Leonard Charles and Associates

Leonard Charles and Associates is proficient in the full range of environmental services: we develop baseline analyses of pertinent resources, identify any environmental or planning constraints, and fully assess the effects of proposed plans or development projects. We prepare all assessments and reports required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

LCA prepares assessments for large jurisdictions and small special districts. For agencies that do not have experienced environmental personnel on staff, LCA provides full CEQA and/or NEPA coordination to ensure legal compliance.

As a California certified small business, the skills of LCA staff are augmented by working with a select group of technical consultants. This allows us the flexibility to adapt our team to suit every project. LCA has worked with these consultants over periods ranging from five to thirty years. Their experience ensures that, whenever necessary, we have experts in the appropriate field addressing technical issues.

Many of our projects have been highly controversial, subject to the intense scrutiny of both public agencies and the general public. In every case, our work has been praised for its thoroughness, objectivity, and combination of creative and practical approaches to developing alternatives and mitigation measures.

Our environmental analysis services include the preparation of:

• Notices of Preparation and Intent
• Initial Studies
• Environmental Assessments
• Environmental Impact Reports
• Environmental Impact Statements
• Mitigation monitoring
• Findings for certification and overriding considerations

Leonard Charles and Associates has provided comprehensive environmental and land use consulting to public agencies and groups for over 45 years.

As a small company dedicated to quality we offer clients many distinguishing attributes. Our staff has extensive experience with the broad range of impacts that can be expected from most types of projects. We are familiar with the varied geographic regions of Northern California, and have established working relationships with many staff members of pertinent State and County reviewing agencies. We do not work for developers or other private interests, ensuring our objectivity in assessing projects.

LCA provides its clients with a full range of environmental consulting. In addition to CEQA and NEPA work, our land and resource-planning services address areas such as vegetation, fire, open space, and land management plans, as well as park and trail plans. We provide report preparation and project management services in the development of such projects.

Environmental Impact Analysis

California’s environmental review process is one of the most rigorous in the nation. Leonard Charles and Associates was formed shortly after the adoption of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). As such we have extensive experience with helping to ensure that project decisions are thoroughly grounded in an objective accounting of the environmental effects.

• CEQA – Environmental Impact Reports, Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, Mitigated Negative Declarations, and Categorical Exemptions
• NEPA – Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Assessments, and Categorical Exclusions

Our goal is to help preserve California’s natural, social and economic environment by providing thoroughly objective and technically precise analyses of proposed plans and projects. We have prepared hundreds of environmental compliance documents and are experts in the nuances of CEQA and NEPA compliance.

In a field often marked by significant contentiousness, LCA strives to be a voice of objectivity to inform the debate and decision-making process. To help ensure that goal, we do not perform management plans, environmental assessments, or any other work for the private sector.

Land and Resource Management Planning

Management plans for properties involving public recreation typically describe how the agency will balance protection of its resources with recreational use and the desires of the various user groups.

• Land Management Plans for both existing and undeveloped preserves and parks
• Resource Management Plans for parks and preserves
• Wildfire Prevention Planning including community wildfire protection plans
• Climate Action Plans solutions-driven, forward-looking planning

We are skilled at balancing these needs while preparing land management plans for regional parks, open space preserves, and similar properties.

Report Writing and Editing Services

Many teams have more writing than they have time to perform. LCA is able to assist in transforming your raw materials into polished reports, chapters, memos, or white papers. We also are available to edit existing material for readability, brevity, and formatting. In addition, we can assist with content for websites, brochures, and other formats. Our team excels at communicating complex subjects so they are easy for the general public to understand.

• Reports
• Brochures and Guidebooks
• Website Content
• Chapters and White Papers
• Technical and Content Editing
• Grants

Founded by Leonard Charles shortly after the California Environmental Quality Act was enacted, LCA is a family-run company based in Marin and Sonoma counties. We have provided comprehensive environmental and land use consulting to public agencies and groups for over 45 years.

As a small company we are committed to quality and attention to detail. Our staff has extensive experience with the broad range of impacts that can be expected from most types of projects. We are familiar with the environments of the varied geographic regions of Northern California, and have established working relationships with many staff members of pertinent State and County reviewing agencies. We do not work for developers or other private interests, ensuring our objectivity in assessing projects.