John Downs is an aquatic and wetland ecologist with experience coordinating and participating in a diverse selection of environmental projects; he has consulted in the Delta, Central Valley and Sierra Nevada Foothills of California since 2000. He is expert in writing and producing a variety of environmental documents on topics including: watershed restoration, conservation easements, restoration designs and planting plans, sedimentation and erosion control, and the design and implementation of stormwater monitoring programs. He has conducted impact and constraints analyses and prepared sections of many CEQA and NEPA documents. Mr. Downs is expert at performing habitat assessments and surveys for common and special-status flora and fauna of the Central Valley and Sierra Foothills of California. He regularly prepares biological assessments and engages in Section 7 consultations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and completes applications and implements conditions under sections 2081(b) and (c) of the California Endangered Species Act. He conducts wetland delineations and permits projects under sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act and streambed alteration agreements under section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code. He also works as a water quality scientist and is intimately familiar with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). He has designed and permitted erosion control and stormwater sampling and analysis programs in consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board and NPDES permits. Mr. Downs is available for contract work. He can be reached contractually through one of two state certified small businesses, women or disabled veteran owned. He can also be contracted directly.Specialties: ESA & CESA permitting and compliance, technical writing and surveys in support of NEPA & CEQA documents, wetland delineations, water quality, aquatic and wetland ecology, environmental compliance for large civil construction projects.