Land Use Planning Projects

Bear River and Eightmile Creek Assessment, Bear Lake County, Idaho
Biota worked closely with the Bear River Environmental Coordination Committee (ECC) and the Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust to complete geomorphic, hydrologic, and riparian assessments on reaches of the Bear River and Eight Mile Creek through a prospective 10,500-acre conservation easement property south of Soda Springs, ID. Assessment data were utilized to develop a suite of Best Management Practice (BMP) recommendations including channel stabilization, livestock exclosure fencing, off-site watering systems, and irrigation diversion improvements.

Upper Green River Watershed Study, Wyoming
Biota was on a team selected to complete the Upper Green River Watershed Study for the state of Wyoming--the Wyoming Water Development Commission. Biota’s duties included establishment and operation of 4 stream gauging stations in the study area. Biota also completed hydrologic modeling of all watercourses and HUC12s within the 2 million acre study area. Biota also completed geomorphic classification of the entire length of the mainstem Green River and all primary tributaries within the study area. Biota also collected, analyzed, and presented natural resource data descriptive of conditions within the watershed pertinent to wildlife, wetlands, ecological site descriptions, climate, land uses, public and private infrastructure, mineral operations, groundwater, threatened and endangered species, and watershed enhancement and management objectives.
Biota was on a team selected to complete the Upper Green River Watershed Study for the state of Wyoming--the Wyoming Water Development Commission. Biota’s duties included establishment and operation of 4 stream gauging stations in the study area. Biota also completed hydrologic modeling of all watercourses and HUC12s within the 2 million acre study area. Biota also completed geomorphic classification of the entire length of the mainstem Green River and all primary tributaries within the study area. Biota also collected, analyzed, and presented natural resource data descriptive of conditions within the watershed pertinent to wildlife, wetlands, ecological site descriptions, climate, land uses, public and private infrastructure, mineral operations, groundwater, threatened and endangered species, and watershed enhancement and management objectives.

Teton County — Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Biota was retained by Teton County for 6 years as their environmental consultant. During this period, Biota examined a variety of land use planning issues, performed an exhaustive review and compilation of development impacts on wildlife, assisted in developing environmental land use regulations, mapped sensitive wildlife habitats, and helped revise the country comprehensive master plan.
Rangeland Management Plan — Douglas, Wyoming
A rangeland management plan was developed for a the 125,000-acre ranch in eastern Wyoming. Biota utilized holistic management practices to integrate livestock and wildlife needs into an ecological design that minimizes and mitigates adverse impacts of agricultural activities on wildlife habitat, vegetation, soils, streams, and riparian areas.
Biota was retained by Teton County for 6 years as their environmental consultant. During this period, Biota examined a variety of land use planning issues, performed an exhaustive review and compilation of development impacts on wildlife, assisted in developing environmental land use regulations, mapped sensitive wildlife habitats, and helped revise the country comprehensive master plan.
Rangeland Management Plan — Douglas, Wyoming
A rangeland management plan was developed for a the 125,000-acre ranch in eastern Wyoming. Biota utilized holistic management practices to integrate livestock and wildlife needs into an ecological design that minimizes and mitigates adverse impacts of agricultural activities on wildlife habitat, vegetation, soils, streams, and riparian areas.
Aspen Management – Jackson, Wyoming and Gallatin County, Montana
Biota has made recommendations for aspen management in Wyoming and Montana. Fire suppression and excessive use by native and non-native ungulates are causing aspen communities to deteriorate throughout the Rocky Mountains. Aspen management strategies have included selective cutting, fencing, and prescribed burning, all which provide the technical assistance necessary to encourage aspen regeneration.
Native Riparian Plant Revegetation Project — Wilson, Wyoming
A native riparian plant revegetation project was implemented along a spring creek. This project utilized site assessments, plant species identification, and native materials sourcing in its ecological design and implementation. Biota strives to utilize native plant resources in all its revegetation projects and often uses local nurseries and both on- and off-site sources. Seeds, containered plants, vegetation mats, and transplanted trees and shrubs were incorporated into the design. Additionally, Biota monitors all its revegetation projects on a long-term basis to determine effectiveness of various species plantings and revegetation strategies.
Wildfire Hazard Reduction Recommendations — Wilson, Wyoming
Biota developed recommendations for wildfire hazard reduction for a private landowner. Recommendations for this project area included a buffer zone approach to forest practices and suggested appropriate distances and frequency of deadfall removal surrounding the residential unit while maintaining habitat diversity.
Biota has made recommendations for aspen management in Wyoming and Montana. Fire suppression and excessive use by native and non-native ungulates are causing aspen communities to deteriorate throughout the Rocky Mountains. Aspen management strategies have included selective cutting, fencing, and prescribed burning, all which provide the technical assistance necessary to encourage aspen regeneration.
Native Riparian Plant Revegetation Project — Wilson, Wyoming
A native riparian plant revegetation project was implemented along a spring creek. This project utilized site assessments, plant species identification, and native materials sourcing in its ecological design and implementation. Biota strives to utilize native plant resources in all its revegetation projects and often uses local nurseries and both on- and off-site sources. Seeds, containered plants, vegetation mats, and transplanted trees and shrubs were incorporated into the design. Additionally, Biota monitors all its revegetation projects on a long-term basis to determine effectiveness of various species plantings and revegetation strategies.
Wildfire Hazard Reduction Recommendations — Wilson, Wyoming
Biota developed recommendations for wildfire hazard reduction for a private landowner. Recommendations for this project area included a buffer zone approach to forest practices and suggested appropriate distances and frequency of deadfall removal surrounding the residential unit while maintaining habitat diversity.