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Brad Haeger

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Brad Haeger
Senior Scientist

Brad Haeger

Senior Scientist (831) 594-7788 Santa Cruz, CA bhaeger@integral-corp.com

Mr. Brad Haeger is a senior scientist with 23 years of experience specializing in project management, stormwater monitoring, sediment investigations, analytical data management, quality assurance, and reporting. As project manager for several California municipal projects, he plays a key role in program coordination, data collection, data analysis, and reporting. His ability to manage complex field logistics, coordinate among stakeholders, and translate field data into actionable reporting helps agencies meet both short-term regulatory needs and long-term water and sediment quality goals. His familiarity with storm-triggered sampling protocols, telemetry systems, and best management practice (BMP) performance evaluation strengthens his ability to deliver reliable, timely data to clients and regulators.

He configures custom instrumentation for sophisticated remote monitoring and sampling stations, trains field crews in all aspects of water quality monitoring, and maintains water and sediment quality databases. In the data analyst role, he performs data validation and verification of project chemistry, toxicity, and field data according to various quality assurance protocols, including Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). He routinely submits and maintains data for several environmental data repositories, including California Environmental Data Exchange Network (CEDEN), SWAMP, and Dredged Material Management Office (DMMO).

Environmental Monitoring

Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit Compliance Monitoring Services, Contra Costa County, California Serves as field technical lead for the Contra Costa Clean Water Program’s NPDES stormwater permit compliance monitoring program. Involved in several monitoring projects including pollutants of concern monitoring, legacy pollutants source area investigations, low-impact development (LID) monitoring, mercury and methylmercury sampling, trash monitoring, and pesticides and toxicity sampling. Project involvement includes sampling site selection; physical, chemical, and biological monitoring; water and sediment sampling; and comprehensive analysis and reporting. Installs, maintains, and operates stormwater sampling and monitoring stations and performs stormwater and freshwater grab sampling. Under the Municipal Regional Permit 2.0, performs monitoring for the annual bioassessment monitoring investigations at 10 tributaries to San Francisco Bay, including benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and analysis; physical habitat assessments; algae sampling and analysis; stream-walk surveys; water-quality instrument deployments; chlorine sampling; and water quality grab sampling. Further responsibilities include conducting pesticides and toxicity monitoring during dry and wet seasons in water and sediment; validating and verifying project analytical chemistry data according to the quality assurance project plan (QAPP) protocols; assisting with the creek status site-selection process by performing desktop candidate site review; and accessing requirements using GIS data. Performs fieldwork for qualitative and quantitative monitoring of trash loads in receiving waters and contributed to annual monitoring reports.
Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit Compliance Monitoring Services, Alameda County, California For the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program, contributed to pollutants of concern and long-term trends monitoring at stations in San Leandro Creek, assisted with the implementation of the Ettie Street Pump Station Diversion pilot study, and performed 20 annual creek status bioassessments and stream surveys. The Ettie Street pilot study was initiated in response to Alameda County’s Municipal Regional NPDES Stormwater Discharge Permit to determine efficacy of a diversion BMP to reduce the discharge of legacy pollutants in urban runoff. Served as a lead stormwater monitoring field technician responsible for equipment specifications, procurement, installation, calibration, operation, and maintenance. Conducted urban stream impact assessment along stream corridors using the unified stream assessment protocol to document areas of severe erosion, impacted stream buffers, stormwater outfalls, utility impacts, and channel modifications.
Emerging Contaminant Monitoring, Del Norte, Humboldt, Merced, Mendocino, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz Counties, California Served as field lead for this 3-year California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) sampling program to characterize concentrations of emerging contaminants in roadway stormwater discharges to Caltrans’s fish passage projects. The effectiveness of Caltrans’s approved and pilot BMP treatment control devices was also tested at a subset of locations.
Stormwater Runoff Monitoring Program, Porous Pavement Pilot Study, Santa Nella, California Served as field lead for this Caltrans stormwater BMPs effectiveness study for open graded friction course permeable pavement overlays. Three newly installed porous asphalt overlay types were tested against a newly installed dense graded control station. The test types included rubberized and nonrubberized asphalt and two different gradations of aggregate. Performed equipment installation, automated flow-weighted composite sampling, and reporting. This project included pollutograph monitoring for emerging contaminants to investigate the effectiveness of porous pavement overlays in reducing emerging contaminant loads to receiving waters. Conducted twice annual in situ permeability tests across a transect of the travel lanes to track the change of porosity over time.
Stormwater Quality and Flow Monitoring for LID Implementation, Hayward, California Responsible for influent and effluent monitoring at two BMPs (tree well and modular wetland) at the Turner Court parking lot demonstration project. Coordinates monitoring and sampling activities with local subcontractor, processes laboratory data and performs verification and validation of analytical results and prepares presentation graphics and illustrations for comprehensive 5-year end of study report.
Clean Watersheds for a Clean Bay EPA Water Quality Improvement Grant Study, San Francisco Bay Area, California Clean Watersheds for a Clean Bay, an EPA Water Quality Improvement Grant, evaluated a variety of potential control options to reduce mass loadings of legacy pollutants in urban stormwater runoff to the San Francisco Bay. The project helped lay the groundwork for meeting total maximum daily load (TMDL) waste load allocations and restoring water quality in the future. Monitoring under Task 5 of this study implemented water-quality BMP effectiveness testing on 10 sedimentation and filtration BMPs that retrofit into existing drainage infrastructure throughout the San Francisco Bay area. Served as field team leader for stormwater sample collection and flow measurement at influent and effluent locations for bioretention cells and hydrodynamic separator BMPs. Ensured proper field quality assurance and quality control procedures were followed, including manual grab sampling for low-level mercury analysis. Performed traffic shoulder closures to gain access to stormwater sampling points within active roadways. Validated and verified project analytical chemistry data according to QAPP protocols. For the reporting phase of this project, prepares post storm technical memorandums that include hydrographs, event narratives, and flow monitoring summaries.
Stormwater Characterization and BMP Effectiveness Monitoring for TMDL Compliance, Central and Northern California As mandated by the California State Water Resources Control Board, the TMDL study continues the Caltrans effort to characterize load inputs and evaluate the effectiveness of installed BMPs in loads reduction statewide. Acted as field crew lead for four characterization stations within Caltrans Districts 1, 4, and 5, located in North Weott, Myers Flat, Tiburon, and Santa Cruz, and one pair of BMP effectiveness stations within Caltrans District 5, located in Santa Cruz. Responsibilities included BMP and characterization site reconnaissance and selection; and analysis, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of remote, semiautomated stormwater monitoring stations. Coordinated with field sampling personnel and analytical laboratory managers. Was responsible for troubleshooting equipment issues and implementing emergency repairs. Also trained junior staff according to the project’s QAPP and sampling and analysis plan procedures. Authored site-specific health and safety plans and post storm technical memoranda, and assisted with statewide end-of-season technical memoranda. Conducted data verification and validation processes and preparation and submittal of project data to CEDEN.
City of Salinas Monitoring and Reporting Program (MRP) for NPDES Permit, California The City of Salinas is required to perform an MRP as indicated by the NPDES permit, Attachment D. Manages the sampling of receiving waters and background receiving waters to characterize water quality coming into and leaving the city. Three urban drainage outfalls are sampled using smart water samplers to better understand the pollutant loads generated and discharged to regulated receiving waters. Monitoring at the urban drainage outfalls includes continuous hydrology measurements that are used to generate stormwater volume values and runoff ratios. Additionally, grab samples are collected at one urban drainage location (Pump Station 309U19) to continue the long-term data set characterizing the water quality as it leaves the city to the Salinas River receiving water. Responsible for monitoring storm forecasts, coordinating with the prime contractor in the collection of urban samples, coordinating with analytical laboratories, managing analytical data, and generating event reports that will be shared with the City of Salinas. Contributes to the final annual MRP report to the City, authors bids and proposals for new projects with the City, and trains junior field staff on all aspects of fieldwork.
City of Gilroy Dry Weather Outfall Inspections, California Serves as project manager to the City of Gilroy and is responsible for completing foot inspections of 77 outfalls in the City of Gilroy in sloughs and creeks during dry weather and compiles detailed notes regarding areas where water is present in the creeks and sloughs. Notes are taken regarding 1) areas where the illicit discharge is too shallow to sample but seems like it might be something other than landscape runoff; 2) areas with excessive amounts of trash; and 3) areas with homeless encampments and approximate number of tents observed. After completion of the creek/slough inspection, returns to the creek later in the same week to collect samples from all locations with illicit discharge to be analyzed for the following: ammonia, color, conductivity, hardness, pH, potassium, turbidity, fluoride, detergents/surfactants (MBAS), and E. coli. Completes summary tables, validates analytical data, provides field inspection forms and laboratory report to the City, answers questions and provides clarification on inspections forms and laboratory report, and provides bids on a yearly basis to maintain the contract with the City.
Open- and Gap-Graded Asphalt Pavements Water Quality Project, Caltrans District 1, 4, and 5, California The Open and Gap Graded Asphalt Pavements pilot study was designed to evaluate stormwater runoff quality from open-graded and gap-graded pavements to that of conventional (dense-graded) pavements. The project included nine pilot study paired sites located statewide. For the paired sites, the test stations consisted of a freeway or highway segment with a relatively new porous pavement overlay. The test station was paired with a control station consisting of a nearby section of the same road, paved with conventional dense-graded pavement. For this study, was responsible for monitoring seven site locations within Caltrans Districts 1 and 5. Served as senior field crew leader responsible for installation, operation, maintenance, and demobilization of remote monitoring stations, as well as automated flow meter/controller and sampler programming and during storm sampler pacing adjustments. Performed a special field filtration study to help determine if immediate field filtration yielded different results than filtrations performed later at an analytical laboratory.
San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge Bioretention Pilot Project Stormwater Quality Monitoring and Reporting, Oakland, California Provided sampling preparations, event mobilization, sample collection, and sample handling. Prepared poststorm technical memoranda and managed laboratory analytical data from initial verification through final Level II data validation for upload to CEDEN. Performed confined space entry field operations for the installation and maintenance of sampling and flow monitoring equipment within the bioretention basins. Also performed remote camera operations within the basin underdrain system to investigate the integrity of the basin drainage. Conducted hydro-jetting of the basin underdrain system to help restore the basins to optimal operating efficiency.
Areas of Special Biological Significance Stormwater Outfall and Ocean Receiving Waters Monitoring and Reporting, Central and Northern California For this Caltrans monitoring project, stormwater was collected as grab samples at noncoupled and coupled outfalls and ocean receiving water sites that were tributaries to Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) located in Redwoods National Park, Saunders Reef, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Año Nuevo Point, and Carmel Bay for up to three events annually for a comprehensive suite of physical, microbiological, and chemical analyses, as well as single- and three-species toxicity testing. Performed monitoring of the Caltrans sites in coordination with the respective central and northern California Regional Monitoring Group ocean outfall and receiving water sampling, and with Southern California Coastal Water Research Project ocean reference water sampling. Roles and responsibilities included site reconnaissance, sampling preparations, event mobilization, sample collection, and sample handling. As crew leader, specialized in the safe and successful collection of ocean receiving water samples; coordinated with laboratories for bottle procurement and storm event sample handling; and performed traffic control shoulder closures that were necessary for the safe collection of roadway storm drain inlet samples. Responsibilities also included remote field installation and maintenance of samplers, flow meters, solar panels, and communications equipment. Served as team leader for single- and multiple-day stormwater monitoring events involving sample collection and handling and associated QA/QC oversight, field sampling documentation, and stream gauging; sample labeling and chain-of-custody documentation; primary shipping courier contact; and multiple, intensive (24/7) sample packaging and time sensitive shipping arrangements. Validated and verified project analytical chemistry data according to QAPP protocols. For the reporting phase of this project, prepared poststorm technical memorandums that included hydrographs, event narratives, and flow monitoring summaries.
Water Quality Assessment for Outlet Creek Watershed, Willits, California Performed installation, calibration, and operation of time-series, multiparameter monitoring equipment at many sites for the Willits Bypass Project. Also performed storm event grab sample collection as part of baseline monitoring and stream gauging services for low and high flows; and managed laboratory analytical data from initial verification through final Level II data validation for upload to CEDEN.
Ornamental Roadside Vegetated Treatment Sites Stormwater Quality Study, San Mateo and Napa Counties, California The Caltrans Ornamental Roadside Vegetated Treatment Sites (ORVTS) pilot study comprised two types of study sites: expanded roadside vegetated treatment sites (ERVTS) and groundcover roadside vegetated treatment sites. The purpose of the ORVTS study at the ERVTS sites was to evaluate the ability of groundcover vegetation species to provide treatment of highway runoff and to compare treatment potential to existing grass and vegetation within the Caltrans rights-of-way. Served as field crew leader responsible for maintenance and operation of six automated, flow-weighted, stormwater monitoring and sampling stations; remote instrument communication for data acquisition and programming control; storm event monitoring, including composite and grab sampling, field documentation, and preparation and transfer of samples to analytical laboratories; equipment demobilization and decommissioning; and maintenance of site vegetation.
Watershed Monitoring and Assessment, Korbel, California As a land watershed field technician, performed watershed monitoring and assessment in conjunction with the aquatic habitat conservation plan. Efforts included the collection of rainfall data, stream discharge measurements, and water samples for suspended sediment and turbidity monitoring; conducting laboratory analysis of water samples; installation and maintenance of 15 turbidity threshold stations over eight watersheds; physical inventories of headwater stream morphology and sediment production, as well as forest road stream crossing inventories. In addition, managed and maintained weather stations and the sediment laboratory.
Red Tree Vole Habitat Survey and Collaborative Research in Northwest California Forests, Arcata, California As a habitat surveyor and crew lead, assisted with a research project to survey randomly selected 2-hectare plots throughout the red tree vole species range to determine species density and preferred habitat. Specific roles included collaborating with the chief biologist, surveying nest structures in tree canopies, recording site biological and environmental data, and collaborating with Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service field inspectors. Provided primary and secondary camera work on select projects typically in forest settings. Photography subjects included redwoods and understory habitat, red tree voles, marbled murrelets, owls, and documenting film crew setups and locations.
Department of Natural Resources, Enumclaw, Washington As aquatic land manager, researched outdated leases to fulfill contract requirements; processed new and renewal use authorizations for aquatic lands; updated expired leases; and conducted site visits to ensure use of improvements on aquatic lands coincided with the uses defined within the leases.
Construction Environmental Engineering Support Services, San Francisco Bay, California Served as field scientist for the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge implosion water quality monitoring. Performed in-bay instrument profiling with a conductivity, temperature, and depth profiler immediately following implosions to test whether water quality was affected and to what extent and duration.

Dredged Material Management

Dredge Material Sediment Sampling, Characterization, Reporting, and Disposal Consultation Services, USACE San Francisco District, Central and Northern California Performed vibracore sediment sampling and report preparation to support the maintenance dredging of federal channels in Oakland Inner and Outer Harbors, Pinole Shoal, Redwood City Harbor, Suisun Bay, and New York Slough. Coordinated sampling activities and worked with equipment vendors and analytical laboratories to ensure successful project completion.

NRDA For Oil Spills

Pipeline P00547 Incident, Huntington Beach, California Served as field scientist for the 2021 Huntington Beach oil spill response. This work included monitoring for both the natural resource damage assessment effort and the assessment of potential contaminants in recreational and commercial fish species for the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Served as field crew for sandy beach surveys, fin fish and bivalve collection, and recreational use surveys.

Emergency Response

Fire Debris and Tree Removal Assessment and Management Services Project, CZU Complex Fire, Santa Cruz Mountains, California The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery was tasked by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to manage structural debris and hazard tree removal projects following the 2020 California fires. Performed sampling of potentially hazardous surficial sediment on properties following debris removal and scaping of surface sediment. Collected composite samples per project protocols, followed strict QA/QC procedures and sample handing through proper chain of custody.
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