Clark Pacific: The Burrowing Owls Issue > Rexroad.com

There seems to be some disagreement over the presence of burrowing owls that are on-site. You can read the letter below. The reality is that this has nothing to do with the use that Clark Pacific proposes to make of the property. Even if someone determines that burrowing owls are there -- CP just has to mitigate for them. The project still rolls on.

To Whom it May Concern:

Wallace-Kuhl and Associates (WKA) is in the process of completing a Biological Assessment for the Clark Pacific Corporation at the Former Spreckels Sugar Facility near Woodland, Yolo County, California. WKA field crews have been on the site performing ecological reconnaissance
for species of regulatory concern on January 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 14th, and 15th. The field crew have spent a total of 27 hours on the site to date.

I am the WKA Ecological Services Director and am directly supervising the work being done. I have been a practicing Ecologist for 16 years, and I have extensive experience with listed species, including directing Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Programs and studying riparian bird habitat relationships.

The site in question has been observed in its entirety, including multiple, separate observations using a spotting scope and binoculars at varying times of day and weather. WKA has emphasized observations for species in and around the lime piles at the eastern edge of the site. The margins of these lime piles have numerous California ground squirrel burrows. Burrowing owls are associated with, but not limited to, ground squirrel burrows.

The field crew has not observed any evidence of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia), such as the presence of the owl, owl scat and/or owl pellets.

While WKA cannot conclusively say that there are not burrowing owls at the site, given the extensive area involved and simple random chance, our field crews have seen no evidence of this species at the site. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions
or comments.

Sincerely,

Erik Ringelberg
Ecological Services Director
Wallace-Kuhl & Associates

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