Our Services

RCA Associates, Inc. conducts General Biological Resources Assessments to evaluate existing biological conditions and identify potential environmental constraints associated with a project. Our assessments include field surveys, habitat evaluations, documentation of plant and wildlife species, and an evaluation of the potential for special-status species to occur. Findings are used to identify sensitive biological resources and provide recommendations to support environmental review, project planning, and regulatory compliance.

RCA Associates, Inc. conducts Jurisdictional Delineations to identify and map streams, drainages, wetlands, and other aquatic resources that may be subject to federal or state jurisdiction. Our biologists evaluate field indicators such as channel characteristics, ordinary high-water marks, bed and bank features, vegetation, and hydrology. The results help determine potential regulatory requirements and guide project planning and permitting with the appropriate resource agencies.

RCA Associates, Inc. conducts Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) censuses to identify, map, and document western Joshua trees within proposed project areas and applicable survey buffers. Our biologists record tree locations, size classes, and condition to support WJTCA permitting, impact assessments, mitigation requirements, and compliance with California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations.

RCA Associates, Inc. prepares Western Joshua Tree Relocation Plans to guide the careful relocation and protection of Joshua trees affected by proposed development. Our plans establish appropriate relocation methods, identify suitable receiving locations, and provide procedures for handling, transplanting, monitoring, and maintaining relocated trees. These plans support project permitting and compliance with applicable California Department of Fish and Wildlife requirements under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act.

RCA Associates, Inc. assists clients with environmental permitting by preparing and submitting permit applications through applicable agency permitting programs. Our team coordinates with regulatory agencies, prepares required biological documentation, responds to agency comments, and helps guide projects through the permitting process. We work to keep permitting requirements clear and projects moving toward approval while maintaining compliance with applicable environmental regulations.

RCA Associates, Inc. prepares Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) Consistency Analyses to determine whether a proposed project is consistent with the specific requirements and conservation objectives of an applicable MSHCP. Our team evaluates the project in relation to MSHCP criteria areas, survey areas, conservation requirements, species-specific policies, and other applicable plan provisions. The analysis provides a clear pathway for demonstrating MSHCP compliance and addressing applicable requirements during the project review and approval process.

RCA Associates, Inc. prepares and assists with Incidental Take Permit applications for projects that may affect protected plant or wildlife species. Our team develops the required biological documentation, impact calculations, avoidance and minimization measures, mitigation strategies, and supporting materials needed for agency review. We coordinate with the appropriate regulatory agencies throughout the permitting process to help clients obtain necessary take authorization and maintain project compliance.

RCA Associates, Inc. conducts preconstruction biological surveys to identify special-status species and sensitive biological resources that may be present within or near proposed work areas prior to construction. Our biologists evaluate current site conditions, document applicable species or signs of their presence, and identify appropriate avoidance and protection measures. These surveys help projects meet permit conditions, agency requirements, and other environmental commitments before ground-disturbing activities begin.

RCA Associates, Inc. assists clients with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement notifications for projects that may affect streams, drainages, or associated riparian resources. Our team prepares supporting biological documentation, maps project impacts, develops avoidance and mitigation measures, and coordinates with CDFW throughout the review process. We help guide projects from initial notification through execution of the final agreement and compliance with applicable permit conditions.

RCA Associates, Inc. conducts protocol-level surveys for special-status plant and wildlife species in accordance with established agency-approved survey methods and seasonal requirements. Our qualified biologists perform focused field surveys, document species presence or absence and suitable habitat, and prepare the required survey reports and supporting documentation. Survey results help satisfy agency requirements and support environmental review, permitting, and project compliance.

RCA Associates, Inc. conducts focused botanical surveys to identify and document special-status plant species within proposed project areas. Our botanists perform field surveys during appropriate seasonal and blooming periods, evaluate suitable habitat, and map and document sensitive plant populations when present. Survey results support environmental review, project planning, agency permitting, and the development of appropriate avoidance or mitigation measures.

RCA Associates, Inc. provides biological monitoring during construction and other ground-disturbing activities to help ensure compliance with project permits and environmental requirements. Our qualified biologists monitor work areas for special-status species and sensitive biological resources, implement required avoidance and protection measures, and coordinate with construction personnel when biological concerns arise. Monitoring activities are documented as required to support agency and permit compliance.

RCA Associates, Inc. conducts nesting bird and burrowing owl surveys to identify active nests, occupied burrows, and other signs of breeding or nesting activity within proposed project areas. Our qualified biologists perform surveys in accordance with applicable agency requirements and established survey protocols. When nesting birds or burrowing owls are identified, appropriate avoidance measures and protective buffers are recommended to support regulatory compliance and minimize potential impacts.

RCA Associates, Inc. conducts desert tortoise surveys to evaluate project sites for the presence of desert tortoise, suitable habitat, burrows, scat, tracks, and other signs of use. Our qualified biologists perform habitat assessments, focused surveys, and preconstruction surveys in accordance with applicable agency protocols and project requirements. Survey findings support environmental review, permitting, and the development of appropriate avoidance and protection measures for this protected species.

RCA Associates, Inc. provides Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP) training to educate construction personnel about sensitive biological resources and environmental requirements associated with a project. Training covers special-status species identification, avoidance and protection measures, work-area restrictions, reporting procedures, and applicable permit conditions. WEAP training helps ensure that project personnel understand their environmental responsibilities before beginning work.

RCA Associates, Inc. prepares revegetation plans designed to restore disturbed areas and promote the successful reestablishment of native plant communities following construction or other ground-disturbing activities. Plans may include site preparation, native seed mixes and planting specifications, erosion-control measures, invasive species management, maintenance requirements, performance standards, and long-term monitoring. Revegetation plans are tailored to site-specific conditions and applicable agency or permit requirements to promote successful restoration and long-term habitat stability.

RCA Associates, Inc. prepares revegetation success and mine closure reports to document the restoration of areas disturbed by mining and associated reclamation activities. Reports evaluate native vegetation establishment, plant survival and cover, invasive species presence, erosion and site stability, and progress toward established revegetation and reclamation performance standards. These reports help demonstrate compliance with approved reclamation plans and applicable agency requirements and determine whether revegetation objectives have been successfully achieved to support final mine closure and release of reclamation obligations.