In his more than 20 years with DWR, Kashiwada has dealt with obtaining permits, conducting environmental studies, and staying within the parameters of environmental laws for projects from the planning stage to the construction phase. “With these regulations, we must make extra efforts to ensure our compliance,” he says. “In many cases, it makes the process longer and in turn more expensive.

“We know however it’s important to take these steps. The Department recognizes the importance and value of protecting and enhancing the environment.”

Obtaining permits and complying with regulations are now an integral part of all projects, small and large, Kashiwada says. Care must be taken to preserve existing environmental conditions at the project site. He is familiar with all of the “extra efforts” that were an integral part of the Coastal Branch’s construction, a project he was involved in from beginning to end.

Even before Coastal Branch construction contracts were advertised and the earthmovers broke ground, much time was devoted to completing environmental studies and reports. Reviews by the many governmental and regulatory agencies and the public generally required more time be allowed before the start of construction. This added to the cost equation, with more staff time needed for research and report reviews and revisions.

Consultants, DWR environmental specialists, and State and federal fish and wildlife experts spent hours determining which listed species (under federal or State endangered species acts) were located within the project area. Site visits were timed according to when the species inhabited or could be identified in the area. When necessary, listed species were relocated and kept out of the project site. For example, for the Coastal Branch construction, 80 blunt-nosed leopard lizards were caught and relocated, and a nine-mile-long fence was built to keep others from entering the project site.

In some cases, environmental surveys were conducted over an area much larger than planned for the project. This extra area allowed for adjustment of the project's alignment, or path, if necessary.

Experts coordinatec their efforts with regulatory agencies, water organizations, and interested public groups or individuals to complete EIRs and decided what mitigation measures must be taken. Environmental training of construction crews was completed before they began their work.

When construction began, environmental monitors were on site for consultation. They were responsible for making certain the mitigation measures were implemented. Such measures included timed construction to avoid impacts on listed species, vehicle speed limits on site, diversion and flow restrictions to protect fisheries, change of project alignment to avoid significant cultural (archeological) areas, capture and relocation of listed species, real-time monitoring of fish migration, and collection and propagation of native plants for replanting.

“We have witnessed a significant change in attitudes and protection of the environment from the past to the present,” Kashiwada says. “And we’ve learned how to manage and comply with the change. We wonder what the years ahead will have in store for our projects, but are up to whatever challenges the future holds for us.”