Message from the President
Dear OCAEP Members and Friends,
Happy spring! We’ve had a very busy first quarter with multiple lunch programs, including a joint program with the Orange County American Planning Association (OCAPA), the Advanced CEQA Workshop, and the 2019 AEP Conference in beautiful Monterey, CA. We’re very proud to announce that this year’s Advanced CEQA Workshop had a record attendance turnout! Thank you to everyone who attended the Advanced CEQA Workshop and to our wonderful speakers who made the workshop possible. We would also like to thank all of our Chapter members who attended and presented at the 2019 AEP Conference. We hope that you are enjoying your membership this year and that you continue to recommend programs and special events that would benefit our members. Lastly, we would like to extend a special thanks to the City of Irvine, who has continued to support our Chapter with its generous venue sponsorships for our lunch programs and workshops.
This month’s newsletter is filled with very helpful and important information about our Chapter, so please read on. We hope to see you at one (or, better yet, all!) of our upcoming special events and programs that we host over the summer.
Sincerely,
Pierre Glaize
President, OCAEP
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Recent Programs & Events
California’s Other Green Movement: An Overview of Legal Marijuana and the Commercial Cannabis Industry
January 30, 2019
On January 30, 2019, presenter Perry A. Banner of Michael Baker International, presented on the topic of commercial cannabis industry. Mr. Banner reviewed its statutory history, provided a summary of SB 94 (MAUCRSA), discussed the mechanics of cannabis industry, and local policy issues. He presented on a case study focusing on the City of Pasadena and their measured approach towards the legalization of cannabis. This lunch program was very well attended. A big thank you to our speakers and the City of Irvine for providing the venue!
Orange County Transportation Authority’s Environmental Cleanup Program
February 21, 2019
Dan Phu and Alison Army of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) presented on OCTA’s Measure M2 environmental cleanup program at our February 21, 2019 lunch program. Measure M2 is a half-cent sales tax in Orange County to fund transportation improvements. Major improvements target the County’s freeways, streets and roads, transit, and environmental program. Dan and Alison spoke specifically on the water quality improvement projects funded by M2 in the County. Eligible agencies (e.g., Orange County cities and the County of Orange) are able to apply for this competitive grant in order to fund capital water quality improvements that have a transportation nexus. Improvements that have been granted and constructed under the M2 program include catch basins, trash skimmers, bio-retention/bio-infiltration, irrigation retrofits, bioswales, runoff diversions, and modular/constructed wetlands. In total, the M2 program has funded over 180 projects totaling over $50 million. Thank you again to Dan and Alison for sharing their knowledge and to the City of Irvine for sponsoring our event room at the Harvard Community Park!
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Advanced CEQA Workshop
March 1, 2019
On March 1, 2019, OCAEP successfully hosted our annual Advanced CEQA Workshop at the City of Irvine Conference and Training Center. Like the rest of the State, our Chapter enjoyed a record-breaking attendance with over 85 attendees. This workshop was designed to help consultants, regulators, applicants, and industry professionals stay current on legal trend and “hot topics” affecting the application of environmental law and CEQA Guidelines. Topics included case law updates, your guide to the CEQA Guidelines, tiering, transportation, baseline, greenhouse gas analysis, standard of review and Friant Ranch, and Joint NEPA/CEQA documents. This workshop is approved each year for AICP and MCLE credits.
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Joint OC AEP/APA Lunch Program: New Regulatory Requirements Will Affect Your Projects
March 21, 2019
On March 21, 2019, Julie Beeman, of VCS Environmental, presented on the latest regulatory changes related to wetlands and Waters of the U.S.; the effects of a limited Section 7 process on projects and how to best address it in CEQA documents; and mitigation banking and in-lieu fee program basics and how to determine workability for a project. This event was a joint program with OCAPA. OCAEP would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Ms. Beeman for this informative and important presentation and to the City of Irvine for providing the venue.
2019 AEP Summit
March 23, 2019
Each year, the AEP Summit brings together local AEP Chapter Boards throughout the State to discuss local board activities and legislative updates, share successes and challenges, and recommend opportunities for committee assignments. During this year’s AEP Summit, held at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa on March 23, local AEP Chapter Boardmembers were split into five groups to discuss the past year and trumpet successes from the perspective of (1) Presidents, (2) Membership, (3) Treasurers, (4) Programs and Special Events, and (5) Student Outreach. This collaborative all-day process functioned as a “think tank” for the future direction of our local OCAEP Chapter.
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2019 AEP State Conference
March 24-27, 2019
The 2019 AEP Conference took place in Monterey, CA at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa from March 24 to 27. The (sold-out!) annual conference, themed “Waves of change and fields of opportunity,” included a variety of informative sessions, career development and networking opportunities, and more. Pictured here, AEP President Bill Halligan addresses conference attendees with a very illuminating presentation concerning CEQA’s impact on housing production.
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Announcements
2019 Student Scholarship Application Open!
OCAEP is accepting applications from students for our 2019 Scholarship Program. OCAEP will award two graduate scholarships ($2,500 and $1,000) and one undergraduate scholarship ($1,500) to students pursuing careers in the environmental field!
Details regarding eligibility, application materials, and deadlines can be found at https://www.ocaep.com/students/scholarship/application-packet/.
OCAEP believes in the importance of supporting the educational goals of our future leaders, and we strongly encourage interested students to apply. Please share this opportunity with fellow students who may be interested. Do not hesitate to contact Kristen Bogue at kbogue@mbakerintl.com with any questions! We look forward to receiving your application!
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Upcoming Special Events
OCAEP and OCAPA Angles Vs. Mariners and Tailgate near the Big A!
Friday, June 7, 2019
Join your OCAEP and OCAPA colleagues for an evening of baseball and networking!
We have purchased tickets for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim versus Seattle Mariners game in Anaheim Stadium’s Terrace All-Star Section 227 beyond 1st Base in Right Field. The game features a leather logo Angels hat giveaway. We are offering these great seats for $35.00. Make your purchase as soon as possible and join the party!
Please also join us near the “Big A” for a tailgate party before the game. We will be hosting the event with hot dogs, drinks, sides, and more for all who join in. Come anytime between 5:30 PM and the start of the game for a fun tailgate to network, eat and drink, and then watch the Angels take on the Mariners.
Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite at the AEP website at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joint-aepapa-angels-vs-mariners-game-tailgate-tickets-58762473139. Questions can be directed to Special Events Coordinators Patrick Maxon at pmaxon@vcsenvironmental.com or Daniel Latham at dlatham@vcsenvironmental.com. Purchased tickets will be distributed at the OCAEP/OCAPA tailgate party prior to the start of the game or other arrangements can be made.
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TIPS OF THE QUARTER
Got a Notice of Exemption? Although filing is not mandatory, its highly recommended as it shortens the challenge period from 180 days to 35 days.
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