Los Angeles • November 19, 2025
City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services (Invitation No. CM-008)
Attachment 2
38 Rincon Consultants
250 East 1st Street, Suite 1400
Los Angeles, California 90012
213-788-4842
www.rinconconsultants.com
December 1, 2025
Louie Lacasella, Senior Management Analyst
City Manager’s Office
City of Laguna Beach
505 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, California 92651
Subject: Modified Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services (Invitation No. CM-008) Dear Mr. Lacasella:
Rincon Consultants (Rincon) is pleased to submit our qualifications to the City of Laguna Beach (City) for peer review services for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project and furthering the high-quality environmental support that we have provided over the past six years through our on-call contract. We are deeply familiar with the City and its picturesque setting as a California coastal community, uniquely shaped by hillsides, canyons, coves, cliffs, and beaches. These unique environmental features are treasured by the community. Among the city’s most notable natural features is Aliso Creek, which reflects these varied landforms. Originating in the Cleveland National Forest, the creek flows roughly 19 miles through southern Orange County, passing through seven cities and a creek-side golf course and crossing under Interstate 5 before meeting the ocean at the Aliso Creek estuary.
We understand the City is advancing an important vision for the Aliso Estuary—one that restores ecological function, enhances flood protection and public access, and reflects the community’s longstanding commitment to coastal stewardship. Achieving this vision requires an environmental review process that is transparent, defensible, and grounded in scientific and regulatory expertise. Rincon understands the various requirements of the City and is eager to continue our long-standing partnership with Laguna Beach, to act as the City’s agent and provide a thorough evaluation by our experts of the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and its supporting technical studies.. Our goal for this assignment is to provide peer review services that support a successful restoration outcome. The team we have assembled has a proven record of guiding coastal and estuarine restoration projects through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process, coordinating with multiple regulatory agencies, and balancing ecological restoration goals with infrastructure and community objectives. We are excited for the opportunity to bring this expertise to the CEQA team for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project.
We have partnered with two City-trusted partners, Moffatt & Nichol and Translutions, to provide technical expertise in coastal processes and engineering and transportation for this peer review assignment. While this partnership offers a solid foundation, we remain flexible and open to teaming with any subconsultants the City may prefer for this specific contract. Specifically, the following factors distinguish the Rincon team for this effort:
Prior Experience. Rincon and Moffat & Nichol currently support the City and other coastal communities on projects throughout California, including a diversity of restoration, enhancements and sustainability projects through various contracts. Rincon maintains environmental review, regulatory permitting, and mitigation compliance programs with a vast number of local and regional municipalities throughout California.
Currently, we support the City of Laguna Beach with environmental processing for the Pacific Edge Hotel Remodel project, 1040 Skyline Drive project, and the Noise Ordinance study for the Irvine Bowl. We have become intimately familiar with the Aliso Estuary through work on the Aliso Creek Urban Recovery, Reuse, and Conservation project and Aliso Creek Lift Station Improvements project. Our partner, Moffat & Nichol brings decades of experience in coastal resilience engineering, environmental review, and permitting in Southern California and has supported large-scale projects, such as the San Elijo and Topanga Lagoon Restoration projects. Additionally, Rincon currently works with Moffat & Nichol on the Redondo Beach, Zuma Beach, and Carpinteria Living Shoreline projects, providing us with a strong teaming partnership.
Translutions has teamed with Rincon on several projects throughout Southern California in the past, such as, and is familiar with the parking and traffic concerns often raised by the community. Intimate Knowledge of the Region. With over 30 years of experience providing various services in the Southern California region, particularly CEQA and National Environmental Policy Act work, and work involving California Coastal Act policies, Rincon understands the environmental challenges, regulatory constraints, and varied community priorities in Laguna Beach. Our teaming partners strengthen this understanding 39 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
2 through expertise in coastal resilience planning and engineering, utilities engineering, and transportation and parking assessments.
High Degree of In-House Technical Environmental Planning Competency and Expertise. Rincon is one of the only mid-size environmental consulting firms with a full suite of technical experts and offices throughout California. We offer unparalleled comprehension of the technical challenges, community considerations, and requirements of local agencies. Our team will bring unique insights and qualifications to this complex project. Commitment to Sustainable Business Practices. Since our establishment in 1994, Rincon’s environmental ideals remain integral to our corporate culture. For example, we maintain a Green Business certification from the California Green Business Network; we created our own internal Green Initiative Program led by our in-house environmental specialists, including our LEED® accredited professionals, and we have a distinguished Sustainable Business and Development service line. Rincon has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the quality of life for the communities and regions that we serve.
Under the leadership of Danielle Griffith, JD, Principal-in-Charge, and Emily Marino, Project Manager, our approach will emphasize collaboration, technical rigor, and responsiveness to City priorities. Ms. Griffith has directed environmental documentation and peer review for projects such as the Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Aliso Creek Area Specific Plan EIR, while Ms. Marino brings recent, hands-on experience managing CEQA documentation for several City initiatives, including the Fire Station No. 4 initial study-mitigated negative declarations (IS-MNDs), several single-family home IS-MNDs, and Pacific Edge Hotel Remodel Project IS-MND and Addendum. Together, they will ensure the City receives an EIR that clearly communicates environmental considerations, withstands legal scrutiny, and supports informed decisionmaking.
The Aliso Estuary Restoration Project represents a critical opportunity to enhance coastal resilience and ecological connectivity in Laguna Beach. Rincon is committed to applying our full expertise in CEQA compliance, restoration planning, and interagency coordination to help the City achieve that goal efficiently and with confidence.
Sincerely,
Rincon Consultants
Emily Marino | Project Manager
[email protected]
Contact for clarification
Danielle Griffith, JD | Principal-in-Charge
[email protected]
Authorized to contractually obligate and negotiate on
behalf of Rincon
40 Table of Contents
Rincon Consultants i
Table of Contents
1 Rincon’s Business Information and Qualifications and Experience................................................................. 1 About Rincon ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 CEQA Expertise .................................................................................................................................................... 2 Peer Review Experience ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Organizational Chart ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Subconsultants ................................................................................................................................................... 9 2 Approach and Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 12 Task 1 Project Initiation ............................................................................................................................... 12 Task 2 Peer Review of Technical Reports .................................................................................................. 12 Task 3 Peer Review of EIR ........................................................................................................................... 14 Task 4 Public Meeting Attendance ............................................................................................................. 17 Task 5 Project Management and Internal Meetings .................................................................................. 17 Project Schedule ............................................................................................................................................... 17 3 Project History and References ........................................................................................................................ 19 Rincon’s Approach ............................................................................................................................................ 19 Rincon Project Experience ................................................................................................................................ 19 Moffat & Nichol Project Experience ................................................................................................................. 29 Translutions Project Experience ....................................................................................................................... 31 4 Exceptions ......................................................................................................................................................... 33 5 Other Information .............................................................................................................................................. 34 Licenses and Certifications .............................................................................................................................. 34 6 Conflicts of Interest ........................................................................................................................................... 35 Appendices
Appendix A Resumes for Key Personnel
Cost Proposal
Submitted as a separate sealed document
41 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
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42 Rincon’s Business Information and Qualifications and Experience Rincon Consultants 1
1 Rincon’s Business Information and
Qualifications and Experience
About Rincon
Rincon Consultants (Rincon) is a statewide leader in environmental science, planning, and engineering with over 30 years of experience providing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, environmental impact assessments, and technical peer review for complex public-sector projects. Rincon has successfully prepared environmental documentation for numerous coastal, estuarine, and restoration projects, working closely with municipalities, water districts, and state agencies, such as the California State Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Water Resources Control Board, and Regional Water Quality Control Boards.
Our team is led by a Principal whose extensive project portfolio includes leading the Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Big Canyon Wetland and Creek Restoration Initial StudyMitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND), Outfall Land Section and OOBS (Ocean Outfall Booster Station) Piping Rehabilitation EIR and the Aliso Creek Area Specific Plan EIR (2008, unpublished), demonstrating deep expertise in hydrology, biological resources, water quality, and coastal habitat restoration. Our team has a proven track record of transating these complex issues into clear, comprehensible environmental documentation for the public. Rincon’s integrated team of scientists, planners, and engineers ensures that every project meets the highest standards of environmental stewardship, technical accuracy, and CEQA defensibility.
Rincon’s corporate culture focuses on providing environmental consulting services in a manner that is beneficial to both the environment and client needs. By managing each project with a focus on three primary objectives— economic efficiency, technical excellence, and a sustainable approach, we provide superior service that efficiently and effectively meets the needs of our clients. Rincon’s approach for managing complex and potentially controversial projects focuses on establishing a nimble and experienced project team, impeccable record keeping, and continuous and clear communication with City staff, project applicants, and involved parties and stakeholders. We perceive ourselves as an extension of our client’s team and function with the client’s best interests in mind.
Services
We have categorized our environmental consulting services into seven core areas:
This comprehensive categorization provides a focused and expert approach to addressing a wide range of environmental needs that ensures swift access to specialized knowledge for timely and effective problemsolving. Our team of environmental practice leaders encompasses the spectrum of environmental resource protection services required to complete this assignment:
Legal Name:
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Legal Form:
California “S” Corporation
Founded: 1994
Professional Staff: 500+
California Offices: 13
Local Office:
250 East 1st Street, Suite 1400
Los Angeles, California 90012
Phone: 213-788-4842
Point of Contact:
Emily Marino
[email protected]
213-224-6893
43 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
2 Our specific expertise and services relevant to the project are highlighted below in the following table.
Core Services
Environmental and Land Use Planning
CEQA Compliance: EIRs, Initial Studies, Categorical
Exemptions, Addendums, MMRPs
Noise Studies, including Bio-Acoustic Evaluation
Air Quality Analysis
Recreation and Open Space Planning
Biological Resources Assessment and Regulatory Compliance Biological Construction and Mitigation Monitoring
Baseline Biological Resources Inventories and
Vegetation Mapping
Biological Resources Effects/Impacts Analyses:
Biological Assessments, Biological Evaluations, Natural Environment Studies
Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plant and Wildlife
Species Surveys
Nesting Bird Surveys
Jurisdictional Delineations: USACE, RWQCB, CDFW,
USFWS, and California Coastal Commission
Methodologies
California Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands
Tree Inventory, Health Assessment, Risk Assessment, and Tree Protection Plans
Certified Arborist Tree Surveys and Impacts Assessments Regulatory Permitting: USACE Clean Water Act Section
404, RWQCB CWA Section 401, CDFW Fish and Game
Code Section 1602
Federal Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultations and Section 10 Habitat Conservation Plans
California Endangered Species Act Section 2081
Permits/Memorandum of Understandings
Wetland, Riparian, and Upland Habitat Revegetation and Restoration Planning
Cultural Resources
Literature Reviews/Records Searches/Archival
Research
Native American Consultation
Cultural Resource Surveys
Paleontological Resource Surveys
California Register of Historical Resources and National Register of Historic Places Eligibility Evaluations:
Archaeological Site Testing, Historic Built Environment Resource Evaluation, Traditional Cultural Property
Evaluation
Archaeological Data Recovery Programs
Paleontological Monitoring
Native American Monitor Training Programs
Section 106 Consultation
Memoranda of Agreement
Findings of Effects
State Historic Preservation Officer Consultation
Historic Preservation Plans
Cultural Resources and Paleontological Management
Plans
Third Party Peer Review
Phase I, II, and III Cultural Resources Analysis
Archeological and Native American Monitoring
Environmental Site Assessment and Remediation
Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments
Hazardous Waste Characterization
Site Remediation: Planning, Design, and Construction
Site Monitoring: Groundwater, Air, Soil, and Vapor
Health Risk Assessments
Environmental Construction/Grading Monitoring
Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan
Geological and Seismic Studies
Water Resources
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans
Storm Water Management and Compliance Monitoring
Water Supply Assessments
Watershed Management and Planning
CEQA Expertise
Rincon was founded over 30 years ago and is a recognized leader in environmental consulting, frequently working on CEQA-related projects throughout California. With a diverse team of professionals supporting all aspects of environmental compliance, we will demonstrate our unmatched capability to deliver high-quality, timely, and cost-effective environmental review services. As CEQA is a core business area, Rincon has successfully prepared hundreds of CEQA documents for agencies throughout California, including for coastal estuarine ecosystems. Rincon excels in providing comprehensive CEQA environmental review services, regulatory reviews for permits and analysis for grant compliance for coastal projects. This proposal includes 44 Rincon’s Business Information and Qualifications and Experience Rincon Consultants 3
highlights of our robust portfolio of successful contracts with various public and private clients, including municipalities, regional agencies, and special districts. Our team of experts will draw on their knowledge and experience, citing from a bench of projects to use as examples for approach to analysis and, if required, mitigation. Some of the key strengths Rincon will provide for this peer review project include:
Comprehensive Environmental Services. Rincon offers a full suite of environmental review capabilities, from initial planning to post-approval compliance. The team is proficient in preparing CEQA documents and the technical studies that support the analysis. In addition, we have a team of coastal planners who are experts in a range of environmental topics necessary to address the California coastline and various influences that can have impacts to the local environment, including marine biologists, wetland ecologists, hydrogeologists, water quality experts, technical data modelers, senior GIS navigators, hazardous materials experts, and planners with expert experience in coastal processes and sea level rise (SLR), ensuring holistic and thorough environmental evaluations for our coastal clients. We also have a strong, adaptable team of CEQA generalists who have worked with the City of Laguna Beach (City) on numerous successful CEQA projects. This interdisciplinary approach enables Rincon to address complex projects efficiently, while meeting all regulatory requirements.
Efficient Project Management. Rincon’s extensive experience in managing as-needed contracts for our numerous agency clients allows for streamlined processes when providing our peer review service, resulting in rapid response times and flexible resource allocation amongst the team. We are adept at handling projects of varying scopes of work and complexities, always maintaining strict adherence to deadlines and budgets.
Client-Centric Approach. Rincon emphasizes clear communication, proactive problem-solving, and a collaborative working relationship with clients and stakeholders. The firm’s dedication to understanding client goals ensures that the environmental review process aligns with broader project objectives. Track Record of Success. Rincon has a proven history with the City, delivering high-quality environmental documents across diverse sectors, including civic projects, land development (residential and commercial) infrastructure projects, and specialty studies, such as water quality monitoring and reporting, biological resource evaluation and recommendations, and noise impact assessments. Our ability to identify complex problems, proactively find solutions, and assist our clients in navigating intricate regulatory landscapes with minimal delay in schedule has been central to our record of delivering successful projects.
Peer Review Experience
Rincon brings extensive CEQA experience and expertise to each peer review assignment, ensuring that environmental documents and supporting studies are technically robust, legally defensible, and reflect the independent judgment of the lead agency. Rincon has a proven record of providing environmental clearance, supporting technical studies, and modelling peer review services to cities, special districts, and state agencies across California. Our team routinely conducts third-party evaluations of CEQA and NEPA documents to confirm regulatory adequacy, scientific integrity, and defensibility under state and federal environmental law. Particularly, we have completed peer reviews for various complex coastal restoration, infrastructure, and resource management projects for clients, including the City of Long Beach, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Orange County Sanitation District, and California State Coastal Conservancy. These reviews have encompassed assessments of biological resources, hydrology and water quality, coastal processes, and mitigation monitoring programs to verify consistency with CEQA, agency standards, and adopted policies. Our qualifications, provided in Section 3, Project History and References, demonstrate our technical expertise in coastal restoration projects, including leading CEQA documentation, preparing technical and feasibility studies, conducting environmental monitoring and compliance, and supporting permitting efforts.
Under the leadership of Danielle Griffith, JD, Rincon’s senior technical team will implement a rigorous quality assurance process that integrates scientific expertise, legal defensibility, and practical knowledge of local agency procedures. We will provide timely identification of any substantive deficiencies in technical analyses or environmental documents, along with regular updates on review status, budget, and schedule. This approach provides clients with objective, actionable recommendations that strengthen environmental documentation and support sound, transparent decision-making.
Rincon also understands the importance of close coordination with City staff and CEQA team to ensure alignment on project goals and facilitate an efficient environmental review process. Our collaborative approach ensures 45 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
4 direct access to our technical experts, while our extensive local experience fosters a nuanced understanding of community issues and political considerations. Through our peer review efforts, Rincon will ensure that the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project EIR and supporting materials meet the requirements of the CEQA Guidelines, the California Coastal Act, and other applicable environmental statutes.
Organizational Chart
Management Team
Danielle Griffith, JD | Principal-in-Charge
Danielle brings over 20 years of experience managing multidisciplinary CEQA/NEPA projects involving environmental restoration, water infrastructure, and coastal planning. As Principal of Environmental Planning and Sustainibility at Rincon, she has directed environmental documentation for large-scale restoration, hydrology, and flood control projects requiring extensive agency coordination, technical peer review, and permitting compliance. Her leadership includes EIR management for projects such as the Aliso Creek Area Specific Plan, Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration, Big Canyon WetlandsRestoration IS-MND, and Orange County Sanitation District Outfall Rehabilitation—all of which addressed sensitive coastal and riparian habitats. Danielle’s experience extends to managing consultant teams, developing mitigation and monitoring programs, and preparing technical studies in biological resources, water quality, and land use compatibility. Her understanding of regulatory processes under CEQA, the California Coastal Act, and Clean Water Act enables her to guide restoration projects from initial scoping through certification and agency approval with technical precision and legal defensibility. 46 Rincon’s Business Information and Qualifications and Experience Rincon Consultants 5
Emily Marino | Project Manager
Emily is an Environmental Planner and Project Manager with over seven years of experience preparing CEQA and NEPA documents for coastal restoration, hydrology, and infrastructure improvement projects across California. She specializes in managing environmental review processes, technical study coordination, and stakeholder engagement for a variety of project types, including wetlands restoration, flood mitigation, and estuarine ecosystem enhancement. Emily’s local background includes leading CEQA documentation for the Laguna Beach Fire Station No.4 IS-MNDs and assisting with the Pacific Edge Hotel Remodel IS-MND and Addendum. In addition, Emily is leading and/or supporting environmental analyses for shoreline protection and creek restoration projects in Ventura, San Mateo, and Los Angeles counties. With dual master’s degrees in Urban and Regional Planning and Environmental Health Sciences, she integrates science-based impact analysis with community and policy sensitivity. Emily’s management style emphasizes clear communication, schedule adherence, and quality assurance, ensuring the delivery of concise, defensible, and transparent environmental documents for public review.
Technical Team
Annaliese Torres | CEQA Technical Advisor
Annaliese is a Supervising Environmental Planner and Project Manager with over seven years of experience managing environmental compliance under CEQA, CEQAPlus, and NEPA. She specializes in leading the preparation and peer review of EIRs and MNDs for complex infrastructure, water resources, and restoration projects.
Annaliese has managed CEQA documentation for agencies throughout Southern California, including The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, South Coast Water District (SCWD), and Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency. Her expertise includes interdisciplinary technical study coordination, agency and stakeholder engagement, and development of streamlined, defensible environmental documents. Annaliese’s depth of CEQA experience and familiarity with coastal and watershed projects qualify her to serve as the CEQA Technical Advisor for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project EIR.
May Lau | Biological Resources Lead
May is a Principal Regulatory Specialist with over 20 years of experience leading permitting strategy, biological resources analysis, and environmental compliance under CEQA, NEPA, the Clean Water Act, and state and federal endangered species regulations. She specializes in securing regulatory approvals and developing mitigation solutions for complex water infrastructure, private development, transportation, restoration, and flood control projects. May regularly works with cities, counties, water districts, and state and federal agencies, including United States Army Corps of Engineers), United States Fish and Wildlife Service, California Fish and Wildlife Service, and multiple Regional Water Quality Control Boards, and coastal agencies to obtain permits, streamline review processes, and ensure regulatory compliance. She manages on-call environmental contracts, oversees multidisciplinary teams, reviews CEQA and NEPA documents, and implements quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures to deliver defensible environmental and permitting documentation. Her vast technical knowledge of wetlands, jurisdictional delineations, aquatic resources, and biological assessments allows her to support City staff and project teams in achieving timely approvals and successful project implementation. 47 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
6 Brenna Vredeveld | Senior Biologist
Brenna is a Senior Supervising Biologist with 20 years of experience managing biological resources compliance and permitting for CEQA and NEPA projects throughout Southern California. She has extensive expertise in wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat assessment; regulatory permitting under United States Army, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, California Fish and Wildlife Service, and California Water Resources Control Board; and biological monitoring for restoration and infrastructure projects. Brenna has led biological and regulatory efforts for SCWD’s Aliso Creek Urban Recovery, Reuse, and Conservation Project and Reservoirs 2B and 3B Replacement Project, both within and adjacent to Laguna Beach. Her strong background in CEQA biological resources analysis, multiagency coordination, and mitigation planning in sensitive coastal ecosystems uniquely qualifies her to serve as Lead Biologist for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project.
Robin Murray | Lead Arborist
Robin is a Supervising Biologist and International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborist with 16 years of experience conducting biological and arboricultural studies in support of CEQA and NEPA compliance for public infrastructure, restoration, and development projects across Southern California. Her expertise includes protected tree assessments, vegetation mapping, habitat restoration, and regulatory permitting with the United States Army, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, California Fish and Wildlife Service, and California Water Resources Control Board.
Robin has provided arborist and biological support for SCWD’s Aliso Creek Urban Recovery, Reuse, and Conservation Project and the Laguna Beach Transportation Center Project, both within Laguna Beach. Drawing on her extensive experience in coastal and riparian resource management, Robin brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach to integrating tree preservation and habitat restoration within environmentally sensitive project areas.
Shannon Carmack | Cultural Resources Lead
Shannon is a Principal and Architectural History Program Manager with more than 25 years of experience in cultural resources management and historic preservation planning. She leads the preparation of CEQA and NEPA documentation, Section 106 and 4(f) compliance, and local historic preservation reviews for public infrastructure, coastal restoration, and development projects throughout California. Shannon has directed numerous cultural and historic evaluations for agencies in and around Laguna Beach, including the City of Laguna Beach Civic Site IS-MND, Goleta Beach Park Bridge Replacement, and Los Angeles River and Bikeway Project. Her expertise includes archival research, field investigations, and the development of practical mitigation strategies that preserve historic integrity, while supporting project implementation. Shannon approaches every project with a collaborative mindset, helping agencies balance cultural resource stewardship with community and infrastructure goals.
Chris Duran, RPA | Lead Archaeologist
Chris is a Principal Archaeologist with more than 15 years of experience in archaeological investigations and cultural resources management throughout Southern California. He specializes in CEQA, NEPA, and Section 106 compliance for infrastructure, restoration, and development projects in sensitive environmental and cultural contexts. Chris has managed and served as Principal Investigator on numerous projects, including the Paradise Cove Heritage Recovery Project and McGrath Lake Cultural Resources Study, both located in coastal settings.. His expertise spans archaeological survey and testing, construction monitoring, tribal consultation, and mitigation planning for large-scale restoration and infrastructure efforts. Chris combines field-based expertise with regulatory insight to support 48 Rincon’s Business Information and Qualifications and Experience Rincon Consultants 7
thoughtful, collaborative solutions that protect cultural resources, while advancing community and environmental goals.
Torin Snyder, PG, CHG, TOR, QSD/P | Geotechnical and Hydrology Lead Torin is a Principal Geologist with 23 years of experience managing environmental site assessments, hazardous materials investigations, and hydrogeologic studies in support of CEQA and NEPA documentation for public infrastructure, restoration, and redevelopment projects. He specializes in evaluating soil and groundwater conditions, developing remediation strategies, and providing technical peer review for EIRs and site-specific environmental analyses. Torin has directed hydrology and geologic evaluations for projects, including the Huntington Beach Desalination Project, Millbrae and Burlingame Shoreline Protection Project, and San Dieguito Lagoon Wetland Restoration and has supported multiple agencies in Orange, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties. His experience with coastal hydrogeology, contaminated site remediation, and construction-phase environmental compliance enables him to provide practical, science-based solutions that ensure project safety and regulatory integrity, while supporting ecological restoration goals.
Taryn Sparacio, PG | Geotechnical Specialist
Taryn is a Senior Supervising Geologist with 25 years of experience conducting environmental and geotechnical assessments to support CEQA compliance and regulatory permitting for public infrastructure, redevelopment, and coastal projects across California. Her expertise includes subsurface characterization, contaminant fate and transport analysis, and technical peer review of Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments. Taryn has provided senior-level geotechnical and hazards review for projects, including the City of Laguna Beach Bluff Overlay District Assessment, Huntington Park Redevelopment, and Santa Paula Mesa Tanks Replacement Project. She has worked extensively with agencies in Orange, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties on projects addressing soil stability, contamination, and shoreline conditions. With a strong foundation in both geology and environmental science, Taryn delivers clear, technically grounded evaluations that support defensible CEQA documentation and sound project design in complex coastal and urban environments.
Ryan Thacher, PhD, PE | Hazards and Hazardous Materials Lead Ryan is a Principal Environmental Engineer with nearly 15 years of experience conducting and overseeing Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, remediation programs, and regulatory compliance studies in support of CEQA and NEPA documentation. He has led environmental due diligence and hazardous materials evaluations for cities, water districts, and regional agencies across Southern California, including projects for the City of Los Angeles, Mission Springs Water District, and City of Redlands. Ryan’s expertise includes evaluating soil, groundwater, and vapor contamination, developing remediation and mitigation strategies, and preparing technical memoranda for integration into EIRs and initial studies. His experience with PFAS, chlorinated hydrocarbons, metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons under Department of Toxic Substances Control and RWQCB oversight enables him to provide technically sound, defensible assessments that balance regulatory Regional Water Quality Control Board with project goals in sensitive coastal and watershed settings. 49 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
8 Adriana Stovall | Water and Sediment Quality Lead
Adriana is a Senior Watershed Scientist with 18 years of experience managing water quality, stormwater, and watershed monitoring programs that support CEQA and NEPA compliance for restoration and infrastructure projects. She specializes in water and sediment quality assessment, total maximum daily load implementation, and regulatory coordination under the Clean Water Act, Porter-Cologne Act, and Regional Water Quality Control Board programs. Adriana has led watershed and water quality studies for agencies, including SCWD, Ventura County Public Works Agency, and City of Thousand Oaks. She currently manages long-term monitoring for the Aliso Creek Urban Runoff Recovery, Reuse, and Conservation Project, giving her deep familiarity with the Aliso Creek Watershed’s hydrology, regulatory framework, and key stakeholders. Adriana applies her technical expertise and collaborative approach to help agencies integrate science-based water quality management with effective environmental restoration.
Josh Carman | Air Quality and Noise Lead
Josh is the Director of Technical Services with over 20 years of specialized experience in acoustics, air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG), and community health risk assessment for CEQA and NEPA environmental documents. He has led the preparation and peer review of complex technical studies and impact analyses for General Plan updates, specific plans, mixed-use and residential developments (including affordable housing), transportation and infrastructure improvements, industrial facilities, and public facilities projects throughout California. Josh regularly collaborates with City staff, applicants, and multidisciplinary teams to develop defensible analyses, craft effective mitigation measures, and ensure regulatory compliance with federal, state, and local standards, including the City of Laguna Beach. His significant expertise in technical modeling, policy development, and QA/QC review strengthens CEQA documents and supports successful project approvals.
Bill Vosti | Air Quality and Noise Specialist
Bill is a Supervising Environmental Planner with 11 years of experience preparing and managing air quality, GHG, and noise analyses in accordance with CEQA and NEPA. He leads Rincon’s Air Quality, GHG, and Noise Program, overseeing technical modeling, analysis, and QA for projects across Southern California. Bill has directed studies for agencies, including the Moulton Niguel Water District, Orange County Sanitation District, and City of Lake Forest addressing construction and operational emissions, GHG reduction, and sensitive receptor noise impacts. His experience includes projects in and around Laguna Beach, such as the Oso Creek Pipeline Improvements IS-MND and Calleguas Regional Salinity Management Pipeline EIR.
Bill integrates regulatory compliance with practical design and mitigation solutions, ensuring clear, defensible analyses that support environmentally responsible infrastructure and restoration projects.
Holly Harris | Coastal Permitting Advisor
Holly is a Senior Regulatory Specialist with 22 years of experience managing coastal development, biological, and environmental compliance projects under CEQA, NEPA, and the California Coastal Act. She has extensive expertise in coastal permitting, environmentally sensitive habitat area mapping, wetland and shoreline restoration planning, and Local Coastal Program policy implementation. Holly has led multidisciplinary environmental and permitting teams for agencies and utilities across Southern California, including the County of Ventura, Goleta West Sanitary District, and Southern California Gas Company, where she managed projects requiring coordination with the California Coastal Commission and Regional Water Quality Control Board. Her experience designing mitigation and restoration strategies, preparing coastal consistency analyses, and managing permit compliance for complex shoreline 50 Rincon’s Business Information and Qualifications and Experience Rincon Consultants 9
projects enables her to provide well-informed, solution-oriented peer review of coastal process studies in dynamic estuarine environments.
Subconsultants
Moffat & Nichol
Moffatt & Nichol is a globally recognized leader in waterfront and marine recreational facility projects, bringing 80 years of experience in developing practical and innovative solutions across the United States and around the world. Since 2022, the firm has held the #1 ranking on the Engineering NewsRecord list of top Marine and Port Facilities firms. As one of the largest marine and port facilities engineering firms in North America, Moffatt & Nichol serves coastal communities with a strong focus on coastal engineering and restoration, erosion control, vulnerability and risk assessment, and resiliency planning.
Moffatt & Nichol supports clients operating in complex coastal and riverine environments by helping to strengthen the resilience of infrastructure, waterfront assets, and aquatic habitats. Their work includes developing vulnerability and risk assessments, performing coastal and geomorphic analyses and designs, and engaging collaboratively with stakeholders through public outreach efforts. Moffatt & Nichol approaches each project with a comprehensive perspective that considers the unique needs of the site and its local environmental context.
From planning and design through construction and start-up, Moffatt & Nichol applies its multidisciplinary expertise—drawing on the skills of engineers, scientists, and economists—to deliver effective and sustainable projects where water meets land. Their services encompass all aspects of marine and waterfront development, including the planning and modernization of facilities; improving port operations and resiliency; modeling port and transportation systems; and providing structural, civil, and coastal engineering design. Moffatt & Nichol also specializes in marine construction cost estimating, constructability assessments, and the inspection, rehabilitation, and asset management of facilities, ensuring that each project achieves long-term performance and adaptability in the face of changing coastal conditions.
Moffat & Nichol Key Staff
Weixia Jin, PhD, DCE, PE | Coastal Engineering Lead
Dr. Jin, Moffatt & Nichol’s Southern California Technical Director for the Water Practice, brings 37 years of management and technical experience in coastal engineering. Her work encompasses drainage and water quality management plans, coastal watershed hydrology and contamination studies, wetland and stream restoration, wetland hydraulics, tidal muting studies, wave and tsunami propagation modeling, and marina planning and circulation studies. A subject matter expert for Federal Emergency Management Agency coastal floodplain mapping, Dr. Jin is also an American Society of Civil Engineers-certified coastal engineer and serves as a trustee for the American Society of Civil Engineers Academy of Coastal, Ocean, Port, and Navigation Engineers. Her engineering experience includes the design of tidal control structures, revetments, inlets, jetties, weirs, and shoreline protection systems; numerical modeling of coastal and wetland processes; studies of wave runup, overtopping, and damage; and the preparation of bridge hydraulics and sedimentation reports, as well as wetland feasibility and design studies.
Rincon has worked
on multiple projects
with Moffat & Nichol
for over 10 years
51 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
10 Shelly Anghera, PhD | Water Quality Specialist
Shelly is a Principal Scientist with 21 years of experience conducting field and laboratory studies related to eco-toxicology and sediment and water quality characterization. Her expertise centers on field study design, sediment characterization, water and sediment testing and analysis, implementation strategies for dredged material management, TMDL compliance, and California’s sediment quality objectives application. Shelly teaches courses on analysis and TMDLs, interpreting toxicity testing, sediment quality objectives, and assessing ecological risk in contaminated sediments. Her projects focus on integrating multiple lines of evidence to determine water and sediment quality.
Qing Wang, PE | Flood and Hydrodynamic Modeling Specialist Qing has 17 years of experience specializing in numerical modeling for hydrodynamics, water quality, sediment transport, plume tracing, waves, and vessel mooring. She leads coastal flooding mitigation efforts, including Federal Emergency Management Agency storm surge model reviews in the Southeast and post– Hurricane Sandy Advisory Base Flood Elevation map revisions in New York City. Her expertise extends to coastal wetland restoration, coastal resilience and SLR adaptation, coastal structure design, and water quality analysis. Qing’s work spans projects across the United States and internationally, where she conducts metocean studies, wind and storm wave hindcasts, two- and three-dimensional hydrodynamic and wave propagation modeling, and sediment transport analysis. She also performs SLR and coastal hazard mitigation studies, designs and analyzes coastal and offshore structures under wave loading, develops water quality models for coastal systems, and supports dynamic mooring and coastal ecosystem restoration projects.
Jared Bernard, PE, QSD/QSP, ENV SP | Utilities Engineering Specialist Jared is a Civil Engineer with 19 years of experience designing and managing public and private site development projects. His skill set includes utilities modification and relocation, grading, drainage, street improvements, hydrology, hydraulics, erosion control, low-impact development, and report writing. He has served as a Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager for leading engineering designs, project budgeting, team and client meetings, preparing cost estimates, and coordinating subconsultant efforts. Jared understands the plan production process with experience in AutoCAD and Civil 3D, making him a versatile and well-rounded project manager.
Chris O’Day, EIT | Coastal Processes Specialist
Chris is a Coastal Scientist with eight years of experience specializing in coastal processes and SLR assessments. He holds an MS in Coastal Engineering from Oregon State University, where he conducted physical modeling experiments at the Hinsdale Wave Research Lab’s large wave flume and directional wave basin. His research focused on wave climate, run-up analysis, and resilience strategies that integrate nature-based features with engineered structures to reduce coastal hazards. Over the past four years at Moffatt & Nichol, Chris has concentrated on SLR and coastal hazard assessment projects involving beach nourishment, lagoon restoration, and living shoreline design. His work includes field deployment and maintenance of monitoring instruments, data processing and analysis, and leading sediment sampling and characterization for beneficial reuse applications, contributing to sustainable and resilient coastal management solutions.
52 Rincon’s Business Information and Qualifications and Experience Rincon Consultants 11
Translutions
Translutions is a solutions-oriented transportation planning and traffic engineering company, registered as a California S Corporation, and a Certified Small Business. Translutions acts as a partner with clients, communities served, and the environment.
Translutions provides context-sensitive transportation
planning and traffic engineering services. A background in architecture, urban planning, and civil engineering provides Translutions with the skillset to address traffic engineering and transportation planning needs of public and private sector clients. Using this toolset, Translutions develops context-sensitive and creative solutions for problems. Their background and experience with CEQA helps them take transportation and traffic expertise a step forward, allowing them the ability to bridge the gap between traditional traffic engineering and CEQA compliance. Translutions is one of the very few small businesses with full modeling capabilities in-house. With the passage of SB-743, Translutions helps several jurisdictions navigate these new requirements. They provide the following transportation services:
Transportation planning
Transportation modeling
Vehicle miles traveled analyses
Multimodal operations analysis
Microsimulation
Translutions Key Staff
Sandipan Bhattacharjee | Traffic and Transportation Principal Sandipan is a Cofounder and Principal at Translutions. His primary responsibilities are to prepare technical analyses of land development and transportation infrastructure projects, including comprehensive traffic impact analyses, traffic operations analyses, and parking studies. Sandipan has worked in the Southern California region for over 15 years and has extensive experience in preparing traffic operations analyses for the California Department of Transportation and other metropolitan planning organizations. He is fully knowledgeable with the rules and regulations in the five-county Southern California Association of Governments region. Sandipan has led teams preparing traffic studies and multimodal analyses for various types of projects. Sandipan has extensive experience in preparing defensible transportation analysis for inclusion in CEQA documents. Sandipan has worked with several jurisdictions to help prepare and/or review proposed guidelines and implementation of SB 743 requirements, as well as all requirements under CEQA. He has advised several agencies on vehicle miles traveled guidelines and adoption of thresholds and has also presented at various events and webinars on transportation planning and CEQA.
Robert Aguirre, AICP | Senior Transportation Planner
Robert is a Senior Transportation Planner with 10 years of experience specializing in technical analyses for land development projects, including traffic impact analyses, operations studies, and parking assessments. His expertise includes traffic impact studies, pedestrian and bicycle planning, transit routing, GIS analysis, and statistical research. He has supported major efforts across Southern California, such as the Jurupa Valley General Plan Traffic Study, Loma Linda General Plan Circulation Element, Yucaipa General Plan Housing Element Update, the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians Tribal Transportation Plan Update, and the California HighSpeed Rail Fresno–Bakersfield Section. Robert holds a degree in Urban Planning from Cal Poly Pomona and is passionate about GIS, urban design, transportation, and workflow optimization. His goal is to automate transportation planning into a one-button process.
Rincon has worked
on multiple projects
with Translutions for
over 10 years
53 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
12 2 Approach and Methodology
Rincon will deliver EIR and technical study peer reviews that are concise, transparent, and defensible. Our approach is grounded in proactive communication and rigorous technical analysis and is described below.
Task 1 Project Initiation
Within one week of authorization to proceed, Rincon staff will organize a virtual or hybrid kickoff meeting with the City (and applicant consortium if requested) to review and finalize project goals and strategies, refine project scope and working objectives, confirm assumptions, clarify any outstanding scope issues, confirm the City’s preferred format and work flow for the peer review comments, determine the availability of data and electronic resources used to prepare the EIR, make any revisions to the scope of work (if necessary), and prepare a detailed project schedule and work program.
Deliverables
Kickoff meeting attendance by up to six Rincon team members Draft project schedule in Microsoft Project or Excel format Data Request
Assumptions
Kickoff meeting will be virtual (or hybrid if requested). All relevant project data will be provided to Rincon in a timely and efficient manner. City will respond to data requests in a timely and efficient manner.
Task 2 Peer Review of Technical Reports
Rincon will provide a peer review of the technical studies prepared by the applicant. The focus of the peer reviews will be on the sufficiency of the technical studies for Planning Commission Design Review purposes and to confirm that the reports meet the technical standards of the profession, are objective, and are sufficient to inform the disclosure, analysis, and (if appropriate) mitigation of environmental impacts related to their subject in the EIR. Review of the technical studies will focus on methodology and assumptions, adherence to regulatory standards as appropriate, consistency with the City’s General Plan and other regulatory documents, specificity and appropriateness of recommended mitigation, and completeness and accuracy. The review will be conducted with an eye for legal defensibility, exposure of the City to liability due to any errors and/or omissions, for soundness and sufficiency in supporting analysis in the EIR. Technical reports that will be peer reviewed by the Rincon team include the following:
Geotechnical Evaluation
Drainage Plan and Preliminary Water Quality Management Plan Flood Modeling Study
Trip Generation Assessment
Tree Survey Report
Wetland Delineation and Impact Analysis
Coastal Processes and SLR Assessment
Utilities Modification and Relocation Plan
Biological Resources Assessment (including vegetation community mapping, rare plant survey and habitat suitability analysis for threatened and endangered species) Hydrodynamic Modeling
54 Approach and Methodology
Rincon Consultants 13
Water and Sediment Quality Study
CalEEMod Modeling1
Cultural and Tribal Resources Assessment
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Hazardous Materials) Comments on the technical study reports/appendices will be provided directly in the Word version of the technical studies. In addition, Rincon will provide a Comments Matrix for each technical study to document key comments with columns added for the study preparer’s responses and for subsequent rounds of review, if needed.
Deliverables
Word documents of each of the technical study reports listed above with comment bubbles Comments Matrix for each of the technical study reports listed above Assumptions
Word and PDF files of each technical studies will be provided to Rincon. Rincon assumes that the technical reports will be complete, factual, and of high quality, and that all appendices for the technical studies will be provided concurrently with the reports. The scope of work assumes that report preparers have conducted a thorough QA/QC review of the documents, that all data sources are valid, and that all information cited is accurate. The peer reviews will not include validation or verification of all data sources and information cited or used to develop the reports.
The only focused survey report appended to the Biological Resources Assessment that will require peer review is the rare plant survey report.
No fieldwork or additional research will be required to prepare the peer review comments. Any additional cultural resources analysis, including updating records searches, outreach to Native American Heritage Commission, and/or fieldwork will be completed by the applicant’s consultant. The Coastal Processes and SLR Assessment Technical Report will be reviewed for consistency with the best available science, currently the California Coastal Commission Sea Level Rise Policy Guidance adopted in November 2024 and the State of California Sea Level Rise Guidance: 2024 Science and Policy Update adopted in June 2024.
The CalEEMod Modeling will be reviewed concurrently with the Administrative Draft Air Quality and GHG Emissions EIR sections, unless a full Air Quality/GHG Emissions Technical Study is available for review. The City will be responsible for conveying Rincon’s peer review comments to the technical study preparer for each round of peer review.
Revisions to the technical studies based on Rincon’s peer review comments will be prepared by the consultant that authored the technical study.
This scope assumes no more than one round of in-depth review and one round of backcheck review for sufficiency of responses and revisions will be required for the technical study reports. If additional rounds of peer review on the technical reports are required due to unaddressed deficiencies, Rincon will immediately alert the City, and additional rounds of peer review can be completed on a time-and-materials basis. No hard copies will be provided.
1 The CalEEMod Modeling will be reviewed concurrently with the Administrative Draft Air Quality and GHG Emissions EIR sections, unless a full Air Quality/GHG Emissions Technical Study is available for review. 55 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
14 Task 3 Peer Review of EIR
Task 3.1 Scoping Report and Administrative Draft EIR
Review of the Scoping Report and Administrative Draft EIR will focus on methodology and assumptions, adherence to regulatory standards as appropriate, consistency with the City’s General Plan, and consideration of the previous work on the Aliso Creek Specific Plan and Aliso Creek Planning Unit Local Coastal Program, as well as other regulatory documents, specificity and appropriateness of recommended mitigation, and completeness and accuracy of technical study reports. The review will be conducted with an eye for legal defensibility, exposure of the City to liability due to any errors and/or omissions, and for soundness and sufficiency in supporting analysis in the EIR. Rincon assumes that review of the Administrative Draft EIR will entail a single round of review and comments, with consideration of the following:
Conclusions and recommendations should be well supported by facts, observation, analysis or explanation, and the Administrative Draft EIR and technical study reports should be internally consistent. Technical accuracy of the information provided.
Rincon anticipates the Administrative Draft EIR will include the following sections:
Project Description
Aesthetics
Air Quality
Biological Resources
Cultural Resources
Geology and Soils
GHG Emissions
Hazards and Hazardous
Materials
Hydrology and Water Quality
Land Use and Planning
Noise
Recreation
Transportation
Tribal Cultural Resources
Utilities and Service Systems
Alternatives, up to three
alternatives assumed to be
provided, including the required
“No Project” Alternative
Other CEQA sections (e.g., Effects
Found Not to be Significant,
Significant Irreversible Changes,
Growth-Inducing Impacts)
Rincon recommends that the entire Administrative Draft EIR be submitted in one comprehensive batch as part of a combined first round of peer review. There are numerous CEQA thresholds and analyses that overlap and need to be reviewed for consistency. As such, receiving all sections of the Administrative Draft EIR, as opposed to reviewing documents in multiple separate submittals, results in greater efficiency with the budget and schedule. However, if preferred by the City, Rincon can review Administrative Draft EIR sections as they become available. Similar to the technical studies, comments on the Administrative Draft EIR and Scoping Report will be provided directly in the Word documents for each EIR section. In addition, Rincon will provide a Comments Matrix for the Administrative Draft EIR to document key comments with columns added for the EIR preparer’s responses and for subsequent rounds of review.
Deliverables
Word documents of each of the Administrative Draft EIR sections listed above with comments and suggested text revisions
Draft EIR Comments Matrix
Assumptions
The Administrative Draft EIR sections will be provided to Rincon in Microsoft Word format. All supporting technical studies, project plans, renderings, calculations, and modeling outputs that inform the Administrative Draft EIR will be provided prior to receipt of or concurrently with the Administrative Draft EIR sections.
No hard copies will be provided.
56 Approach and Methodology
Rincon Consultants 15
Task 3.2 Screencheck Draft EIR
Following receipt of the Screencheck Draft EIR (as an electronic Word version showing revisions in track changes), Rincon will review the EIR sections for accuracy, consistency and adherence to comments provided.
Peer review of the Screencheck Draft EIR will be completed in the same manner as the Administrative Draft EIR.
Review of the responses to comments will focus on the appropriateness of responses, new information that may be provided, and consistency. In addition, Rincon will provide an updated Comments Matrix for the Screencheck Draft EIR to document resolved comments and any new or follow-up comments.
If during Rincon’s review of the Screencheck Draft EIR it is determined that technical inadequacies identified during our review of the initial review of the Administrative Draft EIR have not been resolved, Rincon will provide additional comments in the Word documents.
Deliverables
Word documents of each of Screencheck Draft EIR section with comments and suggested text revisions Updated Draft EIR Comments Matrix
Assumptions
The Screencheck Draft EIR sections will be provided to Rincon in Microsoft Word format with track changes showing revisions.
The EIR preparer will provide responses to Rincon’s comments in the Comments Matrix explaining the changes made in response to the comments.
No hard copies will be provided.
Task 3.3 Public Review Draft EIR and Noticing Forms
After the EIR preparer has addressed all comments resulting from Rincon’s peer review of the Screencheck Draft EIR, Rincon will provide one final backcheck of the Public Review Draft EIR to confirm that all comments have been adequately resolved. Rincon will also provide a peer review of the Notice of Availability (NOA), Notice of Completion (NOC), and Environmental Summary forms and provide comments directly on the forms if any changes are recommended. The Draft EIR will then be released for public review.
Deliverables
Word documents of each of Public Review Draft EIR section with comments and suggested text revisions Final Draft EIR Comments Matrix
NOA, NOC, and Environmental Summary Form with any comments made directly in those documents Assumptions
The Public Review Draft EIR sections will be provided to Rincon in Microsoft Word format with track changes showing revisions.
The EIR preparer will provide responses to Rincon’s comments in the Comments Matrix explaining the changes made in response to the comments.
The NOA, NOC, and Environmental Summary forms will be provided in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Rincon assumes that the EIR preparer will have adequately revised the Draft EIR in response to the comments received, and any remaining comments will be limited to minor clarifications. No hard copies will be provided.
57 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
16 Task 3.4 Administrative Draft Responses to Comments, Final EIR, and MMRP
Following the public review period, the EIR preparer will address any public comments that are received during the review period in an Administrative Draft Responses to Comments document. In addition, the EIR preparer will prepare an Administrative Draft Final EIR that provides text revisions to the Draft EIR, as necessary, based on the public comments received and a Draft Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP). Rincon’s peer review will focus on the appropriateness and accuracy of the draft responses to public comments and resulting revisions to the Draft EIR, if applicable. The peer review of the Responses to Comments will be focused on comments that raise substantive technical issues. Rincon’s peer review of the MMRP will focus on ensuring that the MMRP provides clear and actionable direction for the implementation and monitoring of the mitigation measures included in the EIR.
Review of the Administrative Draft Responses to Comments, Final EIR, and MMRP will be completed using electronic Word versions provided by the City, using track-change format that will highlight recommended text revisions, corrections, and deletions, as well as comments provided directly in the documents. In addition, Rincon will provide a Comments Matrix for the Administrative Draft Responses to Comments, Final EIR, and MMRP to document key comments with columns added for the EIR preparer’s responses and for subsequent rounds of review. We have budgeted a set number of hours for this task. While we believe this is a reasonable estimate of the hours required, the number and complexity of Draft EIR comments cannot be predicted with certainty.
Therefore, in the event that the number or complexity of comments received would require additional hours, we reserve the right to renegotiate the budget for this component of the work program.
Deliverables
Comments and revisions to the Administrative Draft Responses to Comments, Administrative Final EIR, and MMRP in track changes Word document format
Administrative Draft Responses to Comments, Final EIR, and MMRP Comments Matrix Assumptions
A copy of the public comments received will be provided along with the Administrative Draft Responses to Comments.
The MMRP will take the form of a table with columns for the mitigation measures, required documentation, timing, monitoring, and responsible party(ies).
The peer review of the draft versions of the Final EIR documentation, including Responses to Comments and the MMRP, will entail a single round of comments
Approximately 26 professional staff hours have been assumed for this task. In the event the number or complexity of comments received require additional hours, a scope amendment may be prepared. No hard copies will be provided.
Task 3.5 Final Responses to Comments, Final EIR, MMRP, and Notice of Determination
After the EIR preparer has addressed all comments resulting from Rincon’s peer review of the Administrative Draft Responses to Comments, Final EIR, and MMRP, Rincon will provide a final backcheck to confirm that all comments have been adequately resolved. Rincon will also provide a peer review of the Notice of Determination (NOD) and provide comments directly on the form if any changes are recommended.
Deliverables
Comments and revisions to the Final Responses to Comments, Final EIR, and MMRP in track changes Word document format
NOD with any comments made directly in the document
Final Responses to Comments, Final EIR, and MMRP Comments Matrix 58 Approach and Methodology
Rincon Consultants 17
Assumptions
The Final Responses to Comments, Final EIR, and MMRP will be provided to Rincon in Microsoft Word format with track changes showing revisions and responses to Rincon’s comments. The NOD will be provided in Microsoft Word or PDF format. The EIR preparer will provide responses to Rincon’s comments in the Comments Matrix explaining the changes made in response to the comments.
The EIR preparer will have adequately responded and revised the Final EIR materials (including the Responses to Comments and MMRP), and any remaining comments will be limited to minor clarifications. No hard copies will be provided.
Task 4 Public Meeting Attendance
Two team members (as needed/requested by the City) will attend up to two public scoping meetings (one for the general public and one for the public and government agencies), two Planning Commission meetings (including one meeting to receive public comments on the Public Draft EIR), and up to two City Council meetings.
Deliverables
Attendance at up to a total of six in-person meetings by up to two members of the Rincon team Assumptions
A maximum travel distance of 80 miles (round trip) per staff member is assumed for each meeting. Each public scoping meeting will not exceed two hours in length. Each Planning Commission and City Council meeting will not exceed four hours in length.
Task 5 Project Management and Internal Meetings
Rincon’s Project Manager will be responsible for general day-to-day project management tasks, including team management, coordination and communication with the City and applicant team, and monthly invoices with progress reports. As part of this assignment, Rincon staff will coordinate via email with the City weekly or as needed to meet the project schedule, provide updates on review progress, identify any issues and review and refine project deliverables. This scope includes attendance at up to 10 check-in meetings by up to two Rincon staff to discuss peer review comments and project status.
Deliverables
Attendance at up to a total of two in-person meetings and up to eight virtual meetings (total of up to 10 meetings) by up to two members of the Rincon team
Rigorous QA/QC of all products
Regular schedule and milestone updates
Monthly invoices with progress reports
Assumptions
A maximum travel distance of 80 miles per staff member is assumed for each in-person meeting. Check-in meetings will not exceed one-hour in length.
Project Schedule
The Rincon team is prepared to begin the work program described in this proposal immediately upon authorization to proceed and is prepared to meet the schedule outlined by the City in the request for proposals.
This includes the following timeframes for project deliverables:
59 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
18 Peer reviews of technical studies completed within three weeks of receipt Peer reviews of revised technical studies within one week of receipt Peer review of the Administrative Draft EIR sections within three weeks of receipt Peer review of the Screencheck Draft EIR within two weeks of receipt Peer review of the Public Draft EIR within one week of receipt Peer review of the Administrative Final EIR, Responses to Comments, and MMRP within two weeks of receipt Peer review of the Final EIR, Responses to Comments, and MMRP within one week of receipt If additional time is needed for any of the rounds of peer review based on document length or complexity of peer review comments, Rincon will notify the City immediately. 60 Project History and References
Rincon Consultants 19
3 Project History and References
Rincon’s Approach
Our approach is rooted in proactive communication, technical accuracy, and schedule efficiency. At the start of the project, our Project Manager and Principal will meet with City staff to confirm scope, deliverables, schedule, and key milestones. By identifying potential issues early, we reduce the need for revisions and maintain momentum throughout the process. Our team is expertly aware of CEQA and NEPA guidelines, current case law, and best practices, allowing us to prepare concise, defensible documents that clearly communicate findings to City staff, decision-makers, and the public. We balance thorough analysis with clarity and accessibility, maintaining legal defensibility without unnecessary complexity.
Rincon offers comprehensive in-house technical capabilities across all CEQA topic areas, reducing the need for external support and improving coordination. When specialized expertise is required, we engage previously vetted subconsultants, such as Moffat & Nichol and Translutions. However, Rincon maintains full responsibility for scope, schedule, communication, and quality. The Project Manager oversees all subconsultant coordination to ensure seamless integration of work products and a cohesive final deliverable.
Above all, Rincon is committed to being a collaborative, long-term partner to the City. We pride ourselves on being accessible, solution-oriented, and aligned with City goals. We understand the importance of public transparency, consistency in environmental documentation, and maintaining trust in the CEQA process. With our extensive local experience, multidisciplinary team, streamlined processes, and proven success on similar coastal habitat restoration projects, Rincon will support the City in preparing efficient, defensible, and high-quality environmental review documents.
Rincon has extensive experience providing environmental documentation, technical study preparation, and peer review services for complex coastal, watershed, and restoration projects throughout Southern California. The following representative projects demonstrate our team’s proven ability to prepare legally defensible CEQA documents and deliver coordinated, multidisciplinary environmental review for public agencies. These examples highlight Rincon’s successful partnerships with the City, neighboring jurisdictions, and regional resource and regulatory agencies, as well as our understanding of the unique environmental, hydrologic, and community considerations inherent to the Aliso Creek Watershed. Each project reflects our team’s commitment to responsive communication, technical rigor, and the development of practical, science-based solutions that balance restoration goals with regulatory and stakeholder objectives.
Rincon Project Experience
Rincon provides Technical Peer Review Services for municipalities throughout the State, cities, counties, other public agencies, special districts such as Joint Powers Authorities, and independent review for non-profit groups.
A select list of such service contracts and on-call lists includes the following:
City of Costa Mesa
City of Malibu
City of Santa Monica
City of San Diego
City of Long Beach CEQA/NEPA Peer Review
City of Calabasas
Port of Long Beach, Environmental Document
QA/QC Review
City of Los Angeles CEQA/NEPA Peer Review
City of Claremont
Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California
United Water Conservation District
City of Santa Ana Environmental Consulting
Services
San Diego County Water Authority
South Bay Cities Council of Governments
City and County of San Francisco
Rincon has supported
numerous Southern
California jurisdictions
and is familiar with the
local environmental
setting, CEQA
procedures, and
municipal expectations.
61 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
20 Port of Hueneme/Oxnard Harbor District
County of Los Angeles Community Development
Commission
City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation
and Parks
City of Los Angeles Housing Department
California State University
Southern California Edison Company
Southern California Gas Company
Los Angeles Community College District
County of Ventura
Rincon brings decades of proven environmental consulting experience supporting cities across California with the preparation of CEQA documentation for complex coastal, watershed, and restoration projects. Our team has successfully completed initial studies, EIRs, peer reviews, and technical analyses for projects similar in scale and complexity to the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project. All projects undergo a rigorous QA/QC process to ensure technical accuracy, internal consistency, and compliance with CEQA requirements. We are known for our strong coordination with subconsultants, diligent QC protocols, and ability to deliver accurate documents on schedule and within budget. The following examples highlight our past performance on preparing and executing comparable projects and demonstrate our capacity to serve as a responsive. 62 Project History and References
Rincon Consultants 21
South Coast Water District
Aliso Creek Urban Recovery, Reuse, and Conservation Project Laguna Beach, California
Rincon has developed and implemented a monitoring and reporting program for the SCWD’s Aliso Creek Urban Runoff Recovery, Reuse, and Conservation Project, a diversion facility in South Orange County. The project aims to reduce urban runoff in the lower watershed, which has negatively impacted water quality and led to the listing of Aliso Creek as an impaired watershed. By decreasing urban runoff, the project will help mitigate excessive stream flow from urban areas. This mitigation will restore lower Aliso Creek’s flow to more natural levels, reduce inflows to coastal ecosystems, and benefit several species of concern. Additionally, the diverted and treated water will improve the water quality of the SCWD’s recycled water supply. The diversion was built and deemed operational in 2015, but due to drought conditions and minimum bypass flow requirements, no diversion has taken place to date.
In order to support the SCWD’s plans of diversion activities, Rincon developed a comprehensive workplan during the first phase of the project that assessed the permit and water rights requirements established by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and State Water Resources Control Board. The workplan outlined a tiered approach with three distinct levels of effort in order to initiate baseline monitoring requirements prior to diversion, collect additional data in anticipation for Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement (LSAA) renewal efforts, and provide options for eventual minimum bypass flow requirements via a water rights permit amendment. During the second phase of the project, Rincon implemented the monitoring program under the medium level of effort in the workplan, which includes instantaneous, daily, monthly, and maximum, minimum, and average in-creek flows, drone vegetation mapping, bank-to-bank stream channel delineation, species reconnaissance surveys, habitat suitability evaluations, and bioassessment via California Stream Condition Index scores, algae Index of Biotic Integrity and benthic macroinvertebrate data collection. This monitoring and reporting program laid out a clear path for initiating and maintaining diversion operations at the Coastal Treatment Plant to support SCWD’s recycled water program. Rincon assisted SCWD with an additional year of baseline monitoring per the low level of effort in the workplan, in order to continue collecting data within Aliso Creek for eventual water rights permit amendment positioning and a deeper understanding of the watershed under various hydrological conditions. After completing baseline monitoring efforts in 2024 and 2025, SCWD will be positioned to begin surface water diversion in the 2026 Water Year.
Rincon additionally developed an IS-MND amendment to satisfy CEQA requirements of a new LSAA application, as the project’s original operation timeline had since expired. This amendment required synthesizing monitoring and habitat data into a streamlined document that was not originally accounted for in the scope of work or budget, but with creative cost saving measures, was able to be accommodated. SCWD is awaiting the final determination from California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the new LSAA and is still navigating the dynamic process of balancing regulatory requirements to implement a feasible monitoring and reporting program, while assessing diversion feasibility given current creek conditions.
Rincon continually strategizes with SCWD for long-term watershed management efforts, preparing for reporting and permit renewal processes and collaborating with other stakeholders for a holistic water resource planning 63 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
22 approach. Through the Aliso Creek Diversion Monitoring and Reporting project, Rincon has developed an intimate knowledge of the existing regulatory landscape, current and predicted hydrology, and biological resources of the Aliso Creek Watershed, as well as a strong relationship with SCWD, a major stakeholder in the watershed.
Reference Information:
Steve Dishon, Water Resources Manager
South Coast Water District
949-342-2174 |[email protected]
Dates: March 2024 to Present
El Toro Water District
Aliso Creek Lift Station Improvements Project
Laguna Woods, California
Rincon prepared environmental documentation for this project, which involves various improvements to the Aliso Creek Lift Station to increase pump performance, address maintenance issues, and accommodate existing flows, as well as the
additional wastewater flows anticipated to be generated by the planned Village at Laguna Hills development. Because the District may seek federal funding for the project from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program, Rincon prepared a cultural resources technical report to satisfy the requirements of National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 and prepared the IS-MND on an accelerated schedule to allow for completion prior to
submission of the district’s grant application. Rincon also provided Assembly Bill 52 consultation assistance.
Key issues included special-status species associated with Aliso Creek (adjacent to the project site) and construction-phase impacts to the surrounding 55+ private residential community, such as air quality and noise.
In addition, due to site limitations, project construction would require temporary closure of one lane of Avenida Sevilla (a two-lane road) and a portion of the Upper Aliso Creek Trail, so the IS-MND included an expanded evaluation of and mitigation for construction-phase transportation and recreation impacts. No public comments were received on the Draft IS-MND, and the Board adopted the Final IS-MND in May 2025.
The Final IS-MND was adopted within the district’s desired timeframe, in advance of submittal of its Notice of Interest for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Rincon completed our scope of work approximately $16,000 under budget due to the lack of public comment letters received on the Draft IS-MND, as well as efficient project management.
Reference Information:
Hannah Ford, Director of Engineering
El Toro Water District
949-837-7050 x247 | [email protected]
Dates: September 2024 to March 2025
64 Project History and References
Rincon Consultants 23
South San Luis Obispo County Sanitary District
Coastal Hazards Monitoring Program
San Luis Obispo County, California
The Wastewater Treatment Plant Redundancy Project involves the construction and operation of backup infrastructure at the district’s wastewater treatment facility in Oceano. The project is intended to provide redundancy to allow major process units to be removed from service for maintenance without risking violation of effluent permit limits. In support of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and United States Department of Agriculture funding pursuits for the project, Rincon prepared technical air quality, biological, and cultural studies compliant with CEQA-Plus and NEPA requirements, as well as an Environmental Report for Categorical Exclusion.
Rincon also coordinated with United States Department of Agriculture staff for facilitation of the environmental review process to receive the Biological Opinion from United States Fish and Wildlife Service for impacts to the California red-legged frog. Rincon is currently conducting Coastal Hazards Monitoring and Reporting as required by the project’s Coastal Development Permit for the construction and installation of the new redundancy infrastructure and other improvements to the district’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Reference Information:
Jeremy Ghent, District Administrator
South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District
805-489-6666 | [email protected]
Dates: November 2020 to Present
65 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
24 Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
McGrath Lake
Oxnard, California
Rincon is designing and implementing an assessment to develop a sediment remediation plan to implement the McGrath Lake Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls TMDL. Rincon is evaluating the current extent and magnitude of polychlorinated biphenyls and legacy pesticide contamination in McGrath Lake sediments, evaluating the extent of the contamination beyond the current lake footprint in lake perimeter soils, and preparing a remediation alternatives analysis for the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. The sediment evaluation includes a bathymetric survey using sonar technology, and sediment sampling is being performed via vibracore deployed from a small vessel. Rincon is also performing biological and cultural resources surveys and a jurisdictional delineation to support a constraints analysis that will inform the development of feasible remediation design alternatives in coordination with GHD, who is providing engineering design support.
This project requires close coordination with state agencies, including California State Parks, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, municipalities, and private owners for site access. Access coordination has been challenging; however, Rincon has been able to maintain the overall project schedule through frequent communication with the Regional Water Quality Control Board and other stakeholders. To navigate access limitations, Rincon negotiated to move forward with biological and cultural surveys as planned and worked with stakeholders to arrange sample collection within a timeframe that would still enable adherence to the overall project timeline.
This project commenced in September of 2024. A stakeholder kickoff meeting was held in October of 2024.
Multiple preliminary progress reports have been submitted to the Regional Water Quality Control Board before deadline, and project surveys and milestones have been executed on schedule. Rincon continually evaluates the original project scope as the project advances and communicates potential minor adjustments to the Regional Water Quality Control Board to ensure the fixed budget is used effectively, maximizing the collection of critical information aligned with the project’s overall goals. For example, early in the project, our team identified critical sediment data gaps and worked with the Regional Water Quality Control Board to reallocate a portion of funds from the final engineering design scope to address these gaps, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the information that will be included in the final report.
Reference Information:
Elisha Wakefield, Senior Environmental Scientist
Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program
Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
213-576-6785 | [email protected]
Dates: September 2024 - Present
66 Project History and References
Rincon Consultants 25
San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District (OneShoreline) Millbrae and Burlingame Shoreline Area Protection and Enhancement Environmental Constraints Studies, EIR, and NEPA/Permitting Support San Mateo County, California
The Millbrae and Burlingame Shoreline Resilience project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redevelop the San Mateo County shoreline areas of the cities of Millbrae and Burlingame in a manner that protects land uses and infrastructure. The primary objective of OneShoreline is to protect the shoreline against flooding and SLR inundation due to climate change, while also increasing access to the Bay through recreational enhancements and improving the ecosystems through habitat restoration. As subconsultant to the engineering and design firm Schaaf & Wheeler, Rincon led the effort to analyze the environmental constraints of multiple potential project alternative concepts, including for terrestrial and marine biological resources, cultural and tribal cultural resources, environmental hazards and remediation, and other constraints. Rincon is now preparing the EIR for the project and will also lead the NEPA compliance effort and provide support for the necessary regulatory permitting processes related to biological resources, aquatic resources, coastal resources, water quality, and cultural resources.
Rincon provided environmentally informed design input for multiple conceptual alternatives, including for innovative features like living reefs and recreational trails with the potential to introduce cost, schedule, permitting, and land use challenges. To address these, Rincon conducted an integrated environmental constraints analysis, covering biological and cultural resources, hazardous materials, fish passage, and wildlife hazards to efficiently evaluate alternatives. By managing environmental studies, CEQA/NEPA, and permitting under a unified team, Rincon is streamlining documentation and regulatory coordination, reducing duplication and keeping the project on track. This proactive approach has supported OneShoreline’s multijurisdictional effort and the Bay Conservation Development Commission’s regional climate resilience goals, with all work delivered on time and within budget.
Reference Information:
Charles Anderson, PE, President
Shaaf and Wheeler
408-246-4848 x227 | [email protected]
Dates: April 2022 to Present
67 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
26 City of Goleta
Goleta San Jose Creek Multi-Use Path Habitat Restoration and Tree Replacement Plan
Goleta, California
Rincon prepared a Conceptual Habitat Restoration and Tree Replacement Plan for the City of Goleta’s San Jose Creek Multi-Use Path project to meet mitigation requirements for native tree and riparian habitat impacts identified in the project’s CEQA document. The plan addressed restoration and mitigation for aesthetic and biological resources, including riparian and wetland habitat, jurisdictional waters, and native trees affected by construction of new multi-use path segments. Rincon conducted a preliminary site assessment to identify suitable on- and off-site locations for mitigation, including potential areas for riparian enhancement and tree replacement within the City of Goleta’s jurisdiction.
Building on its ecological restoration and regulatory expertise, Rincon developed a detailed plan outlining species selection, planting design, irrigation and maintenance schedules, weed control, and monitoring and reporting protocols. The plan incorporated performance standards and agency coordination with California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Board, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries.
This project demonstrates Rincon’s ability to prepare actionable mitigation and restoration strategies that integrate habitat enhancement with public access and recreation improvements.
Reference Information:
Teresa Lopes, Principal Civil Engineer
City of Goleta
805-961-7563 | [email protected]
Dates: September 2024 to September 2025
68 Project History and References
Rincon Consultants 27
City of Ventura
Santa Clara River Estuary Feasibility Evaluation
Ventura, California
Rincon conducted a feasibility evaluation to help the City of Ventura assess options to minimize the spread of invasive species within the Santa Clara River Estuary as part of ongoing coordination with resource agencies for the VenturaWaterPure program. The study focuses on estuary bottom areas that are expected to become newly exposed following reductions in wastewater discharge from the Ventura Water Reclamation Facility. Rincon’s team of biologists, botanists, and restoration specialists evaluated existing site conditions, reviewed resource agency communications, and developed a technical memorandum to guide the City of Ventura’s adaptive management strategy.
Drawing from decades of experience in the Santa Clara River Watershed, including giant reed removal and riparian habitat restoration, Rincon applied its knowledge of invasive species control, native planting design, and material disposal methods to provide practical recommendations and cost estimates per acre. The findings will inform future resource agency discussions and potential development of a full invasive species minimization plan to support long-term ecological management of the estuary and the City of Ventura’s broader water reuse and restoration goals.
Reference Information:
Sarah Mulder, Water Resources Manager
Ventura Water
805-677-4126 | [email protected]
Dates: April 2023 to May 2025
69 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
28 City of Piedmont
Standard Conditions of Approval for Biological Resources and Watercourse Protection
Piedmont, California
The City of Piedmont retained Rincon to develop a comprehensive set of Standard Conditions of Approval for biological resources and watercourse/wetland protection. The project aimed to support the City of Piedmont’s efforts to balance environmental protection with practical development needs, particularly in areas adjacent to creeks, drainages, and sensitive habitats.
Rincon’s work included a review of existing City policies, Section 30.11 of the City Code (Watercourse Protection), and applicable programmatic CEQA mitigation measures. The team also evaluated opportunities for ordinance amendments, clarified regulatory definitions, and proposed GIS-based overlays to improve implementation and enforcement of watercourse protection standards.
As part of its deliverables, Rincon prepared a detailed memorandum recommending practical strategies for regulating development near creeks, including tiered permitting, variable buffer zones, and incentives for green infrastructure. In parallel, Rincon drafted a suite of enforceable Conditions of Approval addressing tree protection, habitat preservation, stormwater best management practices, wildlife protection, and regulatory permitting compliance. These conditions were designed to be scalable, site-specific, and aligned with CEQA and local planning goals.
Following City of Piedmont review, Rincon revised the draft materials and participated in collaborative meetings to finalize the documents, ensuring they were tailored to Piedmont’s unique urban-ecological context and ready for integration into the City of Piedmont’s planning and permitting processes.
Reference Information:
Kevin Jackson, AICP, Planning & Building Director
City of Piedmont
510-420-3039 | [email protected]
Dates: April to July 2025
70 Project History and References
Rincon Consultants 29
Moffat & Nichol Project Experience
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy
San Elijo Lagoon Restoration Project
Duarte, California
San Elijo Lagoon, one of the few remaining
coastal wetlands in San Diego County, provides
critical habitat for resident and migratory
wildlife and supports sensitive, threatened, and
endangered plant species. It also offers
valuable recreational opportunities for nearby
communities. However, decades of
urbanization and infrastructure development
have significantly degraded its ecological
health. Construction of U.S. Highway 101,
Interstate 5, and a railroad through the lagoon
restricted tidal and storm flows, while urban
runoff introduced sediment, nutrients, and
bacteria. The disposal of sewage sludge further
worsened water quality, resulting in the lagoon’s 303(d) listing by the Regional Water Quality Control Board for sediment, bacteria, and nutrient impairments. These impacts disrupted the natural tidal system, degraded habitats, and impaired overall lagoon function.
In response, a large-scale restoration effort was launched through collaboration among resource agencies, landowners, and federal, state, and local partners to reestablish stable tidal conditions and enhance ecological resilience. The project involved extensive dredging and beneficial reuse of lagoon sediments. Approximately 450,000 cubic yards of sand were dredged and placed on Cardiff and Solana Beaches, providing both disposal capacity for lagoon muds and enhanced shoreline protection. Lagoon channel dredging improved tidal exchange and adjusted habitat elevations to expand ecological diversity and resilience.
Resiliency was integral to the project’s design, addressing SLR through adaptive habitat configurations. Habitat elevations and slopes were designed to sustain lagoon ecosystems through up to two feet of SLR, while two highelevation fill areas were created to transition from upland to wetland habitats over time. The upstream lagoon valley was graded to provide a natural ramp for wetland migration, ensuring long-term adaptability under higher SLR scenarios.
Beach nourishment further strengthened coastal resilience by protecting key infrastructure—including Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas and stormwater and lifeguard facilities in Solana Beach—from flooding and erosion.
This effort received the 2018 Best Restored Beach Award from the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association. Additionally, sand and cobble were provided during construction (2017–2020) to the adjacent Cardiff Living Shoreline Project, supporting the City of Encinitas’ efforts to enhance coastal protection along Highway 101.
Moffatt & Nichol led preliminary and final engineering, environmental review, and permitting. The firm performed hydrodynamic, sedimentation, and water quality modeling, as well as shoreline and surfing impact analyses related to sand placement. Moffatt & Nichol continues to monitor the site during construction and is preparing a five-year post-construction monitoring plan to ensure long-term project success.
Reference Information:
Bradley Nussbaum, Operations Director
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy
858-704-4554 |[email protected]
Dates: 2009 to Present
71 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
30 Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains Topanga Lagoon Restoration
Topanga, California
The Resource Conservation District of the Santa
Monica Mountains launched a long-term project to
restore the lagoon ecosystem and enhance habitat
for two federally endangered species—the
tidewater goby and southern steelhead trout. The
project also aims to restore sediment supply to the
littoral cell and protect visitor services by
improving resilience to SLR and beach erosion.
Overall, the effort seeks to expand and enhance
lagoon habitat, while strengthening the region’s
coastal resilience.
Moffatt & Nichol is currently developing the 60
percent design plans for the lagoon restoration, Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) bridge replacement, and associated roadway improvements. The firm began with a comprehensive restoration feasibility study that evaluated hydrologic, hydraulic, sedimentary, and water quality processes as an integrated system. Moffatt & Nichol then developed 30 percent design plans for three restoration alternatives, completed the advanced planning study for the PCH bridge replacement, and prepared 30 percent design plans for reconstructing roadway approaches.
The team also produced a Project Report addressing the replacement of the PCH bridge and the widening of Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
Extensive technical modeling and analyses have been conducted to guide design and environmental planning.
These include one-dimensional hydraulic, sediment transport, and SLR modeling for the lagoon and creek, as well as two-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling to evaluate fish passage opportunities. Moffatt & Nichol has also prepared soil characterization studies, a sediment analysis plan, and a beneficial reuse plan to ensure responsible management of dredged material. Using the Delft3D model, the team conducted both morphological and shoreline studies to optimize sediment placement, minimize potential impacts on marine habitats, and maximize benefits to adjacent beaches and the littoral cell.
In addition to these technical studies, Moffatt & Nichol has prepared an alternatives analysis report, a basis of design report, and preliminary operations and maintenance plan. The firm is also providing ongoing technical support for the project’s EIR, ensuring that the design and environmental documentation align with state and federal requirements and support long-term ecological and coastal resilience goals.
Reference Information:
Rosi Dagit, Principal Conservation Biologist
Resource Conservation District of the
Santa Monica Mountains
310-455-7528 | [email protected]
Dates: November 2019 to Present
72 Project History and References
Rincon Consultants 31
Translutions Project Experience
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
F.E. Weymouth Water Treatment Plant and La Verne Site Improvements Program
La Verne, California
Translutions prepared the construction traffic impact evaluation, access evaluation, and VMT screening for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s (Metropolitan) F.E. Weymouth Water Treatment Plant as part of the F.E. Weymouth Water Treatment Plant and La Verne Site Improvements Program. This program includes four improvement projects and two new construction projects at the F.E. Weymouth Plant and La Verne Site. The purpose of the analysis was to disclose potential traffic and transportation impacts during both construction and operation.
Translutions developed an approach to exempt the project from requiring a VMT analysis and prepared a detour plan to minimize impacts during construction of the on-site railroad improvements. For the access analysis, Translutions identified a methodology acceptable to the City of La Verne to evaluate trip generation associated with employees anticipated to use the new entrance. The CEQA components of the analyses—including access, safety, and VMT—were approved with minimal comments. The detour analysis demonstrated that the proposed construction would not substantially increase local travel times and helped identify optimal locations for detour signage to minimize commuter delays.
Reference Information:
Annaliese Torres, Supervising Planner
Rincon Consultants
657-999-8337 | [email protected]
Dates: August 2022 to May 2023
73 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
32 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Headworks
Los Angeles, California
Translutions prepared the VMT screening analysis for the Headworks Project, which includes development of a new Water Quality Lab (WQL), a Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) Demonstration Facility, and a public park (Headworks Park). The WQL will replace the existing Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) laboratories in Pasadena and the Rinaldi mobile lab in Granada Hills, addressing issues related to energy efficiency, operations and maintenance costs, and insufficient space for regulatory testing. The new facility will also consolidate several water quality–related functions that are currently dispersed across multiple LADWP locations, including at LADWP Headquarters and other downtown offices.
The DPR Demonstration Facility will serve as an advanced water purification facility (AWPF) for treated drinking water augmentation, consistent with the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) Proposed Framework for Regulating Direct Potable Reuse in California.
Headworks Park will feature landscaping inspired by native plant communities and include educational elements related to local ecosystems and the Los Angeles River. The park will support passive recreation and incorporate a segment of the Los Angeles River Trail system, linking to adjacent recreational areas. A portion of the park will be located atop the Headworks West Reservoir and will follow previously established plans to vegetate the top and sides of the buried reservoir with native species.
Translutions developed an approach to exempt the project from requiring a full VMT analysis, primarily based on the fact that current staff commute to the Rinaldi facility, which generates higher home-based work (HBW) VMT.
The CEQA components of the analyses—including access, safety, and VMT—were approved with minimal comments..
Reference Information:
Fareeha Kibriya, Project Manager (now with Michael
Baker International)
AECOM
213-593-8167 | [email protected]
Dates: October 2018 to December 2022
74 Exceptions
Rincon Consultants 33
4 Exceptions
Rincon has reviewed the Request for Proposals, Scope of Services, and the City’s Standard Agreement and does not propose any exceptions, additions, or deletions. We understand and accept the City’s requirements, including all stipulated insurance provisions and contractual terms, and confirm that Rincon can execute the Agreement without any substantive changes. Accordingly, no exceptions are submitted for the City’s consideration. 75 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
34 5 Other Information
Licenses and Certifications
Additional licensures and certifications are not applicable for this specific project; therefore, the chosen project team does not possess any additional certifications outside the education listed in their resumes. However, Rincon has a vast array of professionals within the company who can supplement the chosen team with additional experience and certifications as needed.
Certifications and Accreditations
Registrations
Registered Professional Archaeologists
Registered Professional Engineers
Registered Professional Geologists
Certifications
American Institute of Certified Planners
Certified Permitting Professions (San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and South Coast Air Quality
Management District)
Certified Consulting Meteorologist
Qualified Environmental Professional Certification
Qualified Stormwater Practitioner
Qualified Stormwater Developer
Professional Hydrologist
Visible Emissions Evaluation Certification
Low Carbon Fuel Standard Entity Accreditation and
Verifier Accreditation (pending)
International Society of Arboriculture-Certified Arborists o Municipal Specialist
o Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification
o Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Verification Bodies
California Air Resources Board Accredited Greenhouse
Gas Verification Body
California Air Resources Board Greenhouse Gas Offset
Verification Body
Permits
Bureau of Land Management Scientific Paleontological
Collections Permit
Cultural Use Permit (CA-13-03) for Bureau of Land
Management
Federal Endangered Species 10(a)(1)(A) Recovery
Permits
o Invertebrates
El Segundo blue butterfly
Quino checkerspot butterfly
o Birds
Yellow-billed cuckoo
Southwestern willow flycatcher
California gnatcatcher
o Mammals
Giant kangaroo rat
San Bernardino kangaroo rat
o Amphibians
California red-legged frog
o Fish
Santa Ana sucker
Tidewater goby
Unarmored three-spine stickleback
CDFW Memorandum of Understanding
o Yellow-billed cuckoo
o Southwestern willow flycatcher
Other State/Federal Species Qualifications (handling
permits, qualified biologists, etc.)
o Blunt-nosed leopard lizard
o Burrowing owl
o California least tern
o CDFW Scientific Collection Permits (various)
o Desert kit fox
o Desert tortoise
o Flat-tailed horned lizard
o Least Bell’s vireo
o Rare Plant Collection voucher
o Salt marsh harvest mouse
o San Joaquin antelope squirrel
o San Joaquin kit fox
o Swainson’s hawk
o Western snowy plover
76 Conflicts of Interest
Rincon Consultants 35
6 Conflicts of Interest
Rincon has included the table below of all previous and current contracts with the City, as requested. Rincon has conducted a thorough conflict-of-interest review and confirms that no current or retired City officials or employees, nor any of their immediate family members, have any ownership interest in Rincon or would derive any personal financial benefit from this contract. Additionally, no City officials or employees are, or are anticipated to be, employed by Rincon or any of our subconsultants during the project period. Based on this review, Rincon has identified no actual or potential conflicts of interest.
Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Contact: Michael Phillips, Environmental Specialist
Dates of Services January 2020 to October 2021
Description of Services: Updated Baseline Greenhouse Gas Inventory, 2009 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Climate Action Planning Grant Assistance
Pacific Edge Hotel Remodel Project IS-MND
Contact: Anthony Viera, Senior Planner
Dates of Services May 2020 to September 2021
Description of Services: Rincon provided environmental compliance support under CEQA, including documentation and historic-resource evaluation, for a comprehensive hotel redevelopment project involving new construction, interior and exterior renovations, parking and site improvements, and upgraded guest and amenity spaces along Sleepy Hollow Lane.
Laguna Beach Civic Site IS-MND
Contact: Jeremy Frimond, Senior Administrative Analyst
Dates of Services April 2020 to August 2020
Description of Services: Rincon prepared three IS-MNDs and supporting technical studies to support the City’s potential acquisition of three different Pacific Coast Highway parcels. The selected parcel would be used to construct a replacement station for Fire Station No. 4.
Near-shore Water Quality Sampling
Contact: Jeremy Frimond, Senior Administrative Analyst
Dates of Services January 2022 to February 2022
Description of Services: Rincon performed near-shore water quality monitoring as part of an environmental response project
150 Vista Del Sol
Contact: Anthony Viera, Planning Manager
Dates of Services April 2022 to August 2023
Description of Services: Rincon prepared an IS-MND and supporting technical studies for a single-family residence. 32051 Coast Highway
Contact: Anthony Viera, Planning Manager
Dates of Services August 2022 to April 2024
Description of Services: Rincon prepared an IS-MND and supporting technical studies for a single-family residence. 2345 South Coast Highway IS-MND
Contact: Kate Kazama, Associate Planner
Dates of Services February 2023 to Present
Description of Services: Rincon is preparing an IS-MND and supporting technical studies for a single-family residence. 77 City of Laguna Beach
Proposal for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation and Technical Peer Review Services
36 31727 and 31735 Coast Highway Civic Site Project
Contact: Jeremy Frimond, Senior Administrative Analyst
Dates of Services June 2021 to September 2021
Description of Services: Rincon prepared an IS-MND and technical studies (refer to Laguna Beach Civic Site IS-MND above)
31796 Coast Highway Civic Site IS-MND
Contact: Jeremy Frimond, Senior Administrative Analyst
Dates of Services August 2022 to December 2022
Description of Services: Rincon prepared an IS-MND and technical studies (refer to Laguna Beach Civic Site IS-MND above).
Bluff Overlay District - IS-MND
Contact: Anthony Viera, Planning Manager
Dates of Services July 2023 to October 2024
Description of Services: Rincon prepared an IS-MND and technical studies for the Bluff Overlay District Zoning Ordinance Amendment.
Promenade on Forest
Contact: Louie Lacasella, Senior Management Analyst
Dates of Services March 2025 to April 2025
Description of Services: Rincon prepared an SB 922 Exemption memo for the development of a pedestrian plaza on Forest Avenue.
Pacific Edge Hotel Addendum
Contact: Anthony Viera, Planning Manager
Dates of Services March 2025 to Present
Description of Services: Rincon is preparing an Addendum to the project’s IS-MND and supporting technical studies for the Modified Project.
Irvine Bowl Noise Policy Study
Contact: Shaveta Sharma, Senior Planner
Dates of Services June 2025 to Present
Description of Services: Rincon conducted concert sound monitoring and is assisting in the preparation of a Sound Policy update for the Irvine Bowl.
1040 Skyline Drive Biological Support
Contact: Bill Rodrigues, Jessica Mendoza
Dates of Services July 2025 to August 2025
Description of Services: Rincon conducted a biological resources reconnaissance survey and prepared a report of findings evaluating the potential for presence of regulated biological resources and High/Very High Value Habitat (in accordance with the City’s Local Coastal Program) on a vacant property zoned for a single-family home.
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79 Appendix A
Resumes for Key Personnel
80 Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
JD, Western State University
College of Law
MA, Political Science,
Specializing Public Policy,
San Diego State University
BA, Political Science, Sonoma
State University
AFFILIATIONS
Association of Environmental
Professionals
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
20 Danielle Griffith, JD
Principal
Danielle leads interdisciplinary consultant teams in environmental planning efforts for a variety of water and power infrastructure projects, utility purveyor projects, industrial projects, residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects throughout Southern California. Danielle began her career with the City of San Diego, working in the Department of Public Works to implement CEQA strategies and ensure mitigation compliance for City-led public works projects, including water conveyance system projects and utility infrastructure projects. She has since expanded her experience as a project manager and director in infrastructure and utility planning and implementation projects as a leader in the environmental compliance field in Southern California. Danielle has successfully completed numerous environmental documents ranging from simple exemptions to large, multijurisdictional, multiagency California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)/National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Project Manager, Orange County Sanitation District – J-112 Outfall Land Section and Ocean Outfall Booster Pump Station Pipeline, Huntington Beach While at a prior firm, Danielle managed the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the rehabilitation of aging components of the land portion of Orange County Sanitation District’s (OC SAN) ocean outfall system. The project included inspection, condition assessment, and rehabilitation of corroded areas within the land section of the primary, 120-inch-diameter, 5-mile-long outfall (Long Outfall) System extending from the Surge Tower No. 2 at Reclamation Plant No. 2 to the Ocean Outfall Beach Junction Box located on Huntington State Beach. A portion of the project is located within OC SAN’s Reclamation Plant No. 2. A paved bikeway separates the southern boundary of the plant from the Talbert Marsh, and the project included rehabilitation activities at Air Vacuum Station 12+05, adjacent to Talbert Marsh and on the Huntington State Beach adjacent to the California Least Tern Natural Preserve Area. Areas of controversy included impacts to the California Least Tern Preserve Area, impacts to water quality due to Short Outfall discharges, and impacts associated with limited recreational access to the beach and bikeway.
The EIR analyzed two alternatives at equal level to provide OC SAN with information to implement the least impactful project. The project was completed in 2012.
Project Manager, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power – City Trunk Line South Unit 3 Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration, Los Angeles County Danielle managed the preparation of an Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration for a 2-mile trunk line replacement project in the community of North Hollywood – Valley Village area of Los Angeles. The project had the potential to result in temporary construction impacts, including traffic impacts along Whitsett Avenue.
Project Manager, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power – Foothill Trunk Line Unit 3 Environmental Impact Report, Los Angeles County Danielle managed the preparation of an EIR for a 3-mile trunk line replacement project in the communities of Sylmar and Pacoima in northeastern Los Angeles. The project had the potential to result in temporary construction impacts, including traffic impacts along Foothill Boulevard.
81 Danielle Griffith, JD, Page 2
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
Project Manager, Irvine Ranch Water District – Michelson and Los Alisos Water Recycling Plants Biosolids Handling and Energy Recovery Facility Project, Irvine
While at a prior firm, Danielle served as the project manager for the Michelson and Los Alisos Water Recycling Plants (WRP) Biosolids Handling and Energy Recovery Facility Project. The district proposed to implement solids handling facilities at the Michelson WRP rather than continuing to transport sludge to OC SAN. Since 1988, all residuals from the Michelson WRP have been conveyed to OC SAN for processing and disposal. The proposed project provided a complete biosolids process, biogas management, and energy generation system for the Michelson and Los Alisos WRPs.
Principal-in-Charge, City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering – Lankershim Boulevard Local Area Urban Flow Management Network, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Danielle is the Principal in charge for the preparation of the CEQA documents, including all technical studies for the project, which involves installing 8,000 linear feet of storm drain main line to manage flood risk, 33 new catch basins, 14 drywell systems, and significant green street elements, including 315 street trees, 232 parkway infiltration planters, and 15 vegetated median islands.. Rincon is preparing an EIR and a cultural resources technical report, energy report, and hazardous materials technical study. In addition, to satisfy the City’s participation goals for Small Business Enterprises, Women-Owned Business Enterprises, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Rincon has retained subconsultants to prepare key technical studies, including air quality/greenhouse gas, hydrology and water quality resources, and transportation, and stakeholder engagement support.
Principal-in-Charge, City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering – CEQA 101 Training, Los Angeles County Danielle coordinates and oversees an environmental compliance training series for Environmental Management Group staffs at the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering. The training series covers topics such as the CEQA 101, Biological Resources Compliance and Permitting, Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas Analyses, Noise Analyses, Cultural Resources Assessment, and Assembly Bill 52 Consultation. Each training incorporates frequent opportunities for audience interaction and engagement along with agency-specific examples and case studies.
Project Manager, North Los Angeles County/Kern Counties – Regional Recycled Water Project Program Environmental Impact Report and Phase II Antelope Valley Regional Recycled Water Project Initial StudyMitigated Negative Declaration/Environmental Assessment, Antelope Valley Danielle managed the preparation of the Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration/Environmental Assessment for Phase 2 of the Antelope Valley Regional Recycled Water Project. The Regional Project was sponsored by Los Angeles County Wateris works Division 40 and seven other regional water/wastewater partner agencies. Key issues include construction impacts, aesthetics, and biological resources, such as Mohave ground squirrel and Joshua tree woodland. If the project receives federal funding through Title XVI funds, the EIR will be used by the United States Bureau of Reclamation as an Environmental Assessment to comply with NEPA requirements.
Project Manager, Joshua Basin Water District – Recharge and Pipeline Project Addendum, Joshua Tree Danielle managed the preparation of a CEQA Addendum for the Joshua Basin Water District Recharge Basin and Pipeline Project. The proposed project would extend the Morongo Pipeline approximately 6 miles to deliver State Water Project water to new recharge basins in the community of Joshua tree. Key issues included biological resources impacts to desert tortoise and coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for impacts related to desert tortoise habitat.
Project Manager, City of Laguna Beach – Aliso Creek Area Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report, Laguna Beach
Danielle served as the project manager for an EIR for the development of 325 acres in the southern portion of the city of Laguna Beach, east of South Coast Highway and Aliso Beach Park, in Orange County. The project will improve the existing golf course, provide visitor-serving amenities, and subdivide an 8.1-acre area for nine lots. The project also consists of the dedication of 250 acres of open space and would complete the necessary linkage for a mountains-to-sea trail connection from the existing Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park to Aliso Beach Park.
The project also proposes a number of methods to achieve bank stability and restore riparian habitat in Aliso Creek, creating a net increase to jurisdictional wetland and riparian habitat. Issues included alteration of the floodplain, sensitive habitat/species concerns, fire and safety, water quality and hydrology impacts, land use compatibility of proposed trail with golf course, traffic impacts along South Coast Highway, and strong community opposition. 82 Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
MPH, Environmental Health
Sciences, University of
California, Los Angeles
MURP, Urban and Regional
Planning, University of
California, Los Angeles
BS, Environmental Science,
Duke University
BA, Earth and Ocean
Sciences, Duke University
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
7 Emily Marino
Senior Environmental Planner
Emily Marino is a Project Manager and Senior Environmental Planner with experience managing and preparing environmental analyses in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for a variety of plans, projects, and clients. Emily has overseen the environmental analysis for a variety of projects including infrastructure, housing and urban development, climate/coastal planning, and long-range planning documents.
Emily has been working with the City of Laguna Beach since 2020, and has led the CEQA and technical studies for a variety of developments including a hotel project, fire station projects, and several single-family home developments.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Project Manager, City of Laguna Beach – Laguna Beach Civic Site Projects, Laguna Beach
Emily served as the project manager for the CEQA analyses for three property acquisition projects in Laguna Beach for development of a replacement fire station or potential other civic use such as a park. Emily’s work on these projects included developing the project team, coordinating with the client and City, maintaining project timelines, providing senior review of the CEQA documents, and supporting the City during public hearings.
Project Manager, City of Laguna Beach – Pacific Edge Hotel Remodel Projects, Laguna Beach
Emily served as the project manager for the CEQA analysis for a controversial hotel remodel project in Laguna Beach in 2020. In 2025, changes to the hotel remodel were proposed by the project applicant, and Emily has been leading the effort to develop an Addendum to the Original Project’s IS-MND, as well as updating technical studies. Emily’s responsibilities included overseeing the preparation of the Original Project’s Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration, responses to comments, and mitigation monitoring and reporting program, as well as the Addendum, updated Cultural Resources reporting and technical modeling, and public hearing support.
Project Manager, City of Laguna Beach – 32051 Coast Highway Project, Laguna Beach
Emily served as the project manager for the CEQA analyses for a single-family residential project that would replace an existing residence. Her work on the project included developing the project team, coordinating with the applicant and City, maintaining project timelines, and providing senior review of the CEQA documents.
Project Manager, Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors – Redondo Beach Living Shoreline Demonstration Project EIR, Los Angeles County Emily is leading the environmental analysis for the Redondo Beach Living Shoreline Demonstration Project. The goal of this project is to simultaneously protect the Redondo Beach shoreline against flooding and sea level rise inundation due to climate change through the creation of new dune habitat and beach nourishment.
Working together with Moffat & Nichol as the engineering lead, Emily is overseeing preparation of technical studies and an EIR to evaluate potential impacts of the project on the environment.
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Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
On-Call Manager, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Flood Control Facilities – Various Projects, Los Angeles County
Emily serves as the on-call manager for environmental services for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Flood Control Facilities projects. Emily is responsible for managing the delivery of services to the Department across Rincon’s service lines, including cultural and biological resources and environmental planning, and ensuring client satisfaction.
CEQA Analyst, San Mateo County Flood & Sea Level Rise Resiliency District (OneShoreline) – Millbrae/Burlingame Shoreline Protection EIR, San Mateo County Emily is part of the Rincon CEQA team to assist OneShoreline with the Millbrae and Burlingame Shoreline Area Protection and Enhancement Project. The goal of this project is to simultaneously protect the San Mateo County shoreline adjacent to the cities of Millbrae and Burlingame, transportation infrastructure, and Bay ecosystem of mudflats, tidal marsh, and riparian habitat. The primary objective of the project aims to protect the shoreline against flooding and sea level rise inundation due to climate change while simultaneously increasing access to the Bay through recreational enhancements and improving the ecosystems. Potential concepts include a living reef system that enhances biological habitat and can serve as a recreational trail that offers new access to the Bay. Emily is assisting with the development of the EIR.
Project Manager, City of Los Angeles – Lower LA River Trail Improvements Project, Los Angeles Emily served as project manager for environmental feasibility studies for the Lower LA River Trail Improvements project, which will improve one mile of multi-use equestrian, pedestrian, and bicycle trails, as well as habitat, between Artesia Freeway and Somerset Boulevard along the LA River. Emily is oversaw the preparation of the environmental feasibility study for the project and provided recommendations for the eventual CEQA and permitting pathway for the project.
Project Manager, City of Los Angeles – Lower LA River Trail Improvements Project, Los Angeles Emily served as project manager for environmental feasibility studies for the Lower LA River Trail Improvements project, which will improve one mile of multi-use equestrian, pedestrian, and bicycle trails, as well as habitat, between Artesia Freeway and Somerset Boulevard along the LA River. Emily is oversaw the preparation of the environmental feasibility study for the project and provided recommendations for the eventual CEQA and permitting pathway for the project.
Project Manager, City of Los Angeles – Pacoima Wash Greenway Project Emily served as project manager for the environmental constraints and feasibility study of the Pacoima Wash Greenway project, which seeks to create a connected set of multi-use trails, parks, ecosystem enhancement, and other improvements along a 4-mile stretch of the Pacoima Wash within the City of Los Angeles and City of San Fernando. Rincon provided a constraints and feasibility analysis of biological and cultural resources, as well as potential contamination and wildfire hazard concerns associated with the proposed improvements. In addition, Rincon provided insights and actionable next steps for the eventual CEQA and NEPA analysis and environmental permitting anticipated to be required for implementation of the improvements.
Project Manager, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles – One San Pedro Specific Plan Emily served as project manager for the One San Pedro Specific Plan project that will redevelop the 20-acre Rancho San Pedro public housing complex with a mix of housing, commercial, park/open space, and neighborhood amenities. Emily’s work on the CEQA/NEPA process included managing the internal project team, leading client meetings and communication, maintaining the project timeline and budget, invoicing, drafting sections of the project EIR/EIS, developing public outreach materials and leading public meetings, QA/QC, and developing the mitigation monitoring and reporting program.
Assistant Project Manager. City of Morro Bay – Morro Bay Battery Energy Storage System EIR Emily served as the assistant project manager for the CEQA process for this 600-megawatt battery energy storage facility that will be the largest battery energy storage facility in the world upon completion, as well as a master plan for redevelopment of the former Morro Bay Power Plant property at Morro Bay harbor. Emily’s work included drafting the Initial Study documentation and EIR sections aiding the project manager and project team with maintaining the project schedule, client coordination, and communication. 84 Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
BS, Environmental Science,
Texas Christian University
CEQA Practice Certificate,
University of California,
San Diego Extension
AFFILIATIONS
WateReuse Association,
California Section, Orange
County Chapter
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
7 Annaliese Torres
Supervising Environmental Planner/Project Manager
Annaliese is an adaptive project manager who strives to provide clients with tailored, flexible solutions to complex environmental challenges in a conscientious manner that accounts for the schedule, cost, and implementation constraints often facing water agencies. She has experience preparing and managing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), CEQA-Plus, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation, including Categorical Exemptions, Categorical Exclusions, Initial Studies (IS), Negative Declarations (ND), Mitigated Negative Declarations (MND), Environmental Assessments, and Environmental Impact Reports (EIR). She also has experience managing the preparation of cross-disciplinary technical studies in support of CEQA, CEQA-Plus, NEPA, and regulatory permitting processes, including biological, cultural, paleontological, air quality/greenhouse gas (GHG), and noise studies. She has worked with local water agencies including but not limited to City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, South Coast Water District, Water Replenishment District of Southern California, and Olivenhain Municipal Water District to prepare CEQA, CEQA-Plus, and NEPA documentation for infrastructure projects such as potable and non-potable water pipelines, groundwater wells, pump/lift stations, reservoirs, wastewater conveyance systems, and treatment facilities.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Project Manager, City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering – Lankershim Boulevard Local Area Urban Flow Management Network Project, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Annaliese is overseeing preparation of CEQA documentation for the project, which involves installing 8,000 linear feet of storm drain main line to manage flood risk, 33 new catch basins, 14 drywell systems, and significant green street elements including 315 street trees, 232 parkway infiltration planters, and 15 vegetated median islands. The technical studies will inform the level of CEQA documentation required for the project. Rincon is preparing an Initial Study to determine whether the project will require an MND or an EIR as well as a cultural resources technical report, energy report, and hazardous materials technical study. In addition, to satisfy the City’s participation goals for Small Business Enterprises, Women-Owned Business Enterprises, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Rincon has retained subconsultants to prepare key technical studies, including Terry A. Hayes & Associates (air quality/greenhouse gas), Todd Groundwater (hydrology and water quality resources), and Fehr & Peers (transportation) and to provide stakeholder engagement support (Katherine Padilla & Associates).
Project Manager, Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency – S Wells PFAS Groundwater Treatment and Disinfection Facility Project, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County
Annaliese oversaw preparation of technical studies and an IS-MND for the project, which involves construction of a PFAS groundwater treatment and disinfection facility and installation of a new groundwater well, stormwater drainage pipelines, interconnection pipeline, influent pipeline, and roundabout improvements on a site adjacent to the Santa Clara River. Key issues for the project included biological resources due to the project’s potential to affect groundwater dependent ecosystems via increased localized groundwater extraction during operation, 85 Annaliese Torres, Page 2
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Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
recreation due to the location of Bridgeport Park and the Santa Clara River Bike Trail within the project’s temporary construction footprint, construction noise and traffic due to the project’s location in a residential neighborhood and near Bridgeport Elementary School, and water quality due to the project’s proximity to the Santa Clara River. As part of the scope of work, Annaliese attended two public outreach meetings to answer questions related to the CEQA process and environmental impacts. In addition, because the project received Drought Response Program funds from the United States Bureau of Reclamation, Rincon also prepared a Categorical Exclusion Checklist and supplemental materials to facilitate NEPA compliance and federal cross-cutter consultations with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the State Historic Preservation Officer. Furthermore, because SCV Water decided to seek WIFIA funding for the project, Rincon prepared federally-compliant biological and cultural resources reports as well as a WIFIA PEA Questionnaire for the project.
Project Manager, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – F.E. Weymouth Water Treatment Plant and La Verne Site Improvements Program, Los Angeles County Annaliese served as the Project Manager for preparation of technical studies and a Program EIR to cover four improvement projects and two new construction projects to upgrade and enhance facilities at the F.E. Weymouth Water Treatment Plant. Technical studies included cultural resources and hazardous materials studies prepared by Rincon staff and biological resources, air quality/greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and transportation studies prepared by subconsultants qualifying as Small Business Enterprises and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. Key issues evaluated in the Program EIR include high emissions of volatile organic compounds during construction, modifications to contributing buildings in the Weymouth Water Treatment Plant Historic District (which is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Resources), daytime and nighttime construction noise in proximity to sensitive receptors, and temporary intersection closures during replacement of the water treatment chemical delivery railroad tracks along Wheeler Avenue. The Draft Program EIR was circulated for public review and received only one comment letter, and the Final Program EIR was completed several weeks ahead of schedule. Rincon anticipates completing our scope of work on the project $80,000+ under budget due to efficiencies achieved throughout the process. Following certification of the Final EIR by the Board of Directors in April 2024, Rincon also provided historic design review of the proposed Administration and Control Buildings project to satisfy the requirements of the EIR’s cultural resources mitigation measures.
Project Manager, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – Garvey Reservoir Rehabilitation Project, Los Angeles County
Annaliese managed preparation of an EIR for the Garvey Reservoir project in Monterey Park, which entails relining the reservoir and implementing various seismic upgrades and site improvements. In support of the EIR, Rincon prepared technical studies related to air quality/greenhouse gas emissions, noise, health risk, and cultural resources and retained a subconsultant to prepare a traffic and VMT analysis. Key issues included air quality, noise, and traffic due to limited facility access points and the facility’s proximity to a residential neighborhood and local school. The Draft EIR was circulated for public review in summer 2024, and the Board of Directors certified the Final EIR in November 2024.
Project Manager, Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency – Lost Canyon 2A and Sand Canyon Groundwater Treatment Improvements Project, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County Annaliese is serving as the Project Manager for preparation of environmental documentation for this project, which involves construction of a groundwater treatment facility and associated pipelines to treat per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to levels below the federal Maximum Contaminant Level, restore the use of the Lost Canyon 2A and Sand Canyon wells, decommission the Lost Canyon and Mitchell 5B wells, and reduce SCV Water’s dependency on imported water. Rincon is preparing biological and cultural resources technical studies and an IS-MND as well as providing Assembly Bill 52 consultation assistance. Key issues are anticipated to include special status species, riparian habitat, and jurisdictional waters/wetlands associated with the Santa Clara River Creek (adjacent to the project site) and construction-phase impacts to nearby residences, Sulphur Springs Elementary School, and the Gorman Learning Center, such as air quality and noise. In addition, the project includes replacement of approximately 1,700 linear feet of pipeline in Lost Canyon Road, which provides access to Sulphur Springs Elementary School and the Gorman Learning Center, so Rincon is collaborating with SCV Water to include an expanded evaluation of construction-phase transportation impacts in the IS-MND. 86 Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
BS, Environmental Science,
University of California,
Santa Barbara
TRAINING
Wetland Delineations,
Wetland Training Institute
USACE Regional Supplement
Training, Richard Chinn
Environmental Training
Environmental Site
Restoration/Mitigation
Creative Planning and
Implementation, Northwest
Environmental Training Center
Riparian Plant Identification
for Coastal Southern
California Rivers and Streams,
Wetland Training Institute
Flowering Plant Families,
Friends of the Jepson
Herbarium, University of
California, Berkeley
California Rapid Assessment
Method Certified Practitioner
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
21 May Lau
Principal
May is a principal regulatory specialist with 21 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry. Her primary responsibilities include development of permitting strategies; review of permit applications and supporting documentation; oversight of contract and project management; review of technical analyses for a variety of water and wastewater, private development, transportation, and restoration projects; and informing her clients and Rincon staff of the most current regulations governing aquatic and biological resources. May’s technical capabilities include review of environmental documents in compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act (California and federal); wetland and jurisdictional delineations; Clean Water Act permitting; streambed alteration agreements; coastal development permits; mitigation planning; biological assessments; and natural resource studies. She has consulted extensively with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), United States Fish and Wildlife Service, (USFWS) California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), California coastal agencies, and regional water quality control boards to secure permits/authorizations, as well as to provide feasible and successful mitigation to her clients.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Principal, South Coast Water District – Aliso Creek Urban Runoff Recovery, Reuse, and Conservation Project, Orange County
This project proposes to capture, treat, and reuse up to approximately 800,000 gallons per day of urban runoff from the lower reach of Aliso Creek in Laguna Beach and unincorporated Orange County, for an approximate total of 890 acre-feet per year. May is the Principal for the Natural Resources team, providing oversight of the biological resources and permitting services for the project, which include preparation of a biological resources report, CEQA analyses pertaining to biological resources, and regulatory permitting.
Senior Permitting Specialist, South Coast Water District – Lift Station No. 2 Project, Laguna Beach
While at a prior firm, May provided permitting strategies, oversaw the permit preparation, and led agency consultations for the project, which included the removal of two existing storage sheds and the construction of a lift station that was comprised of a generator building and electrical building. The project team also prepared an Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration and 404 and 401 permits, Streambed Alteration Agreement, and coastal development permit. The project is located on Country Club Drive, approximately 800 feet east of Pacific Coast Highway and adjacent to Aliso Creek.
Principal, City of Laguna Beach - 1040 Skyline Drive Biological Resources Evaluation, Orange County
May oversaw the biological team that conducted the biological resources fieldwork and preparation of a report of findings for a vacant single-family home property on Skyline Drive to evaluate the potential for presence of regulated biological resources and High/Very High Value Habitat (in accordance with the City’s Local Coastal Program), and supported the City in discussions regarding the project’s compliance with CEQA.
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Senior Biologist/Principal Regulatory Specialist, California Coastal Conservancy – Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project, Playa Del Rey
While at a prior firm, the project team prepared an EIS/EIR to assess the potential environmental impacts of wetland restoration of the Ballona Wetlands. May was responsible for review of existing biological reports and data, coordination with various resource agencies and subconsultants, and preparation of the biological resources chapter of the EIS/EIR. May also worked in close collaboration with the CDFW Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve land manager, developed the permitting strategy for the Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project, provided oversight of the permit preparation, led agency consultations, and led the environmental and permitting team. She presented the environmental and permitting topics at the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project agency meetings.
Senior Biologist, City of Long Beach – Los Cerritos Wetlands Oil Consolidation and Restoration Project EIR, Long Beach
White at a prior firm, the project team prepared an EIR for the Los Cerritos Wetlands and Oil Production project in the city of Long Beach. The project includes a comprehensive wetlands restoration that will restore a privately owned oil field in the city of Long Beach through the creation of a wetlands mitigation bank. The project will occur on four properties and will relocate and modernize existing oil production facilities. In addition, the project will include the construction of facilities to support oil production and will include a visitor’s center and pedestrian paths on the newly restored wetlands. Major environmental topics evaluated in the EIR include biological resources, cultural resources and historic resources, greenhouse gas, geologic conditions, hazards and hazardous materials, and hydrology and water quality and sea level rise. May was responsible for peer review of the jurisdictional delineation report and biological reports; evaluation of project compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements; and preparation of the biological resources chapter of the EIR.
Senior Permitting Specialist, City of Oceanside – Loma Alta Slough Wetlands Enhancement Project, Oceanside Funded by the State Coastal Conservancy, the City of Oceanside assembled a project team to provide planning, design, permitting, and environmental review for the restoration of wetland habitat in the Loma Alta Slough. The project team prepared the Draft IS/MND, oversaw the development of multiple technical studies including hydrodynamics, biology, cultural resources, and sediment and water quality, prepared three restoration designs, and permitting. May led the preparation of the 404, 401, 1600, coastal development permit applications, as well as agency consultations.
Senior Permitting Specialist, Irvine Ranch Water District – Syphon Reservoir Improvement Project, Orange County
This project involves geotechnical investigations and expansion of an existing recycled water storage facility. While at a prior firm, May led the permitting effort and agency consultations, including conducting a jurisdictional delineation and obtaining an approved jurisdictional determination from USACE. She also led acquisition of a Streambed Alteration Agreement for the geotechnical investigation activities.
Senior Permitting Specialist, Sustainable Conservation – State Water Resources Control Board General Order for Implementation of Restoration Projects Statewide, Various Counties/Cities, California May supported the Sustainable Conservation team in developing the CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Waste Discharge Requirements to establish a statewide General Order for a wide range of aquatic and riparian habitat restoration project types, including improved fish passage, in-channel habitat enhancement, floodplain restoration, invasive species management, water conservation, and establishment/restoration/enhancement of wetlands and riparian habitat.
Deputy Project Manager/Biologist, City of Huntington Beach – Huntington Beach Senior Center EIR, Orange County
This project involves the preparation of an EIR for the Huntington Beach Senior Center within Huntington Beach Central Park. The project involves development of a new one-story multi-purpose senior center on undeveloped land.
While at another firm, May served as deputy project manager, performed protocol-level burrowing owl surveys, and preconstruction avian surveys for this project.
Deputy Project Manager/Biologist, City of Huntington Beach – Raptor Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, Orange County
This plan was prepared to mitigate for the impacts of construction and operation of the Huntington Beach Senior Center Project. While at another firm, May assisted in the preparation of the raptor habitat mitigation and monitoring plan in compliance with an EIR mitigation measure.
88 Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
MESc, Yale University, The
School of Forestry and
Environmental Studies
BA, Environmental Studies,
Wellesley College
Professional Certificate in
Spanish/English Translation,
University of California,
San Diego Extension
AFFILIATIONS
Member, Association of
Women in Water, Energy, and
the Environment
Member, WateReuse
Association, California
Section, Los Angeles Chapter
TRAINING
Training: Applying the NEPA
Process and NEPA Cumulative
Effects Analysis and
Documentation, The Shipley
Group (2015)
American Planning
Association National
Conference, Phoenix, Arizona
(2016)
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
20 Brenna Vredeveld
Senior Supervising Biologist
Brenna has 20 years of experience managing a breadth of projects and biological resources tasks for agencies and jurisdictions across southern California, especially in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. She is experienced in ecosystem monitoring and reporting, federal and local regulatory processes and statutes, California Environmental Quality Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and the requirements of Natural Community Conservation Plans and Habitat Conservation Plans (NCCP/HCP) throughout southern California, including the Orange County Central-Coastal NCCP/HCP. Her project experience spans various sectors including development, public infrastructure, water, and energy. She oversees preparation of complex technical reports and agency permitting packages, manages environmental compliance monitoring, and coordinates with regulatory agencies on behalf of clients. She advises clients on developing the most appropriate biological resources assessment, compliance, and mitigation strategies for their projects. She also performs technical quality assurance/ quality control of biological resources deliverables.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Lead Biologist, South Coast Water District – Aliso Creek Urban Recovery, Reuse, and Conservation Project, Orange County
Brenna oversees biological resources fieldwork and preparation of a biological resources assessment to support an Addendum to an existing Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration, and development of a long-term California Department of Fish and Wildlife Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement Notification to enable South Coast Water District to divert water from Aliso Creek for reuse. The project aims to reduce urban runoff in the lower reach of the creek, which has negatively impacted water quality and led to the listing of Aliso Creek as an impaired watershed. By decreasing urban runoff, the project will help mitigate excessive stream flow from urban areas. Brenna has guided South Coast Water District in navigating biological resources CEQA and regulatory requirements for the Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement, including an evaluation of potential impacts to suitable habitat for special-status species in the creek such as tidewater goby and southwestern pond turtle. She also oversaw verification of drone-captured aerial imagery of the lower watershed for vegetation mapping accuracy as an efficient data collection tool to characterize changes in riparian versus upland vegetation communities over time as part of a larger monitoring program Rincon is leading for South Coast Water District at Aliso Creek.
Senior Biologist, South Coast Water District – Reservoirs 2B and 3B Replacement Project Environmental Considerations and Constraints Analysis, Orange County
Brenna was the senior biologist responsible for analyzing potential biological resources constraints to replacement options for Reservoirs B and 3B. The detailed analysis evaluated the potential for sensitive plant and wildlife species to occur in and adjacent to the project footprint in the context of requirements in multiple jurisdictions spanned by the project (City of Laguna Beach, City of Laguna Niguel, and County of Orange), California Coastal Act, and Orange County Central-Coastal NCCP/HCP. She tailored recommendations to the design and construction options considered by the South Coast Water District, including insight into biological resources regulatory requirements and pathways, timelines, and estimated costs. 89 Brenna Vredeveld, Page 2
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Lead Biologist, City of Laguna Beach – Civic Site Project and Pacific Edge Project Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declarations and 1040 Skyline Drive Biological Resources Evaluation, Orange County Brenna oversaw preparation of Biological Resources Assessment for a hotel remodel project adjacent to the beach and a civic site project in the City of Laguna Beach. She managed biological resources fieldwork and technical writing to assess potential project impacts to regulated biological resources, including evaluation of regulatory compliance with the Clean Water Act, California Coastal Act, and Orange County Central-Coastal NCCP/HCP. She also oversaw biological resources fieldwork and preparation of a report of findings for a vacant single-family home property on Skyline Drive to evaluate the potential for presence of regulated biological resources and High/Very High Value Habitat (in accordance with the City’s Local Coastal Program).
Senior Biologist/Lead Author, Various Clients – Biological Resources Assessments and Biological Resources Sections of Environmental Impact Reports, Los Angeles County Brenna was the Senior Biologist and Lead Author responsible for coordinating and writing biological resources assessments and biological resources sections of Environmental Impact Reports for various projects throughout Los Angeles County, including the cities and communities of Walnut, Compton, South Pasadena, Agoura Hills, Rolling Hills, Los Angeles, and Hacienda Heights, among others. Projects analyzed include mixed use development, singlefamily residential, and a monastery, including evaluation of required fuel modification zones compliant with city and/or Los Angeles County standards. In particular, Brenna advised municipal clients on sensitive biological resources considerations, including required analyses, permitting, and design and/or mitigation options to address potential impacts from proposed activities.
Biological Resources and Regulatory Permitting Specialist, Various Clients – CEQA, Biological Resources, and Regulatory Permitting Trainings, Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties Brenna supported development and presentation of several CEQA, Biological Resources, and Regulatory Permitting trainings for the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency Engineering and Water Resources staff, City of Long Beach Planning Bureau staff, Association of Public Works Agencies Ventura County Chapter members, and Irvine Ranch Water District environmental staff. Brenna presented on topics including biological resources assessments, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, jurisdictional waters and wetlands, federal and state-listed species, Coastal Act policies, the Orange County Central-Coastal NCCP/HCP, and the basics of regulatory permitting relevant to each audience, including the interplay of permitting and CEQA. The trainings incorporated agency-specific examples and case studies, as well as frequent opportunities for audience interaction and engagement.
Program Manager, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe Rehabilitation Program, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties Brenna served as the program manager for the program’s suite of task orders. She was responsible for coordinating development of environmental documentation (e.g., technical studies, CEQA analyses, and permitting applications) for biological, cultural, and paleontological resources, and hazardous materials, as well as overseeing general construction monitoring (for the above topics in addition to air quality, surface and stormwater control, noise, and transportation/traffic) for rehabilitation projects along more than 100 miles of five prestressed concrete cylinder pipelines extending through over 30 jurisdictions in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties in both dense urban and remote rural regions, including Allen-McColloch Pipeline work within the Orange County Central-Coastal NCCP/HCP area. Over 16 task orders have been awarded to date.
Project Manager, City of Los Angeles – North Atwater Non-motorized Multimodal Bridge Project, Los Angeles County
Brenna prepared the Biological Resources Assessment for this pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian bridge over a soft-bottom portion of the Los Angeles River. She managed environmental compliance activities for the project’s United States Army Corps of Engineers 404 and 408 permits, Regional Water Quality Control Board 401 permit, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) permit, including biological monitoring during vegetation removal and in-water work, species surveys, and avoidance and minimization measures (such as fish exclusion block nets around in-water work areas). She collaborated closely with the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering, the construction contractor, and design team to implement permit conditions and provided guidance on regulatory agency communication. She coordinated directly with the CDFW on behalf of the City regarding project compliance with that permit. She managed preparation of the project’s Avian Protection Plan, Nesting Bird Management Plan, and Restoration Plan. She also managed post-construction reporting and restoration activities including re-planting temporary impact areas and monitoring to meet agency requirements and success criteria. 90 Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
BS, Botany; Biology,
Concentration in
Environmental Biology;
Humboldt State University
CERTIFICATIONS/
REGISTRATIONS
Certified Consulting Botanist
(CCB #0053)
ISA Certified Arborist
(WE-12768A)
California Rapid Assessment
Method (CRAM) Practitioner
PERMITS
California Endangered Plant
Species Voucher Collecting
Permit 2081(a)-23-012-V
AFFILIATIONS
California Native Plant
Society, Member
The Wildlife Society, Member
International Society of
Arboriculture, Member
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
16 Robin Murray
Supervising Biologist
Robin is a biologist with 16 years of experience as an environmental consultant, and is certified as an arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture (WE-12768A).
Her qualifications include conducting and overseeing field surveys, project planning and management, CEQA environmental analysis, aquatic resource permitting, and technical report preparation and review. Robin’s technical emphases include botany, aquatic resource delineation and functional assessment, and habitat restoration. Her technical expertise has led to the efficient completion of numerous biological resources constraints analyses, protocol rare plant surveys and vegetation mapping, complex and large-scale wetland and waters determinations, and successful completion of large-scale restoration projects including installation and adaptive maintenance. Robin also has extensive experience preparing biological resources assessments to meet local, state, and federal requirements and address CEQA, NEPA, and the Endangered Species Act, as well as acquiring Federal and State waters permits including Clean Water Act Section 404, 401, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife Section 1602 agreements. Robin’s project experience includes the transportation, water utility, transmission, renewable energy, residential/commercial development, and infrastructure sectors.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Senior Botanist, Casitas Municipal Water District – Lake Casitas Vegetation Management Plan, Unincorporated Ventura County
Robin prepared a Vegetation Management Plan, the objective of which is to support the project goals of reducing organic loading levels within the lake, as increased levels of organic matter lead to an increased concentration of disinfection byproducts during the treatment process to produce potable water for distribution. The Vegetation Management Plan provides guidance to support vegetation management actions for the shores of Lake Casitas within Ventura County. The Plan describes baseline biological conditions between the water level and the historical high water mark, outlines vegetation management methods to be employed, identifies biologically sensitive portions of Lake Casitas, and provides methods for avoidance and minimization of biological impacts.
Arborist, Casitas Municipal Water District – Various Projects, Ojai Conducted oak tree surveys prior to and during water line replacements/improvements. Navigated both City and County tree protection ordinance requirements and project plan redesigns to minimize impacts to trees.
Prepared arborist reports and tree protection plans.
Arborist, MLC Holdings, Inc. – 1024 West Workman Avenue Project, West Covina Conducted arborist survey and authored arborist report for a property containing trees protected under the City of West Covina Tree Ordinance.
Arborist, MLC Holdings, Inc. – 1616 West Cameron Avenue Project, West Covina Conducted arborist survey and authored arborist report for a property containing trees protected under the City of West Covina Tree Ordinance.
Biologist/Arborist, City of Calabasas – Wild Walnut Park Project, Calabasas Conducted field work in support of biological resource assessment report for park improvement project involving preservation of native oak and walnut trees.
Arborist, MBK Senior Living, LLC – The Reserve Expansion Project, Thousand Oaks
Provided arborist monitoring prior to and during active construction of a senior living facility in Thousand Oaks. Conducted pre-construction tree survey and health assessment, inspection of fencing and signage onsite, and compliance monitoring. 91 Robin Murray, Page 2
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Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
Provided guidance to minimize disturbance to protected trees during the construction phase.
Senior Biologist, Casitas Municipal Water District – Biological Resources Technical Memorandum, Robles Dam Diversion Rebuild, Unincorporated Ventura County
Robin prepared a technical memorandum to provide the Casitas Municipal Water District with an assessment of the potential presence of sensitive biological resources at the Robles Dam Diversion Rebuild project site. The technical memorandum supported California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review to assist CMWD and MNS Engineers, Inc. with their environmental clearance process for project implementation. The biological evaluation provided included the results of a background literature review and site visit conducted by Robin as it related to current site conditions. The project consisted of the rebuilding of the timber cut-off wall at Robles Dam Diversion damaged during the Thomas Fire of 2017. The timber cut-off wall is located within the Ventura River.
Supervising Biologist, City of Ventura – Santa Clara River Estuary Invasive Species Minimization Plan, Ventura Robin led the development of an invasive species minimization plan as part of the City’s VenturaWaterPure program.
The plan is intended to provide a strategic framework and specific methods to minimize the spread of invasive plant species (including giant reed [Arundo donax]) within newly exposed areas of the Santa Clara River Estuary following the reduction in Ventura Water Reclamation Facility discharge.
Senior Biologist, Casitas Municipal Water District – Biological Resources Assessment and Jurisdictional Waters Permitting, Rincon Main Pipeline Relocation Project, Unincorporated Ventura County Robin prepared a Biological Resources Assessment (BRA) to provide the CMWD with an assessment of the potential impacts to biological resources associated with implementation of the Rincon Main Pipeline Relocation Project. The report documented the existing conditions of the project site and evaluated the potential for impacts to species, sensitive communities, jurisdictional waters, wildlife movement near the proposed project, and locally protected resources such as native trees. The biological evaluation included the results of a background literature review and field reconnaissance surveys conducted by Robin. Additionally, Robin prepared a Jurisdictional Delineation Report and coordinated the preparation and acquisition of regulatory waters permits from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) pursuant to California Fish and Game Code (CFGC) Section 1600 et seq. Robin also led the implementation of on-site restoration and revegetation efforts following construction.
Senior Botanist, Plains All American Pipeline – Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County Robin led a rare plant survey effort within 14 miles of pipeline right-of-way in accordance with United States Fish and Wildlife Service, CDFW and California Native Plant Society protocols, and assisted in the preparation of associated reporting. Robin documented numerous populations of club-haired mariposa lily (Calochortus clavatus var. clavatus) as well as short-jointed beavertail cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. brachyclada).
Supervising Biologist, Bedford Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority – Groundwater/Surface Water Interactions Monitoring Workplan, Riverside County
Robin was part of a multi-disciplinary team of scientists that developed a workplan to evaluate the interaction of surface water and groundwater and the relationship of groundwater elevation on the health of riparian vegetation in Temescal Wash. The workplan was specifically designed to address uncertainties identified in the Groundwater Sustainability Plan related to areas of interconnected surface water, shallow groundwater conditions, and riparian vegetation health. Robin led a detailed vegetation mapping effort within the Temescal Wash. Dominant overstory and understory plant species were identified for each vegetation unit recorded throughout the survey. These data were used to refine mapping of obligate and facultative phreatophyte communities within Temescal Wash that may be considered Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs).
Senior Botanist, Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority – Pure Water Project, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties
Robin coordinated a rare plant survey and vegetation community mapping effort within three sites in Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, and Thousand Oaks, totaling over 40 acres. The intent of the surveys was to inform the preparation of a PEIR. Surveys were conducted in accordance with United States Fish and Wildlife Service, CDFW and California Native Plant Society protocols. Robin led the preparation of a Rare Plant Survey Report which supported the PEIR existing conditions and impact analysis. Rare plants documented during survey efforts included Lyon’s pentachaeta (Pentachaeta lyonii), Ojai navarretia (Navarretia ojaiensis), Catalina mariposa lily (Calochortus catalinae), slender mariposa lily (Calochortus clavatus var. gracilis), and canyon liveforever (Dudleya cymosa ssp. agourensis). 92 Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
BA, History, emphasis in
American History, California
State University, Long Beach
AA, Anthropology, Orange
Coast College
CERTIFICATIONS/
REGISTRATIONS
Green Strategies for Historic
Buildings, National
Preservation Institute
CEQA Workshop Training,
Association of Environmental
Professionals
Oral History Methods,
California State University,
Long Beach
Identification and Evaluation
of Mid-twentieth Century
Buildings, National
Preservation Institute
Section 4(f) Cultural
Resources Compliance for
Transportation Projects,
National Preservation Institute
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
25 Shannon Carmack
Principal/Architectural History Program Manager
Shannon has more than 25 years of professional experience providing cultural resources management and historic preservation planning for large-scale and highprofile projects. She has worked throughout California in numerous sectors including local planning, development/construction, public utilities, Department of Defense, transportation, recreation, and education. Shannon prepares documentation to satisfy CEQA/NEPA, Section 106, and Local Historic Preservation Ordinances. She also provides reports and studies that are in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and the California Historic Building Code. She has developed and implemented successful mitigation for countless projects that included Historic American Building Survey documentation, oral histories, and interpretive programs. Shannon meets and exceeds requirements in the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards in Architectural History and History. Her experience includes being the Senior Architectural Historian on several projects including the City of Beverly Hills 9006 Wilshire Boulevard Historic Assessment, City of West Hollywood – 7965-7985 Santa Monica Boulevard EIR, and City of West Hollywood – Perry Hotel and Residences Cultural Resources Report.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Senior Architectural Historian, City of Laguna Beach – 31727 Coast Highway Civic Site MND, Laguna Beach
This MND was prepared to consider the City’s potential acquisition of real property located at 31727 Coast Highway. To determine whether the project would result in impacts to historical resources, Rincon completed a Cultural Resources Assessment of the site. Led by Shannon, the assessment included a cultural resources records search, cultural resources site survey, Native American consultation, archival research, and a historical evaluation, and found that development of the site would not result in impacts to historical resources on the project site or in known historic districts located adjacent to the site.
Senior Architectural Historian, County of Santa Barbara – Goleta Beach Park Bridge Replacement Project, Santa Barbara County
Provided senior oversight and architectural history expertise for the project to replace the existing bridge over the Goleta Slough between Sandspit Road and Goleta Beach Park. The existing bridge was found to be structurally deficient and failed to meet current design standards. Conducted a cultural resources records search and developed an Area of Potential Effect (APE) that avoided impacts to build environment resources. Methods and findings were summarized in the ASR and HPSR. All work was reviewed and approved by Caltrans District 5.
Architectural Historian, County of Santa Barbara – Cabrillo Boulevard Rail Bridge Replacement Project, Santa Barbara
Shannon served as an Architectural Historian and was responsible for the preparation and management of the cultural reports and studies conducted for the project. The Cabrillo Rail Bridge Project involves pedestrian and bicycle Improvements on Cabrillo Boulevard, between US-101 and the intersection of Cabrillo Boulevard and Los Patos Way. The project will include the replacement of the UP Railroad Overhead bridge over Cabrillo Boulevard and retirement of the existing UP Overhead Bridge along with construction of a round-a-bout at Cabrillo Boulevard and Los Patos Way. The bicycle improvements will consist of a new Class 1 bike path under the new UP Overhead Bridge, connecting the existing bike path 93 Shannon Carmack, Page 2
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to the Beachway bike path. Rincon is providing environmental (CEQA/NEPA) and Caltrans coordination assistance on this project, including Section 106 compliance. The project is located within a City Historic District with contributing elements located within the project APE.
Cultural Resources Principal, Montecito Water District – Alder Creek Flume Repair Project CEQA/NEPA Documentation and Regulatory Permitting, Santa Barbara County Shannon provided senior oversight for the Alder Creek Flume Repair Project, located in the Los Padres National Forest. The project will replace a section of Alder Flume, which was extensively damaged following the Thomas Fire in 2017. The project requires a permit from the United States Forest Service and is receiving funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and is therefore considered a federal undertaking subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Shannon served as the Principal for the cultural resources technical study with efforts including coordination with the United States Forest Service, field survey, and preparation of a technical report.
Project Manager, City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering – Los Angeles River and Bikeway Project, Los Angeles
Rincon was retained by Terry A. Hayes & Associates, Inc. to conduct cultural and biological resource studies for the Los Angeles Bikeway and Greenway Project, Segments 1 and 2 and the US Army Corps of Engineers served as the lead federal agency. All studies were prepared in compliance with CEQA, NEPA and Section 106. The project proposed construction of a bikeway and greenway along approximately three miles of the Los Angeles River. The assessment included the recordation and evaluation of several historic period bridges and a historic period park, an assumption of eligibility for the Los Angeles River, and an assessment of effects in accordance with Section 106.
Rincon recommended a finding of no adverse effect to historic properties as a result of the assessment.
Senior Architectural Historian, City of Oakland – Lakeside Green Streets Improvement Project, Oakland Shannon served as the Senior Architectural Historian for the pedestrian and bike improvement project, assisting in the preparation of the HPSR and HRER. Shannon also coordinate with Caltrans District 2 staff and prepared the Finding of No Adverse Effect with Standard Conditions.
Senior Architectural Historian, Santa Cruz County – Five Waters Pipelines Project, Santa Cruz County Shannon served as Senior Architectural Historian, assisting with conducting a cultural resources study of the Project on behalf of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District. The project site is generally located in the vicinity of the communities of Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, and Felton in Santa Cruz County. One historic property was identified within the APE; a segment of California State Route (SR) 236, which is significant for its role in facilitating early and ongoing tourism in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California’s oldest state park. Shannon conducted an analysis of the resource and potential project effects and concluded that no historic properties would be affected by the project.
Principal, City of Santa Ana – Cultural Resources Study for the 4th and Mortimer Project, Santa Ana, Orange County
The 4th and Mortimer Project is a redevelopment project encompassing two city blocks in downtown Santa Ana. In support of the project, Shannon served as the principal for the cultural resource study of the site. The study included the recordation of one property, 509-515 East 4th Street, on DPR forms. Shannon oversaw the evaluation of the property which included the development of site-specific context, archival and background research and a site visit.
The property was evaluated and recommended ineligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, California Register of Historical Resources and the Santa Ana Register of Historic Properties.
Principal, City of Santa Ana Community Development Agency – Santa Ana Library Repair Project Cultural Resources Assessment Report, Santa Ana, Orange County
Shannon served as the principal for the Santa Ana Library Repair Project Cultural Resources Assessment Report.
The study included the delineation of an area of potential effects, searches of the California Historical Resources Information System and the Native American Heritage Commission Sacred Lands File and Native American and local interested party outreach. The study additionally included the development of a historic context, site specific background and archival research. The Santa Ana Library was recorded on DPR forms and evaluated for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The study recommended the library building eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A and C.
94 Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
MA, Anthropology, Northern
Arizona University
BS, Anthropology-Cultural
Resources Management, Cal
State Polytechnic University,
Pomona
CERTIFICATIONS/
REGISTRATIONS
Registered Professional
Archaeologist (ID #415730)
Section 106 Compliance
(2010)
Advanced Section 106 (2013)
Society for American
Archaeology
Society for CA Archeology
PERMITS
Principal Investigator,
California Bureau of Land
Management statewide
FLPMA permit (CA-15-27)
(2015-2018)
AFFILIATIONS
Society for American
Archaeology
Society for California
Archeology
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
18 Christopher Duran, RPA
Principal Investigator/Program Manager
Chris has more than 18 years of professional experience and meets and exceeds the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards. In addition, he has worked throughout California for various municipalities and utility districts assisting in cultural resources investigations for new installations and infrastructure updates. Chris also has extensive experience with the CEQA/NEPA process for cultural resources projects involving water infrastructure maintenance and development throughout California for districts, such as United Water Conservation District, Water Replenishment District of Southern California, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, the Municipal Water District of Orange County, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Eastern Municipal Water District, and West Basin Municipal Water District. Chris is an expert in state and federal regulations as they pertain to cultural resources and serves as Principal Investigator for Rincon’s projects providing resource recommendations and mitigation measures allowing clients to remain in sound compliance with applicable regulations. Chris has also been involved in Native American consultation with tribes located in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties and has assisted several local agencies and developers through the consultation processes related to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Assembly Bill 52. Chris has authored a variety of cultural resources studies including archaeological survey, archaeological testing and eligibility evaluation, data recovery, mitigation monitoring plans and reports, and peer reviews.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Principal Investigator, Paradise Cove Heritage Recovery Project, Los Angeles County
Chris served as the Principal Investigator and Project manager for a large-scale heritage recovery project in Malibu. The project consisted of the recovery of over 20 inhumations relating to a Chumash village. Chris managed communication with the client/landowner, tribal entities, and field staff.
Principal Investigator, City of Malibu – Golf Club and Resort Permitting, Malibu The project required the cultural resources review for a potential golf club and resort.
The study identified one previously recorded resource and two previously recorded historic buildings. The buildings had been burned during the Woolsey Fire and were no longer extant. The study also revealed that the archaeological site was removed during the construction of a man-made lake.
Principal, County of Ventura – McGrath Lake Cultural Resources Study, Ventura County
Chris served as the Principal in Charge for a cultural resources study on McGrath lake for environmental restoration needs. Chris served as the permit administrator for a cultural resources permit to execute a study on State Parks lands. The study resulted in no cultural resources discovered or impacted.
Project Manager, County of Ventura – Yerba Buena Guard Rails Project Archaeological Study – Caltrans District 7, Ventura County Chris is serving as the project manager on the preparation of the technical memorandum, Historic Property Survey Report (HPSR), and upon approval from the County of Ventura, an Archaeological Survey Report (ASR) in support of the Yerba Buena Road Guardrail Project. The proposed project is a Local Assistance Project 95 Christopher Duran, RPA, Page 2
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Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
with oversight by Caltrans District 7; therefore, compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA will be carried out in accordance with the Programmatic Agreement Among the Federal Highway Administration, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the California State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Caltrans P.A.; January 2014. The study will be prepared in general conformance with the current Caltrans’ Standard Environmental Reference (SER) guidelines, Volume 2, Cultural Resources, which provides guidance for the identification and assessment of all cultural resources including archaeological resources.
Cultural Resources Principal Investigator, City of Agoura Hills – Medea Creek Restoration Project Phase II Cultural Resources Investigation, Agoura Hills
Chris served as Cultural Resources Principal Investigator for the project. Rincon prepared the CEQA documentation for the project, assisted with obtaining all required regulatory permits, provided consultation of the Mitigation Measures specified in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program within the Final IS-MND, review of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a Streambed Alteration Agreement (No. 1600-2014-0244-R5), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued Nationwide Permit No. 27 (NWP No. SPL-2014-00769-AJS), and Regional Water Quality Control Board including surveying for roosting bats, nesting birds, archaeological/paleontological monitoring, as well as diversion monitoring, sampling, and reporting.
Principal Investigator, City of Santa Barbara – Santa Barbara Desalinization Plan Reactivation Cultural Resources Monitoring, Santa Barbara
Rincon provided cultural resources monitoring for the construction of the Santa Barbara Desalination plant. Chris provided senior oversight for the monitoring over the course of the two-year project. Finds included historic cans, glass, and bottles. No prehistoric finds occurred during the monitoring effort.
Principal Investigator, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – Dennis Underwood Habitat Restoration Cultural Resources Survey, Imperial County
Rincon conducted a cultural resources study for a 635-acre restoration area along the Colorado River. The study included a Phase I pedestrian investigation, coordination with the Bureau of Reclamation, coordination with a local water district, reporting, and evaluation of identified resources. Rincon received concurrence form the State Historic Preservation Officer for our findings. The project included recording historic water features such as ditches and canals originally used for agricultural activities. The project resulted in no significant impact to cultural resources.
Principal Investigator, Casitas Municipal Water District – Cultural Resources Assessment for the Ojai Water System Upgrade Project, Ojai
The project involves replacing or rehabilitating aging and/or undersized infrastructure located in multiple jurisdictions to restore system capacity and meet fire flow requirements. Rincon has completed a thorough Biological Resources Assessment, Cultural Resources Technical Report, and public review draft of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. Throughout the process, Rincon has worked with Casitas to ensure the document reflects the evolving project description and meets the applicable regulatory requirements of both the City of Ojai and County of Ventura.
Principal Investigator, Calleguas Municipal Water District – Salinity Management Pipeline Project, Ventura County
Christopher served as the Principal Investigator for a cultural resources study that resulted in the finding of human remains. Christopher assisted in the consultation with the tribal group, the Water District, and County Public Works on the recovery and disposition of human remains.
Principal Investigator, City of Ventura – Main Street Moves Cultural Resources Study, Ventura Chris served as the PI for the Main Street Moves project overseeing the survey and reporting effort for the study.
Given the sensitivity of Ventura’s Main Street, Chris provided suggested mitigation and treatment for resources that are likely to be found during construction.
Principal Investigator, County of Ventura – Archaeological Sensitivity Process Review, Ventura County Chris was the Principal Investigator for the review of the County of Ventura grading permit approval process.
Principal Investigator, City of Palos Verdes – West Basin MWD Palos Verdes Lateral Project, Palos Verdes Christopher served as a principal investigator for the Palos Verdes Lateral Project in the Palos Verdes area of Los Angeles County area. The project included the survey of potential pipeline alignments within a golf course and residential area. During the project, Christopher had several conversations with Tongva tribal groups identifying potential significant resources in proximity to the golf course that are considered significant to the tribes. 96 Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
BS, Soil Science, California
Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo
CERTIFICATIONS/
REGISTRATIONS
Professional Geologist,
California (#8663)
Certified Hydrogeologist,
California (#950)
Qualified SWPPP
Developer/Practitioner Trainer
of Record
Qualified SWPPP
Developer/Practitioner (#649)
40 Hour HAZWOPER
Certification
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
23 Torin Snyder, PG, CHG, TOR, QSD/P
Principal
Torin is a professional geologist with 23 years of experience, which includes working in a variety of geological conditions throughout California. His scientific knowledge of geology and experience in the earth science industry enables him to prepare useful hydrogeological research, accurate environmental assessments, and appropriate approaches for remediation. He has conducted environmental site assessments, groundwater monitoring, fault and landslide investigations, groundwater resource studies, geological mapping, and geotechnical investigations.
His experience includes hydrology and water quality, vadose zone hydrology environmental investigations, hydrogeology environmental investigations, hazardous waste investigations, and soil and groundwater remediation/mitigation.
As a Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Trainer of Record, Developer, and Practitioner, he has provided storm water compliance services for major infrastructure projects throughout California. In addition, Torin has prepared and implemented compliance programs set forth by Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plans for large infrastructure projects.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Project Manager, Poseidon Water – Huntington Beach Desalination Project, Huntington Beach
Torin served as the Project Manager to prepare a work plan that describes the activities that will be required to conduct an aquifer pump test on the shallow unconfined aquifer at the proposed Huntington Beach Desalination facility. The aquifer pumping test work plan focused on the upper unconfined aquifer and the underlying portions of the upper Talbert Aquifer system to provide data to examine the feasibility of saline groundwater extraction for the proposed Huntington Beach Desalination facility.
Principal in Charge, Confidential Client – Former Mercury Cleaners, Lake Forest Torin is acting as the Principal in Charge for the assessment and remediation for soil and groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvents. Rincon developed a soil vapor extraction and air sparge remediation system that effectively reduced the volatile organic compound concentrations in soil vapor and groundwater up to 99%.
Soil excavation was also considered but determined to not be financially feasible, therefore, Rincon saved the client millions of dollars.
Principal Hydrogeologist, City of Morro Bay – Geologic and Soil Hazards and Hazards and Hazardous Materials, San Luis Obispo County Rincon is preparing an EIR for the Embarcadero Road Battery Electric Storage System Project at the inactive Morro Bay Power Plant facility. The project would provide 600 megawatts of electric storage capacity and would provide power to utility customers by interconnecting to the existing PG&E-owned switchyard located adjacent to and north of the inactive power plant site. Torin was responsible for the preparation of the Geologic and Soil Hazards and Hazards and Hazardous Materials technical reports to support the preparation of the EIR.
Principal Geologist, City of Burbank – 777 North Front Street EIR Rincon was retained by the City of Burbank to prepare the EIR for the 777 North Front Street project, which involved a mixed-use residential, commercial and hotel along with open space areas. The EIR examined alternatives to the proposed project and addressed impacts that were identified as potentially significant. Major issues of concern were the on-site hazardous materials and remediation program due to the previous uses of the site. Torin provided peer review of the applicant’s technical 97 Torin Snyder, PG, CHG, TOR, QSD/P, Page 2
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Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
reports to address the subsurface contamination an potential vapor intrusion risks of the proposed residential and commercial development. The project was approved and the EIR was certified in 2019. DTSC was the lead agency under CLRRA to assess, remediate, and design engineer controls to reduce the impacts to less than significant.
Principal Geologist, HACLA – One San Pedro, Los Angeles The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), and its partner, One San Pedro Collaborative, contracted with Rincon Consultants to prepare the requisite environmental documentation to support the vision for the Rancho San Pedro redevelopment project. Torin has been providing technical peer review of the Geotechnical Reports and Hazardous Material Technical reports to support compliance with applicable provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA) for Rancho San Pedro.
Principal Hydrogeologist, San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District (OneShoreline) – Millbrae and Burlingame Shoreline Area Protection and Enhancement Environmental Constraints Studies, San Mateo County
Torin serves as the Principal Hydrogeologist to support the Millbrae and Burlingame Shoreline Area Protection and Enhancement Project. Specifically, Torin was responsible for the Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) to identify sites with sub-surface impacts with hazardous chemicals to determine 1) if the impacts would impact the project which aims to protect the shoreline against flooding and sea level rise inundation and 2) if groundwater elevations rise, how will rising groundwater impact the subsurface contamination which could impact the project.
Principal-in-Charge, San Dieguito Lagoon W-19 Wetland Restoration, Del Mar Torin served as the San Dieguito River Park’s technical stormwater compliance expert for the lagoon restoration project which will add 60 acres of wetlands located on the eastern end of San Dieguito Lagoon. In this role, Torin oversees the general contractor’s stormwater compliance program to make sure the general contractor and Caltrans are in compliance with the 2009 Construction Stormwater General Permit.
Principal-in-Charge, Ventura County Watershed Protection District – Santa Clara River and Malibu Creek Watershed Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load Compliance Monitoring Rincon has developed a comprehensive understanding of watershed-scale water quality monitoring programs and an ability to identify likely sources of contamination within a watershed through Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) compliance monitoring projects. Rincon provides compliance monitoring services related to the TMDL for indicator bacteria in the Santa Clara River Estuary and Reaches 3, 5, 6, and 7, as well as for the Malibu Creek and Lagoon Bacteria TMDL. These two projects require routine monitoring at several sampling locations, including grab sample collection and flow measurements. The Santa Clara River bacteria TMDL program consists of five outfall monitoring locations that are monitored monthly and Reach 3 is monitored weekly. The Malibu Creek bacteria TMDL program consists of weekly monitoring at the County’s seven jurisdictional sub-watersheds. Data reports are synthesized and provided to the Venture County Watershed Protection District on a semi-annual and annual basis for the Santa Clara river bacteria TMDL and on a monthly basis for the Malibu Creek bacteria TMDL. As part of the Santa Clara River bacteria TMDL project, Rincon developed an electronic data collection system to enhance field data quality and streamline monitoring and reporting activities.
Principal-in-Charge, City of Redlands – Alabama Septage Ponds, Redlands Torin served as the Principal-in-Charge providing the City of Redlands environmental site assessment and remediation services for the Alabama Septage Ponds. The primary contaminants of concern are lead and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the soil matrix. Torin has led a team conducting the sub-surface assessment and effectively negotiating work scopes with the RWQCB.
Principal-in-Charge, Upper Ventura River Groundwater Agency – Groundwater Sustainability Plan Support Services, Ojai
Torin serves as the Principal-in-Charge to support the development of UVRGA’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). Services include groundwater Dependent Ecosystem (GDE) characterization, sustainability criteria development, monitoring plan development, and surface water and groundwater monitoring. The team also provides environmental compliance and permitting services related to the development of planning projects, including CEQA documentation and regulatory agency correspondence.
98 Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
MBA, Seattle University,
Seattle, Washington
BS, Geology, Western
Washington University,
Bellingham, Washington
CERTIFICATIONS/
REGISTRATIONS
Licensed Geologist,
Washington, #2495
Registered Geologist,
Oregon, #G1934
Certified 40-hr HAZWOPER
OSHA 10-hour Construction
Training Program
AFFILIATIONS
Association of Environmental
and Engineering Geologists
(AEG)
Association for Women
Geoscientists (AWG)
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
25 Taryn Sparacio, PG
Senior Supervising Geologist
Taryn is a Professional Geologist with 25 years of experience assessing environmental conditions at complex sites throughout the United States. She applies her knowledge of contaminant evaluation, source identification, fate and transport analysis, and environmental data interpretation to meet regulatory requirements, project objectives, and client expectations in environmental assessments and related environmental projects. Taryn’s work involves analyzing contaminant sources, transport pathways, and chemical fate within environmental systems to assess potential environmental impacts and risks. Her experience includes reconstructing historical chemical releases to support the identification and evaluation of past and present contamination sources, aiding in addressing contaminant cleanup, determining liability, and allocating remediation costs.
Additionally, Taryn has experience assessing the vulnerability of contaminated sites related to climate change, including the impacts of rising groundwater levels in coastal communities. She also has experience with environmental analyses related to geology, soils, hazardous materials, and coastal hazards in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a variety of clients and projects.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Technical Advisor, City of Laguna Beach – Assessment for Initial Study, Bluff Overlay District, Laguna Beach
This project involved amendments to the City’s Zoning Code and General Plan for the Bluff Overlay District. Provided senior level technical review and evaluated recommendations associated with the shoreline geology and erosion assessment for the Laguna Beach coastline.
Technical Advisor, City of Goleta – Peer Review of Technical Studies, Sandpiper Golf Course Renovation and New Clubhouse Project, Goleta This project consists of the renovation of the Sandpiper Golf Course and new clubhouse project, located on the Pacific Ocean in Goleta. Provided senior level technical peer review of geotechnical evaluations for potential hazards associated with geology, geohazards, and soils at the project. Provided senior level technical peer review of the coastal hazards analysis, which included an analysis of sea level rise (SLR), groundwater rise (GWR), and bluff retreat evaluation.
Technical Advisor, Housing Authority of the City of Alameda – Seal Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment, Alameda
Conducted a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment (VA) to evaluate potential risks posed by projected SLR and GWR to the long-term protectiveness of corrective actions at the site, and to the site’s planned redevelopment as permanent affordable housing. The VA was prepared in response to a directive from the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board and was intended to inform an adaptive management approach that would maintain corrective action effectiveness and protect human health, safety, and the environment over the full expected duration of site use.
Technical Advisor, County of Santa Barbara – Peer Review of Technical Studies, North Santa Barbara County
This project consists of the proposed redevelopment of 1,900 acres of land used for oil production and grazing into a new town in North Santa Barbara County.
Provided senior level technical peer review of geotechnical evaluations for potential hazards associated with geology, geohazards, and soils at the project. 99 Taryn Sparacio, PG, Page 2
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Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
Project Manager, City of Berkeley – Groundwater Rise and Contaminated Site Analysis, Berkeley Evaluated how rising groundwater due to SLR will impact contaminated sites within the City of Berkley. SLR and GWR can result in new pathways for contaminated groundwater to travel through or existing contamination to become mobilized. Developed a simple approach to assess impacts, and ranked contaminated sites based on the relative risk to human health and the environment under different SLR and GWR scenarios. The evaluation was part of updates to the City’s General Plan to identify how climate change and environmental justice issues affect the City and to create strategies that build a more inclusive and resilient community.
Technical Advisor, Developer – NEPA Environmental Assessment, San Francisco This project involves developing an affordable housing project consisting of 120 residential units for low-income households. Provided senior level technical review of mitigation measures to address naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) at the project.
Technical Advisor, Santa Clara Valley Water District – EIR for Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit, Santa Clara County
This project involves retrofitting and upgrading the dam and associated facilities to meet public safety requirements, decommissioning of the hydroelectric facility at the dam to reduce operating costs, implementing conservation measures to offset Project impacts, and continuing to operate and maintain the dam after retrofit. Responded to public comments on the EIR concerning NOA at the project.
Technical Advisor, Intersect Power – California Energy Commission Opt-In Application for the Darden Clean Energy Project, Fresno County
This project involved filling out an Opt-In Application with the California Energy Commission (CEC), which was the first-ever application under Assembly Bill 205 for a solar project. The project is located on 9,500 acres of unincorporated agricultural land in Fresno County and is anticipated to be California’s largest green hydrogen producer, largest solar generating facility, and largest battery energy storage system once built. Provided senior level technical review and evaluated mitigation measures for the geology and geohazards, soils, and waste management at the project.
Technical Advisor, County of Merced – Supplemental EIR for Solar Facility, Las Camas This project consists of the proposed Las Camas solar facility located on undeveloped, privately owned land.
Provided senior level technical peer review and evaluated mitigation measures for potential hazards associated with geology and soils at the project.
Technical Advisor, County of Merced – Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for Vulcan Mine Expansion Project, Merced County
This project involved expansion of the Vulcan Mine to augment the existing sand and gravel reserves and planning for final reclamation. Provided senior level technical peer review and evaluated mitigation measures for potential hazards associated with geology and soils at the project. This included review of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), geology and soils assessment, and slope stability assessment.
Technical Advisor, City of Calimesa – EIR for the Oak Valley North Specific Plan Update, Calimesa This project involved a large-scale redevelopment project in Calimesa including industrial and commercial spaces, and high-density housing. Provided senior level technical review and evaluated mitigation measures for potential hazards associated with geology and soils at the project.
Technical Advisor, City of Piedmont – EIR for Housing Element Implementation Project, Piedmont This project involved amending the City of Piedmont’s General Plan Land Use Element and Piedmont City Code to implement the City’s 2023-2031 Housing Element designed to allow for the capacity to build housing in accordance with the Regional Housing Needs Allocation. Provided senior level technical review and evaluated mitigation measures for potential hazards associated with geology and soils at the project. 100
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
PhD, Environmental
Engineering, University of
Southern California
BS, Chemical Engineering,
University of California,
Santa Barbara
CERTIFICATIONS/
REGISTRATIONS
Licensed Professional Civil
Engineer (California), #87757
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
15 Ryan Thacher, PhD, PE
Principal
Dr. Thacher is an environmental engineer with nearly 15 years of experience in developing creative solutions to complex environmental issues. He oversees a variety of site assessment, remediation, and regulatory compliance projects driven by regulatory action and compliance, litigation, property transactions, brownfield redevelopment, and residential, commercial, and utility development. Ryan’s background in environmental chemistry and engineering lends itself to assessing sites impacted by chemical constituents of concern including chlorinated hydrocarbons, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, 1,4-dioxane, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and more.
He develops remediation and mitigation approaches consistent with regulatory frameworks established under the California Health and Safety Code, California Water Code, the Porter-Cologne Act, and the Federal Clean Water Act, and enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs), and other local agencies. Ryan is experienced in methods of environmental forensics and fate and transport evaluations to identify source contributions, identify responsible parties, or determine the location or timing of a release. Finally, Ryan has a deep-rooted interest in sustainable remediation approaches, emanating from his research as a doctoral student which included culturing a specific bacterium capable of reducing hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium via its metabolic process in simulated aquifer environments.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Director-in-Charge, City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Bureau of Engineering (BOE) – Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Reach 6, Los Angeles
Oversaw the preparation of Phase I ESAs for 12 parcels along the Los Angeles River to support potential acquisition for an ecosystem restoration project. Worked with BOE to develop recommendations that targeted the most significant environmental concerns and were feasible to implement.
Hazards and Water Quality Lead, City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works BOE – Lankershim Boulevard Local Area Urban Flow Project, Los Angeles Supported BOE with the Hazardous Materials Technical Study and proving ongoing advisement on field investigations to comply with requests from the US EPA to evaluate project impacts on groundwater remediation at the San Fernando Valley Superfund site. Focusing efforts on negotiating a cost-effective soil assessment that will address potential project risks. In addition, developed a stormwater assessment scope of work to evaluate quality of recharge water.
Director-in-Charge, Atascadero Mutual Water Company – Groundwater PFAS Source Identification, Atascadero
Developed a conceptual fate and transport analysis and analyzed groundwater PFAS data to support a forensic investigation in anticipation of litigation, including a review of historic land use, public environmental database records, and spatial and temporal analysis of data collected by the client considering local hydrogeology within the impacted groundwater basins. Implemented groundwater sampling to address a data gap to support PFAS source identification. 101
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Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
Director-in-Charge, City of San Diego – Groundwater PFAS Source Identification, San Diego Investigated potential PFAS sources to groundwater at a water supply well in anticipation of litigation through a review of PFAS groundwater data, regional hydrologic information, and nearby potential PFAS release sites identified through a review of public environmental database records.
Director-in-Charge, City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Bureau of Sanitation (LASAN) – Slauson Corridor Area-Wide Assessment (AWA), Los Angeles
Developed the strategy for and implemented an Area-Wide Assessment for affordable housing subareas in the Slauson Corridor Transit Neighborhood Plan. Prepared a GIS data package and accompanying report analyzing 876 properties for potential environmental issues that may require further investigation and ranked sites by redevelopment potential to support the determination of future developmental feasibility of the study area.
Principal-in-Charge, Pacoima Beautiful – Hazardous Materials Technical Study (HMTS) for the Pacoima Wash Project, Pacoima
Prepared an HMTS for an area comprising a 4-mile concrete lined wash and adjacent open space areas to support a grant-funded greenway constraints analysis.
Director-in-Charge, Mission Springs Water District (MSWD) – Administrative Civil Liability Complaint Order R7- 2022-0045, Desert Hot Springs
Due to increased flows of domestic sewage at the Alan Horton Wastewater Treatment Plant during the COVID-19 pandemic, an emergency retention basin was put into use and subsequently failed, discharging over 900,000 gallons of secondary treated wastewater. Dr. Thacher evaluated potential for harm of the unpermitted discharge of secondary treated wastewater consistent with SWRCB enforcement policy, considering risks to groundwater and human health. He prepared a technical memorandum of his findings and supported settlement discussions with the Colorado River Basin RWQCB.
Project Manager, US Department of Justice (Confidential Client) – Stormwater Compliance/Litigation Support, San Francisco Bay Area
Supported an entity within the US Department of Justice in response to a Clean Water Act citizen suit alleging violations of effluent limitations of the Industrial General Stormwater Permit at a northern California facility.
Reviewed water quality data collected from monitoring locations against effluent limitations and applicable water quality standards in the receiving water. Due to the absence of dissolved metals data, per-reviewed literature was used to estimate the concentration of the dissolved metals fraction (i.e., bioavailable fraction) to provide a more realistic perspective of impacts to sensitive receptors.
Director-in-Charge, City of Redlands – Site Investigation for PFAS Impacts Under RWQCB Oversight, Redlands Conducting a soil and groundwater assessment of PFAS impacts at a former septage disposal site. Proposed and implemented a study to develop site-specific cleanup goals for PFOA and PFOS based on SWRCB and State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection guidance for leachability testing and considering factors such as depth to groundwater. The Santa Ana RWQCB approved of the calculated, proposed cleanup goals that resulted from the study.
Data Quality Manager, McCarthy Building Companies – Non-time Critical Removal Action (NTCRA) at the Moffett Field Naval Air Station Superfund Site, Mountain View Supported the preparation of the NTCRA work plan and implementation of the NTRCA work plan activities for redevelopment of Hangar One at the Moffett Field Naval Air Station Superfund Site, under US EPA and San Franciso Bay RWQCB oversight. Following NTCRA work plan approval, Rincon’s role included collecting thousands of wipe samples from steel members to confirm the abrasive blasting was effective in removing paint impacted by lead and PCBs, as well as overseeing the environmental compliance program for management of waste streams, stormwater compliance, hazardous materials management, groundwater extraction and treatment system compliance, and more.
Director-in-Charge, Mission Springs Water District – Technical Review of Proposed Changes to Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs), Desert Hot Springs
Evaluated WDRs proposed by the Colorado River Basin RWQCB for nitrogen and total dissolved solids effluent limitations at a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Prepared a technical memorandum regarding the impact of WWTP operations on local groundwater quality and supported negotiations between MSWD and the RWQCB. 102
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
BS, Environmental Science
and Resource Management,
California State University,
Channel Islands
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
18 Adriana Stovall
Senior Watershed Scientist
Adriana Stovall is Senior Watershed Scientist with over 18 years of experience in the water industry and over 15 years of environmental consulting experience. Adriana provides sustainable water resources management solutions to a wide variety of municipalities and regulatory agencies as a multidisciplinary project manager. She specializes in holistic watershed and stormwater management, water quality monitoring, policy analysis, federal and state permitting, CEQA, NEPA, Clean Water Act as well as TMDL development and implementation. She leads a variety of compliance efforts such as monitoring and special studies, Water Quality Management Plan development and implementation, BMP effectiveness assessment, annual reporting, technical memoranda, regulatory comment letters, data analysis, GIS analysis, alternative compliance pathways and client/stakeholder interaction. She also has experience with Environmental Assessment development and tribal consultation. Adriana is currently applying her technical management skills to provide innovative scientific and policy-driven services.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Project Manager, South Coast Water District – Aliso Creek Urban Runoff Recovery, Reuse and Conservation Project, South Orange County Rincon has developed and implemented a multidisciplinary monitoring and reporting program for the South Coast Water District’s (SCWD) Aliso Creek Urban Runoff Recovery, Reuse, and Conservation Project, a diversion facility in South Orange County. The diversion was built at the Coastal Treatment Plant to support SCWD’s recycled water program and aims to reduce urban runoff in the lower watershed, which has negatively impacted water quality and led to the listing of Aliso Creek as an impaired watershed. By decreasing urban runoff, the project will help mitigate excessive stream flow from urban areas. This will restore lower Aliso Creek’s flow to more natural levels, reduce inflows to coastal ecosystems, and benefit several species of concern. While the project was built and deemed operational in 2015, it has remained unutilized due to drought conditions and other factors. Over several phases of the project, Rincon developed a comprehensive workplan that outlined a tiered approach with three distinct levels of effort in order to initiate baseline monitoring requirements prior to diversion, collect additional data in anticipation for Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement (LSAA) renewal efforts, and position for eventual minimum bypass flow requirements via a water rights permit amendment. Rincon completed the first year of baseline monitoring and annual reporting efforts, is in the process of second year compliance monitoring in anticipation of diversion activities in the 2026 water year. Through this process, Rincon has developed an intimate knowledge of the existing regulatory landscape, current and predicted hydrology, and biological resources of Aliso Creek, as well as developed a strong relationship with SCWD, one of the major stakeholders in the watershed.
Project Manager, Screenings and Source Investigations for Major Outfalls with Non-Stormwater Discharges, Ventura County MS4 Permittee Adriana designed, implemented and coordinated a large-scale effort for 3 separate Ventura County Permittees complying with the Los Angeles Regional NPDES MS4 Permit via the Ventura Countywide Stormwater Quality Management Program's Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program (CIMP). This short-deadline compliancebased monitoring program screened and investigated sources of significant discharge at over 100 major outfalls within several watersheds in Ventura County. 103
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Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
The project involved length regulatory review of the Draft CIMP to adhere to specific monitoring protocols, an indepth and multi-party GIS analysis to identify major outfalls within the County, comprehensive electronic field form and mapping tool development, extensive fieldwork, field event data analysis, adaptive management based on screening results, Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program implementation and long term monitoring recommendations for outfalls with significant discharge to Waters of the United States. In just several months, Rincon's innovative, efficient and expert team was able to accomplish this huge undertaking by increasing cost-sharing and collaborative opportunities.
Project Manager, Ventura County Public Works Agency – Ventura River Algae, Malibu Creek/Lagoon/Watershed and Santa Clara River Bacteria TMDLs Compliance Monitoring and Reporting Programs, Ventura
Adriana oversees the compliance monitoring and reporting services related to the 1) Ventura River and Tributaries Algae, Eutrophic Conditions, and Nutrients TMDL, 2) Malibu Creek/Lagoon/Watershed Bacteria TMDL, 3) Santa Clara River Bacteria TMDL. Monitoring and reporting activities are completed in accordance with both the Comprehensive Monitoring Plan and Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program, which each specify protocols for water quality sampling and analysis; algae and bacteria sample collection, processing, and testing; and continuous water quality data collection using remote data sondes. As part of these projects, Adriana coordinates multidisciplinary Rincon technical staff, as well as activities across three additional partnering firms and various analytical laboratories. These programs are long standing compliance efforts with the County, that build stakeholder relationships within the major coastal watersheds that foster a collaborative and cooperative dynamic. Her support to the client has been instrumental in maintaining compliance, developing a deeper understanding of water quality conditions and pollutant contributions from adjacent drainage areas at the representative sites. This institutional knowledge has assisted in receiving favorable outcomes in monitoring and reporting modification requests to the Regional Board.
Project Scientist, Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority – Local Limits Analysis, Riverside Monitoring for industrial local limits analysis for Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority (WRCRWA). Coordination with POTW to design water quality and biosolids monitoring methodology for various stages of their treatment works in addition to their collection system, over a 10 consecutive day period. Internal coordination to staff, train and provide logistics support to sampling team, organizing laboratories, couriers, equipment rentals, data analysis, reporting, etc. Deployment and programming of autosamplers including design and consideration of sampling equipment at each site.
Project Scientist, South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District – Local Limits Analysis, Arroyo Grande Monitoring for industrial local limits analysis for South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD).
Coordination with POTW to design water quality and biosolids monitoring methodology for various stages of their treatment works in addition to their collection system, over a 10 consecutive day period. Internal coordination to staff, train and provide logistics support to sampling team, organizing laboratories, couriers, equipment rentals, data analysis, reporting, etc. Deployment and programming of autosamplers including design and consideration of sampling equipment at each site.
Project Scientist, City of Thousand Oaks – Local Limits Analysis, Thousand Oaks Monitoring for industrial local limits analysis for City of Thousand Oaks Hill Canyon Treatment Plant (HCTP).
Coordination with POTW to design water quality and biosolids monitoring methodology for various stages of their treatment works in addition to their collection system, over a 10 consecutive day period. Internal coordination to staff, train and provide logistics support to sampling team, organizing laboratories, couriers, equipment rentals, data analysis, reporting, etc. Deployment and programming of autosamplers including design and consideration of sampling equipment at each site.
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Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
MESM, Environmental
Science and Management,
University of California,
Santa Barbara
BA, Journalism, California
State University, Chico
AFFILIATIONS
Member, Institute of Noise
Control Engineering - USA
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
11 Bill Vosti, INCE-USA
Supervising Environmental Planner
Bill has 11 years of experience preparing air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG), and noise technical analyses in accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act. Bill is proficient with various noise prediction models (e.g., CadnaA, SoundPLAN, and Federal Highway Administration Traffic Noise Model) and air quality and GHG models (e.g., California Line Source Model series, EMission FACtors Model series, American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model, Hotspots Analysis and Reporting Program, and California Emissions Estimator Model series). Bill also leads Rincon’s Air Quality, GHG Emissions, and Noise Program by managing technical staff and providing quality assurance reviews.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Project Manager, City of Laguna Beach – Irvine Bowl Noise Policy Update, Laguna Beach
Bill is currently updating Laguna Beach’s noise policy for the Irvine Bowl amphitheater. The venue is planning on holding more concerts in the future, and to manage neighborhood noise concerns, Rincon is assisting with conducting noise measurements of a concert event and determining the appropriate noise level to regulate future concerts. Work included measuring noise levels at a Jack Johnson concert at nine locations in the venue and surrounding the areas. The results will inform a summary memorandum of the results and future policy updates.
Air Quality, GHG Emissions, and Noise Specialist, City of Laguna Beach – Pacific Edge Hotel Remodel Project, Laguna Beach
Bill served as the air quality, GHG emissions, and noise specialist assistant for the CEQA analysis for a controversial hotel remodel project in Laguna Beach. This included responding to public review comments from project opponents that hired their own noise consultant. Noise issues included construction noise and vibration to adjacent residences and an outdoor bar that would serve as an event venue. Bill prepared responses that provided defensibility to the noise findings to ensure that the project was able to avoid lawsuits and become adopted by the City Council.
Project Manager/Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas, Noise Analyst, Moulton Niguel Water District – Oso Creek/Interstate 5 Pipeline Improvements Initial StudyMitigated Negative Declaration, Orange County The project involved replacing an existing pipeline underneath the Interstate 5 freeway in a biologically sensitive area. Managed the project from start to Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND) adoption. Air quality issues included emissions from construction equipment. Noise issues included construction noise to nearby single-family residences.
Noise Quality Assurance Reviewer, San Mateo County Flood & Sea Level Rise Resiliency District (OneShoreline) – Millbrae/Burlingame Shoreline Protection EIR, San Mateo County
Bill is part of the Rincon CEQA team to assist OneShoreline with the Millbrae and Burlingame Shoreline Area Protection and Enhancement Project. The goal of this project is to protect the San Mateo County shoreline adjacent to the cities of Millbrae and Burlingame, transportation infrastructure, and Bay ecosystem. Bill provided quality assurance of the noise EIR section that provided an extensive analysis of construction noise and vibration impacts throughout the project footprint. 105
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Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
Noise Analyst, Orange County Sanitation District – Newhope-Placentia Trunk Sewer Replacement No. 2-72A, Fullerton
The project proposed the replacement and upsizing of 12,300 feet of existing pipeline. Bill assessed potential noise impacts from construction near sensitive habitat and residences with an Acoustical Analysis Report. Noise issues included excessive noise levels to federally listed endangered bird species, which would be mitigated with avoidance during the breeding season and/or noise barriers.
Air Quality/Noise Analyst, Orange County Sanitation District – Newhope-Placentia Trunk Sewer Replacement No. 2-72 B, Anaheim
The project proposed the replacement of 20,679 feet of existing sewer pipes with larger pipes within an existing alignment. While at a prior firm, Bill prepared the air quality and noise analyses for this project. The air quality analysis included modeling of pollutant and GHG emissions from construction work. The noise analysis included construction noise modeling to nearby noise-sensitive land uses, such as single- and multifamily residential.
Noise Analyst, City of Lake Forest – Saddleback Community Church Expansion Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration, Lake Forest
Bill served as noise analyst for the IS-MND for a proposed church expansion in the City of Lake Forest. The project would involve the construction of a two-story 92,391-square-foot Worship Center Building with a capacity of 3,219 seats and 290-voice choir for a total assembly occupancy of 3,509, an increase from an existing occupancy of 3,153 seats at the existing Worship Center Building. Noise issues included the increase in traffic noise and mechanical equipment noise from the project.
Air Quality and Noise Analyst, California State University, Fullerton – Master Plan Update Program Environmental Impact Report, Orange County
Bill served as air quality and noise analyst for a Program EIR for California State University, Fullerton’s Master Plan Update. The project outlined the campus’ development plan for the next two decades. Tasks included providing a programmatic analysis of the project’s air quality and GHG emissions through an analysis directly into air quality, GHG, and noise sections of the EIR. Key issues included operational air quality and GHG emissions that exceeded South Coast Air Quality Management District thresholds and freeway noise to future dormitories; mitigation proposed for the exceedances included a GHG Reduction Plan and measures to control volatile organic compound emissions and noise-reducing architectural materials.
Air Quality, GHG, and Noise Analyst, California State University, Fullerton – Eastside 2 Parking Structure Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration, Fullerton
Bill served as air quality, GHG, and noise analyst for the proposed parking structure on the Fullerton campus. The project involved the demolition of an existing parking structure on one project site and the construction of a new parking structure on a separate site on the campus. Tasks included modeling GHG and criteria air pollutant emissions and construction and operational noise.
Noise Analyst, City of Ventura – Ocean Outfall Horizontal Directional Drilling Project, Ventura Bill served as a Noise Analyst for preparation of a construction noise management plan for the City of Ventura’s Ocean Outfall Project. Specifically, the project required intensive, 24-hour directional drilling in a park located next to single-family residences. The management plan involved quantifying the construction activities and developing mitigation measures to reduce noise levels at the residences. Measures included a large temporary noise barrier.
Noise Analyst, City of Carpinteria – 6555 Carpinteria Campground, Carpinteria Bill acted as the noise analyst for the 6555 Carpinteria Campground Project, which was proposed on a coastal bluff near the ocean and Highway 101. The noise study was conducted to analyze freeway noise levels at the campground to ensure they would meet Carpinteria standards. SoundPLAN modeling demonstrated that the freeway noise would be within standards at the project site. In addition, the project’s construction and operational noise to the nearest residences was analyzed.
Noise Analyst, GHG Analyst, and Environmental Planner, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – Etiwanda Pipeline Relining Environmental Impact Report, Various Counties/Cities, California The Etiwanda Pipeline Relining project was involved mortar relining of approximately 5 miles of a major water pipeline in the cities of Fontana and Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County. Significant project issues included construction impacts from nighttime noise and air pollutant emissions. While at a prior firm, Bill assisted in the preparation of the noise report and prepared the GHG, noise, land use, and cumulative Environmental Impact Report (EIR) sections.
106
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
BA, Environmental Studies,
University of California,
Santa Cruz
CONTINUING
EDUCATION
SoundPLAN (2018), Navcon
Engineering, Fullerton,
California
US EPA AERMOD (2015),
Lakes Environmental, Las
Vegas, Nevada
FHWA – Traffic Noise Model
2.5 (2011), Bowlby &
Associates, Inc., Brentwood,
Tennessee
Noise Control for Buildings,
Manufacturing Plants,
Equipment and Products
(2008), Hoover & Keith,
Houston, Texas
AFFILIATIONS
Member, Institute of Noise
Control Engineering - USA
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
24 Josh Carman, INCE
Director of Technical Services
Josh has over 20 years of experience in the field of acoustics and air quality and has participated in the environmental review and monitoring process for a wide variety of projects in California, Washington, Nevada, and New York. Josh prepares noise, air quality, greenhouse gas, and community health risk assessments for environmental impact studies (CEQA/NEPA) and technical studies using federal, state, and local guidelines and methodology. His experience includes complex project- and program- level analyses of general plan updates; specific plans; mixeduse development; traffic, transit and rail; vibration-sensitive; industrial; infrastructure, utilities, and telecommunications; long-term and remote construction noise and vibration monitoring; and underwater construction (e.g., pile driving) projects. He is certified in the use of the FHWA’s Traffic Noise Model (TNM), SoundPLAN, and the US EPA AERMOD air dispersion model.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Director, Kennedy Jenks – La Cienega Well Nos. 2 and 3 Project Noise and Vibration Study, Beverly Hills
Josh oversaw the preparation of a noise and vibration study for the La Cienega Wells Nos. 2 and 3 Project. The proposed project consists of construction and operation of two groundwater wells for raw water production on two non-contiguous areas within La Cienega Park in the city of Beverly Hills. The purpose of the project is to enhance the City of Beverly Hills’ drinking water supplies. Construction of the two wells would require site preparation, minimal grading, well drilling and constant rate testing during daytime hours, construction of an approximately 420-square-foot concrete masonry unit building around each well, installation of water pipelines that extend from the proposed wells to an existing raw water transmission main within La Cienega Boulevard, and site restoration upon completion of construction. Both wells would be equipped with vertical turbine well pumps with aboveground motors with variable frequency drives, and both buildings would be equipped with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment for the electrical rooms.
Noise Consultant, City of Los Angeles – City of Los Angeles Construction Noise and Vibration Thresholds Update Technical Advisory Committee, Los Angeles Josh served on a technical advisory committee to the City of Los Angeles during the update to their CEQA construction noise and vibration thresholds guidelines at Rincon. The update focused on proposing updated thresholds that are more suited to the generally urban nature of the City, while still being protective of public health.
Josh participated in workshops and provided input on appropriate thresholds to provide defensibility for their use while also accounting for the urban noise environment in the City. These thresholds have been incorporated into the draft guidelines.
Director, Kristin Harrison – 4579 - 4627 Hollywood Boulevard Residential Project Noise and Air Quality Technical Reports, Los Angeles
In support of a Class 32 Categorical Exemption, Josh oversaw the preparation of a noise technical report and an air quality technical report at Rincon. The existing Goodwill building on site and parking lot would be demolished to construct a new seven-story mixed-use building consisting with restaurant/retail space and 181 apartment units over 2 levels of subterranean parking. The proposed project would also reserve a total of 16,959 sf for open space and amenities which would include three outdoor courtyards, a recreation room, and private open space on the second level and a pergola deck on the seventh level. The noise and air reports evaluated project construction and operational impacts and identified required Regulatory Compliance Measures.
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Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
Director, City of West Hollywood – Programmatic Noise Study and Recommendations for the Hotel Rooftop Amenities Zone Text Amendment, West Hollywood
Josh prepared a programmatic noise study and recommendations for the potential zone text amendment to allow increased height of hotels to provide rooftop amenities in the City of West Hollywood. The study prepared by Rincon involved a summary of existing City noise policies, common hotel rooftop noise sources, and recommended conditions of approval to reduce potential noise impacts to the surrounding community.
Director, Soquel Creek Water District – Country Club Replacement Well Project Construction Noise Reduction Plan, Aptos
Josh prepared a construction noise reduction plan for the Country Club Replacement Well Project in Aptos. The purpose of the CNRP is to provide the project construction contractor(s) with the construction noise reduction requirements prior to the project in order to mitigate construction noise to the extent possible. The proposed project consists of a replacement well for the existing Country Club well, a 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) removal water treatment plant, and associated on-site and off-site improvements. The replacement well would be drilled to a depth of approximately 530 to 540 feet. The replacement well would connect to the water treatment plant via piping under the on-site driveway. The CNRP summarized measures which are Water District responsibility and measures which are contractor responsibility.
Director, Intersect Power – Darden Clean Energy Project, Fresno County Josh is serving as Director and QA/QC for the Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Technical Report and California Energy Commission (CEC) Opt-In application being prepared for a proposed 9,500 acre solar facility, battery energy storage system, green hydrogen facility, and generation intertie line in Fresno County. The Opt-In application includes a CEQA analysis of all required topics included in CEC’s Appendix B requirements.
Senior Noise Specialist, City of Los Angeles – Prologis Vermont and Redondo Project EIR, Los Angeles Josh conducted the environmental noise and vibration assessment while at PlaceWorks in support of an EIR for a proposed one-story, 53-foot tall, 340,298-square foot warehouse/manufacturing/distribution center. The Project would also include 36 truck loading docks and parking for up to 71 trailers. To characterize existing conditions, ambient noise measurements were conducted in the project vicinity, including at residences and the Rosecrans Recreation Center to the north. In addition to using the City of Los Angeles noise and vibration thresholds of significance, the analysis considered noise standards from the City of Gardena Municipal Code, due to nearby sensitive receptors in Gardena. Detailed SoundPLAN noise modeling was performed for both project construction and operation. SoundPLAN modeling accounted for project design features, including a temporary construction noise barrier and a permanent sound wall. While at Rincon, Josh continued to provide support on the project by drafting responses to public comments.
Senior Noise Specialist, County of Los Angeles – Tapia Ranch/Project No. R2012-02667/Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 072126, Los Angeles County
Josh conducted the environmental noise assessment while at a previous employer in support of an EIR for the development of 405-unit single-family residential lots with one public park (4.7 net acres), eight open space lots, one water pump lot, 63 HOA/Basin lots, one park trails lot, nine flood control district lots, 21 private and future street lots, and one private street lot in the Castaic area. Cumulative impacts considered the planned and approved Tesoro Del Valle residential development to the southeast.
Project Manager/Senior Noise Specialist, East Bay Municipal Utility District – Summit Reservoir Replacement Project Construction Noise and Vibration Monitoring, Berkeley While at a previous employer, Josh managed a two-year construction noise and vibration monitoring project for the EBMUD Summit Reservoir Replacement. The old Summit Reservoir and Shasta-Woods Pumping Plant located on the Berkeley/ Kensington border, and construction activity included replacing the old 37 million gallon, open-cut Summit Reservoir with a smaller 3.5 million gallon concrete water tank to improve water quality, meet current water demands and enhance operations. Long-term construction noise and vibration monitoring was conducted at four property line locations near adjacent residences and included remote data collection and weekly report memorandums. A summary report was prepared at the end of the approximate two-year construction period. 108
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
EDUCATION
BS, Ecology, Evolution, and
Marine Biology;
BA, Environmental Studies,
University of California,
Santa Barbara
CERTIFICATIONS/
TRIANINGS
Project Management
Certificate, University of
California, Santa Barbara
Workshops: California Native
Plant Society, California
Wildlife Society Aquatic Herp,
Jepson Herbarium, Wildlife
Society, Western Foundation
of Vertebrate Zoology, and
Western Tracking Institute
AFFILIATIONS
Association of Environmental
Professionals
California Native Plant Society
Jepsen Herbarium
American Planning
Association, Young Planners
Group Coordinator
(2011 to 2013)
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
22 Holly Harris
Senior Regulatory Specialist
Holly has 22 years of public and private sector experience in managing biological technical surveys and studies, coastal development permit applications, legally defensible California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis, general plan updates, and resource conservation ordinances. Her experience is in a wide range of areas, including designing biological studies and conducting special status species surveys, Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) mapping and Coastal Act consistency analysis, biological mitigation and monitoring, state and federal wetland permitting, arborist assessments, environmental analysis, community plan and Local Coastal Program policy development, geographic information systems, and ecological restoration. Alt statement: Her public agency planning experience included managing over 200 discretionary and CDP applications, formulating regulatory and coastal permitting strategies for public and private projects, managing resource management programs and costs, and overseeing permit compliance for complex and controversial projects.
SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Project Manager, Southern California Gas Company – Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan (PSEP) Biological Services, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Kern, and Santa Barbara Counties
Holly oversees a number of Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan projects across Southern California. Her responsibilities include environmental review and planning, permit strategy, guidance, and detailed cost estimates for various projects. Duties include environmental review analysis and planning, permit strategy development, detailed cost and risk estimates, obtaining local discretionary permits and CDPs, overseeing coastal permit construction compliance and reporting, mitigation permitting strategies and avoidance measures, construction environmental scope, and subconsultant contract management, delivering presentations at public meetings and hearings, and successful negotiations with stakeholders and resource management agencies.
Associated resource challenges included California Coastal Commission (CCC) and local agency CDPs, ESHA impacts and buffers, compensatory mitigation, protocol plant and bird surveys, jurisdictional and coastal wetland permitting, Section 7 and Section 10 endangered species consultation, CEQA/NEPA analysis, marine protected areas, biological construction compliance, compensatory mitigation strategies and planning, and restoration monitoring. Duties also included permitting and environmental feasibility analysis for multi-state hydrogen pipelines across the western United States.
Coastal Biologist and Regulatory Specialist, Southern California Gas Company – Various Projects, Various Counties/Cities, California
Holly oversees all aspects of environmental review and planning, design and execution of biological resource evaluations, programmatic and project-specific resource management and restoration plans, jurisdictional waters and endangered species permitting, permit construction compliance and restoration, and mitigation strategies and implementation. She coordinates and consults with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies on scope and impact from inception to completion of restoration monitoring.
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Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists · Planners · Engineers
Project Manager, Goleta West Sanitary District – Phelps Road Sewer Project, Santa Barbara County, California Holly managed the preparation of biological technical studies and obtaining regulatory and coastal development permits. She conducted special status species surveys, jurisdictional delineations, and vegetation mapping, and determined the extent of the Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area. She prepared and submitted permit applications to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Coastal Commission, and University of California, Santa Barbara. Holly negotiated with each agency to ensure fair and feasible permit conditions and managed field permit compliance and agency mitigation and restoration reporting.
Lead Biologist, City of Goleta – Heritage Ridge Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Biological Resource Assessment, Goleta
Holly conducted biological surveys and policy analysis to determine the presence of special status species and extent of ESHA and development buffers. Drafted the EIR, technical appendices, and responses to comments.
Coordinated with City planners and counsel, wildlife experts, and agencies to develop EHSA buffer and wildlife movement recommendations consistent with the City’s General Plan. Crafted extensive responses to agency and community comments and provided testimony at five public hearings on biological resources and habitat policy.
Project Manager, County of Ventura Resource Management Agency – Camp Hess Kramer Conditional Use and Coastal Development Permits, Ventura County
Holly served as the Project Manager for coastal permitting of a historic 154-acre religious camp within an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area overlay in the Santa Monica Mountains. She designed project-specific and legally defensible Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area protection conditions consistent with the Coastal Act and Ventura County’s Local Coastal Program. Holly negotiated project mitigation measures and Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area conditions with agencies, the California Coastal Commission, and stakeholder groups. She also presented the Coastal Development Permit package to the County Planning Commission for review and approval, and managed the project for compliance, monitoring and reporting.
Project Manager, County of Santa Barbara Planning and Development – Montecito Growth Management Ordinance, Resource Constraint Analysis, and Environmental Impact Report, Santa Barbara County Holly served as the Project Manager and Lead Planner for a County of Santa Barbara-initiated growth management program update in a coastal urban community. She completed the infrastructure and build-out analysis, public outreach special study preparation, environmental review, local Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors adoption, and California Coastal Commission certification.
Project Manager, City of Goleta – Old Town Village Biological Resource Assessment, Santa Barbara County Conducted biological surveys and policy analysis to determine the presence of special status species and extent of Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHA). Coordinated with City staff, wildlife experts, and agencies to develop EHSA buffer recommendations consistent with the City’s Local Coastal Program (LCP).
Project Manager/Biologist, Thacher School Ojai – Thacher School Mater Plan ISBAs, Tree Surveys, Construction Compliance, Ojai
Managed and prepared a master and project-specific ISBAs, Arborist Surveys, Fuel Modification Plans, Tree Mitigation Plans, and Nesting Bird Management Plans in support of a campus master plan Major Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Tasks included protocol rare plant surveys, vegetation mapping, tree surveys, coordination with County staff, fuel modification and restoration research, tree mitigation planning, protected tree monitoring and reporting, nesting bird surveys and management plans.
Project Manager/Biologist, Residential Client – Various Projects, Santa Monica Mountains Completed the field surveys and prepared an ISBA for a CDP for a residence in the Santa Monic Mountains Overlay.
Issues included ESHA impacts and mapping, Coastal Area Plan consistency, special status and listed plants and wildlife, jurisdictional waters, and post fire assessment. After CDP approval includes preparation of a post-fire ESHA Restoration Plan and completion of construction compliance (e.g., nesting bird surveys). 110
Dr. Weixia Jin has 37 years of management and technical experience in coastal engineering and is the M&N Southern California technical director for the water practice. Her projects focus on drainage and water quality management plans, coastal watershed hydrology and contamination studies, wetland and stream restoration studies, wetland hydraulics, tidal muting studies wave and tsunami wave propagation modeling and review, marina planning and circulation studies. She is a subject matter expert for FEMA coastal floodplain mapping; an ASCE board-certified coastal engineer; and an ASCE Academy of Coastal, Ocean, Port, & Navigation Engineers board trustee. Her projects include:
Resource Conservation of the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga Lagoon Restoration, Topanga, CA. Project manager for hydrodynamic modeling with MIKE21-HD, sediment transport modeling with MIKE21-ST, fish passage assessment of tidal goby and steelhead trout, restoration alternative development, public and stakeholder meeting support, and 30% engineering plan preparation. The design considered fluvial and coastal processes including sea level rise impacts.
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, Lagoon Restoration, Encinitas, CA. Assistant project manager for tidal and flood hydrodynamic modeling with RAM2 model, and salinity dilution and bacteria water quality modeling during the storms with RMA4 model. Conducted tidal muting and inlet stability studies, analyzed impacts of sea level rise, and predicted flood/ebb shoal growth rate and lagoon sedimentation trends and patterns. Designed the riprap shore protection for the tidal entrance channel and embankment erosion protection.
San Diego Association of Governments, San Dieguito Lagoon W-19 Wetland Restoration, San Diego County, CA. Project manager for a restoration plan to mitigate impacts associated with highway and transit improvements in the I-5 corridor, the El Camino Real Bridge Widening, and reserve wetlands for Southern California Edison. To quantify the processes of stormflow conveyance, sediment transport, and tidal hydrology/hydraulics, created and calibrated RMA2 and ADH hydrodynamic models for the San Dieguito River estuary system, performed tide hydrodynamic and water quality modeling, and performed river hydraulic and sedimentation modeling with Fluvial-12 morphological model for storm flows. These processes significantly influenced the project by dictating future site conditions. Designed rock slope protection for the utility corridor, culvert outlet, and berms, separating the wetlands from the river.
Border Field State Park Renovations, San Diego, CA. Project manager for addressing frequent flooding issues of the main entrance road, improving access to Monument Mesa, developing a border educational plaza, and enhancing habitat, while improving sea level rise resilience. Tasks included hydrology/hydraulic and sedimentation rates analyses, sea level rise assessment, draft CDP permit preparation, and preparing the 30% design plan for culverts, gravel road, and asphalt roadway.
Fairview Park Wetland and Riparian Habitat Restoration, Costa Mesa, CA. Hydraulic engineer for hydrology, hydraulic, and circulation analysis for diverting dry weather low flow to a newly created treatment wetland to improve dry weather water quality, while enhancing riparian habitat and public usage. The project provided concept development, data analysis, design, cost estimating, permitting, construction document preparation, and public involvement for converting disturbed upland habitat into 35 acres of freshwater marsh in a new public park.
Colorado Lagoon Restoration Feasibility Study, Long Beach, CA. Task manager for reviewing watershed hydrology studies, performing RMA2 hydrodynamic modeling for the existing and proposed lagoon restoration alternatives, and computing residence times in the lagoon with the RMA4 water quality model. The project goal was to improve and integrate habitat, public recreation, flood retention, and stormwater management uses. Included field tidal measurements, data analysis, calibrating the RMA2 model to measured tidal elevations, restoration alternatives development, and public involvement.
Marina del Ray Harbor, Playa Vista 2D Water Quality Numerical Modeling Study, Los Angeles, CA. Task manager constructed a 2D finite element model for the entire harbor/marina complex and the proposed Playa Vista boating basin and wetland, and simulated the velocity field and water levels at discrete nodal points for the entire water body system with the RMA2 model, which included the tidal flap gates and culverts. These results were used to refine the tidal pump design, evaluate basin flushing characteristics, assess the salinity dilutions and temperature variations in the wetland and boating basin, and analyze the dispersion and dilution of bacteria for body contact issues.
Weixia Jin, PhD, DCE, PE
Drainage Plan and Preliminary Water Quality Management Plan Education
• PhD, Hydraulics & Water
Resources, University of
Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
• ME, Coastal and Ocean
Engineering, Hohai University at
Nanjing, China
• BS, Harbor and Navigation
Engineering, Hohai University at
Nanjing, China
Licenses and Certifications
• California Professional Engineer,
Civil (no. C59026)
• GIS Certificate, Westech College
• Diplomate, Coastal Engineering
(DCE), Academy of Coastal, Ocean,
Port and Navigation Engineers
(ACOPNE)
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Qing Wang has 17 years of experience in numerical modeling for hydrodynamics (hydraulics/ hydrology), water quality, sediment transport, plume tracer, waves, and vessel mooring.
She leads coastal flooding mitigation studies, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) storm surge model reviews in the Southeast and FEMA Advisory Base Flood Elevation map revision in New York City after Hurricane Sandy. HHer coastal and water resource engineering services include metocean studies, wind and storm wave hindcast, 2D and 3D modeling, water quality modeling in coastal areas, sediment transport studies, sea level rise and coastal hazard mitigation studies, coastal and offshore structure design and wave loading analysis, coastal ecosystem/wetland restoration studies, and dynamic mooring analysis. Her projects include:
Resource Conservation of the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga Lagoon Restoration, Topanga, CA. Lead modeler for restoring Topanga Lagoon’s historical footprint. Modeled coastal and estuarine processes for four lagoon restoration alternatives, including hydrodynamics, waves, sediment transport, and shoreline morphology. The developed shoreline morphology model was also used to study the nearshore placement of dredged material as sediment beneficial reuse.
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, Lagoon Restoration, Encinitas, CA. Lead hydraulics modeler to evaluate the tidal circulation and residence time for restoration alternatives. Evaluated the effect on the tidal prism and residence time by the proposed pedestrian bridge and lagoon habitat map.
San Diego Association of Governments, San Dieguito Lagoon W-19 and W-6 Wetland Restoration, San Diego County, CA.
Coastal engineer for Adaptive Hydraulics (AdH) hydrodynamic modeling for the San Dieguito River estuary system. Conducted tidal and storm hydraulics, water quality, and sea level rise modeling for the proposed restoration alternatives at W-19 and W-6 basins and evaluated impacts to other adjacent basins.
City of Long Beach, Alamitos Bay Water Quality Circulation Study Phase II, Long Beach, CA. Lead water quality and circulation modeler to test various scenarios of AES power plant pumping versus no pumping, as the AES plant was scheduled to terminate pumping. The residence time, bacteria level, and copper concentration within the Alamitos Bay were modeled in multiple scenarios using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-developed Adaptive Hydraulics (AdH) modeling suite.
Lyon Housing (LB Marina), Wetland Mitigation Bank at Synergy Oil Field, Hydraulic Analysis, Los Cerritos, CA. Coastal engineer for developing a restoration plan for the 76-acre wetland site to create a wetland mitigation bank. A two-dimensional Adaptive Hydraulics (AdH) model was developed to simulate the wetland hydraulics under a proposed grading plan for the project area. Five scenarios considered existing and future sea level rise factors. The model results helped derive the habitat elevation bounds, inundation curves, and flood elevations under storm conditions.
San Diego Association of Governments, Bridge Hydraulics Study for I-5 Bridge over Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad, CA.
Coastal engineer for a hydraulics modeling to evaluate the Batiquitos Lagoon hydraulic conditions at the proposed I-5 bridge.
The bridge hydraulics were analyzed under extreme flood events, the largest tsunami on record, and projected sea level rise.
City of Long Beach, Alamitos Bay Water Quality Circulation Study, Phase I, Long Beach, CA. Coastal engineer for analyzing tidal circulation and residence time within Alamitos Bay as a function of various pumping scenarios of local energy-generating facilities. The RMA modeling suite was used to model the scenarios.
U.S. Navy, P-224/P-226 Ammunition Pier and Turning Basin, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, CA. Lead coastal engineer for two-dimensional wave and hydrodynamic modeling studies for this Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command project. DHI Mike 21 spectral and Boussinesq wave models were used to predict design wave conditions at the new pier and the surrounding key structures. The Mike 21 hydrodynamic model was used to design currents and water levels. This project also included an environmental study on the eelgrass mitigation site based on wave and hydrodynamic model results.
City of Hermosa, Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency, Hermosa Beach, CA. Hydraulic and hydrology engineer for studies to assess the impact of sea level rise and climate change to the existing storm drain system using DHI’s Mike+ modeling suite. Coastal flooding due to sea level rise from the latest Coastal Modeling System (COSMOS) was also used. The study provided information on storm drain system deficiencies and impacts to the system due to sea level rise and developed potential alternatives to reduce future flooding
Qing Wang, PE
Flood Modeling Study and Hydrodynamic Modeling
Education
• MSc, University of Central
Florida
• MSc, Delft University of
Technology, Netherlands
• BS, Hohai University, China
Licenses and Certifications
• Maryland Professional Engineer,
Civil (no. 46283)
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Chris O’Day is a coastal scientist with eight years of experience in coastal processes and sea level rise assessment projects. He specializes in coastal engineering, modeling, and scientific analysis for coastal hazards and sea level rise. Chris received his Master’s in Coastal Engineering at Oregon State University and worked as a research assistant at the Hinsdale Wave Research Lab, conducting physical modeling experiments in the large wave flume and direction wave basin. He focused on wave climate and run-up analysis and learning coastal protection and resilience methods that incorporate a combination of nature-based features and hard engineering structures to mitigate coastal hazards. For the past four years, Chris’s works at M&N has focused on sea level rise assessments and coastal hazard assessment projects that include beach nourishment, lagoon restoration, and living shoreline design. This includes fieldwork efforts for deploying and maintaining instrumentation and data processing and analysis. He also leads sediment sampling and analysis efforts to characterize sediment for beneficial reuse. His projects include:
Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, Banning Ranch/Randall Preserve Coastal Resiliency Strategy, Newport Beach, CA. Coastal scientist for mentoring the coastal team in sea level rise flood mapping for existing conditions at the wetland site. Helped navigate the complex hydraulic interactions of the tide gate system and the Santa Ana River to project future flood conditions.
Dauntless Development, Garden Street Hotel Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment Update, Santa Barbara, CA. Coastal scientist for updating the original Moffatt & Nichol sea level rise study. Attended a Santa Barbara City Hall meeting as a technical expert to help explain the sea level rise flood mapping to the public.
Gaviota Coast Unit General Plan Update, Santa Barbara, CA. Coastal scientist and task manager for a sea level rise vulnerability assessment of Gaviota State Park, Refugio State Beach, and El Capitan State Beach.
County of Santa Barbara, Sandyland Seawall, Carpinteria, CA. Coastal scientist for leading the coastal hazard analysis to obtain coastal development permits for reconstructing the Sandyland seawall and rock revetment. The hazard assessment included sea level rise mapping, erosion analysis, conceptual design of revetment alternatives, and living shoreline designs.
City of Santa Barbara, Waterfront Emergency Rock Revetment Hazard Mitigation Plan, Santa Barbara, CA. Coastal scientist for leading the coastal hazards and wave uprush analysis for an emergency rock revetment structure along Ledbetter Beach. The analyses included a metocean study, extremal analysis of wave climate, sea level rise vulnerability analysis, flood inundation mapping, wave runup calculations, and revetment structural analysis. Two comprehensive reports were written to assist in permitting the revetment structure. The reports included an overview of the coastal setting at the beach, an analysis of current and future sea level rise and coastal flooding scenarios using CoSMoS and Federal Emergency Management Agency modeling data, a wave uprush analysis component, and rock revetment design analyses to assess the revetment’s capabilities against future flooding/overtopping scenarios. The reports also examined the pros and cons of different revetment alternatives in relation to flooding effects.
San Diego Association of Governments San Dieguito to Sorrento Valley Double-Track (SDSVDT), Del Mar, CA. Coastal scientist for authoring the report for updated sea level rise design guidance. Summarized international, federal, state, and regional sea level rise guidance documents to guide the future design efforts of this railway project.
City of San Diego, Camino De La Costa Stairs Coastal Hazard Assessment, San Diego, CA. Coastal scientist for assisting with the sea level rise flood mapping, bluff erosion projections, and wave runup and overtopping calculations for the Camino de la Costa Stairs. Developed a high-level alternatives study report to evaluate the condition of the existing stairway between Camino De La Costa and the beach/formational material, and to provide recommendations for repair or replacement.
City of San Diego, Spindrift Staircase Coastal Hazard Assessment, San Diego, CA. Coastal scientist for assisting with the sea level rise flood mapping, bluff erosion projections, and wave runup and overtopping calculations for the Spindrift Stairs.
California Department of Parks and Recreation, Torrey Pines Staircase Replacement Coastal Hazards Assessment, San Diego, CA. Coastal scientist for a coastal hazards assessment for a staircase replacement project along the bluffs at Torrey Pines State Beach. Calculated wave runup on the bluff face and along the staircase to inform the conceptual design of the new staircase. Reviewed shoreline and bluff erosion data to project future shoreline and bluff locations with sea level rise. Also analyzed the spatiotemporal beach topography changes to estimate on-site short-term and seasonal beach erosion.
Chris O’Day, EIT
Coastal Processes and Sea Level Rise Assessment
Education
• MS, Coastal and Ocean
Engineering, Oregon State
University
• BS, Mechanical Engineering,
California Polytechnic State
University
Licenses and Certifications
• California Engineer-in-Training
(no. 180214)
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Jared Bernard is a civil engineer with 19 years of experience designing and managing public and private site development projects. His skill set includes utilities modification and relocation, grading, drainage, street improvements, hydrology, hydraulics, erosion control, low-impact development, and report writing. He has served as a project manager and assistant project manager for leading engineering designs, project budgeting, team and client meetings, preparing cost estimates, and coordinating subconsultant efforts. Jared understands the plan production process with experience in AutoCAD and Civil 3D, making him a versatile and wellrounded project manager. His projects include:
Vopak, LA MOTEMS Compliance Upgrade, Los Angeles, CA. Civil engineer in support of the seismic retrofit of a 1,792-foot-long existing maritime oil terminal at the Port of Los Angeles.
Responsibilities included civil design of backland improvements to accommodate structural and geotechnical improvements per MOTEMS requirements. Improvements included grading, paving, drainage, and utility modifications. Utility modifications include relocating the existing fire waster system.
U.S. Navy, P-454 Multi-Mission Dry Dock Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.
Civil engineer for developing vehicle access modifications. M&N was contracted by the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Northwest (NAVFAC Northwest) to design a new multi-mission dry dock to replace existing Dry Dock 3 at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, including demolishing portions of adjacent Piers 6 and 7 and retrofitting them for the new dry dock operations. The facility will have a 100-year design life and support the greatest potential ship service demands for all active and currently planned nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. M&N is currently developing the 50% level design and documents as part of Phase 3.
Port of Oakland, Oakland Army Base (OAB) Circuit 2 Capacity Upgrade Project, Oakland, CA. Civil engineer for the pavement replacement design. Project included detailed design of OAB’s SS-R-14 substation circuit 2 capacity upgrades. Scope included upgrading 12-kilovolt power feeders for underground and overhead services.
Harley Ellis Devereaux, Belmont Beach and Aquatics Center, Long Beach, CA. Civil engineer for a new aquatics center situated along the beach front. Project included constructing an elevated 127,200 sf plinth structure containing various pools, support facilities, bleachers, staircases, and ramps. Site improvements consisted of pedestrian and vehicular access paths that tied into existing improvements. Project included utility relocations and new services for the proposed use. Prepared documents include precise grading, drainage, wet utilities, horizontal control, erosion control and water quality.
Port of Tacoma, Husky Terminal Reconfiguration - Phase 1 RTG Design and Construction Package, Tacoma, WA. Civil engineer for redeveloping Terminals 3 and 4 to optimize storage and reefer container capacities by reorienting and increasing storage stack heights and optimizing the terminal functional layout. Developed the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and Stormwater Site Plan (SSP) detailing the construction and post-construction water quality mitigation measures.
Project includes demolishing or relocating existing conflicting infrastructure, such as concrete runways to align with the new container stacking alignment. Area pavement elevations will be flattened to facilitate higher container stacking. Existing utilities will be modified to facilitate regrading, including modifying storm drain system including new slot drains and piping.
New Jersey Wind Port, Parcel G Engineering for Permitting, Salem County, Trenton, NJ. Civil engineer for a detailed design of a wind turbine generation marshalling port that will import, stage, preassemble, and loadout turbine, tower, and blade components for large commercial-scale offshore wind installations. The site is currently a greenfield that will be transformed to a fully functional facility with allowable live load capacities up to 6,200 per square foot. This work included dredge design of a 4,500-foot-long x 500-foot-wide deepwater access channel to gain access to the federal channel and developing stormwater management and grading design, utility design, and plan production. Updated the permit plan set and the associated design of the site preparation and earthwork, site grades, stormwater management and utilities, and the heavy haul road.
City of Tustin, Legacy Linear Park, Tustin, CA. Civil engineer for the site development of a 30-acre park that was part of redeveloping a former U.S. military base into a park, meandering pedestrian and bike paths, amphitheater, monument sign, restroom facility, and parking lot. Prepared construction documents for rough grading, precise grading, wet utilities, water quality, hydrology, traffic signalization and public street improvements.
Jared Bernard, PE, QSD/QSP, ENV SP
Utilities Modification and Relocation Plan
Education
• MS, Civil Engineering, California
State Polytechnic UniversityPomona
• BS, Civil Engineering, University
of California-Irvine
Licenses and Certifications
• California Professional Engineer,
Civil (no. 77740)
• Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD)/
Qualified SWPPP Practitioner
(QSP), California #21559
• Institute for Sustainable
Infrastructure, Envision
Sustainability Professional,
#49547
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Shelly Anghera is a principal scientist with 21 years of experience conducting field and laboratory studies related to eco-toxicology and sediment and water quality characterization.
Her expertise centers on field study design, sediment characterization, water and sediment testing and analysis, implementation strategies for dredged material management, total maximum daily load (TMDL) compliance, and California’s sediment quality objectives (SQOs) application. Shelly teaches courses on analysis and TMDLs, interpreting toxicity testing, SQOs, and assessing ecological risk in contaminated sediments. Her projects focus on integrating multiple lines of evidence to determine water and sediment quality. Her projects include:
City of Long Beach, As-Needed Professional Engineering Services, Long Beach, CA. Principal-in-charge of a five-year contract to provide professional engineering and specialized services for a variety of projects. Led and provided services on several task orders, including the Alamitos Bay water quality enhancement project, Colorado Lagoon monitoring for Naples Seawall, Peninsula Beach study, and the Queen Mary priority maintenance and repair engineering design support.
City of Newport Beach, On-Call Marine Engineering Services, Long Beach, CA. Principal-in-charge, sediment management, and quality lead for consecutive three-year contracts to provide professional engineering and specialized services for a variety of marine and coastal projects. Led and provided services on several task orders, including the 29th Street Public Pier Construction and Lower Castaways Dredge Material Disposal.
Port of Long Beach, Sediment and Water Quality Services Contracts, Long Beach, CA. Principal scientist and contract manager for multiple on-call sediment and water quality contracts valued at more than $4 million. Services focus on dredged material quality, water quality management programs, and stormwater permitting compliance. Developed guidance manuals for permitting, sediment management, and construction design specifications for environmental programs.
Port of Los Angeles, Multiple Water Quality, Sediment Quality, and Biological Resource Services, Los Angeles, CA. Principal scientist and contract manager leading the current on-call sediment and water quality contract and led work under six prior contracts dating back to 2007. Projects have ranged from dredged material assessments, TMDL support, and mitigation banking to water quality monitoring and contaminant source identification. Developed guidance manuals for permitting, sediment management, and construction design specifications for environmental programs.
Upper Mobile Bay Beneficial Use Wetland Creation Mobile, AL. Principal scientist for reviewing sediment sampling and data analysis. Provided innovative sediment management and testing strategies to allow for suitability determinations.
Port of Long Beach, West Basin Property Restriction/Conveyance Restriction Summary, Long Beach, CA. Project manager for developing the restriction summary by completing a memorandum and set of figures to document the development conditions. Included a summary of the regulatory process as it relates to IR Site and list of stakeholders.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, OMAO Charleston Pier Romeo Recapitalization, Charleston, SC.
Principal scientist for developing the project sampling, analysis plan and dredge layout project limits and project channel.
Developed sediment reports with recommended sediment management strategies and regulatory approval.
Regional Contaminated Sediment Management Plans, Los Angeles County, CA. Project lead for developing four complementary plans for the City of Long Beach, City of Los Angeles, and County of Los Angeles for the long-term management of legacy contaminants in marine sediments. The project promotes management actions that are ecologically beneficial and logistically and economically feasible. The plans details processes to identify, prioritize, and manage impacted sediments. The effort continues with developing a fourth contaminated sediment management plan for Marina del Rey.
Port of Long Beachm, Harbor Toxics Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) Services, Long Beach, CA. Principal scientist for developing a comprehensive strategy and program under contract to implement and comply with TMDLs. The program extends more than 15 years and more than $10 million of services to develop and negotiate responsible management solutions based on sound science for TMDL reconsideration.
City of Newport Beach, Copper and Organochlorine Pesticide TMDL Support, Newport Beach, CA. Principal scientist for preparing upcoming water quality regulations for legacy pollutants and copper boat paint. Legacy pollutants include pesticides and herbicides that have been discontinued but remain in the environment. Provided ongoing strategic support for sediment management and TMDL compliance services related to Marina del Rey Harbor.
Shelly Anghera, PhD
Water and Sediment Quality Study
Education
• PhD, Environmental Health
Sciences, University of California,
Los Angeles
• BS, Aquatic Biology, University of
California, Santa Barbara
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Robert Aguirre, AICP
SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNER
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
American Institute of Certified Planners
(AICP)
EDUCATION
California State Polytechnic University,
B.A., Urban and Regional Planning, Pomona,
California, 2006.
EXPERTISE
Transportation Planning
Traffic Impact Assessment
Site Access Analyses
Parking Studies
Transit Studies and Strategic Plans
EXPERIENCE
Senior Transportation Planner,
Translutions, Inc. Tustin, California.
January 2017–Present.
Senior Transportation Planner, LSA
Associates, Inc., Riverside, California.
April 2006–January 2017.
Planning Intern, County of Riverside,
California. January 2006–April 2006.
Planning Intern, City of South El Monte,
California. May 2005–December 2005.
Mr. Aguirre is a Senior Transportation Planner with 10 years of experience. Robert’s primary responsibilities are to prepare technical analyses of land development projects, including comprehensive traffic impact analyses, traffic operations analyses, and parking studies. His areas of expertise include traffic impact studies, pedestrian and bicycle planning, transit routing, GIS analysis, and statistical and analytical research. He has prepared a variety of traffic impact analysis projects throughout Southern California including the City of Jurupa Valley General Plan Traffic Study, the City of Loma Linda General Plan Circulation Element, the City of Yucaipa General Plan Housing Element Update, the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians Tribal Transportation Plan Update, and the California High-Speed Rail Authority Project- Fresno to Bakersfield Section. Robert has a degree in Urban Planning from California Polytechnic University, Pomona. loves GIS, urban design, transportation, and optimization. His dream is to automate transportation planning and traffic engineering processes to create a one button solutions.
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
Hoag Parking Analysis
Translutions prepared the parking analysis to allow the existing Hoag Health Center in the City of Laguna Beach to expand into the adjoining retail space. Mr. Aguirre was the Lead Analyst.
Seven4One Parking Analysis
Translutions is working on a parking analysis for the weddings occurring at the Seven4One hotel in the City of Laguna Beach. As part of this effort, Translutions conducted surveys to identify parking needs for facility. Mr. Aguirre was the Lead Analyst.
Starbucks Queuing Surveys
As part of a project in the City of Santa Ana, Translutions conducted data collection and evaluation of queueing data at three Starbucks facilities in Orange County. The findings of the analysis were used to forecast queue lengths at a proposed Starbucks facility in Santa Ana. Mr. Aguirre was the Lead Analyst.
2525 Main
Translutions conducted a multimodal traffic impact analysis for the proposed 2525 Main Street project in the City of Santa Ana. The project is a brownfield development which will include the demolition of a 90,000 square foot building previously occupied by Wells Fargo. The proposed project will include approximately 500 apartment units. Two access alternatives were evaluated for this project. Mr. Aguirre was the Lead Analyst.
West Valley Logistics Center Specific Plan, City of Fontana, San Bernardino County Translutions is assisting the project development team in the preparation of a traffic impact analysis as well as overall CEQA strategy and public outreach for transportation related issues for the proposed West Valley Logistics Center Specific Plan project. The project includes the development of seven warehouse buildings totaling approximately 3.47 million square feet. The analysis will include focused analyses and simulations of several interchange corridors. Mr. Aguirre was the Lead Analyst. 116
Robert Aguirre, AICP
SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNER
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS (Continued)
2 Rancho Palos Verdes General Plan Traffic Impact Analysis, City of Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County Translutions is working on the traffic impact analysis for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes General Plan. The analysis will evaluate multimodal transportation within the City. Rancho Palos Verdes, being on the Pacific coast, attracts tourists, as well as hiking and bicycling enthusiasts. Since these activities generally occur during the weekend, an evaluation of bike and pedestrian operations during the weekend will also be conducted as part of the analysis. The analysis will also include bicycle and pedestrian safety, as well as an evaluation of vehicle miles traveled for the Global Climate Change impacts. Translutions will also provide VMT information at a Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) level to assist future development in the City once the OPR finalizes the proposed metrics pursuant to the implementation of SB-743. Mr. Aguirre was the Lead Analyst.
Pico Rivera Urban Greening Master Plan (Active Transportation), City of Pico Rivera, Los Angeles County The State Strategic Growth Council awarded the City of Pico Rivera for the Urban Greening Master Plan which will identify new sites for green spaces, develop a pedestrian and bicycle lane plan, develop a groundwater infiltration plan and create a unifying street tree canopy and water efficient plant palette. The project includes preparation of the plan as well as relevant CEQA documents. Translutions role in this project is in the identification of prospective bike lanes, preparing portions of the bicycle master plan, evaluating potential changes to mode split because of the plan, calculate potential VMT reductions because of the proposed plan, and preparation of the transportation/traffic section of the CEQA document. Mr. Aguirre was the Lead Analyst.
Pacific Edge Long Beach
Translutions prepared a supplemental analysis for the Pacific Edge Long Beach industrial project in the City of Long Beach. The project is a brownfield project and included an adaptive re-use of an existing United States Postal Service facility and included the development of approximately 2 million square feet of manufacturing, warehousing, and office uses. Specifically, Translutions prepared a signal timing analysis, signal design, and revisions to the traffic impact analysis conducted for the project. Mr. Aguirre was the Lead Analyst.
SR-210 Alder Avenue Interchange
Translutions prepared the traffic operations analysis report for the SR-210/Alder Avenue in the City of Rialto. The analysis was based on the San Bernardino Transportation Analysis Model and the SCAG Regional Transportation Plan. The evaluation was based in Synchro software. Mr. Aguirre was the Lead Analyst.
Sierra Avenue Traffic Operations & Construction Impact Analysis, City of Fontana, San Bernardino County Translutions is working on the traffic operations analysis, construction impact analysis, and preparation of the traffic management plan for the Sierra Avenue Widening Project in the City of Fontana. The project includes the widening of Sierra Avenue from Foothill Boulevard to Baseline Avenue from four to six lanes. The project is interesting because of a proposed median. Translutions will evaluate potential implications of the median and identify locations for potential median breaks. The analysis will be conducted using the San Bernardino Traffic Analysis Model. Mr. Aguirre was the Lead Analyst.
City of Yucaipa Housing Element Update, City of Yucaipa, San Bernardino County, California Mr. Aguirre completed the TIA for the General Plan Housing Element Update. The Housing Element Update analyzed impacts of the potential rezoning and development of three alternative sites. The purpose of the TIA was to analyze potential circulation impacts associated with each of these three alternative sites. The TIA included seven analysis scenarios and 40 study intersections. 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians Tribal Transportation Plan Update, City of 29 Palms, Riverside County, California Mr. Aguirre assisted in the traffic impact analysis for the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians Tribal Transportation Plan Update. The TIA included the analysis of 6 intersections and 6 roadway segments under existing, Future No Project, and Future With Project conditions.
The Future No Project scenario included land use data and the roadway network from the County of Riverside’s Circulation Element and the Future with Project scenario included the land use data and roadway network from the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians Master Plan.
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Sandipan Bhattacharjee, PE, TE, AICP, ENV SP PRINCIPAL
the transportation solutions company...
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
American Institute of Certified Planners
(AICP): Membership Number 019936
Professional Engineer (Civil), California,
License Number C81872
Professional Engineer (Traffic), California,
License Number TR2847
ENV-SP, Certificate Number 23729
EDUCATION
University of Southern California (USC),
Master of Planning, 2003.
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur,
India. Bachelor of Architecture (Honors), 2001.
EXPERTISE
Transportation Fee Programs
California Environmental Quality Act
National Environmental Policy Act
Asset Management
Envision & Sustainable Infrastructure
Global Climate Change Strategy
Transportation Planning & Modeling
Traffic Impact Assessment
Traffic Simulations
Site Access Analyses
Transit Oriented Development
Access Management and Site Design
Parking Studies
Roadway Widening and Realignment Studies
Campus Design and Non-Motorized Circulation
EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Faculty, Price School of Policy, Planning
& Development, USC, 2008–2016
Associate, LSA Associates, Inc., Riverside,
California, October 2003–January 2014.
Contract Planner, City of South Pasadena,
California, June 2002–October 2003.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Planning Association (APA)
Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
Building Industry Association (BIA)
Mr. Bhattacharjee is a Co-Founder and Principal at Translutions. His primary responsibilities are to prepare technical analyses of land development and transportation infrastructure projects, including comprehensive traffic impact analyses, traffic operations analyses, and parking studies. Mr. Bhattacharjee has worked in the Southern California region for over fifteen years and has extensive experience in preparing traffic operations analyses for Caltrans and other MPOs. He is well versed in rules and regulations in the five-county SCAG region. Mr. Bhattacharjee has led teams preparing traffic studies and multimodal analyses for various types of projects. Mr. Bhattacharjee has extensive experience in preparing defensible transportation analysis for inclusion in CEQA documents. Since the passage of SB-375 and AB-32, Mr. Bhattacharjee has been involved in Green House Gas reduction strategies including facilitation of transit, complete streets implementation, and vehicle trip reduction strategies.
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
Hoag Parking Analysis
Translutions prepared the parking analysis to allow the existing Hoag Health Center in the City of Laguna Beach to expand into the adjoining retail space. Mr. Bhattacharjee was the Principal in Charge.
Seven4One Parking Analysis
Translutions is working on a parking analysis for the weddings occurring at the Seven4One hotel in the City of Laguna Beach. As part of this effort, Translutions conducted surveys to identify parking needs for facility. Mr. Bhattacharjee was the Principal in Charge.
Starbucks Queuing Surveys
As part of a project in the City of Santa Ana, Translutions conducted data collection and evaluation of queueing data at three Starbucks facilities in Orange County. The findings of the analysis were used to forecast queue lengths at a proposed Starbucks facility in Santa Ana. Mr. Bhattacharjee was the Principal in Charge. 2525 Main
Translutions conducted a multimodal traffic impact analysis for the proposed 2525 Main Street project in the City of Santa Ana. The project is a brownfield development which will include the demolition of a 90,000 square foot building previously occupied by Wells Fargo. The proposed project will include approximately 500 apartment units. Two access alternatives were evaluated for this project. Mr. Bhattacharjee was the Principal in Charge.
The Source Shared Parking Analysis, City of Buena Park, Orange County Translutions conducted a shared parking analysis for the proposed Source project located in the City of Buena Park. The project included a revised lease plan that included 293,000 square feet of retail, 1,186 seat cineplex, 178 room hotel, 5,194 square feet of conference center, 44,732 square feet of office, and 30,409 square feet of health club uses. The analysis documented the parking spaces needed for the existing tenants that are currently opened and occupied, as well as the tenants that are not yet occupied but undergoing tenant improvements, and leases that have been signed and the tenants are currently starting tenant improvement plans. The analysis also estimated the square footage and parking spaces needed for the balance of vacant retail and restaurant areas of the project.
Mr. Bhattacharjee was the Principal in Charge.
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Sandipan Bhattacharjee, PE, TE, AICP, ENV SP
PRINCIPAL
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS (Continued)
2 City of Fullerton Housing Element Update, City of Fullerton, Orange County the transportation solutions company...
Translutions conducted the transportation demand modeling and prepared the VMT analysis for the City of Fullerton Housing Element Update, also known as the Housing Incentive Overlay Zone (HIOZ). The analysis was based on the Orange County Transportation Analysis Model (OCTAM). Mr. Bhattacharjee was the Principal in Charge.
City of Huntington Park Housing Element Update, City of Huntington Park, Los Angeles County Translutions conducted the transportation demand modeling and prepared the VMT analysis for the City of Huntington Park 2030 Housing Element Update. The analysis was based on the 2016 Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Model. In addition, Translutions conducted the evacuation analysis pursuant to AB 747. Mr. Bhattacharjee was the Principal in Charge.
Rancho Palos Verdes General Plan Traffic Impact Analysis, City of Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County Translutions prepared the traffic impact analysis for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes General Plan. The analysis evaluated multimodal transportation within the City. Rancho Palos Verdes, being on the Pacific coast, attracts tourists, as well as hiking and bicycling enthusiasts. Since these activities generally occur during the weekend, an evaluation of bike and pedestrian operations during the weekend was also conducted as part of the analysis. The analysis include bicycle and pedestrian safety, as well as an evaluation of vehicle miles traveled for Global Climate Change impacts. Translutions provided VMT information at a Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) level to assist future development in the City once the OPR finalizes the proposed metrics pursuant to the implementation of SB-743. The entire analysis was conducted using the SCAG Regional Transportation Plan Model, SWITRS database, and TIMS data. Mr.
Bhattacharjee was the Principal in Charge.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan, City of Yucaipa, San Bernardino County Translutions prepared the VMT analysis and Traffic Analysis for the proposed Yucaipa Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (FCSP). The FCSP was originally approved in 2008. The FCSP update is intended to guide development within the 1,242-acre plan area. The updated FCSP includes 2,472 residential dwelling units, approximately 1.1 M square feet of Regional Commercial, and 4M of Business Park uses.
The VMT analysis included a plan-level VMT analysis that compares project generated VMT for the Proposed FCSP to the Approved FCSP. The delay-based traffic analysis was conducted for 27 intersections and included two different access alternatives based on the future construction of a new interchange. In addition to the program level analysis for the FCSP, a project level analysis was also conducted for a proposed industrial development within the FCSP area. Mr. Bhattacharjee was the Principal in Charge.
Sierra Avenue Traffic Operations & Construction Impact Analysis, City of Fontana, San Bernardino County Translutions is working on the traffic operations analysis, construction impact analysis, and preparation of the traffic management plan for the Sierra Avenue Widening Project in the City of Fontana. The project includes the widening of Sierra Avenue from Foothill Boulevard to Baseline Avenue from four to six lanes. The project is interesting because of a proposed median. Translutions will evaluate potential implications of the median and identify locations for potential median breaks. The analysis will be conducted using the San Bernardino Traffic Analysis Model.
Santa Margarita Parkway Bridge, City of Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County Translutions is working with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita and assisting the Engineering Team on the Rancho Santa Margarita Bridge Hinge Replacement Project. Translutions will prepare a Construction Traffic Impact Analysis and Transportation Management Plan. This project is a Caltrans Local Assistance project. Translutions’ role in this project is to identify strategies to minimize impacts to automobile, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic as well as to the nature trails in the area during construction. Translutions is evaluating signal timing and unobtrusive strategies to keep traffic moving during construction. Mr. Bhattacharjee was the Principal in Charge. 119
Carlsbad
6790 Embarcadero Lane
Suite 100
Carlsbad, California 92011
760-918-9444
Fresno
4589 North Marty Aveue
Suite 102
Fresno, California 93722
559-228-9925
Los Angeles
250 East 1st Street
Suite 1400
Los Angeles, California 90012
213-788-4842
Monterey
80 Garden Court
Suite 240
Monterey, California 93940
831-333-0310
Oakland
66 Franklin Street
Suites 357 and 381
Oakland, California 94607
510-834-4455
Palm Springs
777 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Suite 200-127
Palm Springs, California 92262
760-203-5120
Riverside
11801 Pierce Street
Suite 200
Riverside, California 92505
951-405-0979
Sacramento
601 University Avenue
Suite 221
Sacramento, CA 95825
916-706-1374
San Diego
8825 Aero Drive
Suite 120
San Diego, California 92123
760-918-9444
San José
99 South Almaden Boulevard
San José, California 95113
408-577-3008
San Luis Obispo
1530 Monterey Street
Suite D
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
805-547-0900
Santa Barbara
319 East Carrillo Street
Suite 105
Santa Barbara, California 93101
805-319-4092
Ventura (headquarters)
180 North Ashwood Avenue
Ventura, California 93003
805-644-4455
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