Holly Garber

Senior Scientist

Bio
Relevant Experience
Education & Credentials

Bio

Ms. Holly Garber is a skilled field biologist and regulatory specialist with 7 years of experience working across nonprofit, government, and private sectors. She served as a regulatory project manager with the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board), Region 2, providing detailed and efficient permit evaluations for a wide range of projects, including large- and small-scale commercial and residential developments, habitat restoration, and flood control projects.

Ms. Garber gained experience conducting mitigation and impact assessments, managing enforcement cases for activities in waters of the state, and ensuring projects meet the regulatory authority of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. She is well versed in navigating California local regulatory and compliance programs. Ms. Garber effectively communicates complex technical findings in a clear and accessible manner to clients, regulators, and stakeholders to ensure all parties align on expectations and project requirements.

Relevant Experience

Planning and Permitting

Marin Project Coordination Meetings, California — Represented the Water Board as the lead regulatory advisor for monthly interagency project coordination meetings. Provided technical and regulatory guidance to public and private entities on the permitting process. Assisted projects in achieving the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative design, reducing impacts to the maximum extent feasible, while still aligning with the project’s overall goals. Coordinated with participating agencies, including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), NOAA Fisheries, Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and local jurisdictions (county/city/town).

Valley Oaks Residential Development Project, California — As a regulatory project manager for the Water Board, permitted a CWA Section 401-Water Quality Certification for a 126-unit residential development, at a 37.6‑acre site in Novato City. This permitting effort required evaluating technical reports to verify the nature of impacts, verify stormwater treatment requirements, and confirm appropriate avoidance, minimization, and mitigation compensation would be implemented in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Provided detailed comments for the alternatives analysis, aquatic resource delineation, stormwater control plan, and basis of design to complete the 401 certification.

Roy’s Redwoods Restoration Project, California — As a regulatory project manager for the Water Board, permitted a Statewide Restoration General Order for an ecological and hydrological restoration project located in the Open Space Preserve within the alluvial valley of Larsen Creek. The project purpose was to rehabilitate 1.8 acres of heavy-visitor-use areas and reestablish a multi-threaded Stage Zero wetland channel complex that would reconnect to Upper Larssen Creek. Reviewed the basis of design report and liaised with internal engineering staff to ensure hydrological and biotechnical stabilization designs were appropriately incorporated. Coordinated with USACE and CDFW to finalize the Notice of Applicability permit action and manage compliance.

Regulatory Compliance

Marin and Sonoma County Stream Maintenance Program (SMP), California — As a regulatory project manager for the Water Board, managed reviews and approvals of the annual SMP pre-project work notifications and post-project construction notifications to ensure impact thresholds, the sediment and sampling plan, and mitigation and monitoring reports complied with the SMP order (Order No. 2023-0011). Collaborated with Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to amend the order in 2023 with updated compliance actions within the framework of expedited permitting.

Annual Monitoring Reports, Marin and Sonoma Counties, California — Analyzed and approved mitigation and monitoring reports for permits authorized by the Water Board in Marin and Sonoma Counties. Managed reviews of adaptive management solutions and provided the project team with regulatory strategy support.

Stormwater Management

Stormwater Inspections, California — As an environmental health and safety coordinator, managed and updated the onsite stormwater pollution prevention program, collected stormwater samples, and conducted monthly maintenance inspections on the facility’s stormwater best management practices to ensure the manufacturing facility complied with hazardous waste disposal and stormwater requirements per the CWA.

Education & Credentials

B.S., Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, 2017

B.A., Economics, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, 2017

Continuing Education

National Association of Underwater Instructors Rescue and Advanced Scuba Dive certified (2014, 2015)

U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials (2020)

Cal/OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Safety and Health Certification (2021)

OSHA 7115 – Lockout/Tagout & Electrical Safety for Qualified Workers (NEPA 70E) (2021)

California Rapid Assessment Method Wetland 2-Day Manager Level Training (2022)

Water Board Wetland Delineation Training (2023)

First Aid, CPR, AED, Wilderness First Aid certified (2018, 2021, 2024)

OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER

Professional Affiliations

Women in Environment (WIE)

Clear Filter