BLM-NV Tasks GeomorphIS Team to Conduct Grazing Program Cultural Resources Inventory

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada Office has tasked the GeomorphIS-G2 Archaeology team to conduct a Class III inventory of approximately 850 acres in Lincoln County, Nevada. Outcome Based Grazing allotments in the County have new range improvements and maintenance of existing infrastructure that require a Section 106 Class III Inventory for the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Although a previous Class III Inventory of 2200 acres had already been completed of this area, project changes required additional inventory of about 68 miles of linear features in the form of fence lines and pipelines and as well as 1-acre inventories of 28 tanks/troughs. This is Phase II of a previous GeomorphIS-G2 Archaeology task order for the BLM Ely District.

NPS Tasks GeomorphIS Team to Conduct Lichen Inventory at Lava Beds Nat. Monument

The National Park Service (NPS) has awarded GeomorphIS a task order to conduct a lichen inventory of Lava Beds National Monument (LABE), located in northern California. The GeomorphIS team includes lichen specialists from Siskiyou BioSurvey and SummitWest Environmental. Lichens are an important component of biodiversity at LABE, which is known to be home to ~120 species of lichen species. Because lichens are associated with trenches and caves that create unique micro-habitats, understanding the species composition and distribution of lichens at cave entrances can help inform management decisions about public access and use of caves. LABE has ~800 caves, 24 of which are in the front country and are developed and highly visited. Twenty-four backcountry caves are permanently closed to visitors, leaving the majority open with varying amounts of visitation. The park is interested in understanding the effects of visitation on the biodiversity at cave entrances and hopes to leverage this gradient of human disturbance to inform visitor use management.

USFS Tasks GeomorphIS Team to Conduct Botany Survey on Sierra NF

The US Forest Service (USFS) has tasked the GeomorphIS-Pyramid Botanical Consulting team to conduct a botany and invasive species survey on the Sierra National Forest, California. This purpose of this task order is to survey, map, and submit a final reports for Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive (TES) plant species and invasive non-native / noxious plant species (hereafter invasive weeds) up to 7,000 acres of the Sierra National Forest system lands. Surveys are in preparation for prescribed burning beginning calendar year 2021. An estimated 1,500 – 3,000 acres will require an intensive survey for TES species, based on habitat, disturbance and existing plant communities. An estimated 2,000 – 4,000 acres will require surveys for invasive species based on disturbance TES and invasive species.

WAPA-DSW Awards GeomorphIS 5-Year Environmental BPA

The US Department of Energy (DOE), Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), Desert Southwest Region (DSW), has awarded GeomorphIS a 5-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to perform Environmental Services within the DSW Region, including the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada. GeomorphIS will assist WAPA in complying with all environmental laws and regulations applicable to each specific BPA call (order) (including DOE regulations). Environmental services tasks involve scientific, environmental engineering, technical, and regulatory compliance. BPA calls (orders) typically fall within, but are not limited to: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) studies and documentation; field biological surveys for species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), rare plant surveys, biological assessments, natural resource studies, Migratory Bird Treaty Act compliance, including nesting and raptor surveys, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act compliance, and biological monitoring; jurisdictional determinations and delineations of aquatic resources/waters of the United States (WoUS); and GIS services.

NPS Hires GeomorphIS Team to Conduct Cultural Survey at Big Thicket NP, Texas

The National Park Service (NPS) has hired the GeomorphIS-Algonquin Consultants team to complete an archeological survey of approximately 83 acres within the Big Sandy Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve in an an undeveloped area southwest of Dallardsville, Polk County, Texas. The work is in anticipation of future longleaf restoration activities. The team will conduct shovel test pit survey on 30-meter grid for property known as the Big Sandy Unit 2020 planting area. It is estimated that approximately 374 shovel test pits will be necessary to complete this survey. The shovel test size will be 30-cm in diameter (or 30×30 cm if square), and at least one meter in depth or to sterile soil. Excavated soils from each shovel test pit (STP) will be dry-screened through 1/4-inch hardware cloth mesh screens in order to recover any artifacts in the soil matrix. Likewise, the constituent soil matrix and stratigraphy of each STP will be recorded, employing standard Munsell Soil Chart terminology. The team will prepare a final report documenting results in conformance with the Texas Historical Commission and National Park Service standards. Additionally, any items discovered will be submitted for curation to an approved facility and will require associated NPS documentation and/or reporting.