Angeles National Golf Course: Los Angeles, California

SERVICES USED ON THIS PROJECT INCLUDE:
	Environmental Compliance		Resource Management

Sapphos Environmental, Inc. provided environmental compliance consulting services to Angeles National Golf Club that spanned seven years in support of implementation of the 352-acre Angeles National Golf Course, formerly known as Red Tail Golf and Equestrian, in Sunland-Tujunga, in the City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, California. The services provided by the firm included the delineation of areas potentially under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) pursuant to Section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code.

Sapphos Environmental, Inc. prepared the Long-Term Habitat Management Plan, which provided for conservation of 192 acres of Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub habitat, to support the CDFG issuance of the Section 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement. Sapphos Environmental, Inc. also conducted general and focused surveys for special status plant and wildlife species, including the federally listed coastal California gnatcatcher, cactus wren, and slender-horned spine flower, and later was called on to implement conservation and mitigation measures related to biological resources mandated as conditions of approval by the Planning Commission of the City of Los Angeles pursuant to their approval of the Red Tail Golf and Equestrian project as described in the Long-Term Habitat Management Plan.

Sapphos Environmental, Inc. conducted quantitative vegetation surveys, seed collection, and plant salvage in support of revegetation of approximately 10 acres of Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub intended to mitigate construction-related impacts. The surveyors undertaking the vegetation surveys had an in-depth knowledge of the vegetative and floral characteristics of the plant species, phenology, and habitat characteristics. Quantitative measurements were taken by setting up line-intercept transects across Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub habitat. Data from the transects were then used to measure vegetative cover to reflect the necessary quantities of seed for effective plant propagation and revegetation. Prior to any clearing or grading operations on the project site, seeds and transplants of Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub species were collected or identified, respectively, for later installation in compliance with mitigation efforts to take place on the project site.

The environmental services provided included work efforts required to support preconstruction, design activities, and construction activities. These work efforts included preconstruction directed surveys for sensitive plant and wildlife species and construction monitoring. Sapphos Environmental, Inc. conducted regular and ongoing coordination efforts with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the CDFG, and submitted on a timely basis all mitigation monitoring reporting to appropriate resource agencies.

The CDFG challenged the Streambed Alteration Agreement. Disposition of this project was handled by a neutral third-party arbitrator who upheld the findings and recommendations of the Sapphos Environmental, Inc. Long-Term Habitat Management Plan.