Land Taken into Trust for Upper Lake Tribe

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Region, accepted a parcel of land in Lake County, CA into trust today for the Habematolel Pomo Indian Tribe of the Upper Lake Rancheria. The Tribe proposes to construct a 76,000 square-foot casino and hotel on the site. AES completed the NEPA Environmental Assessment for the project. NEPA documentation for the project can be viewed at www.upperlakeea.com.

Cooley Ranch (Klein Foods, Inc.) Water Rights Approved

The California Water Resources Control Board issued a Division Decision on August 8, 2008 approving three water right applications and issuing permits for the Cooley Ranch project. AES prepared the California Environmental Quality Act documentation and other supporting environmental studies for the project, including applications for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit and California Department of Fish and Game Streambed Alteration Agreement. The project site is located in Sonoma County, CA, five miles west of Cloverdale. The State Board approved the diversion of 226 acre-feet of water per year from unnamed streams tributary to Lake Sonoma to storage in five proposed reservoirs, for use on a 280 acre proposed vineyard.

AES is a proud sponser of the 2009 CA Native Plant Society Conservation Conference

The California Native Plant Society is thankful to AES for sponsoring the Valley Oaks CNPS 2009 Conservation Conference. More information can be found by visiting the CNPS web site.

California Native Plant Socienty:

http://www.cnps.org/cnps/conservation/conference/2009/sponsors.php

Estate of Frank Teixeira Water Right Approved

The California Water Resources Control Board issued an order on June 27, 2008 approving a water right permit for the Estate of Frank Teixeira. AES prepared the California Environmental Quality Act documentation and other supporting environmental studies for the project. The project includes the annual diversion of 164 acre-feet of water to storage from an Unnamed Stream tributary to the Petaluma River thence the San Pablo Bay in Sonoma County, CA. Water would be used for stockwatering up to 1,000 head of dairy cattle and potentially for the irrigation and frost protection of up to 300 acres of proposed vineyard.

Canebrake Vineyard Water Right Approved

The California Water Resources Control Board issued an order on June 18, 2008 approving a water right permit for the Canebrake Vineyard. AES prepared the California Environmental Quality Act documentation and other supporting environmental studies for the project. The 46 acre project site is located in Mendocino County, CA, two miles west of Redwood Valley. The State Board approved the diversion of 10 acre-feet per year of water from Forsythe Creek, a tributary to the Russian River, for use on an existing 25 acre vineyard on the property.

Peter Bontadelli is Welcomed to Yolo Basin Foundation Board of Directors

YBF is pleased to welcome Pete Bontadelli, Dominic DiMare, and Chad Meyer to the Yolo Basin Foundation Board of Directors. All three will serve on the fund development committee.

Pete Bontadelli is a Project Director and Manager at Analytical Environmental Services (AES) in Sacramento. Prior to joining AES, Pete worked as Director and Deputy Director of California Department of Fish and Game (DFG). He negotiated the statute that created the Office of Spill Prevention and Response and served as the founding administrator. The first acquisitions for the current Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area occurred during Pete's tenure as Director of DFG. He is a graduate of UC Davis.

Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Water Right Approved

The California Water Resources Control Board today issued an order approving an amended water right permit for the Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. AES prepared the California Environmental Quality Act documentation and other supporting environmental studies for the project. The 175 acre vineyard is located in Sonoma County, within the Petaluma River watershed.

River City Run 2008

AES sponsored the 4th annual River City Run on June 1, 2008. Located at the Waterfront Park in Old Sacramento the event showcased community organizations, municipal programs, and local businesses that support sustainable development in the Sacramento region. The River City Run raises funds for the Sacramento Sustainable Grant Program which bestows multiple grants annually to local sustainable living projects. AES staff that participated in the event include: Doug Edwards, Krystel Bell, Ryan Lee, Charlotte Marks, Emily Reeves, and Pete Connelly.

More information about the River City Run can be found at www.rivercityrun.org

Federal Court of Appeals Upholds Gun Lake Casino NEPA Document Prepared by AES.

The United States Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit issued an opinion today upholding the NEPA Environmental Assessment prepared by AES for the Gun Lake Casino. The 200,000 square foot casino, to be located in Allegan County, Michigan, would accommodate approximately 8,500 visitors per day. Contrary to the allegations by the appellant, the court found that the EA properly addressed traffic impacts, and that an EA, as opposed to an EIS, was the appropriate environmental document in this case to support a Finding of No Significant Impact by the Department of The Interior.

Swallow Nesting Structure Nears Completion

In cooperation with Thunder Valley Casino management and architects, AES has been working to provide alternative nesting sites for thousands of cliff swallows in western Placer County. The 40-foot tall stucture built on the edge of the casino parking lot is designed to provide an attractive alternative to nesting on the casino.

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Elk Valley Rancheria Land Taken Into Trust

On March 18, 2008, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs accepted the 203-acre Elk Valley Rancheria Martin Ranch property in trust for a casino. The Martin Ranch property is located one (1) mile from the Tribe’s Rancheria boundaries in Crescent City, CA.

AES prepared the Environmental Impact Statement for the project. Casino construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2008.

AES Selected As Approved Environmental Consultant For Placer County

The County of Placer has for a second time named AES as a “qualified consultant” to perform environmental consulting work in Placer County. Work may include Environmental Impact Reports for proposed developments in the County, and other similar tasks. The County’s consultant list is valid for 3 years. AES has successfully completed several environmental reviews in Placer County; including the Sunset-Athens Connector Road EIR and the Thunder Valley Casino Expansion TEIR

AES Certified as Small Business

AES has recently been certified as a California Small Business. This certification will allow AES to provide services on projects that use California-based small businesses. AES has an in-house technical staff of approximately 35 professionals specializing in a wide range of disciplines, including air quality, biology, toxicology, hydrology, geological resources, cultural resources, socioeconomics, and land use planning, as well as preparation of CEQA/NEPA documents and environmental permits.

For more information please contact AES at (916) 447-3479.