News

New Ventura Office Location

Rincon Consultants is pleased to announce the relocation of our Ventura headquarters to a larger, more space-efficient building. Expansion of our service lines and the addition of several new employees prompted the move. We are looking forward to serving our clients with expanded capacity at our new offices. The firm intends to register the project with the US Green Building Council under the LEED Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance program.

New contact information is provided below:




California Offers $66 Million in Sustainable Community Planning Grants

The California Strategic Growth Council is soliciting proposals for the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentive Program, funded by Proposition 84, to encourage local and regional sustainability initiatives. This program supports the development and implementation of planning instruments, such as Climate Action Plans, that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions consistent with Assembly Bill (AB) 32, improve air and water quality, encourage infill and compact development, reduce automobile use, protect natural resources, promote public health, increase housing affordability, revitalize urban and community centers, promote energy efficiency and conservation, and strengthen the economy.

Approximately $66 million in competitive state funds will be awarded and distributed over three cycles beginning Fiscal Year 2010/11. The planning awards will range from $100,000 to $1 million. No matching funds are required.

Examples of eligible plans and projects under the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentives Program include the development, update, adoption, or implementation of:

• Climate Action Plans
• Targeted General Plan Updates or Elements
• Zoning Ordinances (and other ordinances)
• Transit Oriented Development Plans/Specific Plans
• Other implementation instruments and plans needed for successfully meeting AB 32 GHG emissions reduction requirements and implementing SB 375, while improving community-wide sustainability

Cities, Counties, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Joint Powers Authorities, Regional Transportation Planning Agencies, Councils of Governments, or combinations thereof, are eligible to apply. Proposals are due August 31, 2010.

Rincon Consultants’ Sustainability Services

The application and work plan requires agencies to demonstrate how the grant-funded plan will reduce GHG emissions consistent with AB 32 and as compared with business-as-usual through 2020 and beyond. It also requires identification of indicators that will be used to measure whether the grant-funded plan will meet state GHG reduction goals. Rincon can assist with GHG analysis requirements and, if desired, simultaneously develop a Climate Action Plan. Rincon can also assist with many other projects eligible for grant funding, such as targeted general plans, municipal codes, green building codes, redevelopment plans, and bicycle and pedestrian master plans.

Rincon’s Sustainability Services Group offers years of experience in GHG emissions analysis, climate action planning, energy efficiency and conservation, sustainability, green building, environmental policy, and public education and outreach related to these services. We recognize that addressing the challenges of climate change demands new and innovative solutions to bring local agencies in compliance with rapidly evolving environmental regulations, including AB 32, SB 97, and SB 375. Rincon’s team of grant writers, planners, GHG and climate change experts, policy analysts, LEED® certified professionals, and California Air Resources Board-accredited GHG emissions verifiers brings reliable expertise and creativity to this endeavor. To find out more about how Rincon can serve your agency’s needs, please contact Joe Power at 805-641-1000 or by e-mail jpower@rinconconsultants.com, or Shauna Callery at 805-547-0900 or by e-mail at scallery@rinconconsultants.com.


New SWPPP Construction General Permit – 2009-0009

As of July 1, 2010, the wholly new federal Construction General Permit 2009-0009-DWQ became effective. All construction projects that disturb one or more acres of land are required to obtain coverage under the new permit.

The new permit requires the development and implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) similar to the former permit. Two important new elements have been included. First, the SWPPP must be written, amended, and certified by a Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD). The QSD must be a Licensed Engineer, Geologist, or Landscape Architect with the State of California or a Certified Hydrologist, Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ), or Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC). Second, construction projects will be assigned a Risk Level (Risk Level 1 – 3) based on site characteristics for erosion potential, threat to "receiving waters”, and the time of year that the project activity would occur. The project Risk Level determines compliancy requirements set forth in the permit.

The Rincon Consultants storm water compliance team can assist you or answer questions regarding the new Construction General Permit and is ready to help with your storm water compliance needs. Please call our Qualified SWPPP Developer Torin Snyder, at 760-918-9444 or our Qualified SWPPP Practitioner Julie Broughton, at 805-641-1000.


Rincon Consultants Client Honored by SCAG

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has recognized the City of Calabasas 2030 General Plan with its Compass Blueprint Achievement for Visionary Planning for Sustainability. The award was presented at the organization’s annual general assembly meeting in La Quinta, California on May 5, 2010. Rincon Consultants, Inc., a Ventura-based environmental sciences and planning consulting firm, was the lead consultant on the project.
The City’s Plan was drafted during an 18-month process led by Joe Power, AICP, a Principal with Rincon Consultants, Inc. After incorporating guidance from a 20-member General Plan Advisory Committee and the Calabasas Planning Commission, the Plan was ultimately approved by the Calabasas City Council in December 2008. The plan serves as both the community’s vision and policy document to guide land use decisions. The Plan focuses on "smart growth” in Calabasas while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability and open space preservation. "The Calabasas General Plan project was a very rewarding experience on many levels,” says Power. "The Advisory Committee and staff were fully engaged in revamping the City’s guiding land use document, and the results of this team effort are exemplary.”
"We are grateful for the outstanding performance by the Rincon Consultants team for their outstanding performance on the City’s 2030 General Plan update,” said Tom Bartlett, Calabasas City Planner. "Their performance was particularly impressive in light of its scale and complexity and we are particularly pleased with the way Rincon managed the comprehensive public outreach program and facilitated the General Plan Advisory Committee meeting process.” The Compass Blueprint Growth Vision, created by SCAG in 2000 in a collaborative workshop process, aims to influence the way development moves forward in Southern California. SCAG presents the Compass Blueprint Recognition Awards annually in recognition of projects that demonstrate excellence and achievement in the four key elements of Compass Blueprint planning: Livability, Mobility, Prosperity and Sustainability. More information about the SCAG Compass Blueprint Recognition Awards may be found online at http://www.scag.ca.gov.

About SCAG
SCAG is the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization, representing six counties, 189 cities and more than 19 million residents. SCAG undertakes a variety of planning and policy initiatives to plan for a livable and sustainable Southern California now and in the future.

About the City of Calabasas and the 2030 General Plan
Calabasas is a city of about 24,000 residents and is located in northwestern Los Angeles County. It is considered a gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The Calabasas 2030 General Plan replaced the former 1995 General Plan and serves as both the community’s vision and policy document to guide land use decisions. The Plan focuses on "smart growth” in Calabasas while maintaining a strong commitment to the preservation of open space and sustainability.


Coastal California Gnatcatcher Discovered in Southern Ventura County

Rincon Consultants Senior Biologist Steve Hongola observed a coastal California gnatcatcher during a recent bird survey along the western boundary of the Santa Monica Mountains. This is an area of Ventura County in which the species was previously not known to occur. The coastal California gnatcatcher is a small, gray-brown songbird that is federally listed as threatened and occurs in coastal sage scrub in southern California. Subsequent to this finding, two more birds were observed nearby by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Ventura County is located at the northwest extent of the California gnatcatcher’s range and has always contained relatively low numbers of the species in comparison to other counties in the region. Prior to this finding, California gnatcatchers had never been recorded within the Santa Monica Mountains. Most known occurrences in Ventura County are clustered around the Moorpark area.
Based on these findings, protocol-level surveys for coastal California gnatcatcher may now be required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in areas of the County where they previously were not. Surveys are typically necessary for projects that could affect coastal sage scrub habitat that is considered potentially suitable for the species.

Contact Steve Hongola at 805-641-1000 or shongola@rinconconsultants.com if you have any questions about California gnatcatchers, their habitat, and if surveys may be necessary for your project.








Rincon Adds Professionals in San Luis Obispo and Carlsbad

Rincon Consultants recently welcomed a professional geologist and a climate action plan expert to it's team:

Torin Snyder, PG, REA, joins the firm’s Carlsbad office as a Senior Geologist.  He is certified as a California Professional Geologist (PG), Registered Environmental Assessor (REA) I, and a Certified Professional Soil Scientist.  Mr. Snyder carries a degree in soil science with a concentration in watershed management.  He comes to the team with nine years of consulting experience in vadose zone hydrology, hydrogeology, soil and groundwater remediation/mitigation, and storm water pollution.

Shauna Callery, MCRP, joins the team as a full-time consultant after an 18-month training program with our San Luis Obispo planning services group.   Ms. Callery completed a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning with a concentration in Environmental Planning, as well as a Master’s degree in Transportation Engineering.  She brings an expertise in climate action planning and was an author of one of California’s first CAPs for a municipality.  

 

For more information about these talented professionals, contact Julie Marshall in the Carlsbad office and Richard Daulton in the San Luis Obispo office.




Rincon Named a "Best Firm to Work For"

Rincon Consultants, Inc. was recently named a Best Firms to Work For in a nationwide competition.  ZweigWhite, a management consulting and research firm, and Stagnito Media, engineering media specialists, organized the competition.  Rincon received First Place for Mid-sized Environmental Firms (50 to 249 employees) and ranked ninth place overall for Environmental Firms.

 

Awards were based on the results of a comprehensive survey of workplace practices, as well as an independent survey of employees.  Employees participated through an online survey administered by ZweigWhite.  On 97 of 109 survey questions, Rincon scored above the survey average.  This high acknowledgement by Rincon’s employees is what Stephen Svete, President, is most honored by.  “We are very proud of this distinction.  At Rincon, we emphasize the importance of a positive work environment, and we see a correlation between employee well-being and excellence in our product, which is outstanding consulting on a range of environmental science issues.  Rincon’s workplace practices are employee centered, and we will continue to work hard to maintain this level of employee satisfaction.”

 

This marks the latest in a string of industry acknowledgements for Rincon Consultants.  Earlier this year they were ranked on the Inc. 500|5,000  list of “Fastest Growing Private-Companies in America,” and were named one of the “Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies” by the Pacific Coast Business Times.




Rincon Biologist Volunteers for Annual Monarch Butterfly Event

Rincon Consultants Biologist Carie Wingert recently volunteered a few early morning hours to mark monarchs for an annual mark and recapture effort at the Pismo Beach Monarch Grove (www.monarchbutterfly.org). This mark and recapture effort has been implemented for years by Dr. Dennis Frey, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo Professor Emeritus, an expert on the western monarch population. With the volunteers help, more than 500 monarchs were captured and marked. Additional mark and recapture sessions will occur over the coming winter, and the information will be used to statistically estimate the population of monarchs at this popular overwintering site.





Company Receives both National and Regional Business Growth Awards

For the second time, Inc. magazine ranked Rincon Consultants, Inc. on its annual Inc. 5000 list; an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The firm was pegged at 4,431 for growth among all industries nationwide. The list presents a comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs. The Inc. 5000 is ranked according to revenue growth percentages from 2005 through 2008.

To underscore the achievement, Rincon Consultants, Inc. was also recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times as one the 50 fastest growing companies in the Central Coast’s tri-counties sub-region, comprised of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. Rincon placed 48th on the list, which was determined using the percent of growth in revenue from 2006 to 2008. The list identifies companies that have outperformed the waning economy to become industry leaders and offers a positive outlook for the future.

“Savvy trend spotters and those who invest in private companies know that the Inc. 5000 is the best place to find out about young companies that are achieving success through a wide variety of unprecedented business models, as well as older private companies that are still expanding at an impressive rate,” said Inc. 5000 project manager Jim Melloan. “That’s why our list is so eagerly anticipated every year.”

The 2009 Inc. 5000, unveiled on Inc.com, serves as a unique report card on the U.S. economy. Despite the ongoing recession, aggregate revenue among the companies on the list actually increased to $214 billion, up $29 billion from last year, with a median three-year growth rate of 126 percent. The Inc. 5000 are responsible for creating more than 1 million jobs since their founding, making the list perhaps the best example of the impact private, fast-growing companies can have on the economy. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found on Inc.com.

Once again, California tops the Inc. 5000 with the most companies of any state with 612. The Golden State is followed by Texas (393), New York (316), Florida (263), and Virginia (261). All 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, are represented on this year’s list.

Stephen Svete, President and CEO of Rincon Consultants, was pleased with the recognition. “This is the second time Rincon has made the Inc. 5000 list, and the first time we have been recognized by Pacific Coast Business Times. We are honored and humbled by the hard work that our 52 professionals have put in to deliver excellent consulting products to government and industry during our 15-year history. This recognition is a testament to each of them, and confirms that quality is rewarded in the marketplace. We intend to continue this excellence as we expand the breadth and depth of our expertise in environmental consulting during the next 15 years.”

Visit the Inc 500|5,000 website: http://www.inc.com/inc5000/2009/index.html
Visit the Pacific Coast Business Times website: http://pacbiztimes.com/




Rincon Strengthens Service to Monterey Bay Region With Local Field Office

Rincon Consultants is pleased to announce the opening of our newest office located in the Monterey, California. The Monterey office is our fourth base of operation, adding to offices in San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Carlsbad. The office will be managed by Megan Jones, an environmental planner who has been with Rincon for the past four years. She is relocating from our San Luis Obispo office where she assisted on numerous projects in the Monterey Bay area including one in the City of Marina and one for the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission. This new office will be a step toward furthering development of our client base in northern California, and allowing us to be more readily accessible to our current clients.

The Monterey office is located at 798 Pine Street, Suite C, Monterey, California, 93940.
The contact number for the office is 831-915-9757.




Planners Play a Part in Award Winning Project

The City of L.A.’s Downtown Street Standards and Urban Design Guidelines project has won the “Planning Excellence in Implementation, Large Jurisdiction” award from the L.A. Chapter of the American Planning Association. Rincon Consultants was part of the award-winning project team, having written the environmental document and handling all of the CEQA procedural requirements. Rincon’s role was coordinated and managed by Abe Leider, AICP, Senior Planner, who brought his code compliance experience to work on a unique CEQA report. The report analyzed urban design modifications intended to humanize the streetscape of the downtown of the country’s second largest metropolis. Sean Wazlaw, Associate Planner, also performed a custom noise analysis for the CEQA document, specific to downtown Los Angeles’ particular built environment.

The City’s Urban Design Studio staff managed the project. The Urban Design Studio (www.urbandesignla.com) is spearheading several innovative planning programs for the City of Los Angeles and is receiving national attention as part of the vanguard of progressive planning in L.A.




Rincon Employee Earns Contractors License

R. Scott English, RME, REA II, Senior Project Manager and Remediation Supervisor with Rincon Consultants, has received his State of California General Engineering Contractors License as well as his Hazardous Substance Removal Certification. Mr. English is now licensed to construct fixed works including infrastructure and general development projects; install and abandon underground storage tanks (USTs) as well as take on any other projects pertaining to removal/remediation of hazardous waste. His other duties at Rincon include interpreting regulations, composing workplans, permits and reports, implementation of site assessment, development of remedial programs and design and construction of remediation systems. Scott has recently used the new license to construct the Soil Vapor Extraction remediation systems at Liebengood Trust and Beverly Crest Cleaners.



Rincon Services Expand to Include Paleontology
Julie Broughton, PhD (candidate) has joined the Rincon Consultants team, bringing along a background in paleontology and biology. Julie will oversee all aspects of fossil collection on project sites, including gathering, preparation and curing of specimens, as well as monitoring road improvement construction.


Calabasas General Plan Update and EIR Completion

Rincon Consultants recently completed the Calabasas General Plan 2030 Update and Environmental Impact Report for the City of Calabasas.  This project lasted over 2 years and involved a large community outreach program.  The final products as well as all personnel involved were praised by City staff.  Joe Power, AICP, Principal and Planning Manager with Rincon, spearheaded the team and was the main contact for the city throughout the duration of the project. More information on the project can be found under our "General Plans" page.