• San Diego Creek Watershed Natural Treatment System
• On-Call Services
• Stream Channel Biological Resources Assessment and Mapping
• Calabasas Landfill Native Habitat Restoration Plan
• Talega Development Site Mitigation Program
• Capistrano by the Sea EIR
• Tesoro del Valle Project EIR
• Pointe Anaheim Development EIR
• Foothill Transportation Corridor – South EIR/EIS
• Eaton Canyon Mitigation Program
• Serrano Heights Onsite/Offsite Habitat Mitigation Planning and Monitoring

Project: San Diego Creek Watershed Natural Treatment System
Client: Irvine Ranch Water District

Description: BonTerra Consulting was selected by the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) to prepare the Environmental Impact Report and Biological Resources Technical Study for the San Diego Creek Watershed Natural Treatment System (NTS). The NTS Plan includes 31 constructed water quality treatment wetlands that will assist in managing the quality of surface runoff within the San Diego Creek Watershed, an approximate 122 square mile area located in Central Orange County. The NTS facilities use wetlands vegetation and take advantage of naturally occurring physical, chemical, and biological processes to treat small storm runoff and dry weather flows. The NTS Plan is one of the key initiatives in meeting the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) that have been adopted by the Santa Ana Regional Water Control Board for designated pollutants within the San Diego Creek Watershed, including sediments, nutrients, and pathogen indicators as well as TMDLs recently established by the USEPA for toxic pollutants, including organophosphate pesticides, selenium, certain metals, organochlorinated compounds, mercury, and chromium.

The overall objectives of the NTS Plan are to:

• Ensure that the NTS Plan's system of constructed wetlands conforms to the objective of the Federal Clean Water Act to "restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters."
• Assist the County of Orange and Cities and others in meeting TMDLs and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements
• Provide a comprehensive, regional, watershed-wide approach to clean up small storm runoff and dry weather flows from existing and future land uses.
• Improve water quality in San Diego Creek, Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, and Newport Bay.
• Enhance habitat value of aquatic and riparian habitats located within the Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) Reserve.

BonTerra Consulting prepared the EIR and the Biological Resources Technical Study. BonTerra also coordinated with other public agencies with jurisdictional authority over the NTS Plan, including: USACOE, USFWS, California Regional Water Quality Control Board-Santa Ana Region, State Water Resources Control Board, California Department of Transportation, the Orange County Flood Control District as well as two trustee agencies, the CDFG and the University of California, Irvine.

BonTerra also prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act for use by the USFWS during its deliberations on the NTS Plan.


Project: On-Call Services
Client: Los Angeles County Department of Public Works

Description: BonTerra Consulting is currently providing On-Call Services to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LADPW). This includes a system-wide habitat assessment and/or focused survey effort for special status plant and wildlife species in areas maintained by the LADPW at San Pedro Bay and Santa Monica Bay and along the Los Angeles, San Gabriel, and Santa Clara Rivers, and in Antelope Valley. In spring 2002, focused surveys were conducted for the Nevin's barberry, unarmored three-spine stickleback, Santa Ana sucker, least Bell's vireo, and southwestern willow flycatcher. In addition, habitat assessment were conducted for the slender-horned spineflower, red-legged frog, and arroyo toad. In spring 2003, focused surveys are bring conducted for slender-horned spineflower, and arroyo toad in areas that were identified as providing suitable habitat by the 2002 habitat assessments. In addition, focused surveys are being repeated for the unarmored three-spine stickleback, Santa Ana sucker, least Bell's vireo, and southwestern willow flycatcher. The purpose of the focused surveys is to collect baseline information that will be used to obtain permits and/or agreements from the Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and California Department of Fish and Game for continued annual channel maintenance. Prior to the commencement of surveys, methodologies were coordinated with the resource agencies. Biological surveys for several other projects with similar issues are being conducted concurrently. These projects include the Santa Clara River Drop Structure and Interim Rock Groins, Zone 1 Ditch Improvements, San Gabriel River Rubber Dams, Pico Canyon Invert Stabilizers and Access Ramp, and Termino Avenue Drain. In addition to the focused surveys listed above, the Termino Avenue Drain project included focused surveys for southern tarplant, eelgrass, and the invasive algae Caulerpa.


Project: Stream Channel Biological Resources Assessment and Mapping
Client: Los Angeles County Department of Public Works

Description: Biological resources in 95 separate natural bottom stream channels were evaluated to determine the presence of riparian or other sensitive resources in preparation for clearing of vegetation to increase channel capacity for anticipated El Nino storms in winter 1997-1998. Requirements of permits issued to the County of Los Angeles by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and the Regional Water quality control board dictated that non-sensitive and invasive species (e.g., Arundo) be considered the key priority for vegetation removal. Sensitive habitat areas that had to be removed to insure adequate channel capacity were mapped in the field to document acres of habitat lost and to set the stage for development of post-clearing mitigation programs (allowed by the USACE and CDFG permits). Subsequent to vegetation clearing, BonTerra field-verified habitat maps that were prepared on CADD to document the remaining vegetation in the channels


Project: Calabasas Landfill Native Habitat Restoration Plan
Client: Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts

Description: A conceptual habitat revegetation program was developed for over 30 acres of current and future landfill slopes within the Calabasas Landfill as partial fulfillment of National Park Service requirements. The primary goals of the revegetation program were to establish native vegetation on refuse slopes similar to adjacent preserved habitat areas and to minimize the visual impact of the refuse slopes on park users in the adjacent Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, while allowing for the adequate and legal operation of the landfill slopes.

The conceptual program included guidelines and specifications for: 1) site preparation (irrigation, weed control, surface grading, etc.; 2) seed mix application and container species planting; 3) long-term site maintenance; 4) long-term growth performance monitoring; 5) documentation of site conditions and compliance with required performance standards; and 6) coordination with the County Sanitation Districts and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area/National Park Service. An extensive weed and ornamental species eradication and control program was developed as part of site preparation methodology as a means of removing previously planted landscape plants and established weed species.


Project: Talega Development Site Mitigation Programs
Client: Talega Associates

Description: Mitigation planning was performed for a 713-acre residential development in the back country of San Clemente in southern Orange County. Mitigation planning included: 1) the development of a coastal sage scrub creation program for over 100 acres in association with a 4(d) Special Rule Interim Habitat Loss Mitigation Plan and in compliance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and County of Orange requirements; 2) the development of a coast live oak replacement program in compliance with the County of Orange requirements; and 3) the development of a site rehabilitation program for existing onsite riparian mitigation areas.

Both the coastal sage scrub restoration and oak replacement programs included guidelines for: 1) site preparation; 2) container planting and seed mix application; 3) long-term site maintenance; 4) long-term site performance monitoring; 5) documentation of site conditions and compliance with required performance standards; and 6) coordination with the County of Orange and USFWS. The riparian mitigation rehabilitation program addressed the improvement of current site conditions and enhancement of growth performance at two existing riparian revegetation sites and included guidelines for: 1) replacement planting as compensation for widespread native plant species dieback and minimal coverage; 2) invasive weed species eradication and long-term control; 3) irrigation system repairs and adjustments; 4) the establishment of native plant species buffers around both sites; 5) revised grading to provide improved hydrological conditions; and 6) erosion control.

A five year monitoring program is currently being provided for the coastal sage scrub mitigation program in the 100-acre plus Phase I coastal sage scrub restoration site to assess the effectiveness of the prescribed control program and to facilitate establishment of coastal sage scrub species and compliance with performance standards.


Project: Capistrano by the Sea EIR
Client: Capital Pacific Holdings, LLC

Description: An environmental impact report (EIR) was prepared for the Capistrano by the Sea project located in the southeastern portion of the City of Dana Point. The EIR addressed two development proposals for the project site: (1) Residential Alternative, and (2) Residential/Community Facility Alternative. The Residential Alternative involved the development of 50 single-family residential lots on the 24.7-acre site. The Residential/Community Facility Alternative involved the development of 49 single-family residential lots on 22.2 acres; the remaining 2.5 acres retaining the Community Facility designation for potential future church uses, envisioned by he St. Edwards Catholic Church uses located west of the site.

Under both project alternatives, the historic Dolph House would remain in its current location and be rehabilitated for sale as a private single-family residence. The proposed project requires a general plan amendment and zone change from community facility designation to residential. The key environmental issues addressed in the EIR included: land use compatibility and consistency with relevant planning policies; traffic; biological resources; loss of existing trees onsite; and aesthetics.


Project: Tesoro del Valle Project EIR
Client: Evans-Collins Community Builders

Description: BonTerra Consulting prepared an EIR for the development of a 1,700-acre planned community in the San Francisquito Canyon area of Los Angeles County north of the City of Santa Clarita. Biological surveys were initially conducted to identify areas where sensitive resources constraints would limit development. Significant Ecological Area (SEA) 19 is within a portion of the site requiring mitigation measures to protect the habitat of the endangered unarmored three-spined stickleback fish. Other issues of concern addressed in the EIR included: loss of oak trees and potential presence of endangered species; geological resources; historic resources; traffic; aesthetics; and water quality. BonTerra is also responsible for preparation of the habitat mitigation/restoration plans that will be implemented during the projected 15-year buildout of the site.


Project: Pointe Anaheim Development EIR
Client: Pointe Anaheim, LLC

Description: A Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) was prepared for the Pointe*Anaheim Project located in Anaheim across Harbor Boulevard from Disneyland. The project included a fully-integrated mixed-use development with 565,000 sq. ft. of retail/dining/entertainment, three hotels with 1,050 rooms, and three theaters with 4,600 seats for live performances. Primary issues addressed in the MND included: traffic and parking, density, land use (as the project required a change in the area specific plan) infrastructure and services, air quality and design.


Project: Foothill Transportation Corridor – South EIR/EIS
Client: Transportation Corridor Agencies

Description: This project represents the last 15 mile portion of the FTC toll facility through southeastern Orange County and northern San Diego County. The complexity of the project requires the involvement of numerous agencies, including: Federal Highway Administration; Caltrans Transportation Corridor Agency; and the U.S. Department of the Navy (MCB-Camp Pendleton). The EIS/SEIR addresses a full range of issues, with the areas of primary concern being: biological resources; Section 4(f) resources; land use; socioeconomics; cultural resources; visual impacts; and noise. The EIS/SEIR addresses two primary build alternatives. One traversing the developed area of the City of San Clemente and the other would traverse the undeveloped area east of the cities of San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. BonTerra is responsible for preparation of the study work plans, quality assurance program, agency coordination, schedule and budget management, and document preparation. In addition to coordination with the agencies, there are 13 primary subconsultants and a large number of consulting biologists working on the project.


Project: Eaton Canyon Mitigation Program
Client: Brookfield Davidson Homes

Description: A comprehensive and detailed mitigation program was developed as compensation for project impacts to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) jurisdiction at the 220-acre La Vina residential project site in Altadena, California. Offsite mitigation opportunities were identified in Eaton Canyon Wash and consisted of 11-acres of sycamore woodland, willow woodland, and alluvial scrub habitat revegetation, as well as 2.4 acres of Arundo donax removal. Conceptual and implementation level documents were developed based on mitigation site conditions at Eaton Canyon County Park and resource agency requirements.

The habitat revegetation plan included weed removal guidelines, container planting and seeding guidelines, site preparation guidelines, site irrigation guidelines, long term maintenance guidelines, and long term growth performance monitoring guidelines. An interpretive sign program was developed for by park users. The Arundo donax eradication and long term control program included guidelines for initial removal and disposal and long term removal site maintenance and seedling regrowth management guidelines. Removal guidelines were based on extensive research and coordination with the Nature Conservancy, Team Arundo, the Santa Margarita River Arundo donax Removal Program, and many other Southern California agencies, non-profit organizations, and contractors currently performing Arundo donax removal and management.

BonTerra is currently monitoring both the Arundo donax removal and revegetation sites on a regular basis for seedling establishment and native species regeneration, as well as growth performance and site maintenance at the revegetation sites. Arundo donax has been 95% to 99% eradicated from the wash; native species such as mulefat, willow species, alder, etc. have become established throughout the wash and Arundo donax removal areas.


Project: Serrano Heights Onsite/Offsite Habitat Mitigation Planning and Monitoring
Client: CH2MHill

Description: Comprehensive mitigation planning services were provided for a 727-acre residential project in the Peralta Hills area of Orange County. Offsite and onsite mitigation was required as compensation for project impacts to USACE and CDFG jurisdiction. Offsite mitigation opportunities were identified within County of Orange, open space areas to meet requirements of the County of Orange, CDFG, and USACE. A conceptual mitigation program was developed that incorporated both participation in the Santa Ana Canyon Mitigation Bank Arundo donax removal program and wetland/riparian creation and restoration at offsite and onsite locations (28 acres total).

Offsite mitigation is located at Talbert Nature Preserve; conceptual and detailed plans were developed in coordination with County of Orange Parks and Recreation personnel and requirements. Detailed restoration installation programs were developed for both onsite and offsite riparian mitigation areas.