CONNECTS Photo: National Park Service March 2015 6 2015 Outstanding Environmental Analysis Document Award 3 How Smart Is Your Park? 2 Message from Our CEO 4 Program-Scale Environmental Compliance 7 New Faces 6 It’s Spring Survey Season 10 We’ll See You Around 8 Congratulations Message from Our CEO So this is what climate change looks like? Out West it was pretty much a “winter-less” winter as it seems we moved directly from fall to spring, with warmer than normal temperatures and little precipitation (rain or snow). The d-word… drought…continues to dominate the headlines out here with California recently taking stronger steps including moving more aggressively on not just water conservation but also on flood protection projects—on the theory that we’re in a new era of extremes and massive flooding is what we eventually have to look forward to after we first dry to a crisp. Meanwhile in the East, there has been record snowfall and cold temperatures– with even our Florida offices experiencing a bit of the white stuff earlier this year. Given we’re in this era of such extremes, what can we do to help influence a more positive future? For years now (though perhaps not quite yet enough of them) we and other members of the environmental industry have been working to lessen our environmental impact by integrating the environmental, economic, and social principles of sustainability into all aspects of our work. As a company, we are in the thick of preparing ESA’s 2012/2013 Sustainability Report to measure our progress towards our sustainability plan goals and will publish that report next month on our website. Sustainability is consistent with our core values and the impetus for the services we provide. As environmental planners and scientists, we help our clients plan smarter projects and communities, restore habitats, and adapt to the challenges of climate change. From helping our federal clients meet Presidential initiatives, including the federal 20% renewable energy by 2020, to assisting local cities and counties as they use the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit to make smarter decisions, it seems the environment (and our part in helping protect and manage it) is central to our mission. We’ve assisted our clients on hundreds of projects that have reduced or eliminated waste, protected and expanded sensitive habitats, lowered greenhouse gas emissions, and more efficiently developed our water and land resources. As our work frequently demonstrates and Global Issues illustrates in their recent article, Action on Climate Change is Cheaper than Inaction in the long run. 2 A frequent concern when planning for climate change is the impact of sea level rise or natural disasters on our aging and critical infrastructure. The concept of “natural systems engineering” or “green infrastructure” is gaining momentum; the scientific blend of reinforcing natural ecosystem function with an engineered solution can provide a multi-benefit project that is often less costly to maintain and more effective in the long term. ESA is assisting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the California State Coastal Conservancy with their design and implementation of “living shorelines” in San Francisco Bay, using pioneering habitat restoration techniques such as carefully placed eel grass and oyster beds to help manage the shoreline, reduce coastal erosion, and maintain coastal processes while protecting, enhancing, and creating natural habitat for fish, aquatic plants, and wildlife. The Nature Conservancy’s report Reducing Climate Risks with Natural Infrastructure, which makes the case for and describes approaches to implementing green infrastructure, features several ESA projects, such as the Horizontal Levee Concept that integrates the natural flood risk reduction properties of tidal marshes into a shoreline management strategy. ESA first developed the horizontal levee concept as part of the Hayward Shoreline Study in association with Peter Baye, and further adapted it for Bay-wide use in the Horizontal Levee Report for the Bay Institute. We are currently designing the first pilot project to test the horizontal levee for the Oro Loma Sanitation District. We’re working with Restore America’s Estuaries in Florida to prepare a “Coastal Blue Carbon” Assessment that documents the climate change mitigation benefits of integrating climate change adaptation and ecosystem restoration in Tampa Bay. As we assist the Florida Gulf Consortium with implementing a framework for prioritizing projects seeking RESTORE Act funds, we will likely see many more green infrastructure projects along the Gulf Coast in the coming years, with multi-benefit objectives including climate change adaptation. As the 45th annual Earth Day approaches, I’m encouraged that we are steadily moving towards a more sustainable future despite the many challenges that remain. esassoc.com How Smart Is Your Park? California Will Help Pay to Make It Smarter, Senate Bill 985 Highlights Stormwater Opportunities on Public Lands By Jim O’Toole, California Water Deputy Leader Can your public parks: Key elements of SB 985: • Capture stormwater and dry-weather runoff, use soils and plants to naturally filter runoff to remove pollutants, helping you comply with water quality regulations? • Recognizes dry-weather runoff as an important water source. • Store that runoff to increase your local water supply? • Requires agencies to use quantitative, metric-based standards to identify projects that provide water supply and water quality benefits. • Provide new green open space and recreation lands for your community to improve health and well-being? • Restore, create, and sustain habitat for native plants and animals? They can—if you retrofit them with green infrastructure, and the State will help you pay for it! Instead of being viewed as a resource, stormwater and dryweather runoff are often seen as a problem. Throughout California, drainage systems are designed to capture and convey this runoff away from people and property as fast as possible, rather than capturing it for beneficial reuse. Our current drainage systems contribute to the water pollution that impairs our rivers, lakes, and ocean, as well as contributing to the loss of a useable water supply. The State has now officially recognized the tremendous value of this precious water resource with the 2014 adoption of Senate Bill (SB) 985 (Senator Pavley). This landmark bill was sponsored by the non-governmental organization Community Conservation Solutions (CCS) after nearly a decade of work developing a metrics-driven approach to determining where—and in what order—runoff capture projects should be implemented. SB 985 recognizes the importance of dry-weather runoff, and requires communities to prepare a watershed-wide Stormwater Resource Plan to both plan for the capture and beneficial reuse of this precious water resource and be eligible for $200 million in Proposition 1 State funding to support multi-benefit projects designed to maximize water supply, water quality, and environmental and community benefits. With a focus on the use of existing publicly owned lands such as parks, public open space, school sites, parking lots, and government office buildings to increase capture and reuse of stormwater and dry-weather runoff on-site, SB 985 makes an important shift toward more sustainable stormwater and dry-weather runoff management. • Encourages watershed-scale planning efforts and collaboration on the creation of stormwater resource plans. • Incorporates non-stormwater runoff, including discharged process water and vehicle wash runoff, into stormwater planning. • Requires compliance in order to receive grants for stormwater and non-stormwater capture projects from bond acts approved by voters after January 1, 2014. • Encourages existing publicly owned lands such as parks, public open space, school sites, and government office buildings to use stormwater and dry-weather runoff-onsite. By identifying existing public lands that are suitable for conversion and retrofit to “smart” green spaces that can act as natural filters and treatment areas, agencies have the opportunity to provide important and badly needed park, habitat, and recreation opportunities. CCS retained ESA to help complete this type of integrated assessment and prioritization of hundreds of public parcels in the Upper Los Angeles River watershed for opportunities to naturally clean up polluted runoff and sustainably reuse stormwater and dry-weather runoff on a regional scale, both for irrigation and infiltration to recharge groundwater supplies. Focused on public lands, the analysis offers a cost-effective and readily available solution to serious water quality and water supply problems, and addresses the need to make urban communities healthier and more livable. These multi-objective projects provide benefits by creating new park, habitat, recreation, and other open space lands in communities most in need of these amenities, while addressing drought and water quality issues by capturing, storing, and reusing both stormwater and dry-weather runoff. With SB 985 requiring agencies to include dry-weather runoff capture and treatment in their stormwater management plans, ESA is working with clients and CCS to develop innovative and sustainable water supply management solutions. For more information call 213.599.4300 or email Leslie Moulton, California Water Leader at [email protected] or David Pohl, PhD, PE, LEED AP, Water Quality Expert at [email protected]. 3 Program-Scale Environmental Compliance Evaluating the Use and Effectiveness of Program Environmental Impact Reports By Tom Barnes, Southern California Water Leader A Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) evaluates a series of actions (aka a “program”) that are related by geography or function, but may be implemented over a long period of time. Understanding and articulating the tangible benefits of a PEIR can be perplexing. We often encounter this discussion with our clients, particularly public utility clients these days. Here are some of the questions we hear: Why should we consider preparing a PEIR if it’s not required? Good question. The answer lies in evaluating the benefits of long-range planning. When is a PEIR the right strategy and how much should it cost? PEIRs can be concise and low-cost, or they can be exhaustive and expensive; it depends on the constituency and the longterm implications of the program. If the potential risks outweigh the benefits, then a PEIR is not for you. Can a PEIR streamline subsequent compliance efforts, saving money in the long run? Yes, but not always or even usually. Can a PEIR bring stakeholders together and reduce delays from controversies? Yes, but sometimes it can do the opposite. PEIR Benefits The table on the following page outlines some clear objectives and benefits of preparing a PEIR. These PEIR benefits apply concepts that are true of any advanced planning effort: clear vision, transparency, substantiation of need, and risk reduction. Risks of Not Preparing a PEIR Some risks of not preparing a PEIR include potential delays associated with unexpected controversies, incompatible facilities, local opposition, or stranded assets. A PEIR is an advanced 4 planning tool and is only needed if the potential consequences of poor planning are scary enough to merit a high level of risk. A Board of Directors, City Council, or Board of Supervisors needs to weigh the short-term costs against the potential long-term benefits of advanced planning. Types of PEIRs PEIRs can be used for different purposes depending on the lead agency’s situation. Every PEIR is structured uniquely, but the following are some general types we’ve encountered: Facility Plan Capital Improvement Project List • For example: Individual facility upgrades over a planning horizon: treatment plants, energy facilities, industrial facilities. Service Area Capital Improvement Project List • For example: multiple project types within a large service area over a planning horizon: distribution systems, collection systems, treatment systems, etc. Resource or Land Use Management Plans • For example: Park Plans, Groundwater Management Plans, Land Use Plans, Coastal Development Plans, Municipal General Plans Regulatory compliance programs or Adoption of Policy • For example: Stormwater Quality Management plans, Resource Management Plans, Clean Air Action Plans, etc. Case Study: A PEIR for the Los Angeles County Flood Control District The Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) prepared a PEIR to evaluate a strategy of complying with their municipal stormwater discharge permit. The County has had difficulty achieving water quality objectives imposed by the Clean Water Act. The project ideas are abundant, but funding is not. Substantial opposition forces come and go, including fiscal conservatives, environmental groups, and local residents. esassoc.com Objective Benefits of a PEIR • Streamline future documentation • Promotes efficiency to either reduce future efforts or at least substantiate future approvals • Analyze cumulative impacts • Widens the geographic scope of the assessment • Refine, clarify, and formally announce a strategic policy • Provides clarity of vision and stakeholder buy-in • Consider high-level strategic alternatives • Implements advanced planning to diminish future challenges of fundamental strategies • Implement early stakeholder and public outreach and engagement • Provides transparency and the trust that comes with it • Exhaustion of remedies when making decisions with long-ranging effects • Substantiates strategic policy and future approvals when decision makers consider overriding opposing public sentiment—a PEIR can help show consistent long-range thinking, substantiating public policy decisions that may be at least momentarily unpopular • Reduce risk • Early knowledge of support and opposition • Improve access to funding • Funding sources like to see low levels of risk, they encourage advanced planning and sometimes require it Now that the new discharge permit has been issued, noncompliance comes with a hefty price tag. Advanced notification and consideration of LACFCD’s compliance strategy early in the process with a broad audience seems prudent. Even if no actual projects are approved by the effort, the agency gets stakeholder and political points for transparency and sound stewardship. In the future, if individual projects are challenged, the County will be able to point to the PEIR and explain the consistent and wellpublicized program objectives. Case Study: A PEIR for the City of Riverside The City of Riverside recently prepared a Water System Master Plan (Master Plan) that combined stormwater, potable water, and recycled water programs into a single Plan. As the City defined the scope of the Master Plan, a PEIR was suggested and ESA selected to prepare it. Once the Master Plan began to take shape, it was clear that the projects forming the backbone of the Water System were already well underway, most having already achieved CEQA compliance. The City considered whether opening up the entire Master Plan for scrutiny would be helpful or possibly even stir up unnecessary opposition. The risks outweighed the benefits and the City understandably moved ahead without the PEIR. Final Thoughts CEQA is a wonderfully flexible tool. It’s up to each client or lead agency to understand itself and its constituency. There is never a one-size-fits-all option. Each agency assesses its own vulnerabilities and chooses the best strategy. Sometimes that means spending money on advanced planning in the shape of a PEIR. While the process can sometimes feel unproductive, there are strategic engines at play that work in mysterious ways to smooth a path forward. Candid conversations about the benefits, risks, and scale of each PEIR effort can only benefit the results. Tailoring the right product for specific situations is what consultants are for. Be creative. Consider low-cost outlines. When it comes to understanding the whys and hows of CEQA compliance for longrange plans, a CEQA expert that understands your purpose can shed light on the process, ask the tough questions, and help you to make informed decisions for the best possible outcomes. For more information on PEIRs or the case studies mentioned in this article contact Tom Barnes, Southern California Water Director at 213.599.4300 or by email at [email protected]. 5 It’s Spring Survey Season Time to Stop and Smell the Flowers! Don’t let biological surveys derail your project schedule! ESA has a deep bench of qualified botanists and wildlife biologists with the necessary permits and qualifications to carry out time-sensitive floral and wildlife surveys to determine the presence or absence of special-status species on a project site. Depending on the species, regulatory agencies may have protocols in place specifying how to conduct these biological surveys and when—most need to start mid-March to early April. From nesting birds and red-legged frogs, to desert tortoises and burrowing owls, our team is at the ready to assist with all aspects of biological compliance to keep your project on track. For assistance strategizing biological surveys or compliance on your project, contact: Photo: Terrance Wong, Los Angeles Pacific Northwest Southern California Teresa Vanderburg [email protected] 206.789.9658 Greg Ainsworth [email protected] 213.599.4300 Northern California Florida and the Southeast Gerrit Platenkamp,PhD [email protected] 916.564.4500 Julie Sullivan [email protected] 813.207.7200 Outstanding! The Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan EIS receives 2015 Outstanding Environmental Analysis Document Award from the California Association of Environmental Professionals. The Merced River Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (MRP/EIS) represents a major achievement for the National Park Service at Yosemite National Park, bringing forward the best in science, stewardship, and public input to create a robust vision for the management and protection of one of the nation’s most treasured places. This is evidenced through the plan’s broad geographic extent, comprehensive public engagement, wide range of alternatives considered, and number of management actions evaluated. The MRP/EIS provides a 20-year framework for protecting and enhancing resources and user capacity along 81 river miles in Yosemite National Park across a 26,500-acre planning area. While opportunities for public engagement in environmental planning efforts are typically limited to a handful of meetings, the MRP/EIS involved more than 60 public meetings over various stages of plan development and NEPA analysis. Whereas such processes typically yield two or three project alternatives, the MRP/EIS describes and evaluates at equal levels of detail six distinct project alternatives. Compared to the focused actions addressed by most environmental documents, the MRP/EIS considers the effects of more than 230 program- and project-level management actions across 18 resource areas. While most environmental documents receive a few hundred public comments, the MRP/EIS received and responded to more than 30,000 public comments. Congratulations to the National Park Service, Yosemite National Park Planning Division, and the entire project team on this outstanding recognition! For information about this project contact Erich Fischer at [email protected] or Elijah Davidian at [email protected] or call 916.564.4500. 6 Photo: National Park Service New Faces ESA continues to strategically add expertise and resources to better meet our clients’ needs. Join us in welcoming the latest additions to our growing team! Brooke Benson Ava Laszlo Project Accountant Pacific Northwest Seattle, WA | [email protected] Associate II Biological Resources and Land Management Portland, OR | [email protected] If it weren’t for my family and friends in Seattle, I’d prefer to live in a more rural area where I could walk out my front door and go for a hike. I have a hard time deciding between the mountains and the desert. I love music—one of my favorite vacations was meeting up with my best friend in Austin, Texas, last year for the South by Southwest music festival. While I’m a transplant to the Pacific Northwest from my home roots in Michigan, the friendly people paired with the ambitious, outdoorsy culture here made my transition a cinch! I haven’t yet completed the biome trifecta by visiting our western desert regions, but the ocean scuba diving and mountain trail hiking are phenomenal. Where else can you dive with octopi and sea lions, watch for whales, and casually hike up a couple thousand of feet into the mountains...all in one day?! I have yet to meet a person that left the Pacific Northwest to move eastward... it’s usually the opposite! Sarah Cannon Associate III Biological Resources and Land Management Sacramento, CA | [email protected] I was born and raised in Sacramento and am excited about working and living here. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and have a love of hiking and fishing. On the weekend I enjoy taking trips to the mountains, gardening, or playing catch with my dog Eric Dinsmore Marketing Coordinator Southern California Los Angeles, CA | [email protected] On my honeymoon, my wife and I went to Bora Bora for sun, relaxation, and…oh, an “adventure tour” to swim with Reef Sharks! I’ll never forget the captain throwing chum off our 30-foot boat then telling us and the other timid tourists to “get in the water!” There must have been two dozen sharks circling us, but we all made it out alive! Emily Keenan Managing Associate Biological Resources and Land Management Tampa, FL | [email protected] I’m from Louisiana and anyone who has visited Cajun Country understands the culture shock felt when I moved from my home state to Florida. South Louisiana is all about food, family, and festivals. I bleed purple and gold (Geaux Tigers) and am always looking for an excuse to cook up a good Southern meal (especially during SEC Football season). When family visit, they know to bring re-stocking supplies (e.g., crawfish tails, sack of live crawfish, king cakes, jambalaya, beignet mix, my mama’s seafood gumbo). Generally, it is safe to assume that one piece of luggage is dedicated to frozen food. When the freezer is full again, life is good! Laissez les bon temps rouler. Nicole Nishihama Project Accountant Pacific Northwest Seattle, WA | [email protected] Hoyotoho! Hoyotoho! As a Seattle native, I enjoy all that this city offers! For over 25 years, my passion is opera. I’ve attended Seattle Opera’s production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle and was a supernumerary in Beethoven’s opera “Fidelio.” In addition to opera, I also enjoy razor clamming along the Washington coast. Jonathan Teofilo Associate I Community Development Sacramento, CA | [email protected] Elaine Tran Associate III Airports San Francisco, CA | [email protected] A highlight of my week is spending time with the youth at a local church. My husband, a friend, and I lead a small group of middle school, high school, and college students every Sunday, where we give a short sermon and do fun activities, like hiking Mission Peak in Fremont (that was tough!). I really enjoy being with the students and it’s a privilege to be a role model. I’m also a twin (though I’m not sure if we’re identical or fraternal, but most people say we’re identical) and we both work in aviation! 7 Congratulations! The professional growth and development of staff at all levels is key to ESA’s success. Congratulations to the following employees who are advancing their careers with us. Margaret Clancy, PWS Vice President and Northwest Regional Director Seattle, WA | [email protected] An effective leader with deep technical expertise, Margaret will continue to advance our firm’s integrated services and solutions for clients throughout the Northwest. She has worked with our Northwest leadership team for nine years, and has more than 20+ years of experience as a scientist and natural resources expert in our region. Her deep understanding of the policy and technical issues our Northwest clients face regularly and her practical approach to project management and client service will be strong assets as she assumes her new role. Margaret takes over the position formerly held by Lloyd Skinner, who is transitioning into retirement. Margaret has managed complex permit compliance activities for clients such as the Port of Seattle and led the conceptual design work for the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Margaret’s expertise in wetland assessments, SEPA and NEPA, shoreline master planning, watershed characterizations, restoration planning and design, and mitigation planning and implementation has been valued by local jurisdictions and state and regulatory agencies, as well as public and private clients. I am one of those lucky people who can honestly say “I love my job.” I have the opportunity to do meaningful work and to collaborate with outstanding professionals—within ESA and with our teaming partners and clients. This is an exciting time for our firm and our industry and I welcome the challenges that come with this new role. Join us in congratulating Margaret by sending her an email at [email protected] or giving her a call at 206.789.9658. Promotions by Region Northwest Southeast Southern California Sarah Hartung Tobin Story Rachael Mitchell Paige Anderson Andrew Paden Maureen Jones Naomi Takaki Mike Mulbarger Melissa Gross Sarah Spano Thomas Ostrander Steve Winter Brendon Quinton Monica Guzman Robert Sweet Mauria Pappagallo 8 esassoc.com Jim Keany Mark Johnson Northwest Director of Biological Resources and Land Management Seattle, WA | [email protected] Northwest Director of Community Development Seattle, WA | [email protected] Jim brings more than 30 years of experience in aquatic and terrestrial ecology, guiding public and private clients through complex state and local planning processes to better manage natural resources. From Biological Assessments analyzing potential effects to federally listed species, to facilitating stakeholder workgroups, he has led multidisciplinary, complex, highprofile studies and inventories throughout Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, and Alaska. To clear out mental cobwebs, I spend a lot of time in the Cascades climbing, backcountry skiing, and mountain biking. My theme for these outings is “It’s not an adventure unless the outcome is uncertain.” Mark brings more than 25 years of experience in planning, design, Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and NEPA document preparation, and federal, state, and local environmental regulatory compliance throughout the Pacific Northwest. As a consultant and a former land use official at the City of Seattle, he is well-versed in all areas of the planning spectrum, including long-range planning (comprehensive, shoreline, critical areas, and sub-area plans and policy), current planning, and regulatory review. I view my job as trying to articulate what is important in the natural and cultural world to us as individuals and communities that rely upon that world. That is true whether I am talking to the general public, to elected officials, or to staff that I am collaborating with or mentoring. What I love about this work is that every day, someone I encounter does that for me, too. Northern California Joe Billela Rachel Danielson Mark Lindley Beth Pototo Stephanie Bishop Matt Fagundes Kenneth Ng Chris Sanchez Vanessa Thompson Stacey Bradford Elizabeth Hill Anthony Padilla Judith Silver Paul Zimmer Tonya Chapman Bradley Johnson Brian Pittman Barry Tanaka Al Thompson 9 We’ll See You Around See our experts at these upcoming events! APRIL 1–3 8–10 International Living Future Institute Living Future 2015 Conference Seattle, WA 16–17 California-Nevada Chapter, American Fisheries Society 49th Annual Meeting Santa Cruz, CA Mitch Marken, PhD, LEED AP and Jennifer Wade presenting The Interplay Between Tribal Sovereignty and Environmental Protection Regulations Ramona Swenson, PhD planning chair 18–21 Christina Toms chair for Estuaries and Lagoons: Ocean-Watershed Linkages in a Changing Climate 21–23 Dane Behrens presenting Potential Impacts of Climate Change on California Coastal Lagoon Habitat 10–11 13–16 Law Seminars International Tribal Economic Development in the Southwest Albuquerque, NM American Planning Association National Conference Seattle, WA Oregon Department of Transportation Geo-Evironmental Conference Eugene, OR Mauria Pappagallo, PE and Adam Zucker, PE presenting Site Specific Bridge Scour Analysis and Countermeasure Design Forestry Sciences Laboratory at Oregon State University USDA Forest Service PNW Research Station Watershed Processes Group 2015 Bretz Club Conference & Field Trip Camp Collins, Gresham, Oregon Curtis Loeb, PE presenting Improving State and Federal Fish Passage Design Guidelines for Water Crossings in Tidal Environments How Does the Stream Simulation Approach Work in Estuaries? National Association of Environmental Professionals Annual Conference Honolulu, HI Nicole Czarnomski, PhD presenting Effects of Vegetation on Near-Bank Hydraulics and Bank Stability Sharese Graham presenting Transportation Planning for a Connected Community May 5–8 12–14 Association of California Water Agencies 2015 Spring Conference & Exhibition Sacramento, CA 17–20 American Trails 2015 International Trails Symposium Portland, OR California Society for Ecological Restoration 22nd Annual Conference San Diego, CA 20–21 The Suquamish Tribe 8th Annual Cultural Resource Protection Summit Suquamish, WA 26–28 California Coastal Coalition WAVE Sea Level Rise Symposium San Diego, CA 27–29 Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office 2015 Salmon Recovery Conference Vancouver, WA Gerrit Platenkamp, PhD presenting Clearing Regulatory Hurdles for Tidal Marsh Restoration Ramona Swenson, PhD presenting Beyond Theory: Adaptive Management Plans for Restoring Wetlands ESA is a leading environmental science and planning firm committed to the principles of sustainability. We specialize in environmental and community planning, ecosystem restoration design, technical studies and investigations, 10 environmental impact assessment and documentation, and environmental compliance. Learn more about us at www.esassoc.com. To receive ESA News, subscribe by emailing [email protected]. esassoc.com
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