Experience > State Government
Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX) Plastic Pipe Second Revised Draft EIR
Remy Thomas Moose and Manley/Building Standards Commission
Role: Prime Consultant, EIR Preparation
Ascent prepared the second revised draft environmental impact report (EIR) to assist the California Building Standards Commission with making a decision on allowing PEX plastic pipe for domestic water applications into the California Plumbing Code. The revised draft EIR addressed direction by the court, following review of a previous EIR, to address additional potential health risks, taste and odor impacts, and the possibility of premature pipe failure. The revised draft EIR has been circulated for additional public review.
Environmental Services for California State Prison Facilities, Various Contracts (1987-present), California Statewide*
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
Role: Principal-in-Charge/Strategic Direction/Project Management/Technical Input
EIRs, Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP), Mitigated Negative Declarations, and/or Categorical Exemptions were prepared for projects at 35 locations throughout all parts of California, from Crescent City in the northwest, Susanville in the northeast, San Diego in the southwest, and Calipatria in southeast—and a multitude of points in between. Projects included the Statewide (29 Prisons) Electrified Fence EIR and HCP, EIRs for new or expanded prisons in Del Norte, Lassen, Marin (San Quentin), Solano, San Joaquin, Kings, Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, and Imperial counties. Other projects included EIRs or MNDs for infrastructure including wastewater and water treatment plants and flood control facilities. As many as 6 EIRs were prepared simultaneously under tight (8 month or less) schedules.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Regulation EIR, California Statewide*
State Water Resources Control Board
Role: Principal-in-Charge/Strategic Direction
Legislation (AB 885) was passed in 2000 in response to incidences of water contamination from septic systems. AB 885 required development of a unified set of state regulations for OWTS. In addition to helping State Water Board staff indentify the effectiveness of different potential regulations, the EIR addressed water quality, biological resources, and land use. The EIR focused on the various bioregions of the state, as well as primary watersheds. An economic impact analysis was also completed.
Santa Clara Gardens Development Project EIR, Santa Clara County*
California Department of General Services, Real Estate Services Division
Role: Principal-in-Charge/Project Management/Technical Input
The State proposed to sell surplus land for a single-family and senior housing development on one of the last undeveloped infill parcels in the City of Santa Clara. The property is the site of the former Bay Area Research and Experiment Center (BAREC) facility operated from 1952 – 2002. Past agricultural research use resulted in soil contamination. Key environmental issues included conversion of Prime Farmland, cleanup of hazardous materials, traffic impacts on the surrounding neighborhood (i.e., cut-through traffic and parking), nighttime lighting and glare, and historic resources. Project opponents filed CEQA litigation; the EIR was upheld and the lawsuit was dismissed by Superior Court.
California Health Care Facilities Environmental Services, California Statewide*
California Prison Receivership Corporation/URS-BVLL Joint Venture
Role: Principal-in-Charge/Strategic Direction/Project Management/Technical Input
Federal court orders placed California’s prison health care under a federal receivership. Work completed for the contract included environmental constraints analyses for 9 potential project sites, and EIRs for sites in Stockton, San Diego, and Vacaville (in process). The EIRs were completed in approximately 10 months for the Stockton and San Diego sites, despite local community controversy, especially on the Stockton site. Key issues included public services, constrained water supplies, traffic, biological resources, agricultural land conversion, cumulative effects, and growth.
Environmental, Biological, and Cultural Resources On-Call Contracts, Northern and Southern California*
California Department of General Services, Real Estate Services Division
Role: Principal-in-Charge/Project Management/Technical Input
Department of General Services, Real Estate Services Division (RESD) regularly seeks assistance on environmental studies and compliance for state facilities in both Northern and Southern California. Over 40 assignments have been carried out, including CEQA negative declarations, biological and cultural resource assessments, wetland delineations, and other technical studies, for CAL FIRE stations, California Highway Patrol stations, Department of Food and Agriculture inspection facilities, state mental hospitals, veterans homes, and other facilities.
