Projects

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING

CALFED Levee Stability Program

Parus Consulting provided environmental planning, restoration assessment, permitting, and related services in support of the CALFED Levee Stability Program. Parus worked with team members to complete Preliminary Draft Project Implementation Reports and Project Management Plans for nearly half of the Reclamation Districts in the Delta. Specific tasks included the evaluation of aquatic and terrestrial habitats at a preliminary level, and analysis of the environmental and costs impacts of various engineering approaches to upgrade levee. This project required hands-on knowledge of United State Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) guidance, including Public Law 84-99 and Engineering Technical Letter 1110-2-571. 

Environmental Monitoring: California Department of Water Resources Emergency Levee Repair

When the Corps and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) decided in 2006 to undertake a major endeavor to protect California’s floodplains, Parus Consulting quickly mobilized a team of biological monitors to provide preconstruction raptor/nesting bird surveys, elderberry shrub flagging and documentation, and compliance monitoring. At sites throughout California’s Sacramento River system, Parus ensured compliance with permits issued by several agencies, including Biological Opinions issued by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

Sacramento Bank Protection Project, Levee Studies

Parus Consulting prepared a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, Site Characterization Report, and Environmental Assessment/Initial Study for multiple erosion repair sites in the Sacramento River system under the Sacramento River Bank Protection Project (SRBPP). Tasks included field identification and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of all environmental resources, including special-status species. Parus managed a team of biologists, planners, and permit specialists to ensure timely completion of environmental documents and permits. 

Protocol level surveys were conducted, including those for sensitive avian species, such as Swainson's hawk and bank swallow. Parus worked closely with the NMFS and the USFWS, as well as the California Department of Fish and Game, to ensure compliance with relevant Biological Opinions and mitigation requirements governing instream repair work. Parus also completed certification documents pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.

Sacramento Bank Protection Project, Levee Designs

Parus Consulting prepared riparian restoration designs and specifications for 21 erosion sites along the Sacramento River and its tributaries under the SRBPP, sponsored by the Corps and DWR. Project sites ranged from Delta islands to levees in urban Sacramento. Once completed, the SRBPP levee upgrades will provide protection to existing levee and flood control facilities for the Sacramento River Flood Control Project.

Important factors in the designs included replacement of shaded riverine aquatic habitat to meet NMFS mitigation requirements. Other tasks included:

·          Identification of natural resources issues on erosion sites and guidance on meeting regulatory requirements

·          Design of restoration sites that incorporate habitat for sensitive species, including the giant garter snake, while avoiding negative impacts to state and federally listed fish species

·          Planting, irrigation, and placement of in-stream woody materials for habitat restoration along sites disturbed by levee repair

·          Tract register for each erosion site

Parus coordinated with engineering staff to avoid, or mitigate for, potential impacts and worked in coordination with the Corps and several regulatory agencies.

San Joaquin Valley Energy Center

As Environmental Project Manager to a major independent power producer, Principal Tom Lagerquist used aerial and satellite imagery to select environmentally superior routes for 41 miles of natural gas and reclaimed wastewater pipelines traversing the western San Joaquin Valley. Careful route selection avoided all impacts to wetlands and alkali scrub habitats.

Mr. Lagerquist developed the overall permitting strategy and obtained entitlements from state, federal, and local agencies. Other tasks included working with local officials and community members to garner support for the project; selecting appropriate San Joaquin Kit Fox mitigation habitat for acceptance by the USFWS; and preparing an overview map of the San Joaquin Valley using LandSat7 satellite imagery.

IMAGING, MAPPING, AND ASSESSMENTS

Long-term Fauna Monitoring, Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar

Parus is providing GIS support to a team of specialists for the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar’s Long Term Ecosystem Monitoring of Fauna. This project involves field biology, statistical analysis, mapping, and document preparation. Field staff are conducting bird counts, reptile and amphibian studies, and small mammal trapping. Parus is providing direct support in the following areas: Global Positioning System (GPS) training, GIS, and Mapping.

Parus is providing GIS support meeting the GeoFidelis specifications. All field data is being collected with a Trimble GeoXH sub-foot GPS. Offsets to target locations are collected with a laser rangefinder that is Bluetooth-linked to the GPS. Data is managed in ArcView 9.3 and maintained in ESRI shapefile format. Parus is preparing location maps, overview maps, and a database (i.e., metadata) incorporating data collected in current and past study sessions.

SMUD Gas Pipeline Mapping

Parus Consulting oversaw GIS implementation among a diverse team of contractors in support of pipeline licensing and construction for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s Cosumnes Power Plant project. Tasks included selection of pipeline Enterprise GIS software system, mapping of sensitive populations adjacent to a high pressure natural gas pipelines, and preparation of traffic control and wetland exhibits for California Energy Commission review. Parus also prepared high resolution orthophoto mosaics of 75 miles of new and existing pipeline corridors to facilitate High Consequence Area identification and mapping.