HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESPONSE - RFP - P1069 GEO-SPATIAL IMAGERY & VEG. CLASSIFICATIONl
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Walsh will perform a visual interpretation of the 0.61 meter panchromatic and multispectral data to identify
the location of prairie dog mounds. The process will use heads -up digitizing to place a circle (polygon)
around each mound or burrow. The circle will be centered on the burrow and extend to the average perimeter
of mound disturbance. This approach will provide a single point for the burrow location as well as the
estimated impact for each burrow individually and as a collective sum. Attributes will be generated and on -
center location and area for each prairie dog burrow will be included in the GIS file.
Walsh will rely on our in-house ecologists and past experience to visually identify prairie dog burrow
locations. Automated rule -based feature extraction is not recommended due to variations in cover, size
distribution and density. The location of prairie dog mounds identified on the satellite imagery will be field
checked during the Task 2 to ensure accuracy and to address possible errors.
Walsh will perform a GIS-based density distribution analysis of identified prairie dog mounds. This data will
be used to in conjunction with the results of the vegetation analysis to show the impact of prairie dog colony
density on vegetation.
2.2 Task - Ground-Truthing
Ground-truthing will help identify the initial accuracy of the data and provide an input to further refine the
threshold values in the NDVI model. Percent cover values will be determined at each test plot using the point
intercept method along sample transects.
Transects will be pre -located prior to site visits, Etf,
k
in a random stratified pattern representative of -t
estimated vegetation types within each natural
area. Data points will be sampled at 1 meters,
increments along each transect (501 transect).
Intercepts will be recorded as live vegetation,
(dead remains of previous years' plant growth)
or bare ground
These cover data will be correlated back to the
NDVI values to produce a final model of
vegetation cover. Final results will be
produced in ESRI compatible GRID format as
a continuous gradient and reclassified grid that
is based on the predetermined breaks.
The location of prairie dog mounds identified
on the satellite imagery in the proximity of
located sample transects will be field checked
for accuracy against those calculated by the
remote sensing analysis.
As part of a Natural Resource Damage Assessment project in
Saudi Arabia, Walsh identified 3500 military fortifications in the
Kingdom using IKONOS satellite imagery. Location and density
were correlated with vegetation results obtained from the SAVI
process. The results showed a high correlation between
military activity and long-term impacts to vegetation due to soil
compaction.
2.3 Task 3 - Report of Findings
The final deliverable for this project will be a
report of findings that will summarize all methods and materials used in project execution as well as results.
A single GIS data layer will comprise vegetation classified into the five described vegetation cover categories.
City of Fort Collins Proposal
Imagery and Vegetation Classification_MOS page 4
A separate layer will identify prairie dog burrow mounds. The report will also include a visible color map. A
standard error matrix comparing mean estimated cover values against actual ground -truth means will be
included in the report as well. A digital version of all imagery will be included in the final report.
2.4 Optional Change Detection Task
As an optional task, Walsh can perform a change detection process to determine the number and distribution
of prairie dog mounds that have changed. This would also include an examination of how vegetation has
changed around the colonies.
Walsh would acquire an archived data set from July 15, 2005. This Quick Bird scene covers all of the
primary study area and part of the optional study areas. Walsh would use the data to identify the number and
location of prairie dog mounds in 2005. Vegetation would be classified using an unadjusted NDVI process.
The change detection process would show graphically and statistically how the colonies and vegetation have
changed over the past two years. This would help define a trend of prairie dog activity and its impact on
vegetation. It may provide useful information about areas that may need to be remediated.
3. PROJECT TIMELINE
We have included a proposed Project Schedule based on the general schedule specified on page 4 of the RFP.
We anticipate that the schedule will be refined in consultation with City Staff during initial stages of the
project.
4. PRODUCTS AND DELIVERABLES
We will meet all of the deliverables and other products requirements specified by the City in the Anticipated
Products and Deliverables section of the RFP, including:
■ Digital versions of imagery
■ Classified versions of imagery at 0.61 m2 resolution using the categories detailed in Addendum no. I
0 0-20% cover
0 21-40% cover
0 41-60% cover
0 61-80% cover
0 81-100% cover
■ Visible Color Map
• A separate layer identifying prairie dog burrows, providing a means to digitally count the number of
burrows mound within a given area.
■ Standard Error Matrix
■ Written procedure methodology
If approved, we will also provide imagery for the areas described in the Add -on Option section. This would
include the 11,506 acre portion of Soapstone Prairie Natural Area and/or the 1,247 acre portion of Bobcat
Ridge Natural Area.
5. PROJECT TEAM QUALIFICATIONS
We are proposing a team of highly qualified and experienced personnel, including a plant and wildlife
ecologist, a staff biologist with expertise with prairie dog mapping techniques, and graphics specialists with
City of Fort Collins Proposal
Imagery and Vegetation Classification_MOS Page 5
expertise in GIS and remote sensing analysis. Summaries of each team member's experience and
qualifications for this project are presented below.
Qualifications Matrix for Project Personnel
Individual
Expertise
DegreelYear
Relevant
Experience
Maureen O'Shea -Stone
Plant ecologist
M.A., 1988
B.A., 1982
24 years
Fred Groth
GIS, Remote Sensing
M.S., 1993
B.A., 1991
15 years
Ph.D.,1983
Carron Meaney, Ph.D.
Wildlife ecology
M.S., 1983
24 years
B.A., 1978
Caleb Holt
GIS
B.S. 2004
Certificate in GIS, 2002
8 years
Lauren Barringer
Plant and wildlife assessments
B.S., 2002
2 years
Michelle Hanson
Technical Editor
B.S., 1984
23 years
Co -Project Manager, Plant Ecologist: Maureen O'Shea -Stone
As co -project manager, Ms. O'Shea -Stone would design the study, provide ground-truthing to validate remote
sensing vegetation analysis, and manage the preparation of the report. She has worked as a professional
ecologist for 24 years, participating in academic and applied ecology studies in prairie, alpine, montane,
riparian, and coastal forest ecosystems. Her project experience includes conducting field studies, data
analysis, and report writing in support of environmental and biological inventories and assessments; natural
resource management plans; wetland identification, classification, and delineation; noxious weed mapping
and Integrated Weed Management Plans; ecological risk assessments; and NEPA compliance.
Ms. O'Shea -Stone managed a recent prairie dog mapping survey conducted for the City of Boulder
She has recent experience participating in open space and wildlife management plan, including aspects of
prairie dog management and numerous vegetation characterization efforts. She also has participated in a
number of Preble's meadow jumping mouse habitat characterizations and collaborated on one of the first
Biological Assessments for the Preble's mouse in the state.
Co-Proiect Manager, Geo-Special Technologies Director, Fred Groth
Mr. Groth has 15 years of experience in GIS, computer -aided mapping, Remote Sensing and Image
Processing, and Internet technologies for a wide variety of projects in Colorado and overseas. He will be
Walsh's primary resource in the acquisition and application of spatial database information and will work
closely with the City, and plant ecologist Maureen O'Shea -Stone.
At Walsh, Mr. Groth has used GIS, GPS and satellite and aerial photograph imagery to determine and
measure environmental impacts of development, oil and gas, mining, and other projects in the U.S., South
America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Indonesia. Mr. Groth provided remote sensing analysis to the United
Nations Compensation Committee to document impacts in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as a result of the 1991
Gulf War. Analysis included historic and persistent damages to terrestrial and marine ecosystems from
deliberate oil releases, oil fires and Iraq and allied fortifications. Large scale studies were conducted to
examine desertification and decline in coastal habitats.
City of Fort Collins Proposal
Imagery and Vegetation Classification_MOS Page 6
-Walsh
hnvironmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC.
Mr. Groth provided GIS support for developing Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) for nine fire
protection districts in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) portions of Jefferson County, Colorado. He used
remote imagery to develop vegetation, fire behavior fuel model, and fire regime condition class maps. He also
conducted a wildland fuel hazard assessment for the New Mexico State Forestry Division (NMSFD) and
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) at the Mescalero Indian Reservation (MIR) in south-central New Mexico. He
used ASTER remote imagery to develop a vegetation map using unsupervised and supervised classification
techniques. Fire behavior fuel model (FBFM) and fire regime condition class (FRCC) were assigned to
vegetation types based upon field observations. Forest health was judged based on the Normalized Difference
Vegetation Index (NDVI) transformation of the ASTER imagery, 2005 US Forest Service forest health aerial
survey, and FRCC.
He has experience managing large data -intensive projects, including several pipelines over 500 km in length.
He has developed comprehensive information systems to store, manage, retrieve and view environmental data
for oil production facilities. These systems are used to provide Walsh scientists with project specific detailed
spatial data. He has developed web -based information systems to share and distribute spatial data to team
members. While working in a remote area in Botswana, Mr. Groth used RTK GPS surveying to map water
wells to within 1 cm. He has designed and developed remote sensing systems that have been used in remote
areas to acquire detailed environmental data. The system was used in Bangladesh to provide detailed
information on the impacts of a well blowout to the client, government officials and insurance adjusters.
GIS Specialist, Caleb Holt
For this project, Mr. Holt will digitize the data and provide GIS analyses. Mr. Holt has 8 years of
professional GIS experience. His degree specialization is Methods of Geographical Analysis, which
emphasizes GIS and statistical methods. Mr. Holt worked on prairie dog survey projects for the Cities of
Boulder, Broomfield, and Longmont managing the GIS and colony characterization database and compiling
the final deliverable product. In addition, he has provided GIS support for a wildfire risk assessment project
for Harney and Lake Counties in Oregon, which included geo-database management and spatial analysis. He
is an advanced user of ESRI products, including ArcGIS, ArcView, ArcInfo, and ArcIMS. He is also
proficient in many other GIS applications, such as MapInfo, ERDAS Imagine, ER Mapper, and Smallworld.
Wildlife Ecologist, Carron Meaney, Ph.D.
Dr. Meaney has conducted wildlife research studies throughout Colorado for thirty years and published
several papers and books, including co-authoring Mammals of Colorado. Her specialties include ecology,
distribution and behavior of wildlife; with a particular expertise in species of concern and threatened and
endangered species. Dr. Meaney has coordinated and conducted numerous successful prairie dog mapping,
counting, and management plans for projects with prairie dog issues along the Front Range. Projects were
conducted for the Colorado Department of Transportation, City of Boulder, and development projects.
She has studied a broad range of animals, such as the Preble's meadow jumping mouse, black -footed ferret,
Canada lynx, gray wolf, grizzly bear, raptors, breeding birds, and invertebrates. She is affiliated with both the
Denver Museum of Nature and Science and University of Colorado Museum, and has curated their extensive
mammal collections. Dr. Meaney served as trip leader for tours of Africa and other destinations for the
Denver Museum of Nature and Science's travel program; lecturer for workshops on Bats, Ecosystems of
Colorado, and Mammals; and developed exhibits including the Explore Colorado Hall.
Dr. Meaney's project management experience is diverse and includes: conducting Environmental Impact
Studies, Environmental Assessments, Biological Assessments; riparian restoration; and addressing
City of Fort Collins Proposal
Imagery and Vegetation Classification_MOS Page 7
wildlife/human interface issues. Clients/contracts include: Denver Urban Drainage, Town of Parker, City of
Longmont, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Division of Wildlife, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado
Department of Transportation, Boulder County Open Space, City of Boulder Greenways Program, and City of
Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. Dr. Meaney has developed an excellent working relationship with
many federal and state agencies, especially with those involved in permitting, such as the Boulder County
Land Use Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
Biologist, Lauren Barringer
Ms. Barringer performs wildlife and vegetation habitat assessments as well as threatened and endangered
species surveys. Ms. Barringer has extensively mapped prairie dog colonies for the City of Boulder and
provides prairie dog monitoring for the city of Broomfield. Ms. Barringer also participates with senior staff on
a wide range of projects, including Preble's meadow jumping mouse surveys, ecological site assessments,
wetland delineations, avian surveys for potential wind farm sites, habitat mapping, and monitoring of wetland
mitigation and upland habitat restoration projects.
6. RELATED EXPERIENCE
Walsh has conducted a wide range of wildlife and vegetation surveys and assessments employing geo-spatial
technologies. Examples of projects specifically related to prairie dog ecology are listed below.
Prairie Dog Mapping Survey, City of Boulder
Walsh conducted a mapping survey of black -tailed prairie dog colonies for the City of Boulder. The
purpose of the survey was to obtain accurate colony size, location, and ecological condition data, as well as
information concerning surrounding land uses and existing barriers or constraints to colony expansion.
Methods used in the study were designed to be easily repeated for future tracking of colony size and status,
using a GPS receiver unit for on the ground mapping and GIS data analysis.
Prairie Dog Conservation and Management Policies, City and County of Broomfield
Walsh developed Prairie Dog Conservation and Management Policies for Broomfield that establish
different management goals and processes for public lands, developers, and private landowners. The goal
of the policies is to preserve prairie dogs where practicable and provide for relocation as an alternative to
eradication, while not placing undue constraints or financial hardship on private parties or the taxpayers
at -large. The project involved review of previous mappings and plans, site surveys, several public
meetings, presentations to the Open Space and Trails Advisory Committees, other types of public
outreach, and working with City/County Staff to develop aerial -photo -based maps of existing resources
and potential relocation sites. In selecting potential relocation sites, emphasis was placed on
consideration of existing ecological qualities, including presence of intact native prairie, as well as size,
configuration, proximity to other types of land uses, and potential conflicts.
City of Longmont: Wildlife Management Plan
Walsh provided ecological and GIS services to the City of Longmont as part of the development of a
Wildlife Management Plan. The plan includes management policies for threatened or endangered
species, other species of special concern, species that add to Longmont's biodiversity, and "problem"
wildlife. The plan also develops and applies a process for prioritizing management options of existing
open space parcels and for future acquisitions; and recommends additions and modifications to the City's
land use code to further strengthen ecological preservation and enhancement.
City of Fort Collins Proposal
Imagery and Vegetation Classification_MOS Page 8
Z1
The use of GIS maps and analysis is integral to the project, presenting important information for public
involvement and providing the basis to analyze and prioritize options for management of existing
properties and acquisition of new properties. Locations of known wildlife populations and habitat are
overlaid onto maps of city infrastructure, including streets, floodplains, parks and golf courses to help the
project team develop applicable wildlife management standards, to locate conflicts with current land use
and identify opportunities for habitat restoration.
Open Space, Trails, and Parks Master Plan, City of Thornton
Walsh provided ecological services in conjunction with a city-wide management plan that includes
identification and evaluation of important wildlife, vegetation, and aquatic resources and recommendations
for future acquisition and management. Prairie dogs were a major issue throughout the process, as were
several other sensitive or threatened and endangered species. The project included site surveys, acquisition
and use of GIS and aerial photography data, and preparation of GIS graphics and text for use at public
meetings, in public outreach, for presentations to advisory boards and the City Council, for consultation
with CDOW, and for incorporation into the Master Plan document. As a follow-up, the City requested
Walsh to prepare a report describing existing prairie dog resources within Thornton, evaluate relative
suitability of selected Open Space parcels as long-range prairie dog preservation or relocation sites, and
recommend future management actions.
Open Space, Trails, and Parks Master Plan, City and County of Broomfield
Walsh completed the ecological portions of a county -wide management plan that included identification
and evaluation of important wildlife, vegetation, and aquatic resources and recommendations for future
acquisition and management. Prairie dogs were a major issue throughout the process, as were several
other sensitive or threatened and endangered species. The project included site surveys, acquisition and
use of GIS and aerial photography data, and preparation of GIS graphics and text for use at public
meetings, in public outreach, for presentations to advisory boards and the City Council, for consultation
with CDOW, and for incorporation into the Master Plan document.
Vegetation Mapping on Open Space and Mountain Parks Properties, City of Boulder
Walsh conducted a large-scale vegetation mapping effort of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks
properties. This project followed United States National Vegetation Classification System (USNVC)
protocol and comprised more than 950 acres.
Remote Sensing Project Experience
In addition, we have conducted more than 100 projects that have used satellite imagery, aerial
photography, and other remote sensing tools to map vegetation, land use, environmental impacts, and
other parameters throughout Colorado and other states of the Western U.S., as well as in South America,
Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ADDENDA NO.1 AND NO.2
We acknowledge receipt and review of Addenda No. 1 and No 2.
City of Fort Collins Proposal
Imagery and Vegetation Classifccation_MOS Page 9
M
8. FEES
8.1 Project Fees
We propose a fixed -price cost of $13,720 for the Basic Requirements, $8,320 for Option I, and $6,160 for
Option 2. The following cost spreadsheet lists the details of acquisition of remote imagery for Basic
Requirements, as well as Add -on Options 1 and 2, and fees for data processing, analysis, and necessary
adjustments. These costs include the following assumptions:
■ Price based on $28/km2 (4-band standard bundle )
■ Total primary area of interest is 64 km2 (includes Optional Areas I and 2)
■ Optional areas are:
o Bobcat 64km2 x $28/km2= $1,800
o Soapstone 80km2 x $28/km' = $2,240
Estimated Costs for Base Project:
Task 1:
Task 3:
Tasks
Image Acquisition
Task 2:
Project Report
Total Project Cost
and Remote
Ground-Truthing
Sensing Analysis
Time
4,040
5,000
2,080
$11,120
ODCs
1,800
500
300
$2,600
Totals
5,840
5,500
2,380
$13,720
Estimated Costs for Option 1, Soapstone Prairie Natural Area
Task 1:
Image Acquisition
Task 2:
Task 3:
Total Optional Task
Tasks
and Remote
Ground-Truthing
Project Report
Cost
Sensing Analysis
Time
2,540
2,000
1,240
5,780
ODCs
2,240
200
100
2,540
Totals
4,780
2,200
1,340
$8,320
Estimated Costs for Option 2, Bobcat Ridge Natural Area
Task 1:
Image Acquisition
Task 2:
Task 3:
Total Optional Task
Tasks
and Remote
Ground-Truthing
Project Report
Cost
Sensing Analysis
Time
2,320
600
1,240
4,160
ODCs
1,800
100
100
2,000
Totals
4,120
700
1,340
$6,160
8.2 Miscellaneous Fees
Our price sheet for miscellaneous fees follows.
OTHER DIRECT COSTS:
City of Fort Collins Proposal
Imagery and Vegetation Classification_MOS Page 10
M
Equipment
GPS & Mobile Mapping $60/day
4WD Vehicle $ 75/day + $0.50/mi (over 100 miles)
Instruments
Data Logger $115/day
Sampling Supplies
Two-way Radio (pair) $ 10/day
Field Supplies Kit $ 25/kit
Small Jars $ 3 each
Other
Camera, Film and Processing $ 25/roll
Photocopies $ 0.10/copy
Color Copies $ 1.50/copy
Note: a 25% fee will be added for rush jobs
Personal Local Mileage $ 0.405/mile
Computers
Environmental Data Base
$ 300/job
GIS System
$ 20/hour
Numerical GW Modeling
$ 20/hour
CAD System
$ 15/hour
Black & White Plots (8.5 x 11)
$ 5/plot
Black & White Plots (11 x 17)
$ 8/plot
Color Plots (8.5 x 11)
$ 10/plot
Color Plots (11 x 17)
$ 15/plot
Data Base Management System
$ 10/hour
9. REFERENCES
Ms. Kristan Pritz
Open Space and Trails Director
City & County of Broomfield
303-438-6335
Mr. Scott Twombly
Parks and Open Space Director
City of Thornton
303-255-7845
Mr. Steve Baysinger
Open Space Director
City of Louisville
303-666-6565
City of Fort Collins Proposal
Imagery and Vegetation Classifccation_MOS Page 11
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ORIGINAL
Proposal for
Geo-Spatial Imagery & Vegetation
Classification
City of Fort Collins, Colorado
May 2, 2007
'.
Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC
11OA•692
wsh
Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC.
an ecology and environment company
May 2, 2007
David Carey, CPPB, Buyer
City of Fort Collins' Purchasing Division
215 North Mason St., 2nd Floor
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Subject: Geo-Spatial Imagery & Vegetation Classification, RFP- P1069
Dear Mr. Carey:
In response to your Request for Proposal (RFP) cited above, Walsh Environmental Scientists and
Engineers, LLC (Walsh) is pleased to submit our Proposal for Geo-Spatial Imagery and Vegetation
Classification.
Walsh has the benefit of both knowing the Fort Collins area well, as we have conducted
environmental projects throughout the City under an Environmental Services Work Order contract
since 1997. Walsh has an established partnership with leading satellite imagery providers and
regularly conducting remote sensing analyses of these materials. In addition, we also have recent,
relevant experience in surveying and mapping prairie dog colonies and assisting municipal
governments in developing prairie dog management strategies. Our qualifications for this project
include:
✓ Walsh is a value added business partner with leading satellite imagery providers including
GeoEye, DigitalGlobe, SPOT, and a business partner with ESRI.
✓ Remote sensing expertise in vegetation mapping and change detection
✓ Extensive knowledge of plant and wildlife ecology in Fort Collins and surrounding areas
✓ Expertise in the biology of the black tailed prairie dog
We look forward to working with you on this exciting project. By submitting this proposal, we
commit to providing the Project Team, and other staff personnel whose expertise may be required, to
the full extent needed to meet the City's schedule.
Please call me at 303-443-3282 or e-mail me at mostone(a)walshenv.com if you have questions about
our technical approach, costs, or other aspects of the project, or if I can provide additional
information.
Sincerely,
G-- aT4 -
Maureen O'Shea -Stone
Senior Ecologist
4888 Pearl East Circle . Suite 108 . Boulder. Colorado 80301-2475 Phone (303) 443-3282 . FAX (303) 443-0367
Proposal for
Geo-Spatial Imagery & Vegetation
Classification
City of Fort Collins, Colorado
Request for Proposal-P1069
May 2, 2007
Submitted to: David Carey, CPPB, Buyer
City of Fort Collins' Purchasing Division
215 North Mason St., 2nd Floor
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Submitted by:
Maqfeen O'SKea-Stone
Se nor Ecologist
Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC
4888 Pearl East Circle, Suite 108
Boulder, Colorado 80301
303-443-3282
Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC
�l
snentaFYci—entists and Engineers, LLC:.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION AND CONTACT INFORMATION...........................................................................I
1.1 About Walsh..........................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Contact Information..............................................................................................................................2
2. PROJECT APPROACH...........................................................................................................................2
2.1 Task 1 - Project Area Image Data Collection and Remote Sensing Analysis........................................2
2.2 Task - Ground-Truthing........................................................................................................................4
2.3 Task 3 - Report of Findings..................................................................................................................4
2A Optional Change Detection Task... ............. - ........ - ...................... - ...... ............ .... - ............ ...
-5
3. PROJECT TIMELINE..............................................................................................................................5
4. PRODUCTS AND DELIVERABLES .....................................................................................................5
5. PROJECT TEAM QUALIFICATIONS...................................................................................................5
6. RELATED EXPERIENCE.......................................................................................................................8
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ADDENDA NO. 1 AND NO.2...............................................................9
8. FEES.......................................................................................................................................................10
8.1 Project Fees.........................................................................................................................................10
8.2 Miscellaneous Fees..............................................................................................................................10
9. REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................................
I 1
City of Fort Collins Proposal
Imagery and Vegetation Classification_MOS Page iv
-Walsh =
Environmental dentists and Engaieers, LLC.
PROPOSALFOR
Geo-Spatial Imagery & Vegetation Classification
In response to the City of Fort Collin's Request for Proposal (RFP) P1069, Walsh Environmental Scientists and
Engineers, LLC (Walsh) has prepared this proposal for providing Geo-Spatial Imagery and Vegetation
Classification. Walsh has the experience, qualifications, and in-house resources necessary to provide imagery
and ecological services to the City.
1. INTRODUCTION AND CONTACT INFORMATION
1.1 About Walsh
Established in 1979, (Walsh) is a Colorado corporation with offices in Fort Collins, Boulder, Colorado
Springs, Denver, and Grand Junction, specializing in ecological assessments and remediation, land use
planning, assessment and cleanup of hazardous waste sites, wetland delineation and characterization,
threatened and endangered species surveys, environmental permitting, and other environmental services.
Walsh has completed over 250 projects while providing environmental consulting services to the City of Fort
Collins since 1997 under a twice -renewed Environmental Services Contract.
Walsh employs 60 technical personnel in Colorado with a broad range of disciplines, including:
■ Plant and Wildlife Ecologists
■ GIS/Graphics Specialists
■ Biologists
■ Wetland Scientists
■ Certified Industrial Hygienists
■ Civil & Environmental Engineers
■ Health & Safety Specialists
■ Environmental Permitting Specialists
■ Indoor/Outdoor Air Specialists
■ Geologists and Hydrogeologists
• Soil Scientists
■ Environmental Chemists
■ Ground Water Modelers
■ Community Relations Specialists
■ Rangeland and Forest Ecologists
■ Wildland Fire and Fuels Specialists
Walsh has a full -service GIS laboratory equipped with latest versions of ESRI software, including ArcView,
ArcMap, and ArcScene. We also have satellite imagery and remote sensing capabilities and 48-inch roll -
drum plotters, color copiers, and GPS survey units. Our GIS specialists work closely with our natural
resources staff and clients to support the visualization requirements of all ecological projects. These services
are utilized to quantify ecological resources and also to establish a base for design and planning work.
■ Satellite imagery — ordering, analysis, and interpretation
■ Resource mapping — including vegetation, wildlife habitat, deforestation, and populated areas
■ Change detection — identifying impacts and changes in habitat and vegetation
■ Map generation — vegetation, wildlife habitat, geomorphology, soils, geology, hydrology, etc.
■ Mobile mapping — developing custom applications and approaches to streamline the acquisition of data
Walsh has developed strategic partnerships with leaders in the GIS and remote sensing fields to provide our
clients with the best data and analytical services possible. Walsh is an authorized reseller of GeoEye and
Digital Globe satellite data products, including 1-meter Ikonos and 60-centimeter Quickbird imagery, SPOT,
Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) and government programs like ASTER, Landsat and MODIS. We have been
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Imagery and Vegetation Classification_MOS Page I
Walsh
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providing clients with satellite imagery and analysis since 1995. As a value added business partner, Walsh
has collaborated with the imaging providers to provide custom satellite acquisition to our clients.
1.2 Contact Information
Contact information for this proposal is as follows:
Walsh contact: Maureen O'Shea -Stone
email: mostone@walshenv.com
phone: 303-443-3282
Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC
4888 Pearl East Circle, Suite 108
Boulder, Colorado 80301
2. PROJECT APPROACH
The purpose of the project is to
determine 1) the percent cover by
vegetation within and surrounding
prairie dog colonies, and 2) the
locations of prairie dog burrows
within defined colonies or sampling
polygons. Walsh proposes the
following tasks to accomplish these
goals.
2.1 Task 1 - Project Area
Image Data Collection and
Remote Sensing Analysis
The project area of study consists of
eight separate natural areas (urban
sites), comprising 5,418 acres, with
add -on options for another 12,753
acres (regional sites). The area of
interest (AOI) quoted in this
proposal is slightly larger, adjusted
to meet minimum specifications for
a new QuickBird collection format
that includes a minimum polygon
size of 64 km2 with a minimum of 5
km between vertexes.
Example of prairie dog burrows within City of Boulder limits, as shown on a
QuckBird satellite image. In this image, the burrows have been identified and
digitized using Walsh's approach.
Walsh will task the QuickBird satellite to acquire the primary and optional AOIs for a mid to late June
collection. Walsh will perform a feasibility study to determine the likelihood of a successful collection within
this three week window. A feasibility analysis addresses historic weather patterns, competition for other
collections, and the number of times the satellite can potentially see the AOI during the specified time period.
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Imagery and Vegetation Clarsification_MOS Page 2
Walsh will work with DigitalGlobe to identify any possible issues that would hinder a successful collection.
Because mission planning is a dynamic process, Walsh will monitor feasibility up to the anticipated collection
window. Walsh will submit the AOI for tasking early on in the project to ensure placement near the top of the
tasking queue. Walsh will submit the tasking as a "standard" collection. This should allow for up to four
attempts under ideal conditions. A priority collection does not guarantee any greater level of success and
would add additional non-refundable costs to the project.
As a backup, Walsh will task the IKONOS satellite to
acquire the area as a speculative collection. This will
provide an alternative data source in the event an image can
not be acquired by QuickBird. The City would not have
any financial or contractual liability for the IKONOS
speculative collection.
Product Type and Deliverables
The newly collected data will be delivered as a
multispectral "standard" image and georeferenced to the
end user's parameters. The multispectral image contains
four bands including red, green, blue and IR at a pixel size
of 0.61 meters. Since the primary area is relatively flat, an
otho-corrected product will not add additional accuracy.
Instead, Walsh will increase the spatial accuracy of the
image by supplementing the georeferencing with ground
control points (GCPs) obtained through published sources.
GCPs and a relatively flat ground surface should adjust the
image to better than four meters error (RMSE). Data will
be delivered as a GcoTIFF or MrSID file on DVD or by
FTP for quick access.
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We frequently use satellite imagery data in Colorado. In
this example, Walsh used high -resolution Ikonos (Space
Imaging) satellite imagery of the United States Air Force
The data set will be distributed with a "basic" license which Academy to monitor Preble's meadow jumping mouse
allows the data to be used and distributed within a single habitat composition and structure.
organization. Data collected with less than twenty percent
cloud cover will be delivered as acceptable. Walsh will work closely with DigitalGlobe to ensure the data
meets City specifications.
Walsh will process the QuickBird multispectral images using the normalized differential vegetation index
(NDVI) process to determine the percent of vegetation cover. The NDVI process examines the ratio of IR to
red brightness values for each pixel in the remote sensed data. NDVI is a well documented process for
examining vegetation cover and health. The result of the process is a new range of values and is based on
each NDVI pixel value. The NDVI values will be classified based on thresholds that represent the percent of
vegetation cover (0-20%, 21-40%, 41-60%, 61-80%, and 81-100%). Walsh will identify I 1 test sites to
ground truth and verify the NDVI results.
In some cases, denuded bright soils can alter the NDVI values. In cases where there is a lack of vegetation or
very bright exposed soils, Walsh will implement the soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI). This process is
similar to the NDVI but compensates for bright soils which can affect the brightness values of remote sensed
data.
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