The biological resources department at Knight & Leavitt Associates has conducted biological resource surveys and desert tortoise mitigation in the Mojave Desert of Nevada, California, Arizona and Utah since 1989. Our biological services are designed to help clients with compliance for sensitive biological resources protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), state laws, and local management plans. Environmental consultation on these species requires research, documentation, data analysis and recommendation of required mitigation measures to protect these resources during proposed project activities in accordance with laws and management plans. Our biological resource work is conducted in accordance with requirements of federal, state and local agencies on time and within budget. Knight & Leavitt maintains strong relationships with its clients and the agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management) through our reliable work history and adherence to ethical standards.
Biological Resource Services Provided
- Biological Assessments & Evaluations
- Biological Construction Monitoring
- Environmental Compliance Inspection
- Section 7/10 Consultations on Biological Resources
- Biological Resource Surveys
- Botanical Surveys and Restoration Plans
- Noxious Weed Surveys
Knight & Leavitt Associates has extensive experience with all aspects of biological resource requirements, including construction monitoring, survey/data collection, and mitigation. Construction monitoring includes enforcing terms and conditions of project specific biological opinions and reporting requirements. Biological surveys are performed within block parcels (e.g., renewable energy) or linear right-of-ways (e.g., transmission corridors). Surveys can cover an extensive list of wildlife resources such as desert tortoise, burrowing owl, migratory birds and other protected species. Our biology staff is also experienced with botany survey of rare and sensitive plants, cacti, yucca, and noxious weeds. Knight & Leavitt performs surveys and biological assessments on lands that are proposed for a variety of projects including material pits, water facilities, pipelines, communications sites, and transportation alignments.
Biological Equipment
Knight & Leavitt Associates uses a wide array of specialized equipment to complete our projects:
- ArcView GIS mapping software
- Color plotter for engineering size print capabilities
- Trimble GeoXT data loggers for sub-half meter and GeoXH data loggers for sub-decimeter differentially corrected field data.
- Computer technology
- Scientific libraries
- Field equipment including 4-wheel drive vehicles, GPS units, and wildlife handling equipment
Biological Qualifications
Our staff has an excellent reputation providing services with a dedicated and knowledgeable team who meet the qualifications of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Authorized Biologists and Tortoise Monitors. In the 30+ years that Knight & Leavitt has been in business, our biology staff has logged over 50,000 hours in the field ensuring compliance with biological opinions and agency regulations. Our biologists have completed survey and monitoring for proposed power lines, pipelines, plant sites, utility facilities, and transportation alignments. The staff has handled 500+ tortoises, logged thousands of sightings and walked thousands of transect miles. As part of these duties, our biological scientists routinely conduct burrowing owl/migratory bird surveys along with surveys for reptiles and other native species. Knight & Leavitt biologists have trained 2,000+ management and construction personnel on working in desert tortoise habitat during projects large and small.
In addition, our biology staff has experience in performing botanical surveys for T&E species and has been trained on a variety of projects to identify Mojave Desert plants, plants of concern, cacti and yucca. The staff has been involved in numerous plant surveys and habitat mapping projects on federal lands, including surveys for T&E and rare plants, cacti, yucca, and noxious weeds. Knight & Leavitt has experience in producing technical botanical and noxious weed reports, in addition to restoration plans for a variety projects. Our staff can likewise oversee the implementation of restoration work to ensure adherence to required guidelines.
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