ESA News

Jason Ricks Joins ESA’s Southern California Energy Team

camille_m — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:17:34 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading environmental consulting firm, is pleased to announce that jricks [at] esassoc [dot] com (Jason Ricks) has joined our Los Angeles office as a Senior Managing Associate in our Energy Group. Jason brings more than 15 years of professional environmental science and health and safety consulting experience. An experienced project manager, he has spent the past eight years managing and performing environmental reviews under California Environmental...

City of Pleasanton Adopts Climate Action Plan

camille_m — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:22:15 +0000

Last night the City of Pleasanton officially adopted their Climate Action Plan – an accomplishment that marks the City’s commitment to sustainability and reducing community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 15% below 2005 levels by 2020. The Climate Action Plan, developed by ESA in close coordination with the City and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), meets the requirements for a “Qualified Greenhouse Reduction Plan” as specified by BAAQMD’s...

Paragon Research Associates Joins ESA

camille_m — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:08:56 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading environmental consulting firm, is pleased to announce that Paragon Research Associates (Paragon), a Seattle-based cultural resource management, curatorial and collections management consulting firm, has joined ESA. The addition of Paragon’s principal, Paula Johnson, and her staff of archeologists and curation specialists, supports ESA’s strategy to deepen technical services in cultural resources throughout the West. Paragon joins...

ESA Names Two Vice Presidents - Annette Bonilla and Jean Chen

camille_m — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:16:30 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading California environmental consulting firm, is pleased to announce that Annette Bonilla, Director of Human Resources and Operations and Jean Chen, Corporate Controller, have been named ESA Vice Presidents. Annette Bonilla celebrated 25 years with ESA in 2011, and has consistently been involved in the firm’s human resources and operations in various capacities over the years. She assisted in the firm’s growth from 1 office in San...

Julie Sullivan Named Vice President

camille_m — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:21:29 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is pleased to announce that Julie Sullivan has been appointed an ESA Vice President. As Southeast Regional Director and Director of the Southeast Biological Resources and Land Management Group, Julie has grown our services and staff to better meet the needs of our Florida clients. As a Vice President, Julie joins senior leadership in setting the firm’s direction and committing the firm’s resources to meet client needs. “Julie is well...

Jim O’Toole Named Vice President and Deputy California Water Practice Leader

camille_m — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:14:36 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading California environmental consulting firm, is pleased to announce that Jim O’Toole has been promoted to Vice President and Deputy Leader of ESA’s California Water practice. Jim O’Toole steps into the role of firm Vice President and Deputy Practice Leader after serving in various management capacities since he joined ESA in 1997. In his new role he will help set the future direction of ESA’s California water practice,...

ESA Plants 19 Trees in Celebration of 2011

camille_m — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:28:14 +0000

More than 200 heartfelt sentiments make up our 2011 wish tree. Written by staff throughout the company, they encompass a variety of thoughtful hopes, wishes, and dreams for our world and our communities. We invite you share a moment of reflection as you join us to explore our wishes for the upcoming year. To commemorate the launch of our new website in July, ESA worked with the organizations below to plant 19 trees in celebration of our clients, colleagues, and communities. The wish...

ESA Opens Santa Cruz Office

camille_m — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:22:26 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) announced the opening of a new office in Santa Cruz, California on December 1, 2011. The office is located at 740 Front Street, Suite 345B and will enable ESA to better serve clients throughout the California Central Coast area stretching from San Francisco’s South Bay to San Luis Obispo. “We understand how important it is to be in close proximity to our clients.” says Patricia Berryhill, Vice President and ESA’s San Francisco...

ESA’s Tampa Office Moves

camille_m — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:21:13 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) announced that the firm’s Tampa office has moved two miles south to 4350 West Cypress Street, Suite 950 in Tampa, Florida. “This new location builds on our successful legacy of providing environmental science and planning solutions from the Tampa Bay area for more than 20 years,” says Julie Sullivan, Vice President and ESA’s Southeast Regional Director. “As our public and private clients face evolving regulatory...

A Successful Restoration for the Napa River

camille_m — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:43:09 +0000

The Napa River flows though one of the most scenic landscapes in the Bay Area, and supports one of the largest remaining salmon runs, but it faces many challenges. In the mid 20th century the river corridor was squeezed from a broad ribbon to a narrow thread, as land managers cut off secondary channels and confined the river behind levees. At the same time urbanization and land drainage funneled more water into a narrower floodway. The result was channel incision – unable to spread its...

Gary Oates Named One of the Bay Area’s Most Admired CEOs

camille_m — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:27:23 +0000

The San Francisco Business Times awarded Gary W. Oates, President and CEO of Environmental Science Associates (ESA), as one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s Most Admired CEOs in the professional services category. The award was presented to Gary on Tuesday, November 15th at a gala celebration where 14 other CEOs were honored, including Gary Rogers, former CEO of Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, who received the 2011 Lifetime Achievement award. The award honors those CEOs who have made a...

Celebrate Innovation on GIS Day

camille_m — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:15:02 +0000

November 16th is GIS Day and we’re celebrating more than a decade of delivering creative, innovative, and integrated client solutions using GIS. We’ve been using this powerful tool to benefit our clients and the environment on projects spanning a variety of markets and geographic locations from coast to coast. In recognition of GIS Day, we’re taking a moment to highlight the value this technology and our GIS team has contributed to our clients, the environment, and our teaming...

Caltrans Releases 2011 California Airport Land Use Handbook

camille_m — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:05:30 +0000

This updated Handbook includes technical updates that respond to regulatory changes since the previous 2002 edition. ESA Airports led the consultant team that prepared the recently released 2011 California Airport Land Use Handbook, now available on the Caltrans Division of Aeronautics website. The new Handbook includes numerous technical updates that respond to regulatory changes that have occurred since the 2002 edition. The Handbook has also been reformatted to provide readers with a...

Managing Wildlife Hazards at Airports - More Change and Guidance To Come

camille_m — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:31:43 +0000

The FAA is updating and developing Advisory Circulars related to wildlife hazards It has been over two years since the “Miracle on the Hudson” (January 15, 2009) increased awareness of bird strikes and overall wildlife hazard management concerns at airports. Since then, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and countless airports around the country have been working to assess, analyze, and manage wildlife hazard concerns. The FAA...

A Major Shift in Floodplain Management

camille_m — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:23:54 +0000

Local Implementation of the National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion on the National Flood Insurance Program Although September 2011 marked a major milestone in floodplain management across the Pacific Northwest’s Puget Sound region, the road forward remains uncertain. Many local jurisdictions are struggling to develop both short- and long-term approaches to floodplain management that meet federal requirements, while providing the flexibility needed for desired uses....

Fremont Students Host Engaging and Entertaining Community-Wide Green Fair

camille_m — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:35:56 +0000

ESA's educational booth is a hit with students and community members alike, highlighting Fremont's successful composting program. How much greenhouse gas can be prevented by choosing to compost an apple core every day for a year instead of sending it to the landfill? Students and other community members who visited ESA’s interactive booth at the Fremont Green Fair on Saturday, October 8th, 2011, learned answers to this and more as they explored the greenhouse gas benefits of...

ESA Participates in the Zero Waste Brain Trust

camille_m — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:57:23 +0000

The Zero Waste Brain Trust seeks collaborative strategy and input from zero waste professionals, businesses, government, and other stakeholders More and more cities are adopting zero waste plans and policies as part of their climate action strategies. The Zero Waste Brain Trust is a think tank of mostly northern California based resource management professionals — leaders in their field who have organized to create and share effective polices, legislation, and best management practices for...

We're Walking the Talk - Creating ESA's First Sustainability Report

camille_m — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:42:19 +0000

ESA's Renewable Resources Team takes the lead in measuring our sustainability successes and opportunities for improvement Sustainability Reports are becoming increasingly common in companies both large and small. They provide insight into a company’s values, commitments and operations as they relate to the triple bottom line: growth in the economic, social, and environmental domains. From an environmental perspective, these reports track real, quantifiable progress in reducing environmental...

An Award-Winning Food Recycling Project

camille_m — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:23:40 +0000

Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority Receives Gold in the Solid Waste Association of North America’s Recycling Systems Public recognition for recycling and waste prevention programs helps to build momentum, raise awareness, and can even increase program participation. ESA’s Renewable Resources Team worked with Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority (CCCSWA) to develop their Food Recycling Project, an award-winning model of successfully reducing a commercial waste stream. We...

Training is Key to Successful Organics and Recycling Programs

camille_m — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:25:28 +0000

ESA is creating multilingual training videos to help ensure the continued participation and success of commercial organics and recycling programs. In the past several years, cities and counties throughout California have devoted significant time, effort, and money to grow their commercial food scrap collection programs. In the San Francisco Bay Area alone, there are thousands of businesses participating in these programs. ESA is proud to have worked with many of these jurisdictions to provide...

Marc von Canal Joins ESA’s Biological Resources Group

camille_m — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:44:34 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is pleased to announce that Marc von Canal has joined the firm as a Senior Scientist in the Biological Resources and Land Management Group. Marc will work with clients to provide solutions for ecological enhancement and restoration projects, environmental studies, on-site and off-site mitigation, including mitigation banking, environmental compliance, permitting, and special status species from ESA’s Orlando office. “Marc brings 17 years of hands-on...

ESA Opens Orlando Office

camille_m — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:34:42 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) announced the opening of a new office in Orlando, Florida on September 1, 2011. The office is located at 5401 South Kirkman Road, Suite 405 in Orlando, Florida and will help serve ESA’s clients throughout Florida and the southeast. “Our Orlando office enables us to service our growing client base throughout Florida,” says Julie Sullivan, ESA’s Southeast regional director. “We understand that having staff close to our clients ensures quicker response...

Harriet Lai Ross Joins ESA as Community Planning Program Manager

camille_m — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:57:37 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading California environmental science and planning firm, is pleased to announce that Harriet Lai Ross has joined our Sacramento office as Community Planning Program Manager. As part of ESA’s growing community planning and policy team, Harriet will provide planning services throughout California. Harriet brings more than 13 years of experience in California land use and environmental planning. She works with clients to prepare general plans,...

Dan Dameron Joins ESA as Central Valley Community Development Director

camille_m — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:54:02 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading California environmental science and planning firm, is pleased to announce that Dan Dameron has joined our Sacramento office as Director of our Central Valley Community Development team. Dan will work closely with ESA’s Ray Weiss, who will continue in his role as Environmental Planning Program Manager, and Harriet Lai Ross, our new Community Planning Program Manager. Dan brings more than 25 years of experience leading community planning...

Sacramento International Airport’s Terminal B Opens October 6th

camille_m — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 23:15:05 +0000

ESA partnered with the Sacramento County Airport System to help deliver the largest public works project in County history – the Sacramento International Airport’s Terminal Modernization Program, referred to as the Big Build. Thursday, October 6th we’ll celebrate the opening of Terminal B with 19 additional gates for arrivals and departures, 2,400 new jobs, an iconic public arts program featuring local, regional, and national artists, and an architectural design that reflects the essence of the...

Brightwater Opens in Woodinville, WA

camille_m — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 23:27:22 +0000

ESA directed the high-profile and award-winning four-year siting and environmental evaluation process for the new Brightwater wastewater treatment system. Our team attended the King County grand opening celebration on September 24th from 9am-4pm. Attendees were encouraged to check out the new Brightwater amenities including an education and community center, restored wildlife habitat and 70-acres of publicly accessible open space and trails. Congratulations to King County and the entire ESA...

Christina Schaefer Joins ESA’s Southern California Team

camille_m — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:12:02 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading California environmental consulting firm, is pleased to announce that Christina Schaefer, MLA, has joined our Southern California team as Director of Biological Resources and Land Management in our San Diego office. A leader in the fields of resources management, biological assessment, conservation science and restoration ecology, Christina joins our growing Southern California team of more than 10 scientists specializing in biological...

Christina Toms joins ESA PWA as Ecological Engineer

camille_m — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:23:41 +0000

ESA PWA, formerly Philip Williams & Associates, is pleased to announce that Christina Toms has joined the San Francisco office as an Ecological Engineer on the Wetlands and Estuaries Team. In her new position, she will be responsible for the coordination and design of a variety of aquatic ecosystem management, enhancement, and restoration projects along the west coast. “Christina brings hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of restoring tidal wetland and coastal lagoon ecosystems...

The Next Major Advancement in Aircraft Noise Abatement Technology

camille_m — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:47:39 +0000

Some of the Nation's Busiest Airports are Using Whispertrack While the aviation industry has focused largely on improving the hardware side of aircraft noise abatement (e.g., quieter engines, improved wings for better climb performance, etc.), little has occurred on the software side in terms of noise abatement procedure dissemination - until now. Whispertrack corporation has taken advantage of the internet’s vast information distribution capabilities and the meteoric rise in the use of...

Most Comprehensive Fast-Track Environmental Review of its Kind – San Francisco releases DEIR on 34th America’s Cup Event

camille_m — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:30:25 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a San Francisco-based environmental science and planning firm, led the City and County of San Francisco’s environmental consultant team in releasing the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) on the 34th America’s Cup (AC34) venue for the City and Port of San Francisco. The DEIR is a fast-track, 1,500-page document completed just five months after the Notice of Preparation was released. A copy can be found on the City’s Environmental Planning Department...

Past Forward Joins ESA and Strengthens Cultural Resources Management Expertise

camille_m — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:07:23 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading California environmental consulting firm, is pleased to announce that on July 11, 2011, Past Forward, Inc., a Northern-California based cultural resource consulting firm, has joined with ESA. The addition of Past Forward’s principals, Dr. Rebecca Allen and Scott Baxter, supports ESA’s strategy to deepen technical services in cultural resources throughout the West. "Rebecca and Scott are widely known as some of the best problem solvers in the...

Paul Miller to Lead ESA’s Central Valley Renewable Resources Group

camille_m — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:33:59 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading California environmental and planning firm, is pleased to announce that Paul Miller has been promoted to Manager of its Central Valley/Sierra Region Renewable Resources Group. The group operates out of the firm’s Sacramento office. Throughout his 30 years of experience, Paul has managed the environmental documentation for many fast-track and pioneering energy and solid waste projects. Most recently, he has managed the Program Environmental...

Pete Lawson Joins ESA’s Northwest Biological Resources and Land Management Team

camille_m — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:56:53 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading environmental and planning firm, is pleased to announce that Pete Lawson has joined as Managing Associate in our Seattle office. Part of our growing Northwest Biological Resources and Land Management team, Pete joins a staff of 15 scientists specializing in wetland science, wildlife and fisheries biology, and landscape architecture. A senior fisheries biologist with 13 years of experience, Pete will support a wide range of transportation,...

Marjorie Wolfe, Named Portland Office Director

camille_m — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:52:54 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading environmental consulting firm, announced that Marjorie Wolfe, PE, CFM has been promoted to Director of the Portland office. The Portland office is well known for its environmental assessments, technical analyses, and permitting for infrastructure and transportation projects. Our professional staff also provides extensive technical expertise in water and natural resources management, hydromodification, and floodplain, tributary, and estuary...

Jennifer Moore Joins ESA’s Central Valley Community Development Team

camille_m — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:18:18 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading California environmental consulting firm, is pleased to announce that Jennifer Moore has joined our Sacramento office as a Managing Associate in our Community Development Group. Jennifer brings five years of experience managing a wide range of environmental public works and transportation-related projects, including in-depth knowledge of Caltrans guidelines and procedures. With a keen understanding of environmental law and policy, she has...

Jennifer Johnson, J.D. named ESA Northern California Energy Director

camille_m — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:14:37 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) announced that Jennifer Johnson has been promoted to the position of Northern California Energy Director. In 2009, Jennifer was named Director of ESA’s Bay Area Energy Group and has successfully broadened the firm’s services and capabilities in the alternative energy sector. With this recent promotion, Jennifer will continue to grow ESA’s energy practice throughout Northern California. In her role as Director, Jennifer will oversee the group’s...

Julie Sullivan to Lead ESA’s Southeast Region and Biological Resources Group

camille_m — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:28:42 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is pleased to announce that Julie Sullivan has joined the firm as Southeast Regional Director and Director of the Southeast Biological Resources and Land Management Group. Julie will be replacing outgoing Regional Director, Mike Arnold, who will continue in his role as ESA Airports Deputy Practice Leader. “Julie’s strategic hire adds a new layer of expertise that expands our region’s capabilities in environmental services,” says Mike Arnold. “She’s...

Patricia Berryhill joins ESA as San Francisco Bay Area Regional Director

camille_m — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:43:58 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading California environmental consulting firm, is pleased to announce that Patricia Berryhill has joined the firm as Vice President and Regional Director for ESA’s San Francisco Bay Area Region, managing staff in San Francisco, Oakland, and Petaluma. Patricia replaces outgoing Regional Director, Ellen Cross, who has been appointed Senior Vice President of Strategic Development for the firm. Patricia will be based out of the firm’s San Francisco...

Wetland Scientist Sees Blue Carbon in Sacramento Delta as Golden Opportunity

camille_m — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:50:01 +0000

The World Bank and the IUCN announced the publication of Mitigating Climate Change through Restoration and Management of Coastal Wetlands and Near-shore Marine Ecosystems. The report, which addresses the benefits of protecting and restoring coastal wetlands, was researched and presented by a team of climate change experts, including ESA PWA's Climate Change Program Manager, Stephen Crooks, Ph.D. Converted and drained wetlands are a large, unaccounted source of carbon dioxide contributing to...

Same People, Shorter Name: A Merger Success

camille_m — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:05:29 +0000

Four years in the making, ESA Adolfson, a Pacific Northwest environmental and planning firm founded by Molly Adolfson in 1987, has successfully transitioned to ESA. The name change signifies the complete integration of the 2006 transaction when Adolfson Associates, Inc. merged with Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a nationally recognized environmental firm. While the merger is viewed as a success by staff from both ESA and ESA Adolfson, it wasn’t without growing pains. “Most firms...

Surfer's Point Project Serves as Model for Threatened Coastal Sites

admin — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:29:53 +0000

State officials identified the Surfer’s Point project as the first of its kind and a model for managing threatened California coast sites. ESA PWA provided coastal engineering and design to restore degraded shoreline and help manage shoreline retreat along this popular Southern California recreational site, located along Seaside Park in the City of San Buenaventura. The team’s design focused on a more natural restoration of the shoreline using native materials and moving facilities...

ESA Helps With Program EIR on Dairy Digester Facilities in California's Central Valley

admin — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:36:34 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading California environmental consulting firm, successfully assisted the Central Valley Regional Water Board with interagency coordination and preparation of a Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a Central Valley dairy digester and co-digester waste discharge regulatory program. The development of these facilities at dairies will directly advance California’s major environmental goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and generating...

A World Champion Recycling Program

camille_m — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:23:46 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading West Coast environmental consulting firm, successfully worked with the San Francisco Department of the Environment and AT&T Park to increase recycling at the home ballpark of the world-champion San Francisco Giants. Recently completed audits confirm that 3.5 million pounds of ballpark waste was diverted from landfill in 2009, a rate of 75 percent, up from 57 percent the previous year. In addition to exceeding the City of San Francisco’s...

Genesis Solar Energy Project Wins Federal Approval

camille_m — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:21:27 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading California environmental consulting firm, successfully assisted the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with interagency coordination and preparation of the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Genesis Solar Energy Project. The Genesis Solar Energy Project, a 250 megawatt facility will use parabolic trough solar thermal technology that will produce enough clean electricity to power up to 187,500 homes. The project was proposed by...

Blythe Solar Power Project Wins Federal Approval

camille_m — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:17:53 +0000

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a leading California environmental consulting firm, successfully assisted the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with interagency coordination and preparation of the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the largest solar energy project on U.S. public lands. The Blythe Solar Power Project will consist of four 250 MW plants that together will total 1,000 megawatts (MW) of nominal generating capacity, and generate enough electricity to annually power...

ESA delivers EIS for Largest Solar Energy Project on Public Lands

admin — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:32:30 +0000

ESA successfully assisted the Bureau of Land Management with interagency coordination and preparation of the final environmental impact statement for the largest solar energy project on U.S. public lands. The Blythe Solar Power Project will produce up to 1,000 megawatts of solar power, generating enough electricity to power 300,000 to 750,000 homes. The project was proposed by Palo Verde Solar I, a subsidiary of Berkeley, California’s Solar Millennium, LLC. The project was licensed by the...

Senator Feinstein marks Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project Milestone

admin — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:33:51 +0000

The first phase of the Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, the largest restoration project on the West Coast, was officially opened at a ceremony attended by Senator Diane Feinstein and California Resources Secretary Lester Snow. The former Cargill Salt pond, now part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, is being transformed into a thriving wetland with islands for birds, new trails, and wooden walkway for the public. Michelle Orr, Director of ESA PWA’s Wetland...

ESA's EIR featured in Smithsonian Exhibition

admin — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:35:14 +0000

ESA's 1975 Environmental Impact Report on Christo's Running Fence was featured in the Smithsonian's exhibition of Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Remembering the Running Fence, a definitive record of the Running Fence, Sonoma and Marin Counties, California, 1972-76, a major early work of art by the world-renowned artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The work of art, a 24 1/2-mile long, 18-foot high fabric fence, lasted for 2 weeks and stretched from Petaluma, California through the town of...