SUMMARY

Skilled biologist with experience conducting surveys for threatened and endangered wildlife and plant species. Possesses over ten years of experience monitoring and inspecting large linear and renewable energy infrastructure projects for compliance with environmental mitigation measures and permit conditions. Is familiar with all aspects of construction and engineering—from pre-planning to post-construction. Has conducted over 100 environmental and safety training courses throughout his career. Has led teams of biologists and environmental inspectors ranging from small groups to over 30 in the field. Authorized under Biological Opinions to survey for and handle desert tortoises and has handled over 400 desert tortoises. Has additional experience working under Biological Opinions to survey and monitor for California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, San Joaquin kit fox, western pond turtle, coast horned lizard, American badger, rosy boa, flat-tailed horned lizard, relict leopard frog, southwestern willow flycatcher, Yuma fringe-toed lizard, western burrowing owl, and several other species of special concern. Has conducted avian mortality surveys, noxious weed removal, native plant inventories, SWPPP inspections which include both water and soil sampling, and also has additional experience conducting cultural and paleontological surveys and inspections. Has a strong background in biology both through education and experience in the field.

Education

B.S. Biochemistry, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)

Career History

AMEC Foster Wheeler, San Diego California

Panoche Valley Solar (2015-present)

Client: ConEdison

Year(s): 2015-present

Currently the Lead Environmental Inspector for the Panoche Valley Solar project outside of Hollister, California. Current duties include organizing subcontractors for trapping endangered wildlife, conducting surveys for California tiger salamander, coast horned lizard, Nelson’s antelope ground squirrel, giant kangaroo rat, burrowing owl, and wide variety of other sensitive species. Other duties include telemetry tracking of currently eleven VHF and GPS radio collared San Joaquin kit foxes utilizing Yagi and Omni antennas, SWPPP inspections, and coordination with the AMEC San Diego office and CDFW.  Duties also include deploying cameras to capture night images of potential sensitive fauna on the project footprint, daily field reports, providing guidance according to permits and the MMRP. Daily activities also include coordination with the main GIS database in Nashville, TN and the west coast database in San Diego, CA along with control point checks and tablet organization, which includes uploading and downloading collected data to the server.  Providing leadership and guidance to others on the project.

Insignia Environmental, Palo Alto, California

North-South Interconnect Project

Client: Southern California Gas

Year(s): 2011-2014

Provided environmental compliance services for a project involving the conversion of approximately 76 miles of petroleum pipeline to a natural gas pipeline in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, California. Performed preconstruction surveys for desert tortoise, burrowing owl, American badger, nesting birds, and other protected plant species. Duties also included providing environmental training for crews working on the right of way, coordination with construction crews pertaining to rules and regulations, reporting on spills, leaks, hazardous material storage, and led teams in the field. Duties also included conducting native plant inventories and leading restoration efforts.

Moss Landing Bus Upgrade and Automation Project 

Client: Pacific Gas & Electric

Year(s): 2011-2014

Served as Environmental Inspector and Lead Authorized Biologist responsible for monitoring the upgrades to the Moss Landing Substation. Performed preconstruction surveys for the California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, and western burrowing owl. Monitored for California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander during project construction. Relocated all fauna within the project area to a safer area away from construction activities. Observed and reported on hazardous materials spills, fugitive dust emissions, and other environmental issues including Archaeological and paleontological discoveries and prepared detailed daily environmental reports. Reinforced environmental awareness/gave environmental training to 100+ working on the project. Duties also included coordination of other personnel brought on the project to conduct specific research and monitoring activities, corresponding weekly with the Palo Alto office on updates and project progression, providing guidance to all on the project in regards to environmental and engineering concerns, and daily safety inspections.

Hollister 115 kV Reconductoring Project

Client: Pacific Gas & Electric

Year(s): 2012-2014

Served as Environmental Inspector and Authorized Biologist responsible for monitoring the installation of the San Juan Bautista/Hollister 115 kV transmission line. Performed preconstruction surveys for the California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, San Joaquin kit fox, western burrowing owl, and several other species of concern. Insured all project personnel followed safety regulations and helped coordinate with daily engineering and construction logistics. Monitored for California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander during project construction. Relocated all fauna within the project area to a safer area away from construction activities. Performed water sampling (turbidity and pH) and SWPPP Inspections. Observed and reported on hazardous materials spills, fugitive dust emissions, and other environmental issues including Archaeological and cultural discoveries and prepared detailed daily environmental reports. Reinforced environmental awareness/gave environmental training to others working on the project. Verified all construction activities were in compliance with the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP).

Client: Pacific Gas & Electric Year(s): 2012-2014

San Diego Gas & Electric ECO Substation Project

Client: San Diego Gas & Electric

Year(s): 2013-2014

Served as Environmental Inspector and Biologist responsible for monitoring the construction of the East County Substation, the installation of a 138 kV transmission line spanning approximately 13.3 miles in length, and the rebuild of the existing Boulevard Substation. Monitored and collected data for Pallid bats and documented any impacts caused by construction. Conducted SWPPP Inspections and made recommendations to the client. Observed and reported on hazardous materials spills, fugitive dust emissions, and other environmental issues including Archaeological and paleontological discoveries and prepared detailed daily environmental reports. Reinforced environmental awareness/gave environmental training to others working on project.

Client: San Diego Gas & Electric Year(s): 2013-2014

Independent Consultation

Coachella Valley Water District Dyke Repair

Served as the Lead Biological Monitor and conducted focused desert tortoise, flat-tailed horned lizard, burrowing owl, kit fox, and specific flora surveys over 30 miles of dike repair near the All-American Canal. Identified and documented all flora and fauna within the project area. Led Noxious weed removal efforts and made recommendations to the client in regards to any potential environmental concerns.

Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project

Served as one of three out of XXX biologists responsible for monitoring all three segments of the project; 1, 2, and 3A; spanning forest, desert, and mountain terrain for upgrades on 220 kilovolt and 500 kilovolt transmission lines and new substations between the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area in southern Kern County and Los Angeles County. Designated by the USFW as Authorized Biologist. Led and instructed teams of other biologists during protocol surveys. Monitored and surveyed for desert tortoise, burrowing owl, and Swainson’s hawk. Conducted Habitat Assessments for segments 1, 2, and 3A and performed noxious weed removal. Mitigated for dust control to comply with the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.

Conducted clearance surveys by documenting and photographing all burrows, nests, and wildlife within project area using Global Positioning System, Kestrel, binoculars, and other tools; created and staked buffers according to protocol. Relocated rattlesnakes and other Fauna to avoid construction impacts and to ensure safety of workers on project area. Obtained coordinates (waypoints using Global Positioning System) and photographed native and sensitive flora potentially impacted through construction activities. Monitored construction activities within project area and verified compliance with rules and regulations. Reinforced environmental awareness/gave environmental training to others working on project.

Eldorado Substation Road Repair Project

Conducted focused desert tortoise surveys, burrowing owl dawn/dusk surveys, kit fox surveys, and identification/documentation of all flora and fauna within 5 miles of excavated road approximately 4 miles outside of Boulder City, NV. Relocated rattlesnakes to avoid construction impacts and to ensure safety of workers on project area. Ensured environmental compliance with the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. Monitored construction activities within the project area and verified compliance with all rules and regulations. Reinforced environmental awareness and conducted environmental training for others working on the project. Conducted clearance surveys and documented all burrows, nests, and wildlife within the project area using global positioning system, Kestrel, binoculars, and other tools. Created and flagged buffer areas to avoid disturbance.

Genesis Solar Energy Project

Conducted focused desert tortoise, specific flora, burrowing owl dawn/dusk surveys and identification and documentation of all flora and fauna within the project area for construction of two independent solar electric generating facilities with a nominal net electrical output of 125 megawatts each, approximately 25 miles west of the city of Blythe, California in an undeveloped area of the Sonoran Desert.

Silurian Photovoltaic Project

Conducted focused desert tortoise surveys, kit fox surveys, burrowing owl dawn and dusk surveys, specific flora surveys, and identification and documentation of all flora and fauna approximately 25 miles west of the city of Blythe, California in an undeveloped area of the Sonoran Desert.

Eagle Mountain

Conducted focused desert tortoise surveys, burrowing owl dawn and dusk surveys, specific flora surveys, and identification and documentation of all flora and fauna approximately 25 miles west of the city of Blythe, California in an undeveloped area of the Sonoran Desert.

West Fry Wind Energy Project

Conducted focused desert tortoise, kit fox, and Indra swallowtail butterfly surveys. Operated an anabat harmonic/bat detection system for construction of approximately 34 wind turbine generators, pad-mounted transformers, an underground electrical collection system, a new 230-kV electrical substation, approximately 500-feet, 230-kV of overhead transmission line from the substation to a new switchyard, an operations and maintenance building, underground communication lines, and two permanent meteorological towers in the West Fry Mountains.

Granite Mountain Wind Energy Project

Conducted focused desert tortoise, kit fox, and Indra swallowtail butterfly surveys and operated an anabat harmonic/bat detection system for a 58.8-84 megawatt wind energy project on a footprint of just under 100 acres on unincorporated land in the Mojave Desert.

Willow Springs Solar Energy Project

Conducted focused surveys for desert tortoise, burrowing owl, LeConte’s thrasher, Mojave Ground Squirrel, desert kit fox, and American badger in Mojave and Tehachapi, CA

Laughlin-Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trails

Served as Lead Environmental Inspector and Lead Biologist during the construction of nine miles of hiking and equestrian trails, a highway bridge overpass, and a highway bridge underpass that leads to the Colorado River. One of two projects in Nevada highlighted in the America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Report. Conducted pre-construction surveys for several species of concern. Monitored all aspects of construction from planning to revegetation (hydro-seeding) of native plants. Was filmed by the BOR conducting environmental training that was used to train others on a variety of projects. Spoke during pre-planned meetings and answered questions that community leaders, state officials, and the public had to offer.

Client(s): State of Nevada. City of Laughlin, BLM, BOR

Year(s) 2010-2011

Chambers Group, Inc., Irvine, CA

AT&T Fiber Optic Line Project

Served as Co-lead Biologist and authorized desert tortoise handler on installation of new fiber optic line running from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Monitored and surveyed for desert tortoise, kit fox, burrowing owl, and Mojave ground squirrel. Conducted field documentation and ensured environmental compliance and Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act compliance. Performed noxious weed removal. Documented all Flora within the project area.

Union Pacific Railroad Project

Served as Co-lead Biologist and authorized desert tortoise handler for over 40 miles of railroad repair in the Yuma area. Monitored and surveyed for flat-tailed horned lizard, desert tortoise, kit fox, burrowing owl, and American badger. Conducted field documentation and ensured environmental compliance with the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. Performed noxious weed removal.

Harris Environmental, Tucson AZ

United States Department of Homeland Security’s Secure Border Initiative (SBInet)

Achieved high security access and served as Lead Field Survey Biologist for Yuma sector 10/07 through 01/08 for construction of the border wall between Mexico and the United States spanning Imperial, Pima, Yuma, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Cochise counties.

Also served as Lead Field Survey Biologist for other sectors throughout tower and fence implementation, including initiating the protocol for the States land borders with Mexico and Canada. Performed Phase I assessments and assisted in report preparation for Environmental Site Assessments Phase I & II. Conducted Biological Resource and Cultural Resources surveys. Completed Native Plant Inventories and other specific surveys throughout region, including Potential Waters (Jurisdictional delineations) of the United States.

Southern Nevada Environmental Inc., Las Vegas, NV

Coyote Springs Project

Performed focused clearance surveys and successful clearance of over 40 desert tortoises prior to construction of the City of Coyote Springs, Nevada; A planned city-Jack Nicklaus Development and A Master Planned PGA Village consisting of 43,000 acres, 65 square miles, approximately 150,000 homes, and 16 golf courses. Completed special species surveys for all Mojave Desert flora and fauna identification.

  Clark County Large Scale Translocation Site, Nevada/California Border

Performed Upper Respiratory Tract Disease and Herpes blood tests on desert tortoises. Successfully released over 300 healthy and marked tortoises into an enclosed area on the California/Nevada border, utilizing a specific release method.

*Training: Desert Tortoise Symposium, held by the Desert Tortoise Council 2007-2012

Desert Tortoise Training, held by Southern Nevada Environmental, Inc. in Clark County 2006

  UNP and BNSF Training 2008 & 2014

  10 Hour OSHA 2014

  *Presentations:

   Filmed by the Bureau of Land Management providing environmental    

   compliance for the Laughlin Heritage Greenway Trail Project which was utilized on other       

   projects to train others throughout the country

   *Memberships:

   Desert Tortoise Society 2007-present

   American Chemical Society 2002-present

   Defenders of Wildlife 2006-present

   *Authorizations:

    Authorized to handle desert tortoises

    Authorized to monitor and survey for California tiger salamander and California red-legged frog

    Scientific Collecting Permit

    Storm water inspector, soil and water sampling            

    *Independent Research:

     Studied and researched Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Sea Turtles at Punalu’u, Big       

     Island, Hawaii

     Studied and researched Loggerhead Sea Turtles at Culebra, Puerto Rico

     Documented, studied, and researched the flora of the Kalalau Trail, Hawaii

     Studied and researched Gray whales, Blue whales, Humpback whales, and Orcas at the

     Monterey Bay Marine National Sanctuary

     Extensive exploration and research throughout the Big Sur, studying the California Condors

     in the Ventana Wilderness, researching different species of mushrooms, and photo

     documenting a wide variety of sensitive and common species from the Carmel River

     south to the San Corpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo