MBA Pro gress Michael Brandman Business School Fundraiser by Erika

MBA Pro gress Michael Brandman Business School Fundraiser by Erika Bennett Associates Bakersfield 661.224.2755 Fresno 559.497.0310 Irvine 714.508.4100 Palm Springs 760.322.8847 Sacramento 916.383.0944 San Bernardino 909.884.2255 San Ramon 925.830.2733 MBA participated as a major sponsor in The Corporate Executive Classic Golf Tournament fundraiser hosted by Orange County Business Council (OCBC) and The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine on September 18 at the Dove Canyon Country Club. More than $50,000 was raised at the tournament, which will support the OCBC Workforce\ Education initiative and the Paul Merage School of Business scholarship fund. OCBC represents and promotes the business community, while working with government and academia to enhance Orange County’s economic development and prosperity in order to preserve a high quality of life. OCBC’s primary focus Page 6 MBA Pro gress A Timely Publication from the Offices of Michael Brandman Associates to achieve this prosperity lies with infrastructure, workforce development, and workforce housing. The Paul Merage School of Business is a leader in business education, innovative faculty research, and distinctive business leadership in California, focusing on leading strategic growth in the global innovative economy. President’s Letter Issue X Nov. 2006 2007 marks the start of MBA’s 25th year of providing professional environmental services to California’s public and private development community. Looking back at the progress we have made, it is clear that the efforts of many have contributed to our longevity and success. So much has happened in the last 25 years! Our services have evolved significantly in response to changes in local and state agency requirements. We now offer air quality and water resources services to complement our existing environmental planning, natural resources, and cultural resources services. Our staff has grown from 8 in 1982 to over 130 dedicated professionals, with more planned as we further expand our regional offices. “Dinner in the Canyons” Fundraiser by Pattie Opincar On October 14, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians held their annual Dinner in the Canyons event to support the tribe’s Cultural Museum and educational programs. The theme, Preserving the Native Spirit of the Desert, highlighted the importance of sustaining Native American culture, a civilization devoted to preserving and protecting wildlife and natural resources. The evening celebration was held in Andreas Canyon, one of the four canyons under the protection of the Conservation Plan, all of which are preserved in their natural state by the Tribe. Attendees walked the red carpet amongst the Cahuilla rock art and centuries-old skirted palms. During the dinner served under the stars, Chumash Storytellers entertained through song and native word. The Agua Caliente tribe has a long history of participation in the community and local government of the Coachella Valley. Working with the Bureau of Land Management, the Tribe helps coordinate management of the San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, and in preserving the wild ponies in Palm Canyon on the reservation. MBA’s Thomas J. McGill, Ph.D. worked with the tribe to develop their Multi Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP), a first-in-the-nation undertaking for Native Americans. The MSHCP listed 28 species that inhabit over 10,000 acres of Agua Caliente land. The event was a poignant reminder of the traditions Native Americans contribute to our community. The strength of the Agua Caliente Tribal Council lies not only in the casinos they own, but also in how the profits are utilized. The revenue helps develop tribal self-sufficiency, housing and health care. In addition, the cultural museum will demonstrate the tribe’s dedication and commitment to history, culture and the tradition of being responsible stewards of the land. INSIDE THIS EDITION ----------------------------------President’s Letter...................1 Visalia Office Relocates to Historic Downtown Fresno..1 Tom McGill Promoted to Vice President...................2 Glen Helen wins State APA Award...................2 Monterey County General Plan EIR Hits the Streets.....3 Cultural Resources Team Recaps Recent Quarter........3 Key New Hires.....................4 understanding to provide the highest quality legally defensible environmental services to meet our client needs. New Legislation: Improving Air Quality..............................5 Speaking Out: MBA Experts Featured at Conferences.......5 Business School Fundraiser.............................6 One of the most significant recent events has been the promotion of Dr. Thomas J. McGill to Vice President. Dr. McGill has served as Natural Resources Management Director and the Inland Empire Regional Manager for nearly ten years. He opened our first Inland Empire office in 1998 and has authored or directed a significant number of the Habitat Conservation Plans that have guided the environmentally conscious development of that fast-growing area. Dr. McGill’s promotion has allowed for the addition of Bruce Wilcox as Inland Empire Regional Manager. You can read more about Bruce on page 4. As MBA continues to progress to meet California’s environmental challenges, we hope you will continue to grow with us. Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season. Michael Brandman, Ph.D., CEO/President Visalia Office Relocates to Historic Downtown Fresno by Jerry James MBA’s Central Valley office has outgrown its Visalia location and moved to a more spacious office in the heart of the Central Valley. Located in historic downtown Fresno at 2300 Tulare Street, Suite 310, the new office provides centralized access to both its north and south valley clients. MBA’s growing Fresno staff complements the talents MBA is known for throughout the environmental community; their skills encompass extensive knowledge of environmental regulations, laws, and compliance issues. plans, environmental site assessments and other water quality and supply related projects. Through the recent addition of Dale Stanton to serve as the Water Resources Section Manager, MBA now provides these services statewide. analysis. Recently, the Fresno office was awarded a project for Altra BioFuels Ethanol plant in Goshen, preparing a compliance audit as well as an EIR for the plant’s expansion. For more information, please contact Central Valley Regional Manager, Jerry C. James at 559.497.0310 or via e-mail at jjames@brandman.com. We’re on the web! See us at: www.brandman.com About Our Organization... MBA is a full service environmental planning firm with a staff of over 100 professionals in seven offices located throughout California. Recognized for numerous award-winning projects, MBA has the in-depth and technical MBA Progress is going electronic! Look for future newsletters in your email! Michael Brandman Associates 220 Commerce, Suite 200 Irvine, California 92602 “Dinner in the Canyons” Fundraiser............................6 About Our Organization.....6 The Fresno office provides environmental services to local and state government agencies and the private sector with specialization in CEQA/NEPA analysis, biological resources, cultural resources, regulatory permitting and compliance monitoring, due diligence/ Our Water Resources Section, opportunity and constraints, headquartered in Fresno, water resources and surface continues to grow and serve mining and Reclamation Act clients with preparation of SB compliance as well as air quality 610 water supply assessments, storm water quality management permitting, modeling and MBA Pro gress Page 2 MBA Pro gress New Legislation: Improving Air Quality Speaking Out: by Dave Mitchell Recognizing that improving air quality was a top concern of the citizens of San Joaquin Valley, the state legislature approved and the Governor signed Assembly Bill 170 (Reyes) on September 22, 2004. This bill requires cities and counties in the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to amend appropriate elements of their general plans to include data and analysis, comprehensive goals, policies, and feasible implementation strategies to improve air quality. The amendments must be completed no later than one year following the housing element due dates, scheduled as follows: Fresno and Kern by June 30, 2008; San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Kings and Tulare by June 30, 2009. deadlines state in the legislation or that wish to coordinate their amendments with the air quality planning activities underway over the next two years or with other local air quality initiatives should include these tasks in their work plans and requests for proposal. Page 5 MBA Experts Featured at Conferences The League of California Cities State Conference. “An Introduction to CEQA” MBA’s Director of Environmental Services Kent Norton, AICP, REA spoke at The League of California Cities State Conference in San Diego. Dr. Thomas J. McGill Promoted to Vice President personal ethics, and a desire for practical, high-quality environmental documents has helped to build the organization for over the last seven years. In his new role, Tom will support Dr. Brandman in growing the company, focusing on the Southern California Natural Resources Management Thomas J. McGill, Ph.D., was Department. He will continue recently promoted to Vice to direct our new Regional President at MBA. His exemplary Manager, Bruce Wilcox, in the combination of scientific and San Bernardino office, as well business development skills, as Nancy Ferguson, Regional Manager in the Palm Springs office. Tom is a leader in our industry. In 1998, he established a small MBA regional office in Ontario. Over the years, his strong commitment to clients and his equally strong commitment to his science have shaped that initial endeavor in the Inland Empire into one of the firm’s most successful regions. Consistently setting a positive example for staff and teaming partners alike, Tom is a strong leader, a patient educator, a dedicated family man and a proven resource for natural resources information. The recipient of numerous personal achievement awards, his opinions are sought by developers and government agencies, as well as by other professionals in the A/E/C industry. McGill can be contacted at the San Bernardino office at 909-8842255 or tmcgill@brandman.com. Oak Symposium in Northern California. “Oak Trees and the California Environmental Quality Act” Kent Norton represented both MBA and the Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) where he serves as State Chair. Glen Helen Project Wins State APA Award by Dr. Thomas J. McGill due to the potential presence of endangered species and challenges by conservation groups for not adequately mitigating potential impacts to biological resources. Based on MBA’s suggestion, an RMP was created as an informal compliance document for addressing endangered species issues on a programmatic level, without the County of San Bernardino The Glen Helen Specific Plan having to commit to producing Environmental Impact Report a Multiple Species Habitat and Resource Management Conservation Plan. As adopted Plan (RMP), a multi-year by the County, the RMP requires collaboration between MBA all projects within the Glen Helen and The Planning Center, Specific Plan area to conduct all was awarded the Outstanding the required focused biological Planning Award at the American surveys and to implement several Planning Association’s 2006 State biological mitigation measures Conference held in Anaheim that will ensure the survival of in October. This outstanding this area’s sensitive biological project has a significant history habitats. Developers will also with MBA, and was the first pay a mitigation fee that will be project awarded to the thenused to purchase and manage fledgling Inland Empire office. conservation land within the Originally crafted as an EIR, it Cajon Wash. The addition of the was delayed for nearly five years County’s conservation land to the existing Cajon Creek Mitigation MBA has used a similar approach Bank, owned and managed by to crafting informal solutions to Vulcan Materials, will result in a resolve biological challenges to 3,000-acre block of permanently projects in the Cities of Chino, preserved Riversidean Alluvial Ontario, Fontana, and Rialto, Fan Sage Scrub habitat. This as well as projects in the high unique, creative, yet effective desert and on the various Indian approach distinguished this Reservations in the San Gorgonio project among a field of many Pass and the Coachella Valley. worthwhile environmental efforts. MBA participated as both exhitibors and speakers at the recent state convention in Anaheim. Read more about our recent speaking engagements on page 5. MBA has assembled a comprehensive team of air quality and land use professionals uniquely qualified to effectively craft air quality amendments and reports or handle full general plan updates and Environmental Impact Reports. Recent Air Quality projects of note include a CEQA-level Air Quality report for the proposed Redlands Commerce Center, an office park with specialty retail and restaurants under development by Armstrong-Butcher; an Cities and counties must ensure Air & Noise Analysis for the that the air quality amendments Clearwater Park, a water park include all of the following: 1) A with water slides, wave pools report describing the air quality and other water features in conditions including air quality Temecula; and the Air Quality monitoring data, emission Report for the Warehouse/ inventories, list of significant Distribution Facility in Mead source categories, attainment Valley to evaluate the health status and designations, and risk associated with heavy-duty applicable state and federal air diesel truck exhaust from four quality plans and transportation warehouses under development plans; 2) A summary of local, by Jaden LLC. district, state, and federal policies, programs, and For more information about regulations that may improve air Air Quality issues in the Central quality in the city or county; 3) Valley, contact Senior Project A comprehensive set of goals, Manager Dave Mitchell in our policies, and objectives that may Fresno office at 559.497.0310 or improve air quality; and 4) A by email at dmitchell@brandman. set of feasible implementation com, or Central Valley Regional measures designed to carry Manager Jerry C. James at out those goals, policies, and jjames@brandman.com. MBA objectives. staff would be pleased to meet with you to discuss the needs Cities and counties within the of your community and to Valley Air District that are tailor individualized solutions undertaking a major general plan applicable to your business. update between now and the California Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) Annual Conference. MBA staff members participated in three presentations at the Conference: CEQA Basics for Planners, Sunday, October 22. Featured Speakers: Michael Hendrix, Senior Project Manager/Air Quality Practice Leader; Kent Norton; Jason Brandman, VP of MBA’s Northern California Region; and Theresa E. Fuentes, Deputy City Attorney, City of Pasadena. A Planner’s Guide to Air Quality Issues in Land Use Planning, Monday, October 23. Featured Speakers: Michael Hendrix; Joe O’Bannon, Senior Air Quality Scientist; Cori Wilson, Assistant Project Manager; and Theresa E. Fuentes. Personal vs. Professional Needs - Dealing with Competing Interests & Maintaining a Positive Attitude, Monday, October 23. Featured Speakers: MBA’s Dr. Anne Viricel, DPA, Director of Client and Creative Services; and Kevin Maevers, Regional Practice Builder with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Building Industry Show (BIS), November 16th. “Schmooze and Booze: How to network without getting smashed” Don’t let the tongue-in-cheek title fool you - the panel presentation brought together a top-notch group of industry leaders to discuss making the best use of networking time and effort. Speakers: Karen Dry, owner of Garret Interiors; Debra Pember of John Laing Homes; Sara Soudani of Land America; and MBA’s Dr. Anne Viricel. Have you visited our Web site? We’re on the web at www.brandman.com. MBA Pro gress Key New Hires Jeff Harlan, JD Senior Project Manager Jeff is a Senior Project Manager in MBA’s Irvine Office, and has committed his educational and professional efforts to working within the government and the private sector on environmental and land-use planning issues. Jeff received his Juris Doctorate with an emphasis in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School, and his B.A. in Environmental Design and Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. With ten years experience in various levels of government and as an independent consultant, Jeff ’s expertise includes large-scale recreational and open-space planning, sustainable design and green building, community planning, and environmental policy development and analysis. He was a founding board member of the US Green Building Council, Los Angeles Chapter. For the past three years at the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, Jeff planned and developed a 1,400-acre park in the heart of Los Angeles. Previous to that, he served as the Deputy for District and Environmental Policy to Los Angeles City Councilmember Ruth Galanter; a clerk in the US Justice Department; and in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, Environmental Protection Section. Through his diverse experience, Jeff has developed an intimate understanding of public administration and the knowledge to navigate the political arena successfully while acting as an advocate for his clients by dealing with complex planning and landuse issues. Paul Mead, JD Assistant Regulatory Specialist Paul is an Assistant Regulatory Specialist in MBA’s Irvine and San Bernardino offices. Paul has over fifteen years’ experience in the environmental services industry. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine. Subsequently he also earned a certificate in Environmental Management through the University of California’s Irvine Extension program. Paul recently graduated from Chapman University School of Law where he received a Juris Doctorate with an emphasis in Environmental, Land Use and Real Estate law. As a project manager, Paul worked with engineering firms to develop analytical programs under state and federal regulations. Paul has extensive expertise with programs implemented under the federal Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA), and corresponding state laws and programs. Paul has worked with various regional water quality control boards, air quality management districts and the Department of Toxic Substance Control. Paul has vast experience in industrial hygiene chemistry and program implementation, where he has developed analytical programs compliant with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and approved by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. Paul has also worked as a field service manager and laboratory director, managing a diverse staff of chemists and environmental professionals, while also creating business operational and development solutions to an evolving industry. Page 4 Dave Mitchell, Senior Project Manager Dave is a Senior Project Manager in MBA’s Fresno Office. He has sixteen years of experience in air quality and land use planning. His expertise includes air quality impact assessment, CEQA compliance, regulation development, state implementation plan issues, and air pollution control technology. As a supervisor and manager for the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District he was responsible for several major initiatives and programs. Dave is the primary author of the Air Quality Guidelines for General Plans and is a recognized expert in land use, transportation and air quality connections. He was the project manager for the 2003 PM10 Plan and developed and implemented the Indirect Source Review Rule for the Valley Air District. He worked closely with the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural industry to develop the Conservation Management Practices Rule which is the most stringent rule on farming in the nation. His section was responsible for review and comment on nearly 3,000 development projects each year. He co-authored the Guide for Assessing and Mitigating Air Quality Impacts that was used as a model by several other air districts. Dave was a key member of the statewide working group that maintained the URBEMIS land use emission model and provided assistance and training in its use to many air quality consultants around the state. Dave also supervised the District’s grant and incentive programs where he helped develop new programs and implemented the state’s Carl Moyer Incentive Program. “MBA employees are our most important assets.” Bruce Wilcox, Inland Empire Regional Manager Bruce is the Inland Empire’s new Regional Manager in the San Bernardino office. He has over 15 years of experience in natural resource regulatory compliance and ecological science consulting. He has been a project principal, project manager and task leader on infrastructure, transportation, land management, private sector, and master planning projects throughout the US. He has worked with the US Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Fish and Game, US Forest Service, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Highway Administration, state Transportation Departments and Flood Control Districts developing Master Plans, Habitat Conservation Plans, Natural Area Conservation Plans, National Environmental Policy Act level documents and other environmental regulatory compliance documentation. Bruce is also well-versed in regulatory compliance under the Clean Water Act and has managed the permitting process on a number of high-profile projects. MBA Pro gress Monterey County General Plan EIR Hits the Streets by Grant Gruber The County of Monterey, with MBA’s assistance, published the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Monterey County 2006 General Plan in mid-August. evaluated both plans in October 2005. Page 3 Analyzing the 2006 General Plan and the Agricultural Winery Corridor Plan presented a number of challenges for MBA. The EIR circulated for public The two greatest challenges review for the statutory 45-day were resolving numerous review period, which closed in unforeseen problems that early October. MBA staff is in arose with traffic modeling and the process of preparing the performing detailed analysis of responses to comments received the County’s water resources. on the Program Draft EIR. Transportation and water supply The Monterey County Board are significant growth-related of Supervisors is scheduled to issues in Monterey County and consider the Program Final EIR have profound implications for certification in December, at on future growth. MBA’s which time they will also consider subconsultants Kimley-Horn adoption of the 2006 General and Associates, Inc. and Questa Plan. The County has been in Engineering Corp. took the lead the process of updating its 1982 on each respective issue and General Plan since 1999. worked closely with County staff to ensure that the analysis was The General Plan is designed to comprehensive and accurate. provide a blueprint for growth Other growth issues of concern in the unincorporated County addressed by the EIR include for the next quarter century. The preserving agricultural lands, 2006 General Plan also includes maintaining water quality, an Agricultural Winery Corridor ensuring adequate public Plan that is designed to facilitate services, and conserving the the growth of the County’s County’s aesthetic character. burgeoning wine industry. MBA In addition to the 2006 General was awarded the contract to Plan EIR, MBA has prepared prepare a Program EIR that CEQA documents for several other on-going and completed projects in Monterey County. In 2004, MBA prepared an EIR for the East Garrison Specific Plan, which encompasses a portion of the former Fort Ord Army Base. MBA is currently preparing an EIR for the Heritage Oaks Subdivision in Aromas, and is in the public hearing stages for the recently completed final EIR for the controversial September Ranch development in Carmel Valley. MBA’s San Ramon office, established in 2001, has participated in environmental projects for numerous public and private clients. For more information, contact MBA Vice President Jason Brandman in the San Ramon office at 925-830-2733 or via email at jbrandman@brandman.com. by Dr. Ken Lord Cultural Resources Team Recaps Recent Quarter MBA’s team of cultural resources specialists has been busy conducting surveys and evaluations across the state. A highlight from the past quarter was the compilation of the archaeological and paleontological elements for the City of Hesperia General Plan Update. The archaeological team has also evaluated more than 250 telecommunications sites, as well as conducting Phase 1 investigations on more than 3,500 acres throughout the state. So far in 2006, projects have been completed in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange counties in southern California and Merced, Kern, Yolo, Solano, Santa Clara, Madera, Sacramento, El Dorado, Tulare, Kings, Monterey, Placer, San Mateo and Alameda counties in central and northern California. has also recently conducted mitigation monitoring work at the Del Monte facility in San MBA has completed recordation Jose. and evaluations of historic structures throughout the state, For more information, contact including an historic sugar beet Dr. Ken Lord, Section Manager, processing factory in Chino. We Natural and Cultural Resources have also completed Phase 2 Management in our Irvine office evaluations on both prehistoric at 714-508-4100 or via email at and historic resources in klord@brandman.com. southern California. The team