HomeMy WebLinkAboutC-4050 - PSA for On-Call Environmental Consulting Services Associated with the Newport Beach Local Coastal Program (LCP)T__
AMENDMENTNO. 1
TO
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
CHAMBERS GROUP, INC. FOR ON-CALL
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEWPORT BEACH
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM
THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT, is
entered into as of this 10th day of June, 2009, by and between the CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH, a Municipal Corporation ("CITY"), and CHAMBERS GROUP, INC.
a California Corporation whose address is 17671 Cowan, Suite 100, Irvine, California,
92614 ("CONSULTANT"), and is made with reference to the following:
RECITALS:
A. On June 6, 2008, CITY and CONSULTANT entered into a Professional Services
Agreement, hereinafter referred to as "AGREEMENT", for on-call environmental
consulting services for the Newport Beach Local Coastal Program, hereinafter
referred to as "PROJECT".
B. CITY desires to enter into this AMENDMENT NO. 1 to extend the term of the
AGREEMENT to June 30, 2010.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed by and between the undersigned parties as
follows:
1. The term of the AGREEMENT shall be extended to June 30, 2010.
2. Except as expressly modified herein, all other provisions, terms, and covenants
set forth in AGREEMENT shall remain unchanged and shall be in full force and
effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this AMENDMENT NO. 1
on the date first above written.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY:
C - /
Aaro Harp, Assistantl dty Attorney
for the City of Newport Beach
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH,
A Municipal Corporation
6y:
Omer Blu au, ity Manager
for the City of Newport Beach
ATTEST:
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By:
Leilani Brown,
City Clerk
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CONSULTANT:
By: 21
(Corporate Officer)
Title: T
Print Name:/\� C'
By: /�
(Financial Offic
Title: C -f 0
Print Name: M G(Z4 L-
C:\Documents and Settings\jcampbell\Desktop\Biological consultants\PSA Amendment #1.docx
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CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. -14
June 9, 2009
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Planning Department..,
James Campbell, Principal Planner
(949) 644-3210 icampbell(a)_city.newport-beach.ca.us
SUBJECT: Amendment No. 1 to Professional Services Agreement for Environmental
Consulting Services related to the Local Coastal Program (LCP).
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment extending the term of a
Professional Services Agreement with the Chambers Group for environmental
consulting for the Local Coastal Program.
DISCUSSION
On May 27, 2008, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a Professional
Services Agreement (PSA) for on-call consulting services not to exceed $65,000 with the
Chambers Group for work necessary to implement the Coastal Land Use Plan and the
Zoning Code. The PSA was executed on June 6, 2008 and expires on June 30, 2009. The
area of focus was Buck Gully, Morning Canyon and coastal bluffs citywide and the work
has not yet been completed. The survey work remains necessary and the agreement
needs to be extended in order to complete the work. The proposed amendment only
extends the term of the agreement one year, which will be sufficient to complete the
needed work.
Environmental Review: The City Council's approval of this Agenda Item does not
require environmental review as it is not defined as a project and the authorization of
this PSA will not result in a physical change to the environment.
Public Notice: This agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours
in advance of the public meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
Funding Availability_ Funds for this agreement were encumbered from the 2008
budget.
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ATTACHMENTS
Submitted by:
David Lepo, PlanOIg Director
1. Amendment No. 1 to Professional Services Agreement
zl-
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
CHAMBERS GROUP, INC. FOR ON-CALL
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEWPORT BEACH
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM
THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT, is
entered into as of this 10th day of June, 2009, by and between the CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH, a Municipal Corporation ("CITY"), and CHAMBERS GROUP, INC.
a California Corporation whose address is 17671 Cowan, Suite 100, Irvine, California,
92614 ("CONSULTANT"), and is made with reference to the following:
RECITALS:
A. On June 6, 2008, CITY and CONSULTANT entered into a Professional Services
Agreement, hereinafter referred to as "AGREEMENT", for on-call environmental
consulting services for the Newport Beach Local Coastal Program, hereinafter
referred to as "PROJECT".
B. CITY desires to enter into this AMENDMENT NO. 1 to extend the term of the
AGREEMENT to June 30, 2010.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed by and between the undersigned parties as
follows:
1. The term of the AGREEMENT shall be extended to June 30, 2010.
2. Except as expressly modified herein, all other provisions, terms, and covenants
set forth in AGREEMENT shall remain unchanged and shall be in full force and
effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this AMENDMENT NO. 1
on the date first above written.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY:
AAaro Attorney
for the City of Newport Beach
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH,
A Municipal Corporation
Homer Bludau, City Manager
for the City of Newport Beach
ATTEST:
Leilani Brown,
City Clerk
"
CONSULTANT:
By:
(Corporate Officer)
Title:
Print Name:
By:
(Financial Officer)
Title:
Print Name:
C:\Documents and Settings\] mpbell\Desktop\Biological consultants\PSA Amendment #1.docx
0 (2-4050
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
CHAMBERS GROUP, INC. FOR ON -CALL
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEWPORT BEACH LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM
THIS A GREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 6"- day of JW14 —
200by and between the CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, a Municipal Corporation
( "City"), and CHAMBERS GROUP, INC. a California Corporation whose address is 17671
Cowan, Suite 100, Irvine, California, 92614 ( "Consultant"), and is made with reference to
the following:
RECITALS
A. City is a municipal corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of
the State of California with the power to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted under the statutes of the State of California and the Charter of City.
B. City is preparing development policy and regulations for areas of the City that may
contain environmentally sensitive habitats in conjunction with the implementation of
the City's Local Coastal Program.
C. City desires to engage Consultant to provide on -call environmental consulting
services throughout the City on an as need basis related to the City's Local Coastal
Program ( "Project").
D. Consultant possesses the skill, experience, ability, background, certification and
knowledge to provide the services described in this Agreement.
E. The principal member of Consultant for purposes of Project, shall be Paul Morrissey.
City has solicited and received a proposal from Consultant, has reviewed the
previous experience and evaluated the expertise of Consultant, and desires to retain
Consultant to render professional services under the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed by and between the undersigned Parties as
follows:
TERM
The term of this Agreement shall commence on the above written date, and shall
terminate on the 30th day of June, 2009, unless terminated earlier as set forth herein.
2. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Consultant shall provide "On -Call" environmental consulting services as described in
the Statement of Qualifications attached as Exhibit "A." Upon verbal or written
request from the Project Administrator, Consultant shall provide a letter proposal for
services requested by the City (hereinafter referred to as the "Letter Proposal ").
The Letter Proposal shall include the following:
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A. A detailed description of the services to be provided;
B. The position of each person to be assigned to perform the services, and the
name of the individuals to be assigned, if available;
C. The estimated number of hours and cost to complete the services; and
D. The time needed to finish the specific project.
No services shall be provided until the Project Administrator has provided written
acceptance of the Letter Proposal. Once authorized to proceed, Consultant shall
diligently perform the duties in the approved Letter Proposal.
3. TIME OF PERFORMANCE
Time is of the essence in the performance of services under this Agreement and the
services shall be performed to completion in a diligent and timely manner. The
failure by Consultant to perform the services in a diligent and timely manner may
result in termination of this Agreement by City.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Consultant shall not be responsible for delays due to
causes beyond Consultant's reasonable control. However, in the case of any such
delay in the services to be provided for the Project, each party hereby agrees to
provide notice to the other party so that all delays can be addressed.
3.1 Consultant shall submit all requests for extensions of time for performance in
writing to the Project Administrator not later than ten (10) calendar days after
the start of the condition that purportedly causes a delay. The Project
Administrator shall review all such requests and may grant reasonable time
extensions for unforeseeable delays that are beyond Consultant's control.
3.2 For all time periods not specifically set forth herein, Consultant shall respond
in the most expedient and appropriate manner under the circumstances, by
either telephone, fax, hand - delivery or mail.
4. COMPENSATION TO CONSULTANT
City shall pay Consultant for the services on a time and expense not -to -exceed basis
in accordance with the provisions of this Section and the Schedule of Billing Rates
within Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference. Consultant's compensation for
services performed in accordance with this Agreement, including all reimbursable
items and subconsultant fees, shall not exceed the fees identified in the Letter
Proposal, as approved by the Project Administrator. Any Letter Proposal that sets
forth fees in excess of Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars and no 1100 ($65,000.00) shall
require a separate Professional Service Agreement approved by per Council Policy F-
14 without prior written authorization from City. No billing rate changes shall be
made during the term of this Agreement without the prior written approval of City.
4.1 Consultant shall submit monthly invoices to City describing the work
performed the preceding month. Consultant's bills shall include the name of
the person and /or classification of employee who performed the work, a brief
description of the services performed and/or the specific task in the letter
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proposal to which it relates, the date the services were performed, the
number of hours spent on all work billed on an hourly basis, and a description
of any reimbursable expenditures. City shall pay Consultant no later than
thirty (30) days after approval of the monthly invoice by City staff.
4.2 City shall reimburse Consultant only for those costs or expenses specifically
approved in the Letter Proposal. Unless otherwise approved, such costs shall
be limited and include nothing more than the following costs incurred by
Consultant:
A. The actual costs of subconsultants for performance of any of the
services that Consultant agrees to render pursuant to this Agreement
and the Letter Proposal, which have been approved in advance by City
and awarded in accordance with this Agreement.
B. Approved reproduction charges.
C. Actual costs and /or other costs and /or payments specifically
authorized in advance in writing and incurred by Consultant in the
performance of this Agreement.
4.3 Consultant shall not receive any compensation for Extra Work without the
prior written authorization of City. As used herein, "Extra Work" means any
work that is determined by City to be necessary for the proper completion of
the Project, but which is not included within the Letter Proposal and which the
parties did not reasonably anticipate would be necessary. Compensation for
any authorized Extra Work shall be paid in accordance with the Schedule of
Billing Rates set forth in Exhibit A.
5. PROJECT MANAGER
Consultant shall designate a Project Manager, who shall coordinate all phases of the
Project. This Project Manager shall be available to City at all reasonable times
during the Agreement term. Consultant has designated Dr. Noel Davis to be its
Project Manager. Consultant shall not remove or reassign the Project Manager or
any personnel listed in Exhibit A or assign any new or replacement personnel to the
Project without the prior written consent of City. City's approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld with respect to the removal or assignment of non -key
personnel.
Consultant, at the sole discretion of City, shall remove from the Project any of its
personnel assigned to the performance of services upon written request of City.
Consultant warrants that it will continuously furnish the necessary personnel to
complete the Project on a timely basis as contemplated by this Agreement.
S. ADMINISTRATION
This Agreement will be administered by the Planning Department. David Lepo,
Planning Director shall be the Project Administrator and shall have the authority to
act for City under this Agreement. The Project Administrator or his /her authorized
representative shall represent City in all matters pertaining to the services to be
rendered pursuant to this Agreement.
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CITY'S RESPONSIBILITIES
In order to assist Consultant in the execution of its responsibilities under this
Agreement, City agrees to, where applicable:
A. Provide access to, and upon request of Consultant, one copy of all existing
relevant information on file at City. City will provide all such materials in a
timely manner so as not to cause delays in Consultant's work schedule.
STANDARD OF CARE
8.1 All of the services shall be performed by Consultant or under Consultant's
supervision. Consultant represents that it possesses the professional and
technical personnel required to perform the services required by this
Agreement, and that it will perform all services in a manner commensurate
with community professional standards. All services shall be performed by
qualified and experienced personnel who are not employed by City, nor have
any contractual relationship with City. By delivery of completed work,
Consultant certifies that the work conforms to the requirements of this
Agreement and all applicable federal, state and local laws and the
professional standard of care.
8.2 Consultant represents and warrants to City that it has or shall obtain all
licenses, permits, qualifications, insurance and approvals of whatsoever
nature that are legally required of Consultant to practice its profession.
Consultant further represents and warrants to City that Consultant shall, at its
sole cost and expense, keep in effect or obtain at all times during the term of
this Agreement, any and all licenses, permits, insurance and other approvals
that are legally required of Consultant to practice its profession. Consultant
shall maintain a City of Newport Beach business license during the term of
this Agreement.
8.3 Consultant shall not be responsible for delay, nor shall Consultant be
responsible for damages or be in default or deemed to be in default by reason
of strikes, lockouts, accidents, or acts of God, or the failure of City to furnish
timely information or to approve or disapprove Consultant's work promptly, or
delay or faulty performance by City, contractors, or governmental agencies.
HOLD HARMLESS
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Consultant shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless City, its City Council, boards and commissions, officers, agents and
employees (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties ") from and against any and all
claims (including, without limitation, claims for bodily injury, death or damage to
property), demands, obligations, damages, actions, causes of action, suits, losses,
judgments, fines, penalties, liabilities, costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, attorney's fees, disbursements and court costs) of every kind and nature
whatsoever (individually, a Claim; collectively, "Claims "), which may arise from or in
any manner relate (directly or indirectly) to any work performed or services provided
under this Agreement including, without limitation, defects in workmanship or
materials or Consultant's presence or activities conducted on the Project (including
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the negligent and /or willful acts, errors and /or omissions of Consultant, its principals,
officers, agents, employees, vendors, suppliers, consultants, subcontractors, anyone
employed directly or indirectly by any of them or for whose acts they may be liable or
any or all of them).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall be construed to require
Consultant to indemnify the Indemnified Parties from any Claim arising from the sole
negligence or willful misconduct of the Indemnified Parties. Nothing in this indemnity
shall be construed as authorizing any award of attorney's fees in any action on or to
enforce the terms of this Agreement. This indemnity shall apply to all claims and
liability regardless of whether any insurance policies are applicable. The policy limits
do not act as a limitation upon the amount of indemnification to be provided by the
Consultant.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
It is understood that City retains Consultant on an independent contractor basis and
Consultant is not an agent or employee of City. The manner and means of
conducting the work are under the control of Consultant, except to the extent they
are limited by statute, rule or regulation and the expressed terms of this Agreement.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute approval for Consultant or
any of Consultant's employees or agents, to be the agents or employees of City.
Consultant shall have the responsibility for and control over the means of performing
the work, provided that Consultant is in compliance with the terms of this Agreement.
Anything in this Agreement that may appear to give City the right to direct
Consultant as to the details of the performance or to exercise a measure of control
over Consultant shall mean only that Consultant shall follow the desires of City with
respect to the results of the services.
COOPERATION
Consultant agrees to work closely and cooperate fully with City's designated Project
Administrator and any other agencies that may have jurisdiction or interest in the
work to be performed. City agrees to cooperate with the Consultant on the Project.
CITY POLICY
Consultant shall discuss and review all matters relating to policy and Project direction
with City's Project Administrator in advance of all critical decision points in order to
ensure the Project proceeds in a manner consistent with City goals and policies.
PROGRESS
Consultant is responsible for keeping the Project
authorized designee informed on a regular basis
of the Project, activities performed and planned,
scheduled or are desired.
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Administrator and /or his /her duly
regarding the status and progress
and any meetings that have been
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14. INSURANCE
Without limiting Consultant's indemnification of City, and prior to commencement of
work, Consultant shall obtain, provide and maintain at its own expense during the
term of this Agreement, a policy or policies of liability insurance of the type and
amounts described below and in a form satisfactory to City.
A. Certificates of Insurance. Consultant shall provide certificates of insurance
with original endorsements to City as evidence of the insurance coverage
required herein. Insurance certificates must be approved by City's Risk
Manager prior to commencement of performance or issuance of any permit.
Current certification of insurance shall be kept on file with City at all times
during the term of this Agreement.
B. Signature. A person authorized by the insurer to bind coverage on its behalf
shall sign certification of all required policies.
C. Acceptable Insurers. All insurance policies shall be issued by an insurance
company currently authorized by the Insurance Commissioner to transact
business of insurance in the State of California, with an assigned
policyholders' Rating of A (or higher) and Financial Size Category Class VII
(or larger) in accordance with the latest edition of Best's Key Rating Guide,
unless otherwise approved by the City's Risk Manager.
D. Coverage Reguirements.
Workers' Compensation Coverage. Consultant shall maintain
Workers' Compensation Insurance and Employer's Liability Insurance
for his or her employees in accordance with the laws of the State of
California. In addition, Consultant shall require each subcontractor to
similarly maintain Workers' Compensation Insurance and Employees
Liability Insurance in accordance with the laws of the State of
California for all of the subcontractor's employees. Any notice of
cancellation or non - renewal of all Workers' Compensation policies
must be received by City at least thirty (30) calendar days (10 calendar
days written notice of non - payment of premium) prior to such change.
The insurer shall agree to waive all rights of subrogation against City,
its officers, agents, employees and volunteers for losses arising from
work performed by Consultant for City.
General Liability Coverage. Consultant shall maintain commercial
general liability insurance in an amount not less than one million
dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury,
and property damage, including without limitation, contractual liability.
If commercial general liability insurance or other form with a general
aggregate limit is used, either the general aggregate limit shall apply
separately to the work to be performed under this Agreement, or the
general aggregate limit shall be at least twice the required occurrence
limit.
Automobile Liability Coverage. Consultant shall maintain automobile
insurance covering bodily injury and property damage for all activities
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of the Consultant arising out of or in connection with work to be
performed under this Agreement, including coverage for any owned,
hired, non -owned or rented vehicles, in an amount not less than one
million dollars ($1,000,000) combined single limit for each occurrence.
4. Professional Errors and Omissions Insurance. Consultant shall
maintain professional errors and omissions insurance, which covers
the services to be performed in connection with this Agreement in the
minimum amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000).
E. Endorsements. Each general liability and automobile liability insurance policy
shall be endorsed with the following specific language:
The City, its elected or appointed officers, officials, employees, agents
and volunteers are to be covered as additional insureds with respect to
liability arising out of work performed by or on behalf of the Consultant.
2. This policy shall be considered primary insurance as respects to City,
its elected or appointed officers, officials, employees, agents and
volunteers as respects to all claims, losses, or liability arising directly
or indirectly from the Consultant's operations or services provided to
City. Any insurance maintained by City, including any self - insured
retention City may have, shall be considered excess insurance only
and not contributory with the insurance provided hereunder.
3. This insurance shall act for each insured and additional insured as
though a separate policy had been written for each, except with
respect to the limits of liability of the insuring company.
4. The insurer waives all rights of subrogation against City, its elected or
appointed officers, officials, employees, agents and volunteers.
5. Any failure to comply with reporting provisions of the policies shall not
affect coverage provided to City, its elected or appointed officers,
officials, employees, agents or volunteers.
6. The insurance provided by this policy shall not be suspended, voided,
canceled, or reduced in coverage or in limits, by either party except
after thirty (30) calendar days (10 calendar days written notice of non-
payment of premium) written notice has been received by City.
F. Timely Notice of Claims. Consultant shall give City prompt and timely notice
of claim made or suit instituted arising out of or resulting from Consultant's
performance under this Agreement.
G. Additional Insurance. Consultant shall also procure and maintain, at its own
cost and expense, any additional kinds of insurance, which in its own
judgment may be necessary for its proper protection and prosecution of the
work.
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15. PROHIBITION AGAINST ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS
Except as specifically authorized under this Agreement, the services to be provided
under this Agreement shall not be assigned, transferred contracted or subcontracted
out without the prior written approval of City. Any of the following shall be construed
as an assignment: The sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of any of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of Consultant, or of the interest of any general
partner or joint venturer or syndicate member or cotenant if Consultant is a
partnership or joint - venture or syndicate or cotenancy, which shall result in changing
the control of Consultant. Control means fifty percent (50 %) or more of the voting
power, or twenty -five percent (25 %) or more of the assets of the corporation,
partnership or joint-venture.
16. SUBCONTRACTING
The parties recognize that a substantial inducement to City for entering into this
Agreement is the professional reputation, experience and competence of Consultant.
Assignments of any or all rights, duties or obligations of the Consultant under this
Agreement will be permitted only with the express written consent of City.
Consultant shall not subcontract any portion of the work to be performed under this
Agreement without the written authorization of City.
17. OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS
Each and every report, draft, map, record, plan, document and other writing
produced (hereinafter "Documents "), prepared or caused to be prepared by
Consultant, its officers, employees, agents and subcontractors, in the course of
implementing this Agreement, shall become the exclusive property of City, and City
shall have the sole right to use such materials in its discretion without further
compensation to Consultant or any other party_ Consultant shall, at Consultant's
expense, provide such Documents to City upon written request.
Documents, including drawings and specifications, prepared by Consultant pursuant
to this Agreement are not intended or represented to be suitable for reuse by City or
others on any other project. Any use of completed Documents for other projects and
any use of incomplete Documents without specific written authorization from
Consultant will be at City's sole risk and without liability to Consultant. Further, any
and all liability arising out of changes made to Consultant's deliverables under this
Agreement by City or persons other than Consultant is waived against Consultant
and City assumes full responsibility for such changes unless City has given
Consultant prior notice and has received from Consultant written consent for such
changes.
18. COMPUTER DELIVERABLES
All written documents shall be transmitted to City in the City's latest adopted version
of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel or other format deemed mutually acceptable.
Should maps of Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas be the result of work
performed pursuant to this Agreement, Consultant shall provide geographic data
sets in a format compatible with the City's Geographic Information System.
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19. CONFIDENTIALITY
All Documents, including drafts, preliminary drawings or plans, notes and
communications that result from the services in this Agreement, shall be kept
confidential unless City authorizes the release of information.
21. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INDEMNITY
The Consultant shall defend and indemnify City, its agents, officers, representatives
and employees against liability, including costs, for infringement of any United
States' letters patent, trademark, or copyright infringement, including costs,
contained in Consultant's drawings and specifications provided under this
Agreement.
21. RECORDS
Consultant shall keep records and invoices in connection with the work to be
performed under this Agreement. Consultant shall maintain complete and accurate
records with respect to the costs incurred under this Agreement and any services,
expenditures and disbursements charged to City, for a minimum period of three (3)
years, or for any longer period required by law, from the date of final payment to
Consultant under this Agreement. All such records shall be clearly identifiable.
Consultant shall allow a representative of City to examine, audit and make
transcripts or copies of such records during regular business hours. Consultant shall
allow inspection of all work, data, Documents, proceedings and activities related to
the Agreement for a period of three (3) years from the date of final payment under
this Agreement.
22. WITHHOLDINGS
City may withhold payment of any disputed sums until satisfaction of the dispute with
respect to such payment. Such withholding shall not be deemed to constitute a
failure to pay according to the terms of this Agreement. Consultant shall not
discontinue work as a result of such withholding. Consultant shall have an
immediate right to appeal to the City Manager or his /her designee with respect to
such disputed sums. Consultant shall be entitled to receive interest on any withheld
sums at the rate of return that City earned on its investments during the time period,
from the date of withholding of any amounts found to have been improperly withheld.
23. ERRORS AND OMISSIONS
In the event of errors or omissions that are due to the negligence or professional
inexperience of Consultant which result in expense to City greater than what would
have resulted if there were not errors or omissions in the work accomplished by
Consultant, the additional design, construction and /or restoration expense shall be
bome by Consultant. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to limit Citys rights under
the law or any other sections of this Agreement.
24. CITY'S RIGHT TO EMPLOY OTHER CONSULTANTS
City reserves the right to employ other Consultants in connection with the Project.
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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Consultant or its employees may be subject to the provisions of the California
Political Reform Act of 1974 (the "Act'), which (1) requires such persons to disclose
any financial interest that may foreseeably be materially affected by the work
performed under this Agreement, and (2) prohibits such persons from making, or
participating in making, decisions that will foreseeably financially affect such interest.
If subject to the Act, Consultant shall conform to all requirements of the Act. Failure
to do so constitutes a material breach and is grounds for termination of this
Agreement by City. Consultant shall indemnify and hold harmless City for any and
all claims for damages resulting from Consultant's violation of this Section.
NOTICES
All notices, demands, requests or approvals to be given under the terms of this
Agreement shall be given in writing, and conclusively shall be deemed served when
delivered personally, or on the third business day after the deposit thereof in the
United States mail, postage prepaid, first -class mail, addressed as hereinafter
provided. All notices, demands, requests or approvals from Consultant to City shall
be addressed to City at:
All notices, demands, requests or
approvals from Consultant to City
shall be addressed to City at:
David Lepo, Planning Director
Planning Department
City of Newport Beach
3300 Newport Boulevard
Newport Beach, CA, 92663
Phone: 949 - 6443200
Fax: 949 - 6443229
TERMINATION
All notices, demands, requests or
approvals from CITY to Consultant shall
be addressed to Consultant at:
Dr. Noel Davis
Chambers Group, Inc.
17671 Cowan
Irvine, CA 92614 -6009
Phone: 949 - 261 -5414
Fax: 949 - 261 -8950
In the event that either party fails or refuses to perform any of the provisions of this
Agreement at the time and in the manner required, that party shall be deemed in
default in the performance of this Agreement. If such default is not cured within a
period of two (2) calendar days, or if more than two (2) calendar days are reasonably
required to cure the default and the defaulting party fails to give adequate assurance
of due performance within two (2) calendar days after receipt of written notice of
default, specifying the nature of such default and the steps necessary to cure such
default, the non - defaulting party may terminate the Agreement forthwith by giving to
the defaulting party written notice thereof.
Notwithstanding the above provisions, City shall have the right, at its sole discretion
and without cause, of terminating this Agreement at any time by giving seven (7)
calendar days prior written notice to Consultant. In the event of termination under
this Section, City shall pay Consultant for services performed and costs incurred up
to the effective date of termination for which Consultant has not been previously
10
• •
paid. On the effective date of termination, Consultant shall deliver to City all reports,
Documents and other information developed or accumulated in the performance of
this Agreement, whether in draft or final form.
28. COMPLIANCE WITH ALL LAWS
Consultant shall at its own cost and expense comply with all statutes, ordinances,
regulations and requirements of all governmental entities, including federal, state,
county or municipal, whether now in force or hereinafter enacted. In addition, all
work prepared by Consultant shall conform to applicable City, county, state and
federal laws, regulations and permit requirements and be subject to approval of the
Project Administrator and City.
29. WAIVER
A waiver by either party of any breach, of any term, covenant or condition contained
herein shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or
any other term, covenant or condition contained herein, whether of the same or a
different character.
30. INTEGRATED CONTRACT
This Agreement represents the full and complete understanding of every kind or
nature whatsoever between the parties hereto, and all preliminary negotiations and
agreements of whatsoever kind or nature are merged herein. No verbal agreement
or implied covenant shall be held to vary the provisions herein.
31. CONFLICTS OR INCONSISTENCIES
In the event there are any conflicts or inconsistencies between this Agreement and
the Scope of Services or any other attachments attached hereto, the terms of this
Agreement shall govern.
32. INTERPRETATION
The terms of this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the meaning of
the language used and shall not be construed for or against either party by reason of
the authorship of the Agreement or any other rule of construction which might
otherwise apply.
33. AMENDMENTS
This Agreement may be modified or amended only by a written document executed
by both Consultant and City and approved as to form by the City Attorney.
34. SEVERABILITY
If any term or portion of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or otherwise
unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of
this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
35. CONTROLLING LAW AND VENUE
The laws of the State of California shall govern this Agreement and all matters
relating to it and any action brought relating to this Agreement shall be adjudicated in
a court of competent jurisdiction in the County of Orange.
36. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
Consultant represents that it is an equal opportunity employer and it shall not
discriminate against any subcontractor, employee or applicant for employment
because of race, religion, color, national origin, handicap, ancestry, sex or age.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on the
day and year first written above.
APP VED AS TO FORM:
Gam_ C
Aaron Harp, Assistant City Attorney
for the City of Newport Beach
ATTEST:
By
LaVonne Harkless,
City Clerk
Attachments
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH,
A Municipal Corporation
By: '0�.
omer Bludau, eity Manager
for the City of Newport Beach
CONSULTANT:
By:
(Cfor rate fficer)
Title: ,.0 6, ���
► %--I _ ,.
Print Name:
Exhibit A — Scope of Services & Billing Rates
17-174
F:\users\cat\shared\ContractTemplatesPublishedonlntranet\FORM — Professional Service
Agreement.doc
Rev: 05-02-07
•
echambers Group$
saving Erw.aN,re✓ l ch -U."s
17671 Cowan Avenue, Suite 100
Irvine, California 92614
949 • 261 -5414 tel
949 • 261 -8950 fax
Mr. Jim Campbell
City of Newport Beach
3300 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
wxh;�,4 A
May 20, 2008
Subject: Proposal for On -Call Environmental Services Related to the City of Newport
Beach's Local Coastal Program Implementation
Dear Mr. Campbell:
Chambers Group, Inc. is pleased to submit this proposal to the City of Newport Beach per your request for
on -call environmental support services and most importantly to demonstrate our extensive experience
with environmental documentation and permitting services for municipality projects within southern
California.
Chambers Group, a California corporation, was established in 1978 to provide high - quality environmental
consulting services to government agencies, private businesses, and industry. We have extensive
experience in conducting environmental assessments and procuring regulatory permits for a variety of
clients.
Chambers Group intends to perform the contract as the prime contractor. Dr. Noel Davis has been
selected as your program manager for this contract. Dr. Davis has over 30 years experience consulting on
coastal issues in southern California. She has expertise in marine biology, seabirds and shorebirds,
ocean water quality, and coastal wetlands. She assisted the City of Newport Beach with its update of the
biological elements of its Local Coastal Plan. Dr. Davis has over 10 years experience dealing with the
California Coastal Commission. She has prepared applications or assisted in the preparation of
applications to the Coastal Commission for Coastal Development Permits for a variety of projects
including refurbishment of the Coast Guard Station in Newport Harbor, the Newport Back Bay Slope
Stabilization Project, maintenance of flood control channel ocean outlets in Orange County, Marina Harbor
Apartments and Anchorage apartment and dock renovations, removal of invasive vegetation from San
Diego Creek, pipeline maintenance in the Boise Chica wetlands, and the San Juan Creek Bike Trail
Project. For the last several years she has been assisting the Municipal Water District of Orange County
with strategy and technical issues for permitting, including a Coastal Development Permit from the Coastal
Commission, related to planning for a desalination facility in Dana Point. Recently, she assisted BreitBurn
Management Company with a Coastal Act Violation related to fill in wetlands to repair a pipeline on the
Bixby Property in the Los Cerritos wetlands. Dr. Davis is a member of the Los Angeles County
Environmental Review Board which determines whether proposed developments in the Santa Monica
Mountains are consistent with the policies of the Malibu Local Coastal Plan. In addition, she has been the
project manager for a variety of coastal related CEQA and NEPA documents including an IS /MND for the
Seal Beach Groin Rehabilitation Project, an IS /MND for the Huntington Beach Wetlands Restoration
Project, an IS /MND and EA for the Solstice Creek Steelhead Restoration Project, an EIR For the Goleta
Beach County Park Long Term Protection Plan, and the EIR/EIS for the Boise Chica Lowlands
Restoration project She has served as an expert witness for a lawsuit related to maintenance of a
drainage channel, for an arbitration hearing with the California Department of Fish and Game over a
Streambed Alteration Agreement for a proposed golf course in Big Tijunga Wash, and for the defense for
the Montrose Natural Resources Damage Assessment lawsuit.
IRVINE • REDLANDS + SAN DIEGO • BAKERSFIELD + RENO
www.chambemgroul3ine.com
Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)
June 6, 2008
Page 2
Chambers Group is prepared to accommodate scheduling demands under short notice. We will provide a
schedule, and will be prepared for a kickoff meeting immediately upon Notice to Proceed for issued task
orders.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this proposal. Should have you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me at (949) 261 -5414 or Dr. Noel Davis at (949) 261 -5414.
Sincerely,
CHAMBERS GROUP, INC.
John E Webb
Vice President Sales and Marketing
• 0
ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Proposal for On -Call Environmental Services
Related to the City of Newport Beach's
Local Coastal Program Implementation
Prepared for
City of Newport Beach
3300 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Prepared by:
CHAMBERS GROUP, INC.
17671 Cowan Avenue, Suite 100
Irvine, California 92614
(949 ) 261 -5414
MAY 2008
This Proposal was prepared by Chambers Group solely for your internal use in evaluating Chambers Group's business
qualifications and deciding whether or not to contract with Chambers Group to perform the services described in this
proposal. Chambers Group considers the pricing and other business information the property of Chambers Group. YhIS'
Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise a Small Business Enterprise
• ON -CALL ENVIRONAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
SECTION 2.0 - TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION
SECTION 1.0 - COVER LETTER
PAGE
1 -1
SECTION 2.0 - TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................... ............................... 2 -1
SECTION 3.0 - COMPANY QUALIFICATIONS ......................................................... ............................... 3 -1
SECTION 4.0 - QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE ........................................... ............................... 4 -1
SECTION 5.0 - STANDARD SERVICES AND WORK PLANS
5 -1
SECTION 6.0 - ADDITIONAL DATA .......................................................................... ............................... 6 -1
SECTION 7.0 - STANDARD FEE SCHEDULE ......................................................... ............................... 7 -1
APPENDIX A- RESUMES
Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise
0 i
ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
SECTION 3.0 - COMPANY QUALIFICATIONS
Comoanv Profile
Chambers Group, Inc. (Chambers Group), a certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise and Small
Business Enterprise, is pleased to submit our Proposal to the Los Angeles County Department of Public
Works for the As- Needed Environmental Documentation and Regulatory Permit Consultant Services.
Chambers Group, a California corporation, has been providing environmental planning, regulatory
permitting, biological resources, cultural resources, and related services for three decades. Chambers
Group provides interdisciplinary environmental consulting services to government agencies, private
business, and industry. We are headquartered in Irvine, with regional offices in San Diego and Redlands,
California and Reno, Nevada.
We assist Clients to comply with applicable federal, state, and/or local environmental laws, regulations,
and/or guidelines. Our professionals have extensive expertise in complying with the CEQA/NEPA,
Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Archaeological Resources
Protection Act (ARPA), Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Water Act, and Clean Air Act.
Chambers Group specializes in providing the following environmental services:
Environmental Documentation: Chambers Group's environmental planners have extensive experience
providing CEQA/NEPA compliance services. Chambers Group has successfully prepared thousands of
environmental and planning reports, documents and studies in compliance with these and other
regulations, including EIR/IS /ND/MND and EIS /EA/CATEX/FONSI documents.
Regulatory Permitting: Chambers Group prepares and submits permit application packages and all
requisite support documentation to acquire applicable regulatory permits (including a USACE Clean Water
Act Section 404 permit, CDFG Section 1602 Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement, and Regional
Water Quality Control Board [RWQCBj Section 401 Water Quality Certification). Chambers Group assists
with resource agency coordination to expedite the acquisition of the necessary regulatory permits.
Biological Resources: Chambers Group biologists provide presence/absence surveys, evaluation of
habitats, wildlife corridor analysis, and analysis of population parameters. Our team members hold
specific USFWS & CDFG permits to work with sensitive wildlife species and have worked with species
such as the desert tortoise, least Bell's vireo, Santa Ana sucker, southern rubber boa, San Bernardino
kangaroo rat, Mojave ground squirrel, coastal California gnatcatcher, southwestern willow flycatcher, fairy
shrimp, quino checkerspot butterfly, western burrowing owl, arroyo toad, fairy shrimp and others. We also
offer coordination with wildlife agencies and assist in a full range of consultation services under the federal
and state endangered species acts. Our staff provides assistance with formal consultations with the
USFWS pursuant to Section 7 of the ESA and associated Biological Assessments. We also assist clients
in fulfilling the requirements of the Endangered Species Act, NCCP, Clean Water ACT and Migratory Bird
Treaty Act.
Jurisdictional Delineations: Chambers Group biologists examine each project site to determine the
potential presence or absence of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ( USACE) jurisdiction pursuant to Section
404 of the Clean Water Act and California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) jurisdiction pursuant to
Section 1602 of the Califomia Fish and Game Code. Chambers Group biologists delineate the limits of
USACE and CDFG regulatory jurisdiction and prepare draft and final jurisdictional delineation reports
documenting the findings of the delineation survey, as necessary.
Mitigation Monitoring and Environmental Training: Chambers Group has provided mitigation
monitoring services for over twenty years. These services include mitigation monitoring plans,
coordination with agencies to determine specific responsibilities for various program elements,
preconstruction surveys for sensitive species, onsite monitoring to assure compliance, and post-
Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise 3 -1
0 0
ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
construction documentation of compliance with the plan. We also review proposed and existing plans to
measure their effectiveness against their original intent. Our staff works closely with clients during project
construction to assure that mitigation monitoring and permit compliance are conducted efficiently without
disrupting construction schedules. We can provide the mitigation- monitoring plan in conjunction with an
EIR or as a separate document. Chambers Group works with construction crews to train them on the
avoidance of sensitive resources in the project area of impact.
Restoration Ecology and Revegetation: Revegetation of graded sites is a difficult and specialized
activity that requires a detailed understanding of the ecology of native vegetation and soil organisms.
Chambers Group is uniquely qualified in this regard. Our restoration ecology team leader has a broad
background in academic research and practical experience. He introduced several innovative restoration
techniques in common use today, including land imprinting and mycorrhizal inoculation, which he
developed over the past twenty years. The Chambers Group restoration team Consequently has full
access to these and other complex and powerful methods.
Cultural Resources: Chambers Group archaeologists conduct cultural resources studies in accordance
with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for archaeological investigation. They have proven experience
managing large programs and multiple concurrent task orders in compliance with Sections 106 and 110 of
the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), and
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). They perform National Register of
Historic Places (NRHP) evaluations, prepare Historic Properties Management Plans, and work with the
California State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to determine eligibility of historic buildings.
Additionally, Chambers Group paleontologists have extensive experience in providing services involving
initial surveys, mitigation plans, surface collection, Construction monitoring, fossil salvage, laboratory
preparation, cataloguing and transferal, technical reports, and exhibits.
Air Quality and Noise: Chambers Group environmental professionals have expertise in complying with
environmental regulations such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Clean Air Act (CAA), and recent California state legislation including
AB -1493, AB -32, and Executive Order 5 -3-05. Air and Noise Quality services include: CEQA -level Air
Quality Analysis; Clean Air Act Conformity Analysis; Air Quality Mitigation Programs; General Plan Air
Quality Element; Air Toxics Heath Risk Assessments; Air Quality Permitting & Regulatory Support;
Environmental Auditing for Air Quality Compliance; Groundborne Vibration Analysis; Airport and Rail Noise
Impact Analysis; Noise Impact for Commercial and Industrial Stationary Sources; General Plan Noise
Elements CEQA -level Noise and Vibration Impact Analysis, Noise Impact for Commercial and Industrial
Stationary SourceAir Dispersion Modeling.
In addition to a highly qualified Project Team, Chambers Group has extensive experience in providing on-
call services to various State and Federal agencies in southern California. Most importantly, Chambers
Group currently has a Master Services Contract with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
(LADPW) under which we provide on -call services for various task orders involving CEQA, NEPA,
biological and cultural resources services, and regulatory permitting assistance.
Chambers Group also has MSA contracts to provide CEQA consultant services to the Los Angeles Unified
School District, the San Bernardino City Unified School District, the County of Riverside, as well as an
Indefinite Delivery/lndefinite Quantity contract with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Los
Angeles and Sacramento Districts. Under this contract, Chambers Group conducted environmental
analyses for the Los Angeles County Drainage Area ( LACDA) and prepared a comprehensive
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for modifications of the LACDA system including construction of
improvements to channels, modifications to dams and their operations, and the associated modification of
infrastructure include the raising of bridges. In all of these contracts, we developed the detailed scopes of
work, schedules, and cost estimates for each task.
The Chambers Project Team has sufficient staff members to provide as- needed environmental
documentation and regulatory permit support services for The City of Newport Beach. As Program
Manager, Dr. Davis has the authority to assign resources to critical projects to ensure timely completion.
Chambers Group is committed to strong project management, quality control, and client satisfaction. Our
Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise 3 -2
0 0
ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
environmental and planning professionals are thoroughly familiar with the requirements of CEQA and
NEPA, as well as regulatory compliance and permitting. Our documents are recognized by agencies as
easily readable, technically credible, and legally defensible.
Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise 3 -3
• ON -CALL ENVIRONMEPAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
SECTION 4.0 - QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
4.1 PROJECT TEAM
Section 4.2 identifies the proposed Program Manager for this contract, and briefly discusses his
experience and qualifications. Section 4.3 identifies key staff proposed for this contract and describes
their roles and responsibilities. Section 4.4 provides a list of relevant projects showing our team's
capabilities in providing environmental documentation and regulatory permit services. Detailed resumes
for key bio staff are provided in Appendix A. Chambers Group will be responsible for providing the bulk of
the services required in the RFP.
4.2 PROGRAM MANAGER
Noel Davis, Ph. D. - Program Manager. The primary point -of- contact for the City of Newport Beach will
be Dr. Noel Davis. Dr. Davis has over 30 years experience consulting on coastal issues in southern
California. She has expertise in marine biology, seabirds and shorebirds, ocean water quality, and coastal
wetlands. She assisted the City of Newport Beach with its update of the biological elements of its Local
Coastal Plan. Dr. Davis has over 10 years experience dealing with the California Coastal Commission.
She has prepared applications or assisted in the preparation of applications to the Coastal Commission
for Coastal Development Permits for a variety of projects including refurbishment of the Coast Guard
Station in Newport Harbor, the Newport Back Bay Slope Stabilization Project, maintenance of flood control
channel ocean outlets in Orange County, Marina Harbor Apartments and Anchorage apartment and dock
renovations, removal of invasive vegetation from San Diego Creek, pipeline maintenance in the Boise
Chica wetlands, and the San Juan Creek Bike Trail Project. For the last several years she has been
assisting the Municipal Water District of Orange County with strategy and technical issues for permitting,
including a Coastal Development Permit from the Coastal Commission, related to planning for a
desalination facility in Dana Point. Recently, she assisted BreitBurn Management Company with a
Coastal Act Violation related to fill in wetlands to repair a pipeline on the Bixby Property in the Las Cerritos
wetlands. Dr. Davis is a member of the Los Angeles County Environmental Review Board which
determines whether proposed developments in the Santa Monica Mountains are consistent with the
policies of the Malibu Local Coastal Plan.
4.3 KEY STAFF
Chambers Group, Inc.
As previously discussed, the proposed Program Manager for this program and primary point -of- contact for
the The City of Newport Beach will be Noel Davis Ph.D. She will be supported by James Smithwick,
Ph.D., Director of Environmental Planning and the proposed Deputy Program Manager for this effort, as
Deputy Project Manager, who will serve as a secondary point -of- contact with the The City of Newport
Beach for daily technical matters, coordinate with technical staff and subcontractors, and review all
documentation for accuracy and quality control. Dr. Smithwick has more than 27 years of experience as
manager of large, comprehensive programs and in preparing EIRs, EISs, and other CEQA/NEPA
documents for a wide range of projects. He is an environmental planner and permitting manager with
strong practical knowledge of and in -depth experience in environmental documentation. His background
includes environmental program and project management, regulatory compliance, mitigation planning and
monitoring, field supervision, technical support, QAIQC, cost containment, safety and health compliance,
and training. He conducts environmental baseline surveys, natural resources surveys as well as prepares
management plans and mitigation /monitoring plans. He is experienced in regulatory compliance and
initiatives such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Native American Graves Protection and Repatriations
Act (NAGPRA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Air Act (CAA) and Clean Water Act (CWA). Dr.
Smithwick has a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies from Louisiana State University.
He has been involved with several projects as Project Manager, such as the Sierra Highway Widening
project between State Road 14 and SR 138, the Marina Del Rey Low Flow Diversion Project, and the
Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise 4 -1
• ON -CALL ENVIRONMENR SERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Woodley Avenue Drain Improvement. Other On -Call Contracts he is currently serving on as Project
Manager include those with the Los Angeles Unified School District, Montebello Unified School District,
San Bernardino City Unified School District and the County of Riverside Facilities Management Dr. Larry
Freeberg as Deputy Project Manager, who will serve as a secondary point -of- contact with the LADPW for
daily technical matters, coordinate with technical staff and subcontractors, and review all documentation
for accuracy and quality control. Complete details regarding Chambers Group's proposed Staff and
Subcontractor Management Plan are provided in Sections 5.2 and 5.3 of this proposal.
Robert Verlaan — Environmental Planning
Mr. Vedaan is a highly experienced environmental planner. He has successfully prepared or managed the
preparation and/or processing of NEPA and CEQA compliance documents for more than 500 projects
over the course of his 30 -year career. Varying greatly in type, scale and complexity, these projects include
master planned communities, institutional facilities, industrial projects, infrastructure improvements,
hillside residential developments, parks and recreational facilities, national defense - related facilities,
energy - related facilities, and educational facilities. Mr. Verlaan's background also includes performing
numerous independent third -party peer reviews of environmental compliance documents prepared by
other consultants. He has prepared CEQA compliance documents for more than 40 local jurisdictions and
districts within the State of California as well as prepared NEPA compliance documents for the U.S. Air
Force, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region IX), U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Bureau of
Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S.
Bureau of Indian Affairs. He has an M.S.W in Social Work from San Francisco State University.
Andrew Minor - Environmental Planning
Mr. Minor's professional experience involves California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) /National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis and document preparation as well as Endangered Species Act
protocols. He has assisted in the preparation of a variety of environmental documents for government
agencies and private clients, including Initial Studies /Negative Declarations (IS /ND), Environmental Impact
Reports (EIR) and Environmental Assessments (EA). He has experience with data collection and analysis
on the following environmental issues: land use, urban public policy, public services, air quality, recreation,
mining, utilities and utility corridors, population and housing, transportation and access, wilderness
characteristics, health and safety, geology, wildlife and cumulative impacts analyses. He will be
responsible for professionally prepared maps and diagrams appearing throughout the project CEQA
document. He has an M.S. in Geographic Information Systems/Science from the University of Redlands.
Mr. Minor has worked as a Lead Environmental Planner for the Sierra Highway Widening project. He was
also a Staff Environmental Planner on the Marina Del Rey Low Flow Diversion project and the Montebello
Unified School District On -Call Services Contract. As a GIS Analyst he worked on the San Gabriel River
Biological Surveys and Services project. He is currently the Project Manager for the On -Call Services
contract with the San Bernardino City Unified School District.
Alissa Cope - Regulatory and Permitting Services
Ms. Cope has over 12 years of experience preparing and supervising the preparation of CEQA and NEPA
documents and required supporting documentation, and is proficient at synthesizing issues associated
with development and sensitive environments into workable solutions for a variety of projects without
ignoring environmental concerns or compromising environmental values. She has negotiated and
executed regulatory compliance permits. As a Regulatory Specialist, she has a strong working knowledge
of federal Clean Water Act Section 404 and 401, Federal Endangered Species Act Section 7, California
Fish and Game Section 1600, state Porter - Cologne Act compliance requirements. Her strong negotiating
skills result in successful permit processing in a timely and cost- effective manner for projects located
within environmentally sensitive areas for both public and privately- funded projects. She has a B.S. in
Environmental Science from University of California, Riverside.
Ms. Cope has worked on several on several projects with the Orange County Integrated Waste
Management District for Prima Descheca Landfill in South Orange County. She is currently preparing a
combined NEPA/CEQA document in support of 45 miles of fiber optic cable project.
Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise 4 -2
• ON -CALL ENVIRONMEAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Lisa Louie - Regulatory and Permitting Services
Ms. Louie has a strong background in environmental management, focusing on marine, estuarine, and
freshwater environments. She has prepared and provided support for environmental documents in
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA). Her experience includes environmental impact statements (EIS), environmental assessments
(EA), initial studies (IS), environmental impact reports (EIR), and negative declarations (ND), as well as
integrated NEPA/CEQA documents. She is experienced in coordinating with State and Federal resource
agencies and has successfully negotiated mitigation and conservation requirements. In addition, Ms.
Louie is experienced in the preparation of, and coordination for, permit applications that include Clean
Water Act (CWA) 404 (individual and nationwide) permits and 404(b)(1) evaluations for the US Army
Corps of Engineers, CWA Section 401 water quality certifications for the Regional Water Quality Control
Board, Section 1600 streambed alteration agreement applications for the California Department of Fish
and Game, coastal development permits and consistency determinations for the California Coastal
Commission, and essential fish habitat, as well as mitigation and monitoring plans, for the National Marine
Fisheries Service. Ms. Louie's experience also includes serving as an environmental manager for the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. LADPW experience includes the Sierra Highway
Widening project. She has an M.S. in Marine Science from the University of San Diego.
Michael Hendrix - Air /Noise Analysis
Mr. Hendrix has over 9 years of experience providing services associated with environmental
assessments, air quality, and noise analysis. He has supervised and authored multiple air quality and
acoustical analysis reports and environmental assessments. He has extensive research analyzing specific
technical issues of air quality and acoustics as they relate to Environmental Justice and project
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA). His experience also includes public outreach efforts for both project specific meetings and
informing local and state officials on air quality and acoustical issues in general. He has a B.S. in
Environmental Science from the University of California, Riverside.
Heather Dubois - Air/Noise Analysis
Ms. Dubois has 7 years of experience working as an environmental scientist/planner with local and
regional jurisdictions in California, with the last year focused on Air Quality Impact Analysis and the
NEPA/CEQA process. She has expertise in preparing Air Quality Impact Analysis in compliance with
CEQA regulations. She has a broad background of experience allowing for an understanding of all
aspects of the project. She has a great deal of experience in composition of complex planning documents
that require a breadth of knowledge of many aspects of the planning disciplines such as Land Use
Planning, Transitffransportation Planning, and Environmental Planning. She has a dual B.S. in Chemistry
and Biology from Clarkson University. She also has an M.B.A. from Clarkson University,
Patrick Maxon, RPA - Cultural Resources
Mr. Maxon has 14 years of experience in cultural resources management and compliance monitoring
involving archaeological, paleontological, prehistoric and historic resources. He has expertise in
compliance with the NEPA, CEQA, National Historic Preservation Act, Archaeological Resources
Protection Act, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriations Act, as well as the Clean Water Act.
He is a Registered Professional Archaeologist as well as certified by the County of Orange Environmental
Management Agency. Mr. Maxon has completed more than 200 cultural resource projects involving
research, reconnaissance, testing, data recovery, monitoring, site recording, site protection /preservation,
mapping, laboratory analysis, and report production. He has managed a number of projects under review
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, requiring permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act as well
as compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA. These projects involved agency, client, Native American
and subcontractor coordination, development of treatment plans and research designs, site testing, data
recovery excavation, site protection, reinterment of human remains, laboratory analysis and report
production. He has an M.A. in anthropology from California State University, Fullerton.
Jay Sander - Cultural Resources
Mr. Sander has 14 years of cultural resources experience in California. His principal focuses are on lithic
technology, the strategies of desert- focused hunters and gatherers, and the development of sedentism
and social complexity. Mr. Sander has participated in and supervised all aspects of archaeological
Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise 4-3
• ON -CALL ENVIRONMIVAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
fieldwork, including survey, test excavation, data recovery, and construction monitoring, particularly within
the deserts of southern California and Arizona. He has surveyed over 60,000 acres and excavated nearly
120 archaeological sites in the Great Basin, Mojave, Sonoran, and Colorado Deserts. He has conducted
numerous evaluations of archaeological sites and historic architectural resources for eligibility to the
National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR), and
the City of Redland's criteria for local listing.
Mike McEntee - Biological Resources
Mr. McEntee has a comprehensive background in biological resources management and CEQA/NEPA
compliance. He has assisted with the implementation of mitigation programs for large -scale projects,
performed restoration and exotic species removal as well as mitigation monitoring. He conducts surveys
for endangered species following USFWS and CDFG protocols in compliance with the Endangered
Species Act. He has conducted nest monitoring for federal- and state- listed species, trapping of brown -
headed cowbirds, reconnaissance -level and detailed wildlife surveys, small and large mammal trapping,
and investigated environmental impacts to biological resources and habitats. Mr. McEntee has a B.A. in
Biology from California State University, Fullerton.
Shannan Shaffer - Biological Resources
Ms. Shaffer is a Wildlife Biologist knowledgeable in field identification of avian species, larval and adult
amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals and fur- bearers. She has conducted reconnaissance -level and
detailed wildlife and vegetation surveys, such as focused surveys for the threatened /endangered bird
species, the least Bell's vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher and California gnatcatcher and sensitive
species such as the burrowing owl and California legless lizard. She follows current survey protocols to
perform wildlife inventories and focused field studies. Standardized methodologies including live- trapping
for small mammals; track and photo station monitoring for large mammals; point counts, strip transacts,
and spot- mapping for birds; and pitfall trapping for reptiles. She frequently conducts consultations with
other knowledgeable biologists. She has authored several technical reports, including biological
assessments, mitigation plans and technical reports. She has B.S. in Biology from California State
Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Paul Morrissey - Biological Resources
Mr. Morrissey has more than 6 years experience participating in and conducting terrestrial and
aquatic/marine studies, with a comprehensive background in both collecting data and performing
biological monitoring surveys. He recently prepared a Biological Evaluation for submittal to the USFWS in
support of a Section 7 consultation. He has coordinated with state and federal agencies to develop and
implement effective mitigation and monitoring plans for listed and sensitive species and to ensure
compliance with state and federal laws. He has worked extensively with protected and sensitive fish
species such as the Santa Ana sucker, Santa Ana speckled dace, arroyo chub, and rainbow trout. He is
experienced in conducting focused surveys for desert tortoise, burrowing owl, small mammals and
protected avian species. Mr. Morrissey has a M.S. in Biology from California State University, Dominguez
Hills.
Kris Alberts - Biological Resources
Mr. Alberts has 11 years of experience with a comprehensive background in conducting and managing
biological surveys. As a senior wildlife biologist, he has conducted surveys for the least Bell's vireo,
coastal California gnatcatcher, southwestern willow flycatcher, summer tanager, and arroyo toad. He has
conducted nest monitoring for federally- and state- listed species as well as reconnaissance-level and
detailed wildlife surveys and bat surveys. His experience also includes small mammal, reptile and brown -
headed cowbird trapping. As a botanist, he has worked extensively in many southern California
vegetation communities conducting line transect and stacked cube sampling, community mapping, and
species identification. He has performed vernal pool, riparian and coastal sage scrub restorations as well
as exotic species removal programs. Combining his wildlife skills with his botany skills, he has conducted
habitat assessments and focused wildlife surveys throughout Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, San
Bernardino, and Riverside Counties. Mr. Alberts has also investigated environmental impacts to existing or
potential biological resources by construction activities, noise, and proposed developments. He has
assisted with the implementation of mitigation programs for large -scale projects and mitigation compliance
throughout southern California. He has authored and assisted with numerous biological documents,
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including reports on long -term federal projects and Biological Assessments for Section 7 consultation with
USFWS. As a wildlife biologist, botanist, and group manager for previous federal projects, his
responsibilities have included survey coordination, staff supervision, data collection, technical report
writing, interacting effectively with resource /regulatory agency personnel, maintaining client
communication, and meeting project deadlines. He has a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental
Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign
Tim Landis - Water/Water Quality
Mr. Landis is a certified professional hydrologist with over 25 years of experience dealing with flooding,
storm -water treatment, hydrology, and water quality impact(mitigation and water resource permitting
projects. He has experience designing storm -water management plans and Best Management Practices
to meet storm - water, NPDES General and Industrial permit requirements. He has a B.A. in Physical
Sciences, Physics and Chemistry from the California State University, Chico. He has worked on an On-
Call Environmental Planning Services contract with the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
Sean Tondre - GIS
Mr. Tondre has a background in geography and has served as GIS Analyst on numerous CEQA
documents. He has prepared maps for biological and cultural resources surveys to support field crews
and provided input to technical reports. He has utilized GIS in environmental modeling. He has a B.S. in
Geography from UC Santa Barbara
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4.4 RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Biological Resource Services for Newport Coast
Prime Client: City of Newport Beach Public Works Department
Chambers Group, Inc., performed a general assessment of eight canyons in the Newport Coast
watershed area. The eight canyons within the study area included Buck Gully, Morning Canyon, Pelican
Point Creek, Pelican Point Middle Creek, Pelican Point Waterfall Creek, Los Trancos Creek (Crystal Cove
Creek), Muddy Creek, and Moro Creek. The assessment provided the City with information on the
jurisdiction of state and federal regulatory agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ( USACE),
California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The
general assessment involved basic data collection on existing native vegetation communities, presence of
exotic plant species, potential restoration areas, potential occurrences of sensitive plant and wildlife
species, necessity of focused surveys, and the presence of jurisdictional waters. The field survey was
conducted on all eight canyons, up to 18 linear miles. The study area encompassed a 100 -foot corridor,
with the centerline being the midline of the drainage. Each canyon was divided into 1/4 -mile segments.
Data was recorded on standardized datasheets specific to each 114 -mile segment. The datasheet
contained fields for recording existing vegetation communities, location of non - native plant species,
average width of CDFG and USACE jurisdiction, and potential presence of sensitive species. All plant
communities on the project site were mapped on aerial photographs at a scale of 1" to 200'. The
presence of exotic vegetation was documented using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices
(coordinates taken in UTM). The biologists documented the presence of common and sensitive biological
resources. The field survey identified the presence or potential presence of federal- or state - listed or
otherwise sensitive plant and wildlife species and sensitive habitats. After completing the field surveys,
Chambers Group prepared a technical report of findings that includes the following topics: (a)
introduction, (b) description of study area, (c) methods used to conduct the surveys, (d) existing conditions
of biological resources on the site, (e) sensitive species and communities discussion, and (f) bibliography.
The report of findings included current photographs and maps documenting current site conditions and
sensitive species locations (if observed). The report identified areas subject to USACE and /or CDFG
jurisdiction and provided an approximate measurement of such jurisdiction.
Lower Newport Bay Harbor Eelgrass Restoration Project
Prime Client: U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District
Chambers Group was responsible for a project to restore eelgrass to several unvegetated sites within
Lower Newport Bay Harbor. Eelgrass was collected from eelgrass beds within the harbor and
transplanted to unvegetated location. The purpose of the project was to establish small eelgrass beds
and determine which unvegetated areas could support eelgrass.
Cultural Resources Services for West Bay Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project
Prime Client: County of Orange, Resources & Development Management Department
Chambers Group evaluated the mitigation status and potential impacts of proposed site stabilization and
restoration measures to control weeds and soillslope erosion on two archaeological sites within the
proposed Upper Newport Bay Regional County Park. The evaluation ensured that the proposed West Bay
Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project was in compliance with the requirements of the General
Development Plan, Environmental Impact Report (EIR), City of Newport Beach Local Coastal Plan, and
Coastal Development Permit. The project involved a site visit, agency coordination and literature search,
and a letter report.
CEQA Documentation for Dover Drive Sidewalk Project
Prime Client., City of Newport Beach
Sub Client: Van Dell and Associates, Inc
Chambers Group prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Dover Sidewalk Project for the
City of Newport Beach. Significant environmental concerns included sensitive biological resources and
wetlands. Chambers Group also prepared a biological report and jurisdictional delineation for the
proposed project.
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Big Canyon Restoration Plan Analysis
Prime Client., County of Orange, Resources & Development Management Department
The County requested that Chambers Group prepare a report summarizing the habitat value and level of
restoration associated with the proposed Big Canyon Habitat Restoration Plan. This scope involved the
following tasks:
Initial Geographic Information System (GIS) Analysis - This task included initial comparison analysis of
CCI mapped vegetation versus proposed habitat restoration. The digital GIS data was incorporated onto
a recent aerial photograph. A large -scale map was produced to provide a working baseline for the
additional tasks below. The GIS data was updated accordingly as additional data was attained through
the CCI report and field review.
CCI Report Review and Field Survey - Chambers Group reviewed the vegetation descriptions as stated in
the CCI report. Special focus was made at determining the quality of existing habitat. The quality of
existing habitat indicated the value of restoration potential throughout the site. Areas were classified into
three main categories of potential restoration: creation, enhancement, and type conversion. The amount
existing disturbance (i.e. presence of invasive species) was evaluated to determine the category of
appropriate restoration.
GIS Data Update and Report of Findings - Following the site visit, the data confirmed in the field was
incorporated into GIS. Chambers Group prepared a technical report of findings that included the following
topics: (a) introduction, (b) summary of CCI report, (c) methods used to perform habitat quality
assessment, (d) restoration / mitigation value of habitat in the project area, and (e) references. The report
of findings included current photographs and maps documenting current site conditions.
CEQA for Mariners Mile Walkway Project
Prime Client. City of Newport Beach, Department of Public Works
Sub Client: CASH & Associates
Preparation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation for the Mariner's Mile
Walkway Waterfront Development Project. The project covered the existing dock system and navigation
channel between Lido Island and the Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Bay, Newport Beach. The project
extended the dock and its pierhead line up to 20 feet farther into the water toward the existing federal
navigation channel dredging limit to improve public access and increase navigability to some of the dock
areas.
Chambers Group worked closely with the engineer (Cash Associates) and the City of Newport Beach in
developing the project such that it can move forward. Potentially, controversial, as owners of the building
fronting the proposed walkway have mixed feelings for its development. As such, a series of public and
private meetings were scheduled to occur prior to completion of a project description.
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SECTION 5.0 - STANDARD SERVICES AND WORK PLANS
This section of the proposal addresses the Chambers Group Project Team's approach to providing the
services. Typical Work Plans are described for all types of CEQA and NEPA documents as well as for
regulatory permit services.
➢ Environmental Documentation Services. The preparation of CEQA/NEPA environmental
documents as necessitated by the specific project scope, master plan, or program; field, literature and
electronic database reviews; initial studies; technical studies; documentation; public meetings; and
publications.
➢ Regulatory Permit Services. The acquisition of regulatory permits necessitated by specific project
scope, master plan or program, permit application, specialized studies, field activities, and regulatory
agency hearings.
The types of projects that would require CEQA and NEPA documentation or regulatory permit services
include:
• roads, bridges, and grade separations
• flood control channels, storm drains, and pump stations
• traffic control systems
• dams, groundwater recharge
• sewer and water systems
• solid waste
• aviation
• transit
• bikeways
• multi -use programs
• buildings, new and remodel
This section of the proposal also includes a staffing and resources management plan for Chambers
Group and our subconsultants. This plan identifies the typical tasks that may arise as part of the as-
needed services contract. Because this is an as- needed services contract and there are no specific
projects that require a focused scope of and cost estimate, it is difficult to provide an estimate of the level
of effort and the number of hours required to complete the task order. Thus, the descriptions below are
merely conceptual and would be open to negotiations.
5.1 TYPICAL WORK PLANS
The services that may be required as part of this contract, may vary from a very simple focused CEQA
environmental document to a complex, and potentially controversial joint CEQA/NEPA document.
Similarly, the regulatory permitting requirements may also vary, depending on the nature and size of the
project. As a result, developing a typical work plan is difficult. Thus, we are providing a general approach
to each of the types of services required in the RFP to give the City of Newport Beach an indication that
Chambers Group's Project Team has extensive experience and expertise in providing the services
mentioned in the scope of work. As task orders are provided under the as- needed services contract,
Chambers Group will work closely with the city's Project Manager to focus the scope of work to achieve
the goals of the project. A very detailed scope of work, schedule, and costs would be developed in order
to provide the City of Newport Beach with the assurances that they will receive a quality product that can
stand up to agency and public scrutiny.
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Chambers Group has provided work plans for each type of CEQA and NEPA document that could be
completed in a timely manner. The processes and milestones for each of the CEQA and NEPA
documents that could be produced through this contract are presented in the subsections below. Also
provided is a typical workplan for Corps Section 404 and state Regional Water Quality Control Board
Section 401 permits, California Department of Fish and Game 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreements,
and Coastal Development Permits.
5.1.1 CEQA Documents
CEQA Categorical Exemption
For the purpose of this scope, it is assumed that the city will have made the initial determination that a
project is categorically exempt. However, Chambers Group does have experience advising agencies
whether a project is categorically exempt. Chambers Group will prepare the supporting statements and
required forms for filing of the Categorical Exemption. Chambers Group will:
D prepare a brief project description;
D provide a brief review of any supporting documentation of the project substantiating exemption;
➢ provide a finding of the project's basis for exemption with a statement of reasons supporting the
finding; provide applicable law or state guidelines citations; and
➢ prepare the Notice of Exemption form.
CEQA Negative Declaration
The scope of work provides our approach to preparation of an IS and ND for a small project. There are
instances when an IS and MND can be large and complicated, as in construction improvements to a
drainage channel or pipeline construction. Technical studies may be required to support the findings in
the IS and to develop mitigation measures. These studies could include biological resources technical
reports, archaeological resources technical reports, historic structures evaluations, noise studies, air
quality studies, and traffic studies, all of which can be performed with our Project Team. Our approach
includes brief reconnaissance -level field studies by an environmental analyst, biologist, and archaeologist
to determine if more detailed technical studies are required. We are also assuming that these will be
MNDs. Tasks will be accomplished as described below.
Task 1 - Prepare Initial Study
Task 1.1 - Project Initiation
Within 1 week after receiving the notice to proceed, we will be prepared to meet with the City at a Project
Initiation /Kick -off Meeting to discuss the project and receive all available project information, technical
reports, and other available information. The Project Manager will attend this meeting.
The Project Team will review all available project - related data. Our review of existing data will determine
whether previous studies conducted in and adjacent to the proposed project area are adequate for
incorporation into the IS. Following the review of existing data, gaps in the data and recommendations for
correcting the gaps, if warranted, will be discussed with the City. The Project Team will work closely with
the City to determine what additional data, if any, must be collected in support of the IS.
Task 1.2 - Project Description
Chambers Group will develop a comprehensive description for the proposed project that will form the
basis for the analysis of the potential impacts on the environment. It is important that the project
description be as complete and comprehensive as possible at the outset, so that the impact analyses can
be prepared with accurate information. We will work closely with the City to develop a detailed project
description. The project description will be developed based on the information provided by the City of
Newport Beach. The project description will include a detailed narrative and graphical presentation of the
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proposed actions, including components, location and boundaries, regional and vicinity maps, and a
statement of the project goals and objectives.
Milestone: Submit project description for City review.
Task 1.3 - Consult with Responsible Agencies
In accordance with CEQA guidelines, Chambers Group will conduct informal telephone consultation with
responsible agencies for the Screencheck IS. The objective of this task is to identify agency concerns and
to assure that all potential impact issues are addressed in the document. If appropriate, Chambers Group
will arrange for an onsite meeting with our technical staff, City of Newport Beach staff, and Agency staff to
discuss project issues.
Task 1.4 - Prepare the Screencheck Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
For each CEQA environmental checklist discipline item, the existing environmental setting of the project
site and surroundings will be characterized from the existing literature base, including previous
studies /documents available from published sources and a brief site visit by an environmental analyst,
biologist, and archaeologist. Each section will be prepared and focused to serve as the basis for analysis
of impacts of the proposed project. Any field studies conducted would be expected to be brief, such as a
reconnaissance -level biological and/or cultural evaluation; a brief air /noise analysis. We would assume no
detailed studies would be required such as for hydrology, geology, or traffic.
An environmental impacts analysis will be prepared for each checklist entry. Based on CEQA or the City's
defined significance criteria, we will determine the potential for any adverse or significant adverse impacts
and present mitigation measures to reduce any such impacts to a level of below significance. Early in the
study, if any significant environmental impacts are identified which cannot be reduced by mitigation to less
than significant, Chambers Group will inform the City.
Milestone: Submit Screencheck IS to City for review.
Task 1.5 - Prepare/Distribute the Initial Study /Mitigated Negative Declaration
The screencheck review comments will be incorporated into the IS/MND. Chambers Group will prepare
and distribute copies of the Draft IS /MND to the City and the State Clearinghouse. Chambers Group will
also distribute the document to a mailing list provided by the City.
Milestone: IS /MND prepared for public distribution.
Task 1.6 - Prepare/Distribute the Notice of Intent to Adopt a (Mitigated) Negative Declaration
A Notice of Intent (NOI) to adopt a ND will be prepared for filing with the State Clearinghouse and the
County Clerk. Copies of the NOI will also be provided for public distribution and one copy will be provided
for publishing in a newspaper of general circulation. The NOI will include:
➢ a brief description of the proposed project and its location;
➢ the starting and ending dates for the review period;
➢ the date, time, and place of any scheduled public meetings or hearings;
➢ the address(es) of locations where copies of the Draft ND and supporting studies are available for
review. This location or locations must be readily accessible to the public during normal working
hours;
➢ as applicable, information regarding the site's presence on any of the lists in Section 65962.5 of the
Government Code (generally hazardous waste facilities and disposal sites) and the information in the
Hazardous Waste and Substances Statement required under subsection (f) of that Section; and
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➢ other information specifically required by other statutes or regulations for a particular project or type of
project.
Task 2 - Public Review
The IS /MND will be distributed for a public review period. If requested by the City, Chambers Group would
provide support during any public hearings for the document.
Task 3 - Prepare Responses to Comments and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan
Based upon comments received from public review, we are assuming preparation of an addendum
document incorporating the comments, and responses to the comments will be prepared. A screencheck
of this document will be provided to the City. Upon receipt of review comments, a final document will be
prepared. This document, combined with the IS /ND, will be used by the City as the final document in
considering approval of the project.
Chambers Group will also provide a Draft Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) at the time of
submittal of the screencheck responses to the review comments. The MMRP will be incorporated into the
final documentation of the IS/MND. The plan will include all proposed mitigation measures and the
following:
• project time period to which the measure applies,
• future review or reporting requirements involved,
• responsibility for implementation of the mitigation,
• requirements for monitoring and reporting frequency, and
• sanctions for noncompliance.
Task 4 - Notice of Determination
The Notice of Determination (NOD) is filed following the County Board of Supervisor's decision to carry
out or approve the project for which the MND has been prepared. The Lead Agency (the City of Newport
Beach) must file the NOD with the County Clerk within 5 working days after the approval of the project.
Chambers Group will prepare the NOD and will file the NOD with the County Clerk.
Environmental Impact Report
Preparing a focused or comprehensive EIR will require completion of several important steps, from study
initiation through development of the project description and Draft EIR, to attendance at public hearings
and Final EIR preparation. The process for a more complex EIR will be the same as presented below.
The differences will be in the likelihood of additional scoping meetings (if the project is deemed to be
controversial), complexity of technical issues, number of alternatives assessed, possibly extra internal
review cycles, more complexity in responding to public comments for the Final document, a more complex
mitigation monitoring plan, and additional public meetings.
Task 1 - Conduct Project Startup
Task 1.1 - Initial Consultation with LADPW
Within 3 working days of receiving notice to proceed, Chambers Group and key technical staff will meet
with staff to discuss the proposed project and receive available project information. Project assumptions
and alternatives to the project will also be discussed at this time.
Task 1.2 - Prepare and Distribute Initial Study /Notice of Preparation
Chambers Group will prepare the IS checklist and Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the project. The NOP
will contain a description of the project, a map showing the location of the project, and a summary of the
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probable environmental impacts from the checklist. One copy of the IS /NOP will be provided for The City
of Newport Beach review. After review, Chambers Group will print and distribute the revised IS/NOP
based upon a City- supplied distribution list. The NOP will be filed with the County Clerk and mailed to the
State Clearinghouse, as well as responsible agencies, interested agencies, and parties on the City's
mailing list. The NOP will be circulated for a 30 day public review period.
The comments that are received on the NOP will be used to further refine the project description, if
needed. The comments reviewed will be discussed with the City to determine whether the scope of the
EIR should be expanded. The NOP, comments received, and all correspondence will be included in the
EIR appendices.
Milestone: Distribute Initial Study /Notice of Preparation.
Task 1.3 - Conduct Scoping Meeting /Public Workshops
Chambers Group will arrange, organize and conduct up to scoping meetings or public workshops for the
project. We will coordinate with the City to determine the scheduling of the meetings throughout the EIR
process. Prior to each meeting a flier will be distributed notifying interested persons of the workshop. The
focus of these meetings will be to gather concerns of the property owners/oocupants adjacent to the
project site, public interest groups and other concerned individuals. Chambers Group can also provide
translation services from English to Spanish for written notices and oral presentations, if required. We will
prepare a summary description of the results of the meeting for use in subsequent tasks.
Task 2 - Prepare Draft EIR
Task 2.1 - Prepare Project Description and Alternatives
Chambers Group will develop the project description based on the City- supplied information. The project
description will include a detailed narrative and graphical presentation of the proposed project, including
location and boundaries, regional and vicinity maps, and a statement of the project goals and objectives.
A draft of the alternatives descriptions will also be prepared at this time. A draft of the project description
and alternatives will be provided for LADPW review. Changes will be incorporated after receipt of LADPW
review comments.
Milestone: Submit draft project description and alternatives for the City's review.
Task 2.2 - Conduct Environmental Impact Analysis
The document will contain a section for each environmental issue area. Depending on the complexity of
the project, an analysis of all environmental disciplines may be warranted. However, some projects may
be able to be focused to just a few disciplines based on the preparation of an IS. Discussion of each
issue will begin with a description of the environmental setting, followed by identification of criteria used to
determine the significance of an impact. Significance will be determined using standard criteria or
thresholds established by the City or through CEQA. These criteria will be quantitative wherever possible.
Adverse impacts that meet or exceed these criteria will be considered significant. Impacts will be
quantified as short- or long -term and characterized as relating to construction or operational project
activities.
Impact evaluations for each environmental issue area will contain the following elements: (1) a statement
identifying the impact and its significance; (2) a discussion of the impact and methodology used to
evaluate the proposed project; (3) cumulative impacts evaluation; (4) applicable city policies and
requirements; (5) recommended measures to mitigate the impact; and (6) a statement identifying the level
of significance after measures are implemented.
Each section may contain one or a number of impact statements and analyses set up this way. This
methodology allows the reviewer to evaluate the implications of each. impact and the effectiveness of
mitigation measures, which is determined by measuring the residual impact after implementation against
the same criteria used for determining impact significance. When more than one impact is identified, a
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brief summary of all impacts will be presented at the end of each section.
Task 2.3 - Assess Cumulative Impacts
In concert with City staff, Chambers Group will develop a list of ongoing or future projects in the area
within a reasonable radius around the project site to develop the cumulative impact analysis. This
cumulative list of projects will be derived either from the General Plan and County /City lists and/or
descriptions of current and future projects. The list will include existing, proposed, approved, and
reasonably foreseeable projects for the area.
The cumulative project baseline will be developed early in the study. Overall cumulative impacts will be
identified for the same issue areas covered in the impact analysis for the project. Significance will be
determined using the same criteria defined for the project impacts and mitigation measures. The project's
contribution to the overall cumulative impact will also be evaluated and discussed.
Task 2.4 - Analyze Alternatives
We intend to act as an extension of City staff, to consider public input, be a consensus builder to mediate
public concerns, and to develop alternative solutions to potential conflicts. Our Project Manager, in
concert with the City of Newport Beach staff, will develop a range of reasonable alternatives to be
evaluated in the EIR. Input from key technical staff will be provided as required. Alternatives will be
assessed for their ability to reduce or eliminate significant impacts of the project, while resolving public, as
well as agency concerns. As required by CEQA, the No Project Alternative will also be examined.
Task 2.5 - Prepare Other Required Sections
In addition to the sections discussed above, we will prepare all other required CEQA sections, including
the ones discussed below:
A table of contents.
D An executive summary will be provided in the first section of the EIR and will include an introduction,
purpose for the project, description of the project, alternatives, areas of controversy, issues to be
resolved, and a table of the summary of environmental impacts and mitigation measures.
D Impacts of the project found not to be very significant.
Growth- inducing impacts of the project.
D Any significant irreversible environmental changes that will be involved with continued operation of the
project.
A list of organizations and persons consulted.
Task 2.6 - Prepare Draft Mitigation Monitoring Plan
Chambers Group will also provide a Draft MMRP at the time of submittal of the screencheck Draft EIR.
The plan will include all proposed mitigation measures and the following:
➢ Project time period to which the measure applies,
➢ Future review or reporting requirements involved,
➢ Responsibility for implementation of the mitigation,
➢ Requirements for monitoring and reporting frequency, and
➢ Sanctions for noncompliance.
Task 2.7 - Screencheck Draft Environmental Impact Report Review
Copies of the Screencheck Draft EIR will be prepared for the City review.
Milestone: Submit Screencheck Draft EIR for City review.
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Task 2.8 - Draft Environmental Impact Report Preparation and Distribution
Upon our receipt of City review comments, the Screencheck Draft EIR will be modified and the Draft EIR
prepared. The required number of copies of the Draft will be provided to the City, State Clearinghouse,
and a City- supplied distribution list.
Milestone: Prepare and distribute Draft Environmental Impact Report for distribution, and agency
and public review.
Task 2.9 - Prepare /Distribute Notice of Completion /Notice of Availability
As soon as the Draft EIR is completed, a Notice of Completion (NOC) must be filed with the State
Clearinghouse in a printed hard copy or CD, or by electronic mail transmission. A Notice of Availability
(NOA) must be filed with the County Clerk, and must be provided to the public, either in a newspaper of
general circulation or through direct mail. We will provide Screencheck NOCs and NOAS to the City for
their review and approval. Chambers Group will file the notices and arrange for newspaper publication.
Task 2.10 - Public Comment Period
The Chambers Group Project Manager and technical experts will be available to support the City staff at
public hearings related to the project. Chambers Group can also provide translation services from English
to Spanish for written notices and oral presentations, if required.
Task 3 - Prepare Final Environmental Impact Report and Certification Documents
Task 3.1 - Draft Responses to Comments
A response to all written and oral comments received on the Draft EIR will be prepared according to the
City's Staff direction. The comments will be responded to as they are received during the 45 -day public
review period. Copies of the Screencheck Response to Comments will be submitted to the City for review
and comment.
Task 3.2 - Final Environmental Impact Report
After City review and comment on the Screencheck Response to Comments, the responses will be
finalized for inclusion in the Final EIR. Based on comments from the public review and input from the City,
some changes to the wording of the Draft EIR may be needed. Any required changes will be handled by
including amended text and /or graphics within the Final EIR.
Task 3.3 - Notice of Determination
The NOD will be prepared in the City's preferred format. Chambers Group will file the NOD with the
County Clerk and the State Clearinghouse within 5 working days of the certification of the EIR.
5.1.2 National Environmental Policy Act Documentation
NEPA Categorical Exemption
There are certain conditions under which NEPA does not apply to an action. These conditions include, but
are not limited to, the following:
➢ Statutory Exemptions: Under certain unusual circumstances, Congress expressly exempts federal
programs or activities from compliance with NEPA. Under these conditions, the lead agency need not
comply with NEPA, even if its actions would have a significant effect upon the environment. One
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example was in the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1991, when Congress exempted
certain military bases that were closing from the NEPA process.
➢ Emergencies: When emergency circumstances, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, and
other natural or man -made disasters, make it necessary to take an action with significant
environmental impacts that would conflict with standard NEPA procedures, the federal agency
(e.g., Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA]) taking the action would consult with the
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) about alternative actions. CEO is authorized to limit such
arrangements to actions necessary to control the immediate impacts of the emergency.
➢ Classified Information: There is no national defense exemption under NEPA. However,
environmental documents addressing classified proposals may be restricted from public
dissemination. The Department of Energy, for example, may conduct actions which contain classified
information related to some of their facilities.
Any of these, and some additional exempted actions, may involve the County of Orange to some degree,
by way of location of the action within the City. Thus, the City may have a role in the NEPA process as a
review agency, or as a lead or co -lead agency. As such, the LADPW may be responsible for preparation
of some type of record of environmental consideration, documenting the applicability of the NEPA
Categorical Exemption. If the City is required to make a determination of NEPA Categorical Exemption,
the following tasks would be undertaken.
Task 1 - Categorical Exemption Preparation
Task 1.1 - Determination of Eligibility
Based on meetings with appropriate federal, state, and /or The City of Newport Beach agency personnel,
and a review of relevant legislation and literature, a determination would be made if the proposed action is
eligible for a Categorical Exemption.
Task 1.2 - Preparation of Categorical Exemption Documentation
Chambers Group will prepare a record of environmental consideration, in coordination with the City,
documenting the applicability of the Categorical Exemption from NEPA compliance. It is anticipated that
this document will be provide a brief summary documenting the findings of Task 1.1.
Milestone: Present Categorical Exemption Documentation to the City for review. It is assumed,
for costing purposes, that one iteration will be prepared.
National Environmental Policy Act Categorical Exclusion
The CEQ regulations provide for the Categorical Exclusion (40 CFR 1508.4) for a category of proposed
actions which a federal agency (such as the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Defense,
Department of Energy, or FEMA) identifies in its NEPA procedures, that do not individually or cumulatively
have a significant effect on the human environment, and are, therefore, excluded from preparation of an
EA or EIS.
Task 1 - Categorical Exclusion Preparation
Task 1.1 - Determination of Eligibility
The following criteria will be applied to determine those categories of actions that normally would not
require either an EA or an EIS:
➢ minimal or no effect on environmental quality,
➢ no significant change to existing environmental conditions, and
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➢ no significant cumulative environmental impact.
A Categorical Exclusion would be determined by review of existing project data, conditions, available
documentation, and consultation and meetings with the City and other appropriate agencies or entities.
Task 1.2 - Preparation of Categorical Exclusion Documentation
Chambers Group will prepare a record of environmental consideration, in coordination with the City,
documenting the applicability of the Categorical Exclusion from NEPA compliance. It is anticipated that
this document will be provide a brief summary documenting the findings of Task 1.1. For certain projects
where construction impacts may be the only issue, mitigation measures would be prepared as a condition
of the Categorical Exclusion.
Milestone: Present Categorical Exclusion Documentation to the City for review. It is assumed,
for costing purposes, that one iteration will be prepared.
Environmental AssessmentlFinding of No Significant Impact
An EA is to be a concise public document that focuses on those environmental areas where potential
adverse impacts are anticipated. It will provide sufficient evidence and analysis to determine whether or
not an EIR is required. The EA would be limited to an analysis of potential significant environmental
issues identified through a scoping process with the public and review agencies. The EA will include brief
descriptions of:
➢ the need for the proposed project,
➢ alternatives to the proposed project,
➢ the environmental impacts of the proposed project and its alternatives, and
➢ a listing of agencies and persons consulted.
This scope of work provides our approach to preparation of an EA/Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI). Tasks will be accomplished as described below.
Task 1 - EA Preparation
Task 1.1 - Project Initiation
Chambers Group will review project information provided by the City and will meet with the City, and, if
appropriate, the federal agency, to clarify issues that need to be addressed. Alternatives will also be
discussed at this meeting. This will include those alternatives known to have been eliminated as
infeasible, and those considered to be feasible for discussion in the document. In addition, in order to
determine which aspects of the proposed action have potential for social, economic, or environmental
impact, federal regulations call for the consultation with interested agencies and others (e.g., the public) at
the earliest possible time for input into the scope of the project. Therefore, early in the process, a Scoping
Meeting(s) would be held to solicit input on those areas of concern for study in the EA. The project study
area will be delineated, in consultation with the City. For the following sub - tasks, it is assumed that the
City will be the Lead Agency.
Task 1.2 - Scoping Meeting(s)
Scoping Meeting(s) and /or consultations will be held with the City and other agencies deemed appropriate
to determine the environmental areas to be evaluated, and the methodological approaches to be used. If
warranted, a Public Scoping Meeting could be held, to present the proposed project to the public and
provide them with an opportunity to relay their concerns and suggestions for the environmental studies. A
record of these meetings and consultations will be kept and included in the EA document.
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Milestone: Submit list of anticipated environmental disciplines to be analyzed in the EA
document for the City of Newport Beach review and approval.
Task 13 - Project Description and Alternatives Development
Chambers Group will prepare the project description based on the information supplied to the City and/or
the federal agency. Chambers Group will also prepare the description of the alternatives to the project,
including the No Action alternative.
Milestone: Submit project description and alternatives to the City for review.
Task 1.4 - Prepare the Screencheck Draft Environmental Assessment
For each environmental discipline to be analyzed, the existing environmental setting of the project site and
surroundings will be characterized from the existing literature base, including previous studies/documents
available from published sources and a brief site visit by an environmental analyst, biologist, and
archaeologist. The reconnaissance-level visit will determine if more detailed technical studies are required
to characterize impacts and /or develop mitigation measures.
An environmental impact analysis will be prepared for each appropriate environmental discipline where the
potential for impact exists. The level of detail will be dependent on the particular issue of the proposed
action. For the purposes of this cost estimate, it is assumed that the EA environmental issues discussions
will be brief, focused discussions.
Based on defined significance criteria, we will determine the potential for any adverse or significant
adverse impacts and present mitigation measures to reduce any such impacts to a level of below
significant. Early in the study, if any significant environmental impacts are identified which cannot be
reduced by mitigation to less than significant, Chambers Group will inform the City. Under such
circumstances, NEPA would require the preparation of an EIS.
Milestone: Chambers Group will prepare the Draft FONSI for submittal to the Lead Agency for
review. Chambers Group will also submit one copy of Screencheck Draft EA to the
City for review and comment.
Task 1.5 - Prepare the Draft Environmental Assessment
The screencheck review comments will be incorporated into the EA. Chambers Group submit copies of
the public Draft EA to the City, federal agency, and a mailing list supplied by the City.
Task 2 - Public Review
Chambers Group will prepare the NEPA NOA and will circulate it to a mailing list provided by the City
and/or the Federal agency. The EA need not be circulated for comment, but must be made available for
public inspection. If a public hearing is determined to be warranted, the Chambers Group Project
Manager and technical experts would provide support.
Task 3 - Prepare Final EA
The Draft EA will be revised to incorporate comments received. Responses to these comments will be
developed in coordination with the City and incorporated into the document. If a Public Hearing is held,
the transcript of the Public Hearing would be included as well. In no significant, unmitigable impacts have
been identified, the document will include a recommendation for a FONSI. A preliminary Final EA will be
submitted to the City for review and approval. Upon approval by the City, Chambers Group will distribute
copies of the Final EA to the City, federal agency, and a mailing list provided by the City and /or federal
agency.
Milestone: Submit Final Environmental Assessment
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Environmental Impact Statement
Preparing a focused or comprehensive EIS will require completion of several important steps, from study
initiation through development of the project description and Draft EIS to attendance at public hearings
and Final EIS preparation. The process for a more complex EIS will be the same as presented below.
The differences will be in the likelihood of additional scoping meetings (if the project is deemed to be
controversial), complexity of technical issues, number of alternatives assessed, possibly extra internal
review cycles, more complexity in responding to public comments for the final document, a more complex
mitigation monitoring plan, and additional public meetings.
Task 1 - Conduct Project Startup
Task 1.1 - Initial Consultation with Department/National Environmental Policy Act Lead Agency
Within 1 week of receiving notice to proceed, Chambers Group and key technical staff will meet with
LADPW staff and federal agency (as applicable) to discuss the proposed action and receive available
project information. Project assumptions and alternatives to the project will also be discussed at this time.
Task 1.2 - Prepare Notice of Intent
Chambers Group will prepare the NOI for publication in the Federal Register for the project. The NOI will
contain a brief description of the project, and a summary of the probable environmental impacts, and
opportunity for public involvement. The comments received on the NOI will be used to further refine those
impact areas that will be analyzed in the EIS, if needed. The comments reviewed will be discussed with
the LADPW to determine whether the scope of the EIS should be expanded. The NOI, comments
received, and all correspondence will be included in the EIS appendices.
Task 1.3 - Conduct Scoping Meeting /Public Workshops
Chambers Group will arrange, organize, and conduct scoping meetings or public workshops for the
project. We will coordinate with the LADPW to determine the number and scheduling of these meetings
throughout the EIS process. Prior to each meeting, a flier will be distributed notifying interested persons of
the workshop. The focus of these meetings will be to gather concerns of the property owners/occupants
adjacent to the project site, public interest groups and other concerned individuals. Chambers Group can
also provide translation services from English to Spanish for written notices and oral presentations, if
required. We will prepare a summary description of the results of the meeting for use in subsequent
tasks.
Task 2 - Prenare Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Task 2.1 - Prepare Project Description, Purpose and Need, and Alternatives
Chambers Group will develop the project description, purpose and need, and atematives based on the
Applicant - supplied information and additional information provided by the LADPW /NEPA Lead Agency.
The project description will include a detailed narrative and graphical presentation of the proposed project,
including location and boundaries, regional and vicinity maps, and a statement of the project goals and
objectives.
Milestone: Submit project description, purpose and need, and alternatives to the LADPW.
Task 2.2 - Conduct Environmental Consequences Analysis
Chambers Group will validate applicant - supplied information, as a means of reducing the level of
reanalysis and cost associated with the Screencheck Draft EIS. The document will contain a section for
each environmental issue area. Discussion of each issue will begin with a description of the affected
environment, followed by identification of criteria used to determine the significance of an impact.
Significance criteria will be quantitative wherever possible. Adverse impacts that meet or exceed these
criteria will be considered significant. Impacts will be quantified as short- or long -term and characterized
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as relating to construction or operational project activities.
Impact evaluations for each environmental issue area will contain the following elements: (1) a statement
identifying the impact and its significance; (2) a discussion of the impact and methodology used to
evaluate the proposed action; (3) cumulative impacts evaluation; (4) applicable policies and requirements;
(5) recommended measures to mitigate the impact; and (6) a statement identifying the level of
significance after measures are implemented. The analyses will address direct, indirect, and cumulative
impacts relevant to the proposed action.
Each section may contain one or a number of impact statements and analyses set up this way. This
methodology allows the reviewer to evaluate the implications of each impact and the effectiveness of
mitigation measures, which is determined by measuring the residual impact after implementation against
the same criteria used for determining impact significance. When more than one impact is identified, a
brief summary of all impacts will be presented at the end of each section.
Task 2.3 - Analyze Alternatives
We intend to act as an extension of the City's staff: to consider public input, be a consensus builder to
mediate public concerns, and to develop alternative solutions to potential conflicts. Our Project Manager,
in concert with the City staff, will develop a range of reasonable alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS.
Input from key technical staff will be provided as required. Alternatives will be assessed for their ability to
reduce or eliminate significant impacts of the project, while resolving public, as well as agency concerns.
The a@ematives for a community-level EIS are assumed to include two alternatives and the No Action
alternative.
Task 2.4 - Prepare Other Required Sections
In addition to the sections discussed above, we will prepare all other required NEPA sections, including
the ones discussed below.
• A summary will be provided in the front of the EIS that will include an introduction, purpose for the
project, description of the project, alternatives, areas of controversy, issues to be resolved, and a table
of the summary of environmental impacts and mitigation measures;
• Listing and brief discussion of required federal permits;
• List of preparers;
• List of agencies and organizations on the distribution list;
• A list of organizations and persons consulted; and
• Index.
Task 2.6 - Submit Screencheck Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Review
Copies of the Screencheck EIS will be prepared for the City/Lead NEPA Agency review.
Milestone: Submit Screencheck Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Task 2.7 - Prepare Draft EIS
Upon our receipt of the City's review comments, the Screencheck EIS will be modified and the Draft EIS
prepared. It is assumed that one revision of the Draft EIS will be prepared in response to the City review
comments. The required number of copies of the Draft will be provided to the City. Chambers Group will
prepare the Draft EIS for distribution based on the City- supplied distribution list. Preparation of public
circulation noticing will also be provided.
Milestone: Prepare Draft Environmental Impact Statement for distribution.
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Task 2.8 - Public Hearings
Chambers Group's Project Manager and key technical personnel will attend public hearings on the EIS,
and will provide coordination of these meetings including noticing as required. Chambers Group can also
provide translation services from English to Spanish for written notices and oral presentations, if required.
Task 3 - Preparation of Final EIS and Record of Decision
Upon receipt of comments during the 45-day public review period, Chambers Group will prepare the Final
EIS. The Final EIS will be a rewrite of the Draft EIS incorporating comments, responses, and changes.
Copies of the Screencheck Final EIS will be provided for the City and federal agency review. After review
by the City and federal agency, the required number of copies will be submitted to the City, federal
agency, and a distribution list provided by the City and/or federal agency. We will also prepare a Draft of
the Record of Decision for the federal agency.
Milestone: Prepare Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision
5.1.3 Regulatory Permit Services
Field Survey
This task includes the delineation and mapping of all USACE (including wetlands) and CDFG (including
riparian vegetation) jurisdiction at a project site. Prior to visiting the site, Chambers Group permitting
specialists and biologists will review existing maps and documents related to the physical characteristics
of the site. These information sources may include the USGS 7.5- minute topographic quadrangle of the
site and the more detailed site- specific topographic map of the site.
The purpose of the field surveys will be to identify and delineate areas of the project site that fall under the
regulatory jurisdiction of the USACE pursuant to Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act and the
jurisdiction of CDFG pursuant to Section 1600 et seq . of the California Fish and Game Code. Chambers
Group will also determine if the project is in the coastal zone and would, therefore, require a Coastal
Development Permit from the California Coastal Commission (CCC).
To determine jurisdictional areas, the permitting specialist/biologist will investigate criteria specified by the
USACE. Wetlands boundaries (if present) will be determined using the current accepted methodology
prescribed in the USACE's 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual. This methodology requires positive
evidence of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetlands hydrology for a determination that an area is
a wetland. If potential wetlands are identified, data plots will be established to determine the
wetlands /uplands boundaries. For a data plot to be considered within a wetland, hydrophytic vegetation,
hydric soils, and wetlands hydrology must be present at that location. A plot is determined to have positive
evidence of hydrophytic vegetation if 50 percent or more of the plant species have an indicator status that
is likely to occur in wetlands. Indicator status is determined by consulting the National List of Plant
Species that Occur in Wetlands. At each plot that meets the criterion for hydrophytic vegetation, a soil pit
will be dug to look for evidence of hydrology (free water in the pit or saturated soils) and determine
whether the soil is hydric. Hydric soils are generally determined by soil color. Waters of the United States
that are not wetlands will be determined by the presence of ordinary high water marks defining the lateral
limits of the drainages. All wetlands and other jurisdictional waters will be mapped on a topographic map.
Jurisdictional Delineation Report
Following the completion of the field survey, Chambers Group will deliver a report summarizing the results
of the survey. The report will describe the biological and hydrologic features of the site and will include a
map(s) and text describing the limits of jurisdiction pursuant to USACE, CDFG and CCC regulations.
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Section 404, Section 401, 1600, and Coastal Development Permit Applications
Preparation of USACE 401 Permit ADDlication
The amount of work associated with preparing the notification to the USACE pursuant to Section 404
depends on the magnitude of project impacts on jurisdictional waters and other resources. This
determines if the project requires an individual permit or could fall under a nationwide permit. Chambers
Group will schedule one meeting with the USACE at the project site, if necessary, to facilitate the
USACE's review of the project and completion of the permit.
Preparation of CDFG 1600 Permit Application
Chambers Group will prepare and submit a notification to CDFG for a 1600 Lake and Streambed
Alteration Agreement. Chambers Group will schedule one meeting with CDFG at the project site, if
necessary, to facilitate CDFG's review of the project and completion of the Agreement.
Preoaration of Written Noti fication for Water Quality (401) Certification
A water quality certification or waiver of certification is required from the Regional Water Quality Control
Board ( RWQCB) for any activity that requires a federal license or permit (such as a Section 404 permit)
and may result in a discharge to jurisdictional waters. Chambers Group will prepare and submit the
necessary documentation to the RWQCB for its review of the project pursuant to water quality certification
or waiver. Chambers Group will schedule one meeting with the RWQCB at the project site, if necessary,
to facilitate the RWQCB's review of the project and completion of the water quality certification, or waiver
of certification.
Preparation of Coastal_ Development Permit Application
Any public agency or person proposing development within the coastal zone must obtain a Coastal
Development Permit. In general, the coastal zone extends from the State's 3 -mile seaward limit to an
average of approximately 1,000 yards inland from the mean high tide of the ocean. The CCC, made up
from representatives of various coastal areas and state agencies, reviews the coastal development
permits for conformity with the coastal policies of the California Coastal Act. The CCC has 30 days to
review the application and determine that it is complete. If complete, the Executive Director considers it
formally filed and begins the review.
Permit Application Processing
Chambers Group will coordinate with USACE, CDFG, RWQCB, and CCC on an on -call basis throughout
their review of the 404, 401, 1600 and Coastal Development Permit applications to ensure that any
potential problems are made known to the County and resolved at the earliest possible opportunity.
Chambers Group staff members are available to attend regulatory agency hearings on behalf of or with
County staff. If the regulatory permits are being prepared in concurrence with a CEQA or NEPA
document, they will be submitted to the agencies at the time of the Draft circulation to ensure that the
permits are processed in a timely manner along with the rest of the project. This also ensures that the
agencies are involved in the preparation of the environmental document and mitigation development, if
necessary.
5.2 STAFFING AND RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
This section of the proposal discusses the staffing for the project and the management of the various
subcontractors. We have identified tasks, level of effort, and number of hours required for the services of
a typical work plan.
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5.2.1 Chambers Group's Project Management Philosoohy
Our project management and project tracking program serves to facilitate efficient and accurate project
controls. This program has been very effective, particularly for large, controversial projects. Preparation
for and undertaking environmental services for the City of Newport Beach requires timely response and
product quality. The purpose of any project management approach (PMA) and Quality Control (QC)
system is to ensure the client gets the quality of product they are expecting within the cost and schedule
agreed upon. A successful PMA must, by definition, include a strong QC system to ensure the technical
competence of the product; a system to proactively monitor cost and schedule on a weekly basis; an
information dissemination system able to provide project - related information to both the in -house staff and
the consultants in a timely and complete manner; project and task managers who are familiar with using
the systems; manuals that are published and available to all staff for day - to-day use; and the project and
task managers must be trained in the use of the systems. Chambers Group's PMA meets all of those
criteria to manage complex, controversial projects. Chambers Group has used this approach to
successfully manage multiple, concurrent contracts.
The Program Manager has full authority to commit the necessary resources to meet project objectives.
The primary function of the Program Manager is to ensure that the City's technical, financial, and
scheduling requirements are fulfilled. The Program Manager will:
➢ commit all Chambers Group Project Team resources necessary to complete the project on schedule;
➢ serve as the direct liaison among the Project Team, Chambers Group corporate management, and
the City;
➢ provide direction to the Project Managers, discipline managers, technical staff, cost analysts, and
support personnel;
➢ identify problems, formulate solutions, and communicate them to the project team;
➢ establish documentation procedures that are consistent with client and regulatory requirements; and
➢ monitor activities implemented to meet schedule and budget requirements.
Every project begins with the assignment of a Project Manager to manage the Task Order. The role of the
manager is to be the key point of contact between the project team and the client; direct and monitor the
overall technical progress of the study; be responsible for costs, schedules and deliverables; and serve as
spokesperson at public meetings and hearings. The manager is responsible for the overall quality of the
document in terms of technical presentation, defensibility, and readability. Chambers Group has
designated Project Managers with experience in coordinating small as well as large individual projects.
The designated Project Manager has the responsibility to select key personnel to reflect the technical
disciplines depicted in the scope of work creating a project team to accomplish the delivery order. As
necessary, a manager or key technical specialist may be temporarily relocated to work from another
project team office in order to provide the best overall benefit to the client.
At Chambers Group, managers have some of the best management tools in the industry. These tools
include guidance manuals, automated cost control, and internal communications systems. Chambers
Group's managers, and production and editorial support staff, conduct continuous QC monitoring of the
project. Our QC manual spells out exactly what procedures need to be followed in order to provide the
client with the quality of document they anticipate.
Through years of conducting major environmental studies, we have developed a strong management
system that provides control of various elements of technical research and document preparation. Our
system is based on a proactive project management approach. Our project management policies and
procedures involve much more than the use of software for tracking costs and schedules. We are
committed to project management as the primary driving force within our corporate culture. Successful
project execution requires strong management, careful planning, effective cost and schedule control,
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inter - company communications, and continuous communication with the client. To enforce these
requirements, the importance of effective project management is emphasized as a way of business life.
5.2.2 Communication with the City of Newport Beach and Local. State, and Federal Agencies
Communication with the City will be established through the Project Manager. Technical Managers also
maintain ongoing communication with clients. Unlike many other firms, who tend to call clients only when
problems arise or invoices have been mailed, the Chambers Group Project Manager is encouraged to call
their clients regularly, usually on a weekly basis. These calls ensure that our clients receive thorough,
detailed information about project activities, and they also give our clients frequent opportunities to ask
questions about project issues. In addition, the Program Manager will maintain independent
communication with the City's Project Manager. This is to ensure that there are no problems that are
going unresolved. The Project Manager will report his /her findings to the Chambers Group director of
planning. Working with the Technical Manager, the Project Manager will take any corrective actions
necessary to ensure a quality project is delivered on time and in budget.
Conducting environmental analyses and documentation for complex and sensitive projects is our
specialty, and we are highly accomplished in the area of multi - agency coordination, processing, and
regulatory compliance. Our staff has an on -going relationship with many state and local agencies, and our
30 -year presence in California has given us unique expertise in understanding evolving environmental
legislation and meeting the stringent requirements of federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. The
Project Manager would coordinate or support the City for all consultation with federal, state, and local
agencies for a proposed project. The Project Manager is supported by the Chambers Group Technical
Managers.
5.2.3 Proiect Task and Cost Tracking for Efficiency
A fully- integrated PC -based business management/accounting software (Deltek FMS — Financial
Management System) is used to track project costs. The Federal General Services Administration
approved the use of the system under their Federal contracts.
All raw costs are loaded into the computer daily (staff hours on a weekly basis) to give the Project
Manager access to up -to -date data when producing their management reports. Costs and /or staff hours
can be compared to budgeted costs /hours on a project, task, or activity basis. The percent of project cost
expended can easily be compared to the manager's estimate of percent of project completion. Any
variance of projectttask cost versus budgeted cost is flagged. Work -in- process figures (costs incurred
since last billing) are readily available so that the Project Manager can identify possible cost overruns
before they occur and take appropriate action.
5.2.4 Resources Scheduling and Budgeting
In addition, Chambers Group has a fully integrated Resources Scheduling and Budgeting module for
advanced resource management. This allows projects to be prioritized, ensuring that resource allocation
always reflects our overall business objectives. For maximum efficiency, resource managers can create
and share resource breakdown structures across the enterprise. This benefits the project management
process with the following:
Multi- project analysis. Cross project reporting for optimization of resources across the enterprise. The
relative priority of projects can be adjusted to ensure that the most important projects have access to
resources first.
Shared Resource Pools. Planners have full visibility when scheduling resources so that project
deliverables are not delayed, affecting schedule and cost.
Reserved Resources. Key project resources can be targeted for specific activities so they are not
delayed, running up costs.
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Shared Ancillary Data. Calendars, Resource Budgeting Schedules, and Work Breakdown Schedules can
be developed at the project level then made available in corporate -wide reporting libraries, which assures
plan, cost, and reporting consistency across the enterprise.
5.2.5 Environmental Studio.NET Resource Database
Chambers Group uses EnvironmentalStudio.NET as a resource database for our multidisciplinary
environmental services projects. We believe that this program can be easily applied to projects to expedite
the review and project coordination process. CEQAINEPA Studio.NET combines four of
EnvironmentalStudio.NET's programs into a powerful suite of services for environmental document
management. The suite of services is: Studio Central, Response Studio, Mitigation Studio, and Public
Release Studio.
Studio Central.NET. This is the "hub" of Environmental Studio.NET. Studio Central is used to
view and manage all of the program/project information across all topical studios
Response Studio. Preparation of responses to comments on an environmental document takes
time and resources in an era of tight budgets and encroaching deadlines.
Mitigation Studio. Mitigation Studio moves mitigation monitoring from the printed page of an
environmental document to management and implementation of the monitoring program.
Public Release Studio. These applications allow the consultant or the lead agency to quickly and
easily publish and distribute project information to the web for public release.
5.2.6 Qualitv AssurancelQuality Control
This section outlines the Environmental Planning Department's Quality Assurance /Quality Control
(QA/QC) program. The completed QA/QC program is described in Chamber Group document entitled
Environmental Planning Department QA/QC Process, Revision 2, (September 207). Topics discussed
here are expected results, program focus, the QA/QC process for documents and field activities, and roles
of participants. A project may go through the QA/QC process several times depending upon the number
of activities and deliverables related to the project. Quality Control /Quality Assurance is an essential
element to the success of all projects. All project deliverables and field activities require QAIQC.
Document or activity quality is defined as what the client expects given current professional standards. No
surprises to the client. The contract and scope of work (SOW) should clearly define these standards of
quality to include exclusions and exceptions.
Roles of Participants
The project manager and project team are responsible for meeting the client's project quality expectations.
Roles are defined by the contract, the SOW and the Planning Department's QA/QC Program. The project
manager may appoint project team members to quality check aspects of project deliverables or activities.
A senior level reviewer (SLR) serves to confirm project quality; however, appointment of an SLR to quality
check an aspect of a project does not diminish the project manager's ultimate responsibility for QAIQC.
QA/QC always remains a PM and team responsibility.
Quality Assurance /Quality Control (QAIQC) Process
Two procedures are outlined; one for documents (Figure 5.2 -2), the other for activities. Quality Assurance
and Quality Control are defined.
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Quality Assurance (QA) is the procedure that establishes the procedural guidelines and reports the
quality control processes. Quality assurance is the paper trail describing the QC work completed,
identifying the responsible parties, documenting project opportunities, concerns or issues, and reporting
the corrective actions taken to rectify any challenges.
Project QA include:
➢ Identifying what a "successful" project should look like.
➢ Articulating project goals ( "the mission ") which are understandable and acceptable to all involved
parties.
➢ Clearly defining the roles, responsibilities, and authorities for project participants.
➢ Fostering open lines of meaningful communication.
➢ Identifying resource needs to guarantee access to the right people and technologies for the job.
➢ Developing consensus on what strategies to use to reach project goals.
➢ Ensuring there will be clear evidence and proper documentation that project goals were actually
achieved at the end of the project.
Project QA is focused on those deliverables and activities that integrate the efforts of regulators (both
technical staff and management), responsible parties (both technical staff and management), and other
stakeholders to ensure a cost - effective, successful project — the Chambers Group goal.
Document Procedure. The project manager or the project manager's representative initiates the
QC procedures by completing the QA document recording form. This form is used to document
and track the QC process.
For the form to be valid, all sections must be completed. The SLR checks off all project
documents received and answers the asked questions. Recommended corrective actions are
documented, and the form is returned to the project manager for corrective actions or
explanations as to why actions were not taken. After actions are taken (or not taken), the project
manager resubmits the deliverable to the SLR for review. Both the SLR and the project manager
are required to sign and date the form.
Activity Procedure. The project manager or the project manager's representative initiates the QA
procedures by completing the QA activity recording form. This form is used to document and track
the QC process.
For the form to be valid, all sections must be completed. The SLR checks off all project
documents received and answers the asked questions. Recommended corrective actions are
documented, and the form is returned to the project manager for corrective actions or
explanations as to why actions were not taken. After actions are taken (or not taken), the project
manager resubmits the document to the SLR for review. Both the SLR and the project manager
are required to sign and date the form.
The departmental director or a qualified person appointed by the departmental manager may fill the SLR
role. The SLR must have experience with similar projects and the SOW, understand contracts, and be
current with the most recent professional standards for the type of work being preformed.
Quality Control (QC) is the process of project review that evaluates project activities and project
deliverables to client's expectations based on the contract, SOW, and current professional standards.
Technically QA is QC: Quality control is the process of inspecting the product.
Document Procedure. The project manager or the project manager's representative delivers a
copy of the draft document, the contract and the SOW to the SLR. The SLR compares the
document to the contract requirements, the SOW requirements, and current professional
standards. The client may provide a style guide to be followed. The PM and SLR should also
consult the Chambers Group manual "Instructions and Samples for Word Processing — Project
Reports, Proposals, Letters" (2007). Figure 5 -2 illustrates the QA/QC process.
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If the document does not meet contract, SOW or professional standards, the SLR reports
necessary actions to correct the document, and returns the document to the program manager
who takes the required actions to rectify errors. (Technical editing may occur before the document
is given to the SLR.)
The SLR ensures corrective actions have been taken. After completing the QC process, the
document is prepared for delivery to the client. The project manager or the project manager's
representative is responsible for all the quality of all final deliverables.
Activity Procedure. The project manager or the project manager's representative delivers a
description of the activity to be evaluated, the contract and the SOW to the SLR. The SLR
observes the activity to contract requirements, SOW requirements, and current professional
standards. The client may provide specific activity requirements in the contract.
If the activity does not meet contract, SOW, or professional standards, the SLR reports necessary
actions to correct the activity, and the program manager takes the necessary actions to rectify
errors. The SLR may return to observe the activity to ensure corrective actions have been taken.
5.2.7 Level of Effort Estimate for Project Tasks
Technical studies for individual projects will vary in scope and level of effort based on the project type,
location, density, intensity, and other factors. The information gathered, analyzed, and presented in a
report format suitable for incorporation into a CEQA and/or NEPA compliance document will depend on
variables not known at this time. It is anticipated that Chambers Group would evaluate the project
complexity and the amount of existing data available for each task order received under this on -call
contract. We would then provide a customized scope of work and cost estimate for that particular project.
The range of time estimates provided below reflect our experience in the preparation of compliance
documents for "Basic" and "Complex" projects. Generally, simple, desktop analyses for small,
uncomplicated projects can be completed for about the level of effort noted in the "Basic" column. Our
general time estimates for large, complex projects involving field surveys, modeling, and significant
coordination and consultation are noted in the "Complex" column.
For cost purposes a "Basic" environmental document or permit process is generally more routine in nature
and involves use of existing, readily available data. Field checks, modeling, testing, and other data
gathering methods are not performed. A "Complex" environmental document or permit process generally
requires survey research, fieldwork, and more complex problem - solving, consultation, and coordination as
part of the analysis and mitigation development. The hourly estimates do not include special technical
studies, such as traffic impact studies, geotechnical studies, etc., that may be required to complete the
environmental documentation.
NEPA encourages cooperation with state agencies that have environmental documentation requirements.
Additionally, under CEQA regulations concerning projects that are also subject to NEPA (Title 14, Article
14, Section 1522), the state and local agencies should cooperate with federal agencies to the fullest
extent possible to reduce duplication between CEQA and NEPA. Such cooperation should, to the fullest
extent possible, include:
➢ joint planning processes,
➢ joint environmental research and studies,
➢ joint public hearings, and
➢ joint environmental documents.
We would recommend that, for projects subject to both NEPA and CEQA, one joint document be prepared,
to comply with both NEPA and CEQA, particularly when the County is the Lead Agency. The implication of
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this effort would be that the EA document would contain the IS and incorporate the content of a MND. In
terms of schedule and cost - effectiveness, a joint document would be a more economical approach.
Chambers Group would work closely with the County to prepare a format that would satisfy both NEPA and
CEQA requirements. The cost and level of effort would be greater than each individual document, but
certainly less than the cost of the two separate documents combined.
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SECTION 6.0 - ADDITIONAL DATA
This section contains additional data that Chambers Group would like to submit to show the exceptional
qualifications of Chambers Group's Project Team. This includes client references, client testaments, and
commendations and awards that we have received from previous clients.
CLIENT REFERENCES
County of Riverside
Department of Facilities Management
Claudia Steiding, Senior Environmental Planner
3133 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92507
(951) 955 -8174
Chambers provides CEQA services to the County under this On -Call Agreement. Chambers is currently
preparing environmental documentation for a County Fleet Services facility in the City of Blythe.
San Bernardino Regional Parks Department
Jim Canaday, Park Planner II
777 E Rialto Ave
San Bernardino, CA 92415
(909) 383 -3202
Chambers Group performed biological sensitive plant and small mammal (kangaroo rat) surveys;
jurisdictional delineations; prepared a Section 1602 agreement, and Section 404/401 agency permits;
cultural resources and historic properties reports for the County, and CEQA documentation for the Santa
Ana River Trail.
ESRI
David Atchley
380 New York Street
Redlands, CA 92373
(909) 793 -2853
Chambers Group prepared a CEQA Initial Study /Mitigated Negative Declaration for the construction of a
reinforced concrete box (RCB) in the Mission Stormwater Channel associated with the ESRI Parking Lot
Expansion Project for an 81,000 square -foot expansion. The San Bernardino County Flood Control District
was the CEQA lead agency. The project involved converting approximately 1,300 linear feet of the
stormwater channel into a RCB and expanding the parking lot with approximately 233 parking spaces.
Chambers Group also conducted a formal jurisdictional delineation of Waters of the U.S. and Waters of
the State The delineation was required by the San Bernardino County Flood Control District to obtain a
Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 Permit from the USACE, a CWA Section 401 Water Quality
Certification from the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and a Lake and Streambed
Alteration Agreement (SAA) from the CDFG.
Orange County Great Park Corporation
Glen Worthington, Manager of Planning and Environmental Services
7000 Trabuoo Road, Bldg 873
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 724 -7406
Chambers Group has provided project management services and prepared the Orange County Great
Park FEIR Addendum, and compared the Preliminary OCGP Master Plan for conformance with the FEIR.
Prepared Addendum Section 2.0, Project Description, to include Location, Characteristics, Components
and Discretionary Approvals. The Project Description included references to key elements of the
Preliminary OCGP Master Plan. Identify impacts and mitigation measures associated with implementation
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of the OCGP Master Plan requiring assessment in the up- coming Addendum. This effort included an
evaluation of the Master Plan conformance with the Threshold of Significance Criteria in the FEIR. For
those resource areas that had impacts that differed from those addressed in the FEIR, Chambers Group
proposed to prepare a preliminary analysis of the Master Plan's conformity with the FEIR. Prepared and
submitted Final FEIR Addendum to the City of Irvine.
COMMENDATIONS AND AWARDS
Letters of Commendation
Chambers Group has received numerous letters of commendation from our clients. The following
excerpts illustrate the level of client satisfaction that we strive to achieve in all our projects:
"Your firm responded to the challenge and provided work products that were thoroughly researched,
technically competent, and professionally prepared. Everyone in your organization should take pride in
having delivered exceptional results." — City of Irvine (Program EIR for Planning Area 9140).
"The (Chambers Group) team responds very well to a dynamic and challenging project. Chambers has
been consistently ahead of schedule, and on budget, in submitting draft documents for review. More
importantly, they anticipate potential problems and assist in overcoming obstacles before they occur.
Individuals are extremely knowledgeable in their fields of expertise. Chambers is ahead of our design
team with regard to preparing an environmental assessment of the project. Chambers is providing
exceptional CEQA services to the Corporation and helping us to focus our design team on complying with
local government processing requirements." — Glen Worthington, Manager of Planning, Orange County
Great Park Corporation.
"The vast knowledge of their (Chambers Group) particular professionals exceeded our expectations." —
Santa Barbara Parks Department.
"Chambers makes our life easier by providing the expert staff who are well versed in the latest
environmental codes and by providing us with good services as it relates to biological monitoring, the
California Environmental Quality Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act." — City of Costa Mesa.
"They (Chambers Group) took the assignment and made sure it was done to our satisfaction by our
deadline." —City of Moreno Valley
"I thought the documentation they (Chambers Group) supplied to prepare the formal documents was
great. It exceeded my expectations." - City of Indio
Awards and Certificates of Recognition
Chambers Group has an excellent reputation with clients and regulators. We are committed to strong
project management, quality control, and client satisfaction. Our environmental professionals are
thoroughly familiar with the requirements of CEQA and NEPA and our documents are recognized by
agencies as easily readable, technically credible, and legally defensible. Chambers Group's commitment
to quality is demonstrated by the following commendations for our work on relevant contracts:
➢ 2007 - Marvin M. Black Award Excellence in Partnering Award for the San Gabriel Dam Sediment
Removal Project from the Associate General Contractors of America
➢ 2001 - Outstanding Environmental Analysis Document for the Bolsa Chica Wetlands Restoration
Project EIR/EIS from the California Association of Environmental Professionals
➢ 2001 - Outstanding Environmental Resources Document for the Big Tujunga Mitigation Bank Final
Master Mitigation Plan from California Association of Environmental Professionals
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➢ 2000 - Outstanding Environmental Resources Document for the Big Tujunga Project Enhancement
Opportunities Report and Biological Resources Assessment from the California Association of
Environmental Professionals
➢ 1999 - Outstanding Document for Projects Outside Orange County — Big Tujunga Wash Functional
Analysis Report from the American Planning Association, Orange County
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CHAMBERS GROUP INC.
City of Newport Beach - Local Coastal Program
On -call Environmental Consulting Services
FEESCHEDULE
Through June 30, 2009
HOURLY RATES
Chambers Group hourly rates for professional services and support categories are indicated
below subject to periodic revisions:
Corporate Director
$
175.00
Program Director
$
154.00
Sr. Project Manager
$
125.00
Project Manager
$
105.00
Principal Biologist/Botanist
$
140.00
Senior Biologist/Botanist
$
115.00
Staff Biologist/Botanist
$
91.00
Assoc. Biologist/Botanist
$
80.00
Asst. Biologist/Botanist
$
70.00
Principal Cultural Resources Specialist+
$
122.00
Senior Cultural Resources Specialist'
$
98.00
Staff Cultural Resources Specialist`
$
80.00
Assoc. Cultural Resources Specialist'
$
62.00
Asst. Cultural Resources Specialist"
$
50.00
Principal Environmental Planner
$
140.00
Senior Environmental Planner
$
115.00
Staff Environmental Planner
$
91.00
Assoc. Environmental Planner
$
80.00
Asst. Environmental Planner
$
70.00
Principal Air /Noise Specialist
$
140.00
Senior Air /Noise Specialist
$
115.00
Staff Air /Noise Specialist
$
91.00
Assoc. Air /Noise Specialist
$
80.00
Asst. Air /Noise Specialist
$
70.00
GIS Analyst 2
$
93.00
GIS Analyst 1
$
78.00
GIS Technician
$
65.00
Graphic Artist'
$
75.00
Project Assistant "
$
68.00
Technical Editor *"
$
68.00
Word Processor"
$
60.00
Clerical`*
$
49.00
"For non - exempt employees in these categories, overtime hours are billed equal to one and one-
half times their normal hourly rate.
"Includes Archaeologists, Architectural Historians, Paleontologists, and Historians.
EXPERT DEPOSITION & TESTIMONY
Labor fees for litigation support with respect to depositions, presentations, and expert testimony
will be billed at 2.0 times the normal hourly rate.
SUBCONTRACTOR & OTHER DIRECT COSTS
Subcontracted services and other direct costs to projects will be invoiced at cost.
F
(Rhambers Group line
MIKE MCENTEE
Principal Biologist, Biology Group Manager
0
Mr. McEntee has a comprehensive background in biological resources management. Mr. McEntee has over
12 years of experience and a comprehensive background in conducting biological surveys. As a biologist,
he has conducted surveys for Least Bell's Vireo, Coastal California Gnatcatcher, Southwestern Willow
Flycatcher, Western Snowy Plover, Burrowing Owl, Arroyo Toad, Gray Fox, Yuma Clapper Rail, Black Rail,
Yellow- billed Cuckoo, and Desert Tortoise. He has also conducted nest monitoring for federally and state
listed species, trapping of Brown- headed Cowbirds, reconnaissance -level and detailed wildlife surveys, small
and large mammal trapping, investigated environmental impacts in terms of noise, fire, biological resources,
assisted with the implementation of mitigation programs for large -scale projects, performed restoration and
exotic species removal and mitigation compliance throughout California and Arizona
Relevant Experience
Key Strengths Western Snowy Plover Monitoring, Talbert Channel Sediment Removal,
12 Years of Experience in Huntington Beach, Orange County — County of Orange Resources &
Southern California Development Management Department. Project Manager /Principal Biologist.
Biological resource analysis Provided surveys, construction monitoring, contractor education and permit
and management compliance for the County of Orange Operations and Maintenance. Provided
Western Riverside county coordination for the USFWS and State Parks. The monitors documented the
Multiple Species Habitat presencelabsence of snowy plovers within the work area and instruct the
Conservation Plan (MSHSuitability construction crew on was to avoid adverse) affecting these sensitive
surveys and Habitat Suabili ty y y g
Assessments resources.
Habitat restoration programs Least Bell's Vireo, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, California Gnatcatcher
Construction mitigation Surveys and Construction /Regulatory Compliance Monitoring, Orange
monitoring County — Strawberry Farms Golf Course. Performed surveys and nest
EMensive working knowledge of monitoring for Least Bells Vireo and California Gnatcatchers to determine the
regulationsiguidelines: species locations and nesting success. Mapped locations and assisted in
• Endangered Species Act compliance with USFWS, CDFG, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE)
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations and guidelines.
California Dept. of Fish and re g g
Game
California Gnatcatcher Presence/Absence Surveys, Orange County —
Diemer Filtration Plant. Performed focused and pre - construction surveys for
California Gnatcatcher at the Diemer Filtration Plant Documented gnatcatcher
locations along the fence line and supervised vegetation removal crews to
ensure USFWS and CDFG regulations and guidelines.
Focused Least Bell's Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Surveys,
San Diego Creek, Orange County RDMD. Performed protocol surveys and
presence/absence surveys following the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Riparian and any other potential habitats were
surveyed. Prepared a technical report of findings that included observed LBVI
and SWWF locations and individual nest sites. All LBVI and SWWF
observations were reported using UTM coordinates.
Biological Monitoring, San Juan Capistrano Lower Landslide and Pipeline
Stabilization, San Juan Capistrano, Orange County — City of San Juan
Capistrano Public Works. Project Manager. Acquired 4d NCCP permit; agency
coordination for 404, 401, 1602 permits; construction monitoring and CSS
E
Mike McEntee
Page 2
Relevant Experience (Continued)
Education restoration. Conducted a reconnaissance assessment of the biological resources
on the site. The field survey focused on determining the presence or potential
B.A., Biology, Cal State presence of federal- or state - listed or otherwise sensitive plant and wildlife
Fullerton; 1995 species and sensitive habitats on the site. Prepared a biological resource letter
Specialized Training report of findings.
Southwestern Willow
Flycatcher Workshop, Radio tracking and home range estimation of gray foxes in the Santa Ana
Southern Sierra Research Mountains. Gray foxes were captured in box traps and Tomahawk live traps.
Station Captured animals were immobilized with a 5:1 (v!v) mixture of approximately 25
Marine corps certified Range mg ketamine hydrochloride and 5 mg xylazine hydrochloride, injected
control OICIRSO intramuscularly. Monitoring of anesthesia included heart rate, respiration rate,
Member of the USFWS and and body temperature. Standard body measurements and sex were recorded,
USGS least Bells vireo, and age was assessed on the basis of incisor wear and body size and weight.
southwestern willow flycatcher Animals were fitted with radio collars and were radio- tracked to determine their
and yellow - billed cuckoo e5. home ran
recovery working group g
Registration
Nesting Bird Survey for Reconstruction of Cooks Canyon Crib Dam,
California Gnatcatcher:
Glendale, Los Angeles County — Los Angeles County Department of Public
authorization to survey, locate
Works, Environmental Planning. Senior Biologist Nesting bird survey and
and monitor nests, remove
report as pre- construction services for removal of sediment buildup within the
brown - headed cowbird eggs
Cooks Canyon Crib Dam Debris Basin that has impaired the drainage of waters
and chicks from parasitized
nests; U.S. Fish and Wildlife
from the debris basin, resulting In ear -round ondin
g y p g•
Service Permit #TE099463
Least Bells vireo:
East Ford Road Over San Gabriel River and Susana Canyon Creek, Los
authorization to locate and
Angeles County — Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Senior
monitor nests, remove brown-
Biologist. The surveys for nesting birds and bats were conducted to determine
headed cowbird eggs and
the presence or absence of bird and bat species that may be impacted by bridge
checks from parasitized nests;
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
maintenance activities. Chambers Group biologists surveyed the bridge, support
Permit #TE098463
structures and all vegetation within 50 meters of the project foot rent for bird
9 P
nesting activity. In addition, the bridge and all support structures were surveyed
Southwestern willow
flycatcher: authorization to
for the presence of bats.
survey, locate and monitor
nests, remove brown- headed
California Red - legged Frog Presence /Absence Survey Report, Cooks
cowbird eggs and chicks from
Canyon Dam Debris Basin Project Site in support of Streambed Alteration
parasitized nests; U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service Permit
Agreement, Glendale, Los Angeles County — Los Angeles County
#TE099463
Department of Public Works. Presence/absence surveys for California red -
BLM Flat - Tailed Homed Lizard
legged frog (CRF) were conducted in support of the streambed alteration
Training, May 2007
agreement (conditions 78 & 76) at the site, located at Cooks Canyon Crib Dam
M1 -A Debris Basin. The surveys were required in support of services for
removal of sediment buildup within the Cooks Canyon Crib Dam Debris Basin.
Sediment buildup has impaired the drainage of waters from the debris basin,
resulting in year -round ponding. Six CRF presence/absence surveys were
conducted pursuant to the USFWS protocols. No evidence of arroyo toad adults,
juveniles, larvae, or eggs was found during any of the daytime or nighttime
surveys.
Big Dalton Dam Sediment Removal, Glendora, Los Angeles County — Los
Angeles County Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division.
Senior Biologist, QA/QC. Big Dalton Dam is located in east - central Los Angeles
County, and is situated in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains contained
within the San Dimas Experimental Area of the Angeles National Forest. To
assess project impacts, pre- and post - dewatering surveys were conducted and
•
Mike McEntee
Page 3
Relevant Experience (Continued)
included an assessment of river substrate, macroinvertebrate, amphibian,
reptile, avian, and mammal tracking surveys. Plant assessments were
performed using the CNPS Rapid Assessment Protocol. In addition, coast
range newts were identified on site, and a Newt Monitoring and Relocation Plan
was developed and approved by CDFG. Biological monitoring and newt
relocation during construction activities took place daily over a period of 5
months.
Environmental Impact Report, Sierra Highway Widening, Palmdale, Los
Angeles County — Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Senior
Biologist. Chambers Group provided environmental services for the Sierra
Highway Widening Project located in the unincorporated area of Palmdale, Los
Angeles County, California. The Scope of Work included preparation of the EIR
and technical reports for traffic impact analysis, air quality analysis, noise
assessment, agency coordination, and jurisdictional delineation, biological
resources, and cultural resources surveys.
Final Mitigation Monitoring Plan (MMP) for the Big Tujunga Wash
Mitigation Bank, Los Angeles County — Los Angeles County Department of
Public Works. Assisted with the preparation of a final MMP, a comprehensive
document that included the development and implementation of enhancement
strategies, for the Big Tujunga Wash Mitigation Bank. The purpose of the MMP
was to serve as a guide for implementation of the various enhancement
programs and to fulfill the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG)
requirement for the preparation of a management plan for the site. The MMP
encompassed strategies to enhance and protect existing habitat for wildlife and
to create additional natural areas that could be used by wildlife and by numerous
user groups. The detailed MMP included a step -by -step description of the
methodology, implementation, success and contingency measures, and Quality
Assurance /Quality Control plan for each of the following issue areas: habitat
restoration and revegetation, exotic plant eradication, brown - headed cowbird
trapping, formal trails establishment, exotic wildlife eradication, public outreach,
water quality monitoring, and functional analysis.
Focused Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Surveys at Big Tujunga Wash
Mitigation Site, Los Angeles County, California — Los Angeles County
Department of Public Works. Lead Biologist. Conducted focused protocol
surveys for the southwestern willow flycatcher to determine its
presencelabsence in approximately 50 hectares (123 acres) of riparian areas in
Big Tujunga Wash.
San Gabriel River Functional Analysis and Focused Biological Surveys,
Los Angeles County, California — Los Angeles County Department of
Public Works. Performed avian and fish surveys in support of the overall
functional analysis methodology. The study - involved fish sampling using both
seine and electrofishing techniques and point count transects for birds. The
study area included the East Fork and West Fork of the San Gabriel River,
Brown's Gulch, and areas below the San Gabriel and Morris Dams.
(echambers Group Inc.
PAUL MORRISSEY
Mr. Morrissey has more than 7 years experience participating in and conducting terrestrial
and aquatictmarine studies, with a comprehensive background in both collecting data and performing
biological monitoring surveys. He is an experienced biologist and project manager, and has overseen many
development projects, including areas within the High Desert, Yucca Valley, Lancaster, and the Inland
Empire. He has coordinated with state and federal agencies to develop and implement effective mitigation
and monitoring plans for listed and sensitive species and to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
He is experienced in conducting focused surveys for amphibians, desert tortoise, burrowing owl, small
mammals and protected avian species. He has worked extensively with protected and sensitive fish species
such as the Santa Ana sucker, Santa Ana speckled dace, arroyo chub, and rainbow trout. He has also
conducted stream and sediment sampling for macro- invertebrates, radio telemetry tracking, electro- fishing
surveys, and environmental compliance monitoring. Working on complex linear projects such as the PG &E
and SDG &E power transmission line projects, he is familiar with the flora and wildlife species within
Riverside, San Diego and Imperial County. He has conducted wetlands delineations pursuant to Section 404
of the Clean Water Act and riparian delineations pursuant to Section 1601/1603 of the California Fish and
Game Code. He has also prepared jurisdictional delineation reports, which are used in the preparation of
permit applications for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), California Department of Fish and Game
(CDFG), and Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). He has a diverse background in areas such
as annual and perennial identification of plant species in the Mojave Desert, and has been recognized by the
International Philosophy Convention for his work on the Wild Dolphin Cognitive Project, searching for
patterns in vocalization for wild Pacific Bottlenose dolphins. In addition, he has worked for a private zoo and
is familiar with the behavior of a variety of exotic animals.
Relevant Experience
Key Strengths
7 Years of Experience in
Southern California
Biological resource analysis
and management
Jurisdictional Delineations
Wetlands Delineations
Western Riverside County
Multiple Species Habitat
Conservation Plan (MSHCP),
RiparianlRiverine
Habitat restoration
enhancement programs
Construction mitigation
monitoring
Extensive working knowledge of
mgulaborstguidelines:
• Endangered Species Act
• Ckean Water Act
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• California Dept. of Fish and
Game
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Section 1602/401/404
permitting
Ecological Surveys, Newport Coast — City of Newport Beach. Project
Manager. Surveyed eight canyons in the Newport Coast watershed area to in
order to identify and map the vegetation communities, to document the location
of non - native plant species, to determine the average width of California
Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineer
(USACE) jurisdiction, and to report potential presence of sensitive species.
Sensitive species on site included coastal California gnatcatcher and snowy
plover. A technical report of findings was prepared.
Night Surveys for Grunion Spawning, Huntington Beach, Orange County,
CA — Orange County Resources Development and Management
Department. Conducted night surveys of grunion spawning along Huntington
Beach shoreline surrounding the Talbert Channel Outlet. Emergency
construction activities were in place to secure a clear path for Talbert Channel
water flow. The purpose of the surveys was to note where eggs were laid so
construction activities would not disturb the incubating eggs. Surveys were
conducted at high tide for three consecutive nights over a full moon.
Marblehead Coastal Project, SunCal Properties, San Clemente. Assisted in
focused gnatcatcher surveys, construction monitoring, and ecological
restoration. Conducted vegetation transacts to provide baseline data for
restoration sites. Conducted nesting bird surveys and monitored construction
especially associated with coastal sage scrub.
10 10
Paul Morrissey
Page 2
Relevant Experience (Continued)
Big Dalton Dam Sediment Removal, Glendora, Los Angeles County — Los
Angeles County Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division.
As Project Manager, tasks include scheduling surveys, supervising staff,
ensuring complete data collection, providing quality and control report
preparation, interacting effectively with agency personnel, maintaining client
communication, maintaining budget parameters, and meeting project deadlines.
Coordinated and conducted field surveys including vegetation mapping, focused
plant surveys, amphibian, reptile, fish, avian, and mammal surveys, stream
assessments and macroinvertebrate collections from above the reservoir to 2
Biological Services at South Regional Landfill Operations, San Juan
Education
Capistrano — Orange County Integrated Waste Management Department.
M.S., Biology (thesis topic:
Staff Biologist. Assisted in focused protocol surveys for Coastal California
fetal neurology) California
State University, Dominguez
Gnatcatcher, Least Bell's Vireo, and Willow Flycatcher surveys,
Y Y + and a Cowbird
Hills; 2005
trapping program for biological services provided at the Prima Deschecha
Landfill. Conducted wetland delineations in the restored habitat areas.
B.S., Biology California State
University, Dominguez Hill;
zoos
Biological Resources Construction Monitoring, Fairview Regional Park
9� 9+ 9� +
Costa Mesa. Conducted construction monitoring of a multi- purpose trail
Registrations, certifications,
approximately 4,000 feet long. Field surveys were conducted for
and Affiliations
fencing/flagging construction area limits to ensure avoidance, timing of
California Dept. of Fish and
construction (cement pouring), and proper litter disposal. Field surveys also
Game scientific Collector's
included wildlife presence /absence and nesting locations.
Permit, #SC -008151 (renewal
pending)
Talbert Snowy Plover Monitoring 2007 — County of Orange RDMD.
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Wetland Training
Dredging activities are set to occur at the Talbert Channel for approximately 11
Institute, Wetland Delineator
days/week 4 S
days ( for 2.5 weeks) for 8 hours per day. Two monitors are
Certification, 2007
required for the project each day. One monitor will observe operations at the
Desert Tortoise Surveying
excavation site and one will observe the disposal site. Chambers Group will
Techniques workshop,
provide two monitors for snowy plover monitoring during the period defined
Desert Tortoise Council,
above. The monitors will be familiar with the identification of snowy plovers. The
2007; qualified desert tortoise
monitors will document the presence /absence of snowy plovers within the work
biologist
area and instruct the construction crew on ways to avoid adversely affecting
CDFG authorized to take,
these sensitive resources. We will also provide written monitoring
possess, and transport flat.
documentation for this effort. The memo report will include up to 10 pages and
tailed horned lizards, 2007
will include photographs of the operations.
2007 Marvin M. Black
Excellence in Partnering
Award for the San Gabriel
Riparian Restoration, Enhancement Plan and Monitoring, Santa Margarita
River Project
River Flood Plain Marine Corps Air Station, Cam Pendleton — MCAS
+ P P
Camp Pendleton, sub to Geofon Inc. Biologist. Conducted fieldwork involving
Southwestern Willow
Flycatcher Workshop,
sample point placement (stacked-cube methodology), vegetation monitoring and
Southern Sierra Research
species identification, and photo and data collection. Collected GPS points of
Station; zoos
all established points to sub -meter accuracy. The project involves vegetation
Basic Tracking, Earth skills,
community mapping, creation of a conceptual mitigation plan and determining
zoos
the best new watercourse for a future riparian corridor. Chambers Group is
Electrorahing and Fish
currently performing restoration on existing least Bell's vireo habitat and riparian
Handling Techniques, 2008
vegetation adjacent to the helicopter landing area. Restoration also is occurring
on 55 acres of fragmented river floodplain adjacent to the Santa Margarita
River. The project team worked closely with the engineering staff to incorporate
drainage into the restoration area so flooding no longer occurs on working
portions of the air station, and plant communities can use the annual rainfall
Success criteria will be primarily a function of how suitable the habitat is for least
Bell's vireo.
Big Dalton Dam Sediment Removal, Glendora, Los Angeles County — Los
Angeles County Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division.
As Project Manager, tasks include scheduling surveys, supervising staff,
ensuring complete data collection, providing quality and control report
preparation, interacting effectively with agency personnel, maintaining client
communication, maintaining budget parameters, and meeting project deadlines.
Coordinated and conducted field surveys including vegetation mapping, focused
plant surveys, amphibian, reptile, fish, avian, and mammal surveys, stream
assessments and macroinvertebrate collections from above the reservoir to 2
Paul Morrissey
Page 3
Relevant Experience (Continued)
miles downstream of the Big Dalton Dam. Data and analysis of the project is
provided in the Pre- and Post - Dewatering Biological Technical Report for the Big
Dalton Dam Reservoir Cleanout Project.
Rapid Infiltration and Extraction Facility CEQA Services, Focused
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) — City of San Bernardino Municipal
Water Department. A biological reconnaissance survey and habitat assessment
were performed to determine the presence of any sensitive, threatened,
endangered, or rare species, either plant or wildlife, were present on the project
site. These included Santa Ana woollystar, Delhi sands flower - loving fly, Santa
Ana sucker, San Bernardino kangaroo rat, and burrowing owl. A trapping study
was conducted to determine the presence of the San Bemardino Kangaroo Rat
and the Los Angeles Pocket Mouse on the site. A pre - construction raptor and
burrowing owl survey will be performed prior to the beginning of construction
activities to ensure that any birds are not impacted (air quality, noise, traffic,
safety), and operational issues (odors, safety, vector control).
San Gabriel River Functional Analysis and Focused Biological Surveys,
Los Angeles County — Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.
As Field Manager, tasks include scheduling surveys, supervising staff, ensuring
complete data collection, providing quality and control report preparation,
interacting effectively with agency personnel, maintaining client communication,
maintaining budget parameters, and meeting project deadlines. The study area
included the East Fork, the West Fork, Brown's Gulch, and the main channel of
the San Gabriel River, from the San Gabriel Reservoir through the Morris
Reservoir downstream to below Santa Fe Dam. Performed herpetological, fish,
large- mammal, and avian surveys, stream assessments, and macroinvertebrate
collection in support of the overall functional analysis methodology. Conducted
routine radio-tracking and visual surveys for relocated southwestern pond turtles
(Clemmys marmorata pallida) below San Gabriel Dam.
Brown - headed Cowbird Trapping, Least Bell's Vireo Surveys,
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Surveys, and Arroyo Toad Surveys, Big
Tujunga Wash Mitigation Bank -- Los Angeles County Department of
Public Works. Staff Wildlife Biologist. Conducted a trapping program focusing
on the brown - headed cowbird as part of the Big Tujunga Wash Mitigation Bank.
The program followed the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. Removal of these avian parasites by trapping aids in the recovery of
least Bell's vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, and California gnatcatcher
populations. Conducted focused least Bell's vireo surveys and assisted
permitted biologist in focused southwestern willow flycatcher surveys to
determine the presence /absence of vireos and willow flycatchers in suitable
riparian habitat along the Big Tujunga Wash Mitigation Bank. Conducted
focused day and night arroyo toad surveys to determine the presence/absence
of arroyo toads in suitable stream habitat.
QDcharribers Group Inc:
NOEL DAVIS, PH.D.
Marine Biologist/Wetlands Specialist
Dr. Davis has more than 27 years of experience in managing estuarine, freshwater, and oceanographic envi-
ronmental studies. She is responsible for managing the aquatic and marine portions of Environmental
Impact Reports (EIRs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), and Environmental Assessments (EAs) for
both onshore and offshore projects. She has more than 25 years of experience in conducting marine studies
and is also responsible for wetlands and water quality assessments in conjunction with 404 Permit evalua-
tions and environmental reports.
Key Strengths
27 years managing wetlands
and marine environmental
studies
Relevant Experience
EISfEIR for Upper Newport Bay Restoration Project, Orange County — U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. Project Manager for an
EIS /EIR to restore aquatic and wetlands habitat in Upper Newport Bay in Or-
ange County. The EIS /EIR analyzed alternatives to restore habitat degraded
from the impacts of sedimentation. Alternatives involved various dredge and fill
scenarios within the Upper Bay. Habitat Evaluation Procedures were used to
compare the impacts and benefits of restoration alternatives to the No Action
scenario.
Survey of Newport Dunes Marina in Newport Bay for the Invasive Alga
Caulerpa taxHolia and Mapping of Eelgrass in Areas Proposed for Dredg-
ing — Moffatt & Nichol Engineers under Contract to the County of Orange.
Responsible for an underwater survey to map eelgrass and determine whether
the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia was present in areas proposed for dredging
in Newport Dunes Marina in Newport Bay. Eelgrass patches were mapped us-
ing Global Positioning System (GPS) and the dimensions and density of each
patch were quantified. No Caulerpa was found.
Update of Biological Elements of City of Newport Beach Local Coastal
Plan and General Plan -- Coastal Resources Management, Under Contract
to the City of Newport Beach. Coordinated Chambers Group's efforts and
participated in biological field surveys for the update of the biological resource
elements of the City of Newport Beach Local Coastal Plan and General Plan.
All natural habitats within the City of Newport Beach were surveyed and mapped
in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Descriptions and boundaries of Envi-
ronmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas were updated, and new Environmentally
Sensitive Habitat Areas were identified. Policies to protect these areas were re-
vised and updated.
Environmental Restoration Report Section 206 for Lower Newport Bay
Harbor Eelgrass Restoration, Newport Bay, Orange County -- U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. Project Manager for the develop-
ment of a program to restore eelgrass to Lower Newport Bay. A detailed
analysis and planting plan was prepared to restore eelgrass to eight sites in
Lower Newport Bay. The planting plan included a detailed methodology to re-
store eelgrass to the eight sites.
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Education Relevant Experience (Continued)
Ph.D.. 1978, Biological Ocean-
ography, Scripps Institution of
Oceanography (Dissertation
Topic: Studies of the Southern
California Nearshore Sand Bot-
tom Community)
B.A., 1972, Zoology (magna
CUM laude, Phi Beta Kappa,
Highest Honors in Zoology,
Special Undergraduate Re-
search Award), University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Registration
Certified by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service in Habitat
Evaluation Procedures (HEP)-
1989
Certified as a Wetlands De-
lineator by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers in its Wet-
lands Delineator Certification
Demonstration Project — 1994
Society of Wetland Scientists
Los Angeles County
Environmental Review Board
Noel Davis, Ph. D.
Page 2
Pre- and Post -Dredging Surveys of Eelgrass in Lower Newport Harbor,
Orange County -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District.
Project Manager for pre- and post - dredging surveys to determine the impacts to
eelgrass of navigation channel dredging in Lower Newport Harbor. All areas
adjacent to the dredge channels were surveyed before and after dredging to
document the effects of the dredging on eelgrass beds.
Mitigation Program to Transplant Eelgrass Bed in Newport Bay -- U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. Program Manager for
transplanting eelgrass, Zosters marina, in Newport Bay to mitigate a USACE
dredging program that had destroyed an eelgrass bed, Chambers Group divers
transplanted eelgrass from the dredging area to another part of the Bay and
monitored the new bed.
Lower Newport Bay Harbor Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Study Section
206 Preliminary Restoration Plan — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los
Angeles District. Project Manager for the preparation of a preliminary restora-
tion plan to restore eelgrass to Lower Newport Bay in Orange County. The plan
proposed to restore aquatic function to Lower Newport Bay by transplanting eel -
grass to a number of sites within the Lower Bay. Eelgrass beds are a
particularly valuable marine habitat that enhance the physical and biological
environment. The plan identified 14 currently unvegetated sites within the
Lower Bay where eelgrass could potentially be transplanted.
Scientific Collecting Permit, Survey uisance Algal Growth in Newport SC-000625, expires March 8, y 9 Bay — The Irvine Company.
2007 Water quality sampling was conducted throughout Newport Bay and areas of
excessive algae growth were mapped.
IS /MND For Bay Island Bulkhead Replacement Project - City of Newport
Beach - Responsible for the marine biology and water quality sections for an
IS/MND to replace the bulkheads on Bay Isle in Lower Newport Bay. An under-
water survey for eelgrass and Caulerpa was performed around the
circumference of Bay Island.
Mariners Mile Walkway Project ISlMND - Cash and Associates under
Contract to City of Newport Beach - Responsible for the marine biology and
water quality sections for an ISIMND to build a walkway along Mariners Mile.
The walkway would require the pier line of the docks to be extended into the Bay
in some areas.
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CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT a
Agenda Item No. 15
May 27, 2008
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: James Campbell, Senior Planner
Planning Department
(949) 644 -3210 i campbell (c)citv.newport- beach.ca.us
SUBJECT: Professional Services Agreement for Environmental Consulting Services
related to the Local Coastal Program (LCP).
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement in an amount
not to exceed $65,000 with the Chambers Group for environmental consulting and
biological surveying for the Local Coastal Program.
DISCUSSION
The Coastal Land Use Plan (CLUP) identified a variety of Environmental Study Areas
where policies necessitate further study. More detailed biological survey work is needed
for preparation of appropriate development regulations for inclusion in the new Zoning
Code. The survey areas are Buck Gully, Morning Canyon and coastal bluffs citywide. The
survey work will include biological assessments and the identification of habitats and
appropriate development buffers and, wherever necessary, paleontological surveys.
Staff had three environmental consulting firms submit their qualifications: Bonterra
Consulting, ECORP Consulting and Chambers Group. Staff believes that all three firms
are qualified and each could provide the service; however, the Chambers Group is
staffs selection based upon their familiarity and past survey work within upper Buck
Gully and their past performance with preparing the initial environmental constraints
analysis for the CLUP.
Environmental Review: The City Council's approval of this Agenda Item does not
require environmental review as it is not defined as a project and the authorization of
this PSA will not result in a physical change to the environment.
Public Notice: This agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours
in advance of the public meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
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Fundina Availability: The fiscal '07208 budget includes $75,000 for Local Coastal
Program certification.
Alternatives: The City Council could choose any one of other consultants, direct staff to
consider other consultants or decline to hire any consultant.
Prepared by:
�V) CkAY6V
James Campbell, S nior Planner
ATTACHMENTS
1. Professional Services Agreement
Submitted by:
m
Davi Lepo, Pla ing Director
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
CHAMBERS GROUP, INC. FOR ON -CALL
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEWPORT BEACH LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this day of
200_, by and between the CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, a Municipal Corporation
( "City "), and CHAMBERS GROUP, INC. a California Corporation whose address is
17671 Cowan, Suite 100, Irvine, California, 92614 ("Consultant"), and is made with
reference to the following:
RECITALS
A. City is a municipal corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws
of the State of California with the power to carry on its business as it is now
being conducted under the statutes of the State of California and the Charter of
city.
B. City is preparing development policy and regulations for areas of the City that
may contain environmentally sensitive habitats in conjunction with the
implementation of the City's Local Coastal Program.
C. City desires to engage Consultant to provide on -call environmental consulting
services related to the City's Local Coastal Program ( "Project").
D. Consultant possesses the skill, experience, ability, background, certification and
knowledge to provide the services described in this Agreement.
E. The principal members of Consultant for purposes of Project, shall be Paul
Morrissey.
F. City has solicited and received a proposal from Consultant, has reviewed the
previous experience and evaluated the expertise of Consultant, and desires to
retain Consultant to render professional services under the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed by and between the undersigned parties as
follows:
1. TERM
The term of this Agreement shall commence on the above written date, and shall
terminate on the 30th day of June, 2009, unless terminated earlier as set forth
herein.
2. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Consultant shall diligently perform all the services specifically directed by the
Planning Department described in the Scope of Services attached hereto as
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Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.. The City may elect to delete
certain tasks of the Scope of Services at its sole discretion.
3. TIME OF PERFORMANCE
Time is of the essence in the performance of services under this Agreement and
the services shall be performed to completion in a diligent and timely manner.
The failure by Consultant to perform the services in a diligent and timely manner
may result in termination of this Agreement by City.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Consultant shall not be responsible for delays
due to causes beyond Consultant's reasonable control. However, in the case of
any such delay in the services to be provided for the Project, each party hereby
agrees to provide notice to the other party so that all delays can be addressed.
3.1 Consultant shall submit all requests for extensions of time for
performance in writing to the Project Administrator not later than ten (10)
calendar days after the start of the condition that purportedly causes a
delay. The Project Administrator shall review all such requests and may
grant reasonable time extensions for unforeseeable delays that are
beyond Consultant's control.
3.2 For all time periods not specifically set forth herein, Consultant shall
respond in the most expedient and appropriate manner under the
circumstances, by either telephone, fax, hand - delivery or mail.
4. COMPENSATION TO CONSULTANT
City shall pay Consultant for the services on a time and expense not -to -exceed
basis in accordance with the provisions of this Section and the Schedule of
Billing Rates within Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference. Consultant's
compensation for all work performed in accordance with this Agreement,
including all reimbursable items and subconsultant fees, shall not exceed Sixty -
Five Thousand Dollars and no /100 ($65,000) without prior written authorization
from City. No billing rate changes shall be made during the term of this
Agreement without the prior written approval of City.
4.1 Consultant shall submit monthly invoices to City describing the work
performed the preceding month. Consultant's bills shall include the name
of the person who performed the work, a brief description of the services
performed and /or the specific task in the Scope of Services to which it
relates, the date the services were performed, the number of hours spent
on all work billed on an hourly basis, and a description of any
reimbursable expenditures. City shall pay Consultant no later than thirty
(30) days after approval of the monthly invoice by City staff.
4.2 City shall reimburse Consultant only for those costs or expenses
specifically approved in this Agreement, or specifically approved in writing
in advance by City. Unless otherwise approved, such costs shall be
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limited and include nothing more than the following costs incurred by
Consultant:
A. The actual costs of subconsultants for performance of any of the
services that Consultant agrees to render pursuant to this
Agreement, which have been approved in advance by City and
awarded in accordance with this Agreement.
B. Approved reproduction charges.
C. Actual costs and /or other costs and /or payments specifically
authorized in advance in writing and incurred by Consultant in the
performance of this Agreement.
4.3 Consultant shall not receive any compensation for Extra Work performed
without the prior written authorization of City. As used herein, "Extra
Work" means any work that is determined by City to be necessary for the
proper completion of the Project, but which is not included within the
Scope of Services and which the parties did not reasonably anticipate
would be necessary at the execution of this Agreement. Compensation
for any authorized Extra Work shall be paid in accordance with the
Schedule of Billing Rates as set forth in Exhibit B.
5. PROJECT MANAGER
Consultant shall designate a Project Manager, who shall coordinate all phases of
the Project. This Project Manager shall be available to City at all reasonable
times during the Agreement term. Consultant has designated Paul Morrissey to
be its Project Manager. Consultant shall not remove or reassign the Project
Manager or any personnel listed in Exhibit A or assign any new or replacement
personnel to the Project without the prior written consent of City. City's approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld with respect to the removal or assignment of
non -key personnel.
Consultant, at the sole discretion of City, shall remove from the Project any of its
personnel assigned to the performance of services upon written request of City.
Consultant warrants that it will continuously furnish the necessary personnel to
complete the Project on a timely basis as contemplated by this Agreement.
6. ADMINISTRATION
This Agreement will be administered by the David Lepo, Planning Director shall
be the Project Administrator and shall have the authority to act for City under this
Agreement. The Project Administrator or his/her authorized representative shall
represent City in all matters pertaining to the services to be rendered pursuant to
this Agreement.
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7. CITY'S RESPONSIBILITIES
In order to assist Consultant in the execution of its responsibilities under this
Agreement, City agrees to, where applicable:
A. Provide access to, and upon request of Consultant, one copy of all
existing relevant information on file at City. City will provide all such
materials in a timely manner so as not to cause delays in Consultant's
work schedule.
8. STANDARD OF CARE
8.1 All of the services shall be performed by Consultant or under Consultant's
supervision. Consultant represents that it possesses the professional and
technical personnel required to perform the services required by this
Agreement, and that it will perform all services in a manner
commensurate with community professional standards. All services shall
be performed by qualified and experienced personnel who are not
employed by City, nor have any contractual relationship with City. By
delivery of completed work, Consultant certifies that the work conforms to
the requirements of this Agreement and all applicable federal, state and
local laws and the professional standard of care.
8.2 Consultant represents and warrants to City that it has, shall obtain, and
shall keep in full force in effect during the term hereof, at its sole cost and
expense, all licenses, permits, qualifications, insurance and approvals of
whatsoever nature that is legally required of Consultant to practice its
profession. Consultant shall maintain a City of Newport Beach business
license during the term of this Agreement.
8.3 Consultant shall not be responsible for delay, nor shall Consultant be
responsible for damages or be in default or deemed to be in default by
reason of strikes, lockouts, accidents, or acts of God, or the failure of City
to furnish timely information or to approve or disapprove Consultant's
work promptly, or delay or faulty performance by City, contractors, or
govemmental' agencies.
9. HOLD HARMLESS
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Consultant shall indemnify, defend and
hold harmless City, its City Council, boards and commissions, officers, agents,
volunteers, and employees (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties ") from and
against any and all claims (including, without limitation, claims for bodily injury,
death or damage to property), demands, obligations, damages, actions, causes
of action, suits, losses, judgments, fines, penalties, liabilities, costs and
expenses (including, without limitation, attorney's fees, disbursements and court
costs) of every kind and nature whatsoever (individually, a Claim; collectively,
"Claims "), which may arise from or in any manner relate (directly or indirectly) to
any breach of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, any work performed
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or services provided under this Agreement including, without limitation, defects in
workmanship or materials or Consultant's presence or activities conducted on
the Project (including the negligent and/or willful acts, errors and/or omissions of
Consultant, its principals, officers, agents, employees, vendors, suppliers,
consultants, subcontractors, anyone employed directly or indirectly by any of
them or for whose acts they may be liable or any or all of them).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall be construed to require
Consultant to indemnify the Indemnified Parties from any Claim arising from the
sole negligence or willful misconduct of the Indemnified Parties. Nothing in this
indemnity shall be construed as authorizing any award of attorney's fees in any
action on or to enforce the terms of this Agreement. This indemnity shall apply
to all claims and liability regardless of whether any insurance policies are
applicable. The policy limits do not act as a limitation upon the amount of
indemnification to be provided by the Consultant.
10. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
It is understood that City retains Consultant on an independent contractor basis
and Consultant is not an agent or employee of City. The manner and means of
conducting the work are under the control of Consultant, except to the extent
they are limited by statute, rule or regulation and the expressed terms of this
Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute approval
for Consultant or any of Consultant's employees or agents, to be the agents or
employees of City. Consultant shall have the responsibility for and control over
the means of performing the work, provided that Consultant is in compliance with
the terms of this Agreement. Anything in this Agreement that may appear to give
City the right to direct Consultant as to the details of the performance or to
exercise a measure of control over Consultant shall mean only that Consultant
shall follow the desires of City with respect to the results of the services.
11. COOPERATION
Consultant agrees to work closely and cooperate fully with City's designated
Project Administrator and any other agencies that may have jurisdiction or
interest in the work to be performed. City agrees to cooperate with the
Consultant on the Project.
12. CITY POLICY
Consultant shall discuss and review all matters relating to policy and Project
direction with City's Project Administrator in advance of all critical decision points
in order to ensure the Project proceeds in a manner consistent with City goals
and policies.
13. PROGRESS
Consultant is responsible for keeping the Project Administrator and /or his /her
duly authorized designee informed on a regular basis regarding the status and
R
progress of the Project, activities performed and planned, and any meetings that
have been scheduled or are desired.
14. INSURANCE
Without limiting Consultant's indemnification of City, and prior to commencement
of work. Consultant shall obtain, provide and maintain at its own expense during
the term of this Agreement, a policy or policies of liability insurance of the type
and amounts described below and in a form satisfactory to City.
A. Certificates of Insurance. Consultant shall provide certificates of
insurance with original endorsements to City as evidence of the insurance
coverage required herein. Insurance certificates must be approved by
City's Risk Manager prior to commencement of performance or issuance
of any permit. Current certification of insurance shall be kept on file with
City at all times during the term of this Agreement.
B. Signature. A person. authorized by the insurer to bind coverage on its
behalf shall sign certification of all required policies.
C. Acceptable Insurers. All insurance policies shall be issued by an
insurance company currently authorized by the Insurance Commissioner
to transact business of insurance in the State of California, with an
assigned policyholders' Rating of A (or higher) and Financial Size
Category Class VII (or larger) in accordance with the latest edition of
Best's Key Rating Guide, unless otherwise approved by the City's Risk
Manager.
D. Coverage Requirements.
i. Workers' Compensation Coverage. Consultant shall maintain
Workers' Compensation Insurance and Employer's Liability
Insurance for his or her employees in accordance with the laws of
the State of California. In addition, Consultant shall require each
subcontractor to similarly maintain Workers' Compensation
Insurance and Employer's Liability Insurance in accordance with
the laws of the State of California for all of the subcontractor's
employees. Any notice of cancellation or non - renewal of all
Workers' Compensation policies must be received by City at least
thirty (30) calendar days (10 calendar days written notice of non-
payment of premium) prior to such change. The insurer shall agree
to waive all rights of subrogation against City, its officers, agents,
employees and volunteers for losses arising from work performed
by Consultant for City.
ii. General Liability Coverage. Consultant shall maintain commercial
general liability insurance in an amount not less than one million
dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence for bodily injury, personal
injury, and property damage, including without limitation,
contractual liability. If commercial general liability insurance or
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other form with a general aggregate limit is used, either the general
aggregate limit shall apply separately to the work to be performed
under this Agreement, or the general aggregate limit shall be at
least twice the required occurrence limit.
iii. Automobile Liability Coverage. Consultant shall maintain
automobile insurance covering bodily injury and property damage
for all activities of the Consultant arising out of or in connection with
work to be performed "under this Agreement, including coverage for
any owned, hired, non -owned or rented vehicles, in an amount not
less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) combined single limit for
each occurrence.
iv. Professional Errors and Omissions Insurance. Consultant shall
maintain professional errors and omissions insurance, which
covers the services to be performed in connection with this
Agreement in the minimum amount of one million dollars
($1,000,000).
E. Endorsements. Each general liability and automobile liability insurance
policy shall be endorsed with the following specific language:
L The City, its elected or appointed officers, officials, employees,
agents and volunteers are to be covered as additional insureds with
respect to liability arising out of work performed by or on behalf of
the Consultant.
ii. This policy shall be considered primary insurance as respects to
City, its elected or appointed officers, officials, employees, agents
and volunteers as respects to all claims, losses, or liability arising
directly or indirectly from the Consultant's operations or services
provided to City. Any insurance maintained by City, including any
self- insured retention City may have, shall be considered excess
insurance only and not contributory with the insurance provided
hereunder.
iii. This insurance shall act for each insured and additional insured as
though a separate policy had been written for each, except with
respect to the limits of liability of the insuring company.
iv. The insurer waives all rights of subrogation against City, its elected
or appointed officers, officials, employees, agents and volunteers.
V. Any failure to comply with reporting provisions of the policies shall
not affect coverage provided to City, its elected or appointed
officers, officials, employees, agents or volunteers.
Vi. The insurance provided by this policy shall not be suspended,
voided, canceled, or reduced in coverage or in limits, by either
party except after thirty (30) calendar days (10 calendar days
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written notice of non - payment of premium) written notice has been
received by City.
F. Timely Notice of Claims. Consultant shall give City prompt and timely
notice of claim made or suit instituted arising out of or resulting from
Consultant's performance under this Agreement.
G. Additional Insurance. Consultant shall also procure and maintain, at its
own cost and expense, any additional kinds of insurance, which in its own
judgment may be necessary for its proper protection and prosecution of
the work.
15. PROHIBITION AGAINST ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS
Except as specifically authorized under this Agreement, the services to be
provided under this Agreement shall not be assigned, transferred contracted or
subcontracted out without the prior written approval of City. Any of the following
shall be construed as an assignment: The sale, assignment, transfer or other
disposition of any of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Consultant, or of
the interest of any general partner or joint venturer or syndicate member or
cotenant if Consultant is a partnership or joint - venture or syndicate or cotenancy,
which shall result in changing the control of Consultant. Control means fifty
percent (50%) or more of the voting power, or twenty-five percent (25%) or more
of the assets of the corporation, partnership or joint- venture.
16. SUBCONTRACTING
City and Consultant agree that subconsultants may be used to complete the
work outlined in the Scope of Services. The subconsultants authorized by City to
perform work on this Project are identified in Exhibit A. Consultant shall be fully
responsible to City for all acts and omissions of the subcontractor. Nothing in
this Agreement shall create any contractual relationship between City and
subcontractor nor shall it create any obligation on the part of City to pay or to see
to the payment of any monies due to any such subcontractor other than as
otherwise required by law. The City is an intended beneficiary of any work
performed by the subcontractor for purposes of establishing a duty of care
between the subcontractor and the City. Except as specifically authorized
herein, the services to be provided under this Agreement shall not be otherwise
assigned, transferred, contracted or subcontracted out without the prior written
approval of City.
17. OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS
Each and every report, draft, map, record, plan, document and other writing
produced (hereinafter "Documents "), prepared or caused to be prepared by
Consultant, its officers, employees, agents and subcontractors, in the course of
implementing this Agreement, shall become the exclusive property of City, and
City shall have the sole right to use such materials in its discretion without further
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compensation to Consultant or any other party. Consultant shall, at Consultant's
expense, provide such Documents to City upon prior written request.
Documents, including drawings and specifications, prepared by Consultant
pursuant to this Agreement are not intended or represented to be suitable for
reuse by City or others on any other project. Any use of completed Documents
for other projects and any use of incomplete Documents without specific written
authorization from Consultant will be at City's sole risk and without liability to
Consultant. Further, any and all liability arising out of changes made to
Consultant's deliverables under this Agreement by City or persons other than
Consultant is waived against Consultant and City assumes full responsibility for
such changes unless City has given Consultant prior notice and has received
from Consultant written consent for such changes.
18. COMPUTER DELIVERABLES
All written documents shall be transmitted to City in the City's latest adopted
version of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel or other format deemed mutually
acceptable. Should maps of Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas be the
result of work performed pursuant to this Agreement, Consultant shall provide
geographic data sets in a format compatible with the City's Geographic
Information System.
19. CONFIDENTIALITY
All Documents, including drafts, preliminary drawings or plans, notes and
communications that result from the services in this Agreement, shall be kept
confidential unless City authorizes in writing the release of information.
20. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INDEMNITY
The Consultant shall defend and indemnify City, its agents, officers,
representatives and employees against any and all liability, including costs, for
infringement of any United States' letters patent, trademark, or copyright
infringement, including costs, contained in Consultant's drawings and
specifications provided under this Agreement.
21. RECORDS
Consultant shall keep records and invoices in connection with the work to be
performed under this Agreement. Consultant shall maintain complete and
accurate records with respect to the costs incurred under this Agreement and
any services, expenditures and disbursements charged to City, for a minimum
period of three (3) years, or for any longer period required by law, from the date
of final payment to Consultant under this Agreement. All such records and
invoices shall be clearly identifiable. Consultant shall allow a representative of
City to examine, audit and make transcripts or copies of such records and.
invoices during regular business hours. Consultant shall allow inspection of all
work, data, Documents, proceedings and activities related to the Agreement for a
0
period of three (3) years from the date of final payment to Consultant under this
Agreement.
22. WITHHOLDINGS
City may withhold payment to Consultant of any disputed sums until satisfaction
of the dispute with respect to such payment. Such withholding shall not be
deemed to constitute a failure to pay according to the terms of this Agreement.
Consultant shall not discontinue work as a result of such withholding. Consultant
shall have an immediate right to appeal to the City Manager or his/her designee
with respect to such disputed sums. Consultant shall be entitled to receive
interest on any withheld sums at the rate of return that City earned on its
investments during the time period, from the date of withholding of any amounts
found to have been improperly withheld.
23. ERRORS AND OMISSIONS
In the event of errors or omissions that are due to the negligence or professional
inexperience of Consultant which result in expense to City greater than what
would have resulted if there were not errors or omissions in the work
accomplished by Consultant, the additional design, construction and /or
restoration expense shall be borne by Consultant. Nothing in this paragraph is
intended to limit City's rights under the law or any other sections of this
Agreement.
24. CITY'S RIGHT TO EMPLOY OTHER CONSULTANTS
City reserves the right to employ other Consultants in connection with the
Project.
125. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Consultant or its employees may be subject to the provisions of the
California Political Reform Act of 1974 (the "Act "), which (1) requires such
persons to disclose any financial interest that may foreseeably be materially
affected by the work performed under this Agreement, and (2) prohibits such
persons from making, or participating in making, decisions that will foreseeably
financially affect such interest.
If subject to the Act, Consultant shall conform to all requirements of the Act.
Failure to do so constitutes a material breach and is grounds for immediate
termination of this Agreement by City. Consultant shall indemnify and hold
harmless City for any and all claims for damages resulting from Consultant's
violation of this Section.
26. NOTICES
All notices, demands, requests or approvals to be given under the terms of this
Agreement shall be given in writing, and conclusively shall be deemed served
1�
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27.
28.
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when delivered personally, or on the third business day after the deposit thereof
in the United States mail, postage prepaid, first -class mail, addressed as
hereinafter provided. All notices, demands, requests or approvals from
Consultant to City shall be addressed to City at:
All notices, demands, requests or
approvals from Consultant to City
shall be addressed to City at:
Attention:
David Lepo, Planning Director
Planning Department
City of Newport Beach
3300 Newport Boulevard
Newport Beach, CA, 92663
Phone: 949 - 644 -3200
Fax: 949 -644 -3229
TERMINATION
All notices, demands, requests or
approvals from CITY to Consultant shall
be addressed to Consultant at:
Attention:
Paul Morrissey
Chambers Group, Inc.
17671 Cowan
Irvine, CA 92614 -6009
Phone: 949- 261 -5414
Fax: 949- 261 -8950
In the event that either party fails or refuses to perform any of the provisions of
this Agreement at the time and in the manner required, that party shall be
deemed in default in the performance of this Agreement. If such default is not
cured within a period of two (2) calendar days, or if more than two (2) calendar
days are reasonably required to cure the default and the defaulting party fails to
give adequate assurance of due performance within two (2) calendar days after
receipt of written notice of default, specifying the nature of such default and the
steps necessary to cure such default, and thereafter diligently take steps to cure
the default, the non - defaulting party may terminate the Agreement forthwith by
giving to the defaulting party written notice thereof.
Notwithstanding the above provisions, City shall have the right, at its sole
discretion and without cause, of terminating this Agreement at any time by giving
seven (7) calendar days prior written notice to Consultant. In the event of
termination under this Section, City shall pay Consultant for services
satisfactorily performed and costs incurred up to the effective date of termination
for which Consultant has not been previously paid. On the effective date of
termination, Consultant shall deliver to City all reports, Documents and other
information developed or accumulated in the performance of this Agreement,
whether in draft or final form.
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL LAWS
Consultant shall at its own cost and expense comply with all statutes,
ordinances, regulations and requirements of all governmental entities, including
federal, state, county or municipal, whether now in force or hereinafter enacted.
In addition, all work prepared by Consultant shall conform to applicable City,
county, state and federal laws, rules, regulations and permit requirements and be
subject to approval of the Project Administrator and City.
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29. WAIVER
a
A waiver by either party of any breach, of any term, covenant or condition
contained herein shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach
of the same or any other term, covenant or condition contained herein, whether
of the same or a different character.
30. INTEGRATED CONTRACT
This Agreement represents the full and complete understanding of every kind or
nature whatsoever between the parties hereto, and all preliminary negotiations
and agreements of whatsoever kind or nature are merged herein. No verbal
agreement or implied covenant shall be held to vary the provisions herein.
31. CONFLICTS OR INCONSISTENCIES
In the event there are any conflicts or inconsistencies between this Agreement
and the Scope of Services or any other attachments attached hereto, the terms
of this Agreement shall govern.
32. INTERPRETATION
The terms of this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the meaning
of the language used and shall not be construed for or against either party by
reason of the authorship of the Agreement or any other rule of construction
which might otherwise apply.
33. AMENDMENTS
This Agreement may be modified or amended only by a written document
executed by both Consultant and City and approved as to form by the City
Attorney.
34. SEVERABILITY
If any term or portion of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or otherwise
unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of
this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
35. CONTROLLING LAW AND VENUE
The laws of the State of California shall govern this Agreement and all matters
relating to it and any action brought relating to this Agreement shall be
adjudicated in a court of competent jurisdiction in the County of Orange.
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36. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
Consultant represents that it is an equal opportunity employer and it shall not
discriminate against any subcontractor, employee or applicant for employment
because of race, religion, color, national origin, handicap, ancestry, sex or age.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on
the day and year first written above.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
for the City of Newport Beach
ATTEST:
0
LaVonne Harkless,
City Clerk
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH,
A Municipal Corporation
By:
City Manager
for the City of Newport Beach
CONSULTANT:
By:
(Corporate Officer)
Title:
Print
22
(Financial Officer)
Title:
Print Name:
Attachments: Exhibit A — Scope of Services & Billing Rates
F: luserslcattsharedlContrectTemptatesPublishedonintranetlFORM — Professional Service Agreement.doc
Rev: 05 -02 -07
(3—
3
Qlchambers Group
Savm EnwrorwrWrM t Grederw"
17671 Cowan Avenue. Suite 100
Irvine, California 92614
949 • 261 -5414 ter
949 • 261 -8950 fax
May 20, 2008
Mr. Jim Campbell
City of Newport Beach
3300 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Subject: Proposal for On -Call Environmental Services Related to the City of Newport
Beach's Local Coastal Program Implementation
Dear Mr. Campbell:
Chambers Group, Inc. is pleased to submit this proposal to the City of Newport Beach per your request for
on -call environmental support services and most importantly to demonstrate our extensive experience
with environmental documentation and permitting services for municipality projects within southern
California.
Chambers Group, a California corporation, was established in 1978 to provide high - quality environmental
consulting services to government agencies, private businesses, and industry. We, have extensive
experience in conducting environmental assessments and procuring regulatory permits for a variety of
clients.
Chambers Group intends to perform the contract as the prime contractor. Dr. Noel Davis has been
selected as your program manager for this contract. Dr. Davis has over 30 years experience consulting on
coastal issues in southern California. She has expertise in marine biology, seabirds and shorebirds,
ocean water quality, and coastal wetlands. She assisted the City of Newport Beach with its update of the
biological elements of its Local Coastal Plan. Dr. Davis has over 10 years experience dealing with the
California Coastal Commission. She has prepared applications or assisted in the preparation of
applications to the Coastal Commission for Coastal Development Permits for a variety of projects
including refurbishment of the Coast Guard Station in Newport Harbor, the Newport Back Bay Slope
Stabilization Project, maintenance of flood control channel ocean outlets in Orange County, Marina Harbor
Apartments and Anchorage apartment and dock renovations, removal of invasive vegetation from San
Diego Creek, pipeline maintenance in the Boise, Chica wetlands, and the San Juan Creek Bike Trail
Project. For the last several years she has been assisting the Municipal Water District of Orange County
with strategy and technical issues for permitting, including a Coastal Development Permit from the Coastal
Commission, related to planning for a desalination facility in Dana Point. Recently, she assisted BreitBum
Management Company with a Coastal Act Violation related to fill in wetlands to repair a pipeline on the
Bixby Property in the Los Cerritos wetlands. Dr. Davis is a member of the Los Angeles County
Environmental Review Board which determines whether proposed developments in the Santa Monica
Mountains are consistent with the policies of the Malibu Local Coastal Plan. In addition, she has been the
project manager for a variety of coastal related CEQA and NEPA documents including an IS/MND for the
Seal Beach Groin Rehabilitation Project, an 1S(MND for the Huntington Beach Wetlands Restoration
Project, an IS/MND and EA for the Solstice Creek Steelhead Restoration Project, an EIR For the Goleta
Beach County Park Long Term Protection Plan, and the EIRIEIS for the Boise Chica Lowlands
Restoration project. She has served as an expert witness for a lawsuit related to maintenance of a
drainage channel, for an arbitration hearing with the California Department of Fish and Game over a
Streambed Alteration Agreement for a proposed golf course in Big Tijunga Wash, and for the defense for
the Montrose Natural Resources Damage Assessment lawsuit.
IRVINE • REDLANDS . SAN DIEGO • BAKERSFIELD • RENO it
www.chambersgroupine.com V
Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)
May 20, 2008
Page 2
Chambers Group is prepared to accommodate scheduling demands under short notice. We will provide a
schedule, and will be prepared for a kickoff meeting immediately upon Notice to Proceed for issued task
orders.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this proposal. Should have you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me at (949) 261 -5414 or Dr. Noel Davis at (949) 261 -5414.
Sincerely,
CHAMBERS GROUP, INC.
John E Webb
Vice President Sales and Marketing
'1
ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Proposal for On -Call Environmental Services
Related to the City of Newport Beach's
Local Coastal Program Implementation
Prepared for.
City of Newport Beach
3300 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Prepared by:
CHAMBERS GROUP, INC.
17671 Cowan Avenue, Suite 100
Irvine, California 92614
(949) 261-6414
MAY 2008
This Proposal was prepared by Chambers Group solely for your internal use in evaluating Chambers Group's business
qualifications and deciding whether or not to contract with Chambers Group to perform the services described in this
proposal. Chambers Gawp considers the pricing and other business information the property of Chambers Group. This
proposal and the information contained herein shall not be used for any purpose other than as specifically stated in this
proposal and shall not be disclosed to any other party without Chambers Group's written consent
Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise
on
ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTANERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
SECTION 2.0 -TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
SECTION1.0 - COVER LETTER ................................................................................. ............................1 -1
SECTION 2.0 - TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................... ............................... 2 -1
SECTION 3.0 - COMPANY QUALIFICATIONS ......................................................... ............................... 3 -1
SECTION 4.0 - QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE ........................................... ............................... 4 -1
SECTION 5.0 - STANDARD SERVICES AND WORK PLANS ................................. ............................... 5 -1
SECTION 6.0 - ADDITIONAL DATA ......................................................................... ............................... 6 -1
SECTION 7.0 - STANDARD FEE SCHEDULE
APPENDIX A- RESUMES
Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise
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ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTAL ERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
SECTION 3.0 - COMPANY QUALIFICATIONS
Company Profile
Chambers Group, Inc. (Chambers Group), a certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise and Small
Business Enterprise, is pleased to submit our Proposal to the Los Angeles County Department of Public
Works for the As- Needed Environmental Documentation and Regulatory Permit Consultant Services.
Chambers Group, a California corporation, has been providing environmental planning, regulatory
permitting, biological resources, cultural resources, and related services for three decades. Chambers
Group provides interdisciplinary environmental consulting services to government agencies, private
business, and industry. We are headquartered in Irvine, with regional offices in San Diego and Redlands,
California and Reno, Nevada.
We assist clients to comply with applicable federal, state, and/or local environmental laws, regulations,
and /or guidelines. Our professionals have extensive expertise in complying with the CEQA/NEPA,
Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Archaeological Resources
Protection Act (ARPA), Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Water Act, and Clean Air Act.
Chambers Group specializes in providing the following environmental services:
Environmental Documentation: Chambers Group's environmental planners have extensive experience
providing CEQA/NEPA compliance services. Chambers Group has successfully prepared thousands of
environmental and planning reports, documents and studies in compliance with these and other
regulations, including EIR/IS/ND /MND and EIS /EA/CATEX/FONSI documents.
Regulatory Permitting: Chambers. Group prepares and submits permit application packages and all
requisite support documentation to acquire applicable regulatory permits (including a USACE Clean Water
Act Section 404 permit, CDFG Section 1602 lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement, and Regional
Water Quality Control Board [RWQCB]' Section 401 Water Quality Certification). Chambers Group assists
with resource agency coordination to expedite the acquisition of the necessary regulatory permits.
Biological Resources: Chambers Group biologists provide presence/absence surveys, evaluation of
habitats, wildlife corridor analysis, and analysis of population parameters. Our team members hold
specific USFWS & CDFG permits to work with sensitive wildlife species and have worked with species
such as the desert tortoise, least Bell's vireo, Santa Ana sucker, southern ribber boa, San Bernardino
kangaroo rat, Mojave ground squirrel, coastal California gnatcatcher, southwestern willow flycatcher, fairy
shrimp, quino checkerspot butterfly, western burrowing owl, arroyo toad, fairy shrimp and others. We also
offer coordination with wildlife agencies and assist in a full range of consultation services under the federal
and state endangered species acts. Our staff provides assistance with formal consultations with the
USFWS pursuant to Section 7 of the ESA and associated Biological Assessments. We also assist clients
in fulfilling the requirements of the Endangered Species Act, NCCP, Clean Water ACT and Migratory Bird
Treaty Act
Jurisdictional Delineations: Chambers Group biologists examine each project site to determine the
potential presence or absence of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ( USACE) jurisdiction pursuant to Section
404 of the Clean Water Act and California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) jurisdiction pursuant to
Section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code. Chambers Group biologists delineate the limits of
USACE and CDFG regulatory jurisdiction and prepare draft and final jurisdictional delineation reports
documenting the findings of the delineation survey, as necessary.
Mitigation Monitoring and Environmental Training: Chambers Group has provided mitigation
monitoring services for over twenty years. These services include mitigation monitoring plans,
coordination with agencies to determine specific responsibilities for various program elements,
preconstruction surveys for sensitive species, onsite monitoring to assure compliance, and post-
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Chambers Group • Cefed Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise 3 -1
ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTAL41ERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
construction documentation of compliance with the plan. We also review proposed and existing plans to
measure their effectiveness against their original intent. Our staff works closely with clients during project
construction to assure that mitigation monitoring . and permit compliance are conducted efficiently without
disrupting construction schedules. We can provide the mitigation- monitoring plan in conjunction with an
EIR or as a separate document. Chambers Group works with construction crews to train them on the
avoidance of sensitive resources in the project area of impact.
Restoration Ecology and Revegetation: Revegetation of graded sites is a difficult and specialized
activity that requires a detailed understanding of the ecology of native vegetation and soil organisms.
Chambers Group is uniquely qualified in this regard. Our restoration ecology team leader has a broad
background in academic research and practical experience. He introduced several innovative restoration
techniques in common use today, including land imprinting and mycorrhizal inoculation, which he
developed over the past twenty years. The Chambers Group restoration team consequently has full
access to these and other complex and powerful methods.
Cultural Resources: Chambers Group archaeologists conduct cultural resources studies in accordance
with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for archaeological investigation. They have proven experience
managing large programs and multiple concurrent task orders in compliance with Sections 106 and 110 of
the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), and
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). They perform National Register of
Historic Places (NRHP) evaluations, prepare Historic Properties Management Plans, and work with the
California State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to determine eligibility of historic buildings.
Additionally, Chambers Group paleontologists have extensive experience in providing services involving
initial surveys, mitigation plans, surface collection, construction monitoring, fossil salvage, laboratory
preparation, cataloguing and transferal, technical reports, and exhibits.
Air Quality and Noise: Chambers Group environmental professionals have expertise in complying with
environmental regulations such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Clean Air Act (CAA), and recent California state legislation including
AB -1493, AB -32, and Executive Order S -3 -05. Air and Noise Quality services include: CEQA -level Air
Quality Analysis; Clean Air Act Conformity Analysis; Air Quality Mitigation Programs; General Plan Air
Quality Element; Air Toxics Heath Risk Assessments; Air Quality Permitting & Regulatory Support;
Environmental Auditing for Air Quality Compliance; Groundborne Vibration Analysis; Airport and Rail Noise
Impact Analysis; Noise Impact for Commercial and Industrial Stationary Sources; General Plan Noise
Elements CEQA -level Noise and Vibration Impact Analysis; Noise Impact for Commercial and Industrial
Stationary SourceAir Dispersion Modeling.
In addition to a highly qualified Project Team, Chambers Group has extensive experience in providing on-
call services to various State and Federal agencies in southern California. Most importantly, Chambers
Group currently has a Master Services Contract with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
(LADPW) under which we provide on -call services for various task orders involving CEQA, NEPA,
biological and cultural resources services, and regulatory permitting assistance.
Chambers Group also has MSA contracts to provide CEQA consultant services to the Los Angeles Unified
School District, the San Bernardino City Unified School District, the County of Riverside, as well as an
Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Los
Angeles and Sacramento Districts. Under this contract, Chambers Group conducted environmental
analyses for the Los Angeles County Drainage Area ( LACDA) and prepared a comprehensive
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for modifications of the LACDA system including construction of
improvements to channels, modifications to dams and their operations, and the associated modification of
infrastructure include the raising of bridges. In all of these contracts, we developed the detailed scopes of
work, schedules, and cost estimates for each task.
The Chambers Project Team has sufficient staff members to provide as- needed environmental
documentation and regulatory permit support services for The City of Newport Beach. As Program
Manager, Dr. Davis has the authority to assign resources to critical projects to ensure timely completion.
Chambers Group is committed to strong project management, quality control, and client satisfaction. Our
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Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise 3 -2
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ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
environmental and planning professionals are thoroughly familiar with the requirements of CEOA and
NEPA, as well as regulatory compliance and permitting. Our documents are recognized by agencies as
easily readable, technically credible, and legally defensible.
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Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise 3 -3
• ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTARVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
SECTION 4.0 - QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
4.1 PROJECT TEAM
Section 4.2 identifies the proposed Program Manager for this contract, and briefly discusses his
experience and qualifications. Section 4.3 identifies key staff proposed for this contract and describes
their roles and responsibilities. Section 4.4 provides a list of relevant projects showing our team's
capabilities in providing environmental documentation and regulatory permit services. Detailed resumes
for key bio staff are provided in Appendix A. Chambers Group will be responsible for providing the bulk of
the services required in the RFP.
4.2 PROGRAM MANAGER
Noel Davis, Ph. D. - Program Manager. The primary point -of- contact for the City of Newport Beach will
be Dr. Noel Davis. Dr. Davis has over 30 years experience consulting on coastal issues in southern
California. She has expertise in marine biology, seabirds and shorebirds, ocean water quality, and coastal
wetlands. She assisted the City of Newport Beach with its update of the biological elements of its Local
Coastal Plan. Dr. Davis has over 10 years experience dealing with the California Coastal Commission.
She has prepared applications or assisted in the preparation of applications to the Coastal Commission
for Coastal Development Permits for a variety of projects including refurbishment of the Coast Guard
Station in Newport Harbor, the Newport Back Bay Slope Stabilization Project, maintenance of flood control
channel ocean outlets in Orange County, Marina Harbor Apartments and Anchorage apartment and dock
renovations, removal of invasive vegetation from San Diego Creek, pipeline maintenance in the Boise
Chica wetlands, and the San Juan Creek Bike Trail Project. For the last several years she has been
assisting the Municipal Water District of Orange County with strategy and technical issues for permitting,
including a Coastal Development Permit from the Coastal Commission, related to planning for a
desalination facility in Dana Point Recently, she assisted BreitBUm Management Company with a
Coastal Act Violation related to fill in wetlands to repair a pipeline on the Bixby Property in the Los Cerritos
wetlands. Dr. Davis is a member of the Los Angeles County Environmental Review Board which
determines whether proposed developments in the Santa Monica Mountains are consistent with the
policies of the Malibu Local Coastal Plan.
4.3 KEY STAFF
Chambers Group, Inc.
As previously discussed, the proposed Program Manager for this program and primary point -of- contact for
the The City of Newport Beach will be Noel Davis Ph.D. She will be supported by James Smithwick,
Ph.D., Director of Environmental Planning and the proposed Deputy Program Manager for this effort, as
Deputy Project Manager, who will serve as a secondary point -of- contact with the The City of Newport
Beach for daily technical matters, coordinate with technical staff and subcontractors, and review all
documentation for accuracy and quality control. Dr. Smithwick has more than 27 years of experience as
manager of large, comprehensive programs and in preparing EIRs, EISs, and other CEQA/NEPA
documents for a wide range of projects. He is an environmental planner and permitting manager with
strong practical knowledge of and in -depth experience in environmental documentation. His background
includes environmental program and project management, regulatory compliance, mitigation planning and
monitoring, field supervision, technical support, QA/QC, cost containment, safety and health compliance,
and training. He conducts environmental baseline surveys, natural resources surveys as well as prepares
management plans and mitigation /monitoring plans. He is experienced in regulatory compliance and
initiatives such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Native American Graves Protection and Repatriations
Act (NAGPRA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Air Act (CAA) and Clean Water Act (CWA). Dr.
Smithwick has a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies from Louisiana State University.
He has been involved with several projects as Project Manager, such as the Sierra Highway Widening
project between State Road 14 and SR 138, the Marina Del Rey Low Flow Diversion Project, and the
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Chambers Group • Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise • Small Business Enterprise 4 -1
ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTARVICES RELATED TO THE
CITY'S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Woodley Avenue Drain Improvement. Other On -Call Contracts he is currently serving on as Project
Manager include those with the Los Angeles Unified School District, Montebello Unified School District,
San Bernardino City Unified School District and the County of Riverside Facilities Management Dr. Larry
Freeberg as Deputy Project Manager, who will serve as a secondary point -of- contact with the LADPW for
daily technical matters, coordinate with technical staff and subcontractors, and review all documentation
for accuracy and quality control. Complete details regarding Chambers Group's proposed Staff and
Subcontractor Management Plan are provided in Sections 5.2 and 5.3 of this proposal.
Robert Verlaan — Environmental Planning
Mr. Verlaan is a highly experienced environmental planner. He has successfully prepared or managed the
preparation andfor processing of NEPA and CEQA compliance documents for more than 500 projects
over the course of his 30 -year career. Varying greatly in type, scale and complexity, these projects include
master planned communities, institutional facilities, industrial projects, infrastructure improvements,
hillside residential developments, parks and recreational facilities, national defense - related facilities,
energy - related facilities, and educational facilities. Mr. Verlaan's background also includes performing
numerous independent third -party peer reviews of environmental compliance documents prepared by
other consultants. He has prepared CEQA compliance documents for more than 40 local jurisdictions and
districts within the State of California as well as prepared NEPA compliance documents for the U.S. Air
Force, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region IX), U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Bureau of
Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S.
Bureau of Indian Affairs. He has an M.S.W in Social Work from San Francisco State University.
Andrew Minor - Environmental Planning
Mr. Minors professional experience involves California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)/National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis and document preparation as well as Endangered Species Act
protocols. He has assisted in the preparation of a variety of environmental documents for government
agencies and private Clients, including Initial StudiesfNegative Declarations (IS /ND), Environmental Impact
Reports (EIR) and Environmental Assessments (EA). He has experience with data collection and analysis
on the following environmental issues: land use, urban public policy, public services, air quality, recreation,
mining, utilities and utility corridors, population and housing, transportation and access, wilderness
characteristics, health and safety, geology, wildlife and cumulative impacts analyses. He will be
responsible for professionally prepared maps and diagrams appearing throughout the project CEQA
document He has an M.S. in Geographic Information Systems/Science from the University of Redlands.
Mr. Minor has worked as a Lead Environmental Planner for the Sierra Highway Widening project He was
also a Staff Environmental Planner on the Marina Del Rey Low Flow Diversion project and the Montebello
Unified School District On -Call Services Contract. As a GIS Analyst he worked on the San Gabriel River
Biological Surveys and Services project. He is currently the Project Manager for the On -Call Services
contract with the San Bernardino City Unified School District.
Alissa Cope - Regulatory and Permitting Services
Ms. Cope has over 12 years of experience preparing and supervising the preparation of CEQA and NEPA
documents and required supporting documentation, and is proficient at synthesizing issues associated
with development and sensitive environments into workable solutions for a variety of projects without
ignoring environmental concerns or compromising environmental values. She has negotiated and
executed regulatory compliance permits. As a Regulatory Specialist, she has a strong working knowledge
of federal Clean Water Act Section 404 and 401, Federal Endangered Species Act Section 7, California
Fish and Game Section 1600, state Porter - Cologne Act compliance requirements. Her strong negotiating
skills result in successful permit processing in a timely and cost- effective manner for projects located
within environmentally sensitive areas for both public and privately- funded projects. She has a B.S. in
Environmental Science from University of California, Riverside.
Ms. Cope has worked on several on several projects with the Orange County Integrated Waste
Management District for Prima Descheca Landfill in South Orange County. She is currently preparing a
combined NEPA/CEQA document in support of 45 miles of fiber optic cable project.
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Lisa Louie - Regulatory and Permitting Services
Ms. Louie has a strong background in environmental management, focusing on marine, estuarine, and
freshwater environments. She has prepared and provided support for environmental documents in
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA). Her experience includes environmental impact statements (EIS), environmental assessments
(EA), initial studies (IS), environmental impact reports (EIR), and negative declarations (ND), as well as
integrated NEPA/CEQA documents. She is experienced in coordinating with State and Federal resource
agencies and has successfully negotiated mitigation and conservation requirements. In addition, Ms.
Louie is experienced in the preparation of, and coordination for, permit applications that include Clean
Water Act (CWA) 404 (individual and nationwide) permits and 404(b)(1) evaluations for the US Army
Corps of Engineers, CWA Section 401 water quality certifications for the Regional Water Quality Control
Board, Section 1600 streambed alteration agreement applications for the California Department of Fish
and Game, coastal development permits and consistency determinations for the California Coastal
Commission, and essential fish habitat, as well as mitigation and monitoring plans, for the National Marine
Fisheries Service. Ms. Louie's experience also includes serving as an environmental manager for the U.S.
Army Carps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. LADPW experience includes the Sierra Highway
Widening project. She has an M.S. in Marine Science from the University of San Diego.
Michael Hendrix - AirfNoise Analysis
Mr. Hendrix has over 9 years of experience providing services associated with environmental
assessments, air quality, and noise analysis. He has supervised and authored multiple air quality and
acoustical analysis reports and environmental assessments. He has extensive research analyzing specific
technical issues of air quality and acoustics as they relate to Environmental Justice and project
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA). His experience also includes public outreach efforts for both project specific meetings and
informing local and state officials on air quality and acoustical issues in general. He has a B.S. in
Environmental Science from the University of California, Riverside.
Heather Dubois - Air /Noise Analysis
Ms. Dubois has 7 years of experience working as an environmental scientist/planner with local and
regional jurisdictions in California, with the last year focused on Air Quality Impact Analysis and the
NEPA/CEQA process. She has expertise in preparing Air Quality Impact Analysis in compliance with
CEQA regulations. She has a broad background of experience allowing for an understanding of all
aspects of the project. She has a great deal of experience in composition of complex planning documents
that require a breadth of knowledge of many aspects of the planning disciplines such as Land Use
Planning, Transitlfransportation Planning, and Environmental Planning. She has a dual B.S. in Chemistry
and Biology from Clarkson University. She also has an M.B.A. from Clarkson University.
Patrick Maxon, RPA - Cultural Resources
Mr. Maxon has 14 years of experience in cultural resources management and compliance monitoring
involving archaeological, paleontological, prehistoric and historic resources. He has expertise in
compliance with the NEPA, CEQA, National Historic Preservation Act, Archaeological Resources
Protection Act, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriations Act, as well as the Clean Water Act.
He is a Registered Professional Archaeologist as well as certified by the County of Orange Environmental
Management Agency. Mr. Maxon has completed more than 200 cultural resource projects involving
research, reconnaissance, testing, data recovery, monitoring, site recording, site protection /preservation,
mapping, laboratory analysis, and report production. He has managed a number of projects under review
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, requiring permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act as well
as compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA. These projects involved agency, client, Native American
and subcontractor coordination, development of treatment plans and research designs, site testing, data
recovery excavation, site protection, reinterment of human remains, laboratory analysis and report
production. He has an M.A. in anthropology from California State University, Fullerton.
Jay Sander - Cultural Resources
Mr. Sander has 14 years of cultural resources experience in California. His principal focuses are on lithic
technology, the strategies of desert- focused hunters and gatherers, and the development of sedentism
and social complexity. Mr. Sander has participated in and supervised all aspects of archaeological
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fieldwork, including survey, test excavation, data recovery, and construction monitoring, particularly within
the deserts of southern California and Arizona. He has surveyed over 60,000 acres and excavated nearly
120 archaeological sites in the Great Basin, Mojave, Sonoran, and Colorado Deserts. He has conducted
numerous evaluations of archaeological sites and historic architectural resources for eligibility to the
National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR), and
the City of Redland's criteria for local listing.
Mike McEntee - Biological Resources
Mr. McEntee has a comprehensive background in biological resources management and CEQA/NEPA
compliance. He has assisted with the implementation of mitigation programs for large -scale projects,
performed restoration and exotic species removal as well as mitigation monitoring. He conducts surveys
for endangered species following USFWS and CDFG protocols in compliance with the Endangered
Species Act. He has conducted nest monitoring for federal- and state- listed species, trapping of brown -
headed cowbirds, reconnaissance-level and detailed wildlife surveys, small and large mammal trapping,
and investigated environmental impacts to biological resources and habitats. Mr. McEntee has a B.A. in
Biology from California State University, Fullerton.
Shannan Shaffer - Biological Resources
Ms. Shaffer is a Wildlife Biologist knowledgeable in field identification of avian species, larval and adult
amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals and fur- bearers. She has conducted reconnaissance-level and
detailed wildlife and vegetation surveys, such as focused surveys for the threatened/endangered bird
species, the least Bell's vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher and California gnatcatcher and sensitive
species such as the burrowing owl and California legless lizard. She follows current survey protocols to
perform wildlife inventories and focused field studies. Standardized methodologies including live- trapping
for small mammals; track and photo station monitoring for large mammals; point counts, strip transects,
and spot - mapping for birds; and pitfall trapping for reptiles. She frequently conducts consultations with
other knowledgeable biologists. She has authored several technical reports, including biological
assessments, mitigation plans and technical reports. She has B.S. in Biology from California State
Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Paul Morrissey - Biological Resources
Mr. Morrissey has more than 6 years experience participating in and conducting terrestrial and
aquatic/marine studies, with a comprehensive background in both collecting data and performing
biological monitoring surveys. He recently prepared a Biological Evaluation for submittal to the USFWS in
support of a Section 7 consultation. He has coordinated with state and federal agencies to develop and
implement effective mitigation and monitoring plans for listed and sensitive species and to ensure
compliance with state and federal laws. He has worked extensively with protected and sensitive fish
species such as the Santa Ana sucker, Santa Ana speckled dace, arroyo chub, and rainbow trout. He is
experienced in conducting focused surveys for desert tortoise, burrowing owl, small mammals and
protected avian species. Mr. Morrissey has a M.S. in Biology from California State University, Dominguez
Hills.
Kris Alberts - Biological Resources
Mr. Alberts has 11 years of experience with a comprehensive background in conducting and managing
biological surveys. As a senior wildlife biologist, he has conducted surveys for the least Bell's vireo,
coastal California gnatcatcher, southwestern willow flycatcher, summer tanager, and arroyo toad. He has
conducted nest monitoring for federally- and state- listed species as well as reconnaissance-level and
detailed wildlife surveys and bat surveys. His experience also includes small mammal, reptile and brown -
headed cowbird trapping. As a botanist, he has worked extensively in many southern California
vegetation communities conducting line transect and stacked cube sampling, community mapping, and
species identification. He has performed vernal pool, riparian and coastal sage scrub restorations as well
as exotic species removal programs. Combining his wildlife skills with his botany skills, he has conducted
habitat assessments and focused wildlife surveys throughout Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, San
Bernardino, and Riverside Counties. Mr. Alberts has also investigated environmental impacts to existing or
potential biological resources by construction activities, noise, and proposed developments. He has
assisted with the implementation of mitigation programs for large -scale projects and mitigation compliance
throughout southern California. He has authored and assisted with numerous biological documents,
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including reports on long -term federal projects and Biological Assessments for Section 7 consultation with
USFWS. As a wildlife biologist, botanist, and group manager for previous federal projects, his
responsibilities have included survey coordination, staff supervision, data collection, technical report
writing, interacting effectively with resource/regulatory agency personnel, maintaining client
communication, and meeting project deadlines. He has a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental
Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign
Tim Landis - Water/Water Quality
Mr. Landis is a certified professional hydrologist with over 25 years of experience dealing with flooding,
storm -water treatment, hydrology, and water quality impact/mitigation and water resource permitting
projects: He has experience designing storm -water management plans and Best Management Practices
to meet storm- water, NPDES General and Industrial permit requirements. He has a B.A. in Physical
Sciences, Physics and Chemistry from the California State University, Chico. He has worked on an On-
Call Environmental Planning Services contract with the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
Sean Tondre - GIS
Mr. Tondre has a background in geography and has served as GIS Analyst on numerous CEQA
documents. He has prepared maps for biological and cultural resources surveys to support field crews
and provided input to technical reports. He has utilized GIS in environmental modeling. He has a B.S. in
Geography from UC Santa Barbara
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4.4 RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Biological Resource Services for Newport Coast
Prime Client: City of Newport Beach Public Works Department
Chambers Group, Inc., performed a general assessment of eight canyons in the Newport Coast
watershed area. The eight canyons within the study area included Buck Gully, Morning Canyon, Pelican
Point Creek, Pelican Point Middle Creek, Pelican Point Waterfall Creek, Los Trancos Creek (Crystal Cove
Creek), Muddy Creek, and Moro Creek. The assessment provided the City with information on the
jurisdiction of state and federal regulatory agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ( USACE),
California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The
general assessment involved basic data collection on existing native vegetation communities, presence of
exotic plant species, potential restoration areas, potential occurrences of sensitive plant and wildlife
species, necessity of focused surveys, and the presence of jurisdictional waters. The field survey was
conducted on all eight Canyons, up to 18 linear miles. The study area encompassed a 100 -foot corridor,
with the centerline being the midline of the drainage. Each canyon was divided into 114 -mile segments.
Data was recorded on standardized datasheets specific to each 114 -mile segment. The datasheet
contained fields for recording existing vegetation communities, location of non - native plant species,
average width of CDFG and USACE jurisdiction, and potential presence of sensitive species. All plant
communities on the project site were mapped on aerial photographs at a scale of V to 200'. The
presence of exotic vegetation was documented using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices
(coordinates taken in UTM). The biologists documented the presence of common and sensitive biological
resources. The field survey identified the presence or potential presence of federal- or state - listed or
otherwise sensitive plant and wildlife species and sensitive habitats. After completing the field surveys,
Chambers Group prepared a technical report of findings that includes the following topics: (a)
introduction, (b) description of study area, (c) methods used to conduct the surveys, (d) existing Conditions
of biological resources on the site, (e) sensitive species and communities discussion, and (f) bibliography.
The report of findings included current photographs and maps documenting current site conditions and
sensitive species locations (if observed). The report identified areas subject to USACE and/or CDFG
jurisdiction and provided an approximate measurement of such jurisdiction.
Lower Newport Bay Harbor Eelgrass Restoration Project
Prime Client: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District
Chambers Group was responsible for a project to restore eelgrass to several unvegetated sites within
Lower Newport Bay Harbor. Eelgrass was collected from eelgrass beds within the harbor and
transplanted to unvegetated location. The purpose of the project was to establish small eelgrass beds
and determine which unvegetated areas could support eelgrass.
Cultural Resources Services for West Bay Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project
Prime Client: County of Orange, Resources & Development Management Department
Chambers Group evaluated the mitigation status and potential impacts of proposed site stabilization and
restoration measures to control weeds and soil/slope erosion on two archaeological sites within the
proposed Upper Newport Bay Regional County Park. The evaluation ensured that the proposed West Bay
Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project was in compliance with the requirements of the General
Development Plan, Environmental Impact Report (EIR), City of Newport Beach Local Coastal Plan, and
Coastal Development Permit. The project involved a site visit, agency coordination and literature search,
and a letter report.
CEQA Documentation for Dover Drive Sidewalk Project
Prime Client- City of Newport Beach
Sub Client: Van 8490 and Associates, Inc
Chambers Group prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Dover Sidewalk Project for the
City of Newport Beach. Significant environmental concerns included sensitive biological resources and
wetlands. Chambers Group also prepared a biological report and jurisdictional delineation for the
proposed project.
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Big Canyon Restoration Plan Analysis
Prime Client: County of Orange, Resources & Development Management Department
The County requested that Chambers Group prepare a report summarizing the habitat value and level of
restoration associated with the proposed Big Canyon Habitat Restoration Plan. This scope involved the
following tasks:
Initial Geographic Information System (GIS) Analysis -. This task included initial comparison analysis of
CCI mapped vegetation versus proposed habitat restoration. The digital GIS data was incorporated onto
a recent aerial photograph. A large -scale map was produced to provide a working baseline for the
additional tasks below.. The GIS data was updated accordingly as additional data was attained through
the CCI report and field review.
CCI Report Review and Field Survey - Chambers Group reviewed the vegetation descriptions as stated in
the CCI report. Special focus was made at determining the quality of existing habitat. The quality of
existing habitat indicated the value of restoration potential throughout the site. Areas were classified into
three main categories of potential restoration: creation, enhancement, and type conversion. The amount
existing disturbance (i.e. presence of invasive species) was evaluated to determine the category of
appropriate restoration.
GIS Data Update and Report of Findings - Following the site visit, the data confirmed in the field was
incorporated into GIS. Chambers Group prepared a technical report of findings that included the following
topics: (a) introduction, (b) summary of CCI report, (c) methods used to perform habitat quality
assessment, (d) restoration / mitigation value of habitat in the project area, and (e) references. The report
of findings included current photographs and maps documenting current site conditions.
CEQA for Mariners Mile Walkway Project
Prime Client: City of Newport Beach, Department of Public Works
Sub Client: CASH & Associates
Preparation of the Califomia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation for the Mariner's Mile
Walkway Waterfront Development Project The project covered the existing dock system and navigation
channel between Lido Island and the Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Bay, Newport Beach. The project
extended the dock and its pierhead line up to 20 feet farther into the water toward the existing federal
navigation channel dredging limit to improve public access and increase navigability to some of the dock
areas.
Chambers Group worked closely with the engineer (Cash Associates) and the City of Newport Beach in
developing the project such that it can move forward. Potentially, controversial, as owners of the building
fronting the proposed walkway have mixed feelings for its development. As such, a series of public and
private meetings were scheduled to occur prior to completion of a project description.
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ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE
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SECTION 5.0 - STANDARD SERVICES AND WORK PLANS
This section of the proposal addresses the Chambers Group Project Team's approach to providing the
services. Typical Work Plans are described for all types of CEQA and NEPA documents as well as for
regulatory permit services.
➢ Environmental Documentation Services. The preparation of CEQA/NEPA environmental
documents as necessitated by the specific project scope, master plan, or program; field, literature and
electronic database reviews; initial studies; technical studies; documentation; public meetings; and
publications.
Regulatory Permit Services. The acquisition of regulatory permits necessitated by specific project
scope, master plan or program, permit application, specialized studies, field activities, and regulatory
agency hearings.
The types of projects that would require CEQA and NEPA documentation or regulatory permit services
include:
➢ roads, bridges, and grade separations
➢ flood control channels, storm drains, and pump stations
➢ traffic control systems
dams, groundwater recharge
sewer and water systems
D solid waste
aviation
➢ transit
➢ bikeways
➢ multi -use programs
➢ buildings, new and remodel
This section of the proposal also includes a staffing and resources management plan for Chambers
Group and our subconsultants. This plan identifies the typical tasks that may arise as part of the as-
needed services contract. Because this is an as- needed services contract and there are no specific
projects that require a focused scope of and cost estimate, it is difficult to provide an estimate of the level
of effort and the number of hours required to complete the task order. Thus, the descriptions below are
merely conceptual and would be open to negotiations.
5.1 TYPICAL WORK PLANS
The services that may be required as part of this contract, may vary from a very simple focused CEQA
environmental document to a complex, and potentially controversial joint CEQA/NEPA document.
Similarly, the regulatory permitting requirements may also vary, depending on the nature and size of the
project. As a result, developing a typical work plan is difficult. Thus, we are providing a general approach
to each of the types of services required in the RFP to give the City of Newport Beach an indication that
Chambers Group's Project Team has extensive experience and expertise in providing the services
mentioned in the scope of work. As task orders are provided under the as- needed services contract,
Chambers Group will work closely with the city's Project Manager to focus the scope of work to achieve
the goals of the project. A very detailed scope of work, schedule, and costs would be developed in order
to provide the City of Newport Beach with the assurances that they will receive a quality product that can
stand up to agency and public scrutiny.
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Chambers Group . Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise e Small Business Enterprise 5 -1
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Chambers Group has provided work plans for each type of CEQA and NEPA document that could be
completed in a timely manner. The processes and milestones for each of the CEQA and NEPA
documents that could be produced through this contract are presented in the subsections below. Also
provided is a typical workplan for Corps Section 404 and state Regional Water Quality Control Board
Section 401 permits, California Department of Fish and Game 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreements,
and Coastal Development Permits.
5.1.1 CEQA Documents
CEQA Categorical Exemption
For the purpose of this scope, it is assumed that the city will have made the initial determination that a
project is categorically exempt. However, Chambers Group does have experience advising agencies
whether a project is categorically exempt. Chambers Group will prepare the supporting statements and
required forms for filing of the Categorical Exemption. Chambers Group will:
➢ prepare a brief project description;
D provide a brief review of any supporting documentation of the project substantiating exemption;
➢ provide a finding of the projects basis for exemption with a statement of reasons supporting the
finding; provide applicable law or state guidelines citations; and
D prepare the Notice of Exemption form.
CEQA Negative Declaration
The scope of work provides our approach to preparation of an IS and ND for a small project. There are
instances when an IS and MND can be large and complicated, as in construction improvements to a
drainage channel or pipeline construction. Technical studies may be required to support the findings in
the IS and to develop mitigation measures. These studies could include biological resources technical
reports, archaeological resources technical reports, historic structures evaluations, noise studies, air
quality studies, and traffic studies, all of which can be performed with our Project Team. Our approach
includes brief reconnaissance-level field studies by an environmental analyst, biologist, and archaeologist
to determine if more detailed technical studies are required. We are also assuming that these will be
MNDs. Tasks will be accomplished as described below.
Task 1 - Prepare Initial Studv
Task 1.1 - Project Initiation
Within 1 week after receiving the notice to proceed, we will be prepared to meet with the City at a Project
Initiation /Kick -off Meeting to discuss the project and receive all available project information, technical
reports, and other available information. The Project Manager will attend this meeting.
The Project Team will review all available project - related data. Our review of existing data will determine
whether previous studies conducted in and adjacent to the proposed project area are adequate for
incorporation into the IS. Following the review of existing data, gaps in the data and recommendations for
correcting the gaps, if warranted, will be discussed with the City. The Project Team will work closely with
the City to determine what additional data, if any, must be collected in support of the IS.
Task 1.2 - Project Description
Chambers Group will develop a comprehensive description for the proposed project that will form the
basis for the analysis of the potential impacts on the environment. It is important that the project
description be as complete and comprehensive as possible at the outset, so that the impact analyses can
be prepared with accurate information. We will work closely with the City to develop a detailed project
description. The project description will be developed based on the information provided by the City of
Newport Beach. The project description will include a detailed narrative and graphical presentation of the
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proposed actions, including components, location and boundaries, regional and vicinity maps, and a
statement of the project goals and objectives.
Milestone: Submit project description for City review.
Task 1.3 - Consult with Responsible Agencies
In accordance with CEQA guidelines, Chambers Group will conduct informal telephone consultation with
responsible agencies for the Screencheck IS. The objective of this task is to identify agency concerns and
to assure that all potential impact issues are addressed in the document. If appropriate, Chambers Group
will arrange for an onsite meeting with our technical staff, City of Newport Beach staff, and Agency staff to
discuss project issues.
Task 1.4 - Prepare the Screencheck Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
For each CEQA environmental checklist discipline item, the existing environmental setting of the project
site and surroundings will be characterized from the existing literature base, including_ previous
studies /documents available from published sources and a brief site visit by an environmental analyst,
biologist, and archaeologist. Each section will be prepared and focused to serve as the basis for analysis
of impacts of the proposed project. Any field studies conducted would be expected to be brief, such as a
reconnaissance-level biological and /or cultural evaluation; a brief air /noise analysis. We would assume no
detailed studies would be required such as for hydrology, geology, or traffic.
An environmental impacts analysis will be prepared for each checklist entry. Based on CEQA or the City's
defined significance criteria, we will determine the potential for any adverse or significant adverse impacts
and present mitigation measures to reduce any such impacts to a level of below significance. Early in the
study, if any significant environmental impacts are identified which cannot be reduced by mitigation to less
than significant, Chambers Group will inform the City.
Milestone: Submit Screencheck IS to City for review.
Task 1.5 - PreparelDistribute the Initial Study /Mitigated Negative Declaration
The screencheck review comments will be incorporated into the IS/MND. Chambers Group will prepare
and distribute copies of the Draft IS /MND to the City and the State Clearinghouse. Chambers Group will
also distribute the document to a mailing list provided by the City.
Milestone: IS/MND prepared for public distribution.
Task 1.6 - Prepare/Distribute the Notice of Intent to Adopt a (Mitigated) Negative Declaration
A Notice of Intent (NOI) to adopt a ND will be prepared for filing with the State Clearinghouse and the
County Clerk. Copies of the NOI will also be provided for public distribution and one copy will be provided
for publishing in a newspaper of general circulation. The NOI will include:
• a brief description of the proposed project and its location;
• the starting and ending dates for the review period;
• the date, time, and place of any scheduled public meetings or hearings;
➢ the address(es) of locations where copies of the Draft ND and supporting studies are available for
review. This location or locations must be readily accessible to the public during normal working
hours;
➢ as applicable, information regarding the site's presence on any of the lists in Section 65962.5 of the
Government Code (generally hazardous waste facilities and disposal sites) and the information in the
Hazardous Waste and Substances Statement required under subsection (f) of that Section; and
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other information specifically required by other statutes or regulations for a particular project or type of
project.
Task 2 - Public Review
The IS /MND will be distributed for a public review period. If requested by the City, Chambers Group would
provide support during any public hearings for the document.
Task 3 - Prepare Responses to Comments and Mitigation Monitorino and Reporting Plan
Based upon comments received from public review, we are assuming preparation of an addendum
document incorporating the comments, and responses to the comments will be prepared. A screencheck
of this document will be provided to the City. Upon receipt of review comments, a final document will be
prepared. This document, combined with the IS/ND, will be used by the City as the final document in
considering approval of the project.
Chambers Group will also provide a Draft Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) at the time of
submittal of the screencheck responses to the review comments. The MMRP will be incorporated into the
final documentation of the IS/MND. The plan will include all proposed mitigation measures and the
following:
➢ project time period to which the measure applies,
➢ future review or reporting requirements involved,
➢ responsibility for implementation of the mitigation,
➢ requirements for monitoring and reporting frequency, and
➢ sanctions for noncompliance.
Task 4 - Notice of Determination
The Notice of Determination (NOD) is filed following the County Board of Supervisor's decision to cant'
out or approve the project for which the MND has been prepared. The Lead Agency (the City of Newport
Beach) must file the NOD with the County Clerk within 5 working days after the approval of the project.
Chambers Group will prepare the NOD and will file the NOD with the County Clerk.
Environmental Impact Report
Preparing a focused or comprehensive EIR will require completion of several important steps, from study
initiation through development of the project description and Draft EIR, to attendance at public hearings
and Final EIR preparation. The process for a more complex EIR will be the same as presented below.
The differences will be in the likelihood of additional scoping meetings (if the project is deemed to be
controversial), complexity of technical issues, number of alternatives assessed, possibly extra internal
review cycles, more complexity in responding to public comments for the Final document, a more complex
mitigation monitoring plan, and additional public meetings.
Task 1 - Conduct Proiect Startup
Task 1.1 - Initial Consultation with LADPW
Within 3 working days of receiving notice to proceed, Chambers Group and key technical staff will meet
with staff to discuss the proposed project and receive available project information. Project assumptions
and alternatives to the project will also be discussed at this time.
Task 1.2 - Prepare and Distribute Initial Study /Notice of Preparation
Chambers Group will prepare the IS checklist and Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the project. The NOP
will contain a description of the project, a map showing the location of the project, and a summary of the
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probable environmental impacts from the checklist One copy of the IS/NOP will be provided for The City
of Newport Beach review. After review, Chambers Group will print and distribute the revised IS /NOP
based upon a City - supplied distribution list The NOP will be filed with the County Clerk and mailed to the
State Clearinghouse, as well as responsible agencies, interested agencies, and parties on the City's
mailing list. The NOP will be circulated for a 30 day public review period.
The comments that are received on the NOP will be used to further refine the project description, if
needed. The comments reviewed will be discussed with the City to determine whether the scope of the
EIR should be expanded. The NOP, comments received, and all correspondence will be included in the
EIR appendices.
Milestone: Distribute Initial Study /Notice of Preparation.
Task 1.3 - Conduct Scoping Meeting /Public Workshops
Chambers Group will arrange, organize and conduct up to scoping meetings or public workshops for the
project. We will coordinate with the City to determine the scheduling of the meetings throughout the EIR
process. Prior to each meeting a flier will be distributed notifying interested persons of the workshop. The
focus of these meetings will be to gather concerns of the property owners /occupants adjacent to the
project site, public interest groups and other concerned individuals. Chambers Group can also provide
translation services from English to Spanish for written notices and oral presentations, if required. We will
prepare a summary description of the results of the meeting for use in subsequent tasks.
Task 2 - Prepare Draft EIR
Task 2.1 - Prepare Project Description and Altematives
Chambers Group will develop the project description based on the City- supplied information. The project
description will include a detailed narrative and graphical presentation of the proposed project, including
location and boundaries, regional and vicinity maps, and a statement of the project goals and objectives.
A draft of the alternatives descriptions will also be prepared at this time. A draft of the project description
and alternatives will be provided for LADPW review. Changes will be incorporated after receipt of LADPW
review comments.
Milestone: Submit draft project description and alternatives for the City's review.
Task 2.2 - Conduct Environmental Impact Analysis
The document will contain a section for each environmental issue area. Depending on the complexity of
the project, an analysis of all environmental disciplines may be warranted. However, some projects may
be able to be focused to just a few disciplines based on the preparation of an IS. Discussion of each
issue will begin with a description of the environmental setting, followed by identification of criteria used to
determine the significance of an impact. Significance will be determined using standard criteria or
thresholds established by the City or through CEQA. These criteria will be quantitative wherever possible.
Adverse impacts that meet or exceed these criteria will be considered significant Impacts will be
quantified as short- or long -term and characterized as relating to construction or operational project
activities.
Impact evaluations for each environmental issue area will contain the following elements: (1) a statement
identifying the impact and its significance; (2) a discussion of the impact and methodology used to
evaluate the proposed project; (3) cumulative impacts evaluation; (4) applicable city policies and
requirements; (5) recommended measures to mitigate the impact; and (6) a statement identifying the level
of significance after measures are implemented.
Each section may contain one or a number of impact statements and analyses set up this way. This
methodology allows the reviewer to evaluate the implications of each impact and the effectiveness of
mitigation measures, which is determined by measuring the residual impact after implementation against
the same criteria used for determining impact significance. When more than one impact is idenfified, a
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brief summary of all impacts will be presented at the end of each section.
Task 2.3 - Assess Cumulative Impacts
In concert with City staff, Chambers Group will develop a list of ongoing or future projects in the area
within a reasonable radius around the project site to develop the cumulative impact analysis. This
cumulative list of projects will be derived either from the General Plan and County /City lists and /or
descriptions of current and future projects. The list will include existing, proposed, approved, and
reasonably foreseeable projects for the area.
The cumulative project baseline will be developed early in the study. Overall cumulative impacts will be
identified for the same issue areas covered in the impact analysis for the project. Significance will be
determined using the same criteria defined for the project impacts and mitigation measures. The projects
contribution to the overall cumulative impact will also be evaluated and discussed.
Task 2.4 - Analyze Alternatives
We intend to act as an extension of City staff, to consider public input, be a consensus builder to mediate;,
public concerns, and to develop alternative solutions to potential conflicts. Our Project Manager, in
concert with the City of Newport Beach staff, will develop a range of reasonable alternatives to be
evaluated in the EIR. Input from key technical staff will be provided as required. Alternatives will be
assessed for their ability to reduce or eliminate significant impacts of the project, while resolving public, as
well as agency concerns. As required by CEQA, the No Project Alternative will also be examined.
Task 2.5 - Prepare Other Required Sections
In addition to the sections discussed above, we will prepare all other required CEQA sections, including
the ones discussed below:
D A table of contents.
D An executive summary will be provided in the first section of the EIR and will include an introduction,
purpose for the project, description of the project, alternatives, areas of controversy, issues to be
resolved, and a table of the summary of environmental impacts and mitigation measures.
Impacts of the project found not to be very significant.
Growth- inducing impacts of the project.
Any significant irreversible environmental changes that will be involved with continued operation of the
project.
A list of organizations and persons consulted.
Task 2.6 - Prepare Draft Mitigation Monitoring Plan
Chambers Group will also provide a Draft MMRP at the time of submittal of the screencheck Draft EIR.
The plan will include all proposed mitigation measures and the following:
D Project time period to which the measure applies,
D Future review or reporting requirements involved,
Responsibility for implementation of the mitigation,
D Requirements for monitoring and reporting frequency, and
➢ Sanctions for noncompliance.
Task 2.7 - Screencheck Draft Environmental Impact Report Review
Copies of the Screencheck Draft EIR will be prepared for the City review.
Milestone: Submit Screencheck Draft EIR for City review.
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ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE
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Task 2.8 - Draft Environmental Impact Report Preparation and Distribution
Upon our receipt of City review comments, the Screencheck Draft EIR will be modified and the Draft EIR
prepared. The required number of copies of the Draft will be provided to the City, State Clearinghouse,
and a City- supplied distribution list.
Milestone: Prepare and distribute Draft Environmental Impact Report for distribution, and agency
and public review.
Task 2.9 - Prepare/Distribute Notice of Completion /Notice of Availability
As soon as the Draft EIR is completed, a Notice of Completion (NOC) must be filed with the State
Clearinghouse in a printed hard copy or CD, or by electronic mail transmission. A Notice of Availability
(NOA) must be filed with the County Clerk, and must be provided to the public, either in a newspaper of
general circulation or through direct mail. We will provide Screencheck NOCs and NOAs to the City for
their review and approval. Chambers Group will file the notices and arrange for newspaper publication.
Task 2.10 - Public Comment Period
The Chambers Group Project Manager and technical experts will be available to support the City staff at
public hearings related to the project Chambers Group can also provide translation services from English
to Spanish for written notices and oral presentations, if required.
Task 3 - Prepare Final Environmental_ Impact Report and Certification Documents
Task 3.1 - Draft Responses to Comments
A response to all written and oral comments received on the Draft EIR will be prepared according to the
City's Staff direction. The comments will be responded to as they are received during the 45-day public
review period. Copies of the Screencheck Response to Comments will be submitted to the City for review
and comment.
Task 3.2 - Final Environmental Impact Report
After City review and comment on the Screencheck Response to Comments, the responses will be
finalized for inclusion in the Final EIR. Based on comments from the public review and input from the City,
some changes to the wording of the Draft EIR may be needed. Any required changes will be handled by
including amended text and/or graphics within the Final EIR.
Task 3.3 - Notice of Determination
The NOD will be prepared in the City's preferred format. Chambers Group will file the NOD with the
County Clerk and the State Clearinghouse within 5 working days of the certification of the EIR.
5.1.2 National Environmental Policy Act Documentation
NEPA Categorical Exemption
There are certain conditions under which NEPA does not apply to an action. These conditions include, but
are not limited to, the following:
➢ Statutory Exemptions: Under certain unusual circumstances, Congress expressly exempts federal
programs or activities from compliance with NEPA. Under these conditions, the lead agency need not
comply with NEPA, even if its actions would have a significant effect upon the environment. One
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example was in the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1991, when Congress exempted
certain military bases that were closing from the NEPA process.
➢ Emeroencies: When emergency circumstances, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, and
other natural or man -made disasters, make it necessary to take an action with significant
environmental impacts that would conflict with standard NEPA procedures, the federal agency
(e.g., Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA]) taking the action would consult with the
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) about alternative actions. CEO is authorized to limit such
arrangements to actions necessary to control the immediate impacts of the emergency.
Classified Informafion: There is no national defense exemption under NEPA. However,
environmental documents addressing classified proposals may be restricted from public
dissemination. The Department of Energy, for example, may conduct actions which contain classed
information related to some of their facilities.
Any of these, and some additional exempted actions, may involve the County of Orange to some degree,
by way of location of the action within the City. Thus, the City may have a role in the NEPA process as a
review agency, or as a lead or co-lead agency, As such, the LADPW may be responsible for preparation
of some type of record of environmental consideration, documenting the applicability of the NEPA
Categorical Exemption. If the City is required to make a determination of NEPA Categorical Exemption,
the following tasks would be undertaken.
Task 1 - Categorical Exemption Preparation
Task 1.1 - Determination of Eligibility
Based on meetings with appropriate federal, state, and/or The City of Newport Beach agency personnel,
and a review of relevant legislation and literature, a determination would be made if the proposed action is
eligible for a Categorical Exemption.
Task 1.2 - Preparation of Categorical Exemption Documentation
Chambers Group will prepare a record of environmental consideration, in coordination with the City,
documenting the applicability of the Categorical Exemption from NEPA compliance. It is anticipated that
this document will be provide a brief summary documenting the findings of Task 1.1.
Milestone: Present Categorical Exemption Documentation to the City for review. It is assumed,
for costing purposes, that one iteration will be prepared.
National Environmental Policy Act Categorical Exclusion
The CEQ regulations provide for the Categorical Exclusion (40 CFR 1508.4) for a category of proposed
actions which a federal agency (such as the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Defense,
Department of Energy, or FEMA) identifies in its NEPA procedures, that do not individually or cumulatively
have a significant effect on the human environment, and are, therefore, excluded from preparation of an
EA or EIS.
Task 1 - Categorical Exclusion Preparation
Task 1.1 - Determination of Eligibility
The following criteria will be applied to determine those categories of actions that normally would not
require either an EA or an EIS:
➢ minimal or no effect on environmental quality,
no significant change to existing environmental conditions, and
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• ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTAL-SERVICES RELATED TO THE
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➢ no significant cumulative environmental impact.
A Categorical Exclusion would be determined by review of existing project data, conditions, available
documentation, and consultation and meetings with the City and other appropriate agencies or enfities.
Task 1.2 - Preparation of Categorical Exclusion Documentation
Chambers Group will prepare a record of environmental consideration, in coordination with the City,
documenting the applicability of the Categorical Exclusion from NEPA compliance. it is anticipated that
this document will be provide a brief summary documenting the findings of Task 1.1. For certain projects
where construction impacts may be the only issue, mitigation measures would be prepared as a condition
of the Categorical Exclusion.
Milestone: Present Categorical Exclusion Documentation to the City for review. It is assumed,
for costing purposes, that one iteration will be prepared.
Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact
An EA is to be a concise public document that focuses on those environmental areas where potential
adverse impacts are anticipated. It will provide sufficient evidence and analysis to determine whether or
not an EIR is required. The EA would be limited to an analysis of potential significant environmental
issues identified through a scoping process with the public and review agencies. The EA will include brief
descriptions of
• the need for the proposed project,
• alternatives to the proposed project,
• the environmental impacts of the proposed project and its alternatives, and
• a listing of agencies and persons consulted.
This scope, of work provides our approach to preparation of an EA/Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI). Tasks will be accomplished as described below.
Task 1 - EA Preparation
Task 1.1 -Project Initiation
Chambers Group will review project information provided by the City and will meet with the City, and, if
appropriate, the federal agency, to clarify issues that need to be addressed. Alternatives will also be
discussed at this meeting. This will include those alternatives known to have been eliminated as
infeasible, and those considered to be feasible for discussion in the document. In addition, in order to
determine which aspects of the proposed action have potential for social, economic, or environmental
impact, federal regulations call for the consultation with interested agencies and others (e.g., the public) at
the earliest possible time for input into the scope of the project. Therefore, early in the process, a Scoping
Meeting(s) would be held to solicit input on those areas of concern for study in the EA. The project study
area will be delineated, in consultation with the City. For the following sub - tasks, it is assumed that the
City will be the Lead Agency,
Task 11 - Scoping Meeting(s)
Scoping Meeting(s) and /or consultations will be held with the City and other agencies deemed appropriate
to determine the environmental areas to be evaluated, and the methodological approaches to be used. If
warranted, a Public Scoping Meeting could be held, to present the proposed project to the public and
provide them with an opportunity to relay their concerns and suggestions for the environmental studies. A
record of these meetings and consultations will be kept and included in the EA document.
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Milestone: Submit list of anticipated environmental disciplines to be analyzed in the EA
document for the City of Newport Beach review and approval.
Task 1.3 - Project Description and Alternatives Development
Chambers Group will prepare the project description based on the information supplied to the City and/or
the federal agency. Chambers Group will also prepare the description of the alternatives to the project,
including the No Action alternative.
Milestone: Submit project description and alternatives to the City for review.
Task 1.4 - Prepare the Screencheck Draft Environmental Assessment
For each environmental discipline to be analyzed, the existing environmental setting of the project site and
surroundings will be characterized from the existing literature base, including previous studiestdocuments
available from published sources and a brief site visit by an environmental analyst, biologist, and
archaeologist. The reconnaissance -level visit will determine if more detailed technical studies are required
to characterize impacts and/or develop mitigation measures.
An environmental impact analysis will be prepared for each appropriate environmental discipline where the
potential for impact exists. The level of detail will be dependent on the particular issue of the proposed
action. For the purposes of this cost estimate, it is assumed that the EA environmental issues discussions
will be brief, focused discussions.
Based on defined significance criteria, we will determine the potential for any adverse or significant
adverse impacts and present mitigation measures to reduce any such impacts to a level of below
significant Early in the study, it any significant environmental impacts are identified which cannot be
reduced by mitigation to less than significant, Chambers Group will inform the City. Under such
circumstances, NEPA would require the preparation of an EIS.
Milestone: Chambers Group will prepare the Draft FONSI for submittal to the Lead Agency for
review. Chambers Group will also submit one copy of Screencheck Draft EA to the
City for review and comment
Task 1.5 - Prepare the Draft Environmental Assessment
The screencheck review comments will be incorporated into the EA. Chambers Group submit copies of
the public Draft EA to the City, federal agency, and a mailing list supplied by the City.
Task 2 - Public Review
Chambers Group will prepare the NEPA NOA and will circulate it to a mailing list provided by the City
and/or the Federal agency. The EA need not be circulated for comment, but must be made available for
public inspection. If a public hearing is determined to be warranted, the Chambers Group Project
Manager and technical experts would provide support.
Task 3 - Prepare Final EA
The Draft EA will be revised to incorporate comments received. Responses to these comments will be
developed in coordination with the City and incorporated into the document If a Public Hearing is held,
the transcript of the Public Hearing would be included as well. In no significant, unmitigable impacts have
been identified, the document will include a recommendation for a FONSI. A preliminary Final EA will be
submitted to the City for review and approval. Upon approval by the City, Chambers Group will distribute
copies of the Final EA to the City, federal agency, and a mailing list provided by the City and/or federal
agency.
Milestone: Submit Final Environmental Assessment
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Environmental Impact Statement
Preparing a focused or comprehensive EIS will require completion of several important steps, from study
initiation through development of the project description and Draft EIS to attendance at public hearings
and Final EIS preparation. The process for a more complex EIS will be the same as presented below.
The differences will be in the likelihood of additional scoping meetings (if the project is deemed to be
controversial), complexity of technical issues, number of alternatives assessed, possibly extra internal
review cycles, more complexity in responding to public comments for the final document, a more complex
mitigation monitoring plan, and additional public meetings.
Task 1 - Conduct Proiect Startup
Task 1.1 - Initial Consultation with Department/National Environmental Policy Act Lead Agency
Within 1 week of receiving notice to proceed, Chambers Group and key technical staff will meet with
LADPW staff and federal agency (as applicable) to discuss the proposed action and receive available
project information. Project assumptions and altematives to the project will also be discussed at this time.
Task 1.2 - Prepare Notice of Intent
Chambers Group will prepare the NOI for publication in the Federal Register for the project. The NOI will
contain a brief description of the project, and a summary of the probable environmental impacts, and
opportunity for public involvement. The comments received on the NOI will be used to further refine those
impact areas that will be analyzed in the EIS, if needed. The comments reviewed will be discussed with
the LADPW to determine whether the scope of the EIS should be expanded. The NOI, comments
received, and all correspondence will be included in the EIS appendices.
Task 1.3 - Conduct Scoping Meeting/Public Workshops
Chambers Group will arrange, organize, and conduct scoping meetings or public workshops for the
Project. We will coordinate with the LADPW to determine the number and scheduling of these meetings
throughout the EIS process. Prior to each meeting, a flier will be distributed notifying interested persons of
the workshop. The focus of these meetings will be to gather concerns of the property ownerstoccupants
adjacent to the project site, public interest groups and other concerned individuals. Chambers Group can
also provide translation services from English to Spanish for written notices and oral presentations, if
required. We will prepare a summary description of the results of the meeting for use in subsequent
tasks.
Task 2 - Prepare Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Task 2.1 - Prepare Project Description, Purpose and Need, and Alternatives
Chambers Group will develop the project description, purpose and need, and alternatives based on the
Applicant- supplied information and additional information provided by the LADPW /NEPA Lead Agency.
The project description will include a detailed narrative and graphical presentation of the proposed project,
including location and boundaries, regional and vicinity maps, and a statement of the project goals and
objectives.
Milestone: Submit project description, purpose and need, and alternatives to the LADPW.
Task 2.2 - Conduct Environmental Consequences Analysis
Chambers Group will validate applicant- supplied information, as a means of reducing the level of
reanalysis and cost associated with the Screencheck Draft EIS. The document will contain a section for
each environmental issue area. Discussion of each issue will begin with a description of the affected
environment, followed by identification of criteria used to determine the significance of an impact.
Significance criteria will be quantitative wherever possible. Adverse impacts that meet or exceed these
criteria will be considered significant. Impacts will be quantified as short- or long -term and characterized
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• ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTAL' SERVICES RELATED TO THE
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as relating to construction or operational project activities.
Impact evaluations for each environmental issue area will contain the following elements: (1) a statement
identifying the impact and its significance; (2) a discussion of the impact and methodology used to
evaluate the proposed action; (3) cumulative impacts evaluation; (4) applicable policies and requirements;
(5) recommended measures to mitigate the impact; and (6) a statement identifying the level of
significance after measures are implemented. The analyses will address direct, indirect, and cumulative
impacts relevant to the proposed action.
Each section may contain one or a number of impact statements and analyses set up this way. This
methodology allows the reviewer -to evaluate the implications of each impact and the effectiveness of
mitigation measures, which is determined by measuring the residual impact after implementation against
the same criteria used for determining impact significance. When more than one impact is identified, a
brief summary of all impacts will be presented at the end of each section.
Task 2.3 - Analyze Alternatives
We intend to act as an extension of the City's staff: to consider public input, be a consensus builder to
mediate public concerns, and to develop alternative solutions to potential conflicts. Our Project Manager,
in concert with the City staff, will develop a range of reasonable alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS.
Input from key technical staff will be provided as required. Alternatives will be assessed for their ability to
reduce or eliminate significant impacts of the project, while resolving public, as well as agency concerns.
The alternatives for a community4evel EIS are assumed to include two alternatives and the No Action
alternative.
Task 2.4 - Prepare Other Required Sections
In addition to the sections discussed above, we will prepare all other required NEPA sections, including
the ones discussed below.
A summary will be provided in the front of the EIS that will include an introduction, purpose for the
project, description of the project, alternatives, areas of controversy, issues to be resolved, and a table
of the summary of environmental impacts and mitigation measures;
Listing and brief discussion of required federal permits;
List of preparers;
List of agencies and organizations on the distribution list;
A list of organizations and persons consulted; and
D Index.
Task 2.6 - Submit Screencheck Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Review
Copies of the Screencheck EIS will be prepared for the City/Lead NEPA Agency review
Milestone: Submit Screencheck Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Task 2.7 - Prepare Draft EIS
Upon our receipt of the City's review comments, the Screencheck EIS will be modified and the Draft EIS
prepared. It is assumed that one revision of the Draft EIS will be prepared in response to the City review
comments. The required number of copies of the Draft will be provided to the City. Chambers Group will
prepare the Draft EIS for distribution based on the City- supplied distribution list. Preparation of public
circulation noticing will also be provided.
Milestone: Prepare Draft Environmental Impact Statement for distribution
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ON -CALL ENViRONMENTAMERVICES RELATED TO THE
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Task 2.8 - Public Hearings
Chambers Group's Project Manager and key technical personnel will attend public hearings on the EIS,
and will provide coordination of these meetings including noticing as required. Chambers Group can also
provide translation services from English to Spanish for written notices and oral presentations, if required.
Task 3 - Preparation of Final EIS and Record of Decision
Upon receipt of comments during the 45-day public review period, Chambers Group will prepare the Final
EIS. The Final EIS will be a rewrite of the Draft EIS incorporating comments, responses, and changes.
Copies of the Screencheck Final EIS will be provided for the City and federal agency review. After review
by the City and federal agency, the required number of copies will be submitted to the City, federal
agency, and a distribution list provided by the City and/or federal agency. We will also prepare a Draft of
the Record of Decision for the federal agency.
Milestone: Prepare Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision
5.1.3 Re-gulatory Permit Services
Field Survey
This task includes the delineation and mapping of all USACE (including wetlands) and CDFG (including
riparian vegetation) jurisdiction at a project site. Prior to visiting the site, Chambers Group permitting
specialists and biologists will review existing maps and documents related to the physical characteristics
of the site. These information sources may include the USGS 7.5- minute topographic quadrangle of the
site and the more detailed site - specific topographic map of the site.
The purpose of the field surveys will be to identify and delineate areas of the project site that fall under the
regulatory jurisdiction of the USACE pursuant to Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act and the
jurisdiction of CDFG pursuant to Section 1600 et seq . of the California Fish and Game Code. Chambers
Group will also determine if the project is in the coastal zone and would, therefore, require a Coastal
Development Permit from the California Coastal Commission (CCC).
To determine jurisdictional areas, the permitting specialist/biologist will investigate criteria specified by the
USACE. Wetlands boundaries (if present) will be determined using the current accepted methodology
prescribed in the USACE's 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual. This methodology requires positive
evidence of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetlands hydrology for a determination that an area is
a wetland. if potential wetlands are identified, data plots will be established to determine the
wetlands/uplands boundaries. For a data plot to be considered within a wetland, hydrophytic vegetation,
hydric soils, and wetlands hydrology must be present at that location. A plot is determined to have positive
evidence of hydrophytic vegetation if 50 percent or more of the plant species have an indicator status that
is likely to occur in wetlands. indicator status is determined by consulting the National List of Plant
Species that Occur in Wetlands. At each plot that meets the criterion for hydrophytic vegetation, a soil pit
will be dug to look for evidence of hydrology (free water in the pit or saturated soils) and determine
whether the soil is hydric. Hydric soils are generally determined by soil color. Waters of the United States
that are not wetlands will be determined by the presence of ordinary high water marks defining the lateral
limits of the drainages. All wetlands and other jurisdictional waters will be mapped on a topographic map.
Jurisdictional Delineation Report
Following the completion of the field survey, Chambers Group will deliver a report summarizing the results
of the survey. The report will describe the biological and hydrologic features of the site and will include a
map(s) and text describing the limits of jurisdiction pursuant to USACE, CDFG and CCC regulations.
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Section 404, Section 401, 1600, and Coastal Development Permit Applications
Preparation of USACE _401 Permit Application
The amount of work associated with preparing the notification to the USACE pursuant to Section 404
depends on the magnitude of project impacts on jurisdictional waters and other resources. This
determines if the project requires an individual permit or could fall under a nationwide permit. Chambers
Group will schedule one meeting with the USACE at the project site, if necessary, to facilitate the
USACE's review of the project and completion of the permit.
Preparation of CDFG 1600 Permit Application
Chambers Group will prepare and submit a notification to CDFG for a 1600 Lake and Streambed
Alteration Agreement Chambers Group will schedule one meeting with CDFG at the project site, if
necessary, to facilitate CDFG's review of the project and completion of the Agreement.
Preparation of Written Notification for Water Quality (401) Certification
A water quality certification or waiver of certification is required from the Regional Water Quality Control
Board ( RWQCB) for any activity that requires a federal license or permit (such as a Section 404 permit)
and may result in a discharge to jurisdictional waters. Chambers Group will prepare and submit the
necessary documentation to the RWQCB for its review of the project pursuant to water quality certification
or waiver. Chambers Group will schedule one meeting with the RWQCB at the project site, if necessary,
to facilitate the RWQCB's review of the project and completion of the water quality certification, or waiver
of certification.
Preparation of Coastal Development Permit Application
Any public agency or person proposing development within the coastal zone must obtain a Coastal
Development Permit. In general, the coastal zone extends from the State's 3 -mile seaward limit to an
average of approximately 1,000 yards inland from the mean high tide of the ocean. The CCC, made up
from representatives of various coastal areas and state agencies, reviews the coastal development
permits for conformity with the coastal policies of the California Coastal Act The CCC has 30 days to
review the application and determine that it is complete. If complete, the Executive Director considers it
formally filed and begins the review.
Permit Application Processing
Chambers Group will coordinate with USACE, CDFG, RWQCB, and CCC on an on -call basis throughout
their review of the 404, 401, 1600 and Coastal Development Permit applications to ensure that any
potential problems are made known to the County and resolved at the earliest possible opportunity.
Chambers Group staff members are available to attend regulatory agency hearings on behalf of or with
County staff. If the regulatory permits are being prepared in concurrence with a CEQA or NEPA
document, they will be submitted to the agencies at the time of the Draft circulation to ensure that the
permits are processed in a timely manner along with the rest of the project This also ensures that the
agencies are involved in the preparation of the environmental document and mitigation development, if
necessary.
5.2 STAFFING AND RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
This section of the proposal discusses the staffing for the project and the management of the various
subcontractors. We have identified tasks, level of effort, and number of hours required for the services of
a typical work plan.
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5.2.1 Chambers Group's Proiect Manaaement Philosoch
Our project management and project tracking program serves to facilitate efficient and accurate project
controls. This program has been very effective, particularly for large, controversial projects. Preparation
for and undertaking environmental services for the City of Newport Beach requires timely response and
product quality. The purpose of any project management approach (PMA) and Quality Control (QC)
system is to ensure the client gets the quality of product they are expecting within the cost and schedule
agreed upon. A successful PMA must, by definition, include a strong QC system to ensure the technical
competence of the product; a system to proactively monitor cost and schedule on a weekly basis; an
information dissemination system able to provide project - related information to both the in -house staff and
the consultants in a timely and complete manner; project and task managers who are familiar with using
the systems; manuals that are published and available to all staff for day - today use; and the project and
task managers must be trained in the use of the systems. Chambers Group's PMA meets all of those
criteria to manage complex, controversial projects. Chambers Group has used this approach to
successfully manage multiple, concurrent contracts.
The Program Manager has full authority to commit the necessary resources to meet project objectives.
The primary function of the Program Manager is to ensure that the City's technical, financial, and
scheduling requirements are fulfilled. The Program Manager will:
➢ commit all Chambers Group Project Team resources necessary to complete the project on schedule;
➢ serve as the direct liaison among the Project Team, Chambers Group corporate management, and
the City;
➢ provide direction to the Project Managers, discipline managers, technical staff, cost analysts, and
support personnel;
D identify problems, formulate solutions, and communicate them to the project team;
D establish documentation procedures that are consistent with client and regulatory requirements; and
D monitor activities implemented to meet schedule and budget requirements.
Every project begins with the assignment of a Project Manager to manage the Task Order. The role of the
manager is to be the key point of contact between the project team and the client; direct and monitor the
overall technical progress of the study; be responsible for costs, schedules and deliverables; and serve as
spokesperson at public meetings and hearings. The manager is responsible for the overall quality of the
document in terms of technical presentation, defensibility, and readability. Chambers Group has
designated Project Managers with experience in coordinating small as well as large individual projects.
The designated Project Manager has the responsibility to select key personnel to reflect the technical
disciplines depicted in the scope of work creating a project team to accomplish the delivery order. As
necessary, a manager or key technical specialist may be temporarily relocated to work from another
project team office in order to provide the best overall benefit to the client.
At Chambers Group, managers have some of the best management tools in the industry. These tools
include guidance manuals, automated cost control, and internal communications systems. Chambers
Group's managers, and production and editorial support staff, conduct continuous QC monitoring of the
project. Our QC manual spells out exactly what procedures need to be followed in order to provide the
client with the quality of document they anticipate.
Through years of conducting major environmental studies, we have developed a strong management
system that provides control of various elements of technical research and document preparation. Our
system is based on a proactive project management approach. Our project management policies and
procedures involve much more than the use of software for tracking costs and schedules. We are
committed to project management as the primary driving force within our corporate culture. Successful
project execution requires strong management, careful planning, effective cost and schedule control,
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inter - company communications, and continuous communication with the client To enforce these
requirements, the importance of effective project management is emphasized as a way of business life.
5.2.2 Communication with the City of Newport Beach and Local State and Federal Agencies
Communication with the City will be established through the Project Manager. Technical Managers also
maintain ongoing communication with clients. Unlike many other firms, who tend to call clients only when
problems arise or invoices have been mailed, the Chambers Group Project Manager is encouraged to call
their clients regularly, usually on a weekly basis. These calls ensure that our clients receive thorough,
detailed information about project activities, and they also give our clients frequent opportunities to ask
questions about project issues. In addition, the Program Manager will maintain independent
communication with the City's Project Manager. This is to ensure that there are no problems that are
going unresolved. The Project Manager will report his /her findings to the Chambers Group director of
planning. Working with the Technical Manager, the Project Manager will take any corrective actions
necessary to ensure a quality project is delivered on time and in budget
Conducting environmental analyses and documentation for complex and sensitive projects is our
specialty, and we are highly accomplished in the area of multi- agency Coordination, processing, and
regulatory compliance. Our staff has an on -going relationship with many state and local agencies, and our
30 -year presence in California has given us unique expertise in understanding evolving environmental
legislation and meeting the stringent requirements of federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. The
Project Manager would coordinate or support the City for all consultation with federal, state, and local
agencies fora proposed project. The Project Manager is supported by the Chambers Group Technical
Managers.
5.2.3 Project Task and Cost Tracking for Efficiency
A fully- integrated PC -based business managementlaccounting software (Deltek FMS — Financial
Management System) is used to track project costs. The Federal General Services Administration
approved the use of the system under their Federal contracts.
All raw costs are loaded into the computer daily (staff hours on a weekly basis) to give the Project
Manager access to up-to -date data when producing their management reports. Costs and /or staff hours
can be compared to budgeted costs/hours on a project, task, or activity basis. The percent of project cost
expended can easily be compared to the manager's estimate of percent of project completion. Any
variance of project/task cost versus budgeted cost is flagged. Work -in- process figures (costs incurred
since last billing) are readily available so that the Project Manager can identify possible cost overruns
before they occur and take appropriate action.
5.2.4 Resources Scheduling and Budgeting
In addition, Chambers Group has a fully integrated Resources Scheduling and Budgeting module for
advanced resource management. This allows projects to be prioritized, ensuring that resource allocation
always reflects our overall business objectives. For maximum efficiency, resource managers can create
and share resource breakdown structures across the enterprise. This benefits the project management
process with the following:
Multi - project analysis. Cross project reporting for optimization of resources across the enterprise. The
relative priority of projects can be adjusted to ensure that the most important projects have access to
resources first
Shared Resource Pools. Planners have full visibility when scheduling resources so that project
deliverables are not delayed, affecting schedule and cost.
Reserved Resources. Key project resources can be targeted for specific activities so they are not
delayed, running up costs.
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Shared Ancillary Data Calendars, Resource Budgeting Schedules, and Work Breakdown Schedules can
be developed at the project level then made available in corporate -wide reporting libraries, which assures
plan, cost, and reporting consistency across the enterprise.
5.2.5 Environmental Studio.NET Resource Database
Chambers Group uses EnvironmentalStudio.NET as a resource database for our multidisciplinary
environmental services projects. We believe that this program can be easily applied to projects to expedite
the review and project coordinafion process. CEQA/NEPA Studio.NET combines four of
EnvironmentalStudio.NET's programs into a powerful suite of services for environmental document
management. The suite of services is: Studio Central, Response Studio, Mitigation Studio, and Public
Release Studio.
Studio CentraLNET. This is the "hub° of Environmental Studio.NET. Studio Central is used to
view and manage all of the program/project information across all topical studios
Response Studio. Preparafion of responses to comments on an environmental document takes
time and resources in an era of tight budgets and encroaching deddlines.
Mitigation Studio. Mitigation Studio moves mitigation monitoring from the printed page of an
environmental document to management and implementation of the monitoring program.
Public Release Studio. These applications allow the consultant or the lead agency to quickly and
easily publish and distribute project information to the web for public release.
5.2.6 Quality AssurancelQuality Control
This section outlines the Environmental Planning Departments Quality Assurance/Quallty Control
(QA/QC) program. The completed QA/QC program is described in Chamber Group document entitled
Environmental Planning Department QA/QC Process, Revision 2, (September 2007). Topics discussed
here are expected results, program focus, the QA/QC process for documents and field activi ies, and roles
of participants. A project may go through the QAIQC process several times depending upon the number
of activities and deliverables related to the project Quality Control/Quality Assurance is an essential
element to the success of all projects. All project deliverables and field activities require QA/QC.
Document or activity quality is defined as what the client expects given current professional standards. No
surprises to the client. The contract and scope of work (SOW) should clearly define these standards of
quality to include exclusions and exceptions.
Roles of Participants
The project manager and project team are responsible for meeting the client's project quality expectations.
Roles are defined by the contract, the SOW and the Planning Department's QA/QC Program. The project
manager may appoint project team members to quality check aspects of project deliverables or activities.
A senior level reviewer (SLR) serves to confirm project quality; however, appointment of an SLR to quality
check an aspect of a project does not diminish the project manager's ultimate responsibility for QA/QC.
QA/QC always remains a PM and team responsibility.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Process
Two procedures are outlined; one for documents (Figure 5.2 -2), the other for activifies. Quality Assurance
and Quality Control are defined.
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Quality Assurance (QA) is the procedure that establishes the procedural guidelines and reports the
quality control processes. Quality assurance is the paper trail describing the QC work completed,
identifying the responsible parties, documenting project opportunities, concerns or issues, and reporting
the corrective actions taken to rectify any challenges.
Project QA include
• Identifying what a "successful' project should look like.
• Articulating project goals ( "the mission ") which are understandable and acceptable to all involved
parties.
• Clearly defining the roles, responsibilities, and authorities for project participants.
➢ Fostering open lines of meaningful communication.
• Identifying resource needs to guarantee access to the right people and technologies for the job.
• Developing consensus on what strategies to use to reach project goals.
• Ensuring there will be clear evidence and proper documentation that project goals were actually
achieved at the end of the project
Project QA is •,focused on those deliverables and activities that integrate the efforts of regulators (both
technical staff and management), responsible parties (both technical staff and management), and other
stakeholders to ensure a cost- effective, successful project — the Chambers Group goal.
Document Procedure. The project manager or the project manager's representative initiates the
QC procedures by completing the QA document recording form. This form is used to document
and track the QC process.
For the form to be valid, all sections must be completed. The SLR checks off all project
documents received and answers the asked questions. Recommended corrective actions are
documented, and the form is returned to the project manager for corrective actions or
explanations as to why actions were not taken. After actions are taken (or not taken), the project
manager resubmits the deliverable to the SLR for review. Both the SLR and the project manager
are required to sign and date the form.
Activity Procedure. The project manager or the project manager's representative initiates the QA
procedures by completing the QA activity recording form. This form is used to document and track
the QC process.
For the form to be valid, all sections must be completed. The SLR checks off all project
documents received and answers the asked questions. Recommended corrective actions are
documented, and the form is returned to the project manager for corrective actions or
explanations as to why actions were not taken. After actions are taken (or not taken), the project
manager resubmits the document to the SLR for review. Both the SLR and the project manager
are required to sign and date the form.
The departmental director or a qualified person appointed by the departmental manager may fill the SLR
role. The SLR must have experience with similar projects and the SOW, understand contracts, and be
current with the most recent professional standards for the type of work being preformed.
Quality Control (QC) is the process of project review that evaluates project activities and project
deliverables to clients expectations based on the contract, SOW, and current professional standards.
Technically QA is QC: Quality control is the process of inspecting the product.
Document Procedure. The project manager or the project manager's representative delivers a
copy of the draft document, the contract and the SOW to the SLR. The SLR compares the
document to the contract requirements, the SOW requirements, and current professional
standards. The client may provide a style guide to be followed. The PM and SLR should also
consult the Chambers Group manual "Instructions and Samples for Word Processing — Project
Reports, Proposals, Letters" (2007). Figure 5-2 illustrates the QAIQC process.
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If the document does not meet contract, SOW or professional standards, the SLR reports
necessary actions to correct the document, and returns the document to the program manager
who takes the required actions to rectify errors. (Technical editing may occur before the document
is given to the SLR.)
The SLR ensures corrective actions have been taken. After completing the QC process, the
document is prepared for delivery to the client. The project manager or the project manager's
representative is responsible for all the quality of all final deliverables.
Activity Procedure. The project manager or the project manager's representative delivers a
description of the activity to be evaluated, the contract and the SOW to the SLR. The SLR
observes the activity to contract requirements, SOW requirements, and current professional
standards. The client may provide specific activity requirements in the contract.
If the activity does not meet contract, SOW, or professional standards, the SLR reports necessary
actions to correct the activity, and the program manager takes the necessary actions to rectify
errors. The SLR may return to observe the activity to ensure corrective actions have been taken.
5.2.7 Level of Effort Estimate for Proiect Tasks
Technical studies for individual projects will vary in scope and level of effort based on the project type,
location, density, intensity, and other factors. The information gathered, analyzed, and presented in a
report format suitable for incorporation into a CEQA and/or NEPA compliance document will depend on
variables not known at this time. It is anticipated that Chambers Group would evaluate the project
complexity and the amount of existing data available for each task order received under this on -call
contract. We would then provide a customized scope of work and cost estimate for that particular project
The range of time estimates provided below reflect our experience in the preparation of compliance
documents for "Basic" and "Complex' projects. Generally, simple, desktop analyses for small,
uncomplicated projects can be completed for about the level of effort noted in the "Basic" column. Our
general time estimates for large, complex projects involving field surveys, modeling, and significant
coordination and consultation are noted in the "Complex" column.
For cost purposes a "Basic' environmental document or permit process is generally more routine in nature
and involves use of existing, readily available data. Field checks, modeling, testing, and other data
gathering methods are not performed. A "Complex" environmental document or permit process generally
requires survey research, fieldwork, and more complex problem - solving, consultation, and coordination as
part of the analysis and mitigation development. The hourly estimates do not include special technical
studies, such as traffic impact studies, geotechnical studies, etc., that may be required to complete the
environmental documentation.
NEPA encourages cooperation with state agencies that have environmental documentation requirements.
Additionally, under CEQA regulations concerning projects that are also subject to NEPA (Title 14, Article
14, Section 1522), the state and local agencies should cooperate with federal agencies to the fullest
extent possible to reduce duplication between CEQA and NEPA. Such cooperation should, to the fullest
extent possible, include:
➢ joint planning processes,
➢ joint environmental research and studies,
➢ joint public hearings, and
➢ joint environmental documents.
We would recommend that for projects subject to both NEPA and CEQA, one joint document be prepared,
to comply with both NEPA and CEQA, particularly when the County is the Lead Agency. The implication of
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this effort would be that the EA document would contain the IS and incorporate the content of a MND. In
terms of schedule and cost- effectiveness, a joint document would be a more economical approach.
Chambers Group would work closely with the County to prepare a format that would satisfy both NEPA and
CEQA requirements. The cost and level of effort would be greater than each individual document, but
certainly less than the cost of the two separate documents combined.
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SECTION 6.0 - ADDITIONAL DATA
This section contains additional data that Chambers Group would like to submit to show the exceptional
qualifications of Chambers Group's Project Team. This includes client references, client testaments, and
commendations and awards that we have received from previous clients.
CLIENT REFERENCES
County of Riverside
Department of Facilities Management
Claudia Steiding, Senior Environmental Planner
3133 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92507
(951)955 -8174
Chambers provides CEQA services to the County under this On -Call Agreement. Chambers is currently
preparing environmental documentation for a County Fleet Services facility in the City of Blythe.
San Bernardino Regional Parks Department
Jim Canaday, Park Planner II
777 E Rialto Ave
San Bernardino, CA 92415
(909) 383 -3202
Chambers Group performed biological sensitive plant and small mammal (kangaroo rat) surveys;
jurisdictional delineations; prepared a Section 1602 agreement, and Section 4041401 agency permits;
cultural resources and historic properties reports for the County, and CEQA documentation for the Santa
Ana River Trail.
ESRI
David Atchley
380 New York Street
Redlands, CA 92373
(909) 793 -2853
Chambers Group prepared a CEQA Initial Study /Mitigated Negafive Declaration for the construction of a
reinforced concrete box (RCB) in the Mission Stormwater Channel associated with the ESRI Parking Lot
Expansion Project for an 81,000 square -foot expansion. The San Bernardino County Flood Control District
was the CEQA lead agency. The project involved converting approximately 1,300 linear feet of the
stormwater channel into a RCB and expanding the parking lot with approximately 233 parking spaces.
Chambers Group also conducted a formal jurisdictional delineation of Waters of the U.S. and Waters of
the State The delineation was required by the San Bernardino County Flood Control District to obtain a
Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 Permit from the USACE, a CWA Section 401 Water Quality
Certification from the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and a Lake and Streambed
Alteration Agreement (SAA) from the CDFG.
Orange County Great Park Corporation
Glen Worthington, Manager of Planning and Environmental Services
7000 Trabuco Road, Bldg 873
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 724 -7406
Chambers Group has provided project management services and prepared the Orange County Great
Park FEIR Addendum, and compared the Preliminary OCGP Master Plan for conformance with the FEIR.
Prepared Addendum Section 2.0, Project Description, to include Location, Characteristics, Components
and Discretionary Approvals. The Project Description included references to key elements of the
Preliminary OCGP Master Plan. Identify impacts and mitigation measures associated with implementation
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of the OCGP Master Plan requiring assessment in the up- coming Addendum. This effort included an
evaluation of the Master Plan conformance with the Threshold of Significance Criteria in the FEIR. For
those resource areas that had impacts that differed from those addressed in the FEIR, Chambers Group
proposed to prepare a preliminary analysis of the Master Plan's conformity, with the FEIR. Prepared and
submitted Final FEIR Addendum to the City of Irvine.
COMMENDATIONS AND AWARDS
Letters of Commendation
Chambers Group has received numerous letters of commendation from our clients. The following
excerpts illustrate the level of client satisfaction that we strive to achieve in all our projects:
"Your firm responded to the challenge and provided work products that were thoroughly researched,
technically competent, and professionally prepared. Everyone in your organization should take pride in
having delivered exceptional results."— City of Irvine (Program EIR for Planning Area 9/40).
"The (Chambers Group) team responds very well to a dynamic and challenging project. Chambers has.
been consistently ahead of schedule, and on budget, in submitting draft documents for review. More
importantly, they anticipate potential problems and assist in overcoming obstacles before they occur.
Individuals are extremely knowledgeable in their fields of expertise. Chambers is ahead of our design
team with regard to preparing an environmental assessment of the project Chambers is providing
exceptional CEQA services to the Corporation and helping us to focus our design team on complying with
local government processing requirements." — Glen Worthington, Manager of Planning, Orange County
Great Park Corporation.
"The vast knowledge of their (Chambers Group) particular professionals exceeded our expectations." —
Santa Barbara Parks Department.
"Chambers makes our life easier by providing the expert staff who are well versed in the latest
environmental codes and by providing us with good services as it relates to biological monitoring, the
California Environmental Quality Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act"— City of Costa Mesa.
"They (Chambers Group) took the assignment and made sure it was done to our satisfaction by our
deadline." —City of Moreno Valley
"I thought the documentation they (Chambers Group) supplied to prepare the formal documents was
great It exceeded my expectations." - City of Indio
Awards and Certificates of Recognition
Chambers Group has an excellent reputation with clients and regulators. We are committed to strong
project management, quality control, and client satisfaction. Our environmental professionals are
thoroughly familiar with the requirements of CEQA and NEPA and our documents are recognized by
agencies as easily readable, technically credible, and legally defensible. Chambers Group's commitment
to quality is demonstrated by the following commendations for our work on relevant contracts:
D 2007 - Marvin M. Black Award Excellence in Partnering Award for the San Gabriel Dam Sediment
Removal Project from the Associate General Contractors of America
➢ 2001 - Outstanding Environmental Analysis Document for the Boise Chica Wetlands Restoration
Project EIR/EIS from the California Association of Environmental Professionals
➢ 2001 - Outstanding Environmental Resources Document for the Big Tujunga Mitigation Bank Final
Master Mitigation Plan from California Association of Environmental Professionals
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➢ 2000 - Outstanding Environmental Resources Document for the Big Tujunga Project Enhancement
Opportunities Report and Biological Resources Assessment from the California Association of
Environmental Professionals
➢ 1999 - Outstanding Document for Projects Outside Orange County — Big Tujunga Wash Functional
Analysis Report from the American Planning Association, Orange County
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SECTION 7.0 - 2008 STANDARD FEE SCHEDULE
HOURLY RATES
CHAMBERS GROUP HOURLY RATES FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT CATEGORIES ARE
INDICATED BELOW SUBJECT TO PERIODIC REVISIONS:
Corporate Director
$
175.00
Program Director
$
154.00
Sr. Project Manager
$
125.00
Project Manager
$
105.00
Principal BiologisttBotanist
$
139.00
Senior BiologistBotanist
$
113.00
Staff Biologist/Botanist
$
89.00
Assoc. BiologistBotanist
$
78.00
Asst. Biologist/Botanist
$
68.00
Principal Cultural Resources Specialist`
$
119.00 ,
Senior Cultural Resources Specialist*
$
95.00
Staff Cultural Resources Specialist'
$
79.00
Assoc. Cultural Resources Specialist'
$
59.00
Asst. Cultural Resources Specialist*
$
49.00
Principal Environmental Planner
$
139.00
Senior Environmental Planner
$
113.00
Staff Environmental Planner
$
89.00
Assoc, Environmental Planner
$
78.00
Asst, Environmental Planner
$
68.00
Principal Air/Noise Specialist
$
139.00
SeniorAir/Noise Specialist
$
113.00
Staff Air/Noise Specialist
$
89.00
Assoc. Air/Noise Specialist
$
78.00
Asst. Air 4oise Specialist
$
68.00
GIS Analyst 2
$
93.00
GIS Analyst 1
$
78.00
GIS Technician
$
65.00
Graphic Artier
$
75.00
Project Assistant"
$
67.00
Technical Editor"
$
67.00
Word Processor"
$
60.00
Clerical"
$
48.00
"For non - exempt employees in these categories, overtime hours are billed equal to one and one -half times their
normal hourly rate.
.Includes Archaeologists, Architectural Historians, Paleontologists, and Historians.
EXPERT DEPOSITION & TESTIMONY
Labor fees far litigation support with respect to depositions, presentations, and expert testimony will be billed at 2.0
times the normal hourly rate.
S!MONNTRACTOR & OTHER DIRECT COSTS
Sub0ontracted services and other direct costs to projects will be invoiced at cost plus 15 %.
COMMUNICATIONS & REPRODUCTION
Charges for communications such as telephone, fax, postage, overnight delivery, courier services, standard office
equipment usage, and costs for in -house binding materials and reproduction of reports, figures and color photos will
be billed all inclusive at 3% of labor fees.
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0
01charnbers Group Inc:
NOEL DAVIS, PH.D.
Marine Biologist/Wetlands Specialist
0
Dr. Davis has more than 27 years of experience in managing estuarine, freshwater, and oceanographic envi-
ronmental studies. She is responsible for managing the aquatic and marine portions of Environmental
Impact Reports (EIRs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), and Environmental Assessments (EAs) for
both onshore and offshore projects. She has more than 25 years of experience in conducting marine studies
and is also responsible for wetlands and water quality assessments in conjunction with 404 Permit evalua-
tions and environmental reports.
Key Strengths
27 years managing wetlands
and marine environmental
studies
Relevant Experience
EISlEIR for Upper Newport Bay Restoration Project, Orange County — U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. Project Manager for an
EIS /EIR to restore aquatic and wetlands habitat in Upper Newport Bay in Or-
ange County. The EIS /EIR analyzed alternatives to restore habitat degraded
from the impacts of sedimentation. Alternatives involved various dredge and fill
scenarios within the Upper Bay. Habitat Evaluation Procedures were used to
compare the impacts and benefits of restoration alternatives to the No Action
scenario.
Survey of Newport Dunes Marina in Newport Bay for the Invasive Alga
Caulerpa taxitblia and Mapping of Eelgrass in Areas Proposed for Dredg-
ing — Moffatt & Nichol Engineers under Contract to the County of Orange.
Responsible for an underwater survey to map eelgrass and determine whether
the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia was present in areas proposed for dredging
in Newport Dunes Marina.in Newport Bay. Eelgrass patches were mapped us-
ing Global Positioning System (GPS) and the dimensions and density of each
patch were quantified. No Caulerpa was found.
Update of Biological Elements of City of Newport Beach Local Coastal
Plan and General Plan -- Coastal Resources Management, Under Contract
to the City of Newport Beach. Coordinated Chambers Group's efforts and
participated in biological field surveys for the update of the biological resource
elements of the City of Newport Beach Local Coastal Plan and General Plan.
All natural habitats within the City of Newport Beach were surveyed and mapped
in Geographic information Systems (GIS). Descriptions and boundaries of Envi-
ronmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas were updated, and new Environmentally
Sensitive Habitat Areas were identified. Policies to protect these areas were re-
vised and updated.
Environmental Restoration Report Section 206 for Lower Newport Bay
Harbor Eelgrass Restoration, Newport Bay, Orange County — U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. Project Manager for the develop-
ment of a program to restore eelgrass to Lower Newport Bay. A detailed
analysis and planting plan was prepared to restore eelgrass to eight sites in
Lower Newport Bay. The planting plan included a detailed methodology to re-
store eelgrass to the eight sites.
Sy
n
U
Noel Davis, Ph. D.
Page 2
M
Relevant Experience (Continued)
Education
Ph.D., 1978, Biological ocean-
ography, Scripps Institution of
Pre- and Post- Dredging Surveys of Eelgrass in Lower Newport Harbor,
Oceanography (Dissertation
Orange County - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District.
Topic: Studies of the Southern
Project Manager for pre- and post- dredging surveys to determine the impacts to
,California Nearshore sand Bot-
eelgrass of navigation channel dredging in Lower Newport Harbor. All areas
tom community)
adjacent to the dredge channels were surveyed before and after dredging to
B.A., 1972, Zoology (magna
document the effects of the dredging on eelgrass beds.
cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa,
Highest Honors in zoology,
Special Undergraduate Re-
Mitigation Program to Transplant Eelgrass Bed in Newport Bay - U.S.
search Award), University of
Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. Program Manager for
California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
transplanting eelgrass, Zostera marina, in Newport Bay to mitigate a USACE
dredging program that had destroyed an eelgrass bed. Chambers Group divers
Registration
transplanted eelgrass from the dredging area to another part of the Bay and
Certified by the U.S. Fish and
monitored the new bed.
Wildlife Service in Habitat
Evaluation 9 a Procedures (HEP) -
Lower Newport Bay Harbor Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Study Section
206 Preliminary Restoration Plan - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los
certified as a wetlands De-
lineator by the U.S. Army
Angeles District Project Manager for the preparation of a preliminary restore -
Corps of Engineers in its wet-
lion plan to restore eelgrass to Lower Newport Bay in Orange County. The plan
lands Delineator Certification
proposed to restore aquatic function to Lower Newport Bay by transplanting eel -
Demonstration Project —1994
grass to a number of sites within the Lower Bay. Eelgrass beds are a
Society of Wetland Scientists
particularly valuable marine habitat that enhance the physical and biological
Los Angeles County
environment The plan identified 14 currently unvegetated sites within the
Environmental Review Board
Lower Bay where eelgrass could potentially be transplanted.
SG -0006 5, expires Permit,
SC-000525, expires March 8,
Survey Nuisance Algal Growth in Newport Bay - The Irvine Company.
2007
Water quality sampling was conducted throughout Newport Bay and areas of
excessive algae growth were mapped.
IS/MND For Bay Island Bulkhead Replacement Project - City of Newport
Beach - Responsible for the marine biology and water quality sections for an
IS /MND to replace the bulkheads on Bay Isle in Lower Newport Bay. An under-
water survey for eelgrass and Cau/erpa was performed around the
circumference of Bay Island.
Mariners Mile Walkway Project IS/MND - Cash and Associates under
Contract to City of Newport Beach - Responsible for the marine biology and
water quality sections for an ISIMND to build a walkway along Mariners Mile.
The walkway would require the pier line of the docks to be extended into the Bay
in some areas.
M
0
O'Chambers Group Ines`
PAUL MORRISSEY
Staff Biologist
Mr. Morrissey has more than 7 years experience participating in and conducting terrestrial
and aquatic/marine studies, with a comprehensive background in both collecting data and performing
biological monitoring surveys. He is an experienced biologist and project manager, and has overseen many
development projects, including areas within the High. Desert, Yucca Valley, Lancaster, and the Inland
Empire. He has coordinated with state and federal agencies to develop and implement effective mitigation
and monitoring plans for listed and sensitive species and to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
He is experienced in conducting focused surveys for amphibians, desert tortoise, burrowing owl, small
mammals and protected avian species. He has worked extensively with protected and sensitive fish species
such as the Santa Ana sucker, Santa Ana speckled dace, arroyo chub, and rainbow trout. He has also
conducted stream and sediment sampling for macro - invertebrates, radio telemetry tracking, electro- fishing
surveys, and environmental compliance monitoring... Working on complex linear projects such as the PG&E
and SDG&E power transmission line projects, he is familiar with the flora and wildlife species within
Riverside, San Diego and Imperial County. He has conducted wetlands delineations pursuant to Section 404
of the Clean Water Act and riparian delineations pursuant to Section 1601/1603 of the California Fish and
Game Code. He has also prepared jurisdictional delineation reports, which are used in the preparation of
permit applications for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Califomia Department of Fish and Game
(CDFG), and Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). He has a diverse background in areas such
as annual and perennial identification of plant species in the Mojave Desert, and has been recognized by the
International Philosophy Convention for his work on the Wild Dolphin Cognitive Project, searching for
patterns in vocalization for wild Pacific Bottlenose dolphins. In addition, he has worked for a private zoo and
is familiar with the behavior of a variety of exotic animals.
Key Strengths
7 Years of Experience in
Southern California
Biological resource analysis
and management
Jurisdictional Delineations
Wetlands Delineations
Western Riverside County
Multiple Species Habitat
Conservation Plan (MSHCP),
Riparian /Poverine
Habitat restoration
enhancement programs
Construction mitigation
monitoring
Extensive muddrg knovdedge of
regulationstguidernies:
• Endangered Species Act
• Clean Water Act
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife service
• California Dept of Fish and
Game
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Section 160214011404
permOng
Rejevaiitt Ex- perience
Ecological Surveys, Newport Coast — City of Newport Beach. Project
Manager. Surveyed eight canyons in the Newport Coast watershed area to in
order to identify and map the vegetation communities, to document the location
of non -native plant species, to determine the average width of California
Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineer
(USACE) jurisdiction, and to report potential presence of sensitive species.
Sensitive species on site included coastal California gnatcatcher and snowy
plover. A technical report of findings was prepared.
Night Surveys for Grunion Spawning, Huntington Beach, Orange County,
CA — Orange County Resources Development and Management
Department Conducted night surveys of grunion spawning along Huntington
Beach shoreline surrounding the Talbert Channel Outlet Emergency
construction activities were in place to secure a clear path for Talbert Channel
water flow. The purpose of the surveys was to note where eggs were laid so
construction activities would not disturb the incubating eggs. Surveys were
conducted at high tide for three consecutive nights over a full moon.
Marblehead Coastal Project, SunCal Properties, San Clemente. Assisted in
focused gnatcatcher surveys, construction monitoring, and ecological
restoration. Conducted vegetation transacts to provide baseline data for
restoration sites. Conducted nesting bird surveys and monitored construction
especially associated with coastal sage scrub.
.r6
• Paul Morrissey
Page 2
Relevant Experience (Continued)
Big Dalton Dam Sediment Removal, Glendora, Los Angeles County — Los
Angeles County Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division.
As Project Manager, tasks include scheduling surveys, supervising staff,
ensuring complete data collection, providing quality and control report
preparation, interacting effectively with agency personnel, maintaining client
communication, maintaining budget parameters, and meeting project deadlines.
Coordinated and conducted field surveys including vegetation mapping, focused
plant surveys, amphibian, reptile, fish, avian, and mammal surveys, stream
assessments and macroinvertebrate collections from above the reservoir to 2
P
Biological Services at South Regional Landfill Operations, San Juan
Education
Capistrano — Orange County Integrated Waste Management Department.
M.S., Biology (thesis topic
fetal neurology) California
Staff Biologist. Assisted in focused protocol surveys for Coastal California
State University, Dominguez
Gnatcatcher, Least Bell's Vireo, and Willow Flycatcher surveys, and a Cowbird
Y Y ,
Hills; 2005
trapping program for biological services provided at the Prima Deschecha
Landfill. Conducted wetland delineations in the restored habitat areas.
B.S., Biology California State
University, Dominguez Hills;
toot
Biological Resources Construction Monitoring, Fairview
9� 9, Regional Park,
Costa Mesa. Conducted construction monitoring of a mufti- purpose trail
Registrations, Certifications,
approximately 4,000 feet long. Field surveys were conducted for
and Affiliations
fencing/flagging construction area limits to ensure avoidance, timing of
California Dept. of Fish and
construction (cement pouring), and proper litter disposal. Field surveys also
Game Scientific Collector's
included wildlife presencelabsence and nesting locations.
Permit, 8SC- 008151 (renewal
.-
pending)
Talbert Snowy Plover Monitoring 2007 — County of Orange RDMD.
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Wetland Training
Dredging activities are set to occur at the Talbert Channel for approximately 11
Institute, Welland Delineator
days/week 4 days
Y ( for 2.5 weeks) for 8 hours per day. Two monitors are
Certification, 2007
required for the project each day. One monitor will observe operations at the
Desert Tortoise Surveying
excavation site and one will observe the disposal site. Chambers Group will
Techniques Workshop,
provide two monitors for snowy plover monitoring during the period defined
Desert Tortoise council,
above. The monitors will be familiar with the identification of snowy plovers. The
2007; qualified desert tortoise
monitors will document the presence/absence of snowy plovers within the work
biologist
area and instruct the construction crew on ways to avoid adversely affecting
CDFG authorized to take,
these sensitive resources. We will also provide written monitoring
possess, and transport flat-
tailed homed lizards, 2007
documentation for this effort. The memo report will include up to 10 pages and
will include photographs of the operations.
2007 Marvin M. Black
Excellence in Partnering
Award for the San Gabriel
Riparian Restoration, Enhancement Plan and Monitoring, Santa Margarita
River Project
River Flood Plain , Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton — MCAS
Southwestern willow
Camp Pendleton, sub to Geofon Inc. Biologist. Conducted fieldwork involving
Flycatcher workshop,
sample point placement (stacked -cube methodology), vegetation monitoring and
Southern sierra Research
species identification, and photo and data collection. Collected GPS points of
Station; 2005
all established points to sub -meter accuracy. The project involves vegetation
Basic Tracking, Earth skins,
community mapping, creation of a conceptual mitigation plan and determining
2006
the best new watercourse for a future riparian corridor. Chambers Group is
Electrofishing and Fish
currently performing restoration on existing least Bell's vireo habitat and riparian
Handling Techniques, 2008
vegetation adjacent to the helicopter landing area. Restoration also is occurring
on 55 acres of fragmented river floodplain adjacent to the Santa Margarita
River. The project team worked closely with the engineering staff to incorporate
drainage into the restoration area so flooding no longer occurs on working
portions of the air station, and plant communities can use the annual rainfall
Success criteria will be primarily a function of how suitable the habitat is for least
Bell's vireo.
Big Dalton Dam Sediment Removal, Glendora, Los Angeles County — Los
Angeles County Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division.
As Project Manager, tasks include scheduling surveys, supervising staff,
ensuring complete data collection, providing quality and control report
preparation, interacting effectively with agency personnel, maintaining client
communication, maintaining budget parameters, and meeting project deadlines.
Coordinated and conducted field surveys including vegetation mapping, focused
plant surveys, amphibian, reptile, fish, avian, and mammal surveys, stream
assessments and macroinvertebrate collections from above the reservoir to 2
P
0
Paul Morrissey
Page 3
Relevant Experience (Continued)
miles downstream of the Big Dalton Dam. Data and analysis of the project is
provided in the Pre- and Post- Dewatering Biological Technical Report for the Big
Dalton Dam Reservoir Cleanout Project
Rapid Infiltration and Extraction Facility CEQA Services, Focused
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) — City of San Bernardino Municipal
Water Department. A biological reconnaissance survey and habitat assessment
were performed to determine the presence of any sensitive, threatened,
endangered, or rare species, either plant or wildlife, were present on the project
site. These included Santa Ana woollystar, Delhi sands flower - loving fly, Santa
Ana sucker, San Bernardino kangaroo rat, and burrowing owl. A trapping study
was conducted to determine the presence of the San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat
and the Los Angeles Pocket Mouse on the site. A pre - construction raptor and
burrowing owl survey will be performed prior to the beginning of construction
activities to ensure that any birds are not impacted (air quality, noise, traffic,
safety), and operational issues (odors, safety, vector control).
San Gabriel River Functional Analysis and Focused Biological Surveys,
Los Angeles County — Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.
As Field Manager, tasks include scheduling surveys, supervising staff, ensuring
complete data collection, providing quality and control report preparation,
interacting effectively with agency personnel, maintaining client communication,
maintaining budget parameters, and meeting project deadlines. The study area
included the East Fork, the West Fork, Brown's Gulch, and the main channel of
the San Gabriel River, from the San Gabriel Reservoir through the Moms
Reservoir downstream to below Santa Fe Dam. Performed herpetological, fish,
large - mammal, and avian surveys, stream assessments, and macroinvertebrate
collection in support of the overall functional analysis methodology. Conducted
routine radio- tracking and visual surveys for relocated southwestern pond turtles
(Clemmys marmorata pallida) below San Gabriel Dam.
Brown - headed Cowbird Trapping, Least Bell's Vireo Surveys,
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Surveys, and Arroyo Toad Surveys, Big
Tujunga Wash Mitigation Bank -- Los Angeles County Department of
Public Works. Staff Wildlife Biologist. Conducted a trapping program focusing
on the brown - headed cowbird as part of the Big Tujunga Wash Mitigation Bank.
The program followed the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. Removal of these avian parasites by trapping aids in the recovery of
least Bell's vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, and California gnatcatcher,
populations. Conducted focused least Bell's vireo surveys and assisted
permitted biologist in focused southwestern willow flycatcher surveys to
determine the presence/absence of vireos and willow flycatchers in suitable
riparian habitat along the Big Tujunga Wash Mitigation Bank. Conducted
focused day and night arroyo toad surveys to determine the presencelabsence
of arroyo toads in suitable stream habitat.
S-6`
Chambers Group ine
MIKE MCENTEE
Principal Biologist, Biology Group Manager
Mr. McEntee has a comprehensive background in biological resources management. Mr. McEntee has over
12 years of experience and a comprehensive background in conducting biological surveys. As a biologist,
he has conducted surveys for Least Bell's Vireo, Coastal California Gnatcatcher, Southwestern Willow
Flycatcher, Western Snowy Plover, Burrowing Owl, Arroyo Toad, Gray Fox, Yuma Clapper Rail, Black Rail,
Yellow - billed Cuckoo, and Desert Tortoise. He has also conducted nest monitoring for federally and state
listed species, trapping of Brown - headed Cowbirds, reconnaissance -level and detailed wildlife surveys, small
and large mammal trapping, investigated environmental impacts in terms of noise, fire, biological resources,
assisted with the implementation of mitigation programs for large -scale projects, performed restoration and
exotic species removal and mitigation compliance throughout California and Arizona
Relevant Experience
Key Strengths Western Snowy Plover Monitoring, Talbert Channel Sediment Removal,
12 ther California Experience in
So Huntington Beach, Orange County — County of Orange Resources &
Southern C Development Management Department. Project Manager /Principal Biologist.
Biological resource analysis Provided surveys, construction monitoring, contractor education and permit
and management compliance for the County of Orange Operations and Maintenance. Provided
Western Riverside County coordination for the USFWS and State Parks. The monitors documented the
copse, spte'. plan Habitat
(MS presence/absence of snowy plovers within the work area and instruct the
sury vand.t.Plan (MSHCPl construction crew on was to avoid adverse) affecting these sensitive
sdrveya:al��HaFdtatSu "itabllity Y Y 9
Assessments . resources.
Habitat restoration programs
Least Bell's Vireo, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, California Gnatcatcher
construction mitigation Surveys and Construction/Regulatory Compliance Monitoring, Orange
monitoring County gr g
ty — Strawberry Farms Golf Course. Performed surveys and nest
Extensive working mowledge of monitoring for Least Bells Vireo and California Gnatcatchers to determine the
regulanorwguidetnes: species locations and nesting success. Mapped locations and assisted in
• End angered Species Act compliance with USFWS, CDFG, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations and guidelines.
California Dept of Fish and g g
Game
California Gnatcatcher Presence/Absence Surveys, Orange County —
Diemer Filtration Plant. Performed focused and pre - construction surveys for
California Gnatcatcher at the Diemer Filtration Plant Documented gnatcatcher
locations along the fence line and supervised vegetation removal crews to
ensure USFWS and CDFG regulations and guidelines.
Focused Least Bell's Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Surveys,
San Diego Creek, Orange County RDMD. Performed protocol surveys and
presence/absence surveys following the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Riparian and any other potential habitats were
surveyed. Prepared a technical report of findings that included observed LBVI
and SWWF locations and individual nest sites. All LBVI and SWWF
observations were reported using UTM coordinates.
Biological Monitoring, San Juan Capistrano Lower Landslide and Pipeline
Stabilization, San Juan Capistrano, Orange County — City of San Juan
Capistrano Public Works. Project Manager. Acquired 4d NCCP permit; agency
coordination for 404, 401, 1602 permits; construction monitoring and CSS
• Mike McEntee
Page 2
Relevant Experience (Continued)
restoration. Conducted a reconnaissance assessment of the biological resources
Education on the site. The field survey focused on determining the presence or potential
B.A., Biology, Cal state presence of federal- or state - listed or otherwise sensitive plant and wildlife
Fullerton; 1995 species and sensitive habitats on the site. Prepared a biological resource letter
Specialized Training report of findings.
Souttwrestem Willow
Flycatcher workshop, Radio tracking and home range estimation of gray foxes in the Santa Ana
Southern Sierra Research Mountains. Gray foxes were captured in box traps and Tomahawk live traps.
Station Captured animals were immobilized with a 5:1 (v/v) mixture of approximately 25
Marine Corps Certified Range mg ketamine hydrochloride and 5 mg xylazine hydrochloride, injected
control OIC/RSO intramuscularly. Monitoring of anesthesia included heart rate, respiration rate,
Member of the USFWS and and body temperature. Standard body measurements and sex were recorded,
USGS least Beirs vireo, and age was assessed on the basis of incisor wear and body size and weight.
southwestern willow flycatcher Animals were fitted with radio collars and were radio- tracked to determine their
and yellow - billed cuckoo home ranges.
recovery working group
Registration
Nesting Bird Survey for Reconstruction of Cooks Canyon Crib Dam,
California Gnatcatcher.
Glendale, Los Angeles County — Los Angeles County Department of Public
authorization to survey, locate
Worts, Environmental Planning. Senior Biologist Nesting bird survey and
and monitor nests, remove
report as pre - construction services for removal of sediment buildup within the
brown-headed cowbird eggs
and from paras pzed
Cooks Canyon Crib Dam Debris Basin that has impaired the drainage of waters
s; U.S
nests; U.S. Fish and Wildlife
from the debris basin, resulting to ear -round ndin
9 Y Po 9-
Service Permit #TE099463
Least Bell'svwo:
East Ford Road Over San Gabriel River and Susana Canyon Creek, Los
authorization to locate and
Angeles County — Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Senior
monitor nests, remove brown-
Biologist. The surveys for nesting birds and bats were conducted to determine
headed cowbird eggs and
the presence or absence of bird and bat species that may be impacted by bridge
urn from It" nm ";
and 9Wikgife'Service
maintenance activities. Chambers Group biologists surveyed the bridge, support
Permit
Permit #rEO99463
structures and all vegetation within 50 meters of the project footprint for bird
9e P i P
Southwestern willow
nesting activity. In addition, the bridge and all support structures were surveyed
fycatcher authorization to
for the presence of bats.
survey, locate and monitor
nests, remove brown - headed
California Red - legged Frog Presence/Absence Survey Report, Cooks
cowbird eggs and chicks from
Canyon Dam Debris Basin Project Site in support of Streambed Alteration
parasitized Service Permit ted nests; U.S. Fish
and nd Wildlife
Agreement, Glendale, Los Angeles County — Los Angeles County
#TE099463
Department of Public Works. Presencelabsence surveys for California red -
BLM Flat - Tailed Homed Lizard
legged frog (CRF) were conducted in support of the streambed alteration
Training, May 2007
agreement (conditions 78 & 76) at the site, located at Cooks Canyon Crib Dam
M1 -A Debris Basin. The surveys were required in support of services for
removal of sediment buildup within the Cooks Canyon Crib Dam Debris Basin.
Sediment buildup has impaired the drainage of waters from the debris basin,
resulting in year -round ponding. Six CRF presence/absence surveys were
conducted pursuant to the USFWS protocols. No evidence of arroyo toad adults,
juveniles, larvae, or eggs was found during any of the daytime or nighttime
surveys.
Big Dalton Dam Sediment Removal, Glendora, Los Angeles County — Los
Angeles County Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division.
Senior Biologist, QA/QC. Big Dalton Dam is located in east-central Los Angeles
County, and is situated in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains contained
within the San Dimas Experimental Area of the Angeles National Forest. To
assess project impacts, pre- and post- dewatering surveys were conducted and
M
L]
Relevant Experience (Continued)
Mike McErdee
Page 3
included an assessment of river substrate, macroinvertebrate, amphibian,
reptile, avian, and mammal tracking surveys. Plant assessments were
performed using the CNPS Rapid Assessment Protocol. In addition, coast
range newts were identified on site, and a Newt Monitoring and Relocation Plan
was developed and approved by CDFG. Biological monitoring and newt
relocation during construction activities took place daily over a period of 5
months.
Environmental Impact Report, Sierra Highway Widening, Palmdale, Los
Angeles County — Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Senior
Biologist. Chambers Group provided environmental services for the Sierra
Highway Widening Project located in the unincorporated area of Palmdale, Los
Angeles County, California. The Scope of Work included preparation of the EIR
and technical reports for traffic impact 'snalysis, air quality analysis, noise
assessment, agency coordination, and jurisdictional delineation, biological
resources, and cultural resources surveys.
Final Mitigation Monitoring Plan (MMP) for the Big Tujunga Wash
Mitigation Bank, Los Angeles County — Los Angeles County Department of
Public Works. Assisted with the preparation of a final MMP, a comprehensive
document that included the development and implementation of enhancement
strategies, for the Big Tujunga Wash Mitigation Bank. The purpose of the MMP
was to serve as a guide for implementation of the various enhancement
programs and to fulfill the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG)
requirement for the preparation of a management plan for the site. The MMP
encompassed strategies to enhance and protect existing habitat for wildlife and
to create additional natural areas that could be used by wildlife and by numerous
user groups. The detailed MMP included a step -by -step description of the
methodology, implementation, success and contingency measures, and Quality
Assurance /Quality. Control plan for each of the following issue areas: habitat
restoration and revegetation, exotic plant eradication, brown - headed cowbird
trapping, formal trails establishment, exotic wildlife eradication, public outreach,
water quality monitoring, and functional analysis.
Focused Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Surveys at Big Tujunga Wash
Mitigation Site, Los Angeles County, California — Los Angeles County
Department of Public Works. Lead Biologist Conducted focused protocol
surveys for the southwestern willow flycatcher to determine its
presence /absence in approximately 50 hectares (123 acres) of riparian areas in
Big Tujunga Wash.
San Gabriel River Functional Analysis and Focused Biological Surveys,
Los Angeles County, California — Los Angeles County Department of
Public Works. Performed avian and fish surveys in support of the overall
functional analysis methodology. The study - involved fish sampling using both
seine and electrofishing techniques and point count transects for birds. The
study area included the East Fork and West Fork of the San Gabriel River,
Brown's Gulch, and areas below the San Gabriel and Morris Dams.
6)