AEP/NAEP Holiday Party on November 29, 2007 in Oakland:
AEP, in conjunction with NAEP, hosted the 2007 annual holiday party at
Jupiter in Berkeley.
This event was a chance for planners and friends to relax, mingle, review the year's accomplishments and have fun!
Please check the flyer for details.
There were over 40 who attended.
Here are some photos of the holiday party.
Chapter Meeting on November 14, 2007 in Cotati: "Water Supply Assessments and Urban Water Management Plans":
The San Francisco Bay Area Program Series for Environmental Professionals November 2007 Program was held in Cotati,
with 31 people in attendance, including Team and Presenters.
Presenters:
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Joseph Zilles, P.G., works with Kleinfelder’s Groundwater Services Group for
water resource projects. Within the scope of the water resource engineering
services, Mr. Zilles aids in pre-construction permitting (local and State),
conducting well pumping tests, aquifer analysis (Water Supply Assessments, SB
610/221), and water quality investigations.
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Mary Grace Pawson, P.E., is a registered civil engineer and senior project
manager with Winzler & Kelly where her practice focuses on planning and
financing strategies for public agencies.
Click for:
CEQA Basics Workshop on November 8, 2007,
at ABAG in Oakland.
Details.
CEQA Basics Workshop on November 1, 2007,
at the Petaluma Community Center at Lucchesi Park, Petaluma.
Details.
Original workshop announcement.
AEP Program Series Planning Session on October 24, 2007:
The AEP Program Series Organizers were invited by Ed deBellevue to attend their First Planning Session and Dinner at
the Brindisi Restaurant in San Francisco.
Board Meeting on September 26, 2007:
Please click here to read the minutes.
Board Meeting on August 15, 2007:
The board made plans to deliver the San Francisco chapter programs to each of the four quadrants of the
Bay Area: North, East, South and West.
Please click here to read the minutes.
Sonoma County Wine Country Bike Tour on June 23, 2007:
Our first annual Wine Country Bike Tour social event provided AEP members (and non-members) a chance to network and
socialize with fellow AEP and NAEP members, while enjoying outdoor activities in the heart of beautiful Sonoma County.
Click on this picture to see other photos
The day consisted of a guided bike tour through the exquisite Russian River and Dry Creek Valleys of Sonoma County.
Approximately fifteen AEP members from all over the North Bay and Bay Area attended the event, which kicked-off in
beautiful downtown Healdsburg following a sunny morning meet and greet.
The tour group departed Healdsburg for a beautiful ride to the first stop on our bike tour, the organic and
sustainably-farmed vineyards at
Belvedere Winery
located in the Russian River Valley.
Activities at this winery included private tasting of a variety of red and white wines and a tour of both the
vineyards and Garden of Senses.
After relaxing at the vineyards, the group headed off to the Dry Creek Valley for a second wine tasting at
Lambert Bridge Winery.
Following an eventful tasting in the wineries private cellar, a sumptuous picnic lunch was provided consisting of
an authentic paella lunch prepared on-site by Sonoma County’s very own “Paella Guy”,
chef Gerard Nebesky.
After lunch and a brief siesta in the sun-drenched wine country, the group cruised back to downtown Healdsburg to
bid our farewells.
Overall, the event was an outstanding success in that it encouraged new business connections, while promoting local
outdoor exploration activities within the North Bay Area.
Board Meeting on June 6, 2007:
Please click here to read the minutes.
Chapter Meeting on May 24, 2007 in San Francisco: "Global Climate Change and CEQA":
The San Francisco Bay Area Program Series for Environmental Professionals May 2007 Program:
Climate Change - Impact Analysis in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Documents,
held at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, was attended by more than 150 environmental professionals and
their guests.
This nearly doubled the attendance of our first program series event in April 2007.
The Program Speakers were:
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Michael Hendrix - Air & Noise Analysis Section Manager - Michael Brandman Associates
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Barbara Toole O'Neil, QEP, CHMM - Sr. Environmental Engineer - Tetra Tech, EMI
Barbara started the presentation with a colorful and information filled distillation of the key science, effects,
solutions, policies, and politics of climate change.
She discussed the recent and seminal US Supreme Court ruling, which found that the US EPA does have responsibility
for properly regulating CO2 emissions, and that the Federal Government may be sued by the states for inadequate
regulation.
Barbara also covered the independent activities of states and other institutions that have joined
The Climate Registry and signed on to their criteria.
She covered recent climate change activities in our state including the
California Climate Action Registry and AB 32, which provides for mandatory enforceable GHG reductions.
Then, Michael Hendrix focused on the implications of GHG emissions and the marginal impacts on climate change in
the context of the CEQA process.
He tied in the regulatory impacts of AB 32 and Governor Schwarzenegger’s Executive Order S-3-05 on CEQA
documents, including EIRs.
He gave specific examples of the new trend for EIR reviews for climate change coverage in the EIR and discussed
current and potential litigation cases.
Michael introduced and summarized the
AEP White Paper on Global Climate Change draft, which provides eight different approaches to analyze GHG
emission and GCC impacts.
The white paper provides clear and practical guidance for both CEQA document writers and reviews to better address
these issues.
At the end of the presentation was time for questions and answers from the audience.
Click to view or download Program Documents:
AEP White Paper on Global Climate Change
Michael Hendrix presentation slides
Barbara Toole O’Neil presentation slides
Climate Change Program Flyer
Program Sponsors and Co-sponsors Links:
Association of Environmental Professionals - San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
Association of Environmental Professionals - California
Air and Waste Management Association - Golden West Section
American Planning Association - Northern Section California Chapter
Tetra Tech, EM Inc - San Francisco Office [Corporate Sponsor]
Related Links:
California Climate Action Registry
The Climate Registry
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
State of California Climate Change Portal
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
PG&E's Energy Efficiency
PG&E's ClimateSmart
PG&E's About Global Warming
April 29-May 2, 2007 - AEP State Conference: Annual Conference,
held at the beautiful Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The AEP Annual Conference was great with over 230 people attending.
Once again, it was a great success with very engaging topics.
The program celebrated 30 years of AEP providing environmental leadership.
There were great programs discussing availability of water supply by examining the variety of water resources,
planning, and regulatory issues that have evolved in today’s complex world of getting the water to the customers.
There were also very good panel discussions on environmental compliance under CEQA/NEPA including real world
examples of projects and programs and of course case law.
Read the article
Channel Counties Chapter Hosts 2007 AEP Conference
in the Summer 2007 issue of the Environmental Monitor.
Chapter Meeting on April 26, 2007 in Berkeley:
"Green Planning - A panel and dialogue among participants on emerging strategies"
Click here to view the flyer.
Board Meeting on April 5, 2007:
Please click here to read the meeting minutes.
Chapter Meeting on February 12, 2007 in Walnut Creek:
"East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan",
presented by John Kopchik
Click here to view the flyer.
Board Meeting on January 24, 2007 in Concord:
The Chapter Board of Directors held its first board meeting of 2007 at EJ Phair in Concord.
Board meetings are held on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as needed.
The general membership is invited to attend, and meeting times and locations are posted in advance with our Chapter's
meetings or events.
Please click here to read the meeting minutes.
Board Meeting on December 18, 2006 in Berkeley:
The Chapter Board of Directors held its fifth board meeting of 2006 at Jupiter Brewery in downtown Berkeley.
Please click here to read the meeting minutes.
APA/AEP Holiday Party on December 1, 2006 in Oakland:
AEP, in conjunction with the Northern California Chapter of the American Planning Association and the
City of Oakland Planning Department, hosted the 2006 annual holiday party in the beautiful lobby space of the
Caffè Verbena.
This event was a chance for planners and friends to relax, mingle, review the year's accomplishments and have fun!
Please check the flyer for details.
Chapter Meeting on November 15, 2006 in Petaluma:
"California Habitat Restoration Science, Guiding and
Evaluating Habitat Restoration", presented by Nadav Nur, PhD, Quantitative Ecology Director
PRBO
Conservation Science
See the November Meeting Program flyer in the
October 2006 issue
of The Bay Echo.
Habitat restoration hit the front page of the SF Chronicle on 11/27/06!
Tom Gardali, a senior conservation scientist with PRBO, who attended our program at PRBO and took our event team
photo, was pictured and quoted in the article.
Gardali said:
"What surprised us was the rapid response of bird populations to the increased habitat, ...
And it was for the whole complex of species -- resident birds and migrants, cavity nesters, ground nesters.
We really didn't expect it."
Read the
whole article.
This should generate more interest in agencies and consulting firms for habitat restoration, and an increase in
public demand for it.
See the PRBO Program Summary by Ed DeBellevue and photos by Ladd Miyasaki in the
March 2007 issue
of The Bay Echo.
Chapter Meeting on October 16, 2006 in Berkeley:
"Going it Alone - Insights into Independent Environmental Contracting", presented by
Amy Skewes-Cox, Environmental Planner, Michael Wood, Biologist, and Leann Taagepera, Environmental Planner
with a sumptuous complimentary Mexican dinner buffet!
The ideas brought forth that independents are, in a way, a different breed, as they value their autonomy, are able
to work without much contact with people for a long period of time, do not need a boss looking over their shoulders,
and enjoy taking vacations when they want.
Independent consultants are risk-takers and the discussion at the program included various topics, such as marketing,
the business of consulting, benefits, and disadvantages.
Thanks to all of you who participated and attended the event.
Board Meeting on September 7, 2006 in Berkeley:
The Chapter Board of Directors held their fourth board meeting of 2006 at Jupiter Brewery in downtown Berkeley.
On the agenda were items including a discussion of upcoming programs, event planning, Chapter bylaws, and position
descriptions.
Our Board Meeting minutes are included at the end of the
October 2006 newsletter.
Board meetings are held on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as needed.
The general membership is invited to attend, and meeting times and locations are posted in advance with our Chapter's
meetings or events.
Sears Point Restoration Project Hike on July 29, 2006:
See article and photos in the
October 2006 issue
of The Bay Echo.
Board Meeting on June 19, 2006 in Berkeley:
The Chapter Board of Directors held their third board meeting of 2006 at Jupiter Brewery in downtown Berkeley.
On the agenda were items ranging from a review of Board position descriptions, discussion of upcoming programs,
and changing Board members.
The minutes are included at the end of the
July 2006 newsletter.
Board meetings are held on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as needed.
The general membership is invited to attend, and meeting times and locations are posted in advance with our Chapter's
meetings or events.
Chapter Meeting on June 1, 2006 in Alameda:
"Wine Tasting and Social Reception"
35 environmental professionals from around the Bay Area (and beyond!) gathered for a festive wine tasting event at
Alameda’s Rosenblum Cellars.
Several different firms and agencies were well represented at this fun and informal social event and many
individuals became new members as a result!
Attendees enjoyed a spectacular sunset over San Francisco and got to know one another while enjoying a variety of
unique wines and tasty hors d'oeuvres.
These events are great networking opportunities, not to mention a lot of fun!
Please join us again in the future and thanks again to everyone who attended, and a BIG thank you to Mary Laux for
all her work organizing this great event.
Chapter Meeting on May 22, 2006 in Walnut Creek:
"Trail Planning and Environmental Issues",
by Randy Anderson and Michael Kent
Randy Anderson
Owner and Principal
LandPeople
638 1/2 First Street
Benicia, CA 94510
(707) 746-1948 ph
(707) 746-7269 fax
www.landpeople.net
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Michael Kent
Principal
Michael Kent & Associates
5931 Golden Gate Avenue
San Pablo, CA 94806-4126
phone/fax: 510.965.9002
mikekent@ce-group.com
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The event was well attended and very interesting.
Please click here for additional information.
Please click here to see the presentation slides.
April 9-12, 2006 - AEP Statewide Conference: Annual Conference held in Newport Beach,
at the Hyatt Newporter.
You will enjoy reading Joan Douglas'AEP Conference Report in the
April 2006 newsletter.
Chapter Meeting on September 21, 2005 in San Francisco:
"CEQA Updates and Legal Topics",
by Alicia Guerra, Partner, Morrison & Foerster,
and David Levy, Associate, Morrison & Foerster.
Alicia C. Guerra and David C. Levy of Morrison & Foerster LLP provided an update of recent case law.
Approximately 30 attendees enjoyed dinner at the law firm's San Francisco office, along with a presentation,
and question and answer period. Court cases discussed involved such issues as the definition of a project under
CEQA, Negative Declarations and the Fair Argument standard. Many cases were discussed including the Citizens to
Enforce CEQA v City of Rohnert Park, 131 Cal. App. 4th 1594 (2005) case, among others. CEQA decisions relating
to EIRs were also discussed such as the Sierra Club v California Coastal Commission, 35 Cal. 4th 839 (2005) case.
The presentation included information regarding court decisions about CEQA litigation. For example, the court
found that record preparation cost incurred by a real party is not recoverable in the Hayward Area Planning
Association v City of Hayward, 128 Cal. App. 4th 176 (2005). It was suggested that attendees refer to Findlaw.com
and the CERES website in reviewing CEQA court cases. Thank you Alicia and David for an informative and
interesting presentation and we look forward to hearing you speak again in the future.
Please click here to see the presentation slides.
Disclaimer:
These summaries are based on reported case law as of September 10, 2005, which may or may not remain good law.
Accordingly, they should not be relied upon for legal advice without first consulting an attorney or other
authority.
Chapter Meeting on September 29, 2004 in
Oakland:
"CEQA and Historic Resources",
by Leann Taagepera and
Donnell Rubay.
Please click here to see the
speaker's bios.
Please click here to see the presentation slides.
Where: CH2M Hill Offices, 155 Grand Avenue, Oakland
When: September 29, 2004, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Chapter Meeting on August 23, 2004 in
San Francisco:
"Sustainable Development & Green Design"
There appears to be a growing interest in "sustainability" and "green
design" in particular. What really is sustainability? Sustainable
development has been used to describe everything from smart growth to green
design. Defining this wide-ranging term is no easy task and continues to
elude the environmental planner. Sustainable design in the larger sense is
more about philosophy than a set of techniques. This philosophy is signaling
a change in the way people think about environmental issues. It helps
provide a framework for conceptualizing environmental issues that are
generally interrelated, interdisciplinary, and often very complex. The
approach is "multi-media" versus single issue, necessarily largely
proactive, and predominantly grassroots driven. This panel will question
what is or should comprise the universe of sustainable development and
implications for environmental planning and analysis.
Moderator:
Morty Prisament,
City of Richmond, Community and Economic Development
Speakers:
Heidi Vonblum,
Environmental Science Associates
John Steere, The Bioengineering Group, Inc.
Sarah Sutton, Wolfe Mason Associates
Where:
Charles M Salter Associates, Inc.,
130 Sutter Street (near Montgomery BART),
San Francisco
When:
August 23, 2004, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Board Meeting on August 11, 2004 in Berkeley:
Please click here to see the agenda.
Where: Jupiter Restaurant,
2181 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704
When: August 11, 2004, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Chapter Meeting on June 30, 2004 in Oakland:
"Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program (ACCWP) Provision C.3.m guidance",
by Diamera Bach of Alameda County,
Nicole Narver of the City of Fremont, and
Laura Prickett
of EOA, Inc., a consulting firm that assists several countywide municipal stormwater
programs
Please click here to see Laura's presentation slides.
Please click here to see the
builder outreach piece.
The presentation was of interest to CEQA professionals working on
projects in the jurisdictions of ACCWP member agencies, or other Bay Area agencies
that are subject to municipal stormwater permit requirements.
Where: URS Corporation,
1333 Broadway, Suite 800 (8th Floor),
Oakland, CA 94612
When: June 30, 2004, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Chapter Meeting on November 25, 2003 in Oakland:
"Survival of the fittest...the evolution of mitigation measures from the
keyboard to the construction site",
by Brooke Langle, Lead
Environmental Inspector, Essex Environmental
Please click here to see Brooke's presentation slides.
Mitigation monitoring and reporting plans have become a crucial
tool for both proponents and agency personnel during the construction
process. All parties rely heavily on these plans to guide them
successfully through the regulatory process to project completion.
However, once the plans are approved and machines and personnel are
unleashed, it's not uncommon for new or variant situations to develop
that require re-thinking the requirements to reach a solution. Lead
Environmental Inspector Brooke Langle, of Essex Environmental shared
nearly 10 years of experience in the preparation of environmental
monitoring programs and in-the-field construction monitoring.
The audience learned about approaches of a company that has a great deal of
experience in the monitoring field, and heard of the successes and
the problems that have been encountered once the bulldozers and drill
rigs hit the ground. Brooke presented the inside look at Mitigation
Monitoring from a monitor's point of view.
Where: CH2M HILL,
155 Grand Avenue, 10th floor,
Oakland, CA
When: Tuesday, November 25, 2003, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
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