As we continue to navigate the unprecedented events surrounding COVID-19, we have focused our attention on the health and wellbeing of our employees and their families, while continuing to deliver on the commitments that we have made to our clients. We have implemented proactive steps to mitigate the risk of exposure for our workforce and the communities we serve and to meet recommendations made by federal, state, and local jurisdictions. As a result, many of our employees are now working remotely, and we have made investments in our systems to continue delivering service and technical capabilities with minimal interruption.

​NV5 | Alta Environmental (an NV5 Company) won a Project Merit award for their Smart Watershed network system (ALTA MS4-FSTM). This innovative technology was designed to help clients meet MS4 NPDES permit compliance requirements. The deployment of this technology increases efficiency by bridging the gap from the field to connect clients with real-time data.  To read more information on this cutting-edge technology, our website has more details for your reading pleasure. 

​The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) plans to update its asbestos regulation (Rule 1403), although it is delayed indefinitely. While the much-needed revisions are stalled, recent developments have potentially far-reaching impacts to those falling within the SCAQMD jurisdiction.

The most significant development is related to the presence of asbestos in asphalt. More specifically, it is described as “asphalt street materials.” Within the SCAQMD jurisdiction, it is now a requirement to sample asphaltic street materials before disturbance. This will likely have a substantial impact on the utility sector who often service lines beneath the asphalt. The other sector which will be squarely impacted is the construction sector, especially those conducting street repairs and infrastructure upgrades.

The echoes of people singing “rain, rain, go away, come again another day” during our Thanksgiving and the winter holidays has long faded. Following the wet start to our “rainy season,” 2020 has started out exceptionally dry. Southern California tends to get a significant amount of our winter rain totals during the months of January and February. Without any major storm events expected for the remainder of February, many locations throughout Southern California will be nearing the driest combined January and February on record. As shown in the map below, the percent of average precipitation for the last 30 days shows California and the Southwest are well below average. And the following table prepared by the Los Angeles office of the National Weather Service shows the meager 2020 rainfall totals for stations throughout Southern California.

By your Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors at Alta Environmental|NV5 David Renfrew, Vice President, Water Resources Director 01/24/2020
 
​California businesses and municipalities need to be aware of Senate Bill 205 (Hertzberg). The bill was signed into law on October 2, 2019. The bill requires businesses applying for or renewing their businesses licenses to provide their Standard Industrial Classification Code (SIC), and if required, show proof of enrollment in California’s Industrial General Stormwater Permit (IGP)¹. The purpose of the bill is to capture many of the non-filer businesses who are currently operating without IGP coverage, which is a violation of the Clean Water Act, and is also an unfair business practice.

On Saturday January 25th, Chris Waller of Alta|NV5 will be participating in a panel discussion on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, at the Southwestern Chapter of American Associate of Airport Executives’ Airport Attorney Workshop in Monterey, CA. Mr. Waller will be joined on the panel by Sarah Johnson of California Strategies, LLC and Lori Ballance of Gatzke, Dillon & Balance, LLP. The discussion will provide background on PFAS, how PFAS are released into the environment, recent regulatory developments regarding PFAS, and special considerations for airports and other facilities that may be required to investigate for the existence of PFAS. Although the presentation is geared towards airports, PFAS is an emerging chemical of concern for a large range of industries, municipalities, and drinking water providers.