Westervelt Ecological Services
20170321_144105

California High Speed Rail Project

California High Speed Rail Project

Landscape-oriented Mitigation Solutions

WES is working with the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) to provide a large, landscape-oriented mitigation solution for the section of the high-speed rail line that will run between Fresno and Bakersfield. As part of the contract with CHSRA, WES acquired, entitled, and permanently protected rare and threatened upland, riparian, and vernal pool habitats.

WES identified and acquired thirteen properties, working collaboratively with landowners, consisting of ~4,100-acres of upland and vernal pool wetland habitats and 151 acres of wetland habitats.

WES is also collaborating with numerous other agencies including USFWS, USEPA, USACE, CDFW, Kern National Wildlife Refuge, California State Water Resources Control Board, and NFWF.

Antelope Plains 2021-07-31 001 k-rat

Partnering with the High Speed Rail

Projects for CHSR

Alkali Flats Mitigation Site, Kern County, CA

The site provides 157 acres of habitat for the blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila), Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides), San Joaquin antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus nelsoni), and San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis).

Antelope Plains Mitigation Site, Kern County, CA

The site provides 687 acres of habitat for the San Joaquin antelope squirrel.

CD Hillman Mitigation Site, Kern County, CA

The site provides 223 acres of habitat for the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Tipton kangaroo rat, San Joaquin antelope squirrel, San Joaquin kit fox, and Swainson’s hawk.

Cottonwood Creek Mitigation Site, Tulare County, CA

The site provides 243 acres of vernal pool and upland habitat for endangered species. The site supports vernal pool fairy shrimp (Branchiecta lynchi), vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus packardi), California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense), Western spadefoot (Spea hammondii), San Joaquin kit fox, Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsonii), and burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia).

Cross Creek East and West Mitigation Sites, Tulare and Kings County, CA

The sites provide 1,227 acres of vernal pool and upland habitat. The site supports vernal pool fairy shrimp, vernal pool tadpole shrimp, California tiger salamander, Western spadefoot, San Joaquin kit fox, Swainson’s hawk, and burrowing owl.

HOG Hills Preserve, Madera County, CA

The 145.86-acre site provides habitat for the California tiger salamander and hairy Orcutt grass (Orcuttia pilosa).

HOG Flats Preserve, Madera County, CA

The 403.47-acre site provides habitat for hairy Orcutt grass.

Kings River Mitigation Site, Madera County, CA

The 53-acre site provides wetland and riparian reestablishment, rehabilitation, enhancement, and preservation.

Lone Tree Mitigation Site, Kern County, CA

The 120-acre site provides habitat for the Buena Vista Lake ornate shrew (Sorex ornatus relictus).

Lost Hills Mitigation Site, Kern County, CA

The site provides 333 acres of habitat for the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Tipton kangaroo rat, and San Joaquin kit fox.

Poso Plains Mitigation Site, Kern County, CA

The site provides 340 acres of habitat for the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Tipton kangaroo rat, and San Joaquin kit fox.

CHSR gallery

2017-02-21_Site-Visit (wet)_5448 Alkali Mallow Kings River 2019-03-20 022 general site photo Alkali Flats 2019-09-18_004 Loggerhead Shrike Oct_Nov 2018 Construction_8048 Blunt-nose leopord lizard