Endangered Species Act (ESA) Compliance

Biological Assessment for Kootenai River Sediment Core Sampling

Bonneville Power Administration (with DJ Warren and Associates)
Meridian prepared a Biological Assessment to evaluate the effects of sediment core drilling at several sites in the Kootenai River, Idaho, primarily assessing impacts to listed white sturgeon and their critical habitat, and to bald eagles nesting along the shoreline. Data from the core drilling was used in river restoration planning, primarily designed to prevent extinction of Kootenai River white sturgeon. This effort met ESA Section 7 requirements and the USFWS approved the BA.

Biological Assessment of the Lyle Falls and Castile Falls Fish Passage Facilities

Bonneville Power Administration (with DJ Warren and Associates)
Meridian prepared a Biological Assessment to evaluate the effects of upgrading the existing Lyle Falls and Castile Falls fishways on the Klickitat River to improve fish passage and population monitoring. Meridian evaluated project effects on listed steelhead and bull trout to meet ESA Section 7 consultation requirements. NMFS and USFWS approved the project and construction is scheduled for 2009.

Biological Assessment for the Lewis River Hydroelectric Projects

PacifiCorp Energy
Meridian biologists analyzed potential effects of continued operation of four major hydropower projects on listed bull trout, Chinook and chum salmon, steelhead, and 14 wildlife and plant species. We produced two BAs for formal Section 7 consultation between FERC and NMFS and USFWS that evaluated effects on ESA listed salmon, steelhead and bull trout population connectivity; habitat quantity and quality within two reservoirs and downstream river reaches; fish propagation and enhancement measures; river ramping and instream flows; and reintroduction of salmon and steelhead to over 170 miles of habitat. NMFS and USFWS issued Biological Opinions for the continued operation of these projects.

Barbee Lumber Mill Biological Assessment in Lake Washington

Lloyd and Associates, Inc.
Meridian conducted seasonal SCUBA-based assessments of fish habitat and populations near a debris dredging site in Lake Washington. We analyzed the effects of dredging on aquatic habitat quality, fish diversity, and macrophyte density and diversity. Meridian prepared a Biological Assessment addressing ESA listed Chinook salmon as part of a Section 404 permit application. The BA was approved and the project is complete.