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Shea Grady

Shea Grady
Assistant Scientist

Shea Grady

Assistant Scientist

Mr. Shea Grady has background rooted in assessing impacts to coastal, estuarine, and terrestrial habitats with extensive fieldwork experience, including environmental sampling and biological assessment and monitoring. Mr. Grady has received training on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) from the Association of Environmental Professionals, and he has been trained on using the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and wetland delineation. Moreover, he has additional training and work experience in youth education, science communication, and data science.

Planning and Permitting

Ala Wai Boat Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii As part of the permitting process for dock repairs needed to improve the navigational and landing capabilities of the Ala Wai Boat Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii, drafted a biological evaluation to document existing biological resources, potential threats to the surrounding resources, best management practices, and avoidance and minimization measures for project construction. The Ala Wai Harbor is notably an area of cultural and biological significance, and considerable planning is necessary to avoid impact to biological resources.
Lion’s Park Living Shoreline, American Samoa As part of the permitting process to a construct a living shoreline on the northwest corner of the Pala Lagoon, drafted a biological evaluation to document existing biological resources and potential threats to the surrounding resources of the lagoon. Pala Lagoon has been heavily subjected to sea level rise, and a living shoreline is being reengineered to counter the effects on communities that utilize the lagoon shoreline. The biological evaluation also included best management practices and avoidance and minimization measures needed for construction of the living shoreline to begin. The project involves installing dynamic revetments and mangrove islands. After permit acquisition, aided in design planning for proper mangrove planting and drafted a mangrove planting plan.
Oyster Cove Mixed-Use Neighborhood, Petaluma, California The Oyster Cove Mixed-Use Neighborhood project is a development plan aimed towards providing housing to multiple different income groups and public recreation space to the City of Petaluma. For this project, drafted the 401/404 permits, biological assessments, and the 1600 Streambed Alteration Agreement needed to begin this project. Arranged for preconstruction bat and bird surveying, and performed multiple nesting bird surveys.

Biological Monitoring and Assessment

Pier 39 Remediation Project, California This project aims to remediate contaminated soil around the Pier 39 (San Francisco) area by both capping soil and transporting soil to be decontaminated. Work with a team to determine an ideal and available site to receive contaminated soil. Also analyze historical records and biological resource reports for the presence of and work windows for special status species at potential sites. Draft memos for clients with updates on project progress and concerns. Served as a biological monitor for gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus). Arranged for field gear purchases and distribution for marine mammal monitoring. Set up acoustic receivers to be deployed for green sturgeon monitoring.
Shell Pond Remediation, California This site is currently being remediated for contaminated estuarine soil. The present mode of remediation is through phytoremediation. Worked with teams to perform rare plant surveys at the site for soft bird’s beak (Chloropyron molle) and drafted memos to update the client on biological resources. Most recently, served as a biological monitor for the salt marsh harvest mouse during the installation of pumps for flood control.
Oakland-Alameda Estuary Bridge Project, California This project aims to connect Oakland and Alameda via a pedestrian bridge to promote environmentally conscious and affordable transportation and to connect impacted communities. As project manager, facilitated the biological resource assessment for the project. Assemble interagency meetings, perform background research on biological resources in the area, and ensure concerns from local- and state-level governments are communicated properly to clients. Used tools, including the CNDDB and California Native Plant Society Rare Plant Inventory, for biological assessment of the project area.
Doolan North Riparian Mitigation, Dublin, California Performed monthly hydrology and annual plant health monitoring for an active riparian restoration project in Dublin, California. Documented the presence of wildlife and hydrophytic plant establishment throughout the year during site visits. Currently supporting relocation efforts for California tiger salamander and California red-legged frog.
Croak Road Monitoring, Dublin, California Drafted monthly and annual monitoring reports for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and CDFW for wildlife monitoring efforts. Supported and conducted monitoring and relocation efforts for California tiger salamander and California red-legged frog.
Seely Road Survey, San Jose, California Supported an extensive nesting bird survey as due diligence for the anticipated purchase of this property. This property was a poorly maintained, overgrown farm with ample structures and trees for nesting birds.
Culvert Repair, Hayward, California Monitored the emergency repair of a culvert that directs water into the San Lorenzo Creek, near the intersection of A Street and 4th Street. Ensured that contaminants and refuse, such as concrete and litter, were properly handled and disposed of during installation of a new culvert pipe and the laying and grouting of riprap around the pipe. Briefed repair teams on the importance of proper concrete handling and the environmental consequences of concrete spill.
Nesting Bird Protection and Site Demolition, Petaluma, California Performed nesting bird surveys prior to the demolition of preexisting infrastructure at the Oyster Cove Mixed-Use Neighborhood project in Petaluma, California. Two nesting bird surveys were conducted. Provided insight on how to proceed with scheduled demolition without adding unnecessary danger to the bird nests, including establishment of a designated buffer zone.
Eucalyptus Removal and Habitat Restoration Monitoring, Windsor, California Monitored the removal of eucalyptus throughout a restoration site within a vineyard in Windsor, California.
B Street Culvert Repairs, Hayward, California Served as a biological monitor for the emergency repairs of a collapsed culvert in Hayward, California. Upon monitoring, identified the active presence of salmonids within the adjacent creek and took necessary measures to ensure no negative effects were placed on the fish. Also conducted required annual mitigation monitoring.
Miller Creek Annual Monitoring, Marin County, California Conducted site visits to measure the presence of invasive species and establishment of hydroseeded native plants. Assessed health of planted native species and hydrology of a mitigation site adjacent to Miller Creek.
Irwin Creek Annual Monitoring, Marin County, California Conducted site visits to measure the presence of invasive species, establishment of hydroseeded native plants, and hydrology of a mitigation site adjacent to Irwin Creek.
Five Canyons Annual Monitoring, Alameda County, California Conducted site visits to measure the presence of invasive species and establishment of hydroseeded native plants. Assessed health of planted native species and hydrology of a mitigation site adjacent to Five Canyons Creek.

Wetland Delineation

Highway 1 Wetland Delineations, Sonoma, California Completed a baseline delineation of waters of the United States and the state (wetlands and other waters) using U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) routine methodology and the Arid West Supplement. Identified potential jurisdictional waters along Highway 1 of Sonoma County.
Tesla Road, Livermore, California Completed a baseline delineation of waters of the United States and the state (wetlands and other waters) using USACE routine methodology and the Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coasts Supplement. Identified potential jurisdictional waters along a dried creek bed. Conducted additional field surveys of nesting birds to support a biological resources assessment.
Meder Street Wetland Delineation, Santa Cruz, California Completed a baseline delineation of waters of the United States and the state (wetlands and other waters) using USACE routine methodology and the Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coasts Supplement. Identified potential jurisdictional waters throughout the project site. Performed nesting bird surveys.
Oyster Cove Mixed-Use Neighborhood, Petaluma, California Identified the extent of jurisdictional waters and the project’s potential to impact jurisdictional waters by completing a baseline delineation of waters of the United States and the state (wetlands and other waters), using USACE routine methodology and the Arid West Supplement. Performed multiple nesting bird surveys.    

Water Quality Monitoring

Organic and Total Alkalinity, San Francisco Estuary, California Collected and titrated water samples from multiple habitats in the north San Francisco Bay estuary for measures of total and organic alkalinity. The organic contributors to total alkalinity are commonly assumed negligible in total alkalinity measures. Recent research reveals organic alkalinity is noticeable in estuaries, which, when assumed absent, affects estuarine carbonate chemistry calculations when total alkalinity is used. By titrating for organic alkalinity, this research provided more comprehensive insight on spatial and temporal estuarine alkalinity and carbonate chemistry trends. This insight is needed for more accurate assessment factors such as climate change and acidification in estuaries.
Water Quality Monitoring, Hudson River, New York Worked with small vessel crew to collect water samples upstream and downstream of vessels installing fiber-optic cable from Montreal, Canada, to New York City, New York, in the Hudson River.
PCB Sampling and Sonde Maintenance, San Leandro Bay, California Supported the installation and continued maintenance of sondes throughout San Leandro Bay to collect data on sediment transport, general water quality parameters, and concentrations of PCBs. These efforts include point sampling of water quality and the use of towing vessels for acoustic Doppler current profiler sampling.  

Ecological Restoration

Sediment Investigation, California Worked with teams to evaluate and restore Zostera marina (eelgrass) sites in various areas throughout the San Francisco Bay estuary. Assessments included sampling for zooplankton and megafauna at restoration sites to determine levels of species diversity and richness before and after site restoration.
Eucalyptus Removal and Habitat Restoration Monitoring, Windsor, California Monitored the removal of eucalyptus throughout a restoration site within a vineyard in Windsor, California.
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