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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-21 PL-INT-2024-008056 Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC Category PL.5 DeVera, Ashley From: Katie Woodbury <kwoodbury@mauienvironmentalconsulting.com> Sent: Friday, June 21, 2024 1:33 PM To: Planning Internet Mail Cc: Michael Reyes Subject: Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC - County of Hawaii FY2024-2025 Prof Services Attachments: MEC_SOQ_PlanningDept..pdf Hi Zendo- Please see the attached submittal for procurement of Professional Services for the County of Hawaii Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Thank you, Katie Woodbury Ecologist Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC P.O. Box 790568 Paia, HI 96779 www.mauienvironmentalconsulting.com 808-866-6919 kwoodbury@mauienvironmentalconsulting.com 1 c LETTER OF INTEREST June 20th, 2024 To: Mr. Zendo Kern Planning Director, Planning Department County of Hawai`i From: Mr. Michael Reyes Principal and Senior Ecologist, Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC Re: Procurement of Professional Services for the County of Hawai`i for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 The undersigned is interested in providing professional services for the County of Hawai`i Planning Department for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (beginning July, 2024): Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC P.O. Box 790568 Paia, HI 96779 1-808-866-6919 www.mauienvironmentalconsulting.com Point of Contact: Michael Reyes mreyes@mauienvironmentalconsulting.com Affirmation Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC will assist the County of Hawai`i Planning Department with the following services: Botany (Botanical or Floral Survey) Community Planning (Environmental Planning, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statement) Wildlife Biology (Fauna Survey) tc l eyes Senior Ecologist/Principal Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC PO BOX 790568• Paia,HI, 96779 • (808)866-6919 www.mauienvironmentalconsulting.com STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR MAUI ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING, LLC June 20th, 2024 Presented for: Mr. Zendo Kern Planning Director Planning Department County of Hawai`i Presented by: :. ', ? If• la5171 L\7vIRONMENT:4L CON5T-T TING PO BOX 7905680 Paia, HI, 96779 • (808) 866-6919 , ,“. 1EC 1. Description of Firm and Experience Maui Environmental Consulting Group, LLC (MEC) is a full-service environmental consulting firm that was formed in 2014 by Michael Reyes as its Principal. With over 18 years of experience in environmental consulting, MEC has highly qualified scientists and professionals having obtained advanced degrees, professional certifications and project experience related to many aspects of upland, wetland and benthic ecology, wildlife surveys, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), as well as several types of ecological monitoring,permitting, and mitigation. MEC's comprehensive technical approach, in-depth understanding of natural resources and regulatory experience results in invaluable project solutions for our clients.MEC has experience in successfully addressing the complex environmental and regulatory challenges associated with water quality, utilities, agriculture, and municipal projects, as well as industrial,commercial,residential, and multi-use development. MEC offices are located at 270 Hookahi Street, Suite 301 in Wailuku, HI 96793. The mailing address is PO Box 790568, Paia HI, 96779. MEC consists of Michael Reyes and Katie Woodbury. We pride ourselves on having low overhead cost. This allows for competitive rates, and we strive to pass a significant cost savings back to our clients. In addition, we are a State of Hawaii DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. Michael Reyes is authorized to represent MEC. Michael can be reached at (808) 866-6919, by email (mreyes@mauienvironmentalconsulting.com) or at the address on this letterhead. Please review the enclosed resumes for Michael Reyes and Katie Woodbury. 2. Age of Firm and Experience Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC has been in operation since August 2014. Michael Reyes is a Senior Ecologist and Principal at MEC. Katie Woodbury is an Ecologist.Projects have included but are not limited to: • Emergency Watershed Protection Program (Ongoing) — Contractor and project management for the Natural Resources and Conservation Services emergency recovery program in response to August 2023 wildfires. • Watershed Management Plan Implementation(Ongoing)—Riparian rehabilitation,axis deer mitigation, and erosion prevention projects to improve watershed health and water quality throughout Maui. • Wetland Delineations and Ordinary High Water Mark Determinations throughout Hawai`i and American Samoa(Ongoing) • Maalaea Bay Watersheds Management Plan(Approved December 2023)-Development,Coordination, and Implementation(2023-Present) • Pohakea Watershed Plan(Approved January 2023)—Development,Coordination,and Implementation (2018-Present) • Southwest Maui Watershed Plan (Approved December 2019) — Development, Coordination, and Implementation (2016-Present) • Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project,Hawai'i County,Hawai`i (2015) PO BOX 790568•Paia,HI,96779 • (808)866-6919 2 1EC • United States Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineations and Permitting, Various Counties, HI. (2015-Present) • Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company,Inc.,numerous Department of Transportation roadway and bridge repair projects(2018-Present) • Kaheawa Wind Power I and II Habitat Conservation Plan General Ecological Services (2017-2018) • Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) Habitat Conservation Plan General Ecological Services (2014-2018) • Low Impact Design (LID) - Education and Outreach, Various Stakeholders in Maui County (2018- 2019) 3. Education, Training and Qualifications Michael Reyes has a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science and Policy as well as a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Florida. He is currently the Senior Ecologist and Principal at Maui Environmental Consulting,LLC. Michael Reyes' educational and professional experiences have provided him with an extensive background in several aspects of ecology,water quality,and GIS analysis.He has experience in environmental assessments,water quality evaluations, surface water monitoring, listed species surveys, and numerous wetland delineations/evaluations. Mike has been certified by the National Society for Wetland Scientists as a Professional Wetland Scientist(PWS#2303). A resume for Michael Reyes is included with this Statement of Qualifications(SOQ). Katie Woodbury has a Bachelor of Science from Belmont University. She is an Ecologist at Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC. She has experience in water quality monitoring, aquatic systems rehabilitation, wetland assessments, and wildlife ecology throughout Hawaii's ecosystems. Katie has conducted research investigating water quality and biodiversity and has volunteered on research teams studying fishery ecology in both Hawaii and the Gulf of Mexico. She is particularly interested in ecology and marine conservation.Katie is adept at grant and report writing, as well as data collection and analysis. She is proficient in Microsoft Office applications, field data collection, and reporting. A resume for Katie is included with this SOQ. 4. MEC Credentials and Abilities As mentioned above, Michael Reyes has been certified by the National Society for Wetland Scientists as a Professional Wetland Scientist(PWS#2303).MEC has worked with private entities and the United States Army Corps of Engineers on numerous Jurisdictional Determinations throughout the Hawaiian Islands. As a State of Hawaii DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise,MEC often teams with larger engineering and construction companies working on large scale Depaitnient of Transportation projects. These projects include listed species surveys, wetland delineations, Geographic Information System (GIS) data collection, ArcGIS geospatial mapping, and report writing. MEC has four-wheel drive vehicles with maximum insurance coverage. MEC also carries both General Liability and Errors and Omissions Insurance, has a certification of compliance with the Hawaii Department PO BOX 790568•Paia,HI,96779 • (808)866-6919 3 ,\, "MEC of Taxation,the United States Internal Revenue Service,the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. 5. Client Contacts 5,1 Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District Mae Nakahata 77 Ho`okele St. Kahului,Hawaii 96732 808-871-5500 ext. 3 mauiswcds@gmail.com 5,2 Westin Nanea Joice Castillo 45 Kai Malina Parkway Lahaina,HI 96761 808-662-6358 Joice.Castillo@vactationclub.com 5.3 Maui Nui Marine Resource Council Mike Fogarty PO Box 331204 Kahului,HI 96733 808-866-8563 mike@mauireefs.org 5.4 CDF Engineering,LLC Jake Freeman P.O. Box 2985 Wailuku,HI 96793 808-891-2400 Jake@cdfengineers.com 5.5 Haleakala Ranch Jordan Jokiel 529 Kealaloa Avenue Makawao,HI 96768 808-572-1500 j ordanj @haleakalaranch.com PO BOX 790568•Paia,HI,96779 • (808)866-6919 4 Michael J. Reyes, M.S., PWS .mEc Senior Ecologist/Principal Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC4ALILN„zRO,,G, 808-866-6919 mreyes@mauienvironmentalconsulting.com CONSULTING Experience Maui Environmental As the senior ecologist and principal owner of Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC Consulting,LLC (MEC),Michael Reyes'educational and professional experiences have provided him with Paia,Hawai`i an extensive background in several aspects of ecology and water quality. He has Principal/Senior Ecologist experience in environmental assessments, listed species surveys, Low Impact Design 2014-Present (LID), water quality evaluations, surface water monitoring, and numerous wetland Flatwoods Consulting Group, delineations/evaluations. Mike has been certified by the National Society for Wetland Inc.,Tampa,Florida Scientists as a Professional Wetland Scientist(PWS#2303). He is proficient in the use of Ecologist 2009-2014 Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technologies. Other areas of proficiency include watershed management plans and Expertise implementation, Microsoft Office applications, and water quality instruments including Wetland Delineation multi-parameter sampling units and turbidimeters. A short list of representative projects Natural Resource Management Michael has completed in his role as Senior Ecologist at MEC is provided below. Water Quality Assessment Project Senior Ecologist—Wetland Delineation Services,Various Counties,Hawaii Ecological Data Analysis Michael has delineated numerous wetlands throughout the State of Hawai`i. These Aquatic Systems Evaluation wetland delineations were conducted in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Wildlife Ecology Engineers(USACE) 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual and the 2012 Supplement for the Hawai`i and Pacific Islands Region. Within Maui County, these delineations were also Geographic Information conducted to adhere to Ordinance 5421.Wetlands observed in the field were marked with Systems(GIs) wetland flags used to depict wetland limits and were recorded using a global positioning Education system. This data was then used to create an ArcGIS map depicting the jurisdictional M.S.,Environmental Science limits of wetlands within the project boundary. Wetland Delineation reports were then and Policy,University of submitted to the USACE to receive formal Jurisdictional Determinations. South Florida,2012 B.S.,Biology,University of Project Manager—Pulehu and Olinda Fire Recovery Efforts,Maui County,Hawaii South Florida,2002 Working with the Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District(CMSWCD)and the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Michael is currently providing Certifications project coordination, contractor management, monitoring of work being implemented, Professional technical support and final reporting for both the Pulehu and Olinda Fire recovery efforts Wetland Scientist(PWS#2303) as outlined in the November 2023 Emergency Watershed Protection Plans (EWPP) provided by the Natural Resource Conservation Service. This 15 million dollar project Memberships&Affiliations addresses impacts from the August 2023 wildfires that burned thousands of acres on Leeward Haleakala. Malama Haleakala Foundation— Execut2023-give Director Senior Ecologist—Watershed Management Planning,Maui County,Hawaii 2023-present Michael has written the Southwest Maui Watershed Plan(approved in 2019),the Pohakea Na Kai`Ewalu Hawaiian Watershed Management Plan (approved in January 2023), and the Ma`alaea Bay Canoe Paddling Club— Watersheds Management Plan(approved in December 2023).With the goal of identifying Board of Directors sources of pollution and providing management recommendations to improve water Vice President quality, stakeholders within the community can now seek federal 319 grant funding to 2018-2022 combat pollution.Totaling 100,680 acres,all aquatic resources flowing from the southeast Hawai`i Association of peaks of Mauna Kahalawai and the southwest peaks of Haleakala to the shorelines Environmental Professionals stretching from Makena Beach to beyond McGregor's Point are now included in a (NAEP)Member since 2014 watershed management plan.These plans have been approved by the Hawai`i Department Maui Axis Deer Task Force of Health Clean Water Branch and by the United States Environmental Protection Watershed Representative Agency.This work included geospatially modeling pollutant load reduction estimates for each implementation project listed in the watershed plans,developing a robust monitoring and assessment plan to capture the effects of the watershed plan implementation projects, creating various ArcGIS maps, and developing a project timeline with milestones for determining project progression. Michael J. Reyes, PWS, M.S. Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC Principal/Senior Ecologist Senior Ecologist—Wetland Rapid Assessment Procedure,Maui County,Hawaii Michael developed and employed a Wetland Rapid Assessment Procedure(WRAP)to quickly assess historical,cultural and ecological indicators of wetland health along the Olowalu-Ukumehame-Papalaua wetland complex. The purpose of this report was to provide supporting ecological evidence and recommendations for wetland restoration with regards to the future relocation of the Honoapi`ilani Highway.This work was conducted at the request of The Nature Conservancy. Senior Ecologist—Wetland Delineations,American Samoa At the request of the American Samoa Government, Depatlment of Commerce, Michael has delineated wetlands occurring in numerous villages across the territory. The purpose of each site visit was to determine the jurisdictional limits of wetlands in accordance with the USACE 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual and the 2012 Supplement for the Hawai`i and Pacific Islands Region. American Samoa Coastal Management Program (ASCMP) personnel were also trained on the methods employed. Senior Ecologist—Keokea Gulch Riparian Rehabilitation Michael is currently utilizing R-1 wastewater from the Kihei Wastewater Treatment Facility to grow native plant species on seven acres just mauka of Piilani Highway in Kihei, HI. Plant species include aalii, ilima, uhaloa,miapilo, wiliwili, ohe makai,naio, alahe`e,koaia, `aweoweo, and koali. This project has several ecological benefits including the reuse of R-1 water that would normally be discarded via injection well, trapping soil and reducing erosion within the riparian corridor of Keokea Gulch, and establishing dryland native species on the leeward slopes of Haleakala. Senior Ecologist—Low Impact Design Education and Outreach Michael worked with the Hawai`i Depatlment of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources to build the technical capacity of Maui County stakeholders to implement LID and align incentives to encourage widespread adoption of LID best management practices (BMPs) across public and private landscapes. This is accomplished by training County employees in LID through their participation in training exercises,by designing incentives to integrate LID methodologies into County ordinances and watershed management planning efforts, and by working with private landowners,developers, and engineers on Maui to plan LID on their properties. Senior Ecologist-Honolua Bay/Lipoa Point Stormwater Management Plan,Maui County Hawaii Michael created a stormwater management plan for the State of Hawaii's newly acquired Honolua Bay /Lipoa Point lands located north of Kapalua in the West Maui Mountains. The purpose of this stormwater management plan was to identify and offer management strategies for the various stormwater related sources of erosion and sediment currently observed within the Honolua Bay / Lipoa Point project boundary. On-site review of observed indicators of erosion, sources of sediment,Department of Health Clean Water Branch(DOH CWB)water quality data,Geographic Information System (GIS) data, local community expert information, and historical literature for the project were reviewed in the preparation of the stormwater management plan. Project Ecologist-Habitat Conservation Plan Implementation,Maui County,Hawaii This Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) addresses anticipated impacts to state and federal threatened, endangered, and listed species from the construction of the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope(DKIST)at the Institute for Astronomy(IfA) Haleakala High Altitude Observatory(HO)on Maui,Hawai`i.In implementing this HCP,Michael collected and managed noise and vibration data from construction occurring in close proximity to Hawaiian Petrel habitat. He also monitored bird activity and behavior utilizing video surveillance technology. In addition, he deployed bird carcasses as part of a Searcher Efficiency trial(SEEF) and conducted Carcass Retention(CARE)trials. Senior Ecologist—Hawaiian Waterbird and other Listed Species Surveys Working for a major Hawaiian construction company,Michael was asked to assess the potential occurrence of Hawaiian waterbird species on the Department of Transportation Opaeka`a Bridge Rebuild Project on the island of Kauai. The purpose of this survey was to identify the presence and relative abundance of Hawaiian waterbird species associated with the project location and surrounding habitat.A summary report from these surveys was prepared for submittal to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. PO BOX 790568•Paia,HI,96779 •(808)866-6919 Page 2 of 2 Katie B. Woodbury, B.S. Ecologist Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC 808-866-6919 kwoodbury@mauienvironmentalconsulting.com Experience As an Ecologist with Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC (MEC), Katie has experience in Maui Environmental water quality testing,aquatic systems rehabilitation,wetland assessments,and wildlife ecology Consulting,LLC throughout Hawai`i's ecosystems. Katie has conducted research investigating water quality Paia,HI and biodiversity and has volunteered on research teams studying fishery ecology in the Gulf Ecologist of Mexico. She is particularly interested in ecology and marine conservation.As an Ecologist 2021-Present at MEC,Katie has delineated wetlands and worked to restore riparian corridors. She has also conducted listed species surveys and conducted water quality sampling for clients. She is 808 Gymnastics proficient in Microsoft Office applications,grant writing,field data collection,monitoring,and Kahului,HI reporting.Below is a list of projects Katie has worked on at MEC. Team Coach 2020-Present Ecologist—Watershed Management Planning Watershed management plays an important role maintaining and improving water quality from Redline Rafting, mauka to makai. A watershed management plan identifies threats and problems to water Kihei,HI resources within a specific watershed area and provides strategies for addressing and managing First Mate and Naturalist those issues. Approved in 2023, both the Pohakea Watershed Management Plan and the 2018-2021 Ma`alaea Bay Watersheds Management Plan were written to address land-based sources of pollution discharging into Ma`alaea Bay. Katie played an integral role in the production of Education these Plans. B.S.,Biology,Minor in Environmental Science Ecologist—Wetland Delineations throughout the Pacific Belmont University,2015 Katie has delineated wetlands on Maui,Molokai,Kauai,Big Island and in American Samoa. The wetland delineations were conducted in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual and the 2012 Supplement for the CertificationsHawaii and Pacific Islands Region. Wetland boundaries were flagged and recorded using a A-Z Grant Writing,Hawaii global positioning system. The data collected in the field was used to construct reports that Community College were submitted to the USACE to receive formal Jurisdictional Determinations. Open Water Diver,PADI Ecologist—Plant and Wildlife Surveys To determine the presence of plant and animal species protected by state and federal laws, CPR and First Aid,Divers Katie has conducted listed species surveys and assessments as required by regulatory agencies. Alert Network Appropriate methodologies were used to assess for the presence of listed species and their habitats. Detailed reports that included avoidance recommendations and mitigation strategies were produced. Ecologist—Red Hill Drinking Water Quality Sampling In November of 2021,a fuel leak at the Red Hill Navy storage facility contaminated the drinking water supply and displaced thousands of residents at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam military base on Oahu, HI. MEC was contracted to sample the drinking water at residential homes within the affected area.Katie conducted drinking water quality sampling in accordance with methodologies provided by the State of Hawai`i Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency.Results were used to determine whether contaminants remained in the plumbing systems of residential homes. Ecologist—Keokea Gulch Riparian Rehabilitation Katie has worked to rehabilitate the riparian corridor of Keokea Gulch in Kihei,HI. So far 7.4 acres have been fenced off and protected from feral ungulates and approximately 3,000 native plants have been planted along the stream banks.R-1 wastewater is being utilized as irrigation,preventing the injection of wastewater into the ocean and enabling vegetative ground cover to be re-established to reduce erosion. Katie has installed irrigation, planted native vegetation, and has played a vital role in the continued monitoring and reporting of this project. Ecologist—Underground Injection Control Water Quality Monitoring Katie works with a GOLD New Construction Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED)certified resort in West Maui to conduct water quality sampling in accordance with the Hawaii Department of Health Safe Drinking Water Branch permitting program.The resort uses geothermal heat rejection to provide cool air conditioning throughout the 393-villa resort. This saves thousands of gallons of water daily and replaces the need for chillers and cooling towers that would otherwise emit harmful greenhouse gases and are among the top consumers of water and electricity at resorts. PO BOX 790568•Paia,HI,96779 •(808)866-6919