Experience

Laurie Warner Herson studied Archaeology and Assyriology at the University of Arizona where, as an undergraduate, she participated in the Garbage Project, a study of contemporary garbage using archaeological methodology to examine patterns of consumption and waste. Her first professional position (1979-1982) was as an archaeologist for the Navajo Nation, conducting archaeological survey and excavation projects and training Navajo staff in archaeological field and laboratory methods. After relocating to California, she pursued a career as an environmental analyst, initially as a Sacramento County employee and subsequently with various consulting firms.

With over 30 years of experience, Laurie Warner Herson has managed environmental compliance efforts for water resources, transportation, planning, and infrastructure projects. Ms. Warner Herson is a CEQA/NEPA strategist, developing approaches for joint state and federal projects. She is also experienced in the requirements of the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, federal and state ESAs, Section 106, and other state, local and tribal regulations and ordinances. She specializes in directing the environmental documentation for large, multidisciplinary projects, as well as managing permitting and construction compliance activities. Key projects have included:

    • Salinas River Stream Maintenance Program EIR
    • Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydroelectric Project License Surrender Administrative Draft EIR
    • Bay Delta Conservation Plan EIR/EIS – QA and Reduced Water Supplies Appendix
    • CEQA peer review of water rights project EIRs for a confidential client in Kern County
    • Upper Yuba Levee Improvement Project EA/FONSI and IS/MND
    • Natomas Levee Improvement Program EIR and EIS QA
    • Mayhew Levee Repair Project EIR/EIS
    • Mayhew Drain Closure EA/IS
    • Truckee Meadows Flood Control Project EIS
    • San Joaquin River Restoration Program, 2011 Interim Flow EA
    • Execution of Two Warren Act Contracts To Westlands Water District And Westlands Water District Distribution District 1 EA
    • State Route 99 Manteca Widening Project EA/IS/MND
    • City of Hercules Intermodal Transit Project EIR/EIS
    • Caltrans Statewide On-call Contract for Biological Services
    • US 101 Widening Project, San Benito and Santa Clara Counties
    • EIR for the Port of Stockton’s Development Plan for Rough and Ready Island
    • Pechanga Resort and Casino Master Plan Environmental Study
    • Clarksburg Sugar Mill Specific Plan EIR
    • Baldwin Hallwood Mine Expansion EIR
    • Draft EIS/EIR for the Arroyo Pasajero Flood Damage Reduction Project
    • Lodi Gas Storage Project Construction Compliance
    • Williams Telecommunications Western Turbo Build – environmental documentation, permitting, and construction compliance for over 800-miles of fiber optic installation located between El Paso, Texas and San Diego, CA
    • State Route 99 Highway Improvement Project, Stockton EA/IS/MND
    • 5th Avenue Overhead Seismic Retrofit Project, Oakland Technical Studies
    • Interstate 5/Downing Avenue Interchange Improvement Project, Stockton EA/IS/MND
    • Meiss Road Bridge Removal EIR
    • Rio Linda and Elverta Community Plan Update EIR
    • East Antelope Specific Plan EIR
    • Laguna Creek Flood Management EIR
    • Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall (Big Pipe) Project
    • 1997 Cosumnes River Emergency Levee Repair Project

Ms. Warner Herson has worked with a number of federal and state lead, responsible and/or cooperating agencies, including:

    • Bureau of Indian Affairs
    • Bureau of Land Management
    • Bureau of Reclamation
    • Federal Highway Administration
    • Federal Transit Administration
    • International Boundary and Water Commission
    • Natural Resources Conservation Service
    • US Fish and Wildlife Service
    • US Army Corps of Engineers
    • Veterans Administration
    • Central Valley Flood Protection Board
    • California Department of Water Resources
    • California Public Utilities Commission
    • California State Lands Commission
    • California State Water Resources Control Board
    • Caltrans
    • Arizona State Lands Department

Key clients have also included:

    • Monterey County Water Resources Agency
    • Sacramento Area Council of Governments
    • Sacramento Regional Transit
    • North Kern Water Storage District
    • Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency
    • City of Stockton
    • San Joaquin Council of Governments
    • Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority
    • Pechanga Tribe
    • Port of Stockton
    • Sacramento County
    • Williams Communications Group