EMC Planning Group Inc. eNewsletter

IN THE NEWS...

New Biologists Sighted at EMC Planning Group

With the increasing demand for our firm's Ecological and Biological services, EMC Planning Group has hired three new biologists to join its team. Each of the biologists bring with them diverse backgrounds and experiences that will serve to enhance the services that EMC Planning Group provides.

Andrea Edwards, Associate Biologist

Andrea has over 11 years of experience including conducting botanical surveys of various special status species, performing jurisdictional delineations for wetland and riparian resources, and monitoring habitat restoration projects. Andrea has authored a wetlands protection article published in Birdscapes: News from International Habitat Conservation Partnerships (2003) and co-authored a noteworthy collection of articles published in the California Botanical Society journal: Madrono: A West American Journal of Botany (2006).

Jessica Wheeler, Assistant Biologist

Jessica has over 12 years of experience and is knowledgeable of both terrestrial and marine biological systems. Her experience includes identification of amphibian tadpoles, habitat evaluations for and identification of the California red-legged frog, restoration and monitoring of riparian corridors, and conducting habitat evaluations and focused surveys for federally and state protected, threatened species.

Inger Marie Laursen, Assistant Biologist

Inger Marie has over ten years of fieldwork experience surveying and monitoring for species of special status. She also has experience working with a broad range of species including marine mammals, birds, amphibians, salmonids, and butterflies.

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PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Jail Birds-Monitoring an Active Egret Rookery at the Elmwood Correctional Facility

EMC Planning Group biologists are monitoring an active great egret (Ardea alba) and snowy egret (Egretta thula) rookery (colonial breeding site) located within the Elmwood Correctional Facility in the City of Milpitas. Santa Clara County, the operators of the facility, are constructing perimeter fence enhancements and improvements at the East Gate, and hired EMC Planning Group to monitor the rookery during construction activities.

The active rookery is located within a cluster of densely foliated trees inside the interior prison yard and contains approximately 50 to 60 egrets and their nests. The ground surface beneath the trees shows evidence of regular, long-term site use by the great egret colony as demonstrated by a significant accumulation of whitewash, feathers and egg shell fragments.

Habitat Surveys at the Former Fort Ord Military Base

EMC Planning Group biologists are currently conducting rare plant surveys for Monterey Peninsula Community College (MPC) at two properties on the former Fort Ord military base. When ownership of these two sites is transferred to MPC, the college plans to construct facilities in support of the college’s public safety training programs. The rare plant surveys are being conducted in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Fairview Corners Habitat Conservation Plan

EMC Planning Group biologists are currently preparing an off-site habitat conservation plan (HCP) for a 137.3-acre community college campus and residential project in San Benito County. The HCP addresses the potential for the projects to affect upland aestivation habitat for the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and habitat for the San Joaquin Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica).

Ecological and Biological Services

EMC Planning Group biologists and planners assist clients in complying with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as well as all aspects of state and federal threatened and endangered species regulations.

EMC Planning Group’s biologists are experienced in plant and wildlife impact assessment for a variety of local and state public agencies, and have a proven record of preparing, negotiating and obtaining permit approvals for private clients from state and federal regulatory agencies on various sized projects by providing clients with adaptive, innovative solutions to their environmental compliance challenges. EMC Planning Group’s biologists and environmental science professionals accomplish this by being client-focused, providing technically-sound, conservative resource analysis and judgment, and by establishing a level of trust with regulatory agency staff through open communication and transparency.

Our Ecological and Biological Services Include:

Habitat Assessment, Mapping, and Impact Analysis
CEQA and NEPA Compliance
Wetland Assessments and Delineations
Special Status Species Surveys
Natural Environment Studies (Caltrans)
Mitigation Implementation and Construction Monitoring
Consultation, Permitting, and Compliance

California Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regional Water Quality Control Board