Natural Environment Study. The CONSULTANT environmental team will prepare a draft and final Natural Environment Study (NES), according to the current format guidelines from Caltrans. This document will compile and integrate data and information from a literature review and current database records, include a description of field methods and results of the field studies and protocol surveys, address sensitive plant and animal species that are known or have potential to occur, assess site physical and hydrological condition, and calculate impacts and mitigation in an appropriate regulatory context. The NES will update the results of a literature review of federal and State lists of sensitive species and current database records (e.g., CNDDB), a description of the field methods, and the results of the directed surveys. Field work will be conducted by qualified biologists in order to document the presence/absence of sensitive biological resources (e.g., species or habitats), or to determine the potential for occurrence of such resources that may not be detectable when the field work is conducted. Additional work to support the NES includes acquisition/review of CAD and/or GIS files for the project, impact calculations and analysis, and coordination with the project team on design considerations and BMPs for the construction and post-construction phases.
Natural Environment Study. The US 000/Xxxxxxxx Xxxx interchange area is highly disturbed and developed, with limited habitat in landscaped and ruderal areas along roadways. Special-status plant and animal species could be present in the vicinity of Redwood Creek, nearby marshlands and salt ponds, and unnamed drainages, including the drainage along Maple Street, and special-status birds and bats could use roadway bridge structures in the project area for roosting or nesting. CONSULTANT will map and characterize wildlife habitat in the project area as well as conduct a tree survey within the footprint of project construction. CONSULTANT will prepare a Natural Environment Study (NES) in accordance with current Caltrans guidelines. The studies and documentation will be coordinated with Caltrans staff biologists. Mitigation will be proposed based on development of conceptual-level replacement measures for habitat areas. The development of detailed plans and specifications for any necessary mitigation is not included in this scope of services.
Natural Environment Study. NSR will prepare a Natural Environment Study (NES) in accordance with the Caltrans Guidance for Consultants: Procedures for Completing the Natural Environment Study and Related Biological Reports (March 1997) and the Caltrans Standard Environmental Reference (Chapter 14) and utilize the Caltrans template (xxxx://xxx.xxx.xx.xxx/ser/forms.htm). The NES will characterize biological resources in the Biological Study Area (BSA) (generally corresponds to the APE) and vicinity; assess project impacts to biological resources; identify general mitigation measures, if necessary; summarize the results of other biological studies; and discuss the status of any required agency consultations. Preparation of the NES will entail: • Coordination with resource agencies, including the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service USFWS); • A review of the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) and California Native Plant Society (CNPS) database; • A request for a formal list of special-status species with potential to occur in the project vicinity; • A reconnaissance-level field investigation, including an assessment of habitat for special-status wildlife; • A two-visit botanical survey in the spring of 2012 for both special-status plant species and noxious weed species (Federal Executive Order 13112 [Invasive Species]); and • Preparation of maps showing the locations of significant biological resources, including observations of special-status species and/or suitable habitat. Following the completion of the literature review, conversations with resource agency staff, and field surveys, NSR will prepare an NES report. The NES report will summarize information contained in the Biological Assessment/Essential Fish Habitat Assessment and the results of the Section 7 consultation process with NMFS. An internal draft NES will be submitted for review by the project team before sending to Caltrans for review and approval. Once County and DHA comments are addressed, NSR will submit a draft NES for review by Caltrans. The NES will be finalized and submitted to Caltrans for approval.
Natural Environment Study. A California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS)-compliant Natural Environment Study (NES) will be prepared based on the results of the previous described biological surveys and analysis. The NES will describe the existing biological resources within the study area and detail how the Project may affect those resources. The NES will summarize technical documents (e.g., stand-alone focused species studies, delineation report, etc.) related to effects on biological resources in the study area for use in a Project specific environmental document. The NES will conform to the most current version of the CALTRANS NES template - as provided in Volume 3 (Biological Resources), Chapter 2 (Natural Environment Study) of the SER. Furthermore, the NES will be prepared in accordance with CALTRANS’ Quality Control Guidance for Standard Biological Technical Documents and Reports. The NES will also provide language and minimization measures for use within the Project specific environmental document.
Natural Environment Study. LSA will update the Draft NES approved in February 2016. LSA will conduct a literature review to assist in determining the existence or potential occurrence of sensitive plant and animal species within the footprints of the Design Variations and to update new occurrences of sensitive species from the larger project footprint. A field survey will be conducted within the footprints of the Design Variations to document the habitat suitability of sensitive species identified in the literature review and previous studies. Focused species studies are not anticipated to be required and are not included in this scope of services. The location of sensitive biological resources present during the field survey will be mapped. In addition, areas that may be considered wetlands or jurisdictional waters will be mapped. The NES and Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) Consistency Report will be revised/updated. The NES will include, as necessary, updates of the field methods, lists of plant and animal species observed, general description of the plant communities occurring, and whether sensitive resources are found within the footprints of the Design Variations. All graphics will be updated to show the Design Variations and locations of any sensitive elements observed. The report will also update the impact analysis and avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures. The MSHCP Consistency Report will be revised/updated to address MSHCP conservation requirements, riparian/riverine and vernal pool objectives, and species objectives identified during the general field survey conducted as part of the NES. The report will identify requirements pursuant to the MSHCP objectives and updated graphics, including the new alignment and MSHCP consistency requirements. The MSHCP Consistency Report will be submitted as an appendix to the NES. The proposed scope of services includes preparation of a draft NES to be reviewed by Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, the City, and Caltrans. LSA will prepare and distribute up to eight copies of the NES for each of the two review cycles before the final is submitted. LSA will respond to comments and update the NES as needed for the completion of each cycle.
