Environmental Policy Analysis
Overview
EI has years of experience interpreting, analyzing and implementing laws from all jurisdictional levels. As a result, EI offers unique talents and perspectives to clients seeking environmental compliance. EI has consulted on legislation addressing a wide variety of environmental issues, including natural resources, toxic substances, human health and environmental health.
EI has provided practical and effective regulatory advice to clients in Washington on the Growth Management Act, Shoreline Management Act, Model Toxics Control Act, State Environmental Policy Act and other state environmental laws. In addition, EI has experience with similar laws in California, Oregon, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina. Drawing on years of federal regulatory and enforcement experience, EI's regulatory specialists have an outstanding grasp of the regulatory landscape under a wide variety of federal environmental statues--the Oil Pollution Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Resource Conservation Recovery Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, National Forest Management Act and others. EI can help your business create and implement strategic and tactical approaches to cost-effective compliance with law and manage areas of potential compliance concern.
Regulatory Analysis for Government With an Eye Toward Public-Private Partnerships
With our extensive knowledge of the interplay between state and federal environmental statutes, EI has helped determine the impacts of proposed state and federal regulations on various sectors using benefit-cost analysis, regulatory impact analysis and other methods. Among other projects in this area, EI has directed ISO 14001 studies for EPA and has analyzed the risks and opportunities of new Green Permit Programs.
EI strives to work toward sustainability through a focus on public-private partnerships and economic drivers that benefit both the environment and private enterprise.
If you would like to discuss how EI can assist you regarding regulatory strategies or policy analysis, please contact us at (206) 525-3362, or email us at staff@eiltd.net.
Example Projects
Land Use Designation and Recommended Designation Strategy
Kitsap County
EI reviewed and analyzed Washington State's Growth Management Act (GMA) statutes, GMA case law, stakeholder comments, and criteria and techniques utilized in the designation of forest lands of long-term commercial significance by seven counties in Washington State. EI conducted two public hearings and responded to questions and comments. The analysis included evaluating both the county's interpretations of the GMA criteria and other techniques that the counties have developed. Some of the criteria included forest land grades in consideration of growing capacity, productivity and soil composition; availability of public services and facilities conducive to conversion of forest land; proximity of the land to urban, suburban and rural settlements; size of the parcel or block; compatibility and intensity of adjacent and nearby land uses; and settlement patterns, including issues related to density allowances.
Washington Water Quality Standards Analysis
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation
In support of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), EI analyzed amendments to Washington's Water Quality Standards under the Clean Water Act. EI assisted the CTUIR in identifying issues of concern to the tribe and developing comments to the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) on the proposed amendments. Key issues included the State's approach to persistent bioaccumulative toxins, the temperature and dissolved oxygen criteria, and use designations in the Walla Walla River. EI staff attended meetings with Ecology representatives and assisted in presenting the tribe's position on the proposed amendments. EI provided the CTUIR a technical memorandum summarizing the meeting and Ecology's responses to tribal concerns.
TESTIMONIALS
“EI's ability to coordinate among our partners in the cooperative process is impressive … EI has shown tremendous ability to ensure open channels of communication with us, with our partners and with those on the other side of the table. Even when negotiations have gotten particularly difficult, EI has demonstrated a sense of ethics and diplomacy, all the while ensuring that the Tribe's voice is heard. “
-Delores Pigsley
Tribal Council Chairman
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
TESTIMONIALS
"I want to commend the performance of EI and, in particular, Valerie Lee in the community involvement and communication effort associated with development of the Kalispel Tribe's EMS...This project is setting a precedent by developing an ISO 14001 compliant EMS to ensure that environmental issues receive the amount of attention that the Tribe, as a steward of the environment, believes they deserve."
-Scott Hall
Kalispel Tribe of Indians
TESTIMONIALS
"We would like to commend EI for your creative and thorough approach to address these issues of concern to the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council (CIRCAC), stakeholders, and the public-at-large ... CIRCACV was very impressed by EI's exceptional understating of State and Federal law, through research, perceptive analysis, and their ability to work effectively with various stakeholders. "
- Rory Dabney
Program Coordinator
CIRCAC
TESTIMONIALS
“ Dr. Bridgen obviously has a great deal of EMS implementation experience, which gives her a wealth of examples to broaden and deepen the understanding of the principles and techniques that we are now incorporating at our facilities.“
- Laura Halterman
Department of Veterans Affairs
TESTIMONIALS
“The Siletz Tribe appreciates the work you have done to provide information on the state of the Portland Harbor Superfund Site and the effect of pollutants on tribal members who consume fish from the Willamette River."
- Brenda Bremner
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
TESTIMONIALS
"Throughout the two-year process of developing the rule [under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act], Dr. Bridgen was able not only to juggle the many tasks involved, and to produce high quality products on time, but to offer good alternatives for approaching problems encountered in the course of the project. Her involvement enabled the Agency to develop a good rule, within the time and budget allotted."
-Christine Augustyniak
Deputy Director
Environmental Assistance Division
US EPA
TESTIMONIALS
"I was impressed with the efficiency of the audit team members, who worked closely together to interview personnel in various positions …covering many environmental areas including the hazardous waste facility. The Team's ISO 14001 knowledge was extensive. The recommendations you provided in the audit report have helped ISC Kodiak further develop their EMS and improve their EMS implementation Process."
- Sunsan L. Boyle
Lead Environmental Specialist
US Coast Guard
TESTIMONIALS
"The Siletz Tribe appreciates the work you have done to provide information on the state of the Portland Harbor Superfund Site and the effect of pollutants on tribal members who consume fish from the Willamette River."
- Brenda Bremner
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
TESTIMONIALS
“I want to commend you and EI for your facilitation. The results of the facilitation were exceptional, with all parties leaving the table happy, surprised, and incredulous at how you got the group to come to consensus over issues on which we had been stuck for a long time.
- Jon Gornick
US Army Corps of Engineers
TESTIMONIALS
"I was impressed with the efficiency of the audit team members, who worked closely together to interview personnel in various positions …covering many environmental areas including the hazardous waste facility. The Team's ISO 14001 knowledge was extensive. The recommendations you provided in the audit report have helped ISC Kodiak further develop their EMS and improve their EMS implementation Process."
- Sunsan L. Boyle
Lead Environmental Specialist
US Coast Guard
TESTIMONIALS
The Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council was very impressed by EI's exceptional understanding of State and Federal law, through research, perceptive analysis, and their ability to work effectively with various stakeholders.
- Rory Dabney
Program Coordinator
CIRCAC
TESTIMONIALS
“I have been consistently impressed by the high quality of the written work your office produces, as well as the remarkable breadth and depth of technical know-how you and your team have. I have been extremely satisfied with EI's ability to produce high-quality work while staying on time and on or under budget."
- Cathy Hendrickson
Georgetown Crime Prevention & Community Council
TESTIMONIALS
"Attendees appreciated the opportunity to interact, communicate and relate their experiences and issues with one another. We were very successful in establishing a springboard for further interaction and resolution to the many issues facing the Native American communities …"
- Douglas W. Grosse
National Risk Management Research Labratory
US EPA
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