ocaep to watch our los angeles angels of anaheim take on the boston red sox in our annual baseball...
TRANSCRIPT
In this issue...News from the State Board
Page 2
Recap of Recent EventsPage 3
Upcoming EventsPage 6
CEQA Legislative Update/ State CEQA Guidelines
UpdatePage 7
AEP Climate Change White Paper Page 8
Students CornerPage 9
Student Scholarship WinnersPage 10
Orange County
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment.
Message from the PresidentDear Members,As we approach the end of the year, we have some important news to share with you. First, we anticipate needing two new board members for the OCAEP Board; one person to serve as a Co-Vice President of Programs and the other to serve as a Secretary. If you are interested in serving in either of these positions, or if you have a co-worker or junior staff member who could benefit from more professional exposure, please
contact me at [email protected] or our CO-VP Programs, Alisha Winterswyk, at [email protected].
Second, OCAEP urgently needs your help to maintain the scholarship program. Since 2007, we have provided accomplished Orange County college and university students interested in environmental services professions with $41,000 in scholarships to help offset their tuition, book costs, and the cost of academic projects. The winners are truly the next generation of leaders that will enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and built environment through policy, advocacy, science and technology. Stephanie Castle, Stormwater Specialist with Fuscoe Engineering, is a shining example of the caliber of emerging environmental professionals that your donations help. In 2013 she was the recipient of the $2,500 full-time graduate scholarship. In July 2015, she was a featured speaker at our luncheon and gave an update on the drought to our membership. You can read about the important impact that receiving the scholarship had on her life on page 9 and check out the 2015 winners on page 10.
We couldn’t be prouder of the success of our program, but we need your help to sustain it. OCAEP relies on the generosity of corporate sponsors to sustain this worthy program. Donations during the “Great Recession” were difficult to come by, to say the least. As a result, we have less than a year of reserves. We have a $10,000 fundraising goal and we need your help to ensure that 2016 isn’t the final year of this incredible program. Here is how you can help:
• Urge your firms to become a corporate sponsor the highest level possible. In return for your firm’s support, OCAEP provides a variety of valuable marketing opportunities. These include your firm’s logo on the OCAEP website, newsletters, and e-blasts, and displays and recognition at our popular CEQA workshops, monthly lunch programs, and Holiday Mixer. We will be unveiling our revamped OCAEP Website in October and would love to see your logo
Page 1
OCAEPOCAEPThe Nexus
Orange County Association of Environmental Professionals
September 2015
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment.
The Nexusprominently displayed.
• Come to OCAEP’s Scholarship Gala on October 15, 2015 at El Torito Grill in Irvine. We will be holding our annual AEP Scholarship Gala in the fall to celebrate our scholarship recipients, our generous donors, and our membership. The Gala provides a fun opportunity to network, catch up with friends, mingle with students and take home some amazing auction items and door prizes.
• Donate an auction item. We’d love your help collecting auction items and raffle prizes! If you have a great idea, or can donate an item, please email [email protected]. We will ensure your or your firm’s generosity is noted at the Gala.
We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at one of our events!
Sincerely,Konnie DobrevaPresident, OCAEP
News from the State BoardGreetings! I’ve got several major issues to update you on:• AEP Website • Legislative Action Committee • CEQA Essentials Workshop • Annual State Board Elections • NAEP Affiliation Agreement• AEP Strategic Planning
You can expect email blasts in the near future on the first four topics. But today I’d like to bring up the Strategic Plan that the State Board uses as its guidance document. The Strategic Plan has five major components. We are looking for input to the Plan from our membership and are interested in your ideas to help set priorities at the state-wide level. We are also looking for people who would like to become more involved with bringing AEP to the next level – from taking photographs to YouTube filming, from board committee member to starting a student chapter.
AEP Strategic Plan (2013-15)
1. Provide High Quality Services to AEP Members and Other Environmental Professionals - This year we included a monitoring component to look at the success of the programs. The AEP Institute was added to the program line-up. We’ve started marketing our existing events to non-members and to “remote” members who generally cannot attend events in more populated areas. We are exploring making CEP credits available for our 2016 events -- should AEP consider its own environmental certification? 2. Promote Growth in Membership of AEP - We’re looking at ways to improve outreach to non-members. Reducing member costs, emphasizing member benefits, and acknowledging new members, etc. The board is looking to share knowledge on technical specialties like biology and archaeology. Are you a specialist who is willing to share your knowledge?
Page 2
2015 OCAEP Corporate Sponsors
The NexusOCAEPOCAEP
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment. Page 3
3. Provide Services and Support to AEP Chapters - The State Board is exploring ways to assist the chapters in finding volunteers and attracting new members. To help chapters manage turnover in their boards, the state offers training for treasurers and devotes time at the Summit. By 2016, our goal is to set up a procedure by which conference and chapter handbooks are routinely updated. This year we’ve advanced our social media/website integration, but we need to coordinate messages to reduce email burn out on the members. Long-term goal is to have a single calendar for chapters and the state events. We’ve also decided to have the State pay for the student chapter faculty representative to encourage continuity. 4. Effectively Manage AEP Organization - Goals here are to expand publications committee to include communications and website. We need a graphics designer to help with branding and logo enhancement. We agreed that the upcoming State AEP ballot should include a vote to add Immediate Past President as a new board position. We need more assistance in communications and to develop a sustainable communications strategies plan.5. Provide Financial Stability for AEP - AEP has financial stability and a keen Financial Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, Lynn Calvert-Hayes. She can lean on the audit committee when needed. We are actively looking for investment expertise for our reserves. Are you a savvy investor?
Stay tuned for more from the State!
Sincerely,Lennie Rae CookeChapter Director, OCAEP
RECENT EVENTS
Western U.S. Drought Lunch ProgramBy Frances Ho
On July 9th, Stephanie Castle, stormwater specialist with Fuscoe, provided a presentation on the current status of the western U.S. drought. Stephanie has an interesting background and formerly worked for the UCI Center for Hydrologic Modeling which was run by one of the foremost drought experts in the world, James Famiglietti, now with NASA and JPL in Pasadena.
Given the current unprecedented drought conditions, Stephanie’s presentation included pertinent information regarding surface water and groundwater depletion in the western U.S. She also shared her research findings on groundwater depletion and the water security of the Colorado River Basin. Stephanie’s research used nine years of observation from the NASA Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, which provided groundwater amounts in various areas in the Colorado River Basin. Her findings showed that rapid rates of groundwater depletion far exceeded the rate of depletion of surface water sources, including Lake Powell and Lake Mead. This goes to show that groundwater may comprise
Job PostingsMichael Baker International | Irvine CA
CEQA/NEPA Environmental Planner (Environmental Specialist I)
For more information and to apply online, visit www.mbakercorp.com/careers select “Job Search” and reference job number
IRC49995 in “Keywords.”
PlaceWorks | Santa Ana/Long Beach CASchool Facility Project Manager and Planner
Apply online at http://placeworks.com/contact/join-our-team/.
The NexusOCAEPOCAEP
The Nexus
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment.Page 4
a far greater fraction of Basin water use than previously recognized, in particular during drought, and that its disappearance may threaten the long-term ability to meet future allocations to the seven Basin states. Her full research paper can be found here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2014GL061055/full
Stephanie’s presentation also included discussion of the State’s response to the drought, impact of the drought on current development projects, new momentum for water recycling requirements and gray water systems, increased scrutiny on water supply assessments, and a quick overview of our local OCWD Groundwater Basin.
The lunch program was well attended! Thank you to Stephanie for a great presentation and the Tustin Library for a great venue.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Boston Red Sox By Pat Maxon
On July 17, 2015, AEP and APA members and their families gathered at the Angel’s Stadium to watch our Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim take on the Boston Red Sox in our annual baseball game event. We started with a tailgate party under the Big “A” where we enjoyed hot dogs, potato chips, salads, desserts, and drinks while connecting and networking with other members. The game was a tight affair and still 0-0 entering the 9th inning. In the bottom of the 9th with two outs, Angels’ hero, Mike Trout, won the game with a walk-off home run to left field. We had 50 attendees! Please join us again next year for this annual event.
AEP Institute and SummitBy Lennie Rae Cooke
Held on July 25, 2015, the AEP Annual Summit was another excellent brain-storming occasion. Here is a summary of the wide-range of discussions in Berkeley.
Communications• AEP White Papers and Position Papers are available on the State website: http://
califaep.org/policy• Do our members know enough about NAEP benefits and programs available
to them?
The NexusOCAEPOCAEP
Considering Joining the 2016 OCAEP
Board!We are looking to fill the
following positions:Co-VP of Programs and
Secretary
Please contact Konnie Dobreva at Konnie@
epdsolutionsinc.com or our CO-VP Programs, Alisha
Winterswyk, at [email protected]
Stephanie Castle, stormwater specialist, presents her research findings on groundwater depletion in the Colorado River Basin.
The Nexus
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment. Page 5
NAEP Affiliation• Go to http://www.naep.org/ to learn more about our NAEP Affiliation• Our NAEP Liaison: Roger Turner, Roger Turner & Associates, 951.707.5020,
[email protected]• Our Affiliation Agreement will be voted on at the end of the yearIdeas for Programs• Half-day workshop for permit applications• Ethics in environmental planning• Archeological sites tour• NAEP webinars as part of our programs schedule• Mid-year CEQA case law/legislation update• Communications in the Field of Consulting Training• Mentor Roundtable (held at universities – can be 1-2 hours of CEQA 101,
followed by 1 hour of career-related topics/networking)• Beach cleanup, hikes, events co-sponsored by bicycle coalitions• Tree counting event
Legislation and Policy • Should we have our legislative representatives more involved with the Board/
Membership and the Membership be more involved with legislative affairs?• Do we have a good grasp of how our local representatives view CEQA and
AEP?• Is the membership interested in drafting position letters or reviewing bills and
other legislative documents?
AB 52 Lunch ProgramBy Pat Maxon
A large group of planners, attorneys, Native Americans, archaeologists and other environmental p r o f e s s i o n a l s gathered at the Harvard Athletic Park in Irvine to hear a panel of experienced CEQA practitioners describe and discuss Assembly Bill (AB) 52 – the new Tribal Cultural Resources
Consultation law that went into effect July 1, 2015. AB 52 requires lead agencies to make offers of consultation to tribes identified by the Native American Heritage Commission who have expressed an interest in consulting with that particular agency. Sarah Owsowitz from BBK and Holly Roberson from the Office of
The NexusOCAEPOCAEP
Other Features
2015 Legislative UpdatePage 7
AEP Climate Change White PaperPage 8
Student Scholarship WinnersPage 10
Cultural resource experts speak to a full room of attendees about implementing the new AB 52 rules related to tribal cultural resources.
The NexusPlanning and Research, both environmental attorneys, provided most of the meat of the discussion as they already have relevant experience working with the law and holding discussions with tribes. It was clear from questions and comments that the membership is still struggling to understand the law, as it is not yet fully implemented. Sarah Owsowitz summed up the frustration when she stated, “Let’s meet back in a year (after July 1, 2016) to find out how this is working.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
CEQA Essentials - November 6thAEP is pleased to announce the upcoming 2015 CEQA Essentials Workshops to be held across the State in late October and early November. This workshop provides a basic understanding of the fundamentals of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Statute and the State Guidelines, and includes intermediate-level practice pointers and case studies. The workshop features a curriculum developed specifically for people involved in the environmental review process, including consultants, regulators, applicants, or industry professionals, and will benefit those new to the field as well as mid-level practicing professionals (AICP-CM credits pending).
Topics will include:• Understanding the Statute and Guidelines• Determining the Appropriate Document – Exemptions, Negative Declarations,
EIRs• Responsibilities – Lead, Responsible, Trustee agencies and the Role of the
Consultant• Adequacy of Analysis and Mitigation• Findings• Notices• Legal Challenges and Defensibility• Projects also subject to NEPA
The workshops will be held around the state at the following locations to accommodate your busy schedule: Oakland on 10/26; San Diego on 10/28; San Jose and Eureka on 10/30; Fresno, Riverside, and Sacramento on 11/5; and San Luis Obispo, Ventura, LA, Orange, and Santa Rosa all on 11/6. For the OC Chapter, the workshop will be held at Chapman University.
See page 15 for additional details. We look forward to seeing you and thank you in advanced for your continued support of the AEP CEQA and statewide programs.
Look forward to a number of other lunch programs currently being planned for our AEP members in Fall 2015:
• AEP Legislative Lobbyist Presentation• New Rules to Define Waters of the U.S.
CA Fish & Wildlife Filing Fees
Fish and Wildlife CEQA Filing Fees effective January 1, 2015:
Negative Declaration$2,210.00
Mitigated Negative Declaration$2,210.00
Environmental Impact Report$3,069.75
Environmental Doc. pursuant to a Certified Regulatory Program (CRP)*
$1,043.75
County Clerk Processing Fee**$50.00
*CEQA/CRP filing fee no longer applies to filing of NODs for Forest Practice Rules and Timber
Harvest Plans (Pub. Resources Code, § 4629.6)
** Additional county fees may apply, check with your county clerk’s office for details
The NexusOCAEPOCAEP
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment.Page 6
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment. Page 7
CEQA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
2015 Legislative SessionBy Jennifer Lynch
September 11, 2015 was the final day for bills to be passed this legislative session, and at the end of the session very few CEQA-related bills have made it through. The three CEQA bills to have passed include:
• AB 115/SB 88, the Omnibus Resource Trailer Bill, which adds a new Public Resources Code section 21080.08 providing a new statutory exemption for projects that both mitigate drought conditions and construct or expand recycled water pipelines.
• AB 323, which amends Public Resources Code section 21080.37 extending through January 1, 2020 the existing statutory exemption for projects that repair, maintain, or make minor alterations to an existing roadway.
• SB 348, which amends Public Resources Code sections 21080.13 and 21080.14 and imposes additional duties on lead agencies using the existing statutory exemption for railroad crossing projects.
Notably, SB 32, which would have codified the greenhouse gas emissions thresholds of two past executive orders (40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050) did not pass. SB 32 was of high interest to CEQA practitioners because it could have changed how greenhouse gas emissions impacts are identified in CEQA documents.
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
State CEQA Guidelines UpdateBy Jennifer Lynch
In August, the State Office of Planning and Research released a draft proposal to overhaul more than 25 sections of the State CEQA Guidelines, as well as the Initial Study Checklist in Appendix G. This would be the first comprehensive update to the Guidelines since the 1990s. So this is very exciting news for CEQA planners!
AEP’s legislative committee is currently reviewing OPR’s proposal and is planning on submitting comments to OPR on how the proposed changes will affect CEQA practitioners. If you would like to share your thoughts or concerns about the Guidelines with AEP, or if you have questions about AEP’s involvement, please send your comments to Jennifer Lynch at [email protected].
OPR is welcoming comments through October 12, 2015. The full draft can be viewed here: http://opr.ca.gov/s_ceqaguidelines.php. OPR will also be conducting a public workshop to receive input on the proposed changes to the
The NexusOCAEPOCAEP
2016 AEP Conference in San Diego!
The NexusThe NexusThe NexusOCAEPOCAEPCEQA Guidelines on October 6, 2015, beginning at 9:00a.m. The workshop will be webcast for those unable to attend in person.
State AEP Climate Change Committee White PaperBy Frances Ho
The AEP Climate Change Committee was formed in 2007 to address issues associated with analyzing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, air pollutant emissions, and climate change. The goals of the AEP Climate Change Committee are to provide information and guidance to AEP members on air quality and climate change issues and offer comments to state agencies on the implementation of climate change legislation. To that end, the Committee participates in various working and advisory groups that are developing GHG CEQA thresholds, inventory protocols and approved methodologies.
This year, the Committee prepared a white paper titled ‘Beyond 2020: The Challenge of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Planning by Local Governments in California’ (March 2015). The paper delves into technical world of GHG reduction planning and provides recommendations related to the role of CEQA, General Plans, and Climate Action Plans. Overall, in order to show substantial progress towards the long-term State reduction targets, local governments will need to become increasingly more ambitious on a phased basis, climate action plans will need to be updated periodically, and CEQA practice concerning GHG project analysis and mitigation will need to result in reasonable local fair-share GHG reductions over time.
The full white paper can be viewed here: https://www.califaep.org/images/climate-change/AEP_White_Paper_Beyond_2020.pdf.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OCAEP Needs Silent Auction Items and Raffle Prizes! By Jennifer Lynch
OCAEP is looking for donations of fun and exciting silent auction items and raffle prizes for the upcoming AEP Scholarship Gala. Do you own a local business? Have a favorite restaurant that you frequent? Know a new business that would love some publicity? Have a great wine hook-up, pet psychic, or personal trainer that owes you a favor?
We’d love your help collecting auction items and raffle prizes! If you have a great idea, or can donate an item, please email [email protected]. We will ensure you or your firm’s generosity is noted at our upcoming Gala event.
Save the Date!
November 6th: CEQA Essentials Workshop
at Chapman University
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment.Page 8
The Nexus
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment. Page 9
The NexusOCAEPOCAEPSTUDENTS CORNER
Then & Now - Stephanie Castle, 2013 AEP Student Scholarship WinnerBy Stephanie Castle
The OCAEP scholarship was the first scholarship I had ever applied for with regard to academics. At the time, I was a part of the Urban Planning and Civil Engineering Degree Program at UC Irvine and doing research at Jay Famiglietti’s UC Center for Hydrologic Modeling (UCCHM). I was working towards my dual master’s program in civil engineering with a focus on water resources.
At the UCCHM, I was utilizing satellite data to quantify changes in terrestrial water storage, primarily in reservoirs and groundwater, in the Colorado River Basin (CRB). What I hadn’t realized at the time was the complexity of the CRB system as the water lifeline of the Western U.S. I thought the work would be important but, at the time, as it is with most first year master’s students, there was no guarantee that my work would be enough to graduate or be considered an “outstanding contribution” in the field.
When I received the email letting me know that I had won the $2,500 OCAEP scholarship, my mind was blown. I did not expect to win. I was knee deep in reading about the 1922 Colorado River Compact, writing code in MATLAB to try and make sense of the satellite data and more or less pulling my hair out – every day, literally. I was ready to quit. When I won the scholarship, all of that changed. The scholarship gave me the confidence to continue to pursue my research goals.My research goals had initially been to submit a thesis and graduate. After receiving the scholarship, I was inspired to do more – to publish my work in a scientific journal. I discovered while working for the UCCHM, the number of publications under your name is the main merit you obtain in the academic/scientific world. I wanted at least one to consider myself a part of that community.
Two years after I received the scholarship, I published my paper entitled, “Groundwater depletion during drought threatens future water security of the Colorado River Basin” in the Geophysical Research Letters. I do not know the best words to describe how I felt, but two words come to mind: relief and unimaginable pride. And it was all because of the support I had received over the past three years working on the paper, including the OCAEP scholarship. My paper was very well received and caught the attention of many media outlets including all main television networks, Washington Post, New York Times, LA Times, Bloomberg, among many others. I had no idea my work would have such an impact.
You don’t get to write a lengthy “acknowledgements” section when you publish a paper but you do get to write one when you complete your thesis. That was possibly the hardest part to write as I would end up teary after every sentence. The
Other Features
News from the State BoardPage 2
Recap of Recent EventsPage 3
CEQA Essentials WorkshopPage 6
easiest part was to thank OCAEP for their generous scholarship and supporting me and my work during one of the toughest periods of my career.
I am now in the process of publishing the third chapter of my thesis on quantifying the impact of humans and water management on evapotranspiration in the Colorado River Basin – please stay tuned. I have moved out of the academic realm and am now working as a Stormwater Specialist at Fuscoe Engineering in Irvine. I enjoy working at Fuscoe as I am able to continue to spread the word about the importance of monitoring and management of groundwater resources and water conservation. I also get to design and implement solutions for water quality and quantity on new developments and redevelopments. My main passion is finding ways to capture more stormwater to increase local water supply reliability in Southern California and to better understand and potentially improve water supply assessments.
2015 Student Scholarship Winners!By Kristen Bogue
Following an extensive review of the numerous scholarship applications received for our 2015 Scholarship Program, the OCAEP Board is pleased to announce the winners of its full-time graduate, part-time graduate, and full-time undergraduate scholarships:
Full-Time Graduate Student – Joseph Cryer, University of California, Irvine ($2,500): Joseph is working toward his Masters of Urban and Regional Planning at UC Irvine. He has a strong interest in active transportation and public transit. His research has included the environmental consequences of California Senate Bill 743, the development of Southern California as a car-dependent region, and the connections between
automobiles and health. He is currently interning at OCTA, where he assists with environmental programs and grant writing, as well as at IBI group, where he assists with the planning efforts for the proposed Street Car Project in Santa Ana. This fall, Joseph will conduct research as part of a funded fellowship in Vienna, Austria, which is a city that has been named the most livable city in the world. During this fellowship, Joseph will study the city’s programs to improve active transportation. Joseph hopes to utilize this research toward improving walkability in Orange County in particular.
Part-Time Graduate Student – Luis Duran, California State University, Fullerton ($1,000): Mr. Luis Duran is pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Science at California State University, Fullerton. Luis’ focus is on policy development and implementation of policy through environmental regulation and guidelines. Most of his studies have pertained to soil contamination in low-income areas. With over three years of experience in the environmental field as a staff environmental
The NexusOCAEPOCAEP
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment.Page 10
Important Links
Orange County AEPhttp://www.ocaep.com
State AEPhttp://www.califaep.org/
Office of Planning and Research http://opr.ca.gov/index.php
Department of Fish and Wildlifehttp://www.dfg.ca.gov/
scientist, Luis has worked on environmental compliance and restoration projects and is actively pursuing a career in environmental planning.
Full-Time Undergraduate Student – Lotus Thai, Chapman University ($1,500): Lotus is a junior at Chapman University. She is a double major in Business Administration and Environmental Sciences and Policy with a minor in Political Science. She has a unique mix of science and business training, which positions her to be an environmental leader upon graduation. Most significantly, she is a student leader on the “Casa del
Sol” 2015 Solar Decathlon house to be created by Team Orange County. This team brings together students from Chapman University, UC Irvine, Irvine Valley College, and Saddleback College to build a fully functional solar home to which will compete in the international 2015 Solar Decathlon to be held at the OC Great Park. Lotus has also been a part of the University Programming Board and the Student Engagement Office at Chapman University.
The OCAEP Board would like to thank everyone who submitted an application for the 2015 Scholarship Program. We received applications from many outstanding students, and the selection of the three winners was a difficult decision. Please be sure to congratulate Joseph, Luis, and Lotus on their achievements!
2015 OCAEP BOARD MEMBERSPresident: Konnie Dobreva, EPD Solutions, Inc. [email protected]
Chapter Director: Lennie Rae Cooke, VCS Environmental [email protected]
Co-VP - Programs: Alisha Winterswyk, Best, Best & Krieger [email protected] Brian Allee, PCR Services Corporation [email protected]
Co-VP - Newsletter/Social Media: Danielle Regimbal, Insight Environmental [email protected] Frances Ho, PlaceWorks [email protected]
Treasurer: Ryan Potter, PlaceWorks [email protected]
Secretary: Meghan Macias, Transpo Group [email protected]
Special Events Coordinator: Patrick Maxon, BonTerra Psomas [email protected]
Membership Liaison: David Crook, PCR Services Corporation [email protected]
Student Liaison: Kristen Bogue, RBF Consulting [email protected]
Scholarship Gala Chairperson: Jennifer Lynch, Best, Best & Krieger [email protected]
Legislative Liaison: William Halligan, PlaceWorks [email protected]
The NexusOCAEPOCAEP
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment. Page 11
Orange County
AEP CONFERENCE APRIL 3-6, 2016 CITIES IN TRANSITION The 2016 AEP Conference, Cities in Transition, aims to provide an interactive atmosphere where ideas, policy, and science work together to evaluate trends and create innovative concepts for evolving communities. Presentation topics would explore the transitions experienced by many evolving cities in California with a focus on local, regional, state, and national environmental issues. The conference will also provide updates on the latest CEQA laws and litigation to ensure that attendees leave the conference with the most current knowledge.
SESSIONS: The Conference Committee is now accepting presentations that provide strategies and solutions for successful environmental planning, environmental review, project approvals, and permitting for the full range of public and private sector-sponsored projects. We are seeking submittals that will thoroughly engage the seasoned practitioner and inspire the novice. Candidate topics include, but are not limited to:
• CEQA/NEPA and Policy and Litigation • Air Quality • Alternative Energy • Coastal Issues • Community Connections, Public
Participation, and Changes in Business Climate
• Mitigation Banking and Successful Mitigation Measures Implementation
• Water Supply • Open Space and Conservation Planning • Healthy Communities/Complete
Streets/Sustainability
Conference panel sessions will be 90 minutes in length with individual presentations will be approximately 20 minutes in length. Session rooms will be equipped with a speaker’s podium, laptop/projector, extension cords, and screen. Additional a/v or other equipment should be noted in your abstract submission. Speakers are invited to attend their conference session. If you are interested in attending other sessions, meal functions, and networking events, please plan to take advantage of discounted speaker registration rates.
DEADLINE: Sessions and presentation topics will be accepted until September 30, 2015.
SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS: We will be handling submission, review, and selection of panels/presentations online:
https://www.eiseverywhere.com/eselectv2/frontend/index/134403.
To submit an abstract, you will be prompted to create a username/password. This login process will allow you to add and modify your session until you are ready to submit. It will also assign a Session ID to each panel or individual presentation submitted.
Your submittal shall include a brief description of your panel or individual presentation and is limited to 300 words. Please be prepared to provide the identification of each session moderator and/or panelist, including name, affiliation, biography, and contact information.
ABSTRACT EVALUATION: Abstracts will be evaluated by the Committee for relevance to the conference theme, quality of the proposed presentation topic or panel, level of audience participation, the transferability of the strategies and solutions presented, relevance to current trends and issues, and consistency with AEP’s Mission Statement.
QUESTION: For questions, please contact the conference co-chairs, Marilyn Ponseggi and Julie Froelich, at [email protected]. Please include your session ID, if available, in the subject line of your e-mail.
WWW.CALIFAEP.ORG/CONFERENCE
CALL
FOR
PRE
SENT
ATIO
NS
The NexusOCAEPOCAEP
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment.Page 12
The
Asso
ciati
on o
f En
viro
nmen
tal P
rofe
ssio
nals
(AEP
) in
vite
s yo
u to
reg
ister
for
the
CE
QA
Esse
ntial
s W
orks
hop.
Thi
s w
orks
hop
prov
ides
a b
asic
und
erst
andi
ng o
f the
fun-
dam
enta
ls of
the
Cal
iforn
ia E
nviro
nmen
tal Q
ualit
y Ac
t an
d th
e St
ate
Gui
delin
es, a
nd
incl
udes
int
erm
edia
te-le
vel
prac
tice
poin
ters
and
cas
e st
udie
s. T
his
wor
ksho
p fe
a-tu
res
a cu
rric
ulum
dev
elop
ed s
peci
fical
ly f
or p
eopl
e in
volv
ed i
n th
e en
viro
nmen
tal
revi
ew p
roce
ss, i
nclu
ding
con
sulta
nts,
reg
ulat
ors,
app
lican
ts, o
r in
dust
ry p
rofe
ssio
n-al
s, a
nd w
ill b
enefi
t tho
se n
ew to
the
field
as
wel
l as
mid
-leve
l pra
ctici
ng p
rofe
ssio
nals
(AIC
P-CM
cre
dits
pen
ding
).
Topi
cs w
ill in
clud
e:•
Und
erst
andi
ng th
e St
atut
e an
d G
uide
lines
• De
term
inin
g th
e Ap
prop
riate
Doc
umen
t – E
xem
ption
s, N
egati
ve D
ecla
ratio
ns, E
IRs
• Re
spon
sibili
ties
– Le
ad, R
espo
nsib
le, T
rust
ee a
genc
ies
and
the
role
of t
he C
onsu
ltant
• Ad
equa
cy o
f ana
lysis
and
miti
gatio
n•
Find
ings
• N
otice
s
Regi
ster
On-
Line
Onl
y at
ww
w.ca
lifae
p.or
g
Prog
ram
Out
line
Regi
stra
tion/
Mee
t & G
reet
8:30
- 9:
00 A
M
Intro
ducti
on &
Ove
rvie
w9:
00 -
9:15
AM
Sess
ion
I - Ge
nera
l Int
rodu
ction
to C
EQA
Stat
ute
and
Guid
elin
es9:
15 -
10:0
0 AM
Sess
ion
II - C
EQA
Proc
ess &
Doc
umen
ts (N
egati
ve D
ecla
ratio
ns/M
itiga
ted
NDs
/EIR
s)10
:00
- 10:
45 A
M
Brea
k10
:45
- 11:
00 A
M
Sess
ion
III - C
EQA
vs N
EPA
11:0
0 AM
- 12
:00
PM
Sess
ion
IV - L
egal
Cha
lleng
es/P
racti
ce P
oint
ers
Lunc
h (A
rran
gem
ents
vary
by
loca
tion.
Det
ails
will
be p
rovi
ded
upon
regi
stra
tion)
12:0
0 - 1
:00
PM
Sess
ion
V - S
peci
al T
opic
s: B
asel
ine,
Cum
ulati
ve, S
trea
mlin
ing
(Infil
l & T
ierin
g), H
ealth
Risk
Ass
essm
ents
1:00
- 2:
30 P
M
Brea
k2:
30 -
2:45
PM
Sess
ion
VI - C
ase
Stud
ies
2:45
- 3:
45 P
M
Que
stion
s & A
nsw
ers
3:45
- 4:
30 P
M
Cha
pter
2015
Dat
eLo
catio
nAd
dres
s
San
Fran
cisc
o Ba
y Ar
eaM
onda
y, O
ctob
er 2
6thO
akla
ndAB
AG –
Jose
ph P.
Bor
t Met
roCe
nter
101
8th
Stre
et, O
akla
nd, C
A 94
601
San
Dieg
oW
edne
sday
, Oct
ober
28th
Sa
n Di
ego
Mar
ina
Villa
ge –
Ter
race
Roo
m19
36 Q
uivi
ra W
ay, S
an D
iego
, CA
9210
9
Mon
tere
y Ba
yFr
iday
, Oct
ober
30th
Sa
n Jo
seSa
nta
Clar
a Va
lley
Wat
er D
istric
t57
50 A
lmad
en E
xpre
ssw
ay, S
an Jo
se, C
A 95
118
San
Fran
cisc
o Ba
y Ar
eaFr
iday
, Oct
ober
30th
Eu
reka
The
Wha
rfing
er B
uild
ing
1 M
arin
a W
ay, E
urek
a, C
A 95
501
Cent
ral
Thur
sday
, Nov
embe
r 5th
Fr
esno
Tow
er a
t Riv
er P
ark
205
E. R
iver
Par
k Ci
rcle
, Fre
sno,
CA
937
20
Inla
nd E
mpi
reTh
ursd
ay, N
ovem
ber 5
th
Rive
rsid
eH
yatt
Pla
ce R
iver
side
– Do
wnt
own
3500
Mar
ket S
tree
t, Ri
vers
ide,
CA
9250
1
Supe
rior
Thur
sday
, Nov
embe
r 5th
Sa
cram
ento
City
of W
est S
acto
– C
ivic
Cen
ter G
alle
ria
1110
Wes
t Cap
itol,
Wes
t Sac
to, C
A 95
691
Chan
nel C
ounti
esFr
iday
, Nov
embe
r 6th
Sa
n Lu
is O
bisp
oSa
n Lu
is O
bisp
o Co
unty
– L
ibra
ry R
oom
99
5 Pa
lm S
tree
t, Sa
n Lu
is O
bisp
o, C
A 93
401
Chan
nel C
ounti
esFr
iday
, Nov
embe
r 6th
Ve
ntur
aCi
ty o
f Ven
tura
– C
omm
unity
Roo
m50
1 Po
li St
reet
, Ven
tura
, CA
9300
1
Los
Ange
les
Frid
ay, N
ovem
ber 6
th
Los
Ange
les
SoCa
l Gas
Tow
er –
Con
fere
nce
Room
s 02
B an
d 02
C55
5 W
est 5
th S
tree
t, Lo
s An
gele
s, C
A 90
013
Ora
nge
Coun
tyFr
iday
, Nov
embe
r 6th
O
rang
eCh
apm
an U
nive
rsity
– R
oom
237
BO
ne U
nive
rsity
Driv
e, O
rang
e, C
A 92
866
San
Fran
cisc
o Ba
y Ar
eaFr
iday
, Nov
embe
r 6th
Sa
nta
Rosa
Sono
ma
Stat
e U
nive
rsity
– E
nviro
nmen
tal T
echn
olog
y Ce
nter
1801
E. C
otati
Ave
, Roh
nert
Par
k, C
A 94
928
20
15
CE
QA
Ess
enti
als:
A
n In
trod
ucti
on &
In
term
edia
te-L
evel
Tra
inin
g W
orks
hop
Cate
gorie
sEa
rly R
egis
trati
on
by F
riday
, O
ctob
er 2
nd
Regi
stra
tion
by
Frid
ay,
Oct
ober
16th
Late
or O
n-si
te
Regi
stra
tion
Mem
ber R
ates
Regu
lar/
Agen
cy/C
orpo
rate
$1
50$1
75$2
00
Stud
ent
$15
$20
$25
Non
-Mem
ber R
ates
Non
-Mem
ber (
Priv
ate)
$250
$275
$300
Non
-Mem
ber (
Agen
cy)
$200
$225
$250
Non
-Stu
dent
Mem
ber
$30
$35
$40
Non
-Mem
ber G
roup
(P
er P
erso
n fo
r Gro
ups 3
+)$1
75$2
00$2
25
New
Mem
ber R
ates
New
1-y
ear
Mem
bers
hip
+ W
orks
hop
$250
$275
$300
New
1-y
ear S
tude
nt
Mem
bers
hip
+ W
orks
hop
$50
$55
$60
Regi
stra
tion
is lim
ited
on a
firs
t-com
e, fi
rst-s
erve
bas
is. P
re-r
egist
ratio
n is
on-li
ne o
nly;
fees
mus
t be
paid
in
adv
ance
eith
er b
y cr
edit/
debi
t car
d or
che
ck. P
urch
ase
orde
rs a
re n
ot a
ccep
ted.
On-
site
regi
stra
tions
m
ay b
e ac
cept
ed i
f sp
ace
is av
aila
ble.
Fee
s in
clud
e re
gist
ratio
n m
ater
ials,
han
dout
s, c
ontin
enta
l br
eakf
ast,
lunc
h, a
nd a
ftern
oon
snac
ks.
Que
stion
s? C
onta
ct Ly
nne
C. B
ynde
r, CM
P at
: lby
nder
@ca
lifae
p.or
g w
ww
.cal
ifaep
.org
No
refu
nds
or c
ance
llatio
ns a
ccep
ted
with
in 2
wee
ks o
f wor
ksho
p da
te. S
ubsti
tutio
ns a
re p
erm
itted
.
The NexusOCAEPOCAEP
...to enhance, maintain, and protect the natural and human environment. Page 13