(310) 475-5700
Ms. Lynch advises public agencies on environmental and land use matters. With a degree in biology, Ms. Lynch focuses on complex issues and projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the federal and California Endangered Species Act (ESA). She has extensive experience reviewing CEQA and NEPA environmental documents, including an EIR/EIS for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Newhall Ranch Resource Management and Development Plan/Spineflower Conservation Plan, a conservation and mitigation plan for a Specific Plan covering approximately 12,000 acres, numerous species and complex biological resource management issues.
Ms. Lynch also advises public agencies on CEQA and NEPA issues related to compliance with other wildlife and resource protection laws, such as Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and California Fish and Game Code, including Section 1601 streambed alteration agreement permit requirements. Other representative projects include large-scale, complex transmission line projects, photovoltaic solar facilities, port facilities, airport facilities, intermodal and on dock railroad facilities, general and specific plans, and specific development proposals.
Her experience also includes prior public service as a Santa Barbara County Planning commissioner.
LOS ANGELES REGIONAL INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (LA-RICS) JOINT POWER AUTHORITY
Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Joint Power Authority – Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and Long-Term Evolution (LTE) Broadband Project
Since 2011, we have provided CEQA and NEPA advice to the LA-RICS Authority, a joint powers authority run by representatives of more than 25 agencies in the Los Angeles area, responsible for the safety of 10 million Los Angeles County residents. The Authority is constructing a communication network dedicated exclusively to emergency responders, managing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grant money to construct more than 200 individual monopole and tower sites for public safety/emergency services infrastructure. The broadband component of this system will be incorporated in to FirstNet, a nationwide first responder network. Our work for the Authority has included review of a complex EIR for the Land Mobile Radio System, ongoing review of NEPA analyses for consideration by the federal grant managers, and ongoing advice for CEQA and NEPA compliance. We also played an instrumental role in obtaining legislative approval of a statutory exemption from CEQA for certain sites within the LA-RICS System.
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Since 2006, we have provided the CPUC with CEQA advice on complex issues related to transmission and energy planning. In the course of this work, we have reviewed dozens of the CPUC’s EIRs, MNDs, MMRPs, Findings, SOCs and Draft Decisions. Representative projects include:
SDG&E Sycamore-Peñasquitos 230-KV Transmission Line Project – Legal review of an EIR and associated documentation for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for construction and operation of a new 230-kV transmission line between the existing Sycamore Canyon and Peñasquitos Substations, including four transmission line segments and minor modifications to four existing substations.
SDG&E Salt Creek Substation Project – Legal review of an EIR and associated documentation for construction of a 69/12-kV substation at the Salt Creek Substation site; and underground loop-in to connect the existing 69-kV powerline (TL 6910) to the substation; and additional energy generation at the existing CalPeak Power.
SDG&E Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Line – Legal oversight on 117-mile, $1.883 billion 500-kilovolt electric “superhighway” from Imperial County to San Diego County with 1,000-megawatt capacity (enough energy for 650,000 homes) traversing several cities as well as federal and state lands. Under the direction of the CPUC, we performed legal consulting tasks related to preparation of the EIR/EIS including determinations regarding multiple, complex Alternatives.
SCE Circle City and Mira Loma-Jefferson 66 kV Subtransmission Line Project – Legal review of an EIR and associated documentation for a permit to construct (PTC) the Circle City Substation and Mira Loma-Jefferson 66kV Subtransmission Line Project. The Project consists of construction of: a new 66/12 kV substation (Circle City Substation); four new 66 kV subtransmission source lines; and a new 66 kV subtransmission line, which would be a combination of both overhead and underground construction. The Project would also include an upgrade to the Mira Loma Substation, construction of approximately six new underground 12 kV distribution getaways exiting the proposed Circle City Substation, relocation of approximately 1.9 miles of an existing overhead 33 kV distribution line to an underground position, and installation of telecommunication facilities to connect the Project to SCE’s existing telecommunications system.
SCE’s Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project – Legal review of EIR/EIS for construction of a 500-kilovolt transmission project. The Project includes some National Forest land and requires a 50-year term Special Use Easement from the Forest Services. The Project delivers electricity from wind energy projects in eastern Kern County to the Los Angeles Basin, and provides the electrical facilities necessary to integrate levels of new wind generation in excess of 700 megawatts (MW) and up to approximately 4,500 MW in the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area.
SCE Mesa 500-kV Substation Project – Legal review of an EIR and associated documentation for a PTC to rebuild and upgrade a portion of SCE’s transmission infrastructure primarily within the Western Los Angeles Basin Electrical Needs Area. The project will upgrade the existing 220/66/16-kV Mesa Substation to a 500/220/66/16-kV substation.
SDG&E Cleveland National Forest, Master Special Use Permit – Legal review of an EIR/EIS and associated documentation for construction of SDG&E’s Master Special Use Permit (MSUP) and PTC Power Line Replacement Projects located in and around the Cleveland National Forest (CNF) in San Diego County.
PG&E Missouri Flat-Gold Hill 115kV Reconductoring Project – Legal review of IS/MND for an application to reinforce the electric transmission and distribution system in El Dorado County by replacing existing conductor (reconductoring), replacing existing poles, and modifying existing lattice steel towers on the Missouri Flat-Gold Hill115 kV Power Line (Missouri Flat-Gold Hill Line).
PG&E Cressey-Gallo 115 kV Power Line Project – Legal review of IS/MND for construction of a new 115 kV power line between Cressey and Gallo Substations to form a power line loop with two other area substations.
PG&E Fulton-Fitch Mountain 60 kV Reconductoring Project – Legal review of IS/MND for an application to reinforce the electric transmission system in central Sonoma County by replacing the conductor on a 9.9-mile-long section of the Fulton-Hopland 60-kV Power Line (Fulton-Hopland line) between the Fulton Substation and Fitch Mountain Substation.
PG&E Sanger Substation Expansion Project – Legal review of IS/MND for an application to expand the existing Sanger Substation in unincorporated Fresno County to contain a new breaker-and-a-half bus configuration.
SDG&E Wood-to-Steel Project (TL 649) – Legal review of IS/MND for proposed wood-to-steel replacement of existing facilities; conversion of approximately 430 feet of underground power line cable under State Route 125 to an overhead configuration; interception of existing underground distribution lines; and modification of existing access roads as needed.
SDG&E Pendleton (TL 695 & TL 6971) Reconductor Project – Legal review of IS/MND for a proposed Tie-Line (TL) 695 and TL 6971 Reconductor Project (proposed project) in northern San Diego County and southern Orange County.
PG&E Ravenswood-Cooley Landing 115kV Reconductoring Project – Legal review of CEQA document for replacement of the existing wires on 1 .6 miles of double circuit 115 kV power line supported by nine steel lattice towers between Ravenswood Substation and Cooley Landing Substation.
SDG&E San Marcos to Escondido TL6975 69 kV Project – Legal review of CEQA document for a combination of new overhead single-circuit electric power line structures, rebuild of existing structures from single circuit to double circuit, and the reconductoring and re-energizing of existing conductors.
SDG&E Del Mar Substation (TL674A Reconfigure & TL666D Removal Project) – Legal review of CEQA document for an application to address the safety, environmental, and reliability concerns in SDG&E’s existing Del Mar Substation area, and ensure that the substation and associated components meet the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) criteria. The applicant proposes to meet NERC criteria by replacing an overhead 69 kV power line (TL666D) that is currently operated in the open position with a new line (TL6974D) of a higher voltage rating.
SDG&E San Marcos to Escondido TL6975 69 kV Project – Legal review of CEQA document for a PTC a combination of new overhead single-circuit electric power line structures, rebuild of existing structures from single circuit to double circuit, and the reconductoring and re-energizing of existing conductors in the cities of Carlsbad, Escondido, Vista and San Marcos, and in unincorporated San Diego County.
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE
Newhall Ranch Resource Management and Development Plan and the Spineflower Conservation Plan EIS/EIR
The Sohagi Law Group worked effectively with the CDFW with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as co-lead agencies, and applicants on the 11,999-acre Newhall Ranch Resource Management and Development Plan and the Spineflower Conservation Plan EIS/EIR. The Draft and Final EIS/EIR, prepared by the project applicant, analyzes and describes the environmental impacts that may result with implementation of the Newhall Ranch Resource Management and Development Plan (RMDP) and the Spineflower Conservation Plan (SCP). The RMDP and SCP serve as the applications by the Newhall Land and Farming Company (Newhall Land) to the CDFW for various permits and agreements required under the California Fish and Game Code for Newhall Land.
Friends of The Whittier Narrows Natural Area v. San Gabriel River Discovery Center Authority, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. Bs125058
(2010) Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. BS125058; Court of Appeal, Second District, Division 2 Case No. B232561
The Firm successfully defended the Authority’s EIR for the creation of a state-of the art, LEED certified interpretive center at the location of the Whittier Narrows Nature Center. While an appeal was filed, it was voluntarily dismissed by Appellants.
