Once we define the survey protocol for a particular species, our staff utilizes current botanical literature and databases, interviews with local botanical experts and plant physiology information to optimize field survey scheduling for accurate species identification and presence or absence determinations. We are skilled in locating and mapping individual plant populations and critical habitat with the latest global positioning system (GPS) equipment and geospatial software. Our expertise includes the design of avoidance and relocation plans for sensitive plant species and the development of project protocols to restrict the spread of noxious weed species. We also have considerable experience in the preparation of site restoration or habitat improvement plans that can be tailored to restoring or enhancing the habitat of sensitive plant species.
- Client: Oregon Department of Transportation
- Location: Douglas and Josephine Counties, Oregon
- Scope: MB&G completed botanical surveys and documentation for approximately 13 miles of Interstate 5 (I-5) right-of-way for the I-5: Jump-off Joe – Glendale Paving and Passing Lanes Project in Douglas and Josephine Counties, Oregon. Botanical surveys were conducted according to accepted protocols for 11 state and/or federally listed plant species along a highway section that spanned three mountain passes. During the surveys, MB&G also mapped noxious weed and invasive species populations to facilitate control and eradication during construction.
- Client: Washington Department of Natural Resources
- Location: Eastern Washington
- Scope: For the Eastside Type F Riparian Assessment, MB&G designed a forest vegetation inventory system for riparian areas on WDNR Forest and Fish Repair (FFR) lands in eastern Washington. This effort included the development of field work protocols and procedures, and specifications for data collection, data management, and analyses. We designed the field plot configuration to collect information on forest vegetation and site attributes in riparian areas, including live and dead trees, shrub cover, ground cover, canopy closure, and coarse woody debris. Our staff demonstrated the efficacy of the field design and the data collection system by showing how the data would be used in subsequent analyses, such as forest growth modeling.
- Client: PacifiCorp
- Location: Douglas County, Oregon
- Scope: As a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing requirement, MB&G conducted a noxious weed inventory update for all federal lands within the North Umpqua Hydroelectric project in Oregon. Our botanists coordinated with federal agencies on the inventory methodology, developed an inventory plan, and prepared a project-specific ArcGIS data dictionary to efficiently analyze inventory data. We managed the noxious weed field inventory, data analysis, and reporting of noxious weed populations along PacifiCorp transmission lines and around project infrastructure. We compared previous inventory data to current inventory data to document the effectiveness of PacifiCorp’s ongoing weed control activities.
