Experience > Local Government
Mount Umunhum Air Force Radar Station Remediation Environmental Review
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD)
Role: Prime Consultant, CEQA and NEPA Compliance
Ascent is assisting Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) with the environmental review of proposed remediation activities at the former Almaden Air Force Station, a decommissioned radar station located on the peak of Mount Umunhum, the tallest mountain in the Santa Clara County. Ascent is currently assisting MROSD with preparation of a CEQA Negative Declaration (ND)/NEPA Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) for remediation of contaminated buildings, which includes stripping and removal of asbestos and lead-based paint from the existing onsite structures. Mount Umunhum is currently closed to the public, but MROSD’s future goal is to restore the peak and open it to public access.
On-Call Environmental and Climate Change Services – Roadway, Highway, and Transit Projects, San Francisco Peninsula, CA
SamTrans, CalTrain, and Peninsula Joint Powers Board
Role: CEQA/NEPA and Climate Change/GHG Specialists
The public agencies responsible for development and operation of transportation projects on the San Francisco Peninsula, SamTrans, CalTrain, and the Peninsula Joint Powers Board, have commissioned a team to assist them in the environmental review, evaluation, and permitting of new roadway, highway, and transit facilities within their districts. The contract is for on-call services related to CEQA and NEPA compliance, air quality conformity, GHG analysis, climate change issues, regulatory permitting, public outreach, and other environmental services. Ascent is serving as a CEQA/NEPA specialist on the team and is the primary provider of air quality, GHG analysis, and climate change services, as needed.
South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA) Franchise Agreement Summaries
RethinkWaste; South Bayside Waste Management Authority
Role: Prime Consultant, Environmental and Management Assistance
Ascent is assisting SBWMA with summarizing its member agencies’ collection services franchise agreements. Ascent is working closely with RethinkWaste on drafting, reviewing, and finalizing the franchise agreement summary documents. Ascent is also assisting RethinkWaste staff with conducting workshops to present the summaries to member agency staff and other interested parties.
Lawson’s Landing Master Plan EIR, Marin County*
County of Marin, Community Development Agency
Role: Principal-in-Charge/Strategic Direction/Project Management/Technical Input
The owners of Lawson’s Landing, a privately-owned campground and recreational day-use facility, proposed the implementation of a master plan that would guide future development activities and operations over a 20-year horizon period. The project site is located adjacent to Bodega and Tomales Bays and south of the village of Dillon Beach in northwestern Marin County. Key environmental issues include disposal and treatment of wastewater in a coastal dune setting, potential water quality impacts related to wastewater treatment and disposal, effects on dune ecology related to dune stabilization for construction of the proposed septic fields and from human disturbance, geologic hazards, and effects on cultural resources.
Western Regional Landfill Capacity Enhancement Project EIR, Placer County*
Western Placer Waste Management Authority
Role: Principal-in-Charge/Strategic Direction
The capacity of Western Regional Sanitary Landfill and Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) were proposed to be enhanced by increasing tonnage limits by 50 percent and peak vehicle trips to the MRF, expanding the MRF building and composting operations, increasing operating hours, and other actions. Because of opposition by adjacent property owners, the EIR required thorough analysis and documentation of all potential issues and a detailed administrative record. Key issues included traffic, air quality, water quality, potential for odors, and aesthetic impacts.
El Dorado County General Plan EIR, El Dorado County*
County of El Dorado, Planning Department
Role: Principal-in-Charge/Strategic Direction/Project Management/Technical Input
The County was stopped in several attempts to update its General Plan by community opposition and lawsuits. To overcome this situation, support was provided for development of general plan policies and an EIR addressing land use over a 1,000,000-acre area. Water availability was scarce; traffic analyses had to recognize a locally-passed traffic control measure; and the biological resources assessment needed to recognize various bio-zones and the Gabbro soils formation with its numerous rare plants. Other key issues included infrastructure, services, water quality/septic systems, land use, and growth.
Owens Lake Revised Moat and Row Supplemental EIR, Inyo County*
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Role: Principal-in-Charge/Strategic Direction/Project Management/Technical Input
The Supplemental EIR was prepared for changes to an approved dust control measure on Owens Lake known as Moat and Row. The Moat and Row dust control measure consists of trenches (moats) designed to capture soil particles, and adjacent mounds (rows) of compacted soil designed to disrupt air flow and eliminate dust emissions during wind events. This was proposed on 3.5 square miles of Owens Lake as a waterless means of controlling dust to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for airborne particulate matter (PM10). Key environmental issues include air quality, biological resources (snowy plover), and visual resources.
