Stephen Laughlin Email & Phone Number

Nationwide

Albany, New York Area

Provided support to state and consultant management staff administering federal CDBG grants. I reviewed the necessary scope and format for project environmental assessments (EAs). I researched technical data, distilled information from source materials and drafted three written EAs. This, in addition to reviewing and certifying NEPA compliance (CATEXs) for acquisition of 230 sites in the coastal high hazard zone.I reviewed the scope of work for proposed federal actions; identified necessary state/federal regulatory permits, in addition to the type of NEPA compliance document.

Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, N. Carolina, New York

Worked with state officials, agency staff and disaster recovery specialists, secured agreements/permits, and prepared the NEPA clearance documents for multi-million-dollar infrastructure reconstruction. Over the course of my deployments, I prepared some 130 environmental assessments and 2,600 categorical exclusions. These contained documentation recording consultations and regulatory permit conditions under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Historic Preservation Act, in addition to other federal. state resource protection laws.I drafted and/or managed preparation of Habitat/Biological Assessments, and collaborated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA Fisheries [Magnuson-Stevens Act (Essential Fish Habitat)], and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on consultation agreements. The latter included acceptable 'incidental take' statements, avoidance and minimization measures, and construction conservation measures – all necessary to secure Individual Permits and/or approvals under the Nationwide Permit Program. This involved compliance with Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, CWA Section 401 Certification, and CWA Section 404 permits. I prepared the scope of work and supervised contractors in the preparation of biological surveys, habitat assessments, and investigations, including Class III Inventories (intensive pedestrian inventories) for archaeological resources.). My own reconnaissance involved GPS tracking, and “ground-truthing” (GPS/LAT/LONGs) flood plain boundaries, in addition to areas of ground disturbance (construction staging areas) to identify potential effects to documented cultural resources.

Santa Cruz, Ca

Administered the non-profit agency’s grants programs, which were awarded to identify non-point source pollution within watersheds draining to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In collaboration with harbor masters at Santa Cruz, Monterey and Pillar Point, I convened an inter-agency team representing state and local RCRA and waste management programs. The task force identified low-cost BMPs to recycle and transport waste oil, including oil removed from ship bilges. The program addressed good housekeeping, safety and redundancy measures to prevent exfiltration of gasoline, paint, and engine solvents. The study also identified measures to manage sediment transport/fugitive debris emanating from harbor public works facilities. NOTE: Significant accomplishments include assistance to Santa Cruz and Pillar Point Maintenance Dredging programs. Both involved off-site deposition of spoils due to high levels of toxins within sediments. Our team also supported a public information program to address public health and safety concerns. Our efforts served to enhance a public understanding and support for harbor dredging.

San Francisco, Ca

Project Manager for the National Park Service's Transportation Improvements EIS, prepared to identify alternatives that would reduce and/or correct congestion and traffic delays along the Golden Gate Bridge, U.S. Highway 101 corridor. The NPS development of new parklands including a conference center at the Marin Headlands increased the popularity of these former military lands as a Bay Area destination. This was, according to some local businesses, negatively affecting access to area hospitality outlets. I managed the preparation of the EIS, in addition to writing key sections of the document; and, administered the contracts of environmental consultants. These included firms providing community relations outreach, and technical reports in support of the NEPA document. The latter included preparation of a biological assessment, cultural landscape survey, in addition to Phase 1 Environmental Assessment (RCRA). I edited all submitted work, and originated critical, written materials such as memoranda to the Congressional Delegation, the content for public mailings, and the EIS Purpose and Need.

Millbrae, Ca

Monitored for compliance some 320 regulatory permit conditions and mitigation measures required to offset construction and operation of the $2.5 billion (8.7 mile) rail extension to San Francisco International Airport. Supervised contractors providing environmental services, including biological field monitoring, SWPP implementation, and transfer of protected species, NHPA recordation, and RCRA remediation. Prepared written supplements to the project EIR/EIS to certify CEQA/NEPA compliance with design/build construction modifications. I managed the preparation of a new project Biological Assessment and Streambed Alteration Agreement, in addition to permit amendments with the USACE, the SFRWQCB, and Caltrans. I assisted project engineers with the preparation of site specific SWPPPs, in addition to the revision of grading plans for passenger station parking. A chief accomplishment involved the identification of cost-effective mitigation measures -- and agreements with resource agencies. These modifications reduced project costs and offered realistic enhancements to natural communities.Note: Because construction encroachments to waters and wetlands of the U.S. exceeded the six-month ‘window’ identified in BART’s original permit, our staff had to re-apply for an Individual Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This involved a new biological assessment, new permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and CA Regional Water Quality Control Board, among others, before the Corps issued a new construction permit.

Monterey, Ca

Worked with a team of NOAA biologists, oceanographers, and public policy specialists among other disciplines, and prepared written drafts of a Water Quality Protection Program for the newly designated Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). I served as an outreach specialist and assisted in scheduling workshops for local government agency staff, state resource agency personnel, staff representing federal regulatory agencies, and individuals representing nonprofit groups. A series of 12 regional workshops were held over an 18-month period. At these meetings, I served as a facilitator for the Harbors and Urban infrastructure focus groups. I distilled hundreds of comments and policy recommendations -- and coordinated summary documents with the MBNMS management and NOAA staff.A chief accomplishment involved the following: I worked with public works staff and the Harbor Master at the City of Monterey on a proposal to reduce hydro-carbon contamination from rain runoff. I prepared the resource protection goals, scientific and policy justification, and submitted an application for a 'New Technologies' grant to NASA, which subsequently awarded the marine sanctuary and the city funds ($1.5 million) to purchase concrete/rubber membrane insets beneath harbor parking areas. The new infrastructure separates oil/sediment in rain runoff.NOTE: Served on NOAA teams that coordinated controversial projects with the U.S Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These were the Emergency Dredge at Moss Landing Harbor, and the Regional Oil Spill Response Plan for the MBNMS region.

Richmond, Va

Virginia Coastal Resources Management ProgramTeam staff assigned to the federal (NOAA) re-certification of the Commonwealth of Virginia's Coastal Zone Management Program (VCZMP). This involved organizing public meetings and state agency briefings. Assisted in preparation of the Commonwealth’s Marine Wetlands Delineation Certification Program. Drafted legislation to certify/protect existing, productive oyster reefs in Southern Chesapeake Bay.Assisted in preparation of a software program, which identifies and 'fingerprints' elevated levels of nitrogen in shellfish waters. The program is used to track nonpoint source pollution and shellfish ground closings.Prepared Biennial Reports to the VA Legislature, which identified state/federal funds and work plans of those groups/agencies working on the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. The report identified priority programs that were under-funded; and, those programs whose work plans were over-lapping or duplicating other initiatives.NOTE: Served on an inter-agency team that reviewed the navigational channel dredging program in southern Chesapeake Bay. The VCZMP required the installation of siltation curtains in dredge zones near productive shellfish reefs. This condition was necessary to prevent turbidity and re-suspended sediment from smothering protected shellfish grounds. EDUCATION

Master'S Degree, Urban Studies/Affairs

I was invited to participate in a multi-disciplinary post-graduate program, which led to a Master Degree focused on urban planning..

Masters, Political Science, Urban Studies/Affairs

Masters Thesis entitled : "Planning for Historic Districts and the Profitability Criterion".