Paula C. Gill, PWS

Principal, Permitting and Planning

Bio
Relevant Experience
Education & Credentials
Insights & News

Bio

Ms. Paula Gill has 16 years of experience as a regulatory and wetland specialist working in the environmental arena. She served as a regulatory project manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), San Francisco District, providing expedited permit evaluation and related services for California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)-designated priority projects and other programmatic efforts to support efficient decision-making related to applications for Department of the Army permit activities. During this time, she gained experience with linear transportation projects while serving as the USACE liaison to Caltrans. She has evaluated Department of the Army permit applications, compliance, and enforcement cases for activities in waters of the U.S. within the regulatory authority of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Rivers and Harbors Act.

Ms. Gill is a versatile project manager who has worked on a range of projects involving commercial and residential development, energy, transportation, and environmental remediation. She is prepared to ensure high quality document standards, facilitate effective communication between clients and regulatory agencies, and provide an efficient path toward project entitlement.

Relevant Experience

Planning and Permitting

Manufactured Gas Plant Remediation, Solano County, California — On behalf of client, was retained to secure project authorizations for remediation of a manufactured gas plant site that includes work within the Mare Island Strait. Tasks include California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) support and preparation of applications for multiple resource agencies to authorize proposed project components. Agencies involved included USACE, Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

Shell Pond Remediation Project, Contra Costa County, California — On behalf of client, managed a 73‑acre remediation project in Contra Costa County from 2014 to present. Tasks included coordination with multiple resource agencies to authorize proposed project components. Agencies involved included USACE, Water Board, CDFW, BCDC, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Provided regulatory support to the team to facilitate successful navigation of a complex permitting process and achieve the demanding permitting schedule.

I-80/Gilman Street Interchange Improvement Project, Berkeley, California — On behalf of Caltrans in collaboration with the Alameda County Transportation Authority, as a subconsultant, took a lead role in completion of a Coastal Zone Management Act application. Facilitated pre-application meetings with BCDC staff, incorporating agency guidance and input into application documents, and ultimate authorization of a complicated infrastructure project.

Piers 39–43½ Sediment Remediation Project, San Francisco, California — Responsible for attaining project authorization for the multiphased sediment remediation project. Ongoing work includes preparation of applications packages for Section 10 Rivers and Harbors and Section 404 CWA authorizations from USACE (including formal Section 7 consultations with the NMFS), Water Board applications pursuant to the CWA and Porter-Cologne Act, CDFW incidental take permit, and BCDC permit applications. Work also requires permit applications for incidental harassment of marine mammals within the project footprint. In addition, provided support of the CEQA effort through completion of a biological resource assessment document.

Fort Mason East Harbor Sediment and Piers 39–43½ Sampling Investigations, San Francisco, California — Responsibilities include attaining authorization for sediment investigation projects to inform proposed in-bay remediation projects. Work has included preparation of applications for Section 10 Rivers and Harbors authorizations from USACE (including informal Section 7 consultations with NMFS) and Porter-Cologne Act authorizations from the Water Board.

California Department of Transportation, District 4, Regional General Permit 33, Bay Area Counties, California — Served in the development of USACE Regional General Permit 33 for Caltrans, District 4, routine work activities. The purpose of the work is to establish an authorization allowing for expedited authorization of frequently occurring work. Responsibilities include coordinating with Caltrans staff, facilitating preapplication meetings with relevant agencies (e.g., USACE, USFWS, and Water Board), and tailoring program description according to agency input. Responsibilities also include authoring the Department of the Army application to reflect the developed program.

California Department of Transportation, District 4, Programmatic Letter of Concurrence, Bay Area Counties, California — Participated in the development of a biological assessment in support of consultation with USFWS for routine work activities for 11 special status species. The purpose of the work is to establish a consultation allowing for expedited authorization of frequently occurring work as authorized under Regional General Permit 33. Responsibilities include coordinating with Caltrans staff, facilitating meetings with USFWS, and producing documentation.

Novato Creek Dredging Project, Bel Marin Keys, California — On behalf of the Bel Marin Keys Community Service District, as a subconsultant, attained authorization to dredge shoaled areas within the Novato Creek and North Lagoon and to dispose of the material within a previously constructed dredge material management site. Work required completion of a jurisdictional wetland delineation report describing the extent and location of waters of the United States subject to USACE jurisdiction pursuant to Section 404 of the CWA and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. Completed a biological assessment evaluating potential adverse effects on Ridgeway rail (Rallus obsoletus) and salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) in support of the Section 7 Endangered Species Act consultation between USACE and USFWS. Further, work with CDFW was required to finalize a streambed alteration agreement for the project.

Education & Credentials

M.S., Plant Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, 2002

B.S., Biology and Environmental Science, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, 1999

Continuing Education

Wetland Training Institute, Basic Wetland Delineation (2006)

USACE, Introductory Regulatory Program, Baltimore, Maryland (2007)

USACE, Cultural Resources, Santa Fe, New Mexico (2007)

USACE, Wetland Delineation, Fort Collins, Colorado (2008)

USACE, Advanced Regulation and NEPA, Salt Lake City, Utah (2009)

USACE, Coastal Permitting, San Francisco, California (2012)

Aquatic Resources Mitigation Workshop, Travis Air Force Base (2011)

California Rapid Assessment Method, Practitioner

Achievements & Awards

2011 San Francisco USACE, District Employee of the Year

Commander’s Award for Civilian Service

Insights & News

Resources

Adapting to Change: Navigating New Endangered Species Act Listings and Their Impact on Bay Area Projects

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Relevant Experience

Planning and Permitting

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