Biological Report Procedures

Information on Initial Study Biological Assessments

For Applicants

Discretionary projects that have the potential to impact biological resources require a biological survey and report as part of the application submittal to the County Planning Division. This report is called an Initial Study Biological Assessment (ISBA).  Please review the brochure titled “Biological Resources and Development Permitting” and consult with Planning Division staff to determine whether you will need to submit an ISBA with your application.

ISBAs must be prepared by a Qualified Biological Consultant (see Minimum Qualifications for Biological Consultants).  The Planning Division maintains a list of Qualified Biological Consultants from which applicants may select.  These consultants have been determined to meet the Division’s Minimum Qualifications for Biological Consultants and have signed the Division’s Memorandum of Understanding for Preparation of Initial Study Biological Assessments.  All ISBAs submitted with discretionary permit applications will be reviewed by the Division’s Staff Biologist for consistency with the Division’s Standards for ISBAs.  However, ISBAs conducted by consultants who are not on the Division’s list will require subsequent peer review by a Qualified Biological Consultant under contract to the County.

Once you have submitted your discretionary permit application and ISBA, your case planner will respond to you within 30 days on the adequacy of your application and ISBA.  If the Planning Division has questions and/or comments on the ISBA, your consultant must provide a revised ISBA that addresses the questions and comments in order for your application to be deemed complete for biological resources.

For Biological Consultants

Biological consultants that meet the Planning Division’s Minimum Qualifications for Biological Consultants and have signed the Division’s Memorandum of Understanding for Preparation of Initial Study Biological Assessments (MOU) are listed on the Planning Division’s list of Qualified Biological Consultants.

To apply for listing, please submit a resume or statement of qualifications and two signed copies of the MOU to the Planning Division, with attention to Christina Danko, Staff Biologist.  The Planning Division will review the submitted resume or statement of qualifications to determine whether the individual or the staff within a firm as a whole meets the Division’s Minimum Qualifications for Biological Consultants.  The Division will provide you with a response within approximately 3 weeks of receiving your application.  If you or your firm has been determined to qualify, you will be sent a copy of your MOU signed by the Planning Director, and your name or firm name and contact information will be added to the list and displayed on the Planning Division’s website.  Please review the MOU for terms and conditions associated with the Division’s List of Qualified Biological Consultants.

All ISBAs must be conducted in accordance with the Planning Division’s Standards for Initial Study Biological Assessments.  Please be sure that you use the latest version of the Standards, which will be posted here.

For questions or comments on the Standards for ISBAs, please contact the Planning Division Staff Biologist: Christina Danko at (805) 654-5193 or christina.danko@ventura.org.