Regulatory Negotiation and Strategy

Path Forward is a leading environmental consulting firm with extensive expertise in regulatory negotiation for brownfields and cleanup sites. The firm’s success in this area is largely attributable to its deep relationships with regulatory agencies at all levels of government.

State and Federal Agencies

Path Forward has developed strong and trusting relationships with federal agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), as well as state agencies like the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), California Air Resources Board (CARB), California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), and the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). These relationships have allowed the firm to effectively negotiate with regulators on behalf of its clients, achieving successful outcomes that meet both regulatory requirements and client goals.

Regional Agencies

In addition to its relationships with state and federal agencies, Path Forward has established working relationships with numerous regional and local agencies. These include the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (SFBRWQCB), North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB), Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB), Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB), Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (SARWQCB), San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (SDRWQCB), Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), and various other regional agencies.

Local Agencies

At the local level, Path Forward has established relationships with agencies such as the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH), Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD or Valley Water), Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health (SCCDEH), Alameda County Department of Environmental Health (ACDEH), Alameda County Water District (ACWD), San Mateo County Groundwater Protection Program (SMC GPP), Sonoma County Department of Health (SCDH), and many others.

Regulatory Negotiation and Relationships

These relationships have allowed Path Forward to successfully negotiate with regulators on behalf of its clients, whether it’s securing regulatory approvals for site cleanups, obtaining permits for construction projects, or negotiating liability protections for brownfield redevelopment. The firm’s expertise in regulatory negotiation has been instrumental in helping its clients navigate the complex and often challenging regulatory landscape for environmental cleanups and brownfield redevelopment.

In conclusion, Path Forward’s success in regulatory negotiations for brownfields and cleanup sites is directly attributable to its deep relationships with regulatory agencies at all levels of government. The firm’s ability to effectively negotiate with regulators on behalf of its clients has been key in achieving successful outcomes that meet both regulatory requirements and client goals.