The Industrial Environmental Association (IEA) and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association (CMTA) will host their 2019 Annual Environmental Conference at the San Diego Convention Center October 1st and 2nd. The conference will bring together about 500 attendees from various professions such as environmental, health and safety experts; NGO representatives; environmental engineers from public and private sectors; environmental consultants and attorneys; government affairs representatives and DoD. David Renfrew, Vice President of Water Resources will be presenting on the Industrial Stormwater Permit. Lisa Kay, President of Alta|NV5 will be moderating a panel discussion.

There is a great need in every government institution and community to implement many programs and projects with limited financial resources. In this environment, tribes, local governments, utilities and agricultural organizations need to operate as efficiently as possible, as well as pursue all appropriate sources of additional funding. Often these organizations lack the personnel to research and prepare grant applications.

At Alta, we support our clients to leverage their funds through grant initiatives that increase access to additional funds. We assist them in identifying, writing and applying to the suitable grant program.

Grace McNamee is from the greater Atlanta area. She is currently utilizing CAD software to design figures for different clients at various job sites. She has been helping enter data into the SMARTs system and compiling data for reports for our Water Resources team. In one of her projects she was responsible for calculating maximum wave height in an evaporation pond. She enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of that project and was able to use the skills she has acquired in my engineering courses. Grace has also enjoyed going into the field with Alta environmental professionals. Her goal is excellent service to the Alta team and our clients.

​South Coast Air Quality Management (SCAQMD) District Rule 1403 sets forth regulations related to the removal and disposal of asbestos for demolition and renovation activities, as well as operations of building owners (both commercial and residential, with some exceptions for residences).

SCAQMD is poised to release a new version of this Rule following a considerable effort to get a better understanding of the challenges facing the renovation and demolition industries. This included multiple public workshops with various stakeholders and a public meeting. Members of the Alta Environmental Building Science team participated in these public workshops.

By your Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors at Alta Environmental|NV5
David Renfrew, Vice President, Water Resources Director

California businesses and municipalities need to be aware of Senate Bill 205 (Hertzberg). The bill was introduced on February 04, 2019 and is currently going through the review/amendment process. This 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 this bill is to capture many of the non-filer businesses who are currently operating without IGP coverage.

Alta Environmental is constantly thriving to promote youth engagement and diversity initiatives throughout Southern California. Alta most recently was a sponsor for the first scholarships and awards gala for the Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects-California Chapter (AAAEA-CA), which took place Thursday, June 6 at The Prado in Balboa Park. Alta’s Director of Business Development, Dr. Ghina Yamout, currently serves as the California chapter president for the association. The event featured outstanding panelists lead by Alta President Lisa Kay; Lisa is the chair of Public Policy Committee for the San Diego County Regional Chamber of Commerce and a member of the board. The panel covered transportation infrastructure outlook for San Diego County with Hasan Ikhrata, Executive Director of SANDAG, Dennis Probst, Vice President of Development for the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority; and Cid Tesoro, Vice President of Infrastructure for the San Diego Unified Port District. The event was topped with the award of two scholarships to highly achieving candidates attending San Diego four-year engineering programs, totaling over 80 scholarships over AAAEA-CA’s ten years. AAAEA is a professional association that provides a forum for idea exchange and collaboration across the transects of the engineering, architecture, and information technology professionals, by providing career and educational enhancement programs, technical exchange forums, internship and scholarship opportunities, and community service.

By Karl Jerome Bacho, from Healthcare Facilities Today on hazardous waste management practices

​Due to the wide variety of hazardous chemicals and materials stored and handled at healthcare facilities, hazardous waste accumulation has grown year to year. Regulating agencies, such as California EPA’s Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPA), have recently shifted focus towards hazardous waste management during their annual inspection.

As a result, there has been an increase in violations given to healthcare facilities for unknowingly being out of compliance. Therefore, it is important for all healthcare personnel who handle hazardous chemicals or materials to be made aware of these improper practices and be trained accordingly. A few common examples are provided below: