In 2014, Barr helped the RPBCWD reinstate a regulatory program based on sound science, stakeholder input, and the district’s mission to protect, manage, and restore water resources. As the district’s technical adviser, Barr assists permit applicants with meeting their project goals within the confines of the district’s regulations (e.g., stormwater management, floodplain management, erosion and sediment control, shoreline/streambank stabilization, wetland and creek buffers, waterbody crossings and structures). We guide applicants through the permitting process, including preparing and distributing review memoranda and presenting the application materials to district managers.
To aid in routine erosion-control site inspections of permitted activities, we developed and use a mobile, GIS-based mapping tool for the tracking and inspection of district permits and stormwater BMPs. Using a mobile tablet, Barr inspectors and district staff members use the mapping tool to easily identify and collect location and other information in real time in the field. The collected information is stored in an enterprise database, which can be used to generate reports that allow users to view active and inactive permits, inspection histories, and corrective actions. Barr also developed a customized review portal to share comments and track the progress of each permit.