111 Academy Way Ste 210 ● Irvine, CA 92617 ● Tel: (714) 648-0630 ● Fax: (714) 648-0935 ● www.ecorpconsulting.com July 8, 2026
(P23-181.06)
Thomas Perez
City Engineer
City of Laguna Beach, Public Works
505 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Via email: [email protected]
Subject: Proposal to Provide Biological Services and Permit Compliance for the Aliso Creek Outlet Maintenance Project in the City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Dear Mr. Perez:
ECORP Consulting, Inc. (ECORP) is pleased to provide this proposal for the Aliso Creek Outlet Monitoring Project (Project) located in the City of Laguna Beach (City).
The contents of our proposal address each of the requirements; permit compliance assistance, biological studies and monitoring for special status species, and water quality sampling based upon the resource agency permits:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Permit No. SPL-2024-00266 Section 404 for the Clean Water Act.
Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) 401 Water Quality Certification Order No. R9-2024-0073 for Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Waste Discharge Requirements Order No. 2003-0017-DWQ.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Formal Section 7 Biological Opinion (BO) FWS2024-0103755-S7-I-001-OR.
The Scope of Work and Cost Estimate below provides the technical approach for the scope of services as described in the RFP.
PROJECT UNDERSTANDING
The Project will occur at the terminus of Aliso Creek where it connects with the Pacific Ocean in Orange County, California. Specifically, the Ocean outlet is located on Aliso Beach at approximately
33.51056, -117.751940.
Based on our understanding, the Project will consist of recurring maintenance activities at the Aliso Creek Outlet and will include both semi-annual and minor/as needed maintenance events. The semiannual outlet maintenance events will be conducted before the wet season (fall), and prior to the summer season (spring). These maintenance activities will typically include excavation of the sand berm formed at the terminus of the creek, the placement of all excavated material onto the beach above the high tide line, and subsequent grading to prepare the adjacent beach area for recreational Mr. Thomas Perez (P23-181.06)
July 8, 2026
111 Academy Way Ste 210 ● Irvine, CA 92617 ● Tel: (714) 648-0630 ● Fax: (714) 648-0935 ● www.ecorpconsulting.com use. The creek outlet would be subject to inspections by the City to determine when maintenance activities will be necessary. The Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification (R9-2024- 0073), issued on May 1, 2024, specifies avoidance and minimization measures for the project. In addition, there are special conditions outlined in the 404 permit SPL-2024-00266 and Biological Opinion (2024-0103755-S7-I-001-OR) from the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, dated July 12, 2024, required for the protection of threatened and endangered species including the avoidance and minimization of potential impacts to grunion spawning areas in accordance with established CDFW protocols.
SCOPE OF WORK
Task 1 – Project Management and Permit Compliance
ECORP will provide project management and permit compliance assistance to the City prior to and during the Aliso Creek Outlet maintenance events. These services will include but are not limited to the following tasks:
ECORP will assist the City, by providing qualified biologists approved by USFWS prior to the initiation of maintenance activities, who will serve as the Project biologists for the monitoring and reporting elements of this scope of work. Obtaining approvals for the project biologists is a resource agency permit requirement. ECORP will submit a list of biologists to the resources agencies for approval to provide the services required by the project permits. ECORP will include two-page resumes for each biologist, summarizing their qualifications and experience to meet the requirements of USFWS Conservation Measures (CM 13a and 13b) of the BO, and Measure 18 of the Water Quality Certification.
• CM 13 (a). The qualified biologist responsible for implementing measures during the non-breeding season specific to the snowy plover (September 16 through January 31), per USFWS BO requirements, will be a trained ornithologist with at least 40 hours of experience with location and observation of snowy plovers in the field. Field experience hours need to be documented, conducted under the supervision of a more experienced snowy plover biologist, and verifiable. The biological monitor responsible for implementing measures during the breeding season specific to the snowy plover (February 1 through September 15) will have an additional minimum of 20 hours of experience (documented, supervised, and verifiable) with locating and monitoring snowy plover nests and chicks. • CM 13(b). The biological monitor responsible for implementing measures during the non-breeding season specific to the California least tern (September 16 through March 31) will be a trained ornithologist with at least 40 hours of experience with location and observation of least terns in the field. Field experience hours need to be documented, conducted under the supervision of a more experienced least tern biologist, and verifiable. The biological monitor responsible Mr. Thomas Perez (P23-181.06)
July 8, 2026
111 Academy Way Ste 210 ● Irvine, CA 92617 ● Tel: (714) 648-0630 ● Fax: (714) 648-0935 ● www.ecorpconsulting.com for implementing measures during the breeding season (April 1 through September 15) will have an additional minimum of 20 hours of experience (documented, supervised, and verifiable) with locating and monitoring least tern nests and chicks.
• WQC (18). The Applicant shall designate an on-site qualified biologist to monitor Project construction activities within or adjacent to waters of the United States and/or State to ensure compliance with the Certification requirements. The biologist shall be given the authority to stop all work on-site if a violation of this Certification occurs or has the potential to occur. Records and field notes of the biologist’s activities shall be kept on-site and made available for review upon request by the San Diego Water Board.
The City shall be responsible for providing notification to the San Diego Water Board, per Section D1. Discharge Commencement Notification, at least 5 days prior to initiation of Project activities and at least 30 days prior to completion of active Project maintenance activities.
Task 1 Assumption:
This is an as-needed task, billed on a time-and-materials basis. If the number of hours (up to 20), or requests for out-of-scope assistance exceeds what can be accommodated by this budget, a contract amendment will be provided prior to a response.
Task 2 – Semi-Annual Berm Maintenance: Pre-activity Biological Surveys, Biological Monitoring, and Water Quality Sampling
ECORP will provide biological resources services to the City prior to, during, and after each semiannual maintenance event. These services will include but are not limited to the following:
Task 2A. Pre-activity Surveys for California grunion (March 1st to August 31st) If maintenance activities need to be conducted during the California grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) spawning season (March 1st through August 31st), pre-project surveys for grunion activity will be conducted by ECORP qualified biologists in accordance with the protocols described in the Grunion Protection Plan for Necessary Outlet Maintenance During the Grunion Spawning Season of March through September Report (Chambers Group, Inc., September 7, 2006).
Monitoring will be conducted on all four nights of the predicted run series, with the exception that if grunion are observed spawning on a given night, the presence of egg nests will be assumed and surveys on subsequent nights will not be required.
Monitoring will occur from the time of the high tide each night, for a period of two hours, or until the grunion stop running, whichever is later. For each night of monitoring, the following information will be recorded: time period monitored, grunion run initiation time and duration, approximate Mr. Thomas Perez (P23-181.06)
July 8, 2026
111 Academy Way Ste 210 ● Irvine, CA 92617 ● Tel: (714) 648-0630 ● Fax: (714) 648-0935 ● www.ecorpconsulting.com grunion density within the maintenance footprint and a 10-yard buffer, and approximate grunion density in a broader area (i.e., within approximately 50 yards up-coast or 50 yards down-coast of the maintenance footprint).
Task 2A Assumptions
Assumes up to four (4) night survey events with two qualified biologists. If grunion are observed in the maintenance footprint or within the 10-yard buffer, on night 1, then monitoring on nights 2, 3, and 4 will not be required. If grunion are not observed within the maintenance footprint or the 10-yard buffer on night 1, then night 2 would be surveyed, and so forth.
Task 2A Deliverables
ECORP will provide copies of field datasheets following the completion of grunion surveys.
Task 2B. Pre-activity Surveys for Special Status Species and Nesting Birds and Biological Monitoring
Different biological monitors may be designated to satisfy specific permit requirements based upon their qualifications, and multiple biologists may be utilized during specific maintenance activities to satisfy specific measures.
A qualified biological monitor will conduct a pre-project survey with a focus on sensitive bird species such as California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni) and western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) in and within 500 feet of the maintenance footprint area prior to heavy machinery and vehicles accessing the beach for each maintenance event. The maintenance footprint area will include the sediment excavation and placement sites, haul routes, staging areas, areas through which vehicles will travel and locations where any other project activities will occur within sandy beach habitat. The qualified biologist will be responsible for overseeing maintenance activities to ensure compliance with all Project conservation measures and preventing unanticipated impacts to listed species.
During the pre-project survey, if any special status species are observed, the qualified biologist will document the numbers, locations, and sex (if it can be determined) of snowy plovers and least terns, and a brief description of the observed behavior (i.e., foraging, roosting, exhibiting territorial behaviors, preening/grooming, fish carrying, etc.). The location information for each of these species will be documented using a combination of maps and the use of GPS points.
The qualified biologist will conduct surveys for snowy plovers year-round, while surveys for California least tern will only be necessary when maintenance events are scheduled between April 1 and October 15 which encompasses their breeding season and migration windows.
Mr. Thomas Perez (P23-181.06)
July 8, 2026
111 Academy Way Ste 210 ● Irvine, CA 92617 ● Tel: (714) 648-0630 ● Fax: (714) 648-0935 ● www.ecorpconsulting.com Nesting Birds. If maintenance activities need be conducted during the nesting season (February 1– September 15), a nesting bird survey will be conducted by the qualified biologist prior to the commencement of activities. The nesting bird survey will focus on detection of active bird nests (containing eggs, chicks, or recent fledglings still dependent on the nest) and to ensure that the Project is in compliance with both federal and state regulations (Migratory Bird Treaty Act [MBTA] of 1918, Fish and Game Code Sections 3503 and 3503.5 and 3800) which protect migratory bird species, native non-game birds, and their nests. Active nests and other sensitive wildlife species locations will be mapped during these surveys. All active nests will be protected by establishing a no-work buffer around the nest. In some cases, if far enough away from active construction, the biologist may be able to monitor the nest if construction occurs in the outer limits of the buffer. These specific project-related protections can vary by species and the relative proximity to active construction and will be implemented at the discretion of the biologist. Nest monitoring by the biologist does not guarantee work can continue; if nesting behaviors are disturbed by construction activities, the biologist will notify the Client and request work to stop in order to discuss the best course of action moving forward.
Maintenance Monitoring. A qualified biologist will also monitor Project related maintenance activities within or adjacent to waters of the United States and/or State to ensure compliance with the 401 Certification requirements. The biologist shall be given the authority to stop all work on-site if a violation of the 401 Certification occurs or has the potential to occur. Records and field notes of the biologist’s activities will be kept on-site and should be available for review upon request by the San Diego Water Board.
Task 2B Assumptions
During Semi-annual events: Assumes up to one full day of maintenance activities, one qualified approved USFWS bird biologist and one biological monitor. During the Non-breeding Season: If no snowy plovers and/or no California least terns are observed in or within 500 feet of the daily work footprint(s) during the pre-project survey, no additional biological monitoring will be required for the day. During the Breeding Season: If snowy plovers or California least terns are observed during pre-project surveys, the City will contact the CFWO prior to maintenance activities being initiated to discuss if additional conservation measures may be necessary. No maintenance activities can occur until coordination with the CFWO has occurred.
If snowy plovers and/or California least terns move closer to the project activities during a 2-hour observation period, the biological monitor will remain on site and will be present throughout daytime work hours to monitor these listed species approaching or attempting to enter the maintenance footprint(s). If snowy plovers and/or California least terns are observed during maintenance activities, a monitoring report will be submitted to the CFWO within 60 days of completing maintenance activities.
Mr. Thomas Perez (P23-181.06)
July 8, 2026
111 Academy Way Ste 210 ● Irvine, CA 92617 ● Tel: (714) 648-0630 ● Fax: (714) 648-0935 ● www.ecorpconsulting.com If no snowy plovers or California least terns are observed, the City will only submit an annual maintenance summary report to the CFWO.
Task 2B Deliverables
Following maintenance events, Monitoring Summary Reports including field notes, pre-activity survey results, and a description of all Project maintenance activities observed during the monitoring efforts will be prepared and provided to the City.
Task 2C. Water Quality Sampling Pre- and Post-Maintenance Activities Prior to each maintenance event, the OC Beach Info website (www.ocbeachinfo.com) will be checked to determine if current ocean bacteria levels meet state health standards at the Aliso Creek Ocean Interface. If ocean bacteria levels meet the state health standards, then water quality sampling and maintenance activities will proceed as planned. Water quality samples will be taken before and after maintenance activities in accordance with the “Ocean Outfall Maintenance Water Quality Plan for the County of Orange OC Community Resources (OC Parks) and OC Public Works” document dated 2014, and revised 2018.
Pre-maintenance water quality sampling will be conducted 48 hours prior to the scheduled maintenance activity in order to address the existing conditions, which is a requirement per the 401 Certification to ensure the receipt of indicator bacteria sample results 24 hours prior to the maintenance event. The results will be compared to the ocean water quality objectives. Postmaintenance sampling will be conducted 24 hours following completion of the maintenance activity.
Monitoring Methodology. Water quality samples will be obtained by grab sample at three locations. These will include one location 50 feet downstream of the Pacific Coast highway or where the outfall first daylights prior to reaching the surf zone, one location 25 feet up coast of where the freshwater discharge intersects with the surf zone, and one location 25 feet down coast of where the freshwater discharge intersects with the surf zone. These samples will be placed into appropriate sample containers provided by the laboratory, preserved as directed, labelled, then transferred on ice to the laboratory for analysis within the appropriate holding timeframes. A multiparameter water quality meter (YSI ProDSS) will also be used to collect pH and Specific Conductance readings simultaneous with the lab sample collection.
Laboratory Analysis. All chemical and bacteriological analyses will be conducted by a laboratory certified for such analyses by the California Department of Health Services Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). Samples will be analyzed within allowable holding time limits. Proper chain of custody procedures will be followed, and a copy of the results will be submitted to the City following each maintenance event.
The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) laboratory located in Newport Beach is willing to accept the indicator bacteria samples for the City. The other analyte samples will be collected and taken to the Eurofins Calscience Lab in Tustin, CA.
Mr. Thomas Perez (P23-181.06)
July 8, 2026
111 Academy Way Ste 210 ● Irvine, CA 92617 ● Tel: (714) 648-0630 ● Fax: (714) 648-0935 ● www.ecorpconsulting.com Task 2C Assumptions:
Assumes maintenance activities and water quality sampling will only be conducted if the ambient ocean bacteria levels meet the state health standards at the Aliso Creek Ocean Interface prior to the scheduled maintenance event. Assumes water samples will be collected by one qualified biologist and delivered to the respective laboratory for analysis.
Assumes the City will have a separate contract with HCA lab, and the City will provide results to ECORP when received. The laboratory prefers that the City establishes a separate contract for the bacteria indicator samples.
Assumes laboratory results for the bacteria indicator samples will be available 24 hours prior to the commencement of berm maintenance work, and the City will make the determination on whether to proceed with berm maintenance activities based on existing conditions and laboratory results.
Task 2C Deliverables:
ECORP will provide an electronic copy of the Chain-of-Custody forms for all samples collected and delivered for analysis to OC HCA Lab and Eurofins Calscience Lab. ECORP will provide an electronic copy of the laboratory results following each sampling event.
Task 3 – Reporting
ECORP will assist the City with preparing annual reports per the project permit requirements below.
The reports will include the dates of all monitoring efforts, field conditions, results of the monitoring, monitoring logs, and other information as required.
USFWS CM 21 of the BO. The City will submit a brief annual report documenting the length of time that each maintenance event was conducted and a general description of the nature of the maintenance activities. Annual reports for the previous year’s maintenance events should be received by the CFWO by January 31. A brief discussion of any snowy plover and California least tern observations will be included in the annual report. If snowy plovers and/or California least terns are observed during maintenance activities, a monitoring report will be submitted to the CFWO within 60 days of completing maintenance activities.
WQC. Section C7. Annual Project Progress Reports. The Discharger must submit annual Project progress reports describing status of maintenance activities and compliance with all requirements of this Certification to the San Diego Water Board prior to March 1 of each year following the issuance of this Certification. The reporting period for each Annual Progress Report shall be January 1st through December 31st of each year. Annual Progress Reports must be submitted even if Project construction has not begun or if no Project construction occurred during the reporting period, in which case only the project status information in section 1.a, must be reported. The report Mr. Thomas Perez (P23-181.06)
July 8, 2026
111 Academy Way Ste 210 ● Irvine, CA 92617 ● Tel: (714) 648-0630 ● Fax: (714) 648-0935 ● www.ecorpconsulting.com should follow the items A through D. and Section 2 Records of Monitoring of Attachment 2 of the WQC.
401 Permit Measure 16. The permittee shall submit an annual written report to this office by May 1st of each year this RGP is valid. The report shall summarize all maintenance activities and include written documentation and photographs of all work performed under this RGP during the prior year. Any data collected, including water quality samples and terrestrial or aquatic sensitive species surveys, shall be included in the annual report.
Task 3 Assumption:
This task will be billed on a time-and-materials basis. If the number of hours (up to 50), or requests for out-of-scope assistance exceed what can be accommodated by this budget, based on a best-efforts basis, a contract amendment will be provided.
Task 3 Deliverable:
ECORP will assist the City with producing a single annual summary report for the project, which will then be provided to the three (3) regulatory agencies (USFWS, Corps, and RWQCB) in order to satisfy the various permit requirements. The report will be provided in Word and PDF formats for review and comment.
Tentative Schedule
Here’s an example of the tentative schedule/sequence of events that need to happen prior to each maintenance event:
1. Five days before maintenance activities are scheduled to occur, the OC Beach Information WebMap will be used to determine if current ocean bacteria levels meet state health standards at the Aliso Creek Outfall location. The City will make the determination whether to proceed with water quality sampling and pre-activity surveys.
2. Grunion surveys will be conducted for up to 4 consecutive days prior to the scheduled maintenance event (only applicable from March 1 to August 31).
3. Water quality samples will be collected at three locations 48 hours before the maintenance work is scheduled to begin.
4. A pre-activity biological survey will be conducted within the maintenance footprint area plus a 500-ft buffer prior to the start of maintenance activities and biological monitoring will be conducted as necessary.
5. Water quality samples will be collected at three locations 24 hours after the completion of the maintenance work.
Data Needs:
Boundary files: The City (or its Agent) will provide an AutoCAD file(s) or ESRI shapefile(s) of the Project footprint/impact areas as closed polyline or polygon features Mr. Thomas Perez (P23-181.06)
July 8, 2026
111 Academy Way Ste 210 ● Irvine, CA 92617 ● Tel: (714) 648-0630 ● Fax: (714) 648-0935 ● www.ecorpconsulting.com to ECORP. ECORP requests that the AutoCAD or ESRI GIS file(s) be provided in a defined and clearly stated coordinate system, with Project footprint/impact areas clearly designated on either single layer, or on multiple layers, with clear direction given to which layers constitute the Project footprint and impact areas.
COST ESTIMATE
ECORP will provide the Scope of Work detailed in this proposal on a Time-and-Materials - Not to Exceed (T&M [NTE]), Fixed Fee (FF), and Daily Rate (DR) basis. ECORP reserves the right to flex budget between line items to reflect the actual level of effort required, provided that ECORP does not exceed the total authorized amount of the contract. A detailed estimate of costs by task is included in Table 1 below.
Table 1 – Estimated Costs
Activity/Service Billing Type
Estimated
Quantity
Unit
Price
Estimated
Total Price
Task 1 – Project Management and Permit Compliance (Annual effort) Task 1. Project Management and Permit Compliance T&M (NTE) 1 $3,500 $3,500 Task 2 – Semi-Annual Berm Maintenance: Pre-activity Biological Surveys, Biological Monitoring, and Water Quality Sampling– Grunion Season (March 1 to August 31)
(Per Maintenance Event Cost)
Task 2a. Pre-activity Surveys for California Grunion (March 1st to August 31st) (Up to 4 Night Surveys)
T&M (Per Survey) 4 $1,100 $4,400
Task 2b. Pre-activity Surveys (LETE/Snowy Plover) DR1 1 $1,120 $1,120 Task 2c. Water Quality Sampling – 48 Hour Pre-activity - Sample Collection
T&M (NTE) 1 $1,098 $1,098
Task 2c. Water Quality Analysis – 48 Hour Pre-activity - Eurofins Lab Cost (Chemical Constituents and Bacteria)
FF 6 $330 $1,980
Task 2c. Water Quality Sampling – 24 Hour Post-Maintenance - Sample Collection
T&M (NTE) 1 $1098 $1,098
Task 2c. Water Quality Analysis – 24 Hour Post-Maintenance - Eurofins Lab Cost (Chemical Constituents and Bacteria)
FF 6 $330 $1,980
Task 2 (Grunion Season) Per Maintenance Effort Total $11,676 Task 2 (Non-Grunion Season) Per Maintenance Effort Total $7,276 Task 3 – Reporting (Annual effort)
Task 3. Reporting T&M (NTE) 1 $8,750 $8,750
1 DR = Daily Rates (4 hrs./day onsite) inclusive of all travel and direct costs Costing Assumptions
The cost proposal is presented on a Time-and-Materials – Not to Exceed, Fixed Fee, and Daily Rate basis in accordance with ECORP Consulting, Inc.'s Environmental Services Agreement, General Provisions, and Rate Schedule, which are attached and made part of this proposal.
Cost and schedule estimates are based on our best judgment of the requirements known at the time of the proposal and can be influenced favorably or adversely by Client needs and other circumstances, including agency or other delays. ECORP will Mr. Thomas Perez (P23-181.06)
July 8, 2026
111 Academy Way Ste 210 ● Irvine, CA 92617 ● Tel: (714) 648-0630 ● Fax: (714) 648-0935 ● www.ecorpconsulting.com perform the services and accomplish the objectives within the presented costs and schedule. However, if the scope of work or schedule changes, ECORP will offer a separate proposal for any out-of-scope work.
ECORP Consulting, Inc., assumes that, by receipt of notice to proceed, full access to the property will be provided by the Client, including keys to locked gates and advance notice to existing property tenants of our right of entry. It is assumed that ECORP Consulting, Inc., can use and rely on the data and information contained in the project related documents provided by the Client. ECORP Consulting, Inc., will not perform a technical review of these documents, and will not be responsible for the content or accuracy of these studies. Change orders will be issued and signed by the Client and ECORP Consulting, Inc., before starting additional work not provided for in the original proposal. If the Client's authorized representative is not available for a signature, the additional out-of-scope work will not commence until the change order is signed. This cost is valid for a period of 90 days from the date of this the proposal. Beyond 90 days, ECORP Consulting, Inc., reserves the right to reevaluate the cost. Color copies, equipment, and other direct expenses are reimbursed with a 14% administrative handling charge (excluding mileage). These charges are included in the cost estimate, above.
Subcontractor expenses (if any) are reimbursed with a 12% administrative handling charge. These charges are included in the cost estimate, above. Mileage is reimbursed at the current IRS rate. These charges are included in the cost estimate, above.
Work on this project will be performed under the terms and conditions of ECORP’s 2023-2026 Consultant Services Agreement with the City of Laguna Beach that was entered into on July 11, 2023.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this proposal. If you have any questions regarding this proposal, please feel free to contact me at (714) 648-0935 or [email protected].
Sincerely,
ECORP Consulting, Inc.
Verity Richardson
Staff Biologist/Project Manager