Greg Nelson

I am a Fish Biologist with over 30 years of work experience, mostly with the Federal Government. I am currently working for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) as a Biologist, assisting in field investigations as part of the Fisheries & Wildlife Resources Group / Water, Environmental and Ecosystems Division. I am currently residing in the Puget Sound area, and I am seeking a fisheries-related position in Washington State or the Pacific Northwest to be close to elderly parents and other family.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Biologist           U.S. Bureau of Reclamation                    9/2019 - Present              Lakewood, CO

Conducts field investigations using standard techniques and scientific methodology to assess the need for habitat restoration activities for endangered fish and/or wildlife. Utilizes knowledge and experience in biological research to develop and evaluate habitat restoration and protection plans for riparian ecosystems affected by water exports, pumping operations and land/water usage. Assists an interdisciplinary team of scientists with species and habitat inventory monitoring projects and prepares environmental analysis reports.

Fieldwork
San Joaquin River Restoration Program, California (Group Award Received August 8, 2022)
Reviewed San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP) project reports, SOPs & JHA. Assisted with transportation and installation/removal of fyke traps, RSTs and other equipment for the San Joaquin Chinook Salmon (SRCS) and (SMP) Steelhead Monitoring Projects, as part of the SJRRP. Participated in boat electrofishing for fish species of the San Joaquin. Assisted with daily catch monitoring, species identification and data recording from fyke trap operations at sites associated with the SJRRP project. Assisted with PIT tagging predator species for mark/recap side-study.

Assisted and led crew in Trap & Haul operations of Spring Chinook & Steelhead. Training included haul tank preparation (temp, DO and salt buffering), safe transfer of adult fish to transport tank, transportation of fish to release site, visual health assessment, tissue collection, acoustic tag & visual tag marking, and safe release of specimens into restoration area.

Assisted and led crew with daily operations of rotary screw trap monitoring for juvenile Chinook salmon. Assisted with the tagging & release of juvenile Chinook to test rotary screw trap efficiency. Assisted with debris removal at the Chowchilla River diversion dam.

Yellowstone River Pallid Sturgeon Project, Montana
Coordinated with Lead Biologist and trainer on project equipment needs, transportation and lodging. Assisted with plankton sampling and sorting efforts associated with the Yellowstone River Intake Project. Assisted with Trammel/Gill netting of adult Pallid and Shovelnose Sturgeon, Paddlefish, and other fish species of the Yellowstone River. Assisted with acoustic tracking and locating of Pallid and Shovelnose Sturgeon.

OTHER FIELD ACTIVITIES

Assisted with water quality, Quagga and Zebra mussel sampling on Lakes Mead & Havasu (Colorado River Project) and sampling operations on Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon, Saguaro & Bartlett Reservoirs (Salt River Project): operated & maintained a 24-foot vessel during sampling operations. Assisted with transportation, coordination, and delivery of vehicles & equipment from Denver to project sites in Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Montana and New Mexico. Communicated with the public to answer questions regarding the current field projects; discussing highlights about current efforts by the TSC/USBR and other agencies to save the steelhead and salmon runs in the Central Valley of California. Assisted with vehicle, boat and equipment maintenance and repair. Supervisor: Dr. Mike Horn, Fish Biologist 

Fisheries Technician    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service         3/2004 - 9/2019                    Lodi, CA

Collected, analyzed, and assessed biological and ecological data to determine the effects of water exports, pumping operations and land/water usage on the distribution and abundance of fish and their habitats. Assisted an interdisciplinary team of biologists in fish monitoring activities in accordance with NEPA, CEQA, and ESA regulations. Compiled statistics for reports.
 

Led field investigations including beach seines, mid-water trawls, Kodiak trawls, Rotary-Screw traps, fyke nets and minnow traps to assess the relative abundance of ESA listed species, juvenile salmonids and native and non-native fish species in the Sacramento/San Joaquin River system as part of the Inter-Agency Ecological Program (IEP) and the Delta Juvenile Fish Monitoring Program (DJFMP).

Daily activities included: Leading crews of 1-2 other fisheries technicians in identifying, measuring & counting fish, and recording data; performing non-lethal DNA sampling on juvenile salmon; identifying and scanning salmonids for tags; collecting and maintaining samples; maintaining and repairing field equipment; working on wet, slippery surfaces, on boats in rough water, and wading and maneuvering in swift currents. Working and communicating closely with others as part of a team was also required.

Lab and data analysis included entering, editing, and performing quality control checks on data using Microsoft Access, extracting and reading coded-wire tags, and storing coded-wire tag information.

Work performed also included the operation of boats and vehicles, trailering boats, repeatedly lifting and pulling heavy nets and working in all weather conditions. Obtained 1000+ hours operating small crafts with props and jet-drives. Improved abilities to safely navigate, dock/cast-off, and maintain inboard, outboard, and inboard/outboard (I/0) powered watercraft, including but not limited to small watercraft up to 6 meters in length (occasionally larger). Frequently operated hydraulic winch controls to deploy and retrieve sampling gear, (typically mid-water trawl nets or similar gear types) on larger fishing vessels.

Fisheries and Wetland Consultant                 10/2002 - 3/2004                                Arlington, WA

Identified and surveyed fisheries and wetland habitats for individuals searching for property to purchase and/or develop. Worked with an interdisciplinary team of scientists to survey and delineate wetland areas and critical habitats. Coordinated studies of wetland and fisheries habitats and completed biological evaluations on parcels to help landowners or developers meet permitting requirements established by federal, state, county, and city public works agencies for approval of appropriate land usage and mitigation requirements. 

Permitting required knowledge and experience with the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, NEPA, SEPA, and other policies and regulations involving natural resource issues. Performed site analysis and recorded data pertaining to wetland habitats and soil features, wetland plant morphology, and native and non-native fish and plant species identification. Additional responsibilities included operating four-wheel-drive vehicles, hiking, handling a variety of field equipment, and performing other strenuous activities outdoors in all weather conditions. 

Fisheries Volunteer    Sound Salmon Solutions     4/1994 - 12/2003    Snohomish County, WA

Participated in regional salmon recovery efforts and the restoration of fish and wildlife habitats. Assisted an interdisciplinary team with private land wetland restorations including landowner contacts, mapping, surveying, staking, and construction. Assisted with fish hatchery duties including adult spawning, rearing of juvenile salmon and maintenance of raceways. Assisted in feeding, capturing, PIT-tagging, and fin-clipping, transporting and release of juvenile salmon.

Habitat restoration efforts consisted of assessing fish passage requirements, clearing debris and trash from designated stream and wetland habitats, identifying, and removing non-native invasive vegetation, construction of in-stream wing dams and placement of large woody debris and planting native trees and plants along stream banks. Supervisor: Kip Killebrew 

Biological Science Technician, (Microbiology) NOAA / NMFS  7/1989 - 9/1992       Seattle, WA

Assisted an interdisciplinary team of scientists with examining the effects of contaminant exposure on selected marine species. Analyzed reproductive success of benthic fish and performed chemical analysis of fish species, aquatic invertebrates, and sediments.

Responsibilities included collection of aquatic species, measuring, weighing, removing otoliths for age determination, and excision of the liver and stomach contents for the analysis of chemical contaminants in tissue. Fish species were obtained using large and small vessels. Otter trawls, gill nets, beach seines, long-lining, sediment grabbers and corers were used to obtain samples to be analyzed.

Followed established quality assurance protocols when processing samples. Performed chemical analysis including liquid chromatography (HPLC) on tissue and sediment samples to determine presence of PCB's and PAH's. Used microscopes and other laboratory equipment for long periods of time when analyzing samples. Entered and summarized data using appropriate software programs.

Presented results in oral and written format. Co-authored several environmental analysis reports and presentations. Awarded for efforts during the Alaska Oil Spill Damage Assessment Program, 1989: Participated on interdisciplinary team to analyze the effects of oil contamination on selected species in the wake of the disaster. Also participated in NMFS's West Coast Status and Trends Program, July 1991: assessing chemical contaminant exposure of selected marine species from point & non-point pollution sites from Alaska to Southern California.

University of Washington      Bachelor of Science: Fisheries              1987-1992     Seattle, WA

Emphasis in Salmon Ecology, Environmental Law, and Forestry/Fishery Interactions.

Shoreline Community College     Major: Marine Ecology Minor: Oceanography      1986-1987      Seattle, WA 

Job Related Training:

MOCC RIVER MODULE, Red Bluff, CA (August 2017): Completed training to operate and navigate jet boats in shallow rivers and swift currents.

MOTORBOAT OPERATOR CERTIFICATION COURSE (MOCC), Red Bluff, CA (June 2005): Completed training required to permit operation of Fish and Wildlife Service-owned watercraft. Reviewed requirements for safe operation of motorboats and included a review of legal requirements, preparations, navigation, operations, emergency procedures, rescue, self-rescue, trailering, fire suppression and basic seamanship. Re-certified: 2010, 2016, 2018 on-line through NCTC and in the field (2012); USBR 2024.

RESCUE 3 INTERNATIONAL, Knight's Ferry, CA, March 2005: Completed certification requirements for a Swift-Water Rescue Technician I as identified in NFPA 1670 Standard for Technical Rescue Operations for swift water and rope. Training included water dynamics, water rescue skills, rope skills and techniques, medical response, handling rescue watercraft and high-risk scenarios.

WETLAND TRAINING INSTITUTE, September 2002: Completed training based in part on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual, as provided for in the training materials developed in conjunction with Section 307(e) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1990. Learned new surveying techniques, soils criteria and native and non-native plant species identification associated with upland and wetland areas.

FIRST AID/CPR, USBR 2024. Have received a renewed Certificate of Completion for a National Safety Council CPR Course based on the current standards and guidelines for CPR and ECC.