Habitat Restoration Services
Chambers Group supports their clients in negotiating mitigation requirements and permit conditions set forth by permitting agencies, by preparing sound restoration plans required by resource agencies according to permit conditions, and through successful implementation and monitoring of restoration measures. Chambers Group has a large professional staff of biologists, restoration ecologists and landscape architects experienced with developing the technical specifications necessary for native plant community restoration. Chambers Group’s restoration plans include documentation of the project history, description of agency permits, evaluation of the project site, description of site preparation methods, irrigation plans, container plant and seed lists and their methods of installation, maintenance and monitoring procedures, performance criteria for agency approval, and performance monitoring and reporting procedures. Chambers Group prepares reports that fulfill all conditions of USACE Section 404 of the Clean Water Act permits, streambed alteration agreements, biological opinions, and other similar agency documents that may provide conditions for mitigation.
Habitat Management Plans
Chambers Group has expertise with Habitat Management Plan preparation and implementation. Chambers Group’s restoration ecologists are experienced with prescribing economical and successful methods of revegetation. Chambers Group has a proven success record in plant installation methodologies, selection of seed material, setting up onsite nurseries, identifying plant health issues and working amid and supervising restoration planting, landscaping, and maintenance crews. In addition, Chambers Group’s restoration ecologists exhibit excellent problem-solving skills, using adaptive management and expansive knowledge in plant and soil science to solve restoration challenges through practical and economic means.
Soil Sampling
Understanding the structure and function of soils is a direct link to the overall success of restoration projects. So-called “problem soils” occur throughout Southern California, bringing a unique set of challenges to restoration ecologists. Chambers Group can support the District with soil sampling that may be required for a wide variety of purposes. Chambers Group has full capabilities in soil sampling and analysis for, hazardous materials, construction, slope stabilization and identification of soil challenges relating to restoration revegetation projects. Chambers Group has soil laboratories where grain size analysis and soil classification can be performed, soil chemistry for agricultural / revegetation purposes, soils and materials testing for construction purposes, and soil mapping and classification for erodability and other concerns. Chambers Group also houses two Ph.D. soil scientists with expertise in data analysis and resolving restoration challenges related to soils.
Restoration
Chambers Group biologists and permitting specialists exhibit exceptional results negotiating practical restoration mitigation ratios with various regulatory agencies. Appropriate mitigation ratios are calculated by assessing pre restoration conditions onsite and estimating post-restoration conditions using functional evaluation methods that utilize the following criteria: spatial diversity and coverage of habitats, structural diversity of habitats, contiguity of habitats, percent cover of invasive vegetation, hydrology, topographic complexity, characteristics of flood-prone area, and biogeochemical processing. In addition, Chambers Group can assist the District in establishing, maintaining, or acquiring parcels in mitigation banks.
Habitat Restoration Project:
Riparian Restoration, Enhancement Plan and Monitoring, Santa Margarita River Flood Plain, Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton (Sub to Insight)
Extensive wetlands habitat restoration and enhancement has been undertaken to restore habitat functionality of a riparian community at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Camp Pendleton that will meet the habitat requirements for the least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher and arroyo toad. Work described is for what has already occurred on this ongoing project.
The goal of the project is to develop a self-sustaining ecosystem, with the exception of willow recruitment. Willow recruitment is not considered feasible behind the levee due to lack of the natural dynamics of periodic flooding and scouring. Restoration of habitat function will be accomplished by grading specific areas to provide for proper site hydrology and drainage, minimizing any temporary impacts to native habitat during construction, controlling exotic plants, and restoring habitat where exotics are removed or surface topography is modified.
