Western States
Representative Projects
Facilitation and Technical Advice Regarding Seabird Issues, California
Project involved facilitating groups comprised of agency resource managers, stakeholders, researchers and conservation organizations in development of a conservation plan for candidate seabird species under the Endangered Species Act. Project also involved developing consensus regarding a cooperative program for research on these species. The facilitation involved 50-60 participants representing several federal and state agencies including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Navy, NOAA, California Department of Fish and Game, National Park Service and the Minerals Management Service. The group reached consensus on: 1) the status of the populations of interest; 2) the nature and extent of injuries to the species from human uses including recreation, oil spills, fisheries and weapon testing by the Navy; 3) the most important risks to the species; 4) avenues to reduce or eliminate these risks; and 5) appropriate research programs to monitor the health of the populations. *top
Facilitation for Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Planning, California
Provided facilitation services and legal assistance on behalf of DOI and NOAA in an enforcement action involving numerous federal, state and local agencies to recover damages for injuries to natural resources caused by oil pollution. Coordinated and managed joint enforcement teams of regulatory attorneys and government experts. Facilitated meetings involving over 20 attorneys and scientific representatives of the various agencies to develop a joint injury determination plan for the case despite the different missions and interests of the entities involved. Performed investigations of Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans and the actions that gave rise to the spill, involving scores of interviews and hours of document review.
Consensus Building for a Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan, California
Provided facilitation services and coordination leading to the development of a natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) and restoration plan in the aftermath of the Apex Houston oil spill. Among the resources affected were the marbled murrelet, a seabird that has been designated by the federal government as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. As part of the facilitation process, brought together twelve scientists, several agency representatives from four federal and state resource agencies, several scientific peer reviewers and agency attorneys. Also helped these parties reach consensus regarding a number of issues including 1) the scope and nature of studies to investigate injuries, 2) the proper interpretation of data collected in the injury determination and 3) an appropriate plan to restore injuries to seabirds affected by the oil spill. Numerous meetings were conducted as part of the facilitation process that included 10-40 scientists, resource managers and lawyers. Process resulted in an innovative restoration program that was one of the five in the world of its kind and was heralded a success in its first year of operation. Program was featured nationally on a CNN special.
Natural Resource Damage Assessment in the San Francisco Bay Delta Estuary, California
Coordinated and facilitated meetings attended by representatives of local, state and federal parties who were co-plaintiffs in a natural resource damage lawsuit brought under the Clean Water Act and various state statutes related to water and natural resource protection. The purpose of the process was to develop a plan to assess natural resource injuries from an oil spill, reach consensus regarding injuries caused by the spill and, armed with this information, develop plans to mitigate the effects of the spill and restore the injuries to the ecosystem. The restoration plan included wetlands restoration and revitalization. Despite the different missions and interests of the participants, the plaintiff group reached consensus regarding the injuries to the resource, the value of these damages and the projects that should be undertaken with settlement funds. The structure that was created in the course of the consensus-building process has been followed by federal and state resource trustees and the restoration plan developed received positive public acclaim.
Cooperative Natural Resource Damage Assessment for the Shell Martinez Refinery Spill, California
Coordinated and facilitated meetings attended by representatives of local, state and federal agencies, including trustees, to develop a plan to assess natural resource injuries from an oil spill and to reach a consensus regarding injuries caused by the spill and restoration plans. Meetings were held once to twice per month for nine months. On most occasions, over 20 individuals participated in the meetings. Despite the different missions and interests of the participants, the group reached consensus regarding the injuries to the resource, the value of damages, and the projects that should be undertaken with settlement funds. The restoration plan developed has been achieved with positive public acclaim.
Natural Resource Damage Assessment for an Oil Spill, California
Facilitated and managed teams of expert scientists from a variety of disciplines to develop study plans to determine injuries from oil pollution in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. In addition, facilitated expert scientists in the development of strategies for restoration of spill injuries. Provided technical advice in such areas as natural resource injury determination and policy development under relevant federal and state law.
Technical Assistance to Seabird Monitoring Program, California
Provided technical assistance to a seabird monitoring program that included the monitoring of three National Marine Sanctuaries in California. Work involved conducting aerial photographic surveys and determining breeding populations of seabirds to create baseline data for purposes of litigation and monitoring of human disturbances on breeding and roosting seabirds. Jointly funded by California Fish and Game, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Navy.
Litigation Support for Case Related to Marbled Murrelets, California
Provided private litigation support on behalf of the Environment Protection Information Center for a case related to old growth forests in northern California and marbled murrelets, listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Provided expert testimony at trial and assistance to attorneys regarding the biology of marbled murrelets.
Natural Resource Damage Assessment, California
Provided advice and support for a natural resource damage assessment involving contamination caused by an oil field along the central California coast. Provided advice regarding pathways of exposure for wildlife and study design for injury determinations with respect to the snowy plover, an endangered species. Also provided advice regarding restoration alternatives for the plover and possible approaches to restoration planning.
Natural Resource Damage Assessment at the Montrose Chemical Superfund Site, California
EI scientists provided technical assistance as principal investigators for the injury determination/natural resource damage assessment at this Superfund site. Designed and implemented a computerized simulation model and a statistical model to analyze the long-term effects of DDE on Channel Island bald eagle and peregrine falcon populations. Designed and prepared the restoration plan for seabird populations. Authored several reports to assist with litigation and provided expert witness assistance. Reports include the restoration plan prepared for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA and CA Fish and Game Office and scientific papers relating to various seabird populations.
Oil Spill Contingency Plan, California
With support from the Gulf of the Farrallons National Marine Sanctuary, developed an oil spill contingency plan for the Central California area. Also devised a damage assessment plan for determining the number and species composition of affected birds on beaches after oil spills and designed the data collection and analysis techniques for the assessment. In addition, developed protocols for determining injuries from spills on behalf of the California Oil Spill Emergency Response Office and participated in numerous oil spill drills to improve the efficacy of oil spill responses.
Hazardous Waste Management Surveys, California
Performed several TSCA waste and RCRA hazardous waste surveys for off-site naval ship decommissioning facilities and prepared a RCRA hazardous waste and TSCA inventory report. Organized and interpreted analytical laboratory data and report and prepared an in-depth regulatory analysis of the Occupational Safety Health Act Asbestos Standard and its applicability to specific job tasks.
Assessment of Coal Gasification Plant on the National Priorities List, California
Provided management assistance on assessments for an obsolete coal gasification plant on the National Priorities List. The project involved an analysis of the wastes involved, monitoring to determine the effects on groundwater and risk communication activities regarding the cleanup. A case study was developed for analysis of the success of the risk communication techniques involved.
Regulatory Analysis of Federal, State and Local Lead Standards, California
Prepared an in-depth regulatory analysis of federal, state and local lead standards and applicability to specific job tasks. Assessed job site chemical, physical and biological hazards and developed a site-specific work plan that included a waste management/waste minimization plan, safety and health plan and a stand-alone emergency response plan. Developed and presented half-day training sessions for site supervisors and site workers on the California lead standard, the site-specific work plan, safety and health plan and an emergency response plan.
EPRI Risk Communication Manual, California
Coordinated a project for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to develop a risk communication manual for utility managers. The manual presents realistic, industry-specific issues and situations that are likely to be handled by the utility managers. The project involved a review of the published literature, identification and development of relevant case studies, workshops, and design and production of training materials.
Analysis of Financial Assets and Ability-to-Pay under CERCLA, California and Nevada
Analyzed the financial assets and ability-to-pay of defendants adjudged liable to the National Park Service for illegal dumping of hazardous substances on park lands. Investigations of assets included those found in California and Nevada. Also analyzed factual information to identify other parties potentially responsible for the cleanup of those hazardous substances dumped.
Milltown Reservoir Ecological Risk Assessment, Montana
Provided technical guidance and support for an ecological risk assessment of uplands, wetlands and river habitat impacted by mining wastes in western Montana. Developed sampling and analysis plans as well as work plans and technical reports for the assessment. Prepared biological surveys and conducted wetland delineations, and an EI team member served as team leader for over forty scientists on the project. Also conducted informational meetings for the public and maintained effective working relationships with several interested parties including state and federal government agencies, landowners, the public and environmental organizations.
USPS Facility Compliance Audits and EMS Development, Western United States
Conducted baseline environmental compliance audits at major United States Postal Service (USPS) facilities in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and other western states. The focus of these audits was regulatory and postal service compliance and the development of EMSs, measurement systems and performance evaluation systems in accordance with ISO 14001. Project included development of a template EMS based on audits performed at individual facilities and implementation of that template at different facilities. Provided training of USPS staff regarding environmental auditing and ISO 14001, development of audit teams, coordination and conduct of the audits and on-site interviews, development and reporting of findings, data-gap and life-cycle analyses and preparation of final reports. Provided assistance with environmental planning and document control. Also supported the USPS in waste management and compliance projects including air issues, storm water and waste management, risk assessment, asbestos and lead assessments, underground storage tank removal and disposal of contaminated soils.
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