KIMLEY HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. (2)

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ON -CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPROACH The environmental documentation requirements for a "typical project" can vary extensively from the identification of potential environmental constraints as part of feasibility studies to document preparation pursuant to CEQA and NEPA. Our NEPA expertise is especially helpful if a project receives federal funds or requires federal permits. Our knowledge of technical issues, applicable regulations, and the City's entitlement and regulatory processes allows us to provide responsive and solution -oriented advice. Our role is to help the City determine the appropriate CEQA determination of a project whether that be a Categorical Exemption or a Section 15183 Exemption, an Addendum, a Mitigated Negative Declaration, or an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). We provide that guidance and experience. Kimley-Horn understands that the environmental setting in which CEQA and NEPA documents are prepared is dynamic and subject to frequent changes in practice, policy, legislation, and case law. This is not to say that every project is complicated or will be litigated. However, we work very hard to maintain that every environmental document and technical report that we prepare or peer review reflects all applicable rules and regulations and appropriate legal interpretations. Project Initiation — Start Smart. Before we put "pen to paper," the Kimley-Horn team will consider the entire project process to ensure that we have a complete understanding of where the project is going and how we are going to get it there. This involves everything from making sure the existing information will fulfill the needs of the environmental document and foreseeing what permits and regulatory actions may be required by agencies in the future that can be addressed within the current environmental document, to how the project will operate upon completion. Our experience provides us the knowledge to interject direction early in the process on possible project changes and mitigation measures that can be implemented to avoid or reduce environmental impacts. Simply, we take a proactive approach to projects —we don't wait for someone else to tell us what comes next or what else needs to be done. Kimley-Horn's strategy begins with reviewing available project documentation, considering any changes that have occurred since previous plan preparation, and reviewing any technical studies that have been prepared for each project. We will assess whether available information is adequate and notify the City if additional information is needed. If additional information is needed, a list of data needs will be provided in writing. Building on this, our project team will prepare additional technical reports and planning and environmental analyses to create a thorough, complete administrative and technical record upon which new conclusions will be based. Kimley-Horn facilitates a kick-off meeting with the team (i.e., project applicant, City staff, and applicable subconsultants) to discuss the document format, required technical studies, milestones/schedule, communication protocol, and project schedule. Project initiation efforts are intended to identify informational needs and project issues; to develop strategies for addressing these issues; to disseminate information to staff and subconsultants; and to identify sensitivities and potential issues of concern to citizens, organizations, or other agencies that need to be considered through the process. A few examples of Kimley-Horn's approach and methodologies to environmental documentation are outlined on the following pages: City of Santa Ana Planning Division I EVOC77014.2020 KimleyoHorn