Otis Bay Ecological Consultants

Otis Bay Ecological Consultants
Statement of Qualifications
Otis Bay Ecological Consultants is a small ecological consulting firm that specializes in
river restoration and enhancement, spring restoration and enhancement, and
environmental studies, including physical (geology, geomorphology, hydraulic, and
hydrology) and biological (birds, amphibians, small mammals, invertebrates, botanical,
ecological) studies. Otis Bay is capable of completing quality projects that range from
large scale river restoration to small wetlands and springs restoration. Otis Bay has
substantial experience in ecosystem-based instream flow studies, restoration monitoring,
and conservation planning for sensitive species.
Otis Bay provides a unique mix of biological, environmental, and physical sciences as
they apply to ecosystem restoration, ecosystem protection, and sustainable environments.
Its team of experts has proven experience working with sensitive species and their
habitats and has a track record of restoration projects that have increased populations of
target species while enhancing the aesthetic values of the land and creating opportunities
for outdoor human recreation.
MISSION STATEMENT
The primary mission of Otis Bay is to restore the processes and functions of native
ecosystems so that they will sustain our biological heritage. Otis Bay works for the
restoration of physical and ecological processes that are able to recover and sustain an
ecosystem’s indigenous organisms and promote the system’s values for humans. Otis Bay
is capable of designing restoration projects that promote critical ecological functions by
applying knowledge of natural environmental processes to disturbed systems. In order to
restore a sustainable ecosystem, Otis Bay employs the following methods:
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Site assessments and studies of the physical and biological environment designed
to understand the ecological processes that maintain the riverine, spring, or
wetland environment, and support and sustain the indigenous wildlife.
Determine the degree of disturbance and describe the pre-disturbance condition.
Examine less disturbed sections of the project system, and/or an analog system in
a similar environment to use as a restoration template.
Implement analytical techniques (e.g., hydraulic modeling and bed sediment
transport calculations) to iteratively develop an appropriate restoration design.
Develop designs that are consistent with natural features and will be supported
and sustained by natural processes.
Since the mid 1800s, when European-style settlement dominated the western states,
the aquatic and riparian resources have been in rapid decline. These human-induced
alterations threaten to dramatically change the western landscape and biological
richness, because these altered riverine and spring habitats are substantially more
biologically rich than any other habitats in the West. The founders and employees of
Otis Bay are dedicated to reversing the trend of destruction of the West’s rich aquatic
and riparian habitats.
TEAM OF EXPERTS
Otis Bay is comprised of six permanent employees; an experienced team of experts
dedicated to the improvement of riverine and aquatic ecosystems through a sustainable
restoration endeavor. With diverse expertise in both the physical and biological sciences,
Otis Bay’s team has the capacity to undertake all aspects of a major restoration project
from planning to implementation.
Team members have specific expertise in:
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Geomorphology
Geology
Hydrology
Hydrogeology
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Biology
Wildlife Ecology
Plant Ecology
GIS Application
Team members are also highly capable and trained in the following technical skills:
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Statistics
Construction
Natural design
Land surveying
Wildlife studies
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HEC-RAS hydraulic modeling
Sediment transport assessments
GIS mapping
Report writing
Public presentations
When additional expertise is needed for a project, Otis Bay routinely adds
subcontractors who specialize in additional fields, in order to complete the project at
the highest standard and in a timely manner. Otis Bay is knowledgeable in dealing
with resource and regulatory agencies on the state and federal level, and has
developed a substantial expertise in its ability to work with engineers to develop
workable solutions for the needs of both humans and the environment.
STAFF SUMMARY
President – Chad Gourley
Chad Gourley, manager of Otis Bay Riverine Consultants, has over 20 years experience
in river assessment and restoration. Mr. Gourley is a trained biohydrologist, geologist,
and ecologist with a wide variety of experience in ecosystem restoration and with special
focus on (1) aquatic ecosystem restoration design and construction oversight; and (2)
amphibian habitat creation; (3) spring restoration; and (4) river and stream ecosystem
flow assessment. Mr. Gourley has worked on over a dozen major aquatic restoration
projects in the western United States in which he has been involved in the planning,
design, implementation, and construction. He has developed the ability to work well with
agencies and regulators. Mr. Gourley is a successful designer of habitats for birds,
amphibians, fish, and other wildlife including many threatened or endangered species,
and has excellent creative ability as a natural stream channel designer.
Mr. Gourley graduated Cum Laude from the University of Utah with Bachelor’s degrees
in Geology and Environmental Biology. Mr. Gourley has received several awards for his
restoration work including: the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation
Commission’s Award for exceptional performance in implementing the Provo River
Restoration; the Public Resource Associates’ Sliver Sculpin Award for his work on the
Truckee River; and the Department of Interior’s Take Pride in America Award for a
restoration project on the East Fork of the Sevier.
Hydrogeologist – Robert J. Andress
Mr. Andress is a skilled hydrogeologist and comes to Otis Bay with several years of
experience working in the field. His primary responsibilities include project management
tasks such as preparation of project cost estimates, procurement and management of
subcontractors, negotiation of subcontractor costs, planning and coordination of field
activities, budget tracking, communication with agency staff, stakeholders, and clients,
implementation of field studies and restoration activities, hydraulic modeling, and
document preparation.
Prior to joining Otis Bay, field projects included a groundwater tracer study and step
drawdown pump test, monitoring well, piezometer, and lysimeter installation, and surface
soil, soil boring and trench sampling. Previous document preparation includes quarterly
groundwater sampling and data validation summary reports, RCRA Facility Investigation
(RFI) work plans, RFI data summary reports, a landfill exploration and trenching work
plan, and a soil-washing site health and safety plan.
Since joining Otis Bay, Mr. Andress has worked with federal agencies, municipalities,
and stakeholder groups regarding resource management issues. Recent project issues
include spring and river channel habitat, hydraulic modeling, declining instream flows,
habitat assessment, and restoration recommendations. In addition, Mr. Andress has
assisted in the successful completion of fish and amphibian habitat construction and
restoration projects.
Mr. Andress graduated with a Master’s degree in hydrogeology from Iowa State
University and with a Bachelor’s degree in geology from Augustana College. He is a
member of the Geological Society of America, Sigma XI, and Phi Beta Kappa.
Civil Engineer – Christian Romeyn
Mr. Romeyn has a background in civil engineering, geomorphology, hydrology and
ecology. His primary responsibilities include implementing drainage basin hydrological
assessments, river channel hydraulic modeling (HEC-RAS), sediment transport rate
calculations and analysis, GIS assessment, statistical analysis, restoration design, and
document preparation. Mr. Romeyn has experience in construction oversight, hydraulic
modeling, surface water quality modeling (QUAL2K), groundwater modeling
(MODFLOW), and constructed wetland design.
Prior to joining Otis Bay Mr. Romeyn was employed as a hydrologist for the U.S.
Geological Survey, National Research Program where he conducted research in river
mechanics helping to develop a model for shear stress distribution in river channels. Mr.
Romeyn has additional experience in water rights and water resources engineering
acquired during undergraduate internships at Spronk Water Engineers of Denver,
Colorado, and Zancanella and Associates in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Mr. Romeyn graduated with both a Master’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree in civil
engineering, with an emphasis on water resources and environmental engineering, from
the University of Colorado at Boulder. Mr. Romeyn also graduated with a Bachelor’s
degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont’s School of Natural
Resources. He is a member if the American Society of Civil Engineers, Tau Beta Pi and
Chi Epsilon. Mr. Romeyn is a registered Engineer-Intern in Colorado (Nevada
registration is pending the application process).
Plant Ecologist – Lee Turner
Mr. Turner has a background in plant ecology, field biology and restoration project
design. Mr. Turner’s primary job duties include re-vegetation design and implementation,
vegetation mapping and sampling, project monitoring scheme design, GIS design and
assessment, statistical analysis, report authorship and project management.
Before working at Otis Bay Mr. Turner worked for the Eastern Nevada Landscape
Coalition designing, managing and implementing restoration projects focused on Sage
Grouse habitat, sagebrush/grassland and Pinyon-Juniper woodland restoration. Through
these projects Mr. Turner gained extensive experience dealing with a variety of
stakeholders including ranchers, land managers, politicians, hunters and the recreation
community.
Mr. Turner graduated with a Ph.D. in Plant Ecology from the University of Colorado at
Boulder and a B.S. in Botany from Colorado State University. He is a member of the
Society for Ecological Restoration and the Ecological Society of America.
Field Biologist and GIS Coordinator – Kathie Taylor
Ms. Taylor is a field biologist and GIS specialist with a wide variety of experience in
restoration of riverine and spring ecosystems. She has worked on many of Otis Bay’s
projects doing project development, budget, design, field surveys, angency and
stakeholder communication, GIS analysis, report writing and preparation and project
implementation. Past fieldwork includes sampling of bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile
and invertebrate communities, general spring and river assessment, and topographical
surveys. Using GIS and other imaging software, she has developed maps and displays of
historical changes and current conditions of river corridors and spring systems throughout
the West. She is trained in Illustrator, Photoshop, Powerpoint, ENVI, Geographical
Information System (GIS) application, including spatial data presentation, ArcView 9,
3D Analyst and Spatial Analyst. Other training includes Total Station surveying
equipment, spring and river restoration techniques, and The Nature Conservancy’s targets
and strategy workshop.
Ms. Taylor received her Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology from Iowa State
University and a Master’s Degree in Science and Technology from the University of
Utah with an emphasis in business and GIS application. Her past experience as a field
biologist includes working for the Utah Division of Wildlife, the Iowa State University
Forestry Department, and the Nature Conservancy. She is a member of the Society for
Conservation GIS.
Field Biologist – Diane C. Wong
Ms. Wong has a broad background in the evaluation of bird and amphibian habitat. She
has worked as a field biologist in over five western states conducting migration, diversity,
breeding, and productivity research and sampling. Her field skills include mist netting
and banding of passerine birds (MAPS and migration studies), vegetation sampling, nest
searching and monitoring, point count surveys, small mammal trapping mark and
recapture, desert herpetological surveys, and experience with spatially presenting data on
maps and aerial photos.
Before joining Otis Bay, Ms. Wong worked for the University of Nevada, the Great
Basin Bird Observatory, Institute for Bird Populations, University of Wisconsin, and
Hastings Natural History Reservation among other research centers. She has published
several reports and illustrations from her field work. Ms. Wong received her Bachelor’s
degree in Integrative Biology from the University of California, Berkeley.
Technical Editor – Becky Lindberg-Lawler
Becky Lindberg-Lawler is the technical editor for Otis Bay. Her primary responsibilities
include writing, editing, proof reading, and report design and compilation. She is a
skilled writer and editor familiar with science and technical writing styles. She has
taught writing courses at the university level and has worked as a grant writer and editor
within the environmental community.
Ms. Lindberg-Lawler graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s
degree in Writing from the University of Utah. Her non-fiction and fiction work have
been published in several journals and she has received the Snowcroft Award for fiction.
Office Administration – Christine Gadda
Christine has over twenty-five years of combined experience in payroll, accounts
receivable, accounts payable, revenue audit, human resources and customer service.
Included in Christine’s employment history, are twenty years in the accounting
department at one of Northern Nevada’s largest hotel/casino, ten years of which were as
Payroll Manager. Her office skills include preparation of bi-weekly payroll checks,
quarterly tax reports, annual W2’s, bank reconciliation, 10 key, correspondence, billing,
collections, payments, money handling and general office duties associated with running
a proficient office. She has received several certificates for her completion of frontline
management courses.
MAJOR STAFF PROJECTS
Provo River Restoration Project - Design and construction of 5 miles of new Provo
River channel within a federally purchased corridor. The design was comprehensive in
that it was intended for river, riparian, wetland, and upland ecological restoration
planning, and included supervision of seven studies, including primarily birds and
amphibians, and rare or endangered species; multivariate statistical analyses to determine
key habitat parameters for restoration planning; GIS data processing and spatial analyses;
coordination with agencies; and coordination between scientists and engineers.
East Fork of the Sevier River, Utah - Relocation of 2,500 feet of channel as part of a
highway construction project. State Division of Wildlife documented a 400% increase in
fish biomass in a five-year period.
Truckee River Restoration Assessment Project – Watershed scale ecologic,
geomorphic, hydrologic, and restoration assessment from Vista, Nevada to Pyramid
Lake, Nevada to identify sites suitable for future restoration and habitat enhancement
activity. Restoration along the Truckee River is being proposed for the purposes of
increasing riparian forest, wetlands, wildlife habitat, water quality, and threatened and
endangered fish populations. Issues related to riparian corridor and water quality
degradation include deforestation, mine drainage, nutrient loading due to wastewater
treatment plant discharge, and increased turbidity due to assorted human-induced
landscape disturbances. The project included GIS mapping and analysis of the entire
project area.
Truckee River, Nevada - McCarran Property - Development and implementation of a
restoration plan for approximately 5 miles of the mainstem Truckee River corridor that
includes both aquatic and terrestrial habitat components. Project also included analysis
of historic abundance and habitat use of birds and amphibians along the Truckee River
with avian and herpetological surveys to assess current status of populations and habitat
availability. Implementation of first phase including construction oversight, revegetation
and monitoring.
Truckee River, Nevada –Lockwood Property - Development of a restoration plan for
approximately 1 mile of the mainstem Truckee River corridor that includes both aquatic
and terrestrial habitat components.
Truckee River Flood Control Project, Nevada - Provided expertise on riverine process
and function for incorporation into designs for a flood control project through the
Truckee Meadows area.
Steamboat Creek Restoration Plan - Determination of the required corridor width for
the Steamboat Creek Restoration Corridor.
Carson River Project – Geomorphic, hydrologic, ecologic, and restoration assessment
of the Carson River. The long term objective of this project was to identify sites suitable
for future restoration and riparian enhancement as well as to provide recommendations
for riparian ecosystem preservation and restoration.
Parker Ranch, Nevada - Development of restoration plan for spring pools and channels
that harbor the Amargosa toad and Oasis Valley Speckled dace.
Torrance Ranch, Nevada - Development and implementation of a restoration plan for
spring pools and channels that harbor the Amargosa toad and Oasis Valley Speckled
dace.
Ash Meadows, Nevada - Restoration of the Kings Spring drainage of the Ash Meadows
Wildlife Refuge in Nye, County, Nevada. The project entailed site analysis of the spring
drainage and restoration of pool and stream habitat for several endangered aquatic and
riparian species.
Geomorphic, hydrologic, ecologic, and restoration assessment of the Ash Meadows
National Wildlife Refuge. The long term objective of this project is to identify sites
suitable for future restoration and riparian enhancement as well as to provide
recommendations for riparian ecosystem preservation and restoration.
Flagg Springs, Nevada - Development and restoration plan for spring pools and outflow
channels to provide habitat for four sensitive and endangered native desert fish.
Moapa Wildlife Preserve, Nevada – Development and construction of a restoration plan
for a series of geothermal springs and outflow channels and the surrounding riparian
areas. The project provides habitats for sensitive and endangered native fish and other
organisms that use the system.
Upper Muddy River, Nevada – Completion of a geomorphic assessment of a thermal
spring-fed river and preparation of recommendations for the restoration and preservation
of a desert riparian ecosystem. The project area includes habitat for thermal endemic
invertebrates and fish as well as the endangered Moapa dace.
Owens Valley, California-Geomorphic, hydrologic, ecologic, and restoration assessment
of the springs within Owens Valley, California. The long term objective of this project is
to identify sites suitable for future restoration and riparian enhancement as well as to
provide recommendations for riparian ecosystem preservation and restoration.
Jordan River, Utah - Design of a natural stream bank stabilization plan for the Jordan
River in Utah, to enhance the riparian area near the channel and to protect a medical
research facility.
State-Wide Bird Monitoring Program, Nevada - Initiation of the first long-term,
comprehensive breeding bird monitoring program for Nevada’s thirteen principle habitat
types. The project involved study design, recruitment of field technicians and volunteers,
coordination with a diverse set of agencies and organizations, data processing, GIS
analysis, and reporting of results.
RECENT STAFF STUDIES AND RESEARCH
Diamond Fork Creek, Utah - Assessment of environmental instream flows to support a
broad array of native organisms.
Truckee River, Nevada - Assessment of instream flow requirements to restore and
maintain a healthy ecosystem throughout the Truckee River corridor.
Truckee River, Nevada - Assessment of the impact of combining several small storm
drains into a single large drain that empties into the Truckee River in Reno, Nevada
South Truckee Meadows, Nevada - Assessment of instream flow requirements for both
biological and geomorphic goals.
Spotted Frog Restoration and Habitat Enhancement Planning, Utah - Six-year study
of spotted frog (Rana luteiventris) populations, natural movements, repatriation, and
habitat designs.
Bird Communities and Habitats along the Truckee River - Three year study of birds
of the Truckee River and their habitats to develop priorities for habitat enhancement and
restoration projects and to determine progress toward native bird recovery under current
habitat restoration attempts.
Bird Communities and Habitats along the Provo River - In collaboration with the
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources studied bird populations and habitat use to riparian
habitat restoration recommendations for the Provo River Restoration Project.
Status and Habitat Use of Amphibians and Reptiles of the Truckee River Corridor Two year study of distributions, abundances, and habitat use of native amphibians and
reptiles of the Truckee River corridor. The study was designed to aid in conservation
planning of these species and restoration designs for their habitats.
Impacts of Livestock Grazing on Riparian Birds of Little Valley, Nevada - Study of
bird populations and avian nest success to identify relationships with livestock grazing
regimes.
Diamond Fork Creek, Utah - Three year study of breeding bird point count data
collection, habitat assessment, and multivariate analysis of bird-habitat associations that
were used to derive recommendations for habitat conservation.