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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDS.4-MAUI ENV. CONSULTING LLC PO BOX 790568 Paia, HI, 96779  (808) 866-6919 www.mauienvironmentalconsulting.com LETTER OF INTEREST June 20th, 2024 To: Mr. Robert Ewbank Director of Information Technology County of Hawaiʻi From: Mr. Michael Reyes Principal and Senior Ecologist, Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC Re: Procurement of Professional Services for the County of Hawaiʻi for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 The undersigned is interested in providing professional services for the County of Hawaiʻi, Office of Sustainability, Climate Change, Equity, and Resilience 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 Hawaiʻi, Director of Information Technology with Computer Engineering (GIS Mapping/Programming Services). Michael Reyes Senior Ecologist/Principal Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR MAUI ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING, LLC June 20th, 2024 Presented for: Mr. Robert Ewbank Director of Information Technology County of Hawaiʻi Presented by: PO BOX 790568 Paia, HI, 96779  (808) 866-6919 PO BOX 790568 Paia, HI, 96779  (808) 866-6919 2 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 Hawaiʻi 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, Hawaiʻi (2015) PO BOX 790568 Paia, HI, 96779  (808) 866-6919 3 • 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 Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems. Katie has conducted research investigating water quality and biodiversity and has volunteered on research teams studying fishery ecology in both Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, MEC often teams with larger engineering and construction companies working on large scale Department 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 Hawaiʻi Department PO BOX 790568 Paia, HI, 96779  (808) 866-6919 4 of Taxation, the United States Internal Revenue Service, the Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and the Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. 5. Client Contacts Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District Mae Nakahata 77 Hoʻokele St. Kahului, Hawaii 96732 808-871-5500 ext. 3 mauiswcds@gmail.com Westin Nanea Joice Castillo 45 Kai Malina Parkway Lahaina, HI 96761 808-662-6358 Joice.Castillo@vactationclub.com Maui Nui Marine Resource Council Mike Fogarty PO Box 331204 Kahului, HI 96733 808-866-8563 mike@mauireefs.org CDF Engineering, LLC Jake Freeman P.O. Box 2985 Wailuku, HI 96793 808-891-2400 Jake@cdfengineers.com Haleakala Ranch Jordan Jokiel 529 Kealaloa Avenue Makawao, HI 96768 808-572-1500 jordanj@haleakalaranch.com Michael J. Reyes, M.S., PWS Senior Ecologist/Principal Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC 808-866-6919 mreyes@mauienvironmentalconsulting.com As the senior ecologist and principal owner of Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC (MEC), Michael Reyes’ educational and professional experiences have provided him with an extensive background in several aspects of ecology and water quality. He has experience in environmental assessments, listed species surveys, Low Impact Design (LID), water quality evaluations, surface water monitoring, and numerous wetland delineations/evaluations. Mike has been certified by the National Society for Wetland Scientists as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS#2303). He is proficient in the use of Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technologies. Other areas of proficiency include watershed management plans and implementation, Microsoft Office applications, and water quality instruments including multi-parameter sampling units and turbidimeters. A short list of representative projects Michael has completed in his role as Senior Ecologist at MEC is provided below. Project Senior Ecologist – Wetland Delineation Services, Various Counties, Hawaiʻi Michael has delineated numerous wetlands throughout the State of Hawaiʻi. These 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 Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands Region. Within Maui County, these delineations were also conducted to adhere to Ordinance 5421. Wetlands observed in the field were marked with wetland flags used to depict wetland limits and were recorded using a global positioning system. This data was then used to create an ArcGIS map depicting the jurisdictional limits of wetlands within the project boundary. Wetland Delineation reports were then submitted to the USACE to receive formal Jurisdictional Determinations. Project Manager – Pulehu and Olinda Fire Recovery Efforts, Maui County, Hawaiʻi Working with the Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District (CMSWCD) and the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Michael is currently providing project coordination, contractor management, monitoring of work being implemented, technical support and final reporting for both the Pulehu and Olinda Fire recovery efforts as outlined in the November 2023 Emergency Watershed Protection Plans (EWPP) provided by the Natural Resource Conservation Service. This 15 million dollar project addresses impacts from the August 2023 wildfires that burned thousands of acres on Leeward Haleakala. Senior Ecologist – Watershed Management Planning, Maui County, Hawaiʻi Michael has written the Southwest Maui Watershed Plan (approved in 2019), the Pōhākea Watershed Management Plan (approved in January 2023), and the Māʻalaea Bay Watersheds Management Plan (approved in December 2023). With the goal of identifying sources of pollution and providing management recommendations to improve water quality, stakeholders within the community can now seek federal 319 grant funding to combat pollution. Totaling 100,680 acres, all aquatic resources flowing from the southeast peaks of Mauna Kahālāwai and the southwest peaks of Haleakalā to the shorelines stretching from Mākena Beach to beyond McGregor’s Point are now included in a watershed management plan. These plans have been approved by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch and by the United States Environmental Protection 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. Experience Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC Paia, Hawaiʻi Principal/Senior Ecologist 2014-Present Flatwoods Consulting Group, Inc., Tampa, Florida Ecologist 2009-2014 Expertise Wetland Delineation Natural Resource Management Water Quality Assessment Ecological Data Analysis Aquatic Systems Evaluation Wildlife Ecology Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Education M.S., Environmental Science and Policy, University of South Florida, 2012 B.S., Biology, University of South Florida, 2002 Certifications Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS#2303) Memberships & Affiliations Mālama Haleakalā Foundation – Executive Director 2023-present Nā Kai ʻEwalu Hawaiian Canoe Paddling Club – Board of Directors Vice President 2018-2022 Hawaiʻi Association of Environmental Professionals (HAEP) Member since 2014 Maui Axis Deer Task Force Watershed Representative Michael J. Reyes, PWS, M.S. Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC Principal/Senior Ecologist PO BOX 790568 Paia, HI, 96779  (808) 866-6919 Page 2 of 2 Senior Ecologist – Wetland Rapid Assessment Procedure, Maui County, Hawaiʻi 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 Honoapiʻilani 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, Department 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 Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands Region. American Samoa Coastal Management Program (ASCMP) personnel were also trained on the methods employed. Senior Ecologist – Kēōkea 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, alaheʻe, koaia, ʻāweoweo, 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 Kēōkea Gulch, and establishing dryland native species on the leeward slopes of Haleakala. Senior Ecologist – Low Impact Design Education and Outreach Michael worked with the Hawaiʻi Department 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 Hawaiʻi 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, Hawaiʻi 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) Haleakalā 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 Opaekaʻa 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 Katie B. Woodbury, B.S. Ecologist Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC 808-866-6919 kwoodbury@mauienvironmentalconsulting.com As an Ecologist with Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC (MEC), Katie has experience in water quality testing, aquatic systems rehabilitation, wetland assessments, and wildlife ecology throughout Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems. Katie has conducted research investigating water quality and biodiversity and has volunteered on research teams studying fishery ecology in the Gulf of Mexico. She is particularly interested in ecology and marine conservation. As an Ecologist 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 proficient in Microsoft Office applications, grant writing, field data collection, monitoring, and reporting. Below is a list of projects Katie has worked on at MEC. Ecologist – Watershed Management Planning Watershed management plays an important role maintaining and improving water quality from mauka to makai. A watershed management plan identifies threats and problems to water resources within a specific watershed area and provides strategies for addressing and managing those issues. Approved in 2023, both the Pōhākea Watershed Management Plan and the Māʻalaea Bay Watersheds Management Plan were written to address land-based sources of pollution discharging into Māʻalaea Bay. Katie played an integral role in the production of these Plans. Ecologist – Wetland Delineations throughout the Pacific Katie has delineated wetlands on Maui, Molokaʻi, 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 Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands Region. Wetland boundaries were flagged and recorded using a global positioning system. The data collected in the field was used to construct reports that were submitted to the USACE to receive formal Jurisdictional Determinations. Ecologist – Plant and Wildlife Surveys To determine the presence of plant and animal species protected by state and federal laws, Katie has conducted listed species surveys and assessments as required by regulatory agencies. 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 Hawaiʻi Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency. Results were used to determine whether contaminants remained in the plumbing systems of residential homes. Ecologist – Kēōkea Gulch Riparian Rehabilitation Katie has worked to rehabilitate the riparian corridor of Kēōkea Gulch in Kīhei, 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 Hawaiʻi 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. Experience Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC Paia, HI Ecologist 2021-Present 808 Gymnastics Kahului, HI Team Coach 2020-Present Redline Rafting, Kihei, HI First Mate and Naturalist 2018-2021 Education B.S., Biology, Minor in Environmental Science Belmont University, 2015 Certifications A-Z Grant Writing, Hawaiʻi Community College Open Water Diver, PADI CPR and First Aid, Divers Alert Network