Balk Biological Services

We run our business like a business, not a research project. We understand deadlines and budgets, client relationships and deliverables. And we use that business acumen to provide you with the best possible experience.

Floral and wildlife surveys

Balk Biological’s biologists provide a full suite of biological resource surveys throughout southern California. Staff biologists and associates are permitted for the full range of special-status wildlife surveys, including Quino checkerspot butterfly, arroyo toad, California gnatcatcher, desert tortoise, flat-tailed horned lizard, least Bell’s vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher, and burrowing owl, to name just a few. Special-status plant surveys have been completed within the complete range of habitats throughout the region, from the coast through the foothills, mountains, and deserts, from San Diego and Imperial Counties in the south through Mendocino County in the north. As a recognized leader in botanical surveys and plant identification, Balk Biological has taught a variety of workshops in native plant identification and survey methods through the California Native Plant Society and Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.

Vegetation community mapping

Trained by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (formerly the Department of Fish and Game) and California Native Plant Society and experienced in aerial photographic/topographic map interpretation, Balk Biological conducts both large- and small-scale vegetation community mapping. Communities are mapped according to either the Manual of California Vegetation method or the Holland method (sometimes both), depending on the needs of the Client.

Wetlands delineation and permitting

Balk Biological Consulting is trained in both general wetlands/waters and arid west wetlands/waters jurisdictional delineations. In addition, Balk Biological also provides services for the permitting of impacts to wetlands and waters through the US Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Habitat restoration

Balk Biological Consulting regularly participates in habitat mitigation and restoration projects, including tasks such as identification of potential mitigation sites, mitigation plan preparation, plant installation monitoring, overall site monitoring throughout the life of the project, annual data collection and analysis, and report production.

Environmental compliance during construction

A variety of types of construction projects, from electricity line installations and upgrades, gas pipeline installations, sewer line upgrades, and residential development projects have been monitored for compliance by Balk Biological. As a variety of stakeholders are involved in construction projects, Balk Biological understands the need for clear, specific, and sensitive communication of issues during construction and has developed and maintained excellent working relationships with those involved at all times.

Impact assessment and permitting

Biological resource impact analysis and document preparation—Balk Biological, Inc. regularly, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and often in collaboration with GIS personnel, completes biological resource impact analysis for small and large projects alike. The company has experience producing a variety of biological documentation to satisfy the needs of a multitude of entities, from Habitat Conservation Plans for the County of Riverside to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) biological technical reports for many types of projects, to Preactivity Survey Reports (PSRs) for San Diego Gas & Electric.

Certifications

Balk Biological Consulting is certified as a:

Women Business Enterprise through the California Public Utilities Commission
Small Business/Microbusiness through the State of California Department of General Services
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise through the CalTrans/California United Certification Program
City of San Diego Small Business/Emerging Small Business
Small Business Enterprise through the Coalition of Southern California Public Agencies
County of Riverside Certified Biological Consultant
County of San Bernardino Certified Biological Consultant