Herrera provides environmental compliance services to support the management and control of hazardous materials and generation of hazardous waste.

Our clients include private industry and public agencies, ranging from city, county, state, and federal facilities. Our projects include:

• Baseline Environmental Audits
• Wastestream Inventories
• Regulatory Compliance Reviews
• Development of Waste Management Plans
• NPDES Monitoring
• Engineering Design

Our engineers and scientists have conducted baseline environmental audits at individual vehicle maintenance shops, paint spray booths, electroplating facilities, petroleum storage facilities, and wood treating facilities, as well as across a large Department of Energy site. Our wastestream inventories focus on liquid effluents for individual processes, as well as site-wide discharges that require NPDES permit compliance. We determine the environmental impacts of stormwater and industrial wastewater loading through system monitoring and flow and transport modeling.

Our evaluations of facilities operations extend to site characterization and design of control and treatment units to attain compliance. We perform multi-media sampling (soil, water, sludge and product), oversee monitoring well installations, and sample tanks. Our industrial process reviews range from treatment of high level mixed waste at Hanford with evaluation of RCRA land disposal restrictions to maintenance yard handling of cleaning fluids, pesticides, and road salt to conducting SPCC inspections.

Herrera’s engineering services include design of spill containment structures, wastewater treatment systems, and stormwater flow control; evaluation of alternative waste treatment methods; and evaluation of proposed hazardous waste landfill design.

We provide programmatic support to local and state agencies to identify potential industrial users, to determine typical waste stream profiles for specific industries, and to develop strategies for waste recycling and reduction.

Herrera biologists perform a wide variety of wildlife surveys, habitat studies, analysis and design of wildlife crossings, and wildlife habitat restoration throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Our clients include local, state, and federal agencies, as well as private clients, who seek technical assistance with wildlife issues, permitting, and Endangered Species Act requirements. Herrera biologists and engineers have designed innovative highway crossings for wildlife ranging from large carnivores to small mammals. In addition, our biologists and planners are leaders in policy development and in creating effective solutions based on best available science.

Key Projects

• Wildlife Studies for Camp Grisdale Road Improvements – Federal Highway Administration, Olympic Peninsula, Washington
• Preparation of Biological Assessments: An Advanced Training Manual – Washington State Department of Transportation
• Environmental Documentation for Roadway Improvements to US 93 from Evaro to Polson – Montana Department of Transportation
• Environmental Documentation for Roadway Improvements to US 89 from Browning to Hudson Bay Divide – Montana Department of Transportation
• State Route 18 Improvements from Issaquah-Hobart Road to Interstate 90, King County, Washington – Washington State Department of Transportation
• Wildlife Studies Associated with Continental Mine Waste Removal – US Environmental Protection Agency
• Endangered Species Act compliance services for various agencies including Sound Transit, Federal Highway Administration, Washington State Department of Transportation, Montana Department of Transportation, City of Seattle, and King County

Development and restoration projects must increasingly consider potential effects on aquatic resources, including wetlands.

Herrera’s wetland biologists and environmental scientists have key expertise in the areas of wetland delineation, functional assessments, impact analysis, mitigation, planning, permitting services, and monitoring over broad geographic areas to ensure project success.

Our wetland biologists are trained in the most current technical protocols and up-to-date regulatory conditions to provide the highest level of service for our clients. We are regional leaders in the field and regularly provide training for students of wetland science and develop and implement scientific protocols. Our service area includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska.

Key Projects

• Wetland Delineations, Mitigation Plans, and Permit Coordination for multiple projects sites – Sound Transit, King County, Washington
• State Route 518 Wetland Delineations and Mitigation Plan – Washington State Department of Transportation, King County, Washington
• Wildlife and Wetland Studies for US 93 Corridor Improvements from Evaro to Polson – Montana Department of Transportation
• South 277th Street Wetland Mitigation Design and Construction Oversight – King County Department of Transportation
• Camp Grisdale Road Wetland Delineations and Mitigation Plans – Federal Highway Administration, Western Federal Lands Highway Division, on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington
• Su-Knik Wetland Mitigation Bank Functional Assessments and Permit Coordination – Mat-Su Borough, Alaska
• Northeast 29th Street Wetland Mitigation Site Monitoring – City of Bellevue, Washington

Herrera provides a full range of mitigation options for projects that impact natural resources.

Our mitigation experts develop solutions for impacts on aquatic and upland environments including marine areas, estuaries, lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and terrestrial wildlife habitats. We focus on working with clients early in the planning and design of the project to avoid and minimize impacts wherever possible. Where impacts are unavoidable, we offer a variety of solutions including preservation, enhancement, restoration, and creation of habitats to offset project impacts. We assist our clients with selecting appropriate mitigation sites on or off the project site.

Our mitigation and restoration experts are biologists, landscape architects, and engineers who collaborate on mitigation design. Typical projects involve installing large woody debris in streams, creating rearing and spawning habitat for fish, excavating soil in support of wetland creation, amending soil, installing snags for bird habitat, and planting native vegetation communities.

Throughout the design of mitigation projects we coordinate closely with regulatory agencies to insure that the project meets their approval. To ensure successful mitigation, we prepare monitoring, maintenance, and contingency plans for mitigation sites.

Key Projects

• South 277th Street Reconstruction Phase III: Wetland and Floodplain Compensation Mitigation Plan – King County Department of Transportation
• Tacoma-to-Lakewood Sounder Commuter Rail Project: Wetland Mitigation Plan – Sound Transit
• Grapeview Loop Road Improvements: Wetland Mitigation Plan – Mason County Department of Public Works

Herrera’s marine science projects have a proven record of success, integrating biology into planning and engineering design of habitat restoration and shoreline stabilization.

Our integrative approach allows us to create solutions that minimize impacts and maximize social and environmental benefits. We conduct marine and estuarine habitat and water quality studies, including sampling, identifying habitat and species, and analyzing water and substrate. We offer a full range of services across the timeline of a project from conceptual planning and analyses through project design and permitting, to post-construction effectiveness monitoring.

We have demonstrated expertise across a range of disciplines pertinent to marine development and habitat restoration projects, including estuarine and marine ecology, fisheries, water quality, and toxicology. We are experienced with eelgrass monitoring; diving surveys; fish sampling and biometrics; studying benthic organisms, marine vertebrates and invertebrates, and marine algae; habitat surveys, and impact analysis.

Key Projects

• Sounder Railway Marine Impact Mitigation – Sound Transit, Washington
• Geoduck Survey and Report for the Vashon Wastewater Treatment Plant, King County – King County, Washington
• Quillayute River Estuary Fish, Crab, and Benthic Intertidal Study – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle, Washington
• Shoreline Improvement Design Assistance, Biological Assessment, Agency Coordination, and Eelgrass Monitoring Plan – Private client, Whidbey Island, Washington
• Estuary Functional Assessment for Nearshore Marine and Intertidal Habitat Areas Associated with the Everett-to-Seattle Commuter Rail Project – Sound Transit, Washington
• Estuarine and Stream Habitat Assessment for Island County’s Freeland Outfall Improvements at Holmes Harbor – Island County, Washington

Herrera scientists have extensive experience classifying riparian and upland wildlife habitats and mapping habitats using geographic information systems, computer-aided design, and global positioning systems.

Our biologists conduct surveys and document status, distribution, habitat requirements, and potential habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species, including birds, mammals, and amphibians. Using our years of local experience, we evaluate key habitat components and develop species-specific wildlife preservation, enhancement, and habitat creation projects such as planting plans and bird nesting sites. Herrera biologists also develop monitoring and maintenance plans for habitat creation and restoration projects.

Key Projects

• Bumping River Road Biological Resources Report – Federal Highway Administration, Western Federal Lands Highway Division, in Yakima County, Washington.
• Brightwater Regional Wastewater Treatment System project Environmental Impact Statement chapters for plants, animals, and wetlands – King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Wastewater Treatment Division, Washington
• Grisdale Road Improvement Project Biological Resources Report including marbled murrelet, spotted owl, amphibian, and terrestrial mollusk surveys – Federal Highway Administration, Western Federal Lands Highway Division, on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington
• Wildlife Study and Habitat Assessment for a 10 – acre Cougar Mountain Property – Private client, Bellevue, Washington
• Wildlife Assessment – Private residence, King County, Washington
• Cascade Warm Lake Road Improvement Project Biological Resources Report – Federal Highway Administration, Cascade, Idaho
• Wildlife Study and Habitat Survey – 136th/Redmond Way Bypass and Stabilization project, Redmond WA – City of Redmond Public Works Department

Development and restoration projects must consider potential effects on fisheries and aquatic resources. Herrera’s fisheries biologists and environmental scientists have key expertise in fish population and habitat studies, impact analysis, and habitat restoration that contribute to project success.

Our fisheries services include baseline marine, estuarine, and freshwater habitat assessment; analysis of impacts on fish, shellfish, invertebrates, and other aquatic life; essential fish habitat analysis; fish population estimates; marine fisheries ecology; habitat restoration; ecological impacts of dredging and contamination; and short- and long-term monitoring. Our integrated team of marine and fisheries biologists and environmental scientists have expertise with a range of fish population, habitat, and water quality assessment techniques, including snorkel surveys, electroshocking, gut content analysis, and biometrics. We are regionally recognized for our ability to assess the effects of development and restoration projects on fish populations and their supporting ecosystems, and we have a demonstrated record of success using these skills to achieve client objectives.

Key Projects

• Lake Youngs Reserve Ecological Technical Studies – Seattle Public Utilities, City of Seattle, Washington
• Hoh River Reach Analysis and Instream Fish Habitat Assessment – Washington State Department of Transportation
• Stream Habitat Surveys and Culvert Barrier Assessments – Lewis County, Washington
• Landsburg Diversion Steelhead Passage, Smolt Behavior Studies – City of Seattle, Washington

Herrera has helped its clients successfully meet Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance requirements in project settings ranging from urban and suburban environments to remote wilderness locations in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Montana. We currently work with local, state, and federal agencies providing ESA-related technical support and policy analysis and development.

We offer our clients a complete range of ESA-related services, from project ESA compliance reviews to negotiating with agencies and tribes to facilitate the consultation process. We are experienced with conference and consultation procedures under ESA Section 7 and Section 10, Section 9 compliance, and 4(d) rule exemption requirements. We have prepared biological assessments and other ESA documentation for projects affecting a variety of aquatic and terrestrial environments. In addition, our scientists and planners provide technical support to help the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 10 CERCLA program meet ESA compliance requirements, including Biological Assessments and scientific support for wetland delineation and stream channel and habitat restoration.

Our integrated team of scientists, engineers, and planners works closely with our clients to strategically plan their projects, identifying potential regulatory conflicts early to avoid surprises. If appropriate for the project, our experience with mitigation design, permitting, and monitoring enables us to satisfy agency requirements while meeting clients’ needs. As a result of our reputation for knowledge of ESA compliance requirements, project excellence, and rapport with regulatory agencies, several state and federal agencies contract with Herrera to educate their staff on regulatory requirements and to conduct ESA compliance reviews on their behalf.

Key Projects

• Preparation of Biological Assessments: An Advanced Training Manual – Washington State Department of Transportation
• Environmental Documentation for Roadway Improvements to US 93 from Evaro to Polson – Montana Department of Transportation
• Seattle Department of Transportation On-Call ESA and Environmental Services – Seattle Department of Transportation, City of Seattle, Washington
• Superfund Technical Assistance and Response Team 2 (START-2) ESA Support Services – Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10
• Biological Assessments for Various Local Transportation Projects – Cities of Auburn, Kirkland, Issaquah, Shoreline, and Lacey, Washington

Characterizing botanical resources and conducting sensitive plant surveys are important components of regulatory compliance for most transportation and development projects.

Herrera’s botanists and biologists are recognized for their knowledge of regional plant communities; rare, threatened and endangered plant species; and exotic vegetation control. Our team excels in habitat enhancement using innovative native plant restoration techniques and bioengineering techniques using native plants for wetland mitigation, stormwater treatment, stream bank stabilization, erosion control, and revegetation of reclaimed mine sites.

Herrera’s natural resource scientists conduct botanical resource surveys, rare plant surveys, wildlife habitat assessments, wetland plant identification, noxious weed surveys, weed management plans, wetland mitigation plans, revegetation plans for restoration projects, and restoration site monitoring. Our integrated team of botanists, biologists, and wetland scientists has expertise with a range of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems throughout the Pacific northwest, intermountain west, great plains, and Alaska.

Key Projects

• Freshwater Aquatic Plant Identification Manual – Washington State Department of Ecology
• Washington Park Arboretum Master Plan and State Environmental Protection Act Environmental Impact Statement – City of Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation
• Noxious Weed Management Guidelines – Montana Department of Transportation
• Botanical Resource Surveys – Federal Highway Administration, Western Federal Lands Highway Division
• Vegetation Mapping, Classification, and Plant Surveys – Bitterroot Land Trust
• Pipers Creek Restoration Improvements – Seattle Public Utilities
• Upper Vasa Creek Erosion Control and Stabilization – City of Bellevue Utilities Department

Herrera provides a full range of permitting services for projects that may affect aquatic resources and adjacent areas.

Our permitting experts have obtained permits for projects involving a variety of aquatic environments including marine areas, estuaries, lakes, rivers, streams, ditches, and wetlands. We obtain aquatic permits from federal, state, tribal, and local agencies including the Corps of Engineers, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and various cities and counties. Typical permits include Section 404, Section 10, Section 401, Hydraulic Project Approval, and Aquatic Use Authorization. Often in conjunction with these permits, we provide permitting services for projects adjacent to aquatic resources such as shorelines and buffers. These permits include Shoreline Substantial Development and Critical Areas Permits from cities and counties.

Our focus is obtaining permits in a timely fashion by identifying all necessary permits at the start of project planning, developing a permitting schedule, and coordinating early with permitting agencies. Our experience allows us to provide clients with realistic assessments of permitting timelines early in project development so that our clients can accurately schedule their projects and meet their construction deadlines. Our permitting experts work closely with project engineers and biologists to insure that permit applications are complete upon submittal. We also ensure that permitting agencies are aware of changes throughout the design process.

Key Projects

• SR 518 SeaTac Airport to I-5/I-405 Interchange
  JARPA permit application, Section 404 individual permit, Section 401 Water Quality Certification permit, City of Tukwila Sensitive Area Special Permission permit, Hydraulic Project Approval
  Washington State Department of Transportation
• 136th/Redmond Way Bypass and Stabilization
  JARPA permit application, Section 404 nationwide permit, City of Redmond Sensitive Area permit, Hydraulic Project Approval
  City of Redmond Department of Public Works
• Grapeview Loop Road Improvements
  JARPA permit application, Section 404 individual permit, Section 401 Water Quality Certification, Shoreline permit, Mason County Sensitive Area permit, Hydraulic Project Approval
  Mason County Department of Public Works
• South 277th Street Reconstruction Phase III
  JARPA permit application, Section 404 individual permit, Section 401 Water Quality Certification permit, King County Sensitive Area permit, Hydraulic Project Approval
  King County Department of Transportation

Herrera’s interdisciplinary design capabilities include traditional civil design services such as site development, solid waste, wastewater and remediation; innovative stormwater management design tailored to site-specific conditions; as well as restoration design including stream and river restoration, wetland restoration, bank stabilization and estuarine/shoreline design.

All of our designs are based on well tested engineering principles and analysis and extensive knowledge of regulations, codes, and operational considerations.

Key Projects

• Sweyolocken Pump Station Upgrade – King County
• Cedar Hills Regional Landfill Area 6 Closure Design – King County
• South and North Transfer Station Fuel System and Drainage Improvements – Seattle Public Utilities
• SR 518 SeaTac Airport to I-5/I-405 Interchange Project Hydraulic Analyses and Storm Drainage Systems Design – Washington State Department of Transportation
• Homestead Creek Residential Low Impact Development Project – Private Developer, Snohomish County, Washington

Herrera is a Pacific Northwest leader in all aspects of stormwater management, Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance, environmental documentation, permit compliance, and construction site inspection.

Our staff has provided training programs on these topics for clients including WSDOT, Seattle Public Utilities, Federal Highway Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and numerous audiences including tribal entities, designers, biologists, and operations and maintenance staff. In addition, our staff members have taught courses for the University of Washington’s Wetland Certificate Program, the Northwest Environmental Training Center, and other universities and community colleges.

All of Herrera’s training services are geared towards interactive formats where the participant is actively engaged in the learning experience, rather than being a passive recipient of the information. Training we deliver is guided in part by Robert Mager’s instructional development methods, as described in his books Making Instruction Work and Preparing Instructional Objectives. We integrate the following three design elements into all course activities, presentations, and instructional methods:

• Clearly stated instructional objectives.
• Use of teaching or instructional methods that are appropriate and effective for achieving the stated objectives.
• Evaluation of measurable instructional results to ensure students have successfully met instructional objectives. (Course evaluations will be relevant to stated instructional objectives.)
• In addition to the technical expertise and experience as teachers and trainers that we bring to our clients, we also can provide videotaping and editing services and web-based training tools, if those needs arise.

Key Projects

• Highway Runoff Manual Training Program – WSDOT
• NEPA Document Review and Training Workshop – Nez Perce Tribe
• On-Call Environmental Regulatory, Compliance, and Hazardous Materials Training – WSDOT
• OSHA 8-hour Refresher Training 2002 – U.S. EPA
• Preparation of Biological Assessments: An Advanced Training Manual – WSDOT

Herrera’s restoration projects include work in habitats in many of the ecosystems found in the western United States.

Our biologists, geologists, and engineers provide full start-to-finish project services from initial concept planning through site selection, design, and permitting to construction management and post-construction monitoring. Employing a flexible situation-specific approach to each project, our staff creates solutions that best meet our clients’ project and program needs. We specialize in bioengineering techniques that use innovative technologies such as engineered logjams. Our staff develops and implements durable and cost-efficient solutions that successfully integrate into the biological and physical landscape.

Key Projects

• Aquatic Habitat Restoration Concept Design in Tryon Creek and Lower Columbia Slough – City of Portland
• Willows Creek Bypass and Stabilization Preliminary Design – City of Redmond, WA
• Chico Creek Instream Restoration – Kitsap County
• Pullen Creek Fish Passage and Restoration Design Project – Taiya Inlet Watershed Council
• Skookum Creek Restoration Plan and Design – Squaxim Island Tribe
• Lents Interceptor / Johnson Creek Aggradation Project – City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services, OR
• Big Spring Creek (Montana) Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study – Private Client
• Bronson Creek (Oregon) Enhancement – Clean Water Services, Oregon
• Rickreall Creek Restoration Design and Construction Services at the Delbert Hunter Arboretum – City of Dallas, OR
• Albany Santiam Canal Bank Erosion Project and Canal Operations Plan and Field Assessment – City of Albany, OR

In today’s complex regulatory environment, a broad set of skills is required to effectively assess watershed conditions and develop a successful watershed management plan.

Because of its diverse technical specialties, Herrera’s experienced team of environmental planners, scientists, and engineers is uniquely suited to provide a comprehensive approach for watershed assessment. We routinely collaborate with clients who must manage a complex set of external regulatory requirements and budget limitations, while developing and prioritizing internal policies and programs related to watershed protection and management.

We have developed watershed assessment expertise through a wide range of successful planning, implementation, and design strategies that have been applied to many projects for federal, state, and local clients. Our investigations of lake and stream hydrology, geomorphology, habitat, biology, and water quality have resulted in the development of successful management strategies for lake and stream rehabilitation, fisheries protection, sediment management, and water quality improvement. In particular, our experience working in urban and developing watersheds has required a comprehensive understanding of various influences from land cover changes to watershed hydrology and their associated impacts on aquatic habitat and ecosystem functions. The comprehensive and interdisciplinary skills of our technical staff are used to assist our clients in developing watershed-wide strategies for assessing and managing water and sediment resources.

Key Projects

• Murray/Sequalitchew Watershed: Watershed Management Plan – Fort Lewis, Washington
• Seattle Comprehensive Drainage Plan, Water Quality Program – City of Seattle, Washington
• Regional Water Quality Program, Thea Foss Watershed, Tacoma, Washington – City of Tacoma
• Gilliam Creek Basin Stormwater Management Plan – City of Tukwila, Washington
• Tributary 0056 Sedimentation Study – City of Kenmore, Washington

]]> http://www.herrerainc.com/watershed-assessment/feed/ 0 http://www.herrerainc.com/technical-guidance-and-policy-development/ http://www.herrerainc.com/technical-guidance-and-policy-development/#comments Mon, 08 Jan 2007 23:00:55 +0000 smaxwell http://localhost:8888/herrerainc/technical-guidance-and-policy-development/

 
 

Herrera provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art services for stormwater management planning, technical guidance, and policy development.

Our staff consists of more than 100 highly qualified engineers, planners, environmental scientists, and biologists with stormwater management experience throughout the western United States. We have been closely involved with the history and evolution of stormwater management guidelines and regulations in the Pacific Northwest, providing services such as the following: preparation of technical analysis procedures and design guidelines; writing of portions of stormwater management manuals currently used by many of the major city, county and state jurisdictions in the Northwest; and technical review of proposed policies.

Herrera staff expertise includes development of stormwater management policy, comprehensive drainage planning, development of technical stormwater design guidance, technical evaluation of stormwater facility effectiveness, stormwater permitting and regulatory compliance, and training and education for stormwater management. Staff members are also experts in the complementary areas of engineering design, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, assessment of pollution sources and control measures, stormwater facility cost estimating, and construction management, all of which enable us to provide practical, well-rounded guidance. Clients include local, state, and federal agencies; Native American tribes; and private sector firms. The ability of Herrera staff members to work together across all disciplines involved in stormwater management contributes significantly to our continued success in developing innovative and cost-effective stormwater management solutions for our clients.

Key Projects

• Highway Runoff Manual technical writing, technical review, and training – Washington State Department of Transportation
• Comprehensive Drainage Plan – City of Seattle
• Water Resources Manual – Oregon Department of Transportation
• Surface Water Management Manual – City of Tacoma
• Stormwater Management Manual and Drainage Code – City of Seattle
• Stormwater Management and Site Development Manual – Pierce County
• Stormwater Management Manual for Airports in Washington – Washington State Department of Transportation

Herrera provides the full spectrum of environmental documentation services to support site development under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), including initial Phase I environmental site assessments and corridor studies to identify issues associated with potential contamination.

Our work products include technical discipline reports, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements written in both “reader friendly” and standard formats. We also perform site characterization in support of biological assessments under the Endangered Species Act and in support of designs for site development. We routinely work directly for public agencies, managing environmental documentation efforts, and in support of engineering firms that are involved in project planning and design.

Key Projects

• NEPA and SEPA Environmental impact statements in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington – Sound Transit Light Rail
• NEPA Environmental impact statement, Eugene Federal Courthouse, Oregon – U.S. General Services Administration
• NEPA Environmental assessment, Mukilteo Ferry Terminal, Washington – Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Ferries
• NEPA Environmental impact statement, Seattle Federal Courthouse, Washington – U.S. General Services Administration
• NEPA Environmental impact statement, Seattle Federal Courthouse, Washington – U.S. General Services Administration
• Southwest Interceptor Sewer Alternatives Analysis and Design, Renton, Washington – King County Department of Natural Resources, Wastewater Treatment Division