Berryessa Transit Center, Envision Platinum – Assessing Sustainability and Transferring Lessons Learned to Transportation Projects.

March 24, 2022 10:30 am – 12:00 pm EST | 7:30 am – 9:00am PST | Watch recording

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Berryessa Transit Center earned an Envision Platinum Award for its efforts in improving the overall sustainability and connectivity of the communities in Santa Clara County. This session is dedicated to learning more about the Envision assessment, how the project integrates sustainability through several key features, such as a new multi-modal trail, habitat restoration, green building and infrastructure, and public spaces, as well as advancing environmental justice, creating new jobs, and improving the long-term sustainability of the community. Speakers will also present more about how VTA is transferring lessons learned to their other transportation projects in Silicon Valley.

Speaker bios

Ann Calnan, Manager, VTA Environmental Programs

Ann Calnan has been with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for over 21 years and is the Manager of Environmental Programs. Ann oversees environmental clearance and compliance for VTA’s Capital Program that includes highway, commuter and light rail, complete streets, facilities, and habitat restoration projects. Ann also manages the agency’s Sustainability Program, which achieved the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Sustainability Commitment-Gold Level Recognition in 2016. In addition, Ann administers VTA’s Storm Water Permit Compliance Program related to the Phase II Small MS4 Program for non-traditional permittees. Ann is a member of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency and serves on the agency’s Board of Directors. Ann has a B.A. in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Wildlife Conservation and an M.S. in Transportation Management.

Rachael Keish, CEO, Keish Environmental

Rachael Keish has over 20 years of experience in civil engineering, specializing in environmental program management, storm water, and construction mitigation compliance. Her project experience includes work in design and construction, and as CEO of Keish Environmental she oversees environmental compliance on large infrastructure projects such as the Valley Transportation Plan 2035 Highway Program, BART Silicon Valley Extension and Valley Water flood control and restoration projects. Rachael also assists agencies with stormwater program compliance under NPDES permits. Rachael is a California Stormwater Quality Association qualified trainer under the Statewide Construction General Permit and Industrial General Permit, as well as a QSP/D and QISP. She is also an Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) with the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, as well as an ISI Verifier and Trainer. Rachael is active in CASQA, WTS, CMAA, APWA, CWPA, and ASCE, serving as the 2016-2018 San Francisco Section ASCE Sustainability Committee Chair. She is currently chair of the WTS Women’s Leadership Program. She founded CASQA Non-Traditional Phase 2 MS4 Subcommittee, serving as workgroup lead from 2015-2019 and current subcommittee co-chair. Rachael was recognized at the 2016 and 2018 CASQA Annual Conference with Outstanding Service Awards. She has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley.