on eggs and young, and conducting foraging studies. Monitoring from 1998 through 2000 also included visual water quality monitoring for turbidity, and education programs for construction personnel regarding the least tern and impact avoidance. From 1997 through 2000, least terns nested in several areas near ongoing construction activities; this required frequent monitoring and communication with construction personnel, and occasional monitoring of construction equipment in the vicinity of nesting least terns, to avoid construction impacts. KBC also prepared reports each year on least tern breeding success.

Client: Chambers Group, Inc.

  • Project: Avian Impact Analysis, Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project - KBC compiled data collected on bird use of the 1000-acre Bolsa Chica Wetlands over the past 20 years and prepared the bird portion of the Existing Conditions, Impact Analysis and Mitigation section of the EIR/EIS for this project pursuant to CEQA and NEPA.  The impact analysis evaluated 10 alternatives and impacts on 31 sensitive species. 

Client: California Department of Fish and Game

  • Project: Principle Investigator, Statewide California Least Tern Monitoring - KBC coordinated least tern monitoring at 36 least tern nesting sites throughout California in 1997, 1998 and 1999.  As part of this project KBC coordinated and assisted with monitoring the Least Tern nesting site at Bolsa Chica, prepared and presented a monitoring workshop, prepared data forms and monitoring protocol packets for all monitors, gathered data from monitors and prepared annual reports.

Client: The Planning Center

  • Project: Biological Resources Section of Sully-Miller Fieldstone Properties EIR: KBC conducted biological resources surveys and prepared a biological resources report pursuant to CEQA for a 100-acre project in the City of Orange.  Surveys included focused spring searches for sensitive vegetation species, mapping of vegetation communities via GIS, focused searches for sensitive species including least Bell’s vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher. Other issues included the Santiago Creek that flows through the project site and oak trees.

Client: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

  • Project: Cajalco Creek Dam and Detention Basin - KBC conducted daily construction monitoring for a twenty-month period (January 2000 to October 2001) by eight biologists of a Metropolitan Water District project within the Lake Mathews Multi-Species Reserve. KBC personnel also participated in the monitoring, attended project meetings, and coordinated monitoring of vegetation removal preceding construction.     Photo
  • Other Monitoring Projects - As part of an on-call contract for the Metropolitan Water District KBC conducted construction monitoring and focused surveys for sensitive species on several projects for desert tortoise, least bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, California gnatcatcher and other species.

Client: Southern California Edison Company

  • Project: Pole Replacement/Repair Surveys: KBC conducted surveys at several power poles to assess the impacts of pole repair or replacement on biological resources including sensitive plant communities, sensitive wildlife and sensitive plant species. Surveys were conducted at over 100 pole locations in Riverside, Los Angeles and Orange counties.  Reports summarizing findings and recommendations to minimize impacts were submitted to Edison following the surveys.

Client: Myra Frank and Associates

  • Project: Caltrans Interstate 5 Bridge Construction - As a subcontractor to Myra Frank, subcontracting to DJMJ+Harris, KBC provided construction monitoring to ensure contractors complied with all aspects of project permits including a California Dept. of Fish and Game Streambed Alteration Agreement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion, and Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit. The bridges are located over the Santa Clara River, and several endangered species are known to occur in the river at the project sites. Photo
  • Project: Caltrans State Route 101 Bridge over Santa Clara River Construction - As a subcontractor to Myra Frank, subcontracting to DJMJ+Harris, Kathy Keane conducted construction monitoring to ensure contractors complied with all aspects of project permits including a California Dept. of Fish and Game Streambed Alteration Agreement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion, and Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit.

Client: Port of Long Beach

  • Project: Least Tern Foraging Studies - KBC designed and conducted foraging surveys in shallow water habitats of the Long Beach Naval Station and newly-created shallow water habitat area (a mitigation site) to assess impacts of a proposed container terminal on Least Tern foraging activities, and to assess the success of the shallow water habitat area in terms of supporting Least Tern foraging. Surveys were conducted twice weekly during the Least Tern nesting season in 1997 through 2005 at the Naval Station and at comparison stations in the nearby Los Angeles Harbor.

Client: SRS Technologies

  • Project: Environmental Assessment: Beach Closure Alternatives for Western Snowy Plover - KBC researched and prepared the snowy plover section of the environmental document which discusses the natural history, history of nesting at Vandenberg, and potential impacts of the various beach closure alternatives to protect nesting snowy plovers.  KBC also participated in launch monitoring, assessing the potential impact of a Vandenberg missile launch in March 2000.

Client: City of Long Beach

  • Project: Biological Resources Section for Sports Park and Animal Control Center EIRs - KBC conducted surveys and prepared a Biological Resources report for a proposed 40-acre sports facility and a 6-acre Animal Care Center at El Dorado Park. Several potential impacts on wildlife and sensitive species including the Tricolored Blackbird in the nearby El Dorado Nature Center were addressed. KBC coordinated with City community planning regarding a biological resources document addressing impacts of a proposed private development on former wetlands and supporting a sensitive plant species.
  • Project: MBTA Surveys - KBC has also conducted surveys of several trees maintained by the City of Long Beach prior to tree trimming or removal to ensure that the city complied with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Sections 3503, 3503.5 and 3513 of the California Fish and Game Code.
  • Project: On-Call Biological Resources Services - Keane Biological Consulting has assisted the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine from 1999 through 2005, monitoring construction activity and tree trimming adjacent to nesting herons, coordinating resources agency meetings for the Alamitos Marina project, and conducting nesting bird surveys for projects that involve tree removal.

Client: Nature Reserve of Orange County

  • Project: Target Species Sampling and Monitoring - KBC directed and participated in surveys in 1997, 1998 and 1999 for California Gnatcatcher, Coastal Cactus Wren and Orange-Throated Whiptail in six sampling areas within the 37,000-acre Nature Reserve of Orange County, a result of the Natural Communities Conservation Planning process. KBC personnel also directed plant species sampling with the use of transects in each of the areas and summarized information in a report for the project.

Client:  MEC Analytical Systems, Inc. and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

  • Project: On-Call Biological Monitoring: As a sub-consultant to MEC, KBC conducted and coordinated surveys of the California Least Tern to assess impacts on foraging due to a beach nourishment project in Surfside and Sunset Beach.  KBC developed the survey design and data collection sheets and trained and monitored all field personnel regarding data collection methodology. KBC also participated in several of the surveys, which were conducted twice daily from May through July in 1997, and assisted with final report preparation. KBC trained monitors to conduct foraging surveys and turbidity monitoring at an Corps dredging project at Marina del Rey in 1998.  In 1999, KBC conducted followup surveys through Aspen Environmental to compare with surveys conducted during the beach nourishment project.  In 2000 and 2001, KBC coordinated and participated in foraging surveys of Oceanside Harbor and its vicinity to assess impacts of proposed dredging on least tern foraging. KBC prepared annual reports for this project, including a separate report evaluating impacts of harbor dredging on California Brown Pelicans.

Client: MEC Analytical Systems, Inc. and Aspen Environmental Group

  • Project: Pier 400 Closure Study and Monitoring of California Least Tern Foraging, Port of Los Angeles Harbor Deepening Project, for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - For MEC: Kathy Keane and KBC biologists Nathan Mudry and Matt Amalong analyzed data collected over 8 years of foraging surveys in the Los Angeles Harbor to determine whether harbor dredging for the Pier 400 project had any apparent effect on Least Tern foraging. For Aspen: Kathy Keane and 5 subcontractors collected data on Least Tern foraging at 28 stations in the Los Angeles Harbor during the 2001, 2002 and 2003 Least Tern breeding seasons. Data were compiled, analyzed and compared among years to determine the most important locations in the Los Angeles Harbor for Least Tern foraging.

Client: TetraTech, Inc.

  • Project: Batiquitos Lagoon Sensitive Species Monitoring - KBC coordinated monitoring of California least tern and western snowy plover during and following construction of a three-year lagoon enhancement plan by the Port of Los Angeles.  KBC monitored five nesting sites totaling over 30 acres. Nesting populations increased from approximately 30 least terns and 5 snowy plovers prior to the enhancement plan to over 200 least terns and over 30 snowy plovers after completion.

Client: Merkel and Associates, Inc.

  • Project: Long Term Monitoring, Batiquitos Lagoon Enhancement Plan - Kathy Keane, President of KBC, is Team Leader for avian studies as part of a 10-year monitoring program by the Port of Los Angeles for an extensive wetland mitigation plan in Carlsbad, California. Ms. Keane coordinates surveys by six to eight ornithologists that extend over two days, four times annually.  All bird species are recorded throughout the lagoon, including the number of individuals, the habitat they are using, bird behavior, weather, time and tide. Ms. Keane analyzes data for each survey, prepares a quarterly report discussing results and trends and participates in preparation of annual reports summarizing and comparing results of all surveys. 

Client: Myra Frank and Associates

  • Project: Centinela State Prison SVP Facility, El Centro, Imperial County, CA. - KBC conducted all biological surveys and prepared the biological resources section of the EIR for this project as part of a larger document analyzing alternative locations for the facility throughout the state. Surveys focused on plant and wildlife resources and habitat for special interest species on the project site.  The site was also evaluated for the presence of wetlands or riparian resources that may be subject to jurisdiction under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the California Department of Fish and Game. Impact analysis included consideration of the potential effects of a lethal electrified fence surrounding the facility on wildlife species.
  • Project: Construction Monitoring, Alameda Corridor - KBC conducted monitoring during March through August 2000 and 2001 by two biologists of construction in the vicinity of nesting birds to minimize violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Client: PBQ&D

  • Project: State Route 22/West Orange County Connection EIR/EIS and Natural Environmental Study, Orange County - KBC conducted biological surveys along a 16-mile stretch of highway and prepared a Natural Environmental Study per Caltrans guidelines. Surveys documented plant and wildlife species and the potential for occurrence of sensitive species. In addition, a wetlands delineation pursuant to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers guidelines was conducted at proposed highway stream crossings.

Client: Impact Sciences, Inc.

  • Project: Ornithological Investigations for Playa Vista - KBC directed and participated in surveys in 1995, 1998 and 2001 for several sensitive bird species including the light-footed clapper rail, black rail, western snowy plover, California least tern, burrowing owl, least Bell’s vireo and California gnatcatcher for the 1,000+ acre Playa Vista project at Ballona Wetlands.  Surveys and extensive literature review were conducted to update existing information and to prepare the ornithological portion of the biological resources report, an appendix to the EIR. KBC’s report was instrumental in overturning litigation against the project.  Because the project involves coastal wetlands, extensive coordination was necessary with the Los Angeles District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which requested KBC’s assistance on other aspects of the project, including review of ornithological performance criteria for the project’s freshwater marsh mitigation plan.  KBC recommended breeding bird censuses of existing habitats for comparison with the mitigation sites in later years; these were approved and directed by KBC. 

Client:  Chris Joseph and Associates

  • Project: Little Sycamore - KBC reviewed project information and prepared a letter report for the City of Malibu Environmental Review Board for a 245-acre project in the vicinity of an Ecological Sensitive Habitat Area, a Significant Watershead Area and Leo Carillo State Park. Issues addressed and additional mitigation was proposed for potential impacts on steelhead trout habitat downstream and on a unique habitat of Red Shanks. 

Client: Selleck Development

  • Project: Biological Section of EIR for Market Center, City of Long Beach - KBC president Kathy Keane and subcontracting botanist Julie Greene conducted general biological surveys of this 7-acre site in Long Beach. The site formerly supported wetlands and currently ponds water during the rainy season. Rare plant surveys for the southern tarplant (Hemizonia parryi ssp. australis) and a wetland assessment was conducted as part of the biological study.  A detailed mitigation plan for the southern tarplant was also developed by Ms. Keane and Julie Greene.

Client: Chris Joseph and Associates

  • Project: UCLA Northwest Housing Project EIR - KBC located, measured, tagged and mapped over 300 “specimen trees” on a 13.7 acre project site on the UCLA campus. Surveys were also conducted to evaluate the presence of other flora and fauna, and a biological resources section of an EIR was prepared.  KBC conducted a pre-construction survey to evaluate the number of trees that would be removed, relocated or saved in place.

Client: Chris Joseph and Associates

  • Project: Self Realization Fellowship Church Revised Master Plan - KBC conducted biological resource surveys and prepared the EIR biology section for a 12.5-acre site on Mount Washington in the City of Los Angeles. Although the project proposed to remove only 2.4 acres of vegetation, most of which was horticultural, and the project was surrounded on three sides by residential development, community activists submitted numerous comments regarding endangered species, wildlife corridors and other allegedly sensitive biological issues of the area that required extensive review, analysis and comment. 

Client: Keeton Kreitzer Consulting

  • Project: Biola University Master Plan Update - In 2000, KBC conducted surveys and prepared the biological resources section of the Environmental Impact report for this project. It addressed the existing biological resources of the Biola University campus and discussed potential impacts on those resources, including La Mirada Creek, that may result from construction and operation of the Revised Master Plan.

Client:  United States Fish and Wildlife Service

  • Project: Salton Sea Bird Surveys, 1998-1999 - KBC conducted monthly bird surveys during 1998 of an approximately 4-square mile area at the California Department of Fish and Game’s Wister Waterfowl Unit on the southwestern shore of Salton Sea.  Surveys were conducted as part of an effort to collect baseline avian data for the Salton Sea and its vicinity. KBC’s surveys were conducted over a two-day period and included all waterfowl ponds and upland areas of the Wister Unit north of Beach Road as well as the sea’s shoreline west of the Wister Unit.  Bird counts for January through March included over 8,000 individual birds of over 60 species.   

Client: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

  • Project: Inland Feeder EIR/EIS and Mitigation Monitoring - KBC president Kathy Keane, while in the employ of another consulting firm, served as primary author of the Biological Resources Environmental Planning Technical Report as well as the biological resources section of the EIR/EA for the Metropolitan Water District’s Inland Feeder project.  The project survey area encompassed an area one-half mile wide along five alternative pipeline alignments, each approximately 45 miles in length.  Significant issues included the endangered Stephen's kangaroo rat and Santa Ana River woolly star, coastal sage scrub and Riversidean alluvial sage scrub. Ms. Keane attended project meetings with resources agencies during the course of the project and coordinated all field work while participating in monitoring of geotechnical investigations to avoid additional impacts on biological resources including endangered/threatened species.  Ms. Keane also directed the completion of a study plan to determine successful revegetation methods for sensitive plants and reviewed additional revegetation plans.
  • Project: Inland Feeder Habitat Quality Analysis - KBC provided a Project Manager and field team leader for a habitat quality analysis study requiring detailed field sampling for plant and wildlife species. Data gathered during transects were used to calculate the number of special-interest species, species richness, species density, vegetation structure, and proportion of native plant species. These values were used to derive Habitat Valves used for comparison with Habitat Values of proposed mitigation sites to ensure appropriate and equitable compensation. 

Client: Transportation Corridor Agencies

  • Project: Eastern Transportation Corridor Biological Assessment - KBC personnel directed and participated in the surveys per USFWS guidelines for California Gnatcatcher and Coastal Cactus Wren at Siphon Reservoir and supervised documentation of project impacts on the threatened California Gnatcatcher. The Biological Assessment was prepared as part of a Section 7 consultation per the Endangered Species Act with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. KBC personnel also participated in monitoring of gnatcatcher activity during corridor construction, and designed a study to band and monitor dispersal of gnatcatchers.

Client: Caltrans District 12 (Orange County)

  • Project: On-Call Surveys and Monitoring - KBC personnel supervised surveys and documentation by five biologists for numerous sensitive wildlife species including Least Bell's Vireo, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, California Gnatcatcher, southwestern pond turtle, and Pacific pocket mouse in eight locations in Orange County during 1993 and 1994 as part of an on-call services contract. All surveys were conducted per USFWS/CDFG guidelines.

Client: Ultrasystems Environmental

  • Project: Terrestrial Biological Resources for Termino Drain Negative Declaration: The County of Los Angeles proposed storm drain improvements for Termino Drain, which extends south from the intersection of Termino Avenue and Anaheim Street to the former Pacific Electric Railroad right-of-way, continues through southeast Long Beach into Colorado Lagoon and improvements of a culvert that drains the lagoon to the Marine Stadium.  Kathy Keane of Keane Biological Consulting conducted surveys of the project area in 2000 and authored the biological resources section of the Negative Declaration. Special-status species in the project area included Southern Tarplant, which is listed by the California Native Plant Society and occurs near the Marine Stadium, and two endangered species—the California Least Tern and California Brown Pelican, which roost and/or forage at the Colorado Lagoon.  Other issues were the potential disturbance of a City of Long Beach mitigation site at the northern end of the Marine Stadium.

Client:  Coastal Resources Management

  • Project: Mitigation Monitoring for Bird Use, City of Long Beach Marine Stadium - Keane Biological conducted surveys twice annually from 1997 to 2003 to document use of a City of Long Beach mitigation site by bird species. The mitigation site extends along the entire beach at the northern end of the Marine Stadium, from +7 to – 3 foot mean low low water (MLLW). The mitigation project was conducted to replace intertidal, subtidal and benthic and riprap invertebrate resources lost during construction of the Leeway Sailing Center on the Long Beach Peninsula in 1995-1996. The area was later colonized by eelgrass (Zostera marina), which is not an endangered species but is considered an important component of shallow water marine communities. Kathy’s surveys documented that an average of 4.3 bird guilds and an average of 7.3 bird species were present at the mitigation site during surveys from July 1997 through November 2002, exceeding survey results at a reference (comparison) site: 3.2 bird guilds and 4.7 bird species.
  • Project: Big Canyon Creek Restoration - KBC compiled a team of biological experts to conduct general as well as focused surveys for special-status plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals of a proposed restoration site in Upper Newport Bay. Kathy Keane and other KBC biologists conducted a series of three focused surveys for Belding’s savannah sparrows to determine the approximate number of breeding pairs at the mouth of Big Canyon Creek.  A technical appendix was compiled summarizing results of all surveys as well as a report for the general public regarding the biological resources of Big Canyon Creek including locations of several special-status species including the endangered Belding’s savannah sparrow and salt marsh bird’s beak, as well as locations of areas suitable for enhancement and restoration.

Client:  EDAW

  • Project: Termino Drain Foraging Surveys - Keane Biological Consulting conducted twice-weekly surveys in 2004 of the Colorado Lagoon and Marine Stadium for foraging and roosting by the endangered California least tern and endangered California brown pelican. Surveys covered areas that may be directly or indirectly affected by construction or operation of the proposed reconstructed Termino Drain.

Client: PBQ&D

  • Project: City of Santa Maria U.S. 101/S.R. 135 Interchange Improvement - Kathy Keane of KBC prepared a Natural Environmental Study pursuant to Caltrans guidelines for an interchange improvement project in northern Santa Barbara County. The project was located adjacent to the Santa Maria River which harbors several special-status species.

Client: Civic Solutions

  • Project: City of Newport Beach Bayview Landing - KBC prepared the biological resources section for CEQA documentation for a proposed 11-acre city park and senior housing center. No special-status species were located on the site during focused surveys; however, two areas of ponded water determined to be “wetlands” per the California Coastal Commission were located on the site.

Client: Castaic Union School District

  • Project: Sloan Canyon School - Kathy Keane of KBC conducted a biological survey in spring 2002 of an undeveloped 30-acre parcel and prepared the biological resources section of a negative declaration. Several oak trees were present on the site and she retained an arborist to conduct oak tree surveys and obtain an oak tree permit for the project pursuant to the County of Los Angeles Oak Tree ordinance. A focused botanical survey was also conducted for San Fernando Valley spineflower and other sensitive plant species; none were located on the site.  An assessment of a drainage on the site pursuant to Army Corps of Engineers was conducted in spring 2003.

Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach

  • Project: Baseline Biological Studies - KBC coordinated and participated in monthly surveys documenting numbers and species of birds within both harbors including the inner harbors in 2000 and 2001 and participated in preparation of the final report.

 

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