2017 TxDOT Environmental Conference September 12 14, 2017

Transcription

1 2017 TxDOT Environmental Conference September 12 14, 2017 Omni Austin Hotel Southpark 4140 Governor s Row Austin, Texas 78744

2 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. REGISTRATION DESK OPEN 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Exhibit Area 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. EXHIBITS OPEN Foyer 9:00 a.m. 10:20 a.m. GENERAL SESSION Omni Ballroom 10:20 a.m. 10:35 a.m. BREAK Exhibit Area 10:35 a.m. 11:30 a.m. GENERAL SESSION Omni Ballroom 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. LUNCH On Your Own 1:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m. GENERAL SESSION Omni Ballroom 2:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. BREAK Exhibit Area 3:00 p.m. 4:20 p.m. GENERAL SESSION Omni Ballroom 4:20 p.m. 5:00 p.m. TxDOT ONLY/TOWN HALL MEETING Omni Ballroom 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. EXHIBITS/RECEPTION Exhibit Area WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. REGISTRATION DESK OPEN 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Exhibit Area 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. EXHIBITS OPEN Foyer 9:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ROOM The Oaks 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 1 4 Session 1 Omni AB Session 3 Omni D Session 2 Omni C Session 4 Omni EF 10:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m. Break Exhibit Area 10:45 a.m. Noon Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 5 8 Session 5 Omni AB Session 7 Omni C Session 6 Omni D Session 8 Omni EF Noon 1:30 p.m. Lunch On Your Own 1:30 p.m. 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 9 12 Session 9 Omni AB Session 11 Omni D Session 10 Omni C Session 12 Omni EF 2:45 p.m. 3:15 p.m. Break Exhibit Area 3:15 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions: Session 13 Omni C Session 15 Omni EF Session 14 Omni AB Session 16 Omni D THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 8:00 a.m. Noon REGISTRATION DESK OPEN 8:00 a.m. Noon EXHIBITS OPEN Foyer 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Exhibit Area 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Workshop/Training Sessions: 1 4 Session 1 Omni AB Session 3 Omni D Session 2 Omni C Session 4 Omni EF 10:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m. Break Exhibit Area 10:45 a.m. Noon Workshop/Training Sessions: 1 4 (continued) Session 1 Omni AB Session 3 Omni D Session 2 Omni C Session 4 Omni EF Noon 1:30 p.m. Lunch On Your Own 1:30 p.m. 2:45 p.m. Workshop/Training Sessions: 1 (continued) and 5 Session 1 Omni AB Session 5 Omni C 2:45 p.m. 3:15 p.m. Break Exhibit Area 3:15 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Workshop/Training Sessions: 1 and 5 (continued) SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE Session 1 Omni AB Session 5 Omni C Save the Date: September 11 13, 2018 Omni Dallas Hotel Park West 2018 TxDOT Environmental Conference TxDOT Environmental Conference 3

3 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. REGISTRATION DESK OPEN 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (Exhibit Area) 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. EXHIBITS OPEN (Foyer) 9:00 a.m. 10:20 a.m. GENERAL SESSION (Omni Ballroom) 10:20 a.m. 10:35 a.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area) Moderator: Carlos Swonke, Division Director, TxDOT ENV Welcome Remarks Lauren Garduño, P.E., TxDOT Director of Project Planning and Development Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) and the Texas Automated Vehicle Proving Ground Partnership Dr. Christopher Poe, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Texas was recently designated by the USDOT as a national automated vehicle proving ground. Dr. Poe will discuss the current connected and automated transportation sector. He will also describe the winning Texas proposal that consists of Texas A&M University, the University of Texas, the Southwest Research Institute and a network of five urban test bed sites supported by 32 public agencies. Autonomous Vehicles: Implications for Environmental Planning Dr. Kara Kockelman, University of Texas at Austin Self-driving cars and trucks will make motorized travel easier, further congesting our roadways and adding to Texas emissions inventories. But car-sharing systems, electric vehicles, ridesharing en route, and other opportunities exist for moderating those impacts. Dr. Kockelman will discuss her research team s results in these CAV areas. Implementation of the FAST Act Environmental Provisions Owen Lindauer, Federal Highway Administration Changes affecting Section 106 and Section 4(f), linking planning and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), categorical exclusions (CEs), and EIS projects that trigger the environmental review process. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 (Continued) 10:35 a.m. 11:30 a.m. GENERAL SESSION (Omni Ballroom) 85th (2017) State Legislature Changes Affecting TxDOT s Environmental Program Patrick Lee, TxDOT ENV A short presentation about two changes made by the Texas Legislature in The changes affect which types of projects will require a public hearing, and the advance acquisition of right of way prior to environmental clearance. SH 45SW/Mopac Intersections Lawsuit Panel Discussion Doug Booher, Co-deputy Director, TxDOT ENV Alan M. Glen, Nossaman, LLP 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. LUNCH (On Your Own) Ken Ramirez, J.D., Law Office of Kenneth Ramirez This presentation will discuss the impetus for and implications of recently issued TxDOT guidance regarding when a previously cleared project may be re-evaluated, versus when a new environmental review should be conducted. 1:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m. GENERAL SESSION (Omni Ballroom) Beyond the Road: TxDOT s Environmental Outreach Campaign Laura Cruzada, TxDOT ENV Since 1917, the highway department has built roads shaped around the state's scenic splendor and cultural heritage. Today, the Environmental Affairs Division helps care for the state s natural and cultural resources in tandem with this vision. Thanks to TxDOT s archeologists, historians and environmental scientists, there may be a hidden story about Texas beyond the road that is ripe for discovery. Go beyond the road with TxDOT to see how its outreach efforts tell a unique story about the state to engage people in the transportation planning process. Heritage Preservation and Innovative Outreach in Downtown Houston: Archeological Studies Along the Elysian Project Corridor Jason Barrett, TxDOT ENV Learn how TxDOT is working with the Houston Archeological Society to discover and record Houston s 19th century heritage. Environmental Achievement Award Finalists Doug Booher TxDOT Environmental Conference 5

4 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 (Continued) 2:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area) 3:00 p.m. 4:20 p.m. GENERAL SESSION (Omni Ballroom) Navigating Section 106 and Section 4(f) Compliance: Rough Waters Ahead? Terry Klein, SRI Foundation Working on the front line of national efforts to respond to increased pressures to speed up project delivery and reduce project costs, Terry Klein is nationally recognized as an expert in DOT project planning for cultural resource issues. He will report on strategies at the state DOT level to address these goals while continuing good stewardship for of cultural heritage using better project planning tools, early engagement of stakeholders, and programmatic approaches to problematic cultural resources. Re-evaluations: How Old Is Too Old? Doug Booher This presentation will discuss recently issued TxDOT guidance regarding when a previously cleared project may be re-evaluated, versus when a new environmental review should be conducted. NEPA Assignment: What Have We Learned? Carlos Swonke A brief update on NEPA assignment and our progress over the last year. 4:20 p.m. 5:00 p.m. TXDOT ONLY/TOWN HALL MEETING (Omni Ballroom) 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. EXHIBITS/RECEPTION (Exhibit Area) WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. REGISTRATION DESK OPEN 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (Exhibit Area) 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. EXHIBITS OPEN (Foyer) 9:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ROOM (The Oaks) 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 1 4 BREAKOUT 1: Public Involvement: Updates and Additional Statutory Requirements (Omni AB) Anita Bradley The latest public involvement updates and additional state statutory requirements will be discussed. BREAKOUT 2: Birds of a Feather: Migratory Bird Lessons Learned (Omni C) Jodi Bechtel, Robin Gelston, Mike Rhodes, Christine Bergren, and Diana Griffith Natural resources staff will provide a brief overview of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and district staff will share case studies and lessons learned across the state related to managing bird issues for transportation projects. BREAKOUT 3: Public Writing for Cultural Resources, Part 1 (Omni D) Erin McClelland and Rebekah Dobrasko Designed for historical and archeological consultants, this twopart training session will give the basics of writing for the public. TxDOT plans multiple public-facing history and archeology projects in the future. Learn how to tell stories based on historic places, how to develop an interpretive theme, and picture-taking tips and tricks. The session will incorporate exercises and examples based on historic places and transportation history. Note that only a 10-minute break will be provided between sessions in order to keep the workshop on track. BREAKOUT 4: Everything Is Awesome! Tips for Improving Human Environment (HE) Work Products (Omni EF) Jackie Ploch, Tim Wood, Ray Umscheid, Nicolle Kord and Brandy Huston HE staff will present self-assessment findings, tips to reduce findings, and planned updates to air, noise, community impacts, indirect and cumulative impacts, and climate change tools. A Q&A follows the presentation. The audience is encouraged to ask questions or provide suggestions for HE tools to further expedite project development TxDOT Environmental Conference 7

5 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 (Continued) WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 (Continued) 10:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area) Noon 1:30 p.m. LUNCH (On Your Own) 10:45 a.m. Noon CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 5 8 BREAKOUT 5: Water, Water, Everywhere (Omni AB) Don Weise and Jason Kord The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer will present on transportation project considerations for Real Estate Actions and Section 408. TxDOT will present a GIS exercise that evaluated stream and wetland mitigation options and where mitigation banks are available or if there is a lack of options raising critical challenges. Additionally, two web applications will be shown to help with identifying mitigation banks and other resources. Also, if time permits, a streamlined Natural Diversity Database tool will be demonstrated. BREAKOUT 6: Public Writing for Cultural Resources, Part 2 (Omni D) Erin McClelland and Rebekah Dobrasko Designed for historical and archeological consultants, this twopart training session will give the basics of writing for the public. TxDOT plans multiple public-facing history and archeology projects in the future. Learn how to tell stories based on historic places, how to develop an interpretive theme, and picture-taking tips and tricks. The session will incorporate exercises and examples based on historic places and transportation history. Note that only a 10-minute break will be provided between sessions in order to keep the workshop on track. BREAKOUT 7: Developing a Good Purpose and Need/Independent Utility and Segmentation, and Connected Actions (Omni C) Lisa Mitchell and Patrick Lee This session will explain how to draft a concise purpose and need statement, which is an essential component of environmental documentation. Also covered is how to explain a transportation project's logical termini and independent utility, to demonstrate that a project is not improperly segmented. BREAKOUT 8: Section 4(f) and Chapter 26 (Omni EF) Michelle Lueck and Renee Benn A review of the Section 4(f) and Chapter 26 procedures for historic resources, publicly owned parks, recreational areas, wildlife or waterfowl refuges. Information and tips on determining the appropriate 4(f) documentation and coordination requirements. 1:30 p.m. 2:45 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 9 12 BREAKOUT 9: Progress and Preservation: Working with Native American Tribes on Federal Projects, Part 1 (Omni AB) Laura Cruzada and Tribal Representatives This session will focus on government-to-government consultation and tribal perspectives on natural and cultural resources. This session will offer a unique opportunity to discuss the principles of consultation, when to consult, and how it can impact project delivery. BREAKOUT 10: Consultants, Districts and ENV: Document Production for Complex Projects (Omni C) Mike Chavez This session will cover best management practices for complex/ high-profile projects (D-list CEs, EAs, and EISs), current guidance, mandatory and supplementary documentation, and how to file pertinent documentation. BREAKOUT 11: Effective Public Involvement Through Collaboration with Consultants (Omni D) Julie Jerome, Kim Johnson, Shannon McCord and Ruben Landa True collaboration among the district, consultant and Transportation Planning and Programming Division s Public Involvement Section can make a dramatic difference in the effectiveness of a project s public involvement effort. A strategy for innovation plus the supporting tactics and techniques make up the roadmap to implementing TxDOT s public involvement policy to encourage broad participation reflective of the needs of the state s population. BREAKOUT 12: Maintaining Project Consistency, Part 1 (Omni EF) Bryan Ellis and Michelle Conkle 2:45 p.m. 3:15 p.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area) A discussion of the importance of consistent plans, programs and investment decisions related to performance-based planning and programming under the FAST Act TxDOT Environmental Conference 9

6 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 (Continued) 3:15 p.m. 4:30 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: BREAKOUT 13: Developing a Good Purpose and Need/Independent Utility and Segmentation, and Connected Actions, (Repeat) (Omni C) Lisa Mitchell and Patrick Lee This session will explain how to draft a concise purpose and need statement, which is an essential component of environmental documentation. Also covered is how to explain a transportation project's logical termini and independent utility, to demonstrate that a project is not improperly segmented. BREAKOUT 14: Progress and Preservation: Working with Native American Tribes on Federal Projects, Part 2 (Omni AB) Laura Cruzada and Tribal Representatives This session will cover the topic of historic properties, traditional cultural properties (TCPs) and cultural landscapes/viewscapes. Offers a better understanding of what TCPs are and the importance of integrating tribes as stakeholders early in the planning process to reduce impacts to project delivery. BREAKOUT 15: Maintaining Project Consistency, Part 2 (Omni EF) Bryan Ellis and Michelle Conkle This session will cover how ENV determines that a project meets the planning consistency requirements. This session will define the methods ENV uses to indicate that a project is planning consistent and ready to receive environmental clearance. BREAKOUT 16: SM Wright Project: Translating Hazmat Impacts into Construction Solutions (Omni D) Douglass Mack This session will review a construction project in the Dallas District with multiple complex contamination issues that were successfully mitigated during construction as a result of early planning and coordination. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 8:00 a.m. Noon REGISTRATION DESK OPEN 8:00 a.m. Noon EXHIBITS OPEN (Foyer) 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (Exhibit Area) 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. WORKSHOP/TRAINING SESSIONS: 1 4 WORKSHOP/TRAINING 1: Successfully Navigating Section 106 and Section 4(f) for Local Project Sponsors (Omni AB) SRI Foundation This updated version of FHWA s introductory course (ENV 117) targets the basics of avoiding pitfalls in completing cultural resource coordination. The training is highly interactive, built on actual TxDOT case studies, and pays special attention to the challenges of local government sponsored projects. Instructor Terry Klein is nationally recognized as an expert in DOT project planning for cultural resource issues. The intended audience includes new district environmental staff, local government project managers and the consultants who work for them. WORKSHOP/TRAINING 2: MS4 Coordinators Preparing the MS4 Annual Report and Program Updates and Announcements (Omni C) Adrienne Boer This training session will include an introduction to the MS4 permit reporting requirements, discussion of the annual report, and discussion of how each district s MS4 coordinator can complete the annual report template. MS4 program updates and upcoming plans will also be included in this training. WORKSHOP/TRAINING 3: Hazardous Materials Initial Site Assessment Training (Omni D) Douglass Mack and Terry Dempsey This workshop will review the Hazardous Materials Management (HMM) process as it relates to NEPA and will cover the recent changes to the Initial Site Assessment (ISA) document. WORKSHOP/TRAINING 4: ENV 125: Traffic Noise Basics (Omni EF) Ray Umscheid This course is tailored to district staff with no noise experience to enable them to have a basic understanding of acoustics and the noise analysis process TxDOT Environmental Conference 10:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area) 11

7 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 (Continued) NOTES 10:45 a.m. Noon WORKSHOP/TRAINING SESSIONS: 1 4 (Continued) Noon 1:30 p.m. WORKSHOP/TRAINING 1: Successfully Navigating Section 106 and Section 4(f) for Local Project Sponsors (Omni AB) Continued from this morning. WORKSHOP/TRAINING 2: MS4 Coordinators Preparing the MS4 Annual Report and Program Updates and Announcements (Omni C) Continued from this morning. WORKSHOP/TRAINING 3: Hazardous Materials Initial Site Assessment Training (Omni D) Continued from this morning. WORKSHOP/TRAINING 4: ENV 125: Traffic Noise Basics (Omni EF) Continued from this morning. LUNCH (On Your Own) 1:30 p.m. 2:45 p.m. WORKSHOP/TRAINING SESSIONS: 1 (Continued) and 5 WORKSHOP/TRAINING 1: Successfully Navigating Section 106 and Section 4(f) for Local Project Sponsors (Omni AB) Continued from this morning. WORKSHOP/TRAINING 5: Indirect and Cumulative Impacts (ICI) Workshop (Omni C) Nicolle Kord and Brandy Huston 2:45 p.m. 3:15 p.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area) The Subject Matter Experts will address some common issues with indirect and cumulative impacts analysis such as encroachment alteration effects, changes to access and travel patterns, and more. The SMEs will also introduce an upcoming resource to assist with ICI analysis in the Edwards Aquifer area. 3:15 p.m. 4:30 p.m. WORKSHOP/TRAINING SESSIONS: 1 and 5 (Continued) WORKSHOP/TRAINING 1: Successfully Navigating Section 106 and Section 4(f) for Local Project Sponsors (Omni AB) Continued from this afternoon TxDOT Environmental Conference WORKSHOP/TRAINING 5: Indirect and Cumulative Impacts (ICI) Workshop (Omni C) Stump the experts! Come ready with your questions on indirect and cumulative analysis. 13

8 NOTES CONFERENCE SPEAKERS TxDOT Environmental Conference Jason Barrett Jason Barrett received a doctorate from Texas A&M University in 2004 and has been an archeologist with ENV since His archeological experience includes complex regulatory and research-based projects in Texas, Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, American Samoa and New England. Barrett is a past director of the Texas Archeological Society s Annual Field School and serves as professional advisor to the Houston Archeological Society. He has taught courses in archeology and cultural anthropology at Texas A&M University, Baylor University, Rice University and Blinn College, and has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and technical reports. Christine Bergren Christine Bergren currently serves as the TxDOT Houston District environmental supervisor. Prior to joining TxDOT 3 years ago, she served in multiple positions over a 20-year career at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), including management and leadership positions in the Waste Permits Division and Air Investigations Field Operations Divisions. She graduated from Texas State University with a BA in environmental resource management and also completed the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs Senior Management Development Program. Jodi Bechtel Jodi Bechtel is the Section Director of Natural Resource Management in TxDOT s Environmental Affairs Division. Jodi has over 20 years of natural resource experience working for local government, consulting and nonprofit organizations. She holds a bachelor of arts in anthropology and a master of public administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Renee Benn Renee Benn joined TxDOT in November 2005 and currently serves as a historian for ENV, specializing in historic roads. Her TxDOT experience includes working for 23 of the 25 TxDOT districts, and assisting with complex projects including numerous 4(f) evaluations for historic bridges and properties. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a BS in social science and MS in historic preservation. Adrienne Boer Adrienne Boer, CFM, CPESC, PMP, manages the Operations Compliance Branch. She has 25 years of experience in water quality analysis and planning, stormwater permitting, and project and program management. She received her master s degree in environmental resource management from Texas State University and her bachelor s degree in environmental science from Concordia University. Doug Booher Doug Booher is the Deputy Director of TxDOT s Environmental Affairs Division. Anita Bradley Anita Bradley is a project manager with the Project Delivery Section of ENV. She has over 20 years of environmental policy expertise working as senior policy advisor to the Committee on Energy and Commerce for the U.S. House of Representatives, and in the private sector, before coming to TxDOT. She holds a bachelor of science in chemistry from the University of South Florida. 15

9 CONFERENCE SPEAKERS CONFERENCE SPEAKERS Mike Chavez Mike Chavez has served as a project delivery manager at TxDOT-ENV for the last 4 years and has 19 years of experience in cultural resource management and NEPA document preparation and review. He holds a BA in anthropology and master of applied geography with emphasis in environmental resource studies. Michelle Conkle Michelle Conkle has 31 years of experience in the transportation field and currently serves as the Statewide Planning/Programming Branch Manager for TxDOT s Transportation Planning Programming Division. She received her BS in history from the University of Texas at Austin and a BS in political science from St. Edward s University. She also received a master s degree in geography with a concentration in planning/ land management from Texas State University. Laura Cruzada Laura Cruzada is a public involvement specialist for TxDOT ENV s Cultural Resources Management Section. She is responsible for programmatic outreach and consultation for the archeology and history programs, bridging a gap between what people know about TxDOT and how they can get involved in the historic preservation process. She brings communications expertise from a 10-year career in public health where she worked on awardwinning national public health campaigns. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. Terry Dempsey Terry Dempsey, PG, is an Environmental Specialist in ENV s Pollution Prevention and Abatement Section. He has been helping to address TxDOT s hazardous materials contamination and waste issues since joining ENV in He has a BS in geology and an MS in natural sciences from Stephen F. Austin State University. Rebekah Dobrasko Rebekah Dobrasko joined TxDOT in 2013 and serves as a historic preservation specialist and lead historian. She is currently project managing the public education efforts on Texas post-world- War-II historic bridges. She holds a master s degree in public history from the University of South Carolina and an undergraduate history degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. Prior to her position with TxDOT, she worked at the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office in Columbia, SC, for 10 years. During that time, she served as the supervisor for compliance, tax incentives and survey, as well as the state tax credit program coordinator. Bryan Ellis Bryan Ellis came to work at TxDOT in 1999 as the Environmental Coordinator of the Yoakum District and is currently serving as the Strategic Planning Coordinator for the ENV Affairs Division. He received his BS in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University in He is the proud father of two current Aggies. Lauren Garduño, PE Lauren Garduño serves as the Director of Project Planning and Development with 30 years experience at TxDOT. His varied background at TxDOT provides for an excellent perspective on the needs of field staff and how the support services improve operations and efficiencies statewide. Robin Gelston Robin Gelston has served as the TxDOT Pharr District Environmental Coordinator since 2010, and has been with TxDOT since She earned a BS in biology from the University of California, San Diego, and an MS in environmental science from the University of Texas, Dallas. She has over 30 years of experience at the USEPA and the private sector working on hazardous material superfund sites, wetland delineations, permitting, mitigation, community impact analysis, and natural resource analysis and consultation. Diana Griffith Diana Griffith joined TxDOT in September 2013 and currently serves as the Environmental Coordinator for the Beaumont District. Prior to TxDOT, she worked for the Department of Homeland Security, clearing projects under NEPA for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, FHWA, and FEMA. She graduated in 2006 from Lamar University in Beaumont with a BS in environmental science with a study emphasis in limnology. Brandy Huston Brandy Huston works on community, indirect, cumulative and noise issues in TxDOT ENV. She worked in the Bryan District as an environmental specialist before joining ENV in She has a Bachelor s of environmental design and a master of urban planning, both from Texas A&M University. Julie Jerome Julie Jerome is a regional analyst in the Public Involvement Section of the Transportation Planning and Programming Division. Working with the seven districts in West Texas, she supports and guides public involvement efforts throughout the life of projects. Prior to joining TxDOT in 2013, she enjoyed 14 years in school district communications. She has a bachelor s degree in journalism and economics from the University of North Texas. Kim Johnson Kim Johnson was previously employed for 4 years in the Environmental Affairs Division of TxDOT and has over 25 years experience in NEPA and public involvement. For the past 16 years she has been a senior project manager for Blanton & Associates, specializing in managing TxDOT and transportation projects throughout the state. Terry Klein Terry Klein from the SRI Foundation is a nationally recognized expert on the successful integration of Section 106 and Section 4(f) issues into the NEPA process to streamline project delivery goals. He works closely with national organizations such as the Transportation Research Board and DOTs across the nation, and is intimately familiar with the TxDOT planning process. As a result, he offers a distinctive national perspective. Kara Kockelman Dr. Kockelman holds a PhD, MS, and BS in civil engineering, a master of city planning, and a minor in economics from the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Kockelman is a recognized expert on the subjects of automated and shared-automated vehicle use, transport emissions and economics, travel demand forecasting, urban planning, and land use modeling. She is well known for her work holistically characterizing the benefits, costs and use opportunities of autonomous and electric vehicles, and forecasting the nation s vehicle-fleet evolution. She received UC Berkeley s University Medal, a Google Award, MIT Tech Review s Top 100 Innovators Award, among other awards. Jason Kord Jason Kord is the GIS Coordinator for ENV and has been at TxDOT for 5 years. He has 24 years of experience with GIS. Nicolle Kord Nicolle Kord is an Environmental Specialist at ENV. She serves as a subject matter expert in community impacts, indirect impacts and cumulative impacts. She has been with TxDOT for 5 years. Prior to this, she worked as a NEPA specialist for the Colorado DOT. She has a BS in rangeland management and ecology from Texas A&M University TxDOT Environmental Conference 17

10 CONFERENCE SPEAKERS CONFERENCE SPEAKERS Ruben Landa Ruben Landa is an experienced and accomplished leader in the architecture, engineering and construction industry. He has more than 17 years of experience in the development and implementation of strategic public involvement and communications programs on many high-profile legacy projects in Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston. He is currently the senior communications manager for the Texas and Mountain Region for WSP USA, Inc. He actively serves as first vice president for the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) North Texas Chapter, vice chairman of the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association (RHCA), and a board member for the Greater Dallas Planning Council (GDPC). Patrick Lee Patrick Lee is an Environmental Specialist with TxDOT s Environmental Affairs Division. Owen Lindauer Owen Lindauer is the Federal Highway Administration s Chief Archeologist and possesses a PhD, MA, and BA in the field of anthropology with a specialization in archeology. With more than 30 years of experience developing and publishing archeological research, he is an expert in the Section 106 process and in conducting tribal consultation. He came to HEPE eleven years ago and has worked preparing and providing guidance on environmental regulation for categorical exclusions, Section 4(f), streamlining through programmatic approaches, and NEPA assumption. He has extensive NEPA and project development experience, working at DOTs in Arizona and Texas, as well as in HEPE. Michelle Lueck Michelle Lueck is a Project Delivery Manager in TxDOT s Environmental Affairs Division and has been with TxDOT for 17 years. She holds a BA in anthropology from Texas A&M University. Douglass Mack Douglass Mack has been with TxDOT 20 years, working in the Hazardous Materials Section in the Environmental Affairs Division. He received his BS in environmental studies from Texas State in Erin McClelland Erin McClelland is Founder and Principal of Erin McClelland Museum Services, a full-service firm providing interpretation and exhibition development services in Austin, TX. She earned her master degree in American studies from the University of Texas at Austin, where she concentrated on heritage tourism and cultural landscapes. Today she assists museums and historic sites of all sizes, with interpreting their collections, landscapes, and stories for the public. In recent years, she has worked with the Texas Historical Commission, National Park Service and Bullock Texas State History Museum. Shannon McCord Shannon McCord is the Public Involvement Director for HNTB s North Texas offices. She has more than 20 years of public involvement, communications and marketing experience. She leads a team responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive communication strategies that help advance clients efforts to engage the public. She has worked on a wide range of transportation projects for TxDOT as well as with other agencies and DOTs in the region. She has a BA in journalism from Oklahoma State University, an MBA in marketing, and an MLA in mass communications, both from Oklahoma City University, and is IAP2 certified. Lisa Mitchell Lisa Mitchell has nearly 20 years of environmental law experience. She has worked as a Project Manager for of ENV s Strategic Projects since Before joining TxDOT, Lisa represented TxDOT for ten years in federal environmental litigation as an Assistant Attorney General with Texas Attorney General s Office. Lisa has been an adjunct faculty member for UT School of Law and Austin Community College. Lisa earned a BA in Journalism from Texas A&M, a JD from South Texas College of Law, and a LLM in Environmental and Natural Resource Law from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College. Jackie Ploch Jackie Ploch has been with TxDOT for 11 years. She is currently the Human Environment work leader. Her environmental career spans more than 30 years in both public and private sectors. Jackie is a member of National Academies Transportation and Air Quality Committee. She received her BA in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master s in Public Administration from Texas State University. Christopher Poe Dr. Christopher Poe is the Assistant Director at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute for Connected and Automated Transportation Strategy. He is leading connected and automated vehicle, intelligent transportation system, and transportation operations research projects for sponsors nationally. Dr. Poe is currently involved in the Texas Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds Partnership, I-35 Connected Work Zone deployment, and truck platooning research. Dr. Poe received his BS and ME degrees from Texas A&M University and his PhD from The Pennsylvania State University, all in Civil Engineering. Dr. Poe is a licensed engineer in the State of Texas. Mike Rhodes Michael Rhodes has been with TxDOT 24 years, currently serving as the Environmental Coordinator of the Waco District. He received his BS in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas A&M in He is the proud father of four children. Carlos Swonke Carlos Swonke is the Director of the Environmental Affairs Division at TxDOT, a position he has held since Carlos has 30 years of environmental/nepa experience. Ray Umscheid Ray Umscheid has been TxDOT s noise specialist at ENV for 6 years, and he has a total of 12 years experience performing noise analyses for transportation projects. He is on the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) panels and Don Weise Don Weise is the Natural Resources Manager in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Regional Environmental Planning Center, Fort Worth, TX, responsible for preparation of Lake Master Plans. Previous to this position, he served as a natural resources manager, park ranger, forester, and lake manager in the USACE Fort Worth District. He has a BS in Forestry from Stephen F. Austin State University. Tim Wood Tim Wood joined TxDOT in November 2010 and currently serves as the Air Quality Specialist for ENV. Prior to TxDOT, he worked for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in the Air Quality Section and, before that, the Leaking Petroleum Storage Tank Section. He graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio with a BS in environmental science. TXDT TxDOT Environmental Conference 19

11 Thanks to our exhibitors: PROJECT TRACKER