Bio
Ms. Amy Sparks is a senior consulting ecologist and practice director with more than 25 years of experience. With expertise in both ecology and law, she efficiently navigates projects through environmental regulatory processes. Her capabilities include preparing the and managing the processes for biological sections of EIRs and EISs, identifying potential wildlife and regulatory constraints for projects, managing and developing biological assessments for federal and CESA consultations, and developing effective mitigation measures. She has prepared consistency determinations, Clean Water Act Section 404 permit applications for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and lake and streambed alteration agreements for the CDFW. Ms. Sparks has also conducted wetland delineations, habitat assessments, and plant surveys; monitored construction sites; and developed mitigation monitoring plans. She leads teams of ecologists conducting special-status species surveys and manages preconstruction and construction monitoring efforts for a variety of projects.
Prior to joining Integral consulting, Ms. Sparks was a principal at H. T. Harvey & Associates, where she worked for 15 years.
Relevant Experience
CEQA/NEPA
California High-speed Rail Environmental Services (Fresno-Bakersfield Section), Fresno, Kern, Tulare, and Kings Counties, California — Provided support services as regulatory specialist to the California High-Speed Rail Authority for the Fresno-Bakersfield Section of the High-Speed Rail project. Work included coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, mitigation tracking, and review of Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements and documentation for amendments to the project’s Incidental Take Permit under Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Tenaya Lodge Facilities Upgrade Biotic Report, Mariposa County, California — Oversaw fieldwork and CEQA biological impact analysis for the upgrade and expansion of Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Species and resources addressed included trees, special-status plants, wetlands, fisher, California spotted owl, northern goshawk, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, northern western pond turtle, and sensitive bat species.
Badger Forest Fire Station Replacement, Tulare County, California — Contributed to the CEQA analysis of CAL FIRE’s project to replace much of the Badger Forest Fire Station. Project team analyzed the potential impacts of the project on biological resources; cultural resources; architectural resources; transportation, traffic, and county planning consistency; greenhouse gas emissions; and hazards and hazardous materials. Posted notices for public review and comment, compiled and prepared responses to comments, and prepared a final initial study/mitigated negative declaration and mitigation monitoring and reporting plan.
Central Camp and Marina View to Bass Lake Cable Installation NEPA and ESA Compliance Assistance, Madera County, California — Managed compliance with USFS standards, plans, and directives while assisting two telephone companies with four fiber-optic cable installation projects near Bass Lake in the Sierra National Forest. The team’s work included botanical field surveys for a noxious weed assessment, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife biological evaluations and assessments, riparian conservation objectives consistency analyses, management indicator species reports, and evaluations of Migratory Bird Treaty Act compliance.
Floodwater Introduction to the Friant-Kern Canal Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Tulare Counties — Oversaw the development of the CEQA initial study/negative declaration for a San Joaquin Valley Reclamation District (the District) facing an influx of floodwaters during the record-setting wet winter of 2016/2017. With storms looming in the southern San Joaquin Valley, the District needed new contracts, licenses, and agreements to continue its established practice of pumping excess river flows into the Friant-Kern Canal to protect valuable farmland from flooding. Developed the IS/ND and coordinated the CEQA notification process, responses to comments, publication of the final document, and final District approval on an accelerated timeline.
Permitting, San Francisco Bay, California — Managed the coastal and San Francisco Bay permitting for all Caltrans District 4 projects and permitting staff as coastal permitting branch chief for California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Successfully obtained permits and permit amendments for numerous bridge retrofit, demolition, and construction projects. Served as the California coastal liaison for Caltrans on the Devil’s Slide Tunnel, State Route 1 project, directed a team that addressed all coastal issues, including visual aesthetics, biological resources, and public access. Ensured construction compliance with all regulatory permits and conducted ongoing monitoring of California red-legged frogs within construction limits. Oversaw development of detailed habitat management plans and associated conservation easements for agency approval. Also served on interagency public access task force, developing public access and recreational. Permitting work included Section 7 ESA consultation and Coastal Zone Management Act and McAteer-Petris Act permitting.
California High-speed Rail Environmental Services (Madera-Fresno), Madera, Merced, and Fresno Counties, California — As a principal and regulatory specialist, has worked as part of the Merced to Madera High-Speed Rail Design Team since 2024, aiding in compliance and regulatory issues, which includes environmental impact analysis, two NEPA and CEQA re-examinations, and addressing permitting challenges. Tasks have also included managing the biological resource permitting, preactivity surveys, and monitoring for geotechnical activities to help facilitate the design of the project.
California Department of Transportation District 6 & 10 Environmental Generalist Services, Multiple Counties, California — Managed numerous environmental analysis, permitting, and preconstruction and construction monitoring tasks under a Caltrans D6 and D10 on-call environmental contract, covering a third of the state from the eastern Sierra Nevada to the southern San Joaquin Valley. Environmental analysis task involved managing surveys for habitat and wildlife species analyzes, and wetland and waters delineations; managing and developing Natural Environmental Studies and biological assessments and working with Caltrans to minimize project impacts. Preconstruction tasks often involve surveying or trapping for sensitive species, such as San Joaquin kit fox, giant kangaroo rat, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, giant garter snake, California tiger salamander, burrowing owl, Swainson’s hawk, San Joaquin antelope squirrel, and special-status bats. Biologists also performed nesting bird surveys and deterrence, monitor buffers around sensitive habitats such as raptor nests and kit fox dens, check for correct implementation of mitigation measures, and developed and delivered environmental training programs.
California Valley Solar Ranch Biological Assistance, San Luis Obispo County, California — Managed compliance with preconstruction and construction requirements under approved EIR, ESA, and CESA for the 250-megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch. Planned, strategized, and coordinated documentation for CEQA and NEPA compliance. Prepared documentation to comply with Section 7 of ESA and Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
FESA/CESA
California High-speed Rail Environmental Services (Fresno-Bakersfield Section), Fresno, Kern, Tulare, and Kings Counties, California — Provided support services as regulatory specialist to the California High-Speed Rail Authority for the Fresno-Bakersfield Section of the High-Speed Rail project. Work included coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, mitigation tracking, and review of Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements and documentation for amendments to the project’s Incidental Take Permit under Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Badger Forest Fire Station Replacement, Tulare County, California — Contributed to the CEQA analysis of CAL FIRE’s project to replace much of the Badger Forest Fire Station. Project team analyzed the potential impacts of the project on biological resources; cultural resources; architectural resources; transportation, traffic, and county planning consistency; greenhouse gas emissions; and hazards and hazardous materials. Posted notices for public review and comment, compiled and prepared responses to comments, and prepared a final initial study/mitigated negative declaration and mitigation monitoring and reporting plan.
California High-speed Rail Environmental Services (Madera-Fresno), Madera, Merced, and Fresno Counties, California — As a principal and regulatory specialist, has worked as part of the Merced to Madera High-Speed Rail Design Team since 2024, aiding in compliance and regulatory issues, which includes environmental impact analysis, two NEPA and CEQA re-examinations, and addressing permitting challenges. Tasks have also included managing the biological resource permitting, preactivity surveys, and monitoring for geotechnical activities to help facilitate the design of the project.
California Department of Transportation District 6 & 10 Environmental Generalist Services, Multiple Counties, California — Managed numerous environmental analysis, permitting, and preconstruction and construction monitoring tasks under a Caltrans D6 and D10 on-call environmental contract, covering a third of the state from the eastern Sierra Nevada to the southern San Joaquin Valley. Environmental analysis task involved managing surveys for habitat and wildlife species analyzes, and wetland and waters delineations; managing and developing Natural Environmental Studies and biological assessments and working with Caltrans to minimize project impacts. Preconstruction tasks often involve surveying or trapping for sensitive species, such as San Joaquin kit fox, giant kangaroo rat, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, giant garter snake, California tiger salamander, burrowing owl, Swainson’s hawk, San Joaquin antelope squirrel, and special-status bats. Biologists also performed nesting bird surveys and deterrence, monitor buffers around sensitive habitats such as raptor nests and kit fox dens, check for correct implementation of mitigation measures, and developed and delivered environmental training programs.
California Valley Solar Ranch Biological Assistance, San Luis Obispo County, California — Managed compliance with preconstruction and construction requirements under approved EIR, ESA, and CESA for the 250-megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch. Planned, strategized, and coordinated documentation for CEQA and NEPA compliance. Prepared documentation to comply with Section 7 of ESA and Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Compliance Monitoring
California High-speed Rail Environmental Services (Fresno-Bakersfield Section), Fresno, Kern, Tulare, and Kings Counties, California — Provided support services as regulatory specialist to the California High-Speed Rail Authority for the Fresno-Bakersfield Section of the High-Speed Rail project. Work included coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, mitigation tracking, and review of Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements and documentation for amendments to the project’s Incidental Take Permit under Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Tenaya Lodge Facilities Upgrade Biotic Report, Mariposa County, California — Oversaw fieldwork and CEQA biological impact analysis for the upgrade and expansion of Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Species and resources addressed included trees, special-status plants, wetlands, fisher, California spotted owl, northern goshawk, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, northern western pond turtle, and sensitive bat species.
Columbia Avenue Storm Drain Project Wetland Scientist Services, Merced, California — Coordinated preconstruction notifications to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and State Water Quality Control Board and managed construction monitoring and reporting for permit compliance for the Columbia Avenue Storm Drain project. The project team helped the City of Merced complete its project to abandon portions of a storm drain and install a new storm drain with an outlet to Black Rascal Creek, a naturally vegetated drainage subject to state and federal jurisdiction.
Avenue I and Avenue M Drainage Improvements, Lancaster, California — Ensured permitting and construction compliance for the City of Lancaster Avenue I and Avenue M construction project LSAAs. Provided input on coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding an existing streambed alteration agreement and development of a new notification and agreement. Oversaw the implementation of all agreement measures in support of construction.
Permitting, San Francisco Bay, California — Managed the coastal and San Francisco Bay permitting for all Caltrans District 4 projects and permitting staff as coastal permitting branch chief for California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Successfully obtained permits and permit amendments for numerous bridge retrofit, demolition, and construction projects. Served as the California coastal liaison for Caltrans on the Devil’s Slide Tunnel, State Route 1 project, directed a team that addressed all coastal issues, including visual aesthetics, biological resources, and public access. Ensured construction compliance with all regulatory permits and conducted ongoing monitoring of California red-legged frogs within construction limits. Oversaw development of detailed habitat management plans and associated conservation easements for agency approval. Also served on interagency public access task force, developing public access and recreational. Permitting work included Section 7 ESA consultation and Coastal Zone Management Act and McAteer-Petris Act permitting.
California Department of Transportation District 6 & 10 Environmental Generalist Services, Multiple Counties, California — Managed numerous environmental analysis, permitting, and preconstruction and construction monitoring tasks under a Caltrans D6 and D10 on-call environmental contract, covering a third of the state from the eastern Sierra Nevada to the southern San Joaquin Valley. Environmental analysis task involved managing surveys for habitat and wildlife species analyzes, and wetland and waters delineations; managing and developing Natural Environmental Studies and biological assessments and working with Caltrans to minimize project impacts. Preconstruction tasks often involve surveying or trapping for sensitive species, such as San Joaquin kit fox, giant kangaroo rat, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, giant garter snake, California tiger salamander, burrowing owl, Swainson’s hawk, San Joaquin antelope squirrel, and special-status bats. Biologists also performed nesting bird surveys and deterrence, monitor buffers around sensitive habitats such as raptor nests and kit fox dens, check for correct implementation of mitigation measures, and developed and delivered environmental training programs.
California Valley Solar Ranch Biological Assistance, San Luis Obispo County, California — Managed compliance with preconstruction and construction requirements under approved EIR, ESA, and CESA for the 250-megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch. Planned, strategized, and coordinated documentation for CEQA and NEPA compliance. Prepared documentation to comply with Section 7 of ESA and Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Wildwood Solar II Kangaroo Rat Trapping Study, Kern County, California — Coordinated mapping and preparation of the trapping report and disturbance memo for a kangaroo rat trapping study associated with the Wildwood Solar II project.in Kern County. Work involved protocol and preconstruction special-status species surveys required by the project’s conditional use permit as well as construction monitoring efforts and preparation of monthly compliance reports.
Quinto Solar PV Project, Merced County, California — Oversaw construction monitoring and coordinated permit compliance for the Quinto Solar PV Project, a 110-megawatt electrical generating facility. Project services included EIR support, federal permitting assistance, pre-construction surveys, and construction monitoring and report. Prepared habitat mitigation and monitoring plans benefiting San Joaquin kit fox and Swainson’s hawk, conducted a wetland assessment and obtained a preliminary jurisdictional determination, developed a program to educate workers on biological resources, and conducted protocol-level preconstruction surveys, and daily preactivity surveys.
Morelos Del Sol Solar Project: Environmental Services, Kern County, California — Managed construction requirements, conductional use permit compliance, and pre-construction surveys for the Morelos Del Sol Solar project in Kern County.
California High-speed Rail Environmental Services (Madera-Fresno), Madera, Merced, and Fresno Counties, California — As a principal and regulatory specialist, has worked as part of the Merced to Madera High-Speed Rail Design Team since 2024, aiding in compliance and regulatory issues, which includes environmental impact analysis, two NEPA and CEQA re-examinations, and addressing permitting challenges. Tasks have also included managing the biological resource permitting, preactivity surveys, and monitoring for geotechnical activities to help facilitate the design of the project.
Permitting
California High-speed Rail Environmental Services (Fresno-Bakersfield Section), Fresno, Kern, Tulare, and Kings Counties, California — Provided support services as regulatory specialist to the California High-Speed Rail Authority for the Fresno-Bakersfield Section of the High-Speed Rail project. Work included coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, mitigation tracking, and review of Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements and documentation for amendments to the project’s Incidental Take Permit under Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Columbia Avenue Storm Drain Project Wetland Scientist Services, Merced, California — Coordinated preconstruction notifications to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and State Water Quality Control Board and managed construction monitoring and reporting for permit compliance for the Columbia Avenue Storm Drain project. The project team helped the City of Merced complete its project to abandon portions of a storm drain and install a new storm drain with an outlet to Black Rascal Creek, a naturally vegetated drainage subject to state and federal jurisdiction.
Avenue I and Avenue M Drainage Improvements, Lancaster, California — Ensured permitting and construction compliance for the City of Lancaster Avenue I and Avenue M construction project LSAAs. Provided input on coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding an existing streambed alteration agreement and development of a new notification and agreement. Oversaw the implementation of all agreement measures in support of construction.
Permitting, San Francisco Bay, California — Managed the coastal and San Francisco Bay permitting for all Caltrans District 4 projects and permitting staff as coastal permitting branch chief for California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Successfully obtained permits and permit amendments for numerous bridge retrofit, demolition, and construction projects. Served as the California coastal liaison for Caltrans on the Devil’s Slide Tunnel, State Route 1 project, directed a team that addressed all coastal issues, including visual aesthetics, biological resources, and public access. Ensured construction compliance with all regulatory permits and conducted ongoing monitoring of California red-legged frogs within construction limits. Oversaw development of detailed habitat management plans and associated conservation easements for agency approval. Also served on interagency public access task force, developing public access and recreational. Permitting work included Section 7 ESA consultation and Coastal Zone Management Act and McAteer-Petris Act permitting.
California High-speed Rail Environmental Services (Madera-Fresno), Madera, Merced, and Fresno Counties, California — As a principal and regulatory specialist, has worked as part of the Merced to Madera High-Speed Rail Design Team since 2024, aiding in compliance and regulatory issues, which includes environmental impact analysis, two NEPA and CEQA re-examinations, and addressing permitting challenges. Tasks have also included managing the biological resource permitting, preactivity surveys, and monitoring for geotechnical activities to help facilitate the design of the project.
California Department of Transportation District 6 & 10 Environmental Generalist Services, Multiple Counties, California — Managed numerous environmental analysis, permitting, and preconstruction and construction monitoring tasks under a Caltrans D6 and D10 on-call environmental contract, covering a third of the state from the eastern Sierra Nevada to the southern San Joaquin Valley. Environmental analysis task involved managing surveys for habitat and wildlife species analyzes, and wetland and waters delineations; managing and developing Natural Environmental Studies and biological assessments and working with Caltrans to minimize project impacts. Preconstruction tasks often involve surveying or trapping for sensitive species, such as San Joaquin kit fox, giant kangaroo rat, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, giant garter snake, California tiger salamander, burrowing owl, Swainson’s hawk, San Joaquin antelope squirrel, and special-status bats. Biologists also performed nesting bird surveys and deterrence, monitor buffers around sensitive habitats such as raptor nests and kit fox dens, check for correct implementation of mitigation measures, and developed and delivered environmental training programs.
California Valley Solar Ranch Biological Assistance, San Luis Obispo County, California — Managed compliance with preconstruction and construction requirements under approved EIR, ESA, and CESA for the 250-megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch. Planned, strategized, and coordinated documentation for CEQA and NEPA compliance. Prepared documentation to comply with Section 7 of ESA and Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Wildwood Solar II Kangaroo Rat Trapping Study, Kern County, California — Coordinated mapping and preparation of the trapping report and disturbance memo for a kangaroo rat trapping study associated with the Wildwood Solar II project.in Kern County. Work involved protocol and preconstruction special-status species surveys required by the project’s conditional use permit as well as construction monitoring efforts and preparation of monthly compliance reports.
Wildflower Solar Farm, Sacramento County, California — Assisted with permit application processing and agency coordination to delineate wetlands for, and permit, the Wildflower Solar project in Sacramento County. The project team worked with the developer to design the project to minimize impacts, which resulted in the timely issuance of a nationwide permit and a concurrence letter from the USFWS.
Wildlife Surveys
California High-speed Rail Environmental Services (Fresno-Bakersfield Section), Fresno, Kern, Tulare, and Kings Counties, California — Provided support services as regulatory specialist to the California High-Speed Rail Authority for the Fresno-Bakersfield Section of the High-Speed Rail project. Work included coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, mitigation tracking, and review of Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements and documentation for amendments to the project’s Incidental Take Permit under Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Tenaya Lodge Facilities Upgrade Biotic Report, Mariposa County, California — Oversaw fieldwork and CEQA biological impact analysis for the upgrade and expansion of Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Species and resources addressed included trees, special-status plants, wetlands, fisher, California spotted owl, northern goshawk, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, northern western pond turtle, and sensitive bat species.
Badger Forest Fire Station Replacement, Tulare County, California — Contributed to the CEQA analysis of CAL FIRE’s project to replace much of the Badger Forest Fire Station. Project team analyzed the potential impacts of the project on biological resources; cultural resources; architectural resources; transportation, traffic, and county planning consistency; greenhouse gas emissions; and hazards and hazardous materials. Posted notices for public review and comment, compiled and prepared responses to comments, and prepared a final initial study/mitigated negative declaration and mitigation monitoring and reporting plan.
Central Camp and Marina View to Bass Lake Cable Installation NEPA and ESA Compliance Assistance, Madera County, California — Managed compliance with USFS standards, plans, and directives while assisting two telephone companies with four fiber-optic cable installation projects near Bass Lake in the Sierra National Forest. The team’s work included botanical field surveys for a noxious weed assessment, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife biological evaluations and assessments, riparian conservation objectives consistency analyses, management indicator species reports, and evaluations of Migratory Bird Treaty Act compliance.
Columbia Avenue Storm Drain Project Wetland Scientist Services, Merced, California — Coordinated preconstruction notifications to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and State Water Quality Control Board and managed construction monitoring and reporting for permit compliance for the Columbia Avenue Storm Drain project. The project team helped the City of Merced complete its project to abandon portions of a storm drain and install a new storm drain with an outlet to Black Rascal Creek, a naturally vegetated drainage subject to state and federal jurisdiction.
Avenue I and Avenue M Drainage Improvements, Lancaster, California — Ensured permitting and construction compliance for the City of Lancaster Avenue I and Avenue M construction project LSAAs. Provided input on coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding an existing streambed alteration agreement and development of a new notification and agreement. Oversaw the implementation of all agreement measures in support of construction.
California High-speed Rail Environmental Services (Madera-Fresno), Madera, Merced, and Fresno Counties, California — As a principal and regulatory specialist, has worked as part of the Merced to Madera High-Speed Rail Design Team since 2024, aiding in compliance and regulatory issues, which includes environmental impact analysis, two NEPA and CEQA re-examinations, and addressing permitting challenges. Tasks have also included managing the biological resource permitting, preactivity surveys, and monitoring for geotechnical activities to help facilitate the design of the project.
California Department of Transportation District 6 & 10 Environmental Generalist Services, Multiple Counties, California — Managed numerous environmental analysis, permitting, and preconstruction and construction monitoring tasks under a Caltrans D6 and D10 on-call environmental contract, covering a third of the state from the eastern Sierra Nevada to the southern San Joaquin Valley. Environmental analysis task involved managing surveys for habitat and wildlife species analyzes, and wetland and waters delineations; managing and developing Natural Environmental Studies and biological assessments and working with Caltrans to minimize project impacts. Preconstruction tasks often involve surveying or trapping for sensitive species, such as San Joaquin kit fox, giant kangaroo rat, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, giant garter snake, California tiger salamander, burrowing owl, Swainson’s hawk, San Joaquin antelope squirrel, and special-status bats. Biologists also performed nesting bird surveys and deterrence, monitor buffers around sensitive habitats such as raptor nests and kit fox dens, check for correct implementation of mitigation measures, and developed and delivered environmental training programs.
California Valley Solar Ranch Biological Assistance, San Luis Obispo County, California — Managed compliance with preconstruction and construction requirements under approved EIR, ESA, and CESA for the 250-megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch. Planned, strategized, and coordinated documentation for CEQA and NEPA compliance. Prepared documentation to comply with Section 7 of ESA and Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Wildwood Solar II Kangaroo Rat Trapping Study, Kern County, California — Coordinated mapping and preparation of the trapping report and disturbance memo for a kangaroo rat trapping study associated with the Wildwood Solar II project.in Kern County. Work involved protocol and preconstruction special-status species surveys required by the project’s conditional use permit as well as construction monitoring efforts and preparation of monthly compliance reports.
Quinto Solar PV Project, Merced County, California — Oversaw construction monitoring and coordinated permit compliance for the Quinto Solar PV Project, a 110-megawatt electrical generating facility. Project services included EIR support, federal permitting assistance, pre-construction surveys, and construction monitoring and report. Prepared habitat mitigation and monitoring plans benefiting San Joaquin kit fox and Swainson’s hawk, conducted a wetland assessment and obtained a preliminary jurisdictional determination, developed a program to educate workers on biological resources, and conducted protocol-level preconstruction surveys, and daily preactivity surveys.
Morelos Del Sol Solar Project: Environmental Services, Kern County, California — Managed construction requirements, conductional use permit compliance, and pre-construction surveys for the Morelos Del Sol Solar project in Kern County.
Invertebrate Surveys
California High-speed Rail Environmental Services (Fresno-Bakersfield Section), Fresno, Kern, Tulare, and Kings Counties, California — Provided support services as regulatory specialist to the California High-Speed Rail Authority for the Fresno-Bakersfield Section of the High-Speed Rail project. Work included coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, mitigation tracking, and review of Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements and documentation for amendments to the project’s Incidental Take Permit under Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
California Valley Solar Ranch Biological Assistance, San Luis Obispo County, California — Managed compliance with preconstruction and construction requirements under approved EIR, ESA, and CESA for the 250-megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch. Planned, strategized, and coordinated documentation for CEQA and NEPA compliance. Prepared documentation to comply with Section 7 of ESA and Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Botanical Surveys
Tenaya Lodge Facilities Upgrade Biotic Report, Mariposa County, California — Oversaw fieldwork and CEQA biological impact analysis for the upgrade and expansion of Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Species and resources addressed included trees, special-status plants, wetlands, fisher, California spotted owl, northern goshawk, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, northern western pond turtle, and sensitive bat species.
Central Camp and Marina View to Bass Lake Cable Installation NEPA and ESA Compliance Assistance, Madera County, California — Managed compliance with USFS standards, plans, and directives while assisting two telephone companies with four fiber-optic cable installation projects near Bass Lake in the Sierra National Forest. The team’s work included botanical field surveys for a noxious weed assessment, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife biological evaluations and assessments, riparian conservation objectives consistency analyses, management indicator species reports, and evaluations of Migratory Bird Treaty Act compliance.
Avenue I and Avenue M Drainage Improvements, Lancaster, California — Ensured permitting and construction compliance for the City of Lancaster Avenue I and Avenue M construction project LSAAs. Provided input on coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding an existing streambed alteration agreement and development of a new notification and agreement. Oversaw the implementation of all agreement measures in support of construction.
California Department of Transportation District 6 & 10 Environmental Generalist Services, Multiple Counties, California — Managed numerous environmental analysis, permitting, and preconstruction and construction monitoring tasks under a Caltrans D6 and D10 on-call environmental contract, covering a third of the state from the eastern Sierra Nevada to the southern San Joaquin Valley. Environmental analysis task involved managing surveys for habitat and wildlife species analyzes, and wetland and waters delineations; managing and developing Natural Environmental Studies and biological assessments and working with Caltrans to minimize project impacts. Preconstruction tasks often involve surveying or trapping for sensitive species, such as San Joaquin kit fox, giant kangaroo rat, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, giant garter snake, California tiger salamander, burrowing owl, Swainson’s hawk, San Joaquin antelope squirrel, and special-status bats. Biologists also performed nesting bird surveys and deterrence, monitor buffers around sensitive habitats such as raptor nests and kit fox dens, check for correct implementation of mitigation measures, and developed and delivered environmental training programs.
California Valley Solar Ranch Biological Assistance, San Luis Obispo County, California — Managed compliance with preconstruction and construction requirements under approved EIR, ESA, and CESA for the 250-megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch. Planned, strategized, and coordinated documentation for CEQA and NEPA compliance. Prepared documentation to comply with Section 7 of ESA and Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Quinto Solar PV Project, Merced County, California — Oversaw construction monitoring and coordinated permit compliance for the Quinto Solar PV Project, a 110-megawatt electrical generating facility. Project services included EIR support, federal permitting assistance, pre-construction surveys, and construction monitoring and report. Prepared habitat mitigation and monitoring plans benefiting San Joaquin kit fox and Swainson’s hawk, conducted a wetland assessment and obtained a preliminary jurisdictional determination, developed a program to educate workers on biological resources, and conducted protocol-level preconstruction surveys, and daily preactivity surveys.
Wetland Delineation
Tenaya Lodge Facilities Upgrade Biotic Report, Mariposa County, California — Oversaw fieldwork and CEQA biological impact analysis for the upgrade and expansion of Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Species and resources addressed included trees, special-status plants, wetlands, fisher, California spotted owl, northern goshawk, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, northern western pond turtle, and sensitive bat species.
Central Camp and Marina View to Bass Lake Cable Installation NEPA and ESA Compliance Assistance, Madera County, California — Managed compliance with USFS standards, plans, and directives while assisting two telephone companies with four fiber-optic cable installation projects near Bass Lake in the Sierra National Forest. The team’s work included botanical field surveys for a noxious weed assessment, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife biological evaluations and assessments, riparian conservation objectives consistency analyses, management indicator species reports, and evaluations of Migratory Bird Treaty Act compliance.
Permitting, San Francisco Bay, California — Managed the coastal and San Francisco Bay permitting for all Caltrans District 4 projects and permitting staff as coastal permitting branch chief for California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Successfully obtained permits and permit amendments for numerous bridge retrofit, demolition, and construction projects. Served as the California coastal liaison for Caltrans on the Devil’s Slide Tunnel, State Route 1 project, directed a team that addressed all coastal issues, including visual aesthetics, biological resources, and public access. Ensured construction compliance with all regulatory permits and conducted ongoing monitoring of California red-legged frogs within construction limits. Oversaw development of detailed habitat management plans and associated conservation easements for agency approval. Also served on interagency public access task force, developing public access and recreational. Permitting work included Section 7 ESA consultation and Coastal Zone Management Act and McAteer-Petris Act permitting.
California High-speed Rail Environmental Services (Madera-Fresno), Madera, Merced, and Fresno Counties, California — As a principal and regulatory specialist, has worked as part of the Merced to Madera High-Speed Rail Design Team since 2024, aiding in compliance and regulatory issues, which includes environmental impact analysis, two NEPA and CEQA re-examinations, and addressing permitting challenges. Tasks have also included managing the biological resource permitting, preactivity surveys, and monitoring for geotechnical activities to help facilitate the design of the project.
California Department of Transportation District 6 & 10 Environmental Generalist Services, Multiple Counties, California — Managed numerous environmental analysis, permitting, and preconstruction and construction monitoring tasks under a Caltrans D6 and D10 on-call environmental contract, covering a third of the state from the eastern Sierra Nevada to the southern San Joaquin Valley. Environmental analysis task involved managing surveys for habitat and wildlife species analyzes, and wetland and waters delineations; managing and developing Natural Environmental Studies and biological assessments and working with Caltrans to minimize project impacts. Preconstruction tasks often involve surveying or trapping for sensitive species, such as San Joaquin kit fox, giant kangaroo rat, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, giant garter snake, California tiger salamander, burrowing owl, Swainson’s hawk, San Joaquin antelope squirrel, and special-status bats. Biologists also performed nesting bird surveys and deterrence, monitor buffers around sensitive habitats such as raptor nests and kit fox dens, check for correct implementation of mitigation measures, and developed and delivered environmental training programs.
California Valley Solar Ranch Biological Assistance, San Luis Obispo County, California — Managed compliance with preconstruction and construction requirements under approved EIR, ESA, and CESA for the 250-megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch. Planned, strategized, and coordinated documentation for CEQA and NEPA compliance. Prepared documentation to comply with Section 7 of ESA and Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Wildflower Solar Farm, Sacramento County, California — Assisted with permit application processing and agency coordination to delineate wetlands for, and permit, the Wildflower Solar project in Sacramento County. The project team worked with the developer to design the project to minimize impacts, which resulted in the timely issuance of a nationwide permit and a concurrence letter from the USFWS.
Quinto Solar PV Project, Merced County, California — Oversaw construction monitoring and coordinated permit compliance for the Quinto Solar PV Project, a 110-megawatt electrical generating facility. Project services included EIR support, federal permitting assistance, pre-construction surveys, and construction monitoring and report. Prepared habitat mitigation and monitoring plans benefiting San Joaquin kit fox and Swainson’s hawk, conducted a wetland assessment and obtained a preliminary jurisdictional determination, developed a program to educate workers on biological resources, and conducted protocol-level preconstruction surveys, and daily preactivity surveys.
Habitat Conservation Planning
California Valley Solar Ranch Biological Assistance, San Luis Obispo County, California — Managed compliance with preconstruction and construction requirements under approved EIR, ESA, and CESA for the 250-megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch. Planned, strategized, and coordinated documentation for CEQA and NEPA compliance. Prepared documentation to comply with Section 7 of ESA and Section 2081 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code.
Planning and Permitting
Offshore Wind Transmission Study, Northern California and Southern Oregon — Provided high level terrestrial biological analysis for the Transmission Infrastructure Environmental Concerns and Permitting Analysis for the Northern California and Southern Oregon Offshore Wind Transmission Study. Evaluated environmental issues for the numerous transmission infrastructure alternatives to screen, differentiate and compare permitting challenges to the alternatives.
Education & Credentials
Highlights
25+ years of experience
Endangered Species Act consultation and compliance
Regulatory permitting and compliance
CEQA/NEPA
Coastal permitting
Transportation projects
Education & Credentials
J.D., University of San Francisco School of Law, San Francisco, California, 2008
B.S., Forestry, emphasis wildlife management, University of California, Berkeley, California, 1998
California Bar #260127
Professional Experience
Principal, H. T. Harvey & Associates, 2011–July 2026
Coastal permitting branch chief, District 4, California Department of Transportation, 2008–2010
San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge environmental compliance manager, District 4, California Department of Transportation, 2006–2008
Biologist, District 4, California Department of Transportation, 1999–2006
Forestry aide, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, 1998–1999