Two Rincon Projects Receive 2022 California AEP & APA Awards
The California Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) and the American Planning Association California Chapter (APA) recently announced the 2022 winners of their annual awards programs, with two Rincon projects receiving awards! AEP and APA recognize and celebrate projects that represent the best planning work occurring throughout the state in the environmental sector.
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Climate Action Plan
AEP 2022 Awards Program: Outstanding Climate Change Document
Key Rincon Staff: Ryan Gardner, Erik Feldman, Adam Grace, Erica Linard, Jennifer Haddow, Danielle Griffith, and John Sisser
Rincon partnered with Ascent Environmental, Carollo Engineers, and Katz & Associates to develop a comprehensive and ambitious Climate Action Plan (CAP) for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan). Metropolitan provides reliable and safe water for 26-member public agencies and nearly 19 million people living throughout southern California. The CAP builds on Metropolitan’s sustainability achievements to date and identifies additional actions to meet their aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target of carbon neutrality by 2045, effectively decarbonizing a significant portion of southern California’s water supply. The plan identifies a baseline GHG emission inventory, forecast, and carbon budget in order to define feasible, cost-effective, and implementable reduction measures while maintaining Metropolitan’s core mission of providing safe and reliable water to its service area. The CAP was designed to allow Metropolitan to accurately track progress over time and quantify actual GHG reduction progress through the GHG inventory process. It considers the impact of GHG reduction measures on vulnerable communities and prioritizes measures and actions that will provide multiple co-benefits including expanding conservation and water use efficiency programs.
City of Port Hueneme General Plan Update and Environmental Impact Report
2022 APA California Central Coast Awards: Comprehensive Plan Award (Small Jurisdiction)
Key Rincon Staff: Lexi Journey, Ryan Russell, Sarah Howland, Camila Bobroff, and Katie Green
Rincon partnered with the City of Port Hueneme to produce the Port Hueneme General Plan Update and Environmental Impact Report —the first comprehensive update since 1997—which reflects the current community vision and is aimed at improving local jobs and housing opportunities, enhancing community design (including the development of a new “downtown”), and improving social equity. The plan consists of ten Elements with associated goals and policies, the main driver being the Housing Element, but the Update covers all required General Plan elements, incorporating numerous state, regional, and local plans and policies. The update also includes two new Elements: The Climate Action Plan (CAP) Element and the Social Equity Element. Recognizing the importance of addressing climate change, the CAP Element is a qualified GHG reduction strategy and includes strategies to increase resilience throughout the City. The Social Equity Element addresses the unique and disproportionate challenges faced by disadvantaged communities and guides the City’s efforts to address issues related to public health, social equity, and environmental justice. The comprehensive General Plan, in combination with the associated set of implementation measures, will provide a clear, but flexible guide to city decision-making and action that will achieve the community’s visions over the next 25 years.
We congratulate all who contributed to these award-winning projects!
