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Vegetation and Habitat Restoration and Planning |
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Vegetation/Habitat Restoration and Planning Vegetation and habitat restoration and planning is the act of physically restoring a site to natural conditions. Restoration planning is the process of determining how a plant community or habitat should be restored to a natural condition. A specific plant community is collectively referred to as a vegetation type. As part of a complex ecosystem, plant communities form the foundation of the ecology of all life (excluding some deep water ecosystems). Plant communities, regardless of the composition, provide important habitat for wildlife species, from the lowest forms (invertebrates) to the highest forms (top carnivores). Certain types or classes of plant communities, e.g. wetland habitats, have been specifically targeted or recognized as requiring protection because of their important functions. Federal and state governments have realized the importance of maintaining and restoring natural vegetation. Federal and state laws have been enacted to protect a variety of sensitive habitats because of the functions they serve. For example, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is responsible for regulating activities in the nation's wetlands, pursuant to the Clean Water Act. The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) is charged with protecting the state's wildlife and riparian wetland habitats pursuant to the California Fish and Game Code. The California Coastal Commission, through the California Coastal Act, protects wetlands and sensitive terrestrial habitats within the Coastal Zone. Through these regulations, as well as part of the environmental review process under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), many projects are required to restore or enhance natural vegetation and protect them in perpetuity. David Magney Environmental Consulting (DMEC) has prepared numerous habitat restoration plan to meet project permit conditions, mostly associated with wetland permitting. The restoration of a natural environment is immensely complex, and developing and implementing any habitat restoration plan requires a great deal of thought and care. DMEC applies a systematic approach to restoration projects. First is a complete evaluation of the site conditions to understand what constraints and opportunities exist to successfully restore natural vegetation to a given site. Following this initial evaluation, specific objectives for onsite restoration are identified and quantified. Next, the details of the restoration plan are written into a complete plan that includes: introduction and background, regulatory requirements and restoration objectives, responsible parties, timing, site preparation, planting/restoration design, plant palettes, planting specifications, erosion control features, maintenance, and monitoring. DMEC has a extensive experience preparing, implementing, and monitoring vegetation and habitat restoration plans. These plans are designed to satisfy Corps, CDFG, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, California Coastal Commission, and local CEQA lead agencies. Examples of DMEC's work can be seen at DMEC's Reports webpage. DMEC's Projects page includes descriptions of several different restoration planning projects. |
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Mission Statement:
To provide quality environmental consulting
services with integrity that protect and enhance
the human and natural environment.
