Bio
Ms. Carolina Zuri is an environmental engineer and project manager specializing in groundwater and sediment remediation, potable water treatment, industrial stormwater compliance, cost estimation, data interpretation, and fluvial geomorphology. She has 12 years of experience evaluating the impacts on natural surface water and groundwater systems, designing remedial actions to improve the quality of aquifers and aquatic ecosystems, and performing forensic analysis. As a qualified industrial stormwater practitioner (QISP), she supports compliance with the current California Industrial General Permit by improving existing best management practices (BMPs); designing new, advanced BMPs; helping clients manage communications with local regulators and agencies; and providing strategic litigation support. Ms. Zuri also supports the review of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations to evaluate applicable environmental policies for projects related to NEPA and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Ms. Zuri is also part of the leadership committee for the Bay Area chapter of Women in Environment, a nonprofit organization, and she is also the chair of its Mentoring Committee.
Relevant Experience
Stormwater Management
Industrial Stormwater Compliance, Southern and Northern California — Provided QISP services and served as project manager for eight industrial facilities, including lumber mills, auto salvage yards, metals recyclers, printed circuit board manufacturers, wineries, marinas, and process equipment fabrication facilities. Prepared numerous stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) and SWPPP amendments, exceedance response action (ERA) reports and plans (Levels 1 and 2), no-exposure certifications, and annual reports. Also provided stormwater training to the pollution prevention team, conducted visual inspections, collected stormwater samples, conducted annual comprehensive facility compliance evaluations, and managed facility data on the Stormwater Multiple Application and Report Tracking System (SMARTS). Worked with industrial operators to improve existing and deploy new BMPs, identify pollutant sources, and work towards compliance with the California Industrial General Permit.
Construction Stormwater Compliance, Anchorage, Alaska — Provided construction compliance services for a 1,000-acre airport runway extension project on a military base. Conducted an audit of the construction SWPPP, evaluated stormwater management practices and BMPs, and provided recommendations for BMP improvements, including specifications for sedimentation basins and various slope stability and erosion control measures. Documented BMP deficiencies and guided corrective actions for a $100 million construction project.
Stormwater Compliance Support to Sawmill Compliance Group, Northern California — Served as project manager for a compliance group of sawmills in northern California. Also supported each member of the group as QISP. Updated each individual SWPPP, reviewed monitoring results, and prepared appropriate documentation for compliance on the California Water Board’s SMARTS throughout the stormwater year.
Stormwater Permit Compliance Audit and Recommendations, Davenport, California — Supported an audit of stormwater improvements at an operating sawmill to bring it into compliance with California’s Industrial General Permit. Examined stormwater flow patterns, stormwater discharge locations, areas of industrial activity, and potential stormwater pollutant source areas at the facility. Developed a list of recommended, new and modified, stormwater BMPs.
Litigation Support
Printed Circuit Board Manufacturer, San Jose, California — Served as project manager for a Clean Water Act prelitigation case related to stormwater. Provided strategic litigation support to the client and client’s counsel until a settlement agreement was reached. Prepared a new SWPPP with a new monitoring implementation plan, revised BMPs, provided training to the facility’s pollution prevention team, updated the facility’s stormwater documentation, and supported ongoing compliance efforts.
Metal Fabrication Facility, Santa Fe Springs, California — Served as project manager for a Clean Water Act prelitigation case related to stormwater. Provided strategic litigation support to the client and client’s counsel until a settlement agreement was reached. Prepared a new SWPPP with a new monitoring implementation plan, revised BMPs, provided training to the facility’s pollution prevention team, updated the facility’s stormwater documentation, and supported ongoing compliance with California’s Industrial General Permit and the facility’s consent decree.
PFAS Treatment Litigation Support, Rome, Georgia — Supported the evaluation of claims regarding the occurrence and mitigation of PFAS in surface drinking water supplies (City of Rome v. 3M Company et al., Case No. 19-CV-02405-3, Superior Court of Floyd County, Georgia). Worked on data analysis, the development of cost opinions for the installation and operation of long-term potable water treatment systems, and an expert report. The matter is settled.
PFAS Treatment Litigation Support, Centre, Alabama — Supported the evaluation of claims regarding the occurrence and mitigation of PFAS in surface drinking water supplies (Town of Centre v. 3M Company et al., Case No. 13-CV-2017-900049, Circuit Court of Cherokee County, Georgia). Worked on data analysis, the development of cost opinions for the installation and operation of long-term potable water treatment systems, and an expert report. The matter is settled.
Litigation Support, Drinking Water Treatment Complaint, Summerville, Georgia — Supported the evaluation of claims regarding the occurrence and mitigation of PFAS in surface drinking water supplies (Earl Parris, Jr. and City of Summerville v. 3M Company et al., Case No. 4:21-cv-00040-TWT, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Rome Division). Worked on data analysis, the development of cost opinions for the installation and operation of long-term potable water treatment systems, and the installation and operation of a dewatering plant for water treatment residuals. Also assisted in the preparation of an expert report. The matter is ongoing.
Litigation Support, Multiple Counties, California — Supported the evaluation of claims regarding the occurrence and mitigation of PFAS in surface and groundwater, including drinking water supplies (Orange County Water District et al. vs. 3M Company et al., Case No. 30-202001172419-CU-PL-CXC, Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Orange). The matter is ongoing.
Litigation Support, PFAS Water Treatment and Site Remediation Complaint, City of Stuart, Florida — Led a team for the evaluation of a claim regarding the occurrence and mitigation of PFAS in groundwater, including potable groundwater supplies (City of Stuart, Florida v. 3M Company et al., MDL 2:18-mn-2873-RMG, Case No. 2:18-cv-03487-RMG, U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina, Charleston Division). Work included an extensive document and data review, an evaluation of the existing conventional treatment system, design, and formation of a cost opinion for the installation and operation of additional long-term potable water treatment systems. The matter is settled.
PFAS Treatment Litigation Support, Hopatcong, New Jersey — Lead a team for the resolution of claims associated with PFAS occurrence in multiple potable groundwater supply wells (Borough of Hopatcong v. 3M Company et al., Case 2:20-cv-12551-CCC-JBC, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey). Work includes a document and data review, the evaluation of the current well system, the design and cost estimation of the installation and operation of long-term potable water wellhead treatment systems and associated infrastructure, and preparation of an expert report. A settlement is pending.
PFAS Treatment Litigation Support, Gadsden, Alabama — Supported the evaluation of claims regarding the occurrence and mitigation of PFAS in surface drinking water supplies (The Water Works and Sewer Board of the City of Gadsden v. 3M Company et al., Case No. 31-CV-2016-900676.00, Superior Court of Etowah County, Alabama). Worked on data analysis, cost opinions for the installation and operation of long-term potable water treatment systems, and an expert report. The matter is settled.
Litigation Support Related to Fate and Transport of Contaminants, Superfund Site, Mountain View, California — Served as project manager for a response to an EPA claim of historical chlorinated solvent releases to groundwater from sanitary sewers. Reviewed engineering reports and as-built drawings to develop a sewer timeline since the 1960s. Performed historical sewer forensic geochemical analyses and hydrogeologic analysis with a focus on PRP identification. The results of the investigation and analyses demonstrated that hot spots purported to be from sewer leakage in the 1960s were from other chlorinated solvent sources and newly identified PRPs. The matter is ongoing.
Litigation Support, Potable Water Treatment Claims, Fresno County, California, Confidential Client — Served as project manager for resolution of claims in five cases involving the occurrence of 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) in potable groundwater supply wells (e.g., Del Rey Community Services District vs. The Dow Chemical Company, et al., Case No. CGC-12-522921, Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of San Francisco). Work included evaluation, design, and cost opinions for the installation and operation of long-term potable water wellhead treatment systems and associated infrastructure and claims. The matters are settled.
Litigation Support, Potable Water Treatment Claims, Atwater, California, Confidential Clients — Served as project manager for the resolution of a claim associated with the occurrence of 1,2,3-TCP in potable groundwater supply wells (City of Atwater v. Shell Oil Company et al., Case No. SCVSS 120627, Superior Court of the State of California for the County of San Bernardino). Work included evaluation, design, and cost opinions for the installation and operation of long-term potable water wellhead treatment systems and associated infrastructure and claims. The matter is settled.
Litigation Support, Potable Water Treatment Claims, Tulare County, California, Confidential Clients — Served as project manager for the resolution of claims in seven cases involving the occurrence of 1,2,3-TCP in potable groundwater supply wells (City of Dinuba vs. The Dow Chemical Company et al., Case No. CGC-17-561379, Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of San Francisco). Work included evaluation, design, and cost opinions for the installation and operation of long-term potable water wellhead treatment systems and associated infrastructure and claims. The matter is settled.
Litigation Support, Cement Plant, Seattle, Washington, Confidential Client — Served as project manager for the evaluation of sediment remediation cost estimates to support a potential settlement under a tolling agreement. Worked on the forensic analysis of historical sediment accumulation as well as an independent cost estimate for use in an expert report to compare with plaintiff and insurer estimates. The matter is settled.
Regulatory Compliance
Printed Circuit Board Manufacturer, San Jose, California — Served as project manager for an environmental compliance ongoing support project. Audited and managed the client’s compliance with local, state, and federal regulations for processed wastewater, waste management, a hazardous materials business plan, stormwater, and other environmental fields.
Metal Fabrication Facility, Santa Fe Springs, California — Served as project manager for a Clean Water Act prelitigation case related to stormwater. Provided strategic litigation support to the client and client’s counsel until a settlement agreement was reached. Prepared a new SWPPP with a new monitoring implementation plan, revised BMPs, provided training to the facility’s pollution prevention team, updated the facility’s stormwater documentation, and supported ongoing compliance with California’s Industrial General Permit and the facility’s consent decree.
National Construction Company, Anchorage, Alaska — Served as project manager for a construction stormwater compliance audit project. Conducted site inspections and reviewed documents to evaluate compliance with the current site construction SWPPP, applicable construction stormwater related permits, regulations, and other project-specific requirements. Evaluated existing BMPs, pollutant sources, and the efficacy of SWPPP implementation.
National Construction Company, California — Updated sections of the company’s handbook related to stormwater management, the discharge of groundwater, process water management, and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Updated regulations and requirements while providing strategies for BMP implementation.
Remedial Investigation
Energy Company, Multiple Sites, California — Led a team to review active remediation projects and provide recommendations to expedite closure. Reviewed remediation and assessment reports as well as groundwater, soil, and soil vapor data to propose alternative pathways to achieve site closure.
Remedial Design
Yosemite Slough Remedial Design, San Francisco, California — Served as project manager for a non-time-critical removal action for lead- and PCB-contaminated sediments at the Yosemite Slough Superfund site. Project elements included sediment dredging, capping, and monitored natural recovery. Communicated with the representatives of EPA and stakeholder groups that included government agencies, private parties, and the U.S. Navy. Supported the engineering team during the predesign phase.
Chlorinated Solvent Cleanup Site, South San Francisco, California — Supported a predesign investigation at a site containing a dissolved-phase chlorinated solvent plume underlying multiple properties. The purpose of the project was to fill existing delineation and hydrogeologic data gaps and refine the conceptual site model. Supported the in situ enhanced reductive dechlorination (ERD) design and the remedial action plan for the site.
Former Dry Cleaner Site, Northern California — Under Regional Board oversight, served as project manager for ongoing monitoring and remediation of volatile organic compound contamination. Helped develop the in situ ERD design and prepare and submit regulatory documentation.
Contaminated Sediments
Mission Bay Ferry Landing Project, San Francisco, California — Supported the design of an engineered cap to address contaminated sediments at a ferry terminal. Assisted with AutoCAD drawings, specifications, and costing.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Boatyard Management Company, Richmond, California — Led a team for environmental permitting compliance support during wharf replacement. Reviewed the CEQA document and permits, created and implemented compliance plans, managed communications with local agencies, led fieldwork during construction monitoring, and prepared final postconstruction reporting.
CEQA Review for Piers 39–45 Remediation Project, San Francisco, California — Managed the project and prepared an addendum to an initial study/mitigated negative declaration for CEQA review for the remediation of PAH-contaminated sediments in the intertidal and subtidal areas near Pier 39–45 in San Francisco Bay. Specific areas of environmental analysis and review included transportation, geology and hydrogeology, and water quality studies for incorporation into the CEQA document.
Modeling
Stanislaus River Floodplain Inundation Model Critique, California — Collected data and created a hydrologic model using SMS and SRH-2D modeling software. Built a geographic information system to develop a floodplain habitat model to correlate flows and inundated areas.
Modeling Review of Salinas River Stream Maintenance Program (SMP) Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Salinas, California — Assisted The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in reviewing the existing Hydrologic Engineering Center river analysis system (HEC-RAS) model of the Salinas Valley to evaluate the SMP draft EIR. Developed a 2-dimensional hydrodynamic model of the valley to design an approach for TNC to assess floodplain reconnection alternatives for combined flood risk reduction and restoration.
Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport Model Comparison for Toce River and Pallanza Bay, Lago Maggiore, Italy — Reviewed the existing environmental fluid dynamics code (EFDC) model of the area and updated the model based on the most recent data. Assisted with interpreting the field hydrodynamic and sediment transport measurements data with the EFDC model results. Helped compare EFDC model results with the results of Stanford University’s updated, unstructured, nonhydrostatic terrain-following, adaptive Navier-Stokes simulator (SUNTANS) model of Pallanza Bay.
Data Analysis
Ardenwood Creek Flood Protection and Restoration Project, Newark, California — Analyzed topographic data and determined areas where available data were poor or nonexistent. Performed extensive data collection of topography and bathymetry within relevant channels of the project area and in the surrounding floodplain. Supported the design phase of three Ardenwood Creek reaches and mitigation wetlands; provided drawings and 3-dimensional surface renderings using AutoCAD Civil 3D.
San Gregorio Large Woody Debris Design Alternatives, San Gregorio, California — Assisted in developing a HEC-RAS 1-dimensional hydraulic model to identify typical channel depths and velocities for the design of large woody debris structure alternatives for fish-rearing habitat opportunities. Provided technical AutoCAD Civil 3D drawings of the structures.
Yellowjacket Creek Fish Passage Restoration, Sonoma County, California — A historical water diversion structure created an impassable barrier over the past several decades. In close coordination with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries staff, provided strategic planning and fish passage design expertise to restore access for sensitive salmonids to several miles of Yellowjacket Creek. Collected topographic survey data, participated in the design of a structure to restore hydraulic conditions suitable for juvenile and adult salmonid passage, and produced AutoCAD 3-dimensional surface renderings and detailed drawings.
Fish Creek Fish Passage Project, Humboldt, California — Reviewed the fish passage guidelines for adult and juvenile salmonids to support the design of a single-bay box culvert with a structure that allows for improved fish passage. Produced AutoCAD structural drawings with 3‑dimensional surface renderings, profiles, and detail layouts.
Geomorphological Evaluation of Redwood Creek, Sonoma Valley, California — Performed field analyses (cross sections, longitudinal profile, and pebble counts) to determine the river processes and the reasons for failure of some preexisting restoration projects, which led to the construction of artificial structures in the riverbed and their destruction by the river itself.
Sacramento–San Joaquin System Reoperation Study, California — Analyzed hydrologic model run output data to help identify potential options for reoperation of the state’s flood control and water supply system so as to meet water supply reliability standards, reduce flood hazard, and protect and restore ecosystems. Based on Bay-Delta and Central Valley ecosystem studies, developed a number of custom metrics (using the Palantir Metropolis platform) to evaluate the effects that the available model scenarios predicted for the most common Central Valley animal and plant species. Suggested different scenarios based on preliminary results.
Bay Delta Conservation Plan Review, California — Using Palantir Metropolis, organized and manipulated output data from the California Department of Water Resources CalSim model (with different alternatives for the State Water Project and Central Valley Project), to help panel members compare modeling results and assist them in formulating assumptions and conclusions.
Education & Credentials
M.S., Environmental Engineering, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy, 2010
B.A., Environmental Engineering, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy, 2007
California Industrial General Permit Qualified Industrial Stormwater Practitioner (QISP)
(License No. 228)
Engineer in Training, California (License No. 168645)
Continuing Education
OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER
First Aid/CPR/AED Certified
Industrial Stormwater Compliance Workshop (2015)
Professional Affiliations
Leadership Committee, Women in Environment, Bay Area Chapter