Even if scientifically sound and technically accurate, an unclear or disorganized environmental document can slow or halt a project’s success. A publications team that integrates editors, word processors, and graphic designers can provide comprehensive review and document management to help craft a well-written, accessible document that facilitates efficient, cost-effective environmental review and reflects well on
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently completed a complex, nearly 4-year process to craft an EIR/EIS that addresses the combined issuance of 70 separate permits for SDG&E’s electric facilities located in the 800-square-mile Cleveland National Forest (CNF) within San Diego and Orange Counties. The document also analyzes the combined
Ventura Port District (District) is undertaking a collaborative effort to implement a permitting roadmap to bring sustainably cultivated shellfish operations to Ventura Harbor. Though there is great demand for locally sourced seafood that doesn’t harm the environment, the regulatory permitting path to allow an aquaculture operation can be difficult to discern. Successful aquaculture offers opportunities
A programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) would modify enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which protects 1,027 bird species. The PEIS will authorize incidental take of migratory birds, and will also address: a range of reasonable alternatives for authorizing incidental take; the effectiveness of measures
While installing the conveyance pipeline for the Poseidon Carlsbad desalination plant, crews lowered a crane for maintenance and were surprised to find a nest containing five bird eggs. The contractor, Kiewit Shea Desalination (KSD), immediately halted work. Dudek biologists—serving as environmental monitors for the project—identified the nest as belonging to Cassin’s Kingbird, a native species
Programmatic permitting significantly streamlines the regulatory permitting process compared to the traditional project-by-project approach often used for public agency-wide or regional operations and maintenance (O&M) and capital improvement projects (CIP). Programmatic permits are issued on a regional basis for activities that are substantially similar in nature, and incorporate specific design requirements and conservation measures up
Permitting in the California Coastal Zone can be complicated, time consuming and expensive for an applicant, particularly when seeking to implement large-scale projects that span multiple jurisdictions or require phased development. Public Works Plans (PWPs) are an innovative—but little known—approach to streamlining California Coastal Commission permitting for qualifying public projects. A PWP provides a comprehensive
Soitec’s proposed utility-scale solar facilities in San Diego County are the third project in California to be certified by Governor Brown for fast-tracked judicial and legislative review under the terms of the Jobs and Economic Improvement Act of 2011, commonly known as AB 900. Apple’s new Cupertino campus and the McCoy solar project in Riverside
Water quality permits in California for projects impacting wetlands, “blue-line” streams, and other jurisdictional water bodies are starting to require sampling for “water bugs” known as benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI). BMI live on or in the substrate under bodies of water. They respond quickly to changes in water quality and nutrient input and are regarded as
In response to increasing wind energy development in the United States, particularly California and its bordering states, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has released for public comment various guidelines on how to assess and mitigate potential adverse effects of wind turbines on wildlife resources. Particular emphasis has been placed on addressing the potential
