Association of Environmental Professionals | San Diego Chapter
December 2016
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD by Corinne Lytle Bonine, Chambers Group
When I received the assignment to write our “Message from the Board” regarding our recent elections, I am sure my fellow Board Members either collectively held their breath or assumed that perhaps there was just enough election fatigue to keep this on-topic rather than extolling the demerits of our recent national election. I would like to provide another alternative: hope. We don’t and can’t know what the next four years will provide at the national level, or at even our State Level, although the extremes there seem quite a bit more normalized. What we can provide is hope, excitement, and some promises for the next year at our San Diego Chapter of the Association of Environmental Professionals. And this much-needed optimism comes from the commitment and enthusiasm of the members of the Board of Directors you have recently elected. Collectively, we promise to provide our members with the best possible experience. This includes monthly events consisting of both educational and recreational substance, regular newsletter and legislative updates, and social media platforms for discussion and sharing with your fellow professionals. I want to sincerely thank our members for participating in the Chapter Elections and all of our chapter activities. The results of the elections are presented in Election Results, 2017 Chapter Board on page 2. To the 2016 Board Members -you were instrumental in providing the services that make our local chapter of AEP stand out in California. Thank you for volunteering your time, contributing to meaningful experiences, and sharing in the fun. Please join me in a farewell to 2016 and looking forward to 2017! Thanks, Corinne Lytle Bonine San Diego Chapter President
ENVIRONMENTOR
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The San Diego Chapter held elections for all one-year board positions during our online election campaign November 21 - 25. It is with pleasure that I introduce your 2017 SDAEP Board Members: Julia Norris, Chapter Director Corinne Lytle Bonine, Chapter President Laurel Lees, Vice President of Membership Chelsea Ohanesian, Vice President of Programs Alexandra Martini, Vice President of Programs Katie Laybourn, Student Outreach Director Han Le, Treasurer Darin Neufeld, Secretary Melissa Whittemore, Newsletter Editor Board positions are open to all members, and candidates begin their nomination for a position by submitting a qualifications statement for the ballot. Do you want to be more involved in Chapter events, but aren't ready for a Board position? No problem! We welcome you to take an active role with SDAEP! Whether it is a one-time commitment to a committee or a more permanent position, there many other ways you can actively participate outside of the Chapter Board: Present a luncheon topic Join the Awards Committee or Awards Jury Volunteer at the Holiday Party Contribute an article to the newsletter We welcome you to take an active role with SDAEP!
{{page}} | THE ENVIRONMENTOR, DECEMBER 2016
2017 Board Election Results
election results, 2017 Chapter Board by Corinne Lytle Bonine, Chambers Group
Volunteers on the 2016 Awards Committee.
2016 Awards
""the San Diego Chapter has awarded over $50,000 in scholarships""
AEP awards Summary by Han Le, Hunsaker & Associates San Diego, Inc.
The San Diego Chapter of AEP held its 16th Annual Awards and Scholarship Banquet on Thursday, October 6th at the Mission Trails Regional Park. With over 100 attendees, the event was a great success gathering many people from different environmental professions together. The venue was held outdoors and had a spectacular view of the park as attendees enjoyed clear skies and perfect weather. The event was once again chaired by Kristin Blackson of Michael Baker International, and Lauren Esposito of SANDAG. In addition to the night’s scholarship and awards program, AEP continued its tradition of raffling off prizes, giving out over 20 gift baskets which included wine tastings, museum admissions, fine dining gift cards, and even the beautiful succulent centerpieces provided by RECON Environmental. The evening began with a keynote discussion by Mr. Richard Carrico, an esteemed lecturer of the Department of American Indian Studies at San Diego State University. As an archaeologist, anthropologist, and historian, he discussed the intricate history of the local Native Americans, specifically the Kumeyaay, of San Diego. An interesting fact that he stated was that the Kumeyaay coined the name “La Jolla” to mean the “Land of Holes”, but most people know it as “the jewel”, which according to Carrico is not the case. He explained that it was called the “Land of Holes” due to the sea-level caves on the north facing bluffs visible from La Jolla Shores. Carrico shared the rich insight on how important it is to show respect for Native American tribes as an environmental professional. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Mr. Mike Nieto who works as a project manager for RECON Environmental, specializing in wetlands, vegetation ecology, and conservation planning. He brought musical talent to the podium with his ukulele as he entertained the audience with rhymes and riddles. The audience appreciated his creative spin as the evening filled with laughter and applause. AEP depends heavily on the generosity of sponsors for the evening’s festivities, and the scholarships and awards program. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of this year’s sponsors: AECOM AMEC Chambers Group Dudek ESA Harris & Associates HELIX Environmental Howes Weller & Associates ICF Kimley Horn Linscott Law & Greenspan (LLG) LSA Michael Baker International PHE Placeworks Port of San Diego RECON Environmental Rick Engineering Sophia Mitchell & Associates
THE ENVIRONMENTOR, DECEMBER 2016 | {{page}}
awards summary (cont.)
Outstanding Environmental Analysis Document EIR/EIS Award Port of San Diego and ICF Dole Fresh Fruit Refrigerated Rack Improvements Project EIR Outstanding Technical Report Award LLG, City Place Planning, City of Vista Downtown Vista Parking Management Plan Outstanding Planning Document - Plan, Policy, or Ordinance Award Chen Ryan Associates, Civic San Diego, City of San Diego Downtown San Diego Mobility Plan Outstanding Environmental Analysis Document MND/EA Award Michael Baker International City of Coronado Third, Fourth, and I Avenue Storm Drain Rehabilitation Project Outstanding Innovation in Green Planning and Design Award County of San Diego Guidance on Green Infrastructure Outstanding Public Involvement Award County of San Diego Climate Action Plan Public Outreach and Engagement Plan Outstanding Contribution to the Environmental Profession Award Presented to Michael Page
2016 award winners
event photographs
Brian Mooney (left) presented Michael Page (right) with the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Environmental Profession at the 2016 Awards and Scholarship Benefit held on October 6, 2016.
Claudia Anzures, Anna McPherson, and Corinne Lytle Bonine led students through the San Diego CEQA Essentials Workshop on November 9, 2016.
Enjoying the Chapter's Membership Appreciation event at the San Diego Zoo on August 19, 2016.
The San Diego Chapter 2016 Awards and Scholarship Benefit was held on October 6, 2016, at the Mission Trails Regional Park.
chapter events
AECOM, represented here by Chelsea Ohanesian (second from left), was the winner of the Canned Food Drive Competition at the APA/AEP Holiday Gala on December 8, 2016. Our members raised $581 from raffle ticket sales at the holiday party, all of which was donated to the San Diego Food Bank! 1,162 pounds of food was also donated for the can-food drive, which is approximately four times the amount in previous years.
2016 Scholarship winners
Stephanie Hernandez Stephanie obtained her undergraduate degree at San Diego State University studying International Security and Conflict Resolution with a specialization in Environment and Security. She is currently working on her Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management at SDSU.
DeNae DeForest DeNae is a student of the University of San Diego majoring in environmental studies and minoring in biology. She works at the San Diego Zoo and researches CEQA documents and General Plans for the Climate Action Campaign.
Each year, the San Diego Chapter holds an Awards and Scholarship Benefit Program to provide scholarships to student members who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement in the environmental field. This year’s scholarship winners, Denae DeForest (USD) and Stephanie Hernandez (SDSU), each received a $2,000 scholarship award and a one-year membership to AEP. Both recipients exemplify the academic excellence that foreshadows a career of innovative environmental work. We are pleased to introduce the winners of the 2016 scholarships.
UCSD Extension offers a certificate designed to offer professionals an opportunity to gain the knowledge and practical skills vital to their practice. Coursework will offer project‐based work as a central focus of training in order for students to develop a portfolio of work that can be shared with potential employers or clients. The first course in the sequence, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) will be offered in‐class this winter quarter and the second required course, Advanced CEQA, will be offered during the spring quarter. For more information and registration visit the UCSD extension website:
http://extension.ucsd.edu/programs
UCSD Extension, Winter Courses
Sustainability Courses: Behavior Change Strategies for Sustainability – Online, 01/23/17 ‐ 03/24/17 Introduction to Sustainability – In‐class, 01/17/17 ‐ 03/14/17 Innovation and Integration of Sustainable Practices – Online, 01/23/17 ‐ 03/24/17 Sustainable and Environmental Management Reporting – Online, 01/23/17 ‐ 03/24/17 Planning Courses: California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) – In‐Class, 01/23/17 ‐ 03/06/17 Environmental Management Courses: Air Quality Compliance ‐ In‐class, 01/25/17 ‐ 03/22/17 Resource Management – In‐class, 01/25/17 ‐ 03/22/17
introductory birding course
http://sandiegoriver.org/news.html#birding
An introductory level bird identification course designed for persons with little or no formal experience in identifying birds will be offered this winter. The course will meet four Saturday mornings at the Tecolote Nature Center starting on March 4, 2017, plus two field trips. Cost of the course for all six sessions will be just $90. The instructor will be Phil Pryde, who has taught the course for over twenty years. For information about this course and for registration, visit:
CEQA Practice Certificate
Announcements
In the U.S., Chinook salmon are found from the Bering Strait area off Alaska south to Southern California.
http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov
5-year review for the threatened California Coastal Chinook Salmon and Northern California Steelhead By Mark H. Capelli, National Marine Fisheries Service
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have completed 5-Year Reviews for two species listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act: the California Coastal (CC) Chinook Salmon and Northern California (NC) Steelhead. The 5-year Reviews provide an update on whether the listed species should be removed from the list or the listing status should be changed to endangered. The review concluded that the listing status and distinct population segment boundaries have remained the same for both listed species, and recommends both species remain listed as threatened. Many West Coast salmon and steelhead stocks have declined substantially and now are at a fraction of their historical abundance. Factors that contribute to these declines include overfishing, loss of freshwater and estuarine habitat, hydropower development, poor ocean conditions, and hatchery practices. However, progress on removals of fish passage barriers and habitat freshwater habitat restoration during the last five years are expected to provide improved migratory conditions for the fish - once rains resume. NMFS issued a public draft of the Coastal Multispecies Recovery Plan in October 2015, which includes CC Chinook salmon and NC steelhead and anticipates releasing a final plan in late 2016. Read more on the NOAA Fisheries website:
This year's award for Outstanding Contribution to the Environmental Profession was awarded to Mike Page of RECON Environmental. In a community of distinguished environmental professionals, Michael Page truly stands out. Growing up on the east coast, Mike graduated from Colby College in Maine with degree in Environmental Science. He has been at RECON Environmental since 2014 where he is a Principal and Agency Team Lead. His career has been filled with regionally significant environmental projects such as the Lake Wohlford Dam Replacement Project, Olivenhain Water District Raw Water Pipeline Project, San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) Power Generation Divestiture Project, Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area General Plan and EIR, and Port District of San Diego Port Master Plan Amendment America’s Cup Harbor. Throughout Mike’s career he has shown a true commitment to the profession and the environmental community. His commitment to water resources and the environment is reflected by his place in the Water Authority’s Citizens Water Academy inaugural class, his membership on the Miramar Water Treatment Plant Community Advisory Group, his ten years as a Scripps Ranch Community Planning Group member, and his current chairmanship of the Board of Directors for the nonprofit environmental organization, I Love A Clean San Diego. Mike’s enthusiastic support of ‘I Love a Clean San Diego’ and ‘Bike To Work Day’ has left an enduring legacy at AECOM where staff still participate. Mike’s insight and calm professional approach are much appreciated by clients and his project teams. The respect he always shows to his peers is valued by everyone who meets him.
Mike Page: Outstanding Contribution to the Environmental Profession
click here
2016 Photography Contest Winner
This year's winning photograph was entered by Holly Ayala from ICF International. The winning photograph was selected by ballot at the 2016 Awards Event.
Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina)
June 28: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service published draft revisions to the Habitat Conservation Planning Handbook. The Handbook provides staff guidance for development of Habitat Conservation Plans to support application for incidental take permits under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act. July 20: USFWS issued a final rule removing the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. August 5: The California Department of Fish And Wildlife decided to not proceed with the adoption of proposed regulations under Section 3503 and 3503.5 of the Fish and Game Code. August 25: California Fish and Game Commission recommended listing the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) (threatened) and Livermore tarplant (Deinandra bacigalupii) (endangered) under the California Endangered Species Act. Listing of the Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) was not recommended. August 26: USFWS designated approximately 1.8 million acres of critical habitat in California (mostly on federal land) for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae), northern population of mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa), and Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus). August 31: USFWS released the draft Compensatory Mitigation Policy consistent with a 2015 Presidential Memorandum directing certain federal agencies to adopt a “clear and consistent approach for avoidance and minimization of, and compensatory mitigation for, the impacts of their activities and the projects they approve.” September 15: USFWS proposed listing of the San Fernando Valley spineflower (Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Protected Species Update by Mark Roll, AECOM
SDAEPBoard@califaep.org President Corinne Lytle Bonine Chambers Group Co-Vice Presidents of Programs Alexandra Martini DUDEK Sarah Champion Sempra US Gas & Power Vice President of Membership Greg Kazmer ICF International Treasurer Darin Neufeld County of San Diego Secretary Chelsea Ohanesian AECOM Student Membership and Outreach Director Holly Ayala ICF International Chapter Director Julia Norris Potomac-Hudson Engineering Newsletter Editor Laurel Lees County of San Diego
Chapter Website: www.sd.califaep.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/SanDiegoAEP LinkedIn: Association of Environmental Professionals - San Diego Chapter Twitter: www.twitter.com/AEPSanDiego Instagram: @AEPSanDiego #AEPSanDiego Contact the Newsletter Editor at: sdaepnews@gmail.com
Chapter Contacts
SOCIAL MEDIA
AEP - San Diego Chapter P.O. Box 82604 San Diego, CA 92138 http://sd.califaep.org/
2016 chapter BOARD