Biological and Cultural Resources Services for Tesoro Viejo Master Planned Community

Project Overview

ECORP was retained by McCaffrey Homes to support biological and cultural resources studies and to prepare environmental permit applications for the proposed development of the 1,555-acre Tesoro Viejo Master Planned Community in southeastern Madera County. The Project consists of a mix of residential, commercial retail, office, highway commercial, visitor commercial, light industrial, business park, recreational, school, open space, and other institutional and public uses.

CEQA and NEPA Documentation and Techincal Studies

ECORP conducted peer-review of biological and cultural resources technical studies prepared for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment (EA) and prepared the following regulatory permit materials:

  • United States Army Corps of Enginners (USACE) Section 404 Clean Water Act, Individual Permit application
  • Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification application
  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Fish and Game Code Section 1602 Master Streambed Alteration Agreement

Tasks Completed in Support of the Section 404 Permit

In support of the USACE 404 Clean Water Act, Indiciaul Permit, ECORP completed a variety of environmental documentation services including:

  • Preparation of a 404(b)(1) alternatives analysis
  • Preparation of mitigation checklists
  • A technical review of the operation and management plan for the onsite open space preserve
  • Assissting the federal lead agency in writing the NEPA decision document for the EA with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

Other Cultural and Biological Resources Management Services Provided for the Tesoro Viejo Master Planned Community

ECORP was also retained to coordinate and submit to the USACE all of the existing cultural resources documentation prepared for the project by other consultants in order to assist consultation between the USACE and Native American Tribal Representatives as required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

The biological resources management staff at ECORP are also serving as a technical advisor for the Ecological Society of America (ESA) Section 7 consultation for California tiger salamander and vernal pool fairy shrimp and for critical habitats for a number of federally listed species. As part of the services provided, ECORP excavated 2,772 small mammal burrows and successfully relocated several wildlife species, including western spadefoots.

Environmental Consulting Services Provided:

Project Photos

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Let's Talk About Your Project

Our combination of exceptional staff, in-depth knowledge of regulations and processes and professional working relationships with Federal and State regulatory agencies is unparalleled. When you use our services, you can be sure we will identify all your project permitting and compliance requirements, allowing you to proceed confidently.

Contact us today to discuss your project and learn how ECORP can meet your needs.