Kelly Evans

CAL Fire recently released new hazard maps that greatly increased the areas considered “high” and “very high” risk for wildfires.  

A Supreme Court decision narrows NEPA requirements for analyzing the potential environmental effects of secondary development projects.  

California Assembly Bill 98 is a planning and zoning law that sets statewide requirements relating to design, operation and environmental standards for specified classes of development projects, including logistics uses and warehouses. The bill is part of California’s ongoing efforts to reduce air pollutant emissions and regulate warehouse and trucking activity.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two executive orders in January 2025—EO-N-4-25 and EO-N-9-25—to waive permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act for areas impacted by the Los Angeles-area wildfires.These waivers aim to speed up reconstruction, support temporary housing, and include price gouging protections to improve affordability and wildfire resilience.

FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) has demonstrated a commitment to environmental consulting for nearly 40 years, and 2024 was another year of crucial growth in an ever-evolving industry. Join us in celebrating our 2024 accomplishments.  

A grant audit is a thorough examination of an organization’s financial records and activities related to a grant, conducted to verify that funds were used appropriately. Preparing for a potential grant audit can set the stage for successful grant management.

Cities, municipalities, and tribal governments have access to a variety of funding opportunities to drive growth, enhance infrastructure, and strengthen community well-being.

Cultural Resource Management (CRM) experts worked with Native American tribes to facilitate the successful completion of four fire breaks along the Russian River in California. 

Arboricultural consultants are the authoritative experts on trees and provide a key service to both municipalities and developers, conducting assessments, taking inventory of trees within a project site, and offering mitigation measures to prioritize both natural resources and project success. 

In 2024, California wildfires burned over 1 million acres, doubling the destruction of 2023 and marking one of the worst seasons on record. The increasing number of wildfires within the state each year highlights the urgent need for robust wildfire management, prevention strategies, and awareness of both state and federal grants that can support communities impacted or at risk of wildfire destruction. 

FCS’s Air Quality (AQ) team shares their collaborative approach to building relationships and trust while navigating the virtual workplace. 

Burrowing owls, currently considered a California Species of Special Concern and a federal Bird of Conservation Concern, are inhabitants of open grassland and desert scrub communities that are occasionally present on project sites in California. Mitigation and management of burrowing owls is guided mainly by recommendations in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (2012) Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation. However, the species may soon become listed under the California Endangered Species Act, which could bring big changes to the way burrowing owls are managed on project sites.  

Grants are a vital funding source for a multitude of public projects and programs, including infrastructure. Grants empower cities and municipalities to meet residents' needs, enhance public services, foster economic and social development, and promote sustainability. However, applying for and managing grants is intricate and time-consuming, demanding specialized skills and expertise. Many city or municipality officials may find it challenging to handle these tasks effectively due to the complexity and time constraints, highlighting the necessity of a professional team.  

Grant writing is an essential process for many organizations seeking funding for projects or initiatives. Although the main objective of grant writing is to obtain financial support, adhering to ethical business practices is crucial for maintaining integrity and trust throughout the funding process as well as ensuring the sustainability of funding relationships over time.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulates disturbance to streambeds and riparian habitats under section 1600 to 1617 of the Fish and Game Code. An agreement is typically needed for development in these areas.

The National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) requires agencies to consider the environmental impacts of any proposed action or project before a decision is made. Projects involving federal aid or permitting typically fall under the NEPA regulatory umbrella, including infrastructure development and resource management initiatives.

Biological consultants protect Mojave Desert tortoises from potentially harmful projects by determining their presence on project sites, assessing project effects, and sometimes translocating tortoises from project development areas. FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) biologists can conduct technical studies and documentation, acquire project permits, and implement minimization and monitoring measures for any project involving Mojave Desert tortoises.

The path toward CEQA compliance can appear overgrown with pending legislation, delayed schedules, and other challenges. The development of CEQA streamlining provisions provide a more  tactical path toward project approval. While options vary with specific development considerations, several provisional approaches have been used with growing frequency.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed projects prior to making decisions. Federal or state funding may be available to move forward with public projects that raise environmental concerns – and a team of experts can help identify your options.

When the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was passed in 1970, it was the first major environmental law enacted in the United States. Since that time, NEPA has ensured that agencies consider and disclose the environmental effects of a proposed project.

CEQA exists to promote informed decisions regarding development projects with a potential to result in environmental impacts. Streamlining provisions allow for a shortened review process, but determining your project’s eligibility for streamlining requires foresight and planning. Devising a checklist is a helpful tool for checking all the necessary boxes.

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is crucial in assessing and mitigating environmental risks resulting from discretionary projects. How PFAS will impact the CEQA landscape depends on a variety of shifting factors.

FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) is proud of the work we’ve accomplished over the past 37 years, and 2023 proved an excellent addition to those achievements. Join us as we review our 2023 accomplishments.

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been widely used in consumer and industrial projects since the 1940s. They have since been found in the air, soil, and water supply, leading to concern about potentially harmful effects on human health and the environment.

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exists to ensure that government decision-makers consider potential environmental impacts before approving public or private projects. CEQA aspires to facilitate public review from an environmental perspective and allow input from public decisionmakers, but it oftentimes results in protracted schedules for review and approval. Several CEQA streamlining provisions are being used more frequently and offer a variety of benefits for developers, stakeholders, and the public.

Projects with potential cultural or historic significance may hold unidentified resources that are not uncovered until late in the development process. These projects require additional attention and consideration by a cultural resources management team. 

Keeping up with and adhering to continually evolving regulatory standards and recent environmental concerns is no small task. 

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires both public and private projects to undergo an environmental analysis. 

Updates to CEQA streamlining procedures may make green infrastructure more attainable for Californians.  

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are facing increasing regulations, and the most recent proposal would limit concentrations in drinking and/or groundwater.

We have the answers to your most pressing questions about the latest developments in environmental sustainability.

How the Direction of Impact Helps Differentiate Sustainability and Resilience 

As per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) increasingly make their way into the headlines, their regulatory presence is growing as well. This group of man-made chemicals, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” have been historically used in myriad industries and are ubiquitously present in household items since the 1950s.

In a Nov. 30, 2022, ruling, the California First District Court of Appeals unanimously upheld approval of the Terraces of Lafayette development, a 315-unit apartment community in Lafayette, California. FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) provided consulting services that helped advance a project that will provide relief for hundreds of families amid California’s monumental housing crisis.

The unique chemical and physical properties, toxicity, and ubiquitous nature of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, is of growing concern to the environmental regulatory community.

Throughout history, people have found maps to be an efficient and effective method of recording, storing and transferring information about the world around them.

Across the globe, the past year was one of expansion and reopening. FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) was no exception, diving headfirst into new partnerships, new leadership, and new challenges worth tackling. Join us as we reflect on our progress in 2022, as well as the bright future ahead.

In April 2022, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) updated its thresholds of significance for use in determining whether a proposed land use project will have a significant impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These thresholds were updated to coincide with the updated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) “fair share”-based thresholds.

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of widely used man-made chemicals often referred to as “forever chemicals,” due to how slowly they break down over time. PFAS have been widely used in industrial and consumer products since the 1940s and have been since found in the air, soil, and water supply.

After decades of experience in environmental science, at least one thing remains clear: that diverse, well-integrated data is at the heart of real change. From observations early in my career to my work with organizations connecting sustainability performance to business goals, I’ve seen firsthand the role that data plays in fueling informed, strategic action—and what we can achieve when we connect the dots. 

It can be challenging to navigate the legal changes and requirements involved in developing an Addendum to determine sufficiency of a previous Environmental Impact Report (EIR). FCS has helped navigate those changes firsthand through several projects, including the Bishop Ranch 6 Residential Development (City Village) in the City of San Ramon, an Addendum to the North Camino Ramon Specific Plan EIR.

In June 2017, the CA Governor’s Office of Planning and Research issued a technical advisory which provides guidelines for consultation with California’s Native American tribes under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) following the enactment of Assembly Bill 52.

We’re answering all your ES questions!

The shift from LOS to VMT is one of the most impactful changes on California’s travel, development, health, air quality, and more.  

In this growing climate crisis, cities will play a critical role in testing, implementing, and sharing solutions that can be replicated around the globe. Evolving regulations will require transparency to achieve funding and compliance with local regulations. At the same time, public perception will play its own governing role in holding cities and municipalities accountable for meeting their sustainability goals. 

There are a lot of abbreviations and acronyms in the environmental services industry; so many that it’s easy to get confused, whether you are new to the industry or have been in it for a long time. 

FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) anticipates what jurisdictions need to know to navigate the changes and requirements to development impact fee programs when preparing an EIR.  

FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) supported the inclusive residential and affordable development of The Kelsey Ayer Station Project, a 115-unit housing community in San José, California. The Project sets the tone for turning advocacy into policy.

FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) facilitated new green developments for the Scannell Properties Project, setting the tone and foreshadowing what the future holds for this growing industry. 

The FCS team reflects on this past year as a year of impact and growth amid the continuing pandemic. 

You had important questions, and we’ve answered them for you.

From the onset, Human Resources was the company’s front-line responder to the pandemic.

Communities and developers alike benefit from the chance to understand the implications of a proposed project’s design. There is nothing like being able to visualize a development and all its elements, such as site planning, height, massing, and even color palettes before it’s approved or built through visual simulations.

The addition of Cameron-Cole increases our depth and reach in environmental and regulatory compliance, air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) services, and environmental assessments. 

Public lands encompass wide swaths of the United States, from national parks to local historic landmarks. If you’ve visited a nearby park, lakeshore, or wilderness area, you’ve probably just made use of the public lands that are available to all of us!

But what exactly are public lands? And why are they so often a topic of discussion, in both local and national policy?

Diversity and respect are fundamental. FCS insists upon a culture of common respect, expects transparency, and celebrates the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. Our mutual equality as humans is the path to diverse and innovative collaboration.

As part of an ongoing initiative taking a look into history and recognizing some of the challenges the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community has overcome to help make fundamental rights and opportunities available for all, this post reviews the history of AAPI labor and the fight for fair labor conditions for migrant workers. 

On July 16, 2021, CA Governor Gavin Newsom signed and filed with the Secretary of State Assembly Bill No. 819 (AB 819), amending nine statutory sections that are part of CEQA. The bill was filed as non-urgency legislation and will become effective on January 1, 2022.

After several extensions to prior Executive Orders, Governor Newsom’s June 11, 2021 Executive Order N-08-21 regarding the COVID-related conditional suspension of posting, filing, and notice requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), will end on September 30, 2021.

ADEC Innovations is at the center of a rapid global movement where companies, coalitions, and governments aim to apply data insight and software technology to enable their sustainability journey – a movement I refer to as Sustainatech.  

More than one year into a global pandemic, businesses, families, and communities alike are looking back at how the past 12+ months have impacted them from personal, productivity, revenue, and ethical perspectives.

With AAPI Heritage month upon us, this post recognizes the challenges this group has overcome to help make basic fundamental rights available for all.

We have curated a collection of resources that support the AAPI community and organizations.

Our COO breaks down the importance of conducting internal surveys and how they have lead to collaborative, real action at FCS. 

Environmental planning can help cities become more sustainable and help manage environmental impacts. 

The FCS team celebrates National Park Week by sharing their favorite memories about national parks. 

Noise controlling tips to help combat the daily challenges with working from home and help you to work more productively. 

Our COO reflects on this past year, looks ahead to the exciting things on the horizon, and introduces the launch of our new monthly blog series.  

The FCS team reflects on this past year as a year of reinvention and sharpening our focus amidst uncertainty. 

It’s 10:30am. It’s a bright, sunny day, and I’m desperately yawning through my (second) cup of coffee. Why am I already so tired? Oh, yes: I got up at 5:30am to get 2.5 hours of work in before heading downstairs to start my school day.

CDFW recently announced their annual increase for CEQA document filing fees in 2021.

Chances are, you have seen signs around your city declaring a relationship with a ‘Sister City’ on the other side of the globe. It sounds important, but what is a Sister City, and how do these relationships work in practice?

Environmental Planning is an industry that is always changing—especially in California. When a project is proposed, CEQA  requires that impacts to the environment are assessed for their severity.

There is a common misconception that the environmental movement is entirely nature-centered, which ignores a tragic reality of the environmental crisis: environmental harm is human harm, and environmental harm affects some people more than others. This is the premise for the Environmental Justice movement.

In the recent webinar, City Resiliency and Why it Matters, FCS International's own Mary Bean joined a conversation with SCI and GCEOA to discuss cities, resiliency, and the UN SDGs. 

Business as usual is no longer the norm yet operations must continue and adapt to a new reality. How do you achieve resiliency and sustainable operations while navigating through an unprecedented global pandemic and addressing complex disruptions? 

The Governor of Califonia issued EO N-54-20 this past March, which temporarily suspended certain posting, filing, and notice requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for 60 days. As of September 23, the Governor issued EO N-80-20 which extends the provisions of the prior Executive Order. 

California altered the lens for assessing transportation impacts on the environment for new developments subject to CEQA review with the passing of Senate Bill 743 (SB 743). As of July 1, 2020, agencies that are analyzing the transportation impacts of new projects must now look at a metric known as vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

Home costs are rising across the United States, reflecting a shortage of housing in places where people want to live and businesses want to operate. This is particularly evident in California and the Bay Area specifically, where homes prices and apartment rental rates are among the highest in the nation.

During the summer, I started an internship with FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS). I pursued an internship at FCS because I thought it would be a great experience and give me insight into the inner workings and operations of an Environmental Consulting company.

FCS is committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our staff and clients, while maintaining project progress and business continuity. Our staff biologists provide their perspectives on conducting fieldwork during the pandemic and share their insights on the lessons they learned.

In this webinar, we bring together Kansas City business leaders to share their experiences, successes, and challenges addressing ESG from different industries in an ever-changing landscape.

In response to COVID-19’s impact on the California legal system, the Judicial Council of California adopted emergency regulations that significantly extend the time individuals have to file lawsuits challenging the approval of development projects.

As counties have begun to reopen and there are new updates every day, California local and statewide COVID-19 response measures are changing the way businesses and communities engage in regulatory and environmental compliance.

In this webinar, we present ESG in the context of private investing for local governments, what ESG factors and risks are used by bond raters, and climate resiliency during the current pandemic. 

Do you have a project moving through the discretionary approval process that requires noise impact analysis? As many project proponents are finding out, the economic disruption caused by COVID-19 has fundamentally altered ambient noise conditions. 

Many people have suddenly found themselves in the world of working remotely. In measures to protect employees, countless companies have implemented travel restrictions and remote work arrangements indefinitely. 

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors have become key considerations in the private sector when investors and companies are evaluating, disclosing, and mitigating risk. In the public sector, local governments face similar risks and many of the same ESG criteria are used by bond rating agencies to evaluate municipal credit ratings.

The Governor of California has issued a new Executive Order which suspends certain posting, filing, and notice requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) until June 21st. 

Every day, organizations around the world take steps to reduce their environmental impact and ensure that their operations are sustainable. In 2019, the team at FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) felt it was about time to pursue a Green Business Certification from the California Green Business Network (CGBN). 

With the rise of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and globally, we at FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) are working hard to ensure the health and safety of our staff and clients, and remain committed to helping mitigate the risk and spread of COVID-19 in the communities in which we live and work.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has driven businesses, government agencies, and other organizations to rapidly develop plans to ensure the health and safety of workers while mitigating financial risk and continuing to conduct essential operations.

As more COVID-19 cases are confirmed in the U.S. and globally, we at FirstCarbon Solutions are taking extra precautions to ensure the health and safety of our staff.

Sunscreens are amazing. They shield us from harmful UV rays, keep us from getting sunburned, and help prevent skin cancer. So why, in summer of last year, did the state of Hawaii ban more than 3,500 sunscreens from even entering the islands?

Mangrove forests play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems both locally and globally, and they are coming more and more into the international spotlight. Threatened by climate change, pollution, overfishing, and human expansion, mangroves need our protection to survive. But why are these forests under threat, and why are so many organizations now prioritizing their preservation?

The Blue Economy was first introduced by Prof. Gunter Pauli in 2004 when he published his book, The Blue Economy, which featured a plan on how to connect seemingly disparate environmental concerns to turn “scarcity to abundance.”

As a member of a sorority at UC Berkeley, I notice that institutional barriers cause inaction across several issues that pervade the Greek* system, including the issue of sustainability. In an effort to disrupt this stagnation and attack issues of waste generation, food security, lack of sustainability education, etc., I revamped a long lost club called “Greening the Greeks.” Our mission is to make sweeping cultural, infrastructural, and educational change within fraternities and sororities at UC Berkeley in ways that improve our treatment of the environment.