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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLeatherman BioConsulting Canyon Loop Proposal 07_05_23 Proposal for Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services July 2023 Proposal for Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services Prepared for: Ryan Wright Parks & Recreation Director (909) 839-7061 rwright@DiamondBarCA.gov Prepared by: 4848 Lakeview Drive, Suite 100E Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (714) 701-0863 Contact: Sandra Leatherman July 5, 2023 Request for Proposals Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services TC-1 Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page 1.0 Project Team ....................................................................................................................... 2 2.0 Firm Experience/References ............................................................................................... 5 3.0 Project Understanding ......................................................................................................... 5 4.0 Fee Schedule ....................................................................................................................... 9 5.0 Fee Proposal ...................................................................................................................... 10 6.0 Insurance ........................................................................................................................... 10 7.0 Service Agreement ............................................................................................................ 10 Appendix A Resumes B Draft Data Sheet 4848 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 100E Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (714) 701-0863 Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. (LBC) appreciates the opportunity to offer this proposal in response to the City of Diamond Bar’s (City) Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program (HMMP) Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services Project. LBC has been providing biological monitoring and other resource-related consulting services similar to the City’s HMMP Project for a variety of other jurisdictions throughout its history. The smaller size of our company and lower overhead allows us to provide a team of biologists with years of experience at a reasonable cost. LBC includes costs for all the items requested in Scope of Work Section of the RFP and understands the needs of the City based on review of the RFP, HMMP, and our experience with numerous similar projects. This proposal is specifically for the 5-year monitoring commencing in August 2023 for restoration of 0.10 acre of disturbed upland, and enhancement of 0.14 acre of disturbed coastal sage black sage scrub (DCSBSS). This proposal is written to comply with the Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Program (HMMP) Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Project, City of Diamond Bar, Los Angeles County, California (Michael Baker 2023) and assist the City in meeting these 5-year requirements. LBC, a California Corporation formed in February of 2006, is a state-certified small business with the California Department of General Services and a Woman-owned Business Enterprise with the Suppliers Clearinghouse for projects under the jurisdiction of the California Public Utilities Commission. LBC specializes in providing terrestrial biological resource services with the highest professional standards for surveys, monitoring, and management. Biologists at LBC are available to conduct biological assessments, due diligence studies, focused surveys, wildlife corridor movement analyses, mitigation and construction monitoring, non-native species control programs, and habitat restoration. LBC prides itself in providing objective analyses of biological resources for clients that require assistance in meeting federal, state, and local environmental laws and permit conditions. Our objective is to become an extension of our client’s existing staff to facilitate the completion of accurate biological resource monitoring and surveys through teamwork and open communication. Clients of LBC have come to expect professional excellence, high ethical standards, and timely performance. We will work with the City to obtain contact names, maps, access, keys, and other project-related information to allow adequate project planning and implementation. LBC is prepared to devote the necessary personnel and resources in a way that would effectively avoid communication and logistical problems. This would be made possible by assigning Sandra Leatherman as the Project Manager, primary Point of Contact, and Lead Restoration Ecologist for coordination and implementation of all project milestones. Ms. Leatherman would be responsible for botanical-related project resources and Brian Leatherman would be responsible for wildlife-related project resources. Both would be assisted by Adam DeLuna and/or Taylor Beaulac. Request for Proposals Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services 2 Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. Sandra Leatherman and Brian Leatherman, with a combined 60 years of biological resource consulting experience in southern California, manage the work, oversee and participate in field studies, generate all technical reports, and track the budget for every contract. They are thus familiar with all aspects of every project, and responsibility for success lies squarely on their shoulders. Both have agreed that any contract from the City would be a high priority and they are prepared to set aside the time and resources necessary to make it successful. To manage project costs, LBC uses standard controls to track each project. Budgets are monitored with accounting software (QuickBooks Pro) that tracks every project independently. At the beginning of each month, all project-related labor and expenses are entered into the software to generate invoices for services provided in the previous month. The software then can be used to track costs on a task-by-task basis and on a monthly basis relative to the overall budget. 1.0 PROJECT TEAM Sandra Leatherman, the President and CEO of LBC, will be responsible for project management and oversight of all aspects of this project. Ms. Leatherman was a Senior Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist at a large firm prior to forming LBC. She will oversee the financial and logistical aspects of the project, provide quality control of the monitoring visits, report preparation, report review, and submittals. Ms. Leatherman will also provide botanical and restoration expertise and experience for the monitoring of the restoration sites. Ms. Leatherman has worked as a restoration ecologist following her post-graduation course work at the University of California at Riverside in Restoration Ecology. She has been responsible for developing habitat restoration programs and evaluating restoration site conditions on a quantitative and qualitative basis for public-sector and private-sector clients throughout southern California. Ms. Leatherman also holds a rare, threatened and endangered plant voucher collecting permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). She has personally implemented and monitored dozens of successful restoration projects in southern California. She conducted 70 restoration point-transects this year alone and has conducted thousands of transects over the course of her career for restoration projects. She routinely organizes and attends walk-through meetings with CDFW, U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS), and our clients to release restoration and revegetation sites from continued monitoring and maintenance activities when sites meet performance criteria. Brian Leatherman is a wildlife biologist and will conduct or manage any bird/nesting related surveys necessary during the Project. He is permitted to conduct surveys for the California gnatcatcher (CAGN), southwestern willow flycatcher, and western yellow-billed cuckoo. He authored a comprehensive Nesting Bird Management Plan for the City of Chino Hills that is used by the City of Chino Hills to provide a programmatic framework for implementing measures for avoiding impacts to nesting birds that cover the city’s activities. He currently is under contract to conduct all the nesting bird surveys and associated compliance activities for the city. Finally, Mr. Leatherman is a Principal Investigator to document the status of the cactus wren (CACW) on a Request for Proposals Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services 3 Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. 50,000-acre reserve in Orange County in 2023 and was responsible for implementing a regional study on the CAGN in Orange County to contribute to a range-wide study implemented by the USGS and USFWS in 2020. Other staff likely to contribute to this project include Adam DeLuna, a Senior Wildlife Biologist and project manager with LBC who is also permitted to conduct surveys for CAGN and southwestern willow flycatcher. He has extensive experience providing logistical support for planning and leading teams of biologists on large scale bird surveys (e.g., burrowing owl, CAGN, and CACW), conducting focused surveys, and managing pre-construction nesting bird surveys prior to disturbance or restoration activities. Taylor Beaulac is a Staff Biologist at LBC who will provide field assistance to Ms. Leatherman for the qualitative and quantitative monitoring of the mitigation sites and assist with data compilation and report preparation. Below is the Project Team Organizational Chart and Appendix A includes brief resumes for each team member. Request for Proposals Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services 4 Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. PROJECT TEAM ORGANIZATIONAL CHART City of Diamond Bar Ryan Wright Park & Recreation Director Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. Sandra Leatherman Principal Biologist/Project Manager Restoration Ecologist/Botanist Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. Adam DeLuna Senior Wildlife Biologist Nesting Bird Surveys Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. Taylor Beaulac Staff Biologist Restoration Data Collection Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. Brian Leatherman Principal Biologist/Project Manager Support Request for Proposals Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services 5 Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. 2.0 FIRM EXPERIENCE/REFERENCES Project Manager: Sandra Leatherman Santa Margarita Water District Biological Support Services 2011-Current Services: Annual Compliance Monitoring for HCP, Resource Agency Meetings (USFWS, CDFW, and OCFA), Restoration Monitoring, Construction Monitoring, Nesting Bird Surveys, and California Gnatcatcher Surveys Contact: Jaime Aguilar Email: jaimea@smwd.com (949) 459-6582 City of Chino Hills On-call Support Services 2016- Present Services: Mitigation Monitoring, Nesting Bird Surveys, and Restoration Site Monitoring Contact: Nisha Wells Email: nwells@chinohills.org (909) 364-2835 Project Manager: Brian Leatherman San Bernardino Department of Public Works On-Call Biological Services Contract, 2011 – Current Services: Construction Monitoring, Nesting Bird Surveys, least Bell’s vireo surveys, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Surveys, and Desert Tortoise Monitoring and Surveys Contact: Ms. Martha Morgan, Analyst Email: mmorgan@dpw.sbcounty.gov (909) 387-1811 Transportation Corridor Agencies Brown-headed Cowbird Trapping and Various Projects 2001 – Current Services: Brown-headed cowbird trapping Contact: Doug Feremenga, Manager, Environmental Services Email: dferemenga@thetollroads.com (949) 754-3496 3.0 PROJECT UNDERSTANDING Ms. Leatherman is familiar with all aspects of HMMP development, review of construction documents and specifications, maintenance, monitoring, reporting, and project management of enhancement and restoration projects. Ms. Leatherman has reviewed the HMMP, CDFW Agreement, and the City’s RFP for this project. The restoration area consists of 0.10 acre of disturbed upland, and enhancement of 0.14 acre of DCSBSS. The HMMP for the project uses Request for Proposals Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services 6 Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. standard language and follows typical standards for enhancement and restoration projects in southern California. As such, implementation and monitoring of the City’s project is not expected to pose unique challenges or situations that have not been addressed on other projects. Below is LBC’s approach to each task described in the RFP. Task 1. Meetings Management, and Coordination Ms. Leatherman will provide project management and coordination activities with the City, the Restoration Contractor, and CDFW as needed to address site conditions and meet compliance standards. LBC regularly coordinates with the clients, contractors and resource agencies to ensure projects stay on schedule, within budget and follow the guidelines in the construction documents and specifications. This task will include the bullet items mentioned in the RFP, listed below: • Preparation support for the bid package for contractor services for the implementation and 5-year maintenance of the Canyon Loop Trail mitigation sites. Ms. Leatherman’s background and experience allow her to provide knowledgeable input on construction bid packages and related costs. • Coordination with the City in the selection process of the Restoration Contractor. Ms. Leatherman has extensive experience working with many of the restoration contractors in southern California and has a solid working relationship with the reliable contractors she chooses to work with. • Serve as liaison to the Restoration Contractor for communication, meeting organization, scheduling, and budget. • Reporting during as-needed meetings with the overall project team. • Coordination with the Restoration Contractor addressing concerns tied to site maintenance. Ms. Leatherman routinely works closely with the contractor to address site- specific issues identified during qualitative and quantitative monitoring efforts. • Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) and implementation site inspections. • QA/QC technical documents to confirm they are in compliance with the Scope of Work and standard set forth by the City. • Monitor the project schedule and budget and advise the City in advance to the extent practicable when schedule or budget is impacted. Task 2. Qualitative Monitoring (including Nesting Bird Surveys and Implementation Monitoring) Our proposal for conducting the qualitative assessments is below. LBC added the nesting bird clearance surveys and implementation monitoring from the HMMP to Task 2 as optional tasks. These items are not listed in the RFP but are included in the HMMP. The costs are broken down in the fee schedule as optional since they were not included in the RFP. Request for Proposals Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services 7 Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. Task 2a. Qualitative Monitoring LBC will visit the restoration sites for a total of 33 visits as dictated by the schedule outlined in the HMMP and RFP. Principal Biologist/Restoration Ecologist Ms. Leatherman will complete the first-year visits. The remaining visits after the restoration site meets its interim performance criteria will be split between Ms. Leatherman and Ms. Beaulac, LBC Staff Biologist, as appropriate given site conditions and progress to reduce costs to the City. These qualitative surveys will begin after the initial planting of the restoration site. These visits will be scheduled to meet with the Restoration Contractor and the City Inspector/Project Manager if possible. Qualitative surveys, consisting of a general site walkover and habitat characterization, will be completed during each of these monitoring visits. These visits will include field notes and photographs (at permanent photographic locations). General observations, such as fitness and health of the planted species, pest problems, weed establishment, mortality, and drought stress, will be noted in each site walkover, and referenced in the notes. A data sheet will be prepared to record the results of each qualitative survey and submitted to the City and Restoration Contractor following each visit. The data sheet will be submitted via email with a brief summary of the results of the visit and recommendations to improve site conditions and address any issues identified during the visit. An example data sheet is included in Appendix B. Permanent points for taking photographs to document the progress of the site would be established and recorded using hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) units for mapping purposes. Photographs would be taken at these locations during each monitoring visit to visually document site progress and performance. Task 2b. Nesting Bird Clearance Surveys The LBC team has two permitted CAGN biologists who also have extensive experience conducting CACW surveys, including a survey of over 50,000 acres this spring. If implementation of the project occurs during nesting bird season for the CAGN and CACW (February 15 through September 15), LBC will conduct a one-time pre-construction survey for nesting bird species within seven days prior to construction. This survey will identify any active nests on the project site or within a reasonable buffer of around the project boundary. Any active nests will be mapped using a GPS unit. LBC will call the City following the survey to verbally provide the results, and a brief memorandum will be prepared for the City’s files and submittal to USFWS after the City’s review. If any active nests are located, LBC will follow the guidelines in the HMMP that include a 500-foot buffer for CAGN, 300-foot buffer for CACW or within an alternative safe distance as determined by the qualified biologist based on topography, visual shielding, nest progress and associated disturbance, until the active nest has been determined by the qualified biologist. Request for Proposals Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services 8 Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. Task 2c. Implementation Monitoring LBC proposes to include in Task 2 the Implementation Monitoring as required in the HMMP. This task is vital to the success of the restoration site in the allotted five-year performance period. The restoration site consists of two areas, a 0.10 acre of disturbed upland, and enhancement of 0.14 acre of DCSBSS. Implementation monitoring will include: 1) pre- construction meeting and contractor training, 2) supervision of site fencing and buffer flagging, 3) monitoring weed abatement, 4) placement of pin flags for container plants, and 5) monitoring of hand seeding. All of the implementation monitoring will be documented with a daily checklist and photographs describing the activities and submitted to the City. Task 3. Quantitative Monitoring LBC reviewed the quantitative monitoring requirements in the RFP and HMMP. The HMMP states that the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Relevé Protocol will be used. LBC is trained in using the protocol; however, this method is considered a “semi-quantitative method” (CNPS 2000) that is typically used over large units of land and does not provide quantitative data that can be used to calculate a measure of actual vegetation cover. LBC understands the need to be sensitive to the on-site resources and plantings. However, we would recommend that point- intercept transects are completed instead of the CNPS Relevé Protocol. Three to five randomly placed point-intercept transect would provide true quantitative data in the same amount of time. LBC has conducted over 70 point-intercept transects this year in southern cactus scrub, black sage scrub, native grassland and riparian scrub. These areas were occupied by CNPS special status plants, CAGN and CACW. LBC staff are aware of the potential occurrence of these species on all their restoration sites and take precautions as appropriate to avoid impacts while doing transects. If the City prefers this method, LBC proposes to contact CDFW after the City’s approval and get their concurrence on the updated methodology. This method would not change the annual monitoring costs. If the City prefers the CNPS Relevé Protocol, Ms. Leatherman will conduct all the annual monitoring because she is trained in the protocol. Both methods conducted annually would include visual inspection of plants, general site walk-through, full quantitative count of container plants, wildlife observed, and photographic monitoring at selected photographic locations. This would be done annually as required and reported in the annual memorandum and final Year-5 Report. Request for Proposals Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services 9 Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. Task 4. Year 5 Annual Monitoring Report and Submittals A data sheet to record Relevé estimates of vegetation cover (or transect data if the City prefers) will be used to record the results of each annual quantitative survey. An annual memorandum summarizing the results of the qualitative and quantitative surveys would be prepared for each of the first four years of monitoring LBC proposes to then compile the four annual monitoring memorandums and the Year-5 quantitative data into a Year-5 Annual Report. The methodology and results of the data collected to assess the site’s progress towards performance standards will be summarized and presented in the annual report along with photographs. The report will follow standard guidelines and requirements in the HMMP for annual reports including: 1) title page, 2) personnel, 3) timeline, 4) corrective maintenance activities, 5) monitoring requirements and performance standards, 6) all maintenance activities, 7) methods, 8) results, 9) wildlife, 10) request for release from CDFW, and 11) annual photographs. Ms. Leatherman has written over 100 annual reports submitted to CDFW and will oversee the preparation of the report. One draft report will be submitted to the City for review no later than November of Year-5 and submitted to CDFW following the incorporation of their comments to meet the December 31 deadline. Following the submittal LBC will contact CDFW on the City’s behalf for release from any further maintenance and monitoring. If the site does not meet the final performance standards LBC will recommend necessary remedial measures, and provide a schedule for implementing the recommended actions. Task 5. Other Direct Costs Direct costs considered to be reimbursable will include mileage, field supplies, and office supplies associated with report preparation and production. All direct costs will be billed with no mark-up directly to the City. 4.0 FEE SCHEDULE A Fee Schedule is included in a separate document submitted on PlanetBids as required in the RFP. All fees will be billed on a time and materials basis not to exceed the amount of the contract. If additional work is requested by the City, LBC will bill additional services on a time and materials basis, using the rates identified in the Fee Schedule, following written approval from the City. Request for Proposals Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Habitat Mitigation Monitoring Program Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist Services 10 Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. 5.0 FEE PROPOSAL A Fee Proposal for the Scope of Work listed above is included in a separate document submitted on PlanetBids as required in the RFP. All fees will be billed on a time and materials basis not to exceed the amount of the contract. 6.0 INSURANCE LBC is an established biological consulting firm in business that has maintained continuous insurance coverage since its inception. LBC certifies that the required insurance coverage will be obtained, and that the coverage is a prerequisite for entering into an agreement with the City. A Certificate of Insurance can be provided to the City upon request with LBC’s current insurance that meets the City’s requirements to date. 7.0 SERVICE AGREEMENT All terms and conditions of the City’s Service Agreement including the insurance requirements are acceptable to LBC. 4848 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 100E Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (714) 701-0863 SANDRA LEATHERMAN PRINCIPAL BIOLOGIST EDUCATION California State University, Fullerton, California Bachelor of Arts, Biological Science, 1991. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. 2011– present; BonTerra Consulting 1998-2011; P&D Consultants 1993-1998; MBA 1992-1993; USFS Stanislaus 1991. Primarily responsible for biological surveys, report preparation, project management, and agency coordination. Specialties include habitat assessments, general vegetation documentation, vegetation mapping, focused surveys for endangered plant species, restoration plan development, restoration monitoring, and construction and mitigation compliance monitoring. Prepares biological technical reports to document field work and propose mitigation strategies to meet requirements of CEQA and NEPA, and to initiate formal consultation under the federal Endangered Species Act. Also prepares Habitat Mitigation Plans. MEMBERSHIPS • Southern California Botanists Board of Directors • California Native Plant Society Board Orange County • California Botanical Society • Society of Ecological Restoration • California Native Grasslands Association • California Invasive Plant Council • The Desert Tortoise Council • ESRI PERMITS AND CERTIFICATIONS • CDFW California Endangered Species Act Native Plant Protection Act Plant Voucher Collecting Permit SEMINARS AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING • GIS Certificate California State University at Fullerton 4.0 GPA • Trained to use for field collection: Trimble GPS Units, Arrow Receiving Units, Garmin GPS Units, Avenza, Survey 123, Collector, File Make PRO, EXCEL, Adobe Pro, Google Earth Pro, BaseCamp, EOS Tools, CalFlora Weed Mapper, Theodolite, Outlook, Google Drives • CRAM (California Rapid Assessment Method) Vernal Pool Practitioner April 2016 • California Native Plant Society Conservation Conference 2015 & 2023 • Southern California Botanists Symposiums Annually 1991-2023 • California Native Plant Society Conservation Conference January 2012 • 20th Annual Desert Tortoise Surveying, Monitoring, and Handling Techniques Workshop. The Desert Tortoise Council. Ridgecrest, California. November 2011. Sandra Leatherman • California Native Plant Society Conservation Conference November 2009 • SERCAL’s 14th Annual Conference “Restoration from Sea to Shining Sea” October 2007 • SERCAL’s 13th Annual Conference “Shovel to Science: A Full Range of Restoration Practice in California” October 2006 • California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium October 1998 • California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium October 1995 • Restoration Ecology Course UCR 1994 GENERAL EXPERIENCE Sandra Leatherman has over thirty years of experience as a professional biologist conducting general biological surveys, focused special status plant surveys, vegetation mapping, and preparing biological reports and biological resources sections for environmental documents. Ms. Leatherman’s professional experience has focused on plant ecology and taxonomy. She has conducted and/or managed both general and directed surveys for biological resources, including plants listed as special status or endangered under State and federal laws and regulations. She has been responsible for developing habitat restoration programs and evaluating restoration site conditions on a quantitative and qualitative basis for public-sector and private-sector clients throughout southern California. Ms. Leatherman has developed and monitored numerous restoration projects which were approved by the resource agencies and released from further maintenance and monitoring. Ms. Leatherman has also authored the biological resources sections of numerous environmental impact reports (EIRs) and separate biological reports, including biological assessments (pursuant to Section 7 consultations with USFWS), Natural Environmental Studies (pursuant to California Department of Transportation [Caltrans] guidelines), and reports in accordance with NCCP guidelines (e.g. Western Riverside MSHSP). She has also authored focused survey reports for special status species, tree reports, and general biological assessments. REPRESENTATIVE PROJECT EXPERIENCE Lead Botanist, Vegetation Monitoring for Mitigation Project, Orange County, CA. Irvine Ranch Conservancy. 2023. Conducted 60 vegetation monitoring transects for restoration sites managed by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy throughout Orange County. Surveys consisted of collecting data on 50-meter transects in coastal sage scrub, native grassland and riparian habitat. Data collected included plant species occurrence at every meter, tree density within two meters of the transect line and additional species within one-meter. All data was entered into Survey 123 for compilation ease and reviewed in the office for the final report. Lead Botanist for Special Status Plant Surveys, Pathfinder Road Gap Closure, Los Angeles County, CA. BonTerra Consulting. Served as the lead botanist for the Pathfinder Road Gap project in Los Angeles County and performed focused surveys for special status plant species. Prepared detailed field notes and California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) data forms; mapped population locations; collected voucher specimens; and performed other related analyses. Responsibilities also included: preparation of a detailed special status species report, which includes a complete plant list. Sandra Leatherman Botanist for Southern California Black Walnut Tree Tagging, Diamond Bar, Los Angeles County, CA. BonTerra Consulting. Served as a botanist for tagging of over 200 southern California black walnut trees in Diamond Bar. Mapped and tagged trees for a development project within the hills of Diamond Bar. Project manager/Lead Biologist/Restoration Ecologist for Annual Monitoring Reporting for Compliance with the Southern SubRegion NCCP of Orange County, Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County, CA. Santa Margarita Water District, 2011 to Present. Serves as the project manager and lead biologist/restoration ecologist for the Santa Margarita Water District reviewing all of their revegetation projects for the last 5 years. The review includes review of HMMPs, revegetation plan and specifications, quarterly site visits, review of quarterly memos, review of annual quantitative reports, and troubleshooting any issues at each site. Ms. Leatherman also attends agency meetings and prepares the annual monitoring reports for the District’s submittal to USFWS. Restoration Monitoring, Hickory Creek, San Bernardino County, CA. City of Chino Hills, 2016 to 2018. Assisted the City of Chino Hills on the restoration of riparian habitat in Hickory Creek to be consistent with USACE Permits and CDFW Agreement. Responsibilities include: on site meeting with the City and the Landscape Maintenance Contractor, troubleshooting the irrigation system, developing a new plant palette and weed identification. She also conducted line- intercept transects and provided the City with the data to include in their annual reporting to the Resource Agencies. Project Manager/Lead Restoration Ecologist for Restoration Monitoring for Middle Chiquita Water Facilities Zone I Construction Project, Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County, CA. Santa Margarita Water District, 2012-2020 Served as the project manager/lead restoration ecologist for the construction of the Middle Chiquita Reservoirs Zone I Project located in Orange County. She performed weekly monitoring visits to inspect the construction site and document compliance with the Biological Resources Construction Plan and BMPs for reporting to the USFWS. Ms. Leatherman also developed plant palettes, monitored installation of the irrigation system, container planting and hydroseeding. She currently performs qualitative and quantitative monitoring and writes the associated reports for the District. She also attends project meetings and leads contractor education meetings. Lead Botanist for Special Status Plant Surveys and Vegetation Mapping, Carbon Canyon Park Pipeline, Orange County, CA. BonTerra Consulting. Served as the lead botanist for a pipeline in Carbon Canyon Regional Park. General vegetation mapping and surveys for special status plants, and oak and walnut tree surveys were conducted. These studies included preparation of detailed field notes, California Natural Diversity Data Base data forms, mapping population locations, collecting voucher specimens, and related analyses. Responsibilities also included: preparation of detailed special status species report, which included mitigation recommendations and a complete plant list. Project Manager/Restoration Ecologist for Restoration Monitoring for Tesoro Water Facilities Zone II Construction Project, Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County, CA. Santa Margarita Water District, 2015 to 2022 Served as the project manager/restoration Sandra Leatherman ecologist for the construction of the Tesoro Zone II Project located in Orange County. She performs monitoring visits to inspect the construction site and document compliance with the Biological Resources Construction Plan and BMPs for reporting to the USFWS. Ms. Leatherman attends project meetings with the construction management team and leads contractor education meetings. Ms. Leatherman also developed plant palettes, monitored installation of the irrigation system, container planting and hydroseeding. She currently performs qualitative and quantitative monitoring and writes the associated reports for the District. She also attends project meetings and leads contractor education meetings. Project Manager for Biological Monitoring, Vila Borba Residential Development, San Bernardino County, CA. City of Chino Hills, 2016 to Present. Serves as a project manager and biological monitor assisting the City of Chino Hills with the Mitigation and Monitoring Program for the Vila Borba EIR. Responsibilities include: weekly/monthly site visits and memorandums with recommendations for compliance, monthly team meetings, Resource Agency correspondence, and review of environmental documentation. Botanical Inventory and Special Status Plant Survey, Red Rock Canyon and Saddleback Management Unit, Orange County, CA. Irvine Ranch Conservancy, 2023. Co-Lead botanist in a full botanical inventory and special status plant survey within Red Rock Canyon and Saddleback Management Unit conserved areas within central Orange County. All data for every special status plant species was entered into a form that I created in Survey 123. The GPS data was recorded using a handheld Garmin GPS units. Over 50 specimens were collected to be deposited into the University of California at Irvine Herbarium. Detailed field notes were also taken to assist in the reports of special status plant species. Lead Botanist in Special Status Plant Survey, Patch Variability, and Distribution Survey. Redlands, San Bernardino County, CA. Aspen, 2023. Co-lead botanist in special status plant survey for slender-horned spineflower within the City of Redlands, San Bernardino County. This survey was conducted by walking line transects and visually observing the area. Data collected included a full botanical inventory for the area, in addition to all data for the endangered slender- horned spineflower. Each rare plant location was recorded using a handheld GPS unit. Quadrat surveys were conducted within each patch of current and historical locations of slender-horned spineflower. Lead Botanist for Special Status Plant Surveys, Big Dalton Dam Sluiceway Rehabilitation and Access Road Improvement Project Dam, Los Angeles County, CA. Los Angeles County Department of Public Works & AECOM, 2019-2023. Served as lead botanist for the Big Dalton Dam Sluiceway Rehabilitation and Access Road Improvement Project Dam in Los Angeles. Performed focused surveys for special status plant species. These studies included preparation of detailed field notes, California Natural Diversity Data Base data forms, mapping population locations, collecting voucher specimens, and related analyses. Responsibilities also included: preparation of detailed special status species plant report, which included a complete plant list. 4848 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 100E Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (714) 701-0863 BRIAN LEATHERMAN PRINCIPAL WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST EDUCATION California State University, Fullerton, California Master of Arts, Biological Science, 1993. Bachelor of Arts, Biological Science, 1991. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. 2006 – present; White & Leatherman BioServices 2000- 2006; Psomas and Associates, 1997-2000; Chambers Group 1996-1997; Dames and Moore 1993-1996; Independent Consulting Biologist 1991-1993. Primarily responsible for biological surveys, report preparation, project management, and agency coordination. Specialties include habitat assessments, general wildlife documentation, focused surveys for endangered species, construction and mitigation compliance monitoring, and wildlife corridor assessment and monitoring. Prepares biological technical reports to document field work and propose mitigation strategies to meet requirements of CEQA and NEPA, and to initiate formal consultation under the federal Endangered Species Act. CERTIFICATIONS/PERMITS • Section 10(a)(1)(A) Permit for Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, California Gnatcatcher, Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Least Bell’s Vireo. • California Department of Fish and Game Scientific Collecting/Trapping Permit; MOU for Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Least Bell’s Vireo; nest monitoring for California gnatcatcher; trapping for southern rubber boa and southwestern pond turtle. • California Department of Fish and Game Letter of Agreement for Conducting Brown-headed Cowbird Capture and Removal Programs REPRESENTATIVE PROJECT EXPERIENCE Construction Monitoring and Focused California Least Bell’s Vireo and Gnatcatcher Surveys, Santa Ana River Mainstem Project, Corona, Riverside County, Aspen Environmental Group. Lead Biologist for weekly monitoring visits to multiple levee and dike construction sites to monitor construction for compliance with Corps, USFWS and CDFW permits for Santa Ana River Mainstem Project. Prepares weekly reports with photo-documentation for submittal to the Corps. Conducts annual surveys and monitoring of least Bell’s vireo pairs along the construction boundaries. Conducted focused surveys for the California gnatcatcher within suitable habitat along the Santa Ana River to evaluate presence or absence of the gnatcatcher within the Phase 5A and Phase 4 project area in Yorba Linda in 2015. Conducted focused surveys for California Gnatcatcher Survey along a 10-mile stretch of habitat along Reach 9 in 2018. Focused Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Surveys, Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power’s Devil’s Gate Sediment Removal Project, Los Angeles Brian Leatherman County, ECORP, Inc. Conducted focused survey for southwestern willow flycatcher and western yellow-billed cuckoo within cottonwood-willow riparian forest along Arroyo Seco for the Devils Gate Dame Sediment Removal Project upstream of Devil’s Gate Dam, where LADWP plans to remove sediment to restore flood control capacity and restore habitat. Cactus Wren Habitat Assessment and Survey, The Nature Conservancy, Orange County, 2013. Based in part on the successful implementation of the Cactus Wren Habitat Assessment and Survey for the Nature Reserve of Orange County in 2008, Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. was contracted to map, assess, and survey cactus resources throughout The Nature Conservancy’s 11,400-acre system of Irvine Ranch Easements in central Orange County. Three rounds of focused surveys for the Cactus Wren were conducted in all habitat judged to be suitable for nesting wrens. California Gnatcatcher Study, Nature Reserve of Orange County. Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. was contracted to plan and implement a study to collect baseline data to estimate the current status of the California gnatcatcher on the Central and Coastal Reserves, an area encompassing approximately 37,000 acres. Three rounds of focused surveys were conducted at 150 randomly selected plots located throughout the reserve system, and vegetation data at each of the plots was recorded to develop and evaluate habitat suitability models for the gnatcatcher. Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. provided oversight of the entire project, including coordination of access among the many landowners signatory to the NCCP, management of the seven permitted biologists conducting the surveys, data review and compilation, and report preparation. Arroyo Toad Survey for Big Tujunga Reservoir Sedimentation Project, Psomas. Mr. Leatherman conducted focused surveys the arroyo toad along Big Tujunga Canyon downstream of the reservoir in 2016 and upstream of the reservoir in 2017. Also conducted focused surveys for the endangered mountain yellow-legged frog. Accumulated over 100 hours of survey time for arroyo toad. Herpetological Trapping and Translocation/Mountain Yellow-legged Frog Survey, Mountain Cove Development Project, BonTerra Consulting. Contracted to conduct focused surveys for the mountain yellow-legged frog along the San Gabriel River and Roberts Canyon prior to construction. Subsequently designed and implemented a trapping program to capture and translocate special status wildlife from within the California Department of Fish and Game’s jurisdiction in the alluvial fan sage scrub along the San Gabriel River. Thirty-nine pitfall traps and over 600 feet of drift fence (to direct wildlife into the pitfall traps) were installed and operated for ten consecutive days as part of the program. Over 100 species of wildlife were captured and translocated to similar off-site habitat identified prior to the effort. Authorized Desert Tortoise Biologist, Mead-Adelanto Transmission Line, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Performed preconstruction surveys and monitored for desert tortoise for LADWP during construction of a 200-mile power line in the Mojave Desert through portions of Nevada and California. Provided education training to contractor personnel as needed to comply with conditions of the biological opinion. Filed compliance and tortoise report forms on a weekly basis. Tagged and processed dozens of desert tortoises, removed tortoises from construction zones, and excavated and constructed tortoise burrows. Mohave ground squirrels were observed in several locations during the monitoring effort. Brian Leatherman Southern Water Snake Control Program for Los Angeles Dept. of Public Works, Wilmington Drain, BonTerra Consulting. Contracted to trap and remove the southern water snake (Nerodia fasciata) in an effort to control the population in the Wilmington Drain tributary to Lake Machado in San Pedro, Los Angeles County. Effort was coordinated with similar effort by Dr. Robert Reed of the USGS to control/eradicate the population from Lake Machado. Project included use of 30 traps placed along the shore of Wilmington Drain in the spring and summer of 2010 and 2011. Authorized Biologist, Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project, Southern California Edison. Mr. Leatherman was an authorized biologist to survey, monitor, and relocate (capture and release) the arroyo toad and red-legged frog on the large scale Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP). He was also an integral part of the TRTP monitoring team by providing biological surveys and construction monitoring from 2009 to 2014. He conducted focused surveys for a variety of wildlife including arroyo toad, California red-legged frog, western pond turtle, two-striped garter snake, and coast range newt. He conducted daily sweeps for arroyo toad and red-legged when project activities were within designated breeding areas prior to the start of work. He conducted clearance and monitoring surveys for the desert tortoise, California gnatcatcher, burrowing owl, kit fox, and Mojave ground squirrel, and a variety of other wildlife. He provided construction monitoring along Segments 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 and at the Windhub, Whirlwind, and Rosamond substations, and along the Telecom 10 right-of-way. Focused Burrowing Owl Surveys, Del Sur Solar Facility Project, Lancaster, Aspen Environmental Group. Conducted focused surveys for the burrowing owl on a 1600-acre site including a four mile generation tie line for the Del Sur Solar Facilities project. The surveys were conducted using 100% visual coverage surveys by walking parallel belt transects with five biologist throughout the project site searching for burrowing owls and potential burrows. Surveys were initially conducted in 2015 and then repeated in 2016. Sunrise Powerlink Project, TRC Solutions/BonTerra Consulting. Mr. Leatherman conducted focused surveys for the quino checkerspot butterfly on a staging area and two segments of the Interstate Overhead Portion Alternative near Descanso off Highway 79 in San Diego County. Quino checkerspot butterflies were not observed during the surveys. Arroyo Southwestern Toad and California Red-legged Frog Surveys, Santa Ana River Watershed, Southern California Edison. Supervised and conducted focused surveys for the endangered arroyo southwestern toad and threatened California red-legged frog following guidelines established in consultation with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service along the Santa Ana River Canyon, Mill Creek, and Lytle Creek. Surveys were conducted as part of the re-licensing requirements for hydroelectric facilities. Nearly 200 hours over a three-month period were spent surveying approximately 15 miles of stream in San Bernardino County, California. Western Pond Turtle Translocation, East Bay Municipal Water District. Designed and implemented a trapping program to relocate western pond turtles from sewage treatment ponds operated by the East Bay Municipal Water District near Pardee Reservoir northeast of Stockton, California. Pond turtles were captured, marked by filing marginal scutes (under permit from CDFW), and relocated to a large pond on District property about 500 feet from the treatment ponds. Brian Leatherman A total of 18 turtles were marked and relocated over a 6 night trapping effort for future identification and relocated. Fox Assessment Plan and Focused Surveys, Southern California Edison. Prepared a plan designed to assess the potential presence of San Joaquin kit fox for Edison’s Kern River No. 3 Hydroelectric Project along the Vestal transmission line corridor. The plan was developed to comply with conditions set forth by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as part of Edison’s license renewal. Subsequently conducted focused surveys following guidelines developed by the CDFG for Region 4. Habitat Assessment and Focused Survey for California Red-legged Frog Habitat, Foothill Yellow-legged Frog and Western Pond Turtle, Southern California Edison. Assessed habitat and conducted focused surveys following guidelines established in consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service for California red-legged frog along the Tule River in Fresno County, California. At the request of the US Forest Service, also surveyed for foothill yellow-legged frog and western pond turtle. Surveys were conducted to assist Edison with preparation of an EA for FERC relicensing of the Lower Tule River Hydroelectric Project on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada in Tulare County. Authorized Biologist for Desert Tortoise Clearance Survey for Western Mesquite Mines, Brawley, Imperial County, CA. Hernandez Environmental Services. Conducted clearance surveys for desert tortoise on an 1800-acre site for the Western Mesquite Gold Mine. The surveys were conducted as part of a biological opinion re-initiation process by the BLM, USFWS, and CDFW and followed the current clearance survey protocol. The surveys were conducted using 100% visual coverage surveys by walking parallel belt transects with five biologists throughout the project site searching for desert tortoise and associated sign. In addition, Mr. DeLuna assisted with burrow excavation. Focused Surveys for San Joaquin Kit Fox, San Joaquin Antelope Ground Squirrel, Giant Kangaroo Rat, and Blunt-nosed leopard Lizard, Calmat Company. Prepared a study plan and coordinated and conducted focused surveys for the subject species on a 1,200 acre site for Vulcan Materials (Calmat) in the southern San Joaquin Valley along San Emigdio Creek. All surveys followed CDFG Region 4 guidelines. The effort involved management and coordination of ten wildlife biologists to complete all aspects of focused surveys over a one month period. 4848 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 100E Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (714) 701-0863 ADAM DELUNA SENIOR BIOLOGIST EDUCATION California State University, Fullerton, California Bachelor of Science, Biological Science, 2012. Focus of major on biodiversity, ecology, and conservation of biological resources in southern California. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. March 2011 – Present. Primary responsibilities include conducting focused for surveys for California gnatcatcher, least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, and burrowing owl, nest monitoring, desert tortoise surveys and monitoring, western pond turtle surveys and trapping, construction monitoring, and Arundo removal monitoring on a variety of projects throughout California. Additional experience includes project management, brown-headed cowbird trapping programs, assisting with general botanical and biological surveys, wildlife trapping and control, data input, and report preparation. MEMBERSHIPS • The Desert Tortoise Council • Western Field Ornithologists • The Nature Conservancy • California Trout • The Wildlife Society PERMITS AND CERTIFICATIONS • USFWS Section 10(a)(1)(A) Permit for Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, California Gnatcatcher, and Least Bell’s Vireo • CDFW Specific Use Scientific Collecting Permit for Southwestern Pond Turtle, Cactus Wren, and Burrowing Owl • Authorized to conduct Brown-headed Cowbird trapping under Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc.’s Letter of Authorization from CDFW. • USFWS and CDFW Authorized Desert Tortoise Biologist. SEMINARS AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING • Authorized Desert Tortoise Biologist Training Course. The Desert Tortoise Council in cooperation with USFWS. Primm, Nevada. September 2017. • 20th Annual Desert Tortoise Surveying, Monitoring, and Handling Techniques Workshop. The Desert Tortoise Council. Ridgecrest, California. November 2011. • Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Survey Techniques Workshop, Southern Sierra Research Station. Lake Isabella Reserve, California. May 2013. • CalFlora Training Workshop, CalFlora. Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary, Santa Ana Mountains, California. January 2017. • Representative Lectures and Continued Education include: Adam DeLuna − Lecture: Part I: Environmental Laws that Regulate Biological Resources in California. Part II: How those Laws Translate into Work Conducted by Consulting Biologists − Lecture: USDA Avian Aircraft Strike Hazard Management and Monitoring: Trapping Techniques, Management and Monitoring of Avian Populations, Hospitable and Non- hospitable Habitats for Birds − Conserving Coastal Cactus Wrens in Orange County. Seminar sponsored by Sea & Sage Audubon and The Nature Conservancy. Dr. Kristine Preston, Nature Reserve of Orange County − Lecture: Transpacific Migration, Movement Patterns of Albatrosses, White Sharks, and other Marine Mammals. Seminar sponsored by Sea & Sage Audubon and The Nature Conservancy. Peter Pyle, Institute for Bird Populations, Point Reyes Station, Marin County. − Genetic Connectivity in the Coastal Cactus Wren. Seminar sponsored by Sea & Sage Audubon and The Nature Conservancy. Dr. Barbara Kus and Dr. Amy Vandergast, USGS, San Diego. − Lecture: Goldspotted Oak Borer Beetle, Polyphagous Shot Hole Beetle, and Kuroshio Shot Hole Borer Beetle. James Asmus, EM Land Management Division, Camp Pendleton, San Diego. GENERAL EXPERIENCE Adam DeLuna graduated from California State University Fullerton in 2012 with a degree in Biological Science with a focus on the ecology and conservation of vertebrates in Southern California. Since that time, Mr. DeLuna has worked extremely hard to become qualified to work with a variety of rare, threatened and endangered plant and wildlife species throughout the region. Mr. DeLuna’s work with the desert tortoise, coupled with his attendance to training workshops on surveying and handling desert tortoises, has earned him the title of authorized desert tortoise biologist. In addition to his work with the tortoise, Mr. DeLuna is qualified and/or permitted to conduct surveys for several special status, threatened, and endangered bird species, and has management experience in survey planning and leading teams of biologists on large scale bird surveys (e.g. inventory surveys, burrowing owl, California gnatcatcher, cactus wren). Finally, Mr. DeLuna has extensive experience on a variety of construction projects on which he serves as the lead or authorized biologist, organizing and conducting nesting bird surveys, establishing buffer areas for nesting birds, conducting pre-construction sweeps and weekly (or daily) sweeps for species identified in project permits, conducting worker environmental awareness triaging (WEAP), and evaluating and documenting compliance with project related permits from various agencies. REPRESENTATIVE PROJECT EXPERIENCE Nesting Bird Surveys, City of Chino Hills, San Bernardino County, CA. City of Chino Hills, 2018-2023. Conducted nesting bird surveys pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and CDFW Code and in compliance with the City’s Nesting Bird Management Plan. Surveys were conducted to evaluate the presence or absence of active bird nests at different maintenance facilities around the city. Suitable buffer zones were established around each active nest until it was no longer active and follow-up surveys were conducted to ensure no additional nests would be disturbed prior to maintenance activities. Adam DeLuna Pre-Construction Surveys and Arundo Removal Monitoring, Santa Clara River, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, CA. Wildscape Restoration, 2012, 2018-2020. Conducted pre- construction survey for special status species and monitored the removal of Arundo and other non- native invasive species within the Santa Clara River. Exotic species removal was conducted under the Santa Clara River Arundo and Tamarisk Removal Project (SCARP), within Area A,C, and E of the Site Specific Implementation Project area near the confluence with San Francisquito Creek. Work was conducted under the auspices and conditions set forth in the CDFW Streambed Alteration Agreement (File No. 1600-2005-0275-R5) and USFWS Biological and Conference Opinions (File No. 1-8-06-F-5). California Gnatcatcher Monitoring, San Onofre Vernal Pool Management Area, San Diego County, CA. Gulf South Research Corporation, 2020-2022. Conducted surveys and monitoring for California gnatcatcher at the Marin Corp Base Camp Pendleton Vernal Pool Management Area in San Onofre. Weekly surveys were conducted to locate and minimize disturbance to the resident gnatcatchers. When nests were found, buffers were installed and field personnel were directed to avoid the area throughout the duration of the nesting period. Focused California Gnatcatcher Surveys, Proposed Cajon Wash Conservation Bank, San Bernardino County, CA. Lilburn Corporation, 2014. Conducted focused surveys for California gnatcatcher within suitable habitat on a 400-acre property to evaluate presence or absence of the gnatcatcher within the area. Three rounds of surveys were required to survey all potentially suitable alluvial fan sage scrub on the property. Focused California Gnatcatcher and Burrowing Owl Surveys, Park View Development Project, San Bernardino County, CA. Allied Retail Partners, LLC., 2013. Conducted focused preconstruction surveys for burrowing owl using parallel belt transects to provide 100% coverage of project site. Surveys followed guidelines outlined by the CDFW (2012) and the Burrowing Owl Consortium (1993). Also, participated in presence/absence surveys for the California gnatcatcher throughout the alluvial fan sage scrub and coastal sage scrub on the project following the winter season protocol required by USFWS (1997). Focused California Gnatcatcher Surveys, Santa Ana River Mainstem Project, Riverside/Orange County, CA. Aspen Environmental Group, 2015, 2018-2020. Independently conducted focused surveys for the California gnatcatcher within suitable habitat along the Santa Ana River to evaluate presence or absence of the gnatcatcher within the area. Surveys followed the current presence/absence protocol (USFWS 1997) and the Guidance on Extending the Current USFWS California Gnatcatcher Survey Protocol to Cover Survey Periods That Include Both Breeding and Non-Breeding Periods (USFWS 2008). Three surveys were conducted during the breeding season and five surveys were conducted during the non-breeding season in order to achieve the same level of confidence as the current California gnatcatcher survey protocol. Surveys conducted from 2018 to 2020 followed standard California gnatcatcher protocol. Pre-Construction Surveys and Well Construction Monitoring, Santa Clara River, Santa Paula, CA. The Nature Conservancy, 2016. Conducted pre-construction surveys and nest monitored for least Bell’s vireo and other special status species and during the instillation of a well adjacent to the Santa Clara River. Monitoring and contractor education was conducted on The Nature Conservancy’s Hansen Property in Santa Paula, Ventura County. Adam DeLuna Pre-Disturbance Nesting Bird Survey, Orange County, CA. S/D Architects, 2014. Conducted survey on a proposed redevelopment site on Lido Island in Newport Beach to evaluate presence of active bird nests in existing trees and other ornamental vegetation prior to removal. Surveys were conducted as part of the California Coastal Commission permit requirements based on compliance with the CDFW Code and Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Pre-Disturbance Nesting Bird Survey, Orange County, CA. Shoreline Developers, 2016. Conducted survey on a proposed demolition and construction of a residence in the City of Newport Beach to evaluate presence of active bird nests in existing trees and other ornamental vegetation prior to removal and construction activities. Surveys were conducted as part of the California Coastal Commission permit requirements based on compliance with the CDFW Code and Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Pre-Disturbance Nesting Bird Surveys with Focus on California Gnatcatcher, Sunrise Powerlink, San Diego County, CA. SDGE & Pangea Biological, 2019. Conducted avian nesting surveys in delineated work limits and buffers for active raptor nests and presence/absence of California gnatcatcher within 500 feet of project work areas, and active non-listed, MBTA and CDFW-protected avian nests within 100 feet of project work areas per the Environmental Release, Project Biological Opinion, Mitigation Monitoring & Compliance Reporting Program, and Special-States Species Construction Monitoring Approaches associated with the San Diego Gas & Electric Sunrise Powerlink Project. Mr. DeLuna was the primary California gnatcatcher biologists for twenty-six towers in Poway, CA and assisted with non-listed nesting bird surveys on sixteen towers in Boulevard, CA. Focused California Gnatcatcher, Cactus Wren, and Least Bell’s Vireo Surveys, Pre- disturbance Nesting Bird Surveys, Orange County, CA. Irvine Ranch Conservancy, 2012- 2022. Mr. DeLuna has been conducting and managing presence/absence surveys for the California gnatcatcher and Cactus Wren in specific portions of Irvine Ranch Conservancy lands prior to invasive species control and restoration efforts since 2012. He also conducts pre-disturbance nesting bird surveys on sites prior to implementation of landscape-level restoration projects in the Agua Chinon, Silverado Canyon, Bommer Canyon, West Loma, and Santiago watersheds. Nesting bird surveys are also conducted on an on call basis to provide the IRC with data to evaluate potential impacts associated with ongoing habitat enhancement and restoration efforts and helicopter training exercises within the conservancy. Focused California Gnatcatcher and Cactus Wren Surveys, Buck Gully Reserve, Newport Beach, CA. Irvine Ranch Conservancy, 2013-2022. Manages and conducts focused surveys each year for California gnatcatcher and cactus wren on 140 acres within Buck Gully Reserve for the purposes of gathering long-term data on occupancy to assist in developing and evaluating management strategies. Four to eight pairs of gnatcatchers are tracked on an annual basis. Focused California Gnatcatcher Surveys, Tesoro del Valle Development Project, Los Angeles, CA. Bonterra/Psomas, 2015. Conducted focused surveys for the California gnatcatcher on over 300 acres of the 1,200-acre Tesoro del Valle development site located north of Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County. Standard protocol-level surveys were conducted in all suitable habitats. Conducted or assisted with 12 surveys and accumulated nearly 90 hours of survey time. 4848 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 100E Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (714) 701-0863 Taylor Beaulac TAYLOR BEAULAC STAFF BIOLOGIST EDUCATION University of California, Davis Bachelor of Science in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, 2021 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Leatherman BioConsulting Inc. 2022-present; Putah Creek Council 2020. Primarily responsible for assisting in biological surveys, report preparation, data collection, habitat assessments, and construction and restoration monitoring. Specialties include focused wildlife and plant surveys, data collection, and brown-headed cowbird trapping programs. CERTIFICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS • The Desert Tortoise Council Certification and Membership • California Native Plant Society SPECIALIZED TRAINING • Trained to use for field collection: Garmin GPS Units, Avenza, Survey 123, File Make PRO, EXCEL, Adobe Pro, Excel, Google Earth Pro, BaseCamp, Theodolite, Outlook, Google Drives GENERAL EXPERIENCE Taylor Beaulac joined Leatherman BioConsulting Inc. in 2022 and has assisted in a numerous biological surveys including special status plant surveys, vegetation monitoring transects, habitat restoration qualitative and quantitative surveys, burrowing owl surveys, nesting bird surveys, California gnatcatcher surveys, Least Bell’s vireo surveys, general wildlife surveys, and herpetological surveys. She has also done extensive construction monitoring. In college she led and aided restoration project groups under the Putah Creek Council in 2020. She has also been responsible for daily monitoring and maintenance of brown-headed cowbird trapping programs including California native and non-native species identification, and data collection. She has also assisted in authoring survey reports for special status plant and wildlife species. PROJECT EXPERIENCE Restoration Monitoring for Mitigation Project, Orange County, CA. Irvine Ranch Conservancy, 2023. Conducted 60 vegetation monitoring transects for restoration sites managed by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy throughout Orange County. Surveys consisted of collecting 50- meter transects in coastal sage scrub, native grassland, and riparian habitat. Data collected included plant species occurrence at every meter, tree density within two meters of the transect line and additional species within one-meter. All data was entered into Survey 123 for compilation ease. Taylor Beaulac Botanical Inventory, Vegetation Mapping, and Focused Special Status Plant Survey. Big Dalton Reservoir, Los Angeles County, CA. AECOM, 2022. Assisted botanist in full botanical survey, vegetation mapping, and special status plant survey for Greata’s aster around the Big Dalton Reservoir, Glendora, Los Angeles County. This survey was conducting in all habitat of Big Dalton and visually observing the area. Every plant species observed was recorded. Rare and invasive species were recorded using a handheld GPS unit and reported. Detailed field notes were also taken to assist in the reports of special status plant species following CDFW guidelines. Special Status Plant Survey, Patch Variability, and Distribution Survey. Redlands, San Bernardino County, CA. Aspen, 2023. Assisted botanists in special status plant survey for slender-horned spineflower within the City of Redlands, San Bernardino County. This survey was conducted by walking line transects and visually observing the area. Data collected included a full botanical inventory for the area, in addition to all data for the endangered slender-horned spineflower. Each plant location was recorded using a handheld GPS unit. Quadrat surveys were conducted within each patch of current and historical locations of slender-horned spineflower. Botanical Inventory and Special Status Plant Survey. Apple Valley, San Bernardino County, CA. Psomas, 2022. Assisted botanists in special status plant survey and botanical inventory in Victorville, San Bernardino County. This survey was conducted by walking line transects over 50 acre and 150 acre plots, and visually observing the area. Data collected included a full botanical inventory for the area, in addition to all data for special status plants. Each plant siting location was recorded using a handheld GPS unit. Detailed field notes were also taken to assist in the reports of special status plant species following CDFW guidelines. Special Status Plant Survey. San Onofre Vernal Pool Invasive Species Control at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, San Diego County, CA. GSRC, 2023. Assisted botanist in botanical and special status plant survey for vernal barley and Pendleton button-celery within the San Onofre vernal pools, San Diego County. This survey was conducting by walking around the habitat and visually observing the area. Every plant occurrence observed was counted and recorded. Special status species were recorded using a handheld GPS unit and reported. Detailed field notes were also taken to assist in the reports of special status plant species following CDFW guidelines. Botanical Inventory and Special Status Plant Survey, Red Rock Canyon Management Unit, Orange County, CA. Irvine Ranch Conservancy, 2023. Assisted botanist in a special status plant survey for intermediate mariposa lily within Red Rock Canyon Management Unit, Orange County. This survey was conducting by walking along ridges and visually observing the area. Every rare plant occurrence observed was counted and recorded on a Survey 123 data sheet. Rare species were recorded using a handheld GPS unit and reported. Detailed field notes were also taken to assist in the reports of special status plant species following CDFW guidelines. Restoration Monitoring at Ranch Water Filtration Plant. Rancho Mission Viejo, Orange County, CA. Santa Margarita Water District, 2023. Monitored the restoration of approximately 1.0 acre of coastal sage scrub at the Ranch Water Filtration Plant, Orange County. Responsibilities include: collecting native plant species seed and monitoring the hydroseeding application, monitoring the installation of container plants and coast live oak trees, and monitoring the Taylor Beaulac irrigation. Monthly visits and reports are conducted to assess the conditions of the restoration area and inform the project manager of updates on the site. Restoration Monitoring. Chino Hills, San Bernardino County, CA. Vila Borba Development, 2022-2023. Conduct monthly biological and restoration monitoring surveys in Vila Borba, Chino Hills, San Bernardino County. Responsibilities include assessing maintenance of habitat and surrounding fence, identifying invasive species and requesting their removal, and monthly memorandums with corresponding photographs of the site. Herbicide and Restoration Monitoring at Ranch Water Filtration Plant. Rancho Mission Viejo, Orange County, CA. Santa Margarita Water District, 2023. Mapped and tagged the area of 1.01 acres on a handheld GPS for licensed herbicide applicators to work within at the Ranch Water Filtration Plant in Orange County. Monitored the licensed herbicide applicators following the guidelines from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, applying herbicide onto non-natives, and avoiding the native species within the area. Restoration monitoring of Trampas Canyon Dam. Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County, CA. Santa Margarita Water District, 2023. Monitored the restoration of approximately 2 acres of riparian habitat at Trampas Canyon Dam in Orange County. Responsibilities included: collecting and monitoring the hand seeding of native species applying tree tags onto Coast Live Oak trees planted, and monitoring the removal of non-natives within the area. Restoration monitoring along Cristianitos Road. Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County, CA. Santa Margarita Water District, 2023. Monitored the restoration of 0.02 acres of riparian habitat along Cristianitos Road in Orange County. Responsibilities included: collecting native plant species seed and monitoring the hand seeding application, monitoring the replacement of silt fencing, and monitoring the removal of non-natives within the area. Ranch Water Filtration Plant Construction and Restoration Monitoring. Rancho Mission Viejo, Orange County, CA. Santa Margarita Water District, 2022. Daily monitored the construction of Santa Margarita Water District’s Ranch Water Filtration Plant Project. Monitoring activities included insuring the construction equipment and drip pans were properly placed, the project boundary fencing maintained properly installed, no debris/disturbance/runoff occurred outside of boundary limits, no trash was left onsite or in uncovered containers, and moving wildlife out of harm’s way from the project site. Daily reports and photographs were taken to inform the project manager of updates on the site. Also assisted in implementation of coastal sage scrub restoration sites. Herpetological Transect Survey. Gypsum Canyon, Orange County, CA. Irvine Ranch Conservancy, 2023. Assisted in herpetological transect surveys within Gypsum Canyon, Orange County. The survey consisted of checking artificial cover boards and walking transects between each board in search for herp presence and activity. Transects were recorded using a handheld GPS. Data collected included a herp inventory. Burrowing Owl Survey. Chino Airport, Chino, San Bernardino County, CA. Alden Environmental Inc, 2023. Assisted in conducting surveys for burrowing owls on a project site Taylor Beaulac within Chino Airport, San Bernardino County. The surveys were conducted by walking parallel transects throughout the project site and using visual coverage to search for burrowing owls and potential burrows. Transects and potential signs were recorded by a handheld GPS. Data collected included a wildlife inventory, as well as potential burrows for burrowing owls. The surveys followed the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Staff Report for Burrowing Owl Survey Guidelines. Focused Cactus Wren Survey. Orange County, CA. The Nature Conservancy and Natural Communities Coalition, 2023. Assisted permitted biologists in presence/absence surveys for cactus wrens in multiple areas throughout the reserve system managed by The Nature Conservancy and Natural Communities Coalition in Orange County. Surveys consisted of the permitted biologist playing a recording of the cactus wren song for two minutes, and observing the surrounding habitat for one minute. This process is repeated twice at each predetermined point of cactus habitat. Data recorded included the presence/absence of cactus wren, the surrounding botanical inventory at each point, and the incidental occurrence of California gnatcatchers. Nesting Bird Survey. Trampas Canyon Dam, Orange County, CA. Santa Margarita Water District, 2023. Conducted nesting bird survey along the Trampas Canyon Dam in Orange County. The survey consisted of walking along the dam and adjacent oak woodland restoration area and observing if bird species were carrying nesting material or food and bringing it back to a nest. Data recorded included a wildlife inventory and each siting of a nest within the area. Potential nests were recorded using a handheld GPS. Cowbird Trapping Program. Orange County, CA. 2022-2023. Conducted daily cowbird trap monitoring surveys and maintenance of traps within the hill and coastal areas of Irvine and Laguna Beach. Daily monitoring duties included: identifying brown-headed cowbirds and native and non- native California bird species, the incidental capture and release of native passerine birds, accurate data collection on daily capture totals, data input into spreadsheets for analysis, moving cowbirds throughout the various trap locations to maintain decoy ratios, cleaning and maintaining quality of traps, and communicating with the project manager and fellow trapping biologists on the status of the trapping program. Assist the project manager with the oversight and implementation of several cowbird trapping programs. Bird Point Count Survey. Gypsum Canyon, Orange County, CA. Irvine Ranch Conservancy, 2022-2023. Assisted permitted California gnatcatcher biologist in conducting bird point count surveys within Gypsum Canyon, Orange County. Recorded data of native and non-native bird species and amount of each species that occupied the area. Identified bird species by appearance, calls and songs, and behavior. Multiple male, female, and juvenile California gnatcatchers have been observed on site and identified by appearance and song. DRAFT4848 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 100E Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (714) 701-0863 Page 1 of 2 City of Diamond Bar Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Restoration Monitoring Form Biological Monitor(s):__________________________________________ Date:__________________ Temperature _________ Cloud Cover _________ Wind __________ Overall Site Condition: Good ___ Moderate ___ Poor ___ Container Plants: Health: Good ___ Moderate ___ Poor ___ Needs attention (tree tag #): _____________________ Plants observed within cages? Yes ___ No ___ Comments (tree tag #): _________________________ Observed during previous visit? Yes ___ No ___ Comments (tree tag #): _______________________ Additional containers needed? Yes ___ No ___ Comments: __________________________________ Seeded Area: Health/Germination: Good ___ Moderate ___ Low ___ Dominant species:____________________________________________________________________ Bare patches?Yes ___No ___Comments:_______________________________________________ Additional seeding required? Yes ___ No ___ Comments:___________________ SQFT:__________ Phenology natives: Vegetative (list species):_______________________________________________________________ Flowering (list species):_______________________________________________________________ Seeding (list species):_________________________________________________________________ Irrigation: Schedule (days/ week, times/day, duration) : ________________________________________ Soil moisture: Wet ___ Dry ___ Comments: _____________________________________________ Repairs or adjustments needed (sprinklers, irrigation lines, leaks, etc.)? Yes ___ No ___ Comments: __________________________________________________________________________ Observed during previous visit? Yes ___ No ___ Comments: ________________________________ Non-Natives: Overall: High (51-100%) ___ Moderate (11-50%) ___ Low (0-10%) ___ Vegetative (list species): _______________________________________________________________ Flowering (list species): _______________________________________________________________ Seeding (list species): _________________________________________________________________ Flagged? Yes ___ No ___ Observed during previous visit? Yes ___ No ___ DRAFT City of Diamond Bar Page 2 of 2 Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. Site Protection or Signage Needed: Yes ___ No ___ Comments: _______________________ Wildlife Observed: Additional Comments: Recommended Measures: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Site Conditions : Erosion observed? Yes ___ No ___ Comments: ___________________________________________ Trash observed? Yes ___ No ___ Comments: _____________________________________________ Herbivory/Pests Observed? Yes ___ No ___ Comments: ____________________________________