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Cameron Johnson

Cameron Johnson
Principal, Permitting and Planning

Cameron Johnson

Principal, Permitting and Planning

Mr. Cameron Johnson is a wildlife biologist and permitting specialist with 24 years of experience in the field. He has experience with projects throughout the western United States, including post-graduate fieldwork in Arizona, California, and Nevada. During the past 18 years, Mr. Johnson has worked on the permitting of large- and small-scale utility and development projects for both private and public applicants. This work included initial field evaluations and survey efforts, through environmental review with state and federal agencies. He has guided large-scale projects through permitting processes including the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s water system improvement pr...

Mr. Cameron Johnson is a wildlife biologist and permitting specialist with 24 years of experience in the field. He has experience with projects throughout the western United States, including post-graduate fieldwork in Arizona, California, and Nevada. During the past 18 years, Mr. Johnson has worked on the permitting of large- and small-scale utility and development projects for both private and public applicants. This work included initial field evaluations and survey efforts, through environmental review with state and federal agencies. He has guided large-scale projects through permitting processes including the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s water system improvement projects, reconstruction of the Calaveras dam and the Crystal Springs Reservoir dam, and removal of the San Clemente dam. Other high-profile projects include the America’s Cup races in San Francisco, federally mandated improvements to San Francisco and Oakland international airports, and large-scale solar utility projects (Topaz, California Flats, and Panoche), including projects requiring environmental impact statements (EISs). As the former South Branch chief of the Regulatory Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mr. Johnson managed South Branch activities, which encompassed all regulatory actions between San Francisco and San Luis Obispo. His primary role, both for the federal government, and now as a representative for applicants, has been in environmental permitting pursuant to the Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Rivers and Harbors Act, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

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Planning and Permitting

Jordan Cove Energy Project and Pacific Connector Pipeline, Multiple Counties, Oregon Provided regulatory guidance for a project consisting of an approximately 200-acre liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal, to be located in Coos Bay, Oregon, and a 229-mile, 36-inch natural gas pipeline. The pipeline will be capable of transporting 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, from an existing terminal located in southeastern Oregon, to Coos Bay, for liquification and export via LNG ships. Work included preparing regulatory application documents (CWA/ESA), preparing the analysis of alternatives pursuant to Section 404(b)(1) of the CWA, and interfacing directly with USACE. This project includes complex entitlement as it involves multiple federal agencies including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (lead agency), USACE, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Coast Guard (among others), as well as state and local agencies (it crosses multiple counties).
Concord Naval Weapons Station Redevelopment, Concord, California Provided regulatory support and strategy services for a project involving an approximately 5,000-acre redevelopment of federal land (former Navy facility). Prepared regulatory application documents (CWA/ESA), supported direct agency negotiation, and developed short- and long-term permit strategy. Also identified suitable compensatory mitigation for unavoidable loss of waters of the U.S. This project includes complex entitlement as it is currently owned by the U.S. Department of Defense, and some portions of the site are subject to CERCLA. The redevelopment is a part of the base realignment and closure for Concord Naval Weapons Station and involves the Department of the Navy, the Department of the Army, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and state agencies such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Navy is the lead federal agency and has completed an EIS for the project. A private development group has been selected as the master developer and transfer of land was expected to begin in 2022.  
Panoche Solar (399 MW), San Benito County, California Completed an analysis of effects to endangered species for the Panoche solar project consisting of approximately 5,000 acres in San Benito County, approximately 2,500 acres of planned solar panels, and 2,500 acres of planned conservation lands. Subsequently, researched CWA permitting requirements for the project. Other services included agency liaison, project planning, permit strategy development, and preparation of project permit application documents. Also provided wetland delineation services for offsite improvement areas. USACE acted as the federal lead agency for the project.
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Water System Improvement Projects, Multiple Counties, California Directly responsible for authorizing the water system improvement projects based on demonstrated project compliance pursuant to CWA, ESA, and NEPA.
City of Rocklin General Open Space Management Plan, Rocklin, California Authored an award-winning, program-level open space management plan for the City of Rocklin. Worked with the City of Rocklin (Planning Department) and USACE (Sacramento Regulatory Division) to define a plan for operations and management of city-owned open space preserve areas. The plan included provisions for managing sensitive plant communities, including vernal pools, riparian corridors, and wetlands. The plan also provided an innovative approach that allows the City of Rocklin to add future land holdings, under the guidance of the plan, without having to re-engage the regulatory agencies. USACE approved the City to act as manager, conservator, and title holder, including use of a city tax-funding model. Worked closely with the City and USACE Regulatory Division to overcome significant regulatory hurdles, and ultimately produce an adaptable plan that met all regulatory requirements.

Approval of the plan has alleviated local development and planning conflicts and has provided an avenue for the City of Rocklin to act as a program manager implementing larger, unifying management approaches across a series of open space areas. The City is now an active participant in the planning of natural resource preservation. Development pressures are now the driving force behind preservation of wetlands, creeks, and other natural areas. The City is able to specifically target, and ultimately preserve, not only parcels of land, but parcels that connect together to form preservation corridors.
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