Bio
Mr. Paul Wisniewski is a professional geologist with more than 25 years of experience in environmental consulting and litigation support. He has served as consulting and testifying expert or percipient witness in more than 25 cases involving Clean Water Act (CWA) and NPDES stormwater compliance, primarily for industrial facilities. His expertise includes regulatory compliance, stormwater discharge and flow path analysis, investigation and remediation oversight, third-party consultant management, and agency negotiations across a wide range of industrial sectors. Mr. Wisniewski routinely supports counsel in expert reporting, depositions, trial testimony, and settlement negotiations focused on mitigating regulatory exposure and future environmental risk.
Mr. Wisniewski’s litigation support experience includes multiple depositions, court appearances, trial testimony, and preparation of expert reports and declarations. His expert opinions address NPDES and Industrial General Permit (IGP) compliance, standard of care, pollutant fate and transport, best management practice (BMP) evaluation and implementation, source assessment, and remediation strategies for surface water and groundwater.
Mr. Wisniewski has planned, managed, and implemented hundreds of environmental investigation, remediation, and compliance projects. He has managed sites impacted by petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, PCBs, PAHs, pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semivolatile organic compounds, and metals, and has successfully secured grant funding, developed planning documents, overseen field investigations, and delivered regulatory case closure for public and private clients.
Relevant Experience
Litigation Support
Litigation Support, Los Angeles, California — Retained as testifying expert on behalf of defendant to evaluate the efficacy of soil testing on a property affected by the 2025 Palisades wildfire. Expert services included the preparation of an expert report as well as a rebuttal report to two opposing expert reports. The case is still pending with depositions scheduled.
Stormwater Litigation Support, Milwaukee, Wisconsin — Retained as testifying expert on behalf of defendants in a public nuisance action alleging PCB releases to surface waters via stormwater and sewer infrastructure. Responsibilities included technical support to counsel; review of discovery materials and scientific literature; coordination with permit, water quality, and sediment specialists; deposition strategy support; and preparation of an expert report addressing stormwater pathways, historical sources, conveyance system maintenance, and regulatory requirements.
Industrial Stormwater Litigation Support, Northern California — Provided consulting and testifying expert support for more than 25 industrial, commercial, and agricultural facilities facing alleged CWA, Porter-Cologne, and IGP violations. Services included expert reports, depositions, settlement support, and trial testimony supported by pollutant source assessments, BMP evaluations, stormwater pathway analyses, and connectivity determinations.
Environmental Impact Report Testimony, Ukiah, California — As part of pre-litigation, prepared detailed response letters on behalf of the client to defend water rights and prevent the loss of land value due to a proposed near-stream gravel mine in the Russian River Valley, California. Letters included detailed evaluations of third-party geomorphological, hydrogeological, and other reports concerning stream channel impacts from the proposed project. Presented technical information and arguments concerning a controversial environmental impact report in a series of public hearings before the Mendocino County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Ultimately, the approved mine operations were blocked by a court ruling, based in part upon the testimony and technical arguments presented at public hearings.
Expert Witness Services, Oroville, California — Provided technical support to legal teams to defend against two lawsuits, one by the Butte County District Attorney and the other by California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA). Litigation support efforts included the preparation of declarations based on reviews of annual stormwater reports and stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) documents for three metals recycling facilities, field and aerial photograph assisted mapping, stormwater and soil sampling, and site reconnaissance. Surface water flow paths were mapped to determine termination points, diversion locations, areas of impoundment, and areas of stormwater comingling with other surface water runoff. Field observations, measurements, mapping, and sampling were utilized in conjunction with in-depth reviews of available stormwater documents to prepare declarations and provide testimony in support of successful litigation and settlement agreement efforts. Litigation support efforts included collaborative strategic and expert analysis of available data, expert witness testimony at trial, and document preparation for depositions and court proceedings. Assisted the legal team in winning the case brought by the District Attorney and settling the case with CSPA.
Consulting Expert Services, Seattle, Washington — Provided technical support to the legal team to defend against a lawsuit brought by Puget Soundkeeper. Litigation support efforts included a review of the facility SWPPP, pollutant source assessment, analysis of stormwater pathways, and assistance with negotiating a settlement.
Expert Witness and Consultant Oversight, Santa Rosa, California — Provided oversight of a third-party consultant, then took over management of an underground storage tank (UST) investigation/remediation project, obtaining regulatory case closure within 2 years. Phase II investigation work included installation of a groundwater monitoring well network, quarterly groundwater monitoring and reporting, multimedia (soil, soil vapor, and groundwater) characterization in preparation for site redevelopment, preparation of a soil and groundwater management plan, construction quality assurance monitoring of remedial soil excavation, management of California hazardous and RCRA hazardous waste transport and disposal, and preparation of closure documents. Coordinated with civil engineers to design a dual-phase soil vapor and groundwater extraction system in advance of site redevelopment. Provided expert and percipient witness statements and technical support to a litigation team, resulting in an undisclosed settlement in favor of a regional bank. Technical expertise and knowledge were instrumental to the successful conclusion of the investigation/remediation project as well as substantial cost recovery from a major oil company.
Due Diligence Litigation Support, Pasadena, California — Provided litigation support for an environmental due diligence dispute between current and past dry cleaner property owners. Prepared an expert report on behalf of the purchaser to demonstrate real estate transaction disclosure failures on the part of the seller and to identify inherent Phase I environmental site assessment (ESA) limitations.
Consulting and Testifying Expert, Ukiah, California — Provided litigation support for a shooting range, including consulting and testifying expert roles culminating in multiday trial testimony for a Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act (Proposition 65) case in Superior Court. Conducted a site investigation, including sampling of soil, stormwater, and surface waters, prepared expert opinions, testified at depositions, and testified in court proceedings.
Testifying Expert, Carson, California — Provided litigation support for a warehouse fire incident resulting in firefighting discharges to Dominguez Channel and a widespread hydrogen sulfide odor incident to local residents. Prepared a detailed expert report for legal defense, identifying numerous sources of organic material discharged to the channel, including spills and release sites from the surrounding area. Efforts included providing two expert depositions for two lawsuits, one filed as a class action and the other by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Consulting Expert, San Jose, California — Provided litigation support for a printed circuit board manufacturer, which included preparation of technical memorandum for BMP improvements, an updated SWPPP, personnel training, and assistance with a negotiated settlement agreement. Follow-on work included ongoing stormwater compliance, an environmental compliance audit, and ongoing assistance with environmental compliance management for air emissions, stormwater discharges, and hazardous materials management.
Consulting Expert, Santa Fe Springs, California — Provided litigation support for a metal fabrication facility. Work included two site visits, a pollutant source assessment, recommendations for BMP improvements, preparation of an updated SWPPP, and assistance with a negotiated settlement agreement.
Stormwater Management
Industrial Stormwater Compliance, Northern California — Provided Qualified Industrial Stormwater Practitioner (QISP) services for more than 50 industrial facilities, including lumber mills, auto salvage yards, metals recyclers, metal anodization facilities, electronics manufacturers, electronics recyclers, truck maintenance facilities, shooting ranges, bulk fuel plants, wineries, rock quarries, waste transfer stations, materials recovery facilities, landfills, construction yards, concrete manufacturers, marinas, and wood waste facilities. Prepared numerous SWPPPs and SWPPP amendments, prepared Exceedance Response Action (ERA) reports and plans (ERA Level 1 and 2), prepared No Exposure Certifications, prepared Notice of Non-Applicability, provided stormwater training to pollution prevention team, conducted visual inspections, collected stormwater samples, conducted annual comprehensive facility compliance evaluations, prepared annual reports, 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, assist with the development and operations and maintenance of active treatment systems, and work towards compliance with the IGP.
All-Coast Forest Products/Coast Creek Lumber Company Investigation and Compliance, Cloverdale, California — Prepare Phase I ESA reports for an active lumber mill site with historical suspected impacts from wood treatment and milling operations. Conducted limited Phase II investigation of two former teepee burners and a stockpile. Provided ongoing environmental compliance support services that included industrial stormwater management, such as SWPPP development, stormwater sampling, SMARTS reporting, annual evaluations, and trainings. Compliance work also included the preparation of a spill prevention, control, and countermeasure plan, hazardous materials business plan (HMBP), emergency response plan, and California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) data management.
Berkeley Marine Center, Berkeley, California — Provided QISP and Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) compliance services for a marina and boat yard. Stormwater compliance services included preparation of ERA Level 1 and 2 documents, updated SWPPPs, ad hoc and annual reporting on SMARTS. CUPA compliance services included preparation of an HMBP, emergency response plan, and CERS document management. Advised client on stormwater treatment system needs, which included the installation of a sand filter and biochar filter for stormwater discharges.
Construction Stormwater Compliance, Santa Rosa, California — Provided Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) services for two single-family home construction projects. One consisted of 237 townhomes on 40 acres and the other consisted of 157 homes on 19 acres. Prepared numerous SWPPP amendments, provided stormwater training, and conducted inspections. Worked with the builder to coordinate a 13267 Order and comply with a 401 Water Quality Certification.
Construction Stormwater Compliance, Santa Rosa, California — Provided QSP services and supplemental QSD services for a 36,000 ft2 commercial warehouse development project. Prepared and reviewed construction SWPPP documents for Risk Level 2 to obtain coverage under California’s General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activity. Services included SWPPP amendment preparation, stormwater observations and sampling, preparation of rain event action plans (REAPs), recommendations for BMP improvements based on field measurements and observations, Numeric Action Limit reporting, and compliance with SMARTS requirements.
Tesoro Viejo Development, Fresno, California — Provided QSP/QSD services for two residential development projects. Responsibilities included site inspections, oversight of QSP-designee monitoring and sampling activities, preparation of SWPPP amendments, preparation of REAPs, and SMARTS data management.
Clear Lake Nutrient TMDL Study, Clear Lake, California — Provided stormwater monitoring station site selection and installation, assisted with the development of stormwater sampling and analysis plans (SAPs) for collecting representative flow weighted composite samples for the Clear Lake phosphorus total maximum daily load (TMDL) study for California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Provided overall monitoring support to achieve the program goals, which included updating the SAP according to the Caltrans Stormwater Monitoring Guidance Manual protocols; collecting stormwater samples; observing stormwater runoff characteristics during storm events; assisting with production of post-storm technical memoranda; and assisting with managing the laboratory to verify adherence to the manual.
HMBP and CUPA/CERS Compliance, Santa Rosa, California — Prepared chemical inventories, site plans, emergency evacuation plans, emergency response plans, employee training plans, employee right-to-know programs, hazard communication programs, illness injury prevention plans, an environmental compliance audit, health and safety programs and training modules, and health and safety equipment inventories necessary to complete required CUPA and CERS reporting. Also prepared numerous HMBPs and CERS compliance documents for a variety of industrial facilities, including manufacturers, gas stations, trucking companies, heavy equipment maintenance facilities, and e waste recyclers.
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, responded to regulatory action letters from Alaska Department of Environmental Quality, 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.
Site Investigation
Phase I ESAs, Northern, California — Prepared and participated in the preparation of more than 100 ASTM E1527 and All Appropriate Inquiry compliant Phase I ESAs to investigate a wide array of properties, including EPA Brownfield sites, wastewater treatment facilities, landfills, gas stations and UST sites, rail and marine shipping yards, dry cleaners, lumber and grain mill sites, manufacturing facilities, retail shopping centers, scrap metal and automobile salvage yards, multifamily residential developments, and agricultural and ranch lands. Key Phase I ESAs included those for U.S. Bancorp, Exchange Bank, Kilroy Realty, Security National, All-Coast Forest Products, Inc., Savings Bank of Mendocino County, City of Sacramento, City of West Sacramento, City of Oroville, City of Eureka, West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, California Department of General Services, Bridge Housing Corporation, Burbank Housing Corporation, and Napa Valley Community Housing.
UST and Dry Cleaner Investigations, Northern California — Conducted more than 50 UST and dry cleaner investigations to accurately assess impacts to soil, soil vapor (vapor intrusion), groundwater, and indoor air. Phase II investigations included sites impacted with diesel fuel, gasoline, fuel additives such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), VOCs, chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE), chlorophenols such as pentachlorophenol (PCP), dioxins/furans, PCBs, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals. Accurately identified, evaluated, and managed environmental and human health risks. Demonstrated the ability to understand and navigate complex regulatory hurdles to successfully complete project objectives. Proven effective experience working with Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), State Water Resources Control Board, North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB), San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, and many other local oversight programs throughout Northern California. Successfully obtained “No Further Action” status for more than 40 UST projects and four brownfield sites.
Brownfield Assessment and Remediation, Rio Dell, California — Negotiated scope of work on behalf of Humboldt Land Recovery, Inc. with DTSC and NCRWQCB for the assessment, remedial action, and quarterly groundwater sampling and reporting requirements for a 45-acre brownfield site at the former Eel River Sawmills, Mill A, which housed a teepee burner and wood treatment facility. Prepared an interim removal action plan that included an alternatives analysis to mitigate constituents of concern, including PCP, dioxins and furans, heavy metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons. Co-authored a successful EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant on behalf of the City of Rio Dell to obtain $400,000 in funding for the project. Grant funds were used to define the lateral and vertical extent of contamination at the site. Remedial excavation of impacted soil in the source area was successful in reducing impacts to groundwater.
Brownfields Assessment Grant Phase I ESAs, West Sacramento, California — Completed six Phase I ESAs for a former wastewater treatment plant, navigation lock, and a bulk fuel terminal on behalf of City of West Sacramento and West Sacramento Flood Control Agency utilizing EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant funding. The Phase I ESAs included approximately 30 buildings and 37 acres of land on six parcels with four site addresses adjacent to the Sacramento River. The site was historically associated with numerous aboveground fuel storage tanks, a Kinder Morgan pipeline, machine and maintenance shops, a wastewater treatment plant, wastewater and hazardous waste containments, and buildings with asbestos-containing building materials and lead-based paint. Subgrade piping at the site included connections for basins, digesters, ponds, clarifiers, and other large-scale structures. Chemicals of potential concern included PCBs, VOCs, diesel, gasoline, metals, and nitrates.
Brownfields Assessment Grant Investigations, Eureka, California — Managed a $350,000 EPA Brownfields Community-Wide Assessment Grant on behalf of the City of Eureka, co-authored two Phase I ESAs, prepared planning documents, including a quality assurance project plan (QAPP) and unanticipated discovery plan in advance of Phase II investigations, and worked closely with city staff to plan redevelopment approaches for the Eureka waterfront and Broadway realignment and redevelopment project.
Brownfields Assessment Grant Investigation, Oroville, California — Managed a $400,000 EPA Brownfields Site-Specific Assessment Grant on behalf of the City of Oroville. Completed a comprehensive Phase I ESA for a 20-acre industrial park with historical lumber mill operations that included a teepee burner and wood treatment operations. Prepared and managed implementation of a QAPP, SAP, and field sampling plan as well as the resulting Phase II investigation. Dioxin and PCP impacts to shallow soil were identified through multiple rounds of drilling, potholing, and sampling. Prepared a feasibility study to identify the most feasible remedial alternative, followed by a remedial action plan (RAP) that specified encapsulation of the affected areas beneath an engineered cap and recording of a Land Use Covenant.
Soil Vapor and Indoor Air Quality Investigations, Novato, California — Developed work plans, conducted assessments, and prepared reports to identify and assess a soil vapor plume of PCE and TCE beneath a dry cleaning facility, adjacent commercial retail spaces, and shopping center parking areas. Work plans included a vapor probe sampling plan, utilization of a mobile laboratory, and sample collection and analysis specifications. Formulated and implemented an indoor air quality monitoring investigation using 6-L Summa® canisters, precalibrated flow controllers, and an anemometer to assess potential impacts to indoor air from the soil gas source area. Assisted with remediation design to mitigate PCE/TCE-impacted indoor air through the cessation of PCE/TCE use in dry cleaning operations; modification of the existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; and completion of improvements to interior walls within the commercial building to increase air exchange between indoor and ambient outdoor air in the vicinity of the soil vapor plume while decreasing air exchange between the various impacted suites at the shopping center.
United States Post Office, Napa, California — Prepared a Phase I ESA report for the site as part of a real estate transaction, which led to a Phase II subsurface investigation, for the Napa Post Office site. The Phase II investigation included the preparation of a work plan and implementation of a soil vapor survey, lead-based paint and asbestos-containing building materials testing, and a shallow soil investigation with grab groundwater sampling.
Soil Vapor Investigation and VIMS Design/Construction Oversight, Auburn, California — Prepared a Phase I ESA report and Phase II work plan, and implemented a soil vapor investigation at a former automotive service station property that led to the design and construction of a passive/active vapor intrusion mitigation system (VIMS) for development of an 85-unit three-story residential housing project to house homeless residents. Provided oversight for VIMS design, and postconstruction indoor/outdoor air, sub-slab, and VIMS stack vapor monitoring of chlorinated solvents, beneath the site buildings. Tax-credit financing in combination with a Sutter Health grant provided $32 million for the nonprofit project, completed in 2022.
SCAP Grant Preparation, San Francisco, California — Prepared a successful $1.4 million Site Cleanup Subaccount Program (SCAP) grant application that included a detailed scope of work and cost estimate breakdown for a dry cleaner investigation and remediation site. The scope of work included soil, soil vapor, and groundwater assessment; remedial soil excavation; and enhanced in situ reductive dechlorination for documented onsite and offsite groundwater impacts.
BSC Dry Cleaners, Santa Rosa, California — Coordinated a soil vapor and indoor air surveys to assess potential vapor intrusion at a dry cleaner site. Prepared a work plan and oversaw seasonal assessment, managed client relationship, and provided guidance for field assignments.
Underground Storage Tank Case Review, Northern California — Prepared environmental case review documents for six northern California gas stations. Case reviews included site visits, discussions with client’s consultant, and review of technical documents on GeoTracker, including regulator letters and recent investigation data. Results were geared towards accelerating regulator case closure.
Gasoline Spill Assessment and Cleanup Oversight, Nicasio, California — Provided third-party consultant oversight as part of an assessment and cleanup of gasoline from a tanker rollover on ranch property. Work included initial response to 2,000-gallon gasoline spill, remediation of pools in receiving waters, installation of a permeable reactive barrier trench, installation of a shallow groundwater monitoring well network, and surface water monitoring. During remediation, stream crossings were impacted due to heavy equipment resulting in Water Board-required inventory of stream crossings, restoration design, and planned permitting, and implementation of a work plan to address erosion of the road prism and culvert failures.
Site Investigation and Soil Remediation
PCB Investigation and Remediation, Ukiah, California — Prepared investigation work plan, coordinated with NCRWQCB, conducted shallow soil investigation, and oversaw a remedial excavation to remove PCB-impacted soil associated with a series of industrial electrical transformers at a former window and door manufacturing plant, resulting in a “No Further Action” letter for the Operable Unit.
Soil Investigation and Remediation, Napa, California — Prepared a Phase I ESA report for a former residential and agricultural site in Napa, California, on behalf of nonprofits, Napa Valley Community Housing (NVCH) and Burbank Housing Development Corporation. Soil investigations detected lead and the organochlorine pesticide, chlordane, in shallow site soils at concentrations above residential screening levels. The Phase I ESA, results of the limited Phase II investigation, and subsequent investigation assessed the horizontal and vertical extent of impacts to shallow soil, culminating in the preparation of a RAP approved by Napa County Environmental Health Division. Approximately 40 yd3 of chlordane-impacted soil was removed from the site as part of the remedial work. Proposed landscape design aspects were used to mitigate exposure pathways of residual lead detected in shallow soil on the site through the design process. A “No Further Action” letter was obtained from Napa County that allowed NVCH to secure funding from Silicon Valley Bank, Merritt Community Capital Corporation, the City of Napa, the County of Napa, and the California Department of Housing and Community Development to redevelop the site with 200+ residential affordable housing units.
Limited Phase II Investigation, Santa Rosa, California — Conducted a limited Phase II investigation to address mercury contamination in shallow soil due to historical condensate discharged to a rock lined in-ground sump. The investigation led to a cleanup that involved remedial soil excavation of approximately 100 yd3 of impacted material. Coordinated with the City of Santa Rosa for remedial design approval and permitting. The remedial efforts included the disposal of RCRA and California hazardous levels of mercury-impacted soil, resulting in a “No Further Action” letter.
Education & Credentials
M.S., Geological Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1999
B.A., Government, The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1994
Professional Geologist, California (License No. 7543)
Real Estate Broker, California (License No. 01521308)
Construction General Permit Qualified Stormwater Practitioner (QSP) (License No. 00423)
Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) (License No. G07543)
Qualified Industrial Stormwater Practitioner (QISP) (License No. 00944)
Continuing Education
OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER
Professional Affiliations
Member, Geological Society of America
Member, California Stormwater Quality Association