As a principal ecologist and regulatory specialist, Bernadette has 23 years of experience spanning from deep sea to alpine habitats and from the tropics through temperate zones. She’s surveyed underwater hydrothermal vents, coastal environments, desert vegetation, and more. As a regulatory specialist permitting projects in over 15 countries, Bernadette drives regulatory compliance efforts on a wide array of large- and small-scale restoration, infrastructure, and conservation projects.
Bernadette has successfully ensured compliance for projects on over 10,000 miles of linear infrastructure and in sensitive habitats where there are multiple (14 in some cases) politically active environmental watchdog groups. In the Tahoe National Forest, she facilitated USFS NEPA compliance and secured federal permits for a pipe stream crossing and restoration project in less than 30 days! More widely recognized, on the Oroville Spillway Incident, Bernadette managed the fast track emergency recovery environmental compliance for power infrastructure, where she successfully navigated cultural resource, Indigenous, and biological issues, including permitting and removing a 1,000- pound bald eagle nest.
She is now conducting similar efforts on the largest dam removal project in the United States. Given her wealth of ecological and regulatory experience, Bernadette’s forte is environmental constraints analyses, permit streamlining advice, efficient data collection, and successful agency negotiations.