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2019 TxDOT Environmental Conference · 2019-09-13 · “Big Bloated Technical Report” Doug...

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2019 TxDOT Environmental Conference September 10–12, 2019 Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol • 701 E 11th St. • Austin, Texas 78701
Transcript
Page 1: 2019 TxDOT Environmental Conference · 2019-09-13 · “Big Bloated Technical Report” Doug Booher, Clover Clamons, and Susan Shuffield, TxDOT In our never ending quest to get rid

2019 TxDOT Environmental ConferenceSeptember 10–12, 2019

Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol • 701 E 11th St. • Austin, Texas 78701

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2 2019 TxDOT Environmental Conference

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 108:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. REGISTRATION DESK OPEN8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Exhibit Area8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EXHIBITS OPEN Capitol View Terrace/Foyer 9:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. WELCOME Capitol Ballroom10:20 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. BREAK Exhibit Area10:35 a.m. – Noon GENERAL SESSION Capitol BallroomNoon – 1:30 p.m. LUNCH On Your Own

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 1–4Session 1 Capitol ABC Session 3 Capitol ESession 2 Capitol D Session 4 Creekside

2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. BREAK Exhibit Area

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 5–9Session 5 Capitol ABC Session 8 CreeksideSession 6 Capitol D Session 9 Capitol FGHSession 7 Capitol E

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. EXHIBITS/RECEPTION Exhibit Area

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

SEPTEMBER 1–3, 2020 • OMNI HOUSTON HOTEL

TxDOT ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 128:00 a.m. – Noon REGISTRATION DESK OPEN8:00 a.m. – Noon EXHIBITS OPEN Capitol View Terrace/Foyer 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Exhibit Area9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. STORMWATER FIELD TRIP Meet in Exhibit Area

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 28–32Session 28 Capitol ABC Session 31 CreeksideSession 29 Capitol D Session 32 Capitol FGHSession 30 Capitol E

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Break Exhibit Area

10:45 a.m. – NoonConcurrent Breakout Sessions: 33–36Session 33 Capitol ABC Session 35 Capitol ESession 34 Capitol D Session 36 Creekside

Noon – 1:30 p.m. Lunch On Your Own

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 118:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. REGISTRATION DESK OPEN8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Exhibit Area8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EXHIBITS OPEN Capitol View Terrace/Foyer

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 10–13Session 10 Capitol ABC Session 12 Capitol ESession 11 Capitol D Session 13 Creekside

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Break Exhibit Area

10:45 a.m. – Noon

Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 14–18Session 14 Capitol ABC Session 17 CreeksideSession 15 Capitol D Session 18 Capitol FGHSession 16 Capitol E

Noon – 1:30 p.m. Lunch On Your Own

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 19–23Session 19 Capitol ABC Session 22 CreeksideSession 20 Capitol D Session 23 Capitol FGHSession 21 Capitol E

2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break Exhibit Area

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 24–27Session 24 Capitol ABC Session 26 Capitol ESession 25 Capitol D Session 27 Creekside

6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Optional Bat Cruise Meet in Lobby

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. REGISTRATION DESK OPEN

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (Exhibit Area)

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EXHIBITS OPEN (Capitol View Terrace/Foyer)

9:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. WELCOME (Capitol Ballroom)

James Bass, TxDOT Executive Director and Carlos Swonke, Environmental Affairs Division Director

Transportation Planning and Environmental Linkages: Beyond PEL Guidance to ImplementationAshby Johnson, Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Executive Director

High Speed Rail EIS UpdateStephen Anderson

10:20 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area)

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 (Continued)

10:35 a.m. – Noon GENERAL SESSION (Capitol Ballroom)

Environmental Achievement Award Presented by: Laura Cruzada, TxDOT

The Future of the Environmental Workforce: A Panel Discussion about the Incoming GenerationModerator: Carlos Swonke, TxDOT

Panel: Spencer Ward, Carrington Wright, Tracey Janus, and Rodney Concienne, TxDOT

This panel discussion will explore the changing nature of the workforce and how this affects recruitment and retention here at TxDOT, and in the environmental and transportation fields in general. We’ ll hear from young professionals currently working in the environmental transportation field on their personal experiences, including discussion on professional development, modernization of the workplace, and where they think the field is headed. We’ ll also get some input from one of our managers on his experiences, strategies, and advice for working with and recruiting the young professional workforce.

Noon – 1:30 p.m. LUNCH (On Your Own)

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 (Continued)

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 1–4

BREAKOUT 1(Capitol ABC) Air Quality Updates

Tim Wood, TxDOT

TxDOT Air Quality SME will discuss: 1) Implications of updated FHWA Interim MSAT guidance, 2) project level conformity and a walkthrough of the conformity report form, 3) updates to the AQ toolkit, and 4) additional resources for responding to public comments on air quality.

BREAKOUT 2 (Capitol D)

Pilot Project with HOU and FHWA: IH-10 Corridor Study – FHWA Health in Corridor Planning Guide and Ways Advanced Planning Can Streamline Project Development

Dr. Qing Li and Dr. Ana Ramirez, TxDOT

The project applies FHWA’s framework of Health in Transportation Corridor Planning to the I-10 from Beltway 8 to I-610 in Houston, Texas. The goal is to integrate health outcomes from active transportation as it relates to the built environment, to inform decision-makers and improve corridor planning. Incorporating Health outcomes can improve TxDOT’s project programming and planning processes.

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.How to Identify and Manage NEPA Risks During Project DeliveryBREAKOUT 3

(Capitol E)

Moderator: Christine Bergren, TxDOT

Adam Jack and Shirley Nichols, TxDOT

Sonny Kaiser, Ecosystem Planning and Restoration

This session will include a panel consisting of a District Environmental Coordinator, a Private Consultant and a District Transportation Planning and Development Director. The session will cover: Risk Management – how to apply risk management principles during all stages of project development. Such risks could include: Compressed timelines, staff turnover, funding changes, design changes, and more…..

It is critical to identify risks early during scoping, evaluate, prioritize and develop strategies to address risks in a risk management plan that tracks throughout the project and provides accountability.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 (Continued)

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Beyond NEPA Clearance: Managing Environmental Compliance During and After Construction

BREAKOUT 4(Creekside)

Tracey Janus, Dennis Markwardt, Dr. Becki Perkins, Heath Zucha, and John Moravec, TxDOT

This breakout session will focus on programs and tools TxDOT uses to manage environmental compliance during the construction phase of our projects. We’ ll present real life examples from recent TxDOT projects, and conduct a panel discussion with our “boots on the ground” — the DEQCs, to get a glimpse into what it takes to keep our projects moving forward all while protecting Texas’ natural resources.

A look into environmental compliance during construction:

• Discuss the Construction Stage Gate Checklist;

• Discuss SWAT visits;

• Include project examples;

• Discuss SMEs and how they play a part in construction;

• Discuss how inspectors and CE&Is play a role;

• Discuss updates and changes that result from the EPIC monitoring program. This is just a quick overview to let others know what we have coming up in the next year;

• Preventing Erosion During and After Construction through proper use of vegetation/and other erosion control measures; and

• Discuss best practices during construction and post-construction; how to make sure specs are being followed and watching for pit-falls; common mistakes and how to correct them.

2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area)

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 (Continued)

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 5-9

BREAKOUT 5(Capitol ABC)

The Beginning of the End of the “Big Bloated Technical Report”

Doug Booher, Clover Clamons, and Susan Shuffield, TxDOT

In our never ending quest to get rid of redundancy in the environmental review process, ENV is taking a different approach to how we handle “Technical Reports.” Our goal is to eliminate the all-inclusive AKA “Big Bloated Technical Report” in most circumstances. Come and hear how the process is changing for endangered and threatened species analyses, waters of the United States analysis, and community impacts assessment among others.

BREAKOUT 6 (Capitol D) Speed Learning Session

Various TxDOT SMEs

The goal of this breakout is to give participants a venue to learn from a variety of Subject Matter Experts (SME). The session is divided into six 10-minute segments allowing participants to receive more personal attention from the SMEs and more information in a short amount of time. This flexible format gives participants multiple opportunities to exchange thoughts and questions with the SMEs in a small group setting. The sessions will run concurrently with other speed learning sessions within the same room. Each speed learning session is assigned to a roundtable that holds 8–10 participants.

BREAKOUT 7 (Capitol E)

FHWA Regulatory, Policy, and Guidance Updates From FHWA Headquarters

Owen Lindauer and Carolyn Nelson, FHWA

Owen Lindauer will make two presentations. The first will be on the recently updated FHWA NEPA and Section 4(f) implementation regulations at 23 CFR 771 and 774. Owen will identify notable changes in the regulations that went into effect on Nov. 8, 2018, Then, Owen will be joined by Carolyn Nelson to discuss FHWA rule, policy, and guidance updates. The rule, policy, and guidance topics will cover the (1) NEPA substitution FAST Act Section 1309 provision, (2) EA/EIS Reporting Requirements for the Federal Permitting Dashboard, (3) FHWA’s Fiscal Constraint Requirement, and (4) Guidance on the CE for Limited Federal Assistance [C23], Applicability of EO 13807 to NEPA Assignment States, and USDOT Guidance on FEIS/ROD + Errata Sheets.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 (Continued)

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 5-9

BREAKOUT 8 (Creekside)

Data as Big as Texas: the MS4 Statewide Permit and the Don't Mess with Texas Program

Adrienne Boer and Catherine Cromer, TxDOT

Data Trends from the Statewide MS4 Permit: Now in our third year of the Statewide MS4 Permit, this session will highlight data trends within urbanized areas across the state, including the Adopt-a-Highway program, Maintenance and Construction data, etc. This session will also include program research highlighted by the TRB Stormwater Committee.

Trash Talk: This presentation will provide analytics from the award-winning Don’t Mess with Texas program, the Adopt-a-Highway program, and Texas Trash Off. Just where does all this trash come from and what can we do about it? This session will help answer that question.

BREAKOUT 9 (Capitol FGH) Public Involvement Fireside Chat

Nicolle Kord, Hugo Hernandez, Leanna Sheppard, Stephanie Manry, Kimberly Amy, and Amy Redmond, TxDOT

Representatives from ENV, four TxDOT districts and the Public Involvement Office will participate in a “fireside chat” to discuss effective public involvement practices from real projects. The session will cover a variety of project types and sizes and will include examples from rural, urban, and metro districts. We will chat with staff from engineering, environmental and public involvement backgrounds who will describe how they developed their process and what made it successful.

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. EXHIBITS/RECEPTION/POSTER SESSION (Exhibit Area)

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

8:00 a.m. – Noon REGISTRATION DESK OPEN

8:00 a.m. – Noon EXHIBITS OPEN (Capitol View Terrace/Foyer)

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (Exhibit Area)

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 10–13

BREAKOUT 10(Capitol ABC) Corridor Planning

Susan Chavez and Steve Linhart, TxDOT

This presentation will focus on what corridor planning is, the benefits of corridor studies, and how these studies can be used to inform the next phase of project development. Examples of recent studies and how they have helped to progress project development will also be discussed.

BREAKOUT 11(Capitol D)

Introducing the New (and Improved) Community Impacts Technical Report Form

Nicolle Kord and Spencer Ward, TxDOT

TxDOT Community Impacts SMEs will conduct a Community Impacts Assessment on a mock-project using the new CIA Technical Report Form. They will go discuss best practices on scoping, public involvement, analysis, and documentation of community impacts.

BREAKOUT 12(Capitol E) One Federal Decision

Diane Nulton, HDR and Anne Rowe, FHWA

In recent years there has been a constant push to expedite the NEPA process. In this session, attendees will hear about the initiatives to expedite NEPA decisions including the recent August 2017 – Executive Order 13807: Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects, and the One Federal Decision requirements included in the Executive Order. This presentation will allow participants to hear perspectives, ideas, tools and techniques that can be employed to comply with the requirements of the latest initiatives. Time will be left for interactive questions and answers.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 (Continued)9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 10–13

BREAKOUT 13(Creekside)

Beyond the Silt Fence: Using Your Tool Box for Stormwater Compliance

Moderator: Barry Fagan, Volkert, Inc.

Panel: Chris Cowen, TxDOT and TxDOT PEPS staff

Innovative Contracting for Construction Stormwater Management: Discussing project compliance methods used by Alabama DOT through alternative contracting methods.

Project Phasing to Improve Stormwater Compliance: Discussing concepts in achieving compliance through project phasing. TxDOT spec on project phasing.

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area)

10:45 a.m. – Noon CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 14–18

BREAKOUT 14(Capitol ABC) 2019 Noise Policy

Ray Umscheid and Meredith Worthen, TxDOT

This session will cover updates to TxDOT’s traffic noise analysis process as described in the 2019 Noise Policy and Noise Policy Implementation Guidance, including the effective date of the new policy. Policy changes include: requirements for validating existing models with field measurements, a minimum threshold for benefiting receptors for noise barrier feasibility determinations, new costs and optional processes for cost reasonableness determinations, and new noise workshop requirements. This session is designed for project managers and traffic noise practitioners.

BREAKOUT 15(Capitol D) Water Resources Hot Topics

Susan Shuffield and Mario Mata, TxDOT

ENV staff will introduce newly-released water standards for preparing delineation reports statewide, obtaining mitigation credits statewide, and preparing PCNs and IPs in the USACE Galveston District.

BREAKOUT 16(Capitol E)

Acceleration of Project Delivery During NEPA and Planning/Environmental Linkages

Sharyn LaCombe, FTA and Anne Rowe, FHWA

This session will focus on the recent changes to FHWA and FTA's Environmental regulations (23 CFR 771 and 23 CFR 774) and the Administration's efforts to streamline the environmental review and permitting processes. USDOT representatives will also provide updates on the Federal Permitting Infrastructure Dashboard, One Federal Decision Making process, and the Section 106 Program Comment for Rail ROW. 11

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 (Continued)10:45 a.m. – Noon CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 14–18

BREAKOUT 17(Creekside) Grab Your Partner and Let’s Dance!

Moderator: Layde Philips, TxDOT

Panel: Chris Briggs, Robin Gelston, Kenneth Debord, David Young, David Stephens, and Chris Cowen, TxDOT

TxDOT and Contract Partnership: Analysis of compliance improvement since co-permittee requirement, communicating environmental during the preconstruction meeting and managing requirements during the construction process, and how to utilize inspections (SWP3/DEQC) and reporting results to ensure environmental requirements are met during construction.

EMS Communications 101 for U2: Review of management’s commitment to EMS and policy, District EMS communication (District Office, Area Office, Employees, Contractors), and summit meeting. Followed by panel discussion.

BREAKOUT 18(Capitol FGH) History Happenings

Rebekah Dobrasko, TxDOT

In this breakout session aimed at historical studies consultants, participants will learn about the new and revised guidance from Historical Studies, especially on certain resources like roads and Post World War II residences, learn about recommended best practices for surveys, and provide input and feedback on potential new programmatic agreement requirements.

Noon – 1:30 p.m. LUNCH (On Your Own)

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 19–23

BREAKOUT 19(Capitol ABC)

NEPA Challenges: Environmental Opposition to Collaboration and NEPA in the Urban Environment

Hilda Lafebre, Caltrans; Leo Tidd, Louis Berger, Inc.; and Buddy Desai, Jacobs Engineering Group

Caltrans Los Gatos Creek Bridge Replacement Project: The case study presentation will highlight the key lessons learned with respect to interagency relationships and approaches and the number of opposing factors that challenged the timely completion of the project and its allocated budget.

Urban Freeways: The focus of urban environmental studies is very different than that of capacity improvements in suburban and rural contexts. This presentation discusses the unique issues found on urban NEPA studies.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 (Continued)1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 19–23

BREAKOUT 20(Capitol D) Wildlife Hot Topics

Moderator: Clover Clamons, TxDOT

Dr. John Young, Dr. Stirling Robertson, Dennis Palafox, and Andrew Blair, TxDOT

TxDOT and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will present information related to Endangered Species Act consultations and provide updates on research efforts on wildlife crossings. Presentations include:

• Emergency Consultations: reviews USFWS emergency consultation process, defines emergency and provides a TxDOT project example.

• Section 7 Consultations for Plant Species: Best Practices for Expedited Review .

• Integrating Wildlife Crossings into TxDOT’s Planning and Design Process: Presents the findings of a recent project that are expected to help make wildlife crossing structure consideration and creation a regular part of TxDOT’s project development process and contribute to TxDOT’s role as a leading state DOT in reducing animal-vehicle conflict issues.

BREAKOUT 21(Capitol E)

FHWA Session: Environmental Justice Considerations in the NEPA Process

Carolyn Nelson and Robert (Bob) Washington, FHWA

This session will help participants learn about the basic methodologies for considering environmental justice in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, as well as address state of the art practices for public involvement.

BREAKOUT 22(Creekside) Compliance by the Numbers

Adrienne Boer, TxDOT

This presentation will provide an analysis of the compliance data from TCEQ from inspections, discussing trends and performance over the past 5 years.

BREAKOUT 23(Capitol FGH) 2019 Noise Policy (REPEAT Session 14)

2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area)

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 (Continued)3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 24–27

BREAKOUT 24(Capitol ABC) EIS Case Studies

Ben Goldsworthy and Charlie Webb, Jacobs Engineering Group

IH 80, IH 580, US 395 Freeway (NDOT): The Reno-Sparks area is experiencing a housing shortage and the cost of housing is rising while the availability is declining. This was a concern to NDOT as the preferred alternative results in 326 residential displacements (31% houses/69% apartments). This equates to about 600 minority residents and 300 low-income residents (residents displaced could be both minority and low-income). Many of these residences are part of the “missing middle”or affordable category of housing. To mitigate displaced residents NDOT and FHWA committed to mitigation beyond what the Uniform Act requires.

IH 94 East-West (WisDOT): This segment of IH 94 lies entirely within the City of Milwaukee. This 3-mile corridor has more than its fair share of major constraints. The bulk of the presentation will focus on the project team’s steps to address as many concerns as possible expressed by public and special interest groups to craft a consensus. Traditional techniques like small-group meetings were held but also included the use of innovative visualization methods like project scale models and helium balloons to give an indication of the height of the freeway.

BREAKOUT 25(Capitol D)

Introducing the New (and Improved) Community Impacts Technical Report Form (REPEAT Session 11)

BREAKOUT 26(Capitol E) What’s Hot in Your District

Moderator: Sue Theiss, TxDOT

Panel: TxDOT District Environmental Representatives

Join us for a fast-paced session where TxDOT Districts will provide a 2-minute highlight of challenges or issues they are facing, best practices they’ve identified, curious/interesting things happening in their area, or other interesting topics. This session is meant to be an ice-breaker and encourage discussions outside the session over the course of the conference.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 (Continued)3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 24–27

BREAKOUT 27(Creekside) Compliance Chats

Panel: David Nuckels and MNT staff, TxDOT

TCEQ PST Investigations – Best Practices and Words of Wisdom for a Successful Investigation!: Cover the basic items that TCEQ requires us to have – records, paperwork, etc. and how we’ve seen “good” examples on how to keep this information in order. Best practices for “Good Housekeeping” regarding the onsite and OUTSIDE aspects of their PST systems. Common pitfalls to watch out for (letting an ATG go unrepaired for a while, not keeping the spreadsheets up to date, etc.)

It’s My First Day! Making Sure Your Facility Stays in Compliance: This presentation will cover the environmental compliance components of a TxDOT facility survey. How do you prepare for a visit, what type of compliance is required, what best practices can be followed, including salt and brine use and pollution prevention.

Panel Discussion

6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. OPTIONAL BAT CRUISE (Meet in Lobby)

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

8:00 a.m. – Noon REGISTRATION DESK OPEN

8:00 a.m. – Noon EXHIBITS OPEN (Capitol View Terrace/Foyer)

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (Exhibit Area)

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. STORMWATER FIELD TRIP

Tracey Janus, TxDOT

This field trip will take participants to an active construction site at FM 2222 (or similar) to see stormwater BMPs in action and to review the project’s EPICs. Think of it as a mini Construction Stage Gate “how-to” session. We’ ll have an activity in the field, so don’t forget your PPE.

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 28–32

BREAKOUT 28(Capitol ABC)

New Project Delivery Tools to Make Your Job Easier, Part 1

Terry Klein, SRI Foundation

Through ENV’s Beyond the Road campaign, we repeatedly heard about your frustrations with communicating project delivery goals to the public, NEPA stakeholders, agency decision-makers and Section 106 consulting parties. We talked, and researched, and built new approaches and tools to ease this path.

Learn about the development of these public-oriented materials, explaining the agency’s project delivery and environmental processes and provide environmental resource information specific to your district. Help chart a course to implement the first round of tools and prioritize developing others as we move forward.

BREAKOUT 29(Capitol D) Introduction to ECOS for Consultants, Part 1

Doug Booher, TxDOT

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 (Continued)

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 28–32

BREAKOUT 30(Capitol E) ENV 125 – Fundamentals of Traffic Noise, Part 1

Ray Umscheid and Meredith Worthen, TxDOT

This workshop will provide a general overview of the traffic noise analysis process, including the recent updates to TxDOT’s noise policy and implementation guidance. While this class will not teach you how to model traffic noise, it will cover interpretation of TNM modeling results, best practices, documentation requirements, and common review comments. This class is designed for Project Managers and those with no traffic noise experience.

BREAKOUT 31(Creekside)

Hazardous Materials Database Searches, What Are They and Who Do I Care? Hazardous Materials Database Searches, What Are They and Who Do I Care?

Jeff Richardson, TxDOT

The presenter will discuss the database searches used for Initial Site Assessments (ISA) and describe the specific impacts certain issues identified by the databases may have on our projects.

BREAKOUT 32(Capitol FGH) iNaturalist Workshop

John Maresh, SRI Foundation

In this workshop we will explore options for collecting roadkill carcass data in order to identify hotspots and impacts to species. Specifically, we will learn about the iNaturalist online and mobile app, discuss the pros and cons of “citizen science”-based programs, and, how and when to safely collect carcass data. Bring your smartphone and/or laptop and be prepared for a bit of gruesomeness. This workshop is for all TxDOT staff and anyone interested in contributing roadkill data.

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area)

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1210:45 a.m. –Noon CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 33–36

BREAKOUT 33(Capitol ABC)

New Project Delivery Tools to Make Your Job Easier, Part 2

Terry Klein, SRI Foundation

BREAKOUT 34(Capitol D) Introduction to ECOS for Consultants, Part 2

Doug Booher, TxDOT

BREAKOUT 35(Capitol E) ENV 125 – Fundamentals of Traffic Noise, Part 2

Ray Umscheid and Meredith Worthen, TxDOT

BREAKOUT 36(Creekside)

Case Study: FM 664 Dallas District – Contamination from a Gas Station

Douglass Mack, TxDOT

This case study will follow the hazardous materials process used when a gasoline station was identified during the NEPA review that had the potential to impact the proposed construction project. We will outline the process from the initial identification, through multiple investigations, and finally to the preparation of the project plans and specifications used to address the issue.

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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Kimberly AmyKimberly is the Environmental Coordinator for the TxDOT Corpus Christi District. She has over 8 years of experience working at TxDOT where her work involves environmental work relating to NEPA, including preparing environmental documents and technical reports, Section 10/404 permitting, resource agency coordination, and public involvement. Kimberly’s background includes work in fisheries, with a special interest in oyster reef ecology and coastal wetlands. She earned her BS in Biology from the University of California – Davis and a MS in Biology from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.

Stephen C. AndersonStephen is the Regulatory Manager for the Texas High Speed Rail Project. A graduate of Rutgers and Drexel Universities, he has 34 years experience in the design and permitting of major civil works such as utilities, transportation, and industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential land development. A former owner of a land development firm that worked with small clients in environmentally sensitive coastal South Carolina, Stephen’s experiences have also included the design and planning of brand new cities for international clients. These experiences allowed him to work on a project as big as Texas without losing site of the small details. Now, he leads a multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, and legal experts through the permitting process on the Federal, State, and local level.

James M. BassJames serves as Executive Director of TxDOT and is honored to work with the women and men of TxDOT to enhance the quality of life for Texans by delivering on our Mission. Bass began his TxDOT career in 1985 working

summers in the Fort Worth District. He worked part-time as an engineering aide in the Austin District's South Travis/Hays County Area Office while earning his Bachelor’s in Accounting at the University of Texas at Austin. Bass was selected as TxDOT’s Finance Division Director in November 1999, and became Chief Financial Officer in 2005. He became Executive Director in January of 2016.

Christine BergrenChristine is currently a Project Manager in TxDOT ENV. Prior to her current position, She worked as the Houston District Environmental Supervisor. Before joining TxDOT 4 years ago, Christine served in multiple positions over a 20 year career at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), including management and leadership positions in the Waste Permits Division, Field Operations Division and Environmental Assistance Division. She graduated from Texas State University with a BS in Environmental Resource Management and also completed the University of Texas, LBJ School of Public Affairs, Senior Management Development Program.

Andrew Blair Andrew has been the District Biologist for TxDOT’s Austin District since September 2017. Prior to that, he worked for 8 years as an Environmental Specialist in the Natural Resources Management Section at TxDOT’s Environmental Affairs Division. Andrew has over 14 years of experience dealing with a variety natural resource issues throughout Texas with an emphasis on rare, threatened, and endangered species. Andrew holds a BS in Biology from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a Master of Science in Population and Conservation Biology from Texas State University.

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Adrienne BoerAdrienne, CFM, CPESC, PMP, manages the Operations Compliance Branch. She has over 25 years of experience in water quality analysis and planning, stormwater permitting, and project and program management. She received her Masters in Environmental Resource Management from Texas State University and her Bachelors in Environmental Science from Concordia University.

Doug BooherDoug is the Co-Deputy Director of TxDOT’s Environmental Affairs Division.

Susan ChavezSusan joined TxDOT in 2015 as a Project Development Manager in the Corridor Planning Branch of the Transportation Planning and Programming Division. She managed corridor planning studies statewide, most of which include public and stakeholder engagement efforts. Prior to TxDOT, Susan worked as a consultant for 17 years on environmental and planning projects, most notably as Sr. Planner on the IH 35 Corridor. She earned her BS in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University and a MS in Environmental Management from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Clover ClamonsClover is the Natural Resources Management Section Director in TxDOT ENV. She is currently focused on process and guidance improvement to streamline the natural resource aspects of project delivery. She joined TxDOT ENV in 2018 bringing over 20 years of consulting experience working on multidisciplinary teams to deliver challenging projects throughout Texas. She holds an MS in Geology from Baylor University.

Catherine CromerCatherine is the Statewide Coordinator for the Adopt-a-Highway program at TxDOT. She’s spent more than 4 years working with AAH coordinators and volunteers to grow the program and help beautify Texas roadways. Catherine also works as a campaign coordinator for the Don’t mess with Texas and Drive Clean Texas public awareness campaigns.

Buddy DesaiBuddy has transportation experience encompassing 30 years of managing roadway and bridge projects including large, complex, NEPA corridor studies for interstates, US highways, and major state routes as well as providing expert public involvement and context sensitive solutions facilitation for transportation infrastructure improvements throughout the US. Buddy has Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Rebekah DobraskoRebekah has over 16 years of experience in the historic preservation regulatory arena, with expertise in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and in Section 4(f) for historic sites. She is the team lead for the Historical Studies Branch at TxDOT and has been a historian at TxDOT for 6 years. Prior to her time in Texas, Rebekah worked at the South Carolina Historic Preservation Office. She holds a BA in History from Tulane University and a MA in Public History from the University of South Carolina. Her favorite historic properties are African-American schools, infrastructure, and the Bankhead Highway.

Barry FaganBarry has nearly 30 years of experience in guiding transportation agencies through the intersection of natural and built environments.

Ben GoldsworthyBen has 17 years of experience preparing NEPA documents and conducting public involvement and agency coordination for a variety of important transportation projects throughout the country. Ben has extensive experience working with state DOTs and FHWA in completing complex NEPA documents. Throughout his career, Ben’s focus has been on completion of large system interchange NEPA documents. Ben has spent the past 12 years with Jacobs Engineering/CH2M in the Milwaukee office. Prior to that, Ben worked with consulting firms in Missouri and Minnesota. Ben holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a MS in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa.

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Hugo HernandezHugo is a bilingual Transportation Planner in the Project Development and Design section of the El Paso District. His more than a decade experience has allowed him to hone his strengths in international, federal, state, and local transportation planning and policy interpretation; transportation financing and forecasting; transportation modeling and traffic analysis; project programming and scheduling; and public involvement coordination.

Hugo has led in the El Paso District, including “Reimagine I-10”, a 55 mile corridor study for the future of the nation’s only all-weather cross-country interstate. Hugo’s additional experience includes a post as Transportation Financial Analyst for the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) where he developed tools for project programming and regional financial constraints. He graduated from The University of Texas at El Paso with dual degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and is currently pursuing his Professional Engineering license.

Adam JackAdam is the Director of Transportation Planning and Development for the TxDOT Beaumont District.

Tracey JanusTracey received her BA in Geology from Texas A&M University in 2011. She started her career with the State in 2012 as an Environmental Investigator in the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program at the TCEQ. In 2016 she joined TxDOT as an EC in the Austin District. There she conducted NEPA clearances, developed guidance and resources for engineers, and served as the project tracker and portfolio coordinator and assisted on various geology related special projects.

In 2018, she joined the Operations and Compliance Team in the Environmental Resource Management Section of TxDOT’s Environmental Affairs Division. She is currently acting at the statewide Construction General Permit SME and is developing a new environmental compliance program called the EPIC Monitoring Program. Tracey is also a licensed geologist with the State of Texas.

Ashby Johnson Ashby is the Executive Director of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) which is the metropolitan planning organization for the six-county central Texas region and has served in that capacity since August 2014.

Ashby also served as the Deputy MPO Director at the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), which is the metropolitan transportation planning agency for the eight-county greater Houston region from May 2003 until July 2014. Prior to H-GAC, he spent eight years with the FHWA’s Office of Planning and one year with the FTA’s Office of Planning working on initiatives such as regulatory and guidance development for metropolitan and statewide planning for ISTEA and TEA-21, the transit New Starts Program, and the Metropolitan Capacity Building Program.

Prior to USDOT, Ashby spent five years with TxDOT in the Environmental Affairs and the Design Divisions. He holds a Bachelors degree in Government and a Masters in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Austin.

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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Clarence “Sonny” KaiserSonny is president and co-founder of Ecosystem, Planning and Restoration, LLC and has more than 13 years of experience performing planning, assessments and project management for environmental projects throughout the Gulf Coast region. His expertise includes preparation and management of all types of NEPA documents. Sonny has provided assessment and restoration design services for thousands of feet of stream and thousands of acres of wetlands throughout his career, and specializes in management of large corridor and NEPA projects for public entities.

Terry KleinTerry is Executive Director of SRI Foundation. Working on the frontline of national efforts to respond to increased pressures to speed up project delivery and reduce project costs, Terry Klein is nationally recognized as an expert in DOT project planning for cultural resource issues. In addition to work with the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), National Highway Institute (NHI) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), his work with TxDOT-ENV has helped improve our environmental and cultural resource programs since 2015.

Nicolle KordNicolle is an Environmental Specialist at ENV. She serves as a subject matter expert in Community Impacts, Indirect Impacts, and Cumulative Impacts. She has been with TxDOT over 5 years. Prior to this she worked as a NEPA specialist for the Colorado DOT. She has a BS in Rangeland Management and Ecology from Texas A&M University.

Sharyn LaCombeSharyn is an Environmental Protection Specialist and Federal Historic Preservation Officer with the US DOT/FTA Headquarters Office. Sharyn’s experience includes working in both public and private sector as a planning project manager for transportation infrastructure projects. Sharyn specializes in expedited project delivery, federal grants for capital investments, and technical training for FTA's regional office staff members. Sharyn holds an MS in Geography/Urban and Region Planning and is a candidate for a graduate certificate in Historic Preservation and Design.

Hilda LafebreHilda is the Manager of Capital Project and Environmental Planning at Caltrain in CA San Francisco Bay Area. Caltrain is a commuter rail system providing services from San Francisco to South of San Jose. She is responsible for advancing capital projects, CEQA and NEPA review, environmental permitting strategies, construction and post-construction compliance programs and planning efforts for especial

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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

projects. Hilda has 25 years of experience in planning, and development and delivering transportation infrastructure across the country. She has contributed in a number of forums related to alternative delivery systems for transportation infrastructure and as TCRP panel member on research topics related to Green House Gas Impacts and Improving Resilience of Transit Systems. Hilda is a certified Design/Build professional.

Dr. Qing LiQing is a planner in the TxDOT Houston district. She earned her master’s degree in Transportation Planning and Management, and PhD degree in transportation related environmental studies from Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. Before that, she received her master’s degree in urban environmental management and planning from Wageningen University in The Netherlands. She has been a research assistant and a postdoctoral fellow for 6 years in the Innovative Transportation Research Institute at Texas Southern University. She joined TxDOT in June 2018.

Owen LindauerOwen is the FHWA’s Chief Archeologist and possesses a PhD, MA, and BA in the field of anthropology with a specialization in archeology. With more than 30 years of experience developing and publishing archeological research, he is an expert in the Section 106 process and in conducting tribal consultation. He came to HEPE 12 years ago and has worked preparing and providing guidance on environmental regulation for categorical exclusions, Section 4(f), streamlining through programmatic approaches, and NEPA assumption. He has extensive NEPA and project development experience, working at DOTs in Arizona and Texas, as well as in HEPE.

Steve LinhartSteve is a Project Development Manager in TxDOT's Transportation Planning and Programming Division. Collaborating with numerous TxDOT Districts, Divisions and consultants, Steve is responsible for the preparation of corridor feasibility studies, detailed relief route studies, and environmental/schematic projects throughout the state. Steve is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Douglass MackDouglass has been with TxDOT over 20 years working in the Hazardous Materials Section in the Environmental Affairs Division. He received his BS in Environmental Studies from Texas State in 1993.

Stephanie ManryStephanie joined TxDOT in 2007 as an Environmental Specialist in the Wichita Falls District. In 2009, she left TxDOT to work for a Department of Defense Contract where she was the Environmental Supervisor for Sheppard Air Force Base; leading a team of environmental specialists and entomologists. In 2011, she returned to TxDOT as an Environmental Specialist in the North Region before transferring to ENV in 2012. In 2013, she returned to the Wichita Falls District as the Environmental Coordinator. She earned her BS in Environmental Science from Midwestern State University and a MS in Occupational Safety and Health/Environmental Management from Columbia Southern University.

John MareshJohn is an Environmental Specialist in the Natural Resource Management Section of ENV. John has over 20 years of experience working on variety of rare, threatened, and endangered species issues and specializes in avian ecology. A longtime observer of the patterns of roadkill, he is glad to be in a position to help TxDOT investigate the impacts of vehicles and roadways on animal populations and to identify roadkill hotspots. He has a BA in Biology and Geography from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dennis MarkwardtDennis is the Director of Vegetation Management for the TxDOT Maintenance Division. Dennis has 30 years’ experience in right of way vegetation management. He is responsible for the Mowing Program, Pest Management Program, Seeding Operations, Wildflower Program, Erosion Control Program, Pollinator Program, Pit and Quarry Program, and De-icing Operations. He has a BS in Range Science from Texas A&M.

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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Mario Mata, Jr.Mario graduated with a BS in Physical Geography from Southwest Texas State University and a Master of Applied Geography – Resource and Environmental Studies from Texas State University. Mario began his career at TxDOT in the summer of 2003 as an intern with ENV where he evaluated the success of created wetlands that TxDOT had constructed throughout the state and the report was published by the Texas Transportation Institute. Mario resumed his career at TxDOT in 2005 where he continued working with the USACE Liaison, served as a project manager for several TxDOT districts. Mario is currently serving as a USACE Liaison and mitigation point of contact for all TxDOT projects.

John MoravecJohn is the District Environmental Coordinator for the ten county Bryan District. Before joining the Bryan District, John spent the first 8 plus years of his career with the Waco District serving in the Environmental Section and later in the IH-35 Special Projects Office. Currently, with the support of the Bryan District Administration and the help of the outstanding District Environmental Section, John is responsible for the successful clearance, permitting and compliance of planning/design projects, construction projects as well as maintenance activities. He has a BS in Plant and Soil Science from Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas. Outside of work, John’s interests include church, family, 4-H, outdoor activities, Czech heritage, blacksmithing and motorcycling.

Carolyn NelsonCarolyn is a Civil Engineer who works as a Project Development Engineer and Environmental Specialist for FHWA Headquarters’ Office of Project Development and Environmental Review. She is responsible for providing technical assistance and project oversight regarding NEPA compliance to FHWA Division Offices. Carolyn also provides federal oversight and funding for multi-million dollar highway projects for various states around the country.

Carolyn is the FHWA Headquarters NEPA lead for Environmental Justice, Title VI, CSS, Public Involvement and Performance Based Practical

Design (PBPD). Carolyn has worked in the FHWA Michigan Division Office and for the Michigan DOT for 13 years. Carolyn is a PE and holds BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA and Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan respectively.

Shirley NicholsShirley is the Environmental Supervisor for the Austin District. She has a BS in Geography and Planning/Environmental Studies from Texas State University and has over 30 years experience in environmental, planning and infrastructure. Shirley began her TxDOT career with the Austin District in 1995 as an Environmental Specialist, went to the consulting world in 2004 to start an engineering firm's national environmental program and went on to work in various infrastructure sectors throughout the US before returning to TxDOT in 2014 to lead the Austin District's Environmental Section.

David NuckelsDavid manages the Facility Environmental Compliance surveys and the Petroleum Storage Tank compliance program for the ENV Division’s Operations Compliance Branch. He spends the majority of his time assisting District, Maintenance Section, and other Division staff with maintaining facility environmental compliance.

Diane NultonDiane is a Senior Environmental Project Manager with HDR. Diane has over 30 years of experience managing the NEPA process for transportation projects. Diane’s extensive knowledge of the planning, NEPA, Section 4(f), and permitting processes has led to her involvement in numerous complex, controversial and fast-tracked projects. In addition, Diane has worked with several state DOTs as well as the National Highway Institute (NHI) to develop NEPA and Section 4(f) guidance and training. She is a certified NHI instructor and teaches NHI’s basic NEPA, advanced NEPA, and Section 4(f) courses.

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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Dennis PalafoxDennis is an Environmental Specialist with TxDOT ENV. Dennis is primarily involved with Section 7 consultations with the USFWS. Dennis is a member of the Interagency Team authorized by the TxDOT/TPWD MOU. Dennis is currently assigned to the Atlanta, Austin, El Paso, and Paris Districts. Dennis has over 40 years of experience in the natural resources field. He worked has for TPWD, environmental and engineering consulting firms, and the Lower Colorado River Authority. Dennis has a BS in Biology from the University of Texas and a MS in Biology from Texas State University.

Layde PhillipsLayde has worked at TxDOT for eight years in Environmental Affairs on the environmental management system (EMS) and storm water programs. Prior to TxDOT, she worked in the private sector in the semiconductor business in the quality and project management field.

Dr. Ana RamirezAna has a MS in Civil Engineering and a PhD degree in Public Policy from the University of Texas at Austin in addition to a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the London School of Economics. She has over 10 years experience working with local governments in planning and pedestrian mobility. She joined TxDOT in 2013 in the Advanced Transportation Planning Section.

Dr. Becki PerkinsBecki has been the Environmental Coordinator for the San Angelo District since 2015. She has filled the role of DEQC for San Angelo since 2016. Becki earned her BS in Wildlife at the University of Georgia, and MS and PhD at Texas Tech University in the Natural Resources Management Department.

Amy RedmondAmy is a Public Involvement Specialist with TxDOT’s Transportation Planning and Programming Public Involvement Section and works alongside the Atlanta, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Tyler and Yoakum Districts to develop and implement meaningful public involvement and outreach programs.

Civic engagement is engraved in her DNA and her passion for public service has taken her to every corner of the Lone Star State working on public-facing projects for TxDOT, Texas Public Broadcasting, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and Texas State University. She has worked in public outreach and marketing for over 20 years on a local, regional and international level under private, public and nonprofit sectors. Amy holds a Master of Arts in Mass Communication and Marketing from Texas State University – San Marcos and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Advertising Design from the University of Louisiana – Lafayette.

Jeff RichardsonJeff is a subject matter expert in TxDOT ENV’s Hazardous Materials Management Section.

Dr. Stirling RobertsonStirling is a TxDOT biologist who has been with the Environmental Affairs Division for over 12 years. He is a native of Austin, but now lives and works in Lubbock to better serve the western districts. Prior to coming to work for TxDOT, he worked in the mining industry (providing materials for transportation projects), environmental consulting, academia, and the military. While at TxDOT he has been heavily involved in the issue of wildlife vehicle conflicts.

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TXDT1922.6539.0919.600

Anne Rowe Anne is an Environmental Protection Specialist in FHWA’s Office of Project Development and Environmental Review in Washington, DC, working on One Federal Decision, Transportation Liaison program, Visual Quality, and the Washington, DC to Baltimore Loop Project.

Anne started at FHWA in August 2018 with 22 years of project management experience in NEPA/environmental planning and master planning for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the DOT.

Leanna SheppardLeanna is an Environmental Specialist for the Beaumont District. Her 34-year transportation/environmental planning career started with the TxDOT Beaumont District in 1985. In 1995, she relocated her family to Oklahoma and entered the consultant world only to return three years later to the call of the pine trees and humidity of the Beaumont area to continue what became a 17-year stretch as a consultant. Leanna rejoined the Beaumont District in 2012 and in 2017 transferred to the Transportation Planning and Programming Division in Austin as a Planner/MPO Coordinator. In 2018, she returned to the Beaumont District. She has been with TxDOT almost 18 years. She has a BS of Engineering Technology degree from Louisiana State University.

Susan M. ShuffieldSusan graduated with a BS in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Utah State University. She went on to work for the USFWS at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and later started her own environmental consulting practice. Ms. Shuffield worked for herself and other firms in the private sector for 12 years, specializing in NEPA project management and wildlife ecology. Ms. Shuffield has been with TxDOT for over 10 years, and is currently serving as a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Liaison in the Natural Resources Management Section of the Environmental Affairs Division.

Carlos SwonkeCarlos is the Director of the Environmental Affairs Division at TxDOT, a position he has held since 2012. Carlos has 32 years of environmental/NEPA experience.

Leo TiddLeo is a Manager at Louis Berger (a WSP Company) and environmental consultant supporting Caltrain’s environmental clearance and permitting activities and is a AICP. Leo has 13 years of experience in transportation environmental analysis, including FTA/FHWA NEPA process management, transportation-environmental research under NCHRP 25–25, indirect/cumulative effects, air quality, and noise analysis.

Ray UmscheidRay has been TxDOT’s Noise Specialist at ENV for 8 years and he has a total of 14 years’ experience performing noise analyses for transportation projects. He is on NCHRP panels 25–44 and 25–52.

Spencer WardSpencer is a Community Impacts Specialist for TxDOT ENV’s Human Environment team. He has returned to his home state to work with TxDOT after spending time throughout the Pacific Northwest. He received a degree in Environmental Policy from Western Washington University, and has since worked with environmental nonprofits from Bellingham to Portland.

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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Robert “Bob” WashingtonRobert is an Environmental Protection Specialist for the Project Development Team at FHWA in Washington, DC, and works with FHWA Division Offices to assist with implementation of the environmental review during the transportation decision making process, with an emphasis on the development of projects. Robert also works with special program areas such as Environmental Justice, Virtual Public Involvement and other areas to further enhance the value added of the review process.

Charlie WebbCharlie is a NEPA practitioner with 28 years experience. Charlie is based in Milwaukee and has managed several EISs for freeway reconstruction projects in the Milwaukee area but has also worked in Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Nevada. Charlie's experience is mostly with FHWA projects, but has also managed NEPA documents for FTA, FRA and FERC projects.

Tim WoodTim joined TxDOT in November 2010 and currently serves as the Air Quality Specialist for ENV. Prior to TxDOT, he worked for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in the air quality section and, before that, the Leaking Petroleum Storage Tank section. He graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio with a BS in Environmental Science.

Meredith WorthenMeredith is an Environmental Specialist in the Environmental Affairs Division. She serves as a subject matter expert in Traffic Noise. Meredith joined TxDOT in 2018 and has 7 years of experience performing traffic noise analyses for transportation projects. She has previous NEPA transportation experience as a consultant and has worked at the Texas Water Development Board and TCEQ. Meredith has BS degrees in Biology and Microbiology from The University of Texas at Austin.

Carrington WrightCarrington has been an environmental specialist in the Houston District since 2015. Prior to joining TxDOT, he spent 6 years working in oil and gas exploration and near-surface geophysics. Carrington holds a BS in geology from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a MS in geology with a focus in geophysics from the University of Kentucky.

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Dr. John YoungJohn received his BS from West Virginia University in 1988. John’s early career was spent banding songbirds on Florida golf courses and putting in artificial nesting structures for red-cockaded woodpeckers in the longleaf pine forests of South Carolina, Kentucky and Texas. After completing a Masters degree John went from Kingsville to upstate New York, Indiana, to Maryland and a position with the Wildlife Habitat Council working with corporations on issues from Superfund restoration and mine reclamation to restoring native prairies. Then, John joined the staff at TPWD as the state mammalogist which enabled him to pursue and complete a PhD at Texas A&M University Kingsville in 2009. After 11 years at TPWD he went back to private, which led him to TxDOT. John has been with ENV for 6 years.

Heath ZuchaHeath is the District Environmental Quality Coordinatory (DEQC) for the Waco District. Prior to transferring to the District Construction Office, he was an Inspector in the Waco Area Office for 10 years. Heath worked under the previous DEQC for about 5 years before taking over the role full time.

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