CEQA/NEPA/TRPA

Creating the right balance between
environmental sustainability and development.

Achieving a harmonious balance between economic and community development and environmental sustainability is the goal Ascent seeks in its compliance work with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the code and rules of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). With a strong focus on environmental responsibility, we diligently conduct thorough environmental assessments to identify potential impacts accurately, responsibly, and objectively. Emphasizing efficient and innovative approaches, we identify and implement strategies to streamline the environmental review process, allowing for a more expedited yet comprehensive evaluation. This approach not only supports environmental protection but also facilitates timely project execution, ensuring a positive impact on the community and the natural surroundings.

SERVICES
  • CEQA project and program EIRs, Initial Studies/MNDs, NDs, and exemptions
  • NEPA EISs, EAs, FONSIs, and CEs
  • TRPA EISs, EAs, and IECs
  • Opportunities and constraints evaluations
  • Environmental compliance strategy assessments
  • Supplemental EIRs/MNDs, Addenda, and streamlined environmental analysis and documentation
  • Innovative use of program EIRs/”within-the-scope” findings
  • Joint CEQA/NEPA and CEQA/NEPA/TRPA documents
  • Joint planning and environmental documents
FEATURED PROJECTS
In response to the region’s housing crisis, SCAG developed a comprehensive package of guidance materials to help local governments accelerate the CEQA and administrative processes to expedite needed additional residential supply. The materials include user-friendly resources and toolkits to help local planning agency staff with day-to-day housing application processing and simplifying internal entitlement processes, such as expanding the use of ministerial approvals, to avoid delays and added expenses that can exacerbate the housing crisis.
Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties, California
SCAG Development Streamlining Guidance for Increasing Housing Supply
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Ascent prepared an EIR for the Floating Dry Dock Replacement and Waterfront Improvement Project, an expansive port facility adjacent to San Diego Bay. The project is designed to address existing deficiencies related to the age and condition of structures, shoreline sloughing, and outdated operational conditions at the existing dry dock at the Port of San Diego.
San Diego, California
NASSCO Floating Dry Dock Replacement and Waterfront Improvement Project EIR
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Cal Poly San Luis Obispo required a programmatic EIR for its 2035 Master Plan. Cal Poly retained Ascent’s assistance in 2022 following issuance of a Draft EIR for the Master Plan in 2017. Because of concerns raised by the City of San Luis Obispo about utility capacity and revisions to the Master Plan, Cal Poly sought to revise and reissue the Draft EIR. The Master Plan EIR was completed within 8 months and included extensive coordination with City staff.
San Luis Obispo, California
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2035 Master Plan EIR
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Planning and environmental review were coordinated for the stream restoration and public recreation project at Meeks Bay on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. Restoration of Meeks Creek will provide substantial water quality and habitat benefits. However, it will require the removal of the Meeks Marina and result in boating access loss. Alternative features include marina removal and Meeks Creek restoration, SR 89 bridge replacement, bicycle and pedestrian paths, improved vehicle circulation, parking, boat ramp, small marina and pier, and reconfigured campgrounds.
Lake Tahoe, California
Meeks Bay Restoration and Public Access Project EIS/EIS/EIR
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In response to the growing wildfire crisis, the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection initiated the new statewide California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP) to achieve fire fuel treatment of 250,000 acres per year in the State Responsibility Area. An innovative Program EIR and project streamlining strategy were prepared to substantially streamline implementation of later activities consistent with CalVTP strategies for fire fuel reduction, fuel break development, and ecological restoration.
Statewide, California
California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP) Program EIR
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AMBASSADORS

Chris Mundhenk
Principal | Environmental Practice Leader
(Northern California)

916.842.3161
Email

LinkedIn
MEET CHRIS

Chad Beckstrom AICP
Regional Services Leader
(Southern California)

949.569.9448
Email 

LinkedIn
MEET CHAD

Nanette Hansel
Principal
(Sierra Nevada)

775.473.9673
Email 

LinkedIn
MEET NANETTE
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS
  • California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
  • California Department of General Services
  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • California Air Resources Board
  • California State Lands Commission
  • University of California, Davis
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of California, Santa Cruz
  • California State University, San Jose
  • Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
  • Cal Poly Humboldt
  • California State Parks
  • Santa Clara Valley Open Space District
  • Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
  • East Bay Regional Park District
  • California Tahoe Conservancy
  • Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
  • Tahoe Resource Conservation District
  • Tahoe Transportation District
  • County of San Diego
  • County of Marin
  • County of Sacramento
  • County of Monterey
  • City of Sacramento
  • City of San Diego
  • Port of Long Beach
  • City of Sunnyvale
ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
New Information and Tools to Support CalVTP Implementation
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection announces the release of new tools for efficient California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP) implementation and Project-Specific Analysis (PSA) preparation.
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BAAQMD Releases Updated CEQA Guidelines to Assist Lead Agencies
On April 20, 2023, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) published updated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidance to assist lead agencies in evaluating air quality and climate impacts from proposed land use projects and plans (referred to as the 2022 CEQA Guidelines).
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A Collaborative Approach to Increasing Diversity in the Environmental and Planning Industry
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our workspaces has become an important core value embraced by many organizations in the planning and environmental industry.
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