Section 7 Consultation and Wetlands Permitting for the Fontana Business
Center
MBA has prepared a draft Biological Assessment (BA) and coordinated a
Section 7 consultation for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that
analyzed the biological effects of developing approximately 200-acre site in
south Fontana. Proposed future development for the site includes industrial
and business park uses, and a hotel on 4 acres on the northwest corner of
the site. A 2002 Protocol Survey determined that DSF currently occupy a
1-acre portion of the site. The majority of the site no longer supports
viable DSF habitat. A habitat assessment determined that only 40-acres
provided low quality but suitable habitat. USACE took jurisdiction over the
40-acres of potential habitat that bordered a drainage channel with wetlands
vegetation. MBA successfully negotiated acceptable conservation measures
under the Section 7 Consultation that resulted in the issuance of a
non-jeopardy Biological Opinion that will allow development of the entire
200-acre site. MBA also prepared and submitted an application for a 404
Wetlands Permit, a 401 Water Certification Permit, and a 1603 Streambed
Alteration Permit. All three permits were successfully processed and
received by the City of Fontana.
