Upper Yuba River Studies Program
CALFED Bay-Delta Program

Challenge: Bring diverse stakeholders to consensus on the issue of the Upper Yuba fish habitat restoration, including the possible decommissioning of Englebright Dam.

Role: Design a consensus-based process to determine common and conflicting opinions and define the specific studies to be performed; address economic and social impacts to the area, safety of downstream communities due to flood potential, water supply impacts, and contamination issues; and facilitate and mediate dialogue among more than 400 stakeholders.

Result: The collaborative process, which included competing lake, river, and agency interests, included more than $6 million of studies to examine the feasibility of restoring fish populations above the dam. The program is a model for regional cooperation in the CALFED Bay-Delta Program.

CALFED Bay/Delta Protection Plan
CALFED
California Department of Water Resources

Challenge: Assist 15 state and federal agencies prepare for a media conference and workshop announcing the historic CALFED Bay-Delta Accord, developing comprehensive long-term solutions for resource management in the San Francisco Bay Delta estuary.

Role: Structure a collaborative approach to involve environmental, agricultural, urban, agency, and landowner interests; facilitate monthly stakeholder workshops; and prepare reports to Congress on the workshop process and progress.

Result: A successful press conference and workshop announcing the landmark Bay Delta Accord and communicating the complexity of estuary science and the implications of new water quality standards.

Big Sur Coast Highway Management Plan and Visual Scenic Quantities Inventory
Caltrans

Challenge: Develop a plan with the right balance to ensure safe and reliable transportation while respecting the special values defining the Big Sur Coast.

Role: Lead the collaborative process of interagency and community coordination; address the long-term management needs and preserve the unique visual character of Highway 1; maximize the functionality of the primary source of public access and connection to popular recreational areas; and address needs for a consistently operating transportation link where landslides and rockfalls are a common occurrence.

Result: Creation of a steering committee, six working groups, and a strategy for developing the management plan focused on a two-mile corridor of the Coast Highway. The corridor is designated as a State Scenic Highway and an All American Road, the highest scenic ratings in the United States.

North Connector
Solano Transportation Authority
Caltrans
City of Fairfield
Federal Highway Administration

Challenge: Conduct environmental review of a proposed four-mile arterial connection in the City of Fairfield that crosses farmland and two perennial creeks near commercial and residential uses.

Role: Prepare a joint NEPA/CEQA environmental document and manage all public involvement activities during the environmental review process, including coordination and facilitation of a public hearing, and official and agency staff briefings.

Result: An environmental document addressing all potential environmental impacts including farmland conversion, residential displacement, growth inducement, degradation of local water quality, wetland fill, threatened and endangered species, and noise.