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Client: Dutra Dredging Company/RDA
- Project: Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve Restoration Project -
KBC conducted daily monitoring during the bird nesting season (May through September) of 2006 – 2010
of dredging and other restoration activities at Upper Newport Bay (UNB),Newport Beach, a project sponsored
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). UNB is home to the Light-footed Clapper Rail, California Least
Tern and Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, three endangered species. KBC’s monitoring and communication with
construction personnel ensured that all dredging and associated activities remained away from endangered
species nesting areas, and that vessels associated with the project complied with speed limits to avoid
wake damage to sensitive habitats. KBC prepared monthly and annual reports for reviewed by ACOE,
California Department of Fish and Game and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Client: Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors
- Project: Beach Berm Construction, Zuma, Dockweiler and Redondo Beach - KBC conducted daily monitoring
during construction of beach berms to protect homes and other structures from winter wave damage.
Monitoring was required at county beaches because the threatened Western Snowy Plover roosts and forages
on these beaches during the winter. Our monitoring, conducted annually from 2008 – 2010, during construction
as well as removal of beach berms, ensured that all activities avoided disturbances to Western Snowy Plover.
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: SAIC, Inc., and Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles
- Project: Biological Baseline Surveys, Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors, 2000-2001 and
2007-08: KBC conducted monthly bird surveys documenting numbers and species within both harbors, including the
inner harbors. We compiled and analyzed data for 122,535 bird sightings from 20 surveys and authored the bird section
of the baseline biological resources report. KBC also assisted with biological baseline bird surveys in 2000 and 2001
and participated in preparation of the 2001 final report.
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: Parsons Engineering
- Project: Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement/Pier B Rail Line:KBC conducted
biological resources surveys and prepared the biological resources section of an Environmental Impact Report
and Environmental Impact Statement for replacement of a bridge that spans the Los Angeles River and the Inner
Harbor of the Port of Long Beach, as well as for a new rail line nearby, a separate project. Pertinent issues
included marine resources, Peregrine Falcons nesting on the bridge, foraging areas for the California Least
Tern and California Brown Pelican, and bat roosts under the bridge.
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
- 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. Desert tortoise monitoring is conducted annually for the
Colorado River Aquaduct maintenance.
Client: Southern California Edison Company
- Project: Pole Replacement/Repair Surveys:
KBC conducts up to 75 surveys annually 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. Survey locations include Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange,
San Bernardino, Imperial, Kern, Mono, and Inyo counties. Reports summarizing findings and
recommendations to minimize impacts were submitted to Edison following the surveys. KBC has
also monitored pole replacement projects and conducted surveys for nesting birds prior to scheduled pole replacement.
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.
- 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: California 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.
- 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: 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: Sensitive Species Monitoring, Batiquitos Lagoon:
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: Bird Surveys, Long Term Monitoring Project, 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
a special-status plant called 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. A mitigation plan for
wetland impacts pursuant to the California Coastal Act was also part of the project, a functioning
freshwater marsh near the Wild Oats Market adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway is now visible from the parking lot.
Client: Chris Joseph and Associates
- Project: Nesting Bird Surveys for 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.
- Project: EIR Biological Resources Section,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: EIR Biological Resources Section, 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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