Regulatory Compliance

WZI actively participates in public outreach efforts and have assisted numerous agencies to organize and implement outreach efforts. Additionally, WZI has worked closely with industry groups and public sector groups to successfully present jointly sponsored outreach. WZI actively participates in the policy development process both in public hearings and in smaller group oriented negotiations. Although not lobbyists, WZI does believe in presenting a balanced technical perspective to policy makers.

Kern Economic Development Corporation, Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, Kern Environmental Education Program, Vision 2020.

WZI has prepared a wide range of environmental documents under CEQA and NEPA guidelines. WZI has the experience and expertise to prepare Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Impact Reports, Environmental Assessments and other land use documents for complex or controversial projects. WZI assists in identifying project impacts and in developing design measures to mitigate those impacts. WZI works closely with the lead agency and stakeholders to provide a well-documented analysis that addresses the key project impacts. WZI is experienced in presenting project environmental impacts at public hearings and in assuring project compliance with national and state regulatory guidelines.

WZI has supported lead agencies and written Environmental Impact Reports as well as performed critical studies on:

• Mining operations
• Agricultural operations, including dairies
• Road projects
• Residential projects, and
• Commercial projects.

WZI has proven experience and capability to perform studies of the following Environmental Factors:

• Aesthetics
• Agricultural Resources
• Air Quality
• Biological Resources
• Cultural Resources
• Geology / Soils
• Hazards and Hazardous Materials
• Hydrology / Water Quality
• Land Use / Planning
• Mineral Resources
• Noise
• Population / Housing / Environmental Justice / Relocation Impact Analysis
• Public Services
• Recreation
• Transportation and Traffic, and
• Utilities and Service Systems.

Professional services in hazards and liability assessment addresses a matrix of compliance issues and technologies but is an important business-planning tool. These services include site assessments, contamination evaluation, remediation and mitigation planning, and audits/reviews.

WZI develops document databases as needed for clients to assist in audit implementation. From the audit results, recommendations are developed to address environmental compliance management.

WZI has expertise in air quality management in California that is recognized statewide. The 1990 amendments to the California Clean Air Act and the Federal Clean Air Act have created a new cycle of regulatory activity, and a multitude of additional measures are now required to achieve ambient air quality standards. Air quality management services at WZI include permit acquisition, emissions tracking, air quality modeling/impact assessment, air toxics compliance and long range strategic planning.

WZI has experience working with Air Pollution Control Districts throughout California, including South Coast Air Quality Management District, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Ventura, Santa Barbara and the new San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District. WZI has worked extensively with the California Air Resources Board as well as obtaining Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Typical permit acquisition tasks consist of the preparation of applications for Authorities to Construct and Permits to Operate, including the necessary engineering analyses. WZI works on behalf of its clients to expedite the review process and insure that the appropriate emissions profile is utilized. WZI also analyzes economic impacts and technological feasibility, control techniques, and Best Available Control Technology/Lowest Achievable Emission Rate determinations.

WZI develops facility specific emissions tracking systems which are designed to manage the dynamic nature of the dataset. Air emissions inventory and tracking systems monitor permit status, permitted/unpermitted stationary equipment inventory, mobile equipment inventory, significant fugitive source inventory, and emissions documents database. WZI will manage the database or train the client in the use of the tracking system.

WZI utilizes air dispersion models in the assessment of the cumulative environmental impacts for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents. WZI has experience in priority pollutant modeling for housing developments as well as industrial projects. Included in our modeling capabilities are PSD, New Source Review (NSR) requirements, ISCST, CAMEO, Dense Gas Releases, transportation source modeling and reactive plume modeling. WZI works with the regulatory agencies involved in the selection process of the most acceptable model.

WZI prepares Toxic Emission Inventory Plans, Toxic Emission Inventory Reports and Health Risk Assessments pursuant to the requirements of the California Toxic Hot Spots Regulations. WZI assists its clients with test protocol development, toxic emissions tracking and risk communications to affected employees and the public. Complimenting these services, WZI performs dispersion modeling including ground level concentrations and particulate deposition rates.

New regulatory measures have broad implications. Corporations must monitor public policy, anticipate inevitable change and devise preventive strategies to preserve options for future growth. Environmental activities and facility operations must be integrated. WZI works with clients in long-range business planning as well as impact assessment, nonattainment policy analyses, emissions trading and compliance audits.

WZI offers professional services to enable clients to comply with the Federal Clean Water Act. California's regulations also protect future beneficial uses of water in the state, which means more stringent compliance requirements. WZI professionals include registered geologists and engineers with extensive experience in California's hydrogeologic setting as well as the legal framework, which determines water use in the state.

WZI prepares compliance documents and technical support studies to assess water quality status. WZI is properly trained and experienced in the implementation of these plans. This includes groundwater monitoring plans, waste management plans, wastewater disposal feasibility studies and permitting, surface impoundment permitting and abandonment. All of these documents are frequently components of Waste Discharge Requirements issued in California. The Industrial Storm Water Permit program requires extensive monitoring and record keeping. WZI has the expertise which is necessary for compliance documentation for this program.

The Federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA Title III) and the California Health and Safety Code require preparation of detailed documents to protect the public and the environment caused by releases, fires or explosions of certain chemicals known as Acutely Hazardous Materials (AHMs). WZI has extensive experience in the negotiation process with the RMP administering agencies, which are usually the city or county fire departments and/or health department.

Waste disposal/recycling alternatives determination requires the integration of innovative technology and accurate interpretation of regulations. WZI excels in this approach to problem solving. Disposal alternatives in California are limited and strictly regulated. Alternatives include land disposal in permitted facilities, chemical fixation and deep well injection of liquids. Recycling alternatives are not always defined and usually are developed from the broad understanding of industry which WZI has from the variety of clients they serve and from the range of experience of the professional staff.