***IMPORTANT VENUE INFORMATION***
Bravo Farms is a “counter style” venue (think Chipotle or Subway). Due to the very customizable menu and the various arrival times of attendees, registrants will have to order and pay for their own lunches at this event. See the link below for menu options and pricing. Note: the salads and sides have large portions.
http://www.bravofarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/SH-Lunch-Menu.pdf
Title: Has Assembly Bill 52 Changed the Way We Do CEQA? – Lessons Learned
After several years of political wrangling, legislators decided that it was time for CEQA to formally address Native American resources. Assembly Bill (AB) 52 (Chapter 532, Statutes of 2014) was signed by Governor Jerry Brown on September 25, 2014, and requires lead agencies to consider the effects of projects on tribal cultural resources and to conduct consultation with federally and non-federally recognized Native American Tribes early in the environmental planning process. AB 52 applies specifically to projects for which a Notice of Preparation (NOP) or a notice of Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) will be filed on or after July 1, 2015. This bill specifies that a project that may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource (sites, features, places, cultural landscapes, sacred places, and objects with cultural value to a California Native American Tribe) is a project that may have a significant effect on the environment. AB 52 requires that prior to determining whether a Negative Declaration, MND, or Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is prepared for a project, the lead agency must consult with California Native American Tribes who are traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of the proposed project, and who have requested such consultation in writing (AB 52 Legislative Counsel’s Digest 2013-2014). California Native American Tribes are those identified on the contact list maintained by the California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC). AB 52 amends Section 5097.94, and adds Sections 21073, 21074, 21080.3.1, 21080.3.2, 21082.3, 21083.09, 21084.2, and 21084.3 to, the California Public Resources Code (PRC), relating to Native Americans.
Michelle Cross will focus this presentation on the discussion why AB 52 was adopted, the goals of AB 52, what the timing of AB 52 is and what constitutes a significant impact under to Tribal Cultural Resources under AB 52. The discussion will then focus on practical considerations for practitioners implementing AB 52 and lessons learned from the implementation of AB 52 thus far.
Guest Speaker: Michelle C. Cross, MA, RPA – Cultural Resources Practice Lead, Stantec
Michelle Cross Stantec’s Cultural Resources Practice Lead out of Sacramento, California, She is a registered professional archaeologist who loves exploring the depths of a project’s historical aspects. She meets the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for conducting and supervising all phases of investigations, and she’s well versed in the requirements of Section 106 of the NHPA and the California Environmental Quality Act, having managed archaeological assessments, Phase I, II, and III excavations, and architectural history investigations.
As a principal investigator for archeology on large scale projects in the energy, transportation, and development sectors, Michelle has honed her skills as a project manager and expert in archaeology, historical archaeology, and cultural resources management. Overseeing Stantec’s cultural resources program management for the western United States, Michelle is also active in the Society of California Archaeology (Northern California), where she works to advocate for archaeology on a local and state level.
When she’s not working, you’ll find Michelle in the trails of the American River Parkway in Sacramento or the Sierra Nevada mountains and foothills. She’s an avid runner and enjoys the outdoors with her husband and two children.
Michelle was recently named one of the Central Valley’s top Young Professionals of 2017 by Comstock Magazine. Read the full article here: http://www.comstocksmag.com/longreads/todays-visionaries-tomorrows-vision-0
Additional information on Michelle Cross can be found here: http://www.stantec.com/about-us/people/c/cross-michelle.html
Michelle is scheduled to begin speaking at 12 PM.
If you have any questions, please contact Ellen Moore at ellen.moore@reedley.ca.gov
