By Rob Schell, WRA Senior Wildlife Biologist How does a wildlife biologist keep themselves occupied during nine months of working from home? Well for one, I have been listing backyard species, as you do. Something that I insist that all my staff do for every project site they visit, is also something that I have … Continue Reading »
California Regulatory Agencies Propose Updates to Bank Enabling Instrument Template
By Andrew Cawley, Mitigation Banking Specialist This month, the California Project Delivery Team (PDT), the interagency group which oversees statewide mitigation and conservation banking programs, is concluding the public comment period for the updated Bank Enabling Instrument (BEI) template. The BEI template is a document that outlines procedures for establishing mitigation and conservation banks within … Continue Reading »
Migratory Bird Treaty Act May No Longer Prohibit Incidental Take, But Don’t Forget State Regulations
By Patricia Valcarcel, Senior Biologist A final rule was published in the Federal Register on January 7, 2021, clearly stating there is no prohibition of incidental take (unintentional capture or killing) of birds under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This rule is a final decision after several years of uncertainty regarding federal protections … Continue Reading »
Restoration Project Planning: Efficient CDFW Permitting with the HRE Act
By Erik Schmidt, Regulatory Permitting Specialist WRA expects to soon submit its first project application to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for regulatory review through the innovative Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Act (HRE Act), an alternative approval process for small-scale habitat restoration activities. Many types of commonly proposed restoration work may be … Continue Reading »
Pema Lin, VP, People Operations Joins WRA
WRA, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Pema Lin as Vice President, People Operations. Pema has more than 15 years of experience in recruiting and human resources (HR) across a variety of industries. “I am happy to have Pema join our team,” said Geoff Smick, WRA Chief Executive Officer. “Not only is she … Continue Reading »
Research article published on Merced River restoration co-authored by WRA senior geomorphologist
The international journal River Research and Applications recently published an article co-authored by WRA senior geomorphologist Virginia Mahacek. The article, titled “Opportunities and Challenges for Restoration of the Merced River through Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, USA”, is posted in a virtual edition of the journal. From the abstract: Successful river restoration requires understanding and … Continue Reading »
Steelhead Migration Restored in a Napa River Tributary with Removal of a Century-old Dam
A Look at the Upper York Creek Ecosystem and Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project By Erik Schmidt, Regulatory Permitting Specialist, WRA, Inc. In the year 1900, in the small Napa Valley town of St. Helena, increasing water needs for agricultural and municipal uses prompted the St. Helena Water Company to build a 45-foot high earthen dam … Continue Reading »
WRA Restoration Experts to Present at SERCAL 2020!
WRA is proud to sponsor the 2020 SERCAL conference, which will encompass eight webinar sessions on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the month of September. This year’s conference theme is Shedding Light in Challenging Times. Two WRA experts are presenting topics, and senior biologist Kari Dupler is chairing the Hindsight is 2020 session. Managing Invasive … Continue Reading »
NMEBC 2020 Goes Virtual!
WRA is a proud sponsor of the 2020 National Mitigation and Ecosystem Banking Conference (NMEBC). NMEBC Virtual will be held on August 17-19, with pre and post extended content and engagement. Entering its 23rd year, NMEBC is committed to advancing and protecting the environment in a financially sustainable way. This annual event connects mitigation providers, … Continue Reading »
2019 WOTUS Rule Implemented Except in Colorado
By Myla Ablog, WRA, Inc., Aquatic Resources Permitting Specialist On June 22, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) implemented the new Navigable Waters Protection Rule (2019 Rule) that defines “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) in all states except Colorado where a federal judge stayed the implementation. This is an … Continue Reading »