Guidance to public agencies on selected agricultural issues in California. Renewable energy facilities on agricultural land and loss of funding for land under the Williamson Act
PREPARED BY THE AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS (AEP).
The Agricultural Group Guidance Paper has been posted on www.califaep.org to download for your review.
Please direct any comments to Lynne Bynder, Executive Director at: califaep@gmail.com and they will be forwarded to the Agricultural Resources Committee.
Hesperia Climate Action Plan Wins AEP Award of Merit
At the California Association of Environmental Professionals 2011 Annual Conference in March, MBA was awarded the Award of Merit for the City of Hesperia Climate Action Plan (CAP) Project.
The CAP, prepared as a part of the General Plan Update, provided mechanisms that would allow future development in the City to address climate change impacts under CEQA. Specifically, it outlines a course of action for the City government and the community of Hesperia to reduce per capita greenhouse gas emissions 29 percent below business as usual by 2020. It also provides clear guidance to City staff regarding when and how to implement key provisions of the CAP.
Said David Reno, AICP, Principal Planner with the City of Hesperia, "MBA clearly understood the City's vision, especially in the areas addressing air quality and reducing greenhouse gases and included programs and mitigation measures consistent with the City’s resources and objectives of the General Plan Update. An aggressive schedule was established by the City and MBA met the time frame commitments. Their work product was clear, thorough, and of high quality. I would recommend MBA on similar projects. It was a pleasure working with this highly professional team."
"When we started into this project, I think we all had a bit of the fear of the unknown...what were we going to do with this weedpatch? Kudos to the EIR consultant and their entire team. Every time we had a concern, every time we had a problem, they were there to solve it or address it. Like the concern of Eastvale residents on lights and noise, they were there sharing our issues, sharing our concerns, coming up with creative measures to minimize every impact... Thank you (MBA) for a job well done, we are just delighted with the outcome!"
Mayor Kathy Azevedo, City of Norco
Regarding the Silverlakes Equestrian and Sports Park Project
"I just want to thank you and your team for the great environmental document that was prepared for our project. The firm of Michael Brandman Associates was very professional in every aspect of consultant services to the project and the City of San Ramon. You were always available when called upon and never 'nickel and dimed' us when we needed a quick answer on something. I know the staff and the Planning Commission was very pleased with the document in terms of its comprehensiveness and readability. For sure, your firm will be called upon to work on future significant planning projects in the city."
Phil Wong, Planning and Community Development Department Director, City of San Ramon
"As the senior planner and contract manager [for The City of Santa Rosa, Department of Community Development], I can enthusiastically recommend [MBA] as being most professional and knowledgeable in the laws and practices of the California Environmental Quality Act and Guidelines. ...I appreciate the thoroughness, accuracy and responsiveness of this firm. I can say that [these] factors contributed to a smooth process and made my job refreshingly easy. "
Marie Meredith
Senior Planner, City of Santa Rosa, Department of Community Development
