Tag Archives: environmental

Raba Kistner Environmental announces promotion of Rick Klar, PG to Vice President

By North SA Chamber Editor
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raba kistner logoMr. Steven E. Jones, CHCM, Senior Vice President and COO of Raba Kistner Environmental (RKE) is pleased to announce the promotion of Rick V. Klar, PG to Vice President of the firm. Rick has been with RKE since 1996 and currently serves as the Manager of Operations for RKE, in addition to the corporate discipline leader for geosciences services. He is directly responsible for leading, guiding, evaluating, and supporting the work of environmental project staff, in addition to weekly operational planning and resource allocation.  Rick also interacts with other RK companies as necessary to provide environmental support for complex, multi-disciplinary projects.

Rick Klar_High Res_ColorRick is a registered Professional Geoscientist in the state of Texas and is responsible for implementing/overseeing site exploration and characterization activities in support of due diligence (Phase I, II, and III ESA) assessments, contamination assessments and remedial action plan development, soil and groundwater remediation projects, water quality/resources investigations, aggregate reserves planning, groundwater protection, in addition to a wide range of other environmental project types.  His project experience includes design and implementation of innovative site assessment approaches and strategies to address regulatory requirements and meet our Client’s long-term planning and project objectives.  Representative project experience includes geological mapping, karst feature surveys, surface and subsurface sampling of environmental media, landfill-gas and ground-water monitoring/recovery well design and installation, hydrogeologic investigations, and ground geophysical surveys.

According to Jones, “Rick is an extremely valuable leader in our department and a trusted resource for our clients. He has been with us for 18 years and his historical knowledge on our projects is extensive.  Over this time period, Rick has worked extensively with the majority of our repeat clients in addition to sub-consultants, subcontractors, and strategic teaming partners, and has established excellent working relationships that greatly benefit our company on many different levels. He is an excellent communicator and takes exceptional pride in the preparation of the written project deliverables and other client correspondence. These relationships and unfailing commitment to high-quality work over his tenure have been recognized through this most recent promotion.”

Mr. Klar is currently a member of the Alamo Air and Waste Management Association in addition to the National Ground Water Association.  He received his M.S. in Applied Geology (Hydrogeology) from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1996 and his B.S. in Earth Sciences from Saint Mary’s University in 1992.

About Raba Kistner, Inc.
Founded in 1968, Raba Kistner, Inc., parent company to Raba Kistner Environmental, Inc., is an Engineering News-Record “Top 500 Firm,” operating in eleven different markets in Texas, Utah, and México. Raba Kistner Environmental is recognized as one of the Southwest’s leading firms offering environmental consulting services. Our technical team consists of archeologists, biologists, engineers, environmental specialists, geologists, GIS analysts, and planners.

Raba Kistner Environmental announces hire of Dr. Steve A. Tomka, Senior Archaeologist

By North SA Chamber Editor
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PortraitsSteve Jones, CHCM, Senior Vice President and COO of Raba Kistner Environmental, has announced that Raba Kistner has hired Steve A. Tomka, Ph.D. to develop and manage Cultural Resources projects for the firm. As the Senior Archaeologist, Dr. Tomka is working closely with Prehistoric and Historic Project Archaeologists and Field and Laboratory Technicians at Raba Kistner Environmental on several new and exciting projects in the San Antonio area and around Texas.

Dr. Tomka has over 30 years of experience in Texas archeology.  In San Antonio and its immediate vicinity, Dr. Tomka has accumulated over 18 years of experience and knowledge working on archaeological projects.  His particular areas of expertise include Archival Research, Historic and Prehistoric Archaeology, NRHP Eligibility Testing and Data Recovery Excavations.

He has worked on prehistoric archaeological sites dating to 10,800 years before the present (BP), as well as 18th and 19th century Spanish Colonial missions and 20th century residential complexes in downtown San Antonio.

“We are very excited that Dr. Tomka is joining our Environmental group,” said Jones. “His very distinguished career, including serving in a voluntary capacity with many historical oversight groups, brings relationships and a level of knowledge about Texas archaeology that is unmatched in our industry.”

Dr. Tomka maintains a strong working relationship with all clients including architectural and engineering firms and City, County, and State agencies.  He has served on the State Board of Review for National Register of Historic Places nominations, and was the Chair of the Antiquities Committee of the Texas Historical Commission, where he served as Commissioner.   In these capacities, he acquired in-depth knowledge of the Antiquities Code of Texas as well as the processes and procedures associated with Section 106 compliance of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Dr. Tomka served as Director, Center for Archaeological Research, University of Texas at San Antonio, for 12 years before coming to Raba Kistner. He received his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Texas in Austin in 1994, and his M.A. from there in 1985. He received his BA in Anthropology from the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1980.

Dr. Tomka is pre-certified to conduct TxDOT archeological surveys (2.10.01) and has served as a Principal Investigator on multiple TxDOT statewide general services contracts.

About Raba Kistner
Founded in 1968, Raba Kistner, Inc., parent company to Raba Kistner Environmental, Inc., is an Engineering News-Record “Top 500 Firm,” operating in eleven different markets in Texas, Utah, and México. Raba Kistner Environmental is recognized as one of the Southwest’s leading firms offering environmental consulting services. Our technical team consists of archeologists, biologists, engineers, environmental specialists, geologists, GIS analysts, and planners.

Raba Kistner Environmental hires Melissa L. Karlin as Environmental Planner

By North SA Chamber Editor
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RK Environmental_cmykSteven E. Jones, Senior Vice President and COO of Raba Kistner Environmental (RKEI), has announced that Melissa L. Karlin, Ph.D. has been hired as an Environmental Planner, with responsibilities to include preparing environmental documents such as Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments, and others. Additionally, Melissa will be supporting RKEI’s environmental projects with GIS data management.

PortraitsIn this position, Karlin will be applying her knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Texas Antiquities Code.

Karlin’s most recent experience includes working as an Aviation Environmental Compliance Specialist in Fort Lauderdale Florida, as a Research Biologist for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and as an Environmental Scientist in Hobe Sound, Florida.

Karlin’s received her Ph.D. in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems from the University of North Carolina in 2011. She received her M.S. in Biological Sciences in 2005, and her B.A. in Biological Sciences from Florida Atlantic University in 2002.

About Raba Kistner
Founded in 1968, Raba Kistner, Inc., parent company to Raba Kistner Environmental, Inc., is an Engineering News-Record “Top 500 Firm,” operating in eleven different markets in Texas, Utah, and México. Raba Kistner Environmental is recognized as one of the Southwest’s leading firms offering environmental consulting services. Our technical team consists of archeologists, biologists, engineers, environmental specialists, geologists, GIS analysts, and planners.

Raba Kistner Environmental announces hire of Sally Victor, Historian

By North SA Chamber Editor
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RK Environmental_cmykSteven E. Jones, Senior Vice President and COO of Raba Kistner Environmental, has announced the hire of Sally Victor, Historian. Ms. Victor is an historic preservation specialist with more than 31 years of experience in conducting historical and archival research, including documentation supporting Sections 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Her experience also encompasses Planning and Permitting projects, including dozens of Transportation projects.

Sally VictorHer role as Project Professional for Raba Kistner includes preparation of reports from project data and field observation notes, conducting field activities, analysis of field data, and performing field surveys of historic resources. Ms. Victor also contributes to various NEPA documents, coordinates environmental resource studies, and works to resolve issues for a variety of projects, including transportation projects.

Ms. Victor has worked closely with State Historic Preservation Officers in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico. She has contributed substantially to multiple highway transportation, utility corridor, surface mining, airport renovation, rail traffic reports, high speed rail, and disaster recovery projects under Section 106 of the NHPA. With her extensive experience, she has become adept at developing ways to avoid and/or minimize impact to identified National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or State Archeological Landmark (SAL) eligible sites.

Ms. Victor received her B.A. in American Studies – History and Anthropology – and her MS in Community & Regional Planning, both from The University of Texas at Austin.

About Raba Kistner
Founded in 1968, Raba Kistner, Inc., parent company to Raba Kistner Environmental, Inc., is an Engineering News-Record “Top 500 Firm,” operating in eleven different markets in Texas, Utah, and México. Raba Kistner Environmental is recognized as one of the Southwest’s leading firms offering environmental consulting services. Our technical team consists of archeologists, biologists, engineers, environmental specialists, geologists, GIS analysts, and planners.

Alex Bartos has joined Raba Kistner as an Environmental Professional/Project Manager

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Bartos_AlexAlex Bartos has joined Raba Kistner as an Environmental Professional/Project Manager in the areas of Environmental Site Assessments, hazardous materials evaluations and subsurface investigations. Mr. Bartos brings more than 12 years of applicable experience and technical expertise in the environmental consulting field. Mr. Bartos’s experience includes managing environmental site assessments and remediation projects for oil and gas, pipeline, utilities, developers and industrial clients. His current responsibilities include planning and directing Phase I ESAs, conducting subsurface soil and groundwater assessments, remedial strategies, and regulatory review, and reporting for projects under the purview of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Rail Road Commission of Texas.

In addition to providing environmental site assessment services, Mr. Bartos has completed spill prevention, control and countermeasure plans (SPCC), storm-water pollution prevention plans (SWPPP), pollution prevention plans (P3), and Tier II reporting for industrial clients’ compliance requirements.

He has directed projects and coordinated activities in compliance with ASTM standards, TCEQ Innocent Owner/Operator Program (IOP), Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP), Dry Cleaner Remediation Program (DCRP), and the RRC Operator Cleanup Program (OCP).

North SA Chamber comments on the US 281 Draft Environmental Impact Statement

By North SA Chamber Editor
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North Chamber logo 4c horizontal

June 19, 2013

TXDOT-ENV
Attention: Vickie Crnich
125 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701-2483
RE:  Comments on the US 281 Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Dear Ms. Crnich:

The North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, representing almost 1400 business entities, has been a continued supporter of added capacity improvements along the US 281 corridor from Loop 1604 to Borgfeld Road.  While the completion of the US 281 Super Street eased congestion slightly, we are  seeing congestion at unacceptable levels once again during early morning and evening drive times.

Traffic volumes have increased significantly along US 281 in recent years and are expected to continue growing at a rapid pace.  According to TxDOT and MPO data, the portion of US 281 0.3 miles north of Loop 1604 saw Average Daily Traffic (ADT) of 133,000 in 2010.  ATD will rise to 205,000 by 2035.

Employment growth along the corridor has also risen from 3,312 in 1980 to 25,635 in 2005, and is projected to increase to an estimated 43,635 in 2035.  Also, according to an analysis conducted by the SA-Bexar County MPO, the number of residents living in census tracts adjacent to the portion of US 281 that is being studied will reach 142,240 by 2035, an increase of 93 percent from 2005.

Of the three alternatives under consideration in the Draft EIS, we feel the No-Build Alternative should be rejected as it will not address future growth and congestion.  Additionally, the No-Build Alternative fails to address safety and air quality concerns resulting from increased congestion.

The two proposed Build Alternatives address growth that has either already occurred or is likely to occur, and the North San Antonio Chamber supports moving forward with one of the Build Alternatives.

Regarding the issue of funding, we have actively supported use of available federal, state, and local funding to build new non-toll lanes.  However, based on recent Congressional and Legislature inaction on transportation funding, the outlook for additional funding for added capacity projects locally and statewide appears minimal at best.  In the absence of such funding, we support moving forward with the project through either managed lane and/or toll funding approaches.

On behalf of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, we thank you for the opportunity to provide comments as part of the US 281 Draft Environmental Impact statement.

Sincerely,

E. Duane Wilson
President & CEO