HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESPONSE - RFP - 8355 CARBON SEQUESTRATION REPORT CONSULTINGCITY OF FORT COLLINS RFP 8355
CARBON SEQUESTRATION REPORT CONSULTING
Cascadia Consulting Group | August 26, 2016 1 | Page
1. Methods & Approach
Methods
As a leader in local climate action, Fort Collins is on a path toward aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) emission
reductions. To meet this aggressive goal, the City will need to assess all potential avenues for reduction—
including the ability to sequester carbon on lands. This assessment will allow the City to take a coordinated,
systematic approach that efficiently and effectively optimizes carbon sequestration across all lands within the
City growth management area and other lands controlled by the City.
Our team of Cascadia Consulting Group Inc. (Cascadia), Keys Consulting Inc. (KCI), and Ecofor LLC is pleased to
submit this proposal to conduct a customized assessment of carbon sequestration potential within the city’s
growth management area and other city-owned or controlled properties. Our team of scientists, carbon
sequestration specialists, and skilled facilitators and writers will bring locally relevant knowledge and science
such as research on soil carbon dynamics as a function of different management regimes, local tree biomass
equations and growth rates, and effects of likely climate changes on trees and soil. Synthesizing and applying
current science will help the City identify opportunities for carbon sequestration and emission reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions from lands and triage threats to existing carbon stocks while balancing other City
priorities and considerations. The findings, comparisons, and recommendations identified through this
process will serve as an essential roadmap for managing city carbon emissions for years to come.
With over 20 years of experience developing strategies to achieve sustainability goals and translating
complex science to guide actionable outcomes, our team is well positioned to assist the City of Fort Collins in
this effort. Core elements of our approach include:
Building on existing City policies, regulations, and management plans.
Complementing local research with peer-reviewed literature and professional knowledge to develop
models that are straightforward, transparent, and clearly convey key outcomes and implications.
Combining spatial analysis of bio-physical dynamics with population projections and economic
considerations in light of laws and regulations that affect GHG sinks and emissions from lands.
Considering of a full suite of land uses and future scenarios to identify the most salient and useful
policy and management approaches for meeting Fort Collins’ objectives.
Employing tested interview and facilitation techniques for a clear and agreed-upon path forward.
Crafting written products that are clear, concise, visually appealing, and easily implemented.
The end result of this process will be a product that clearly depicts the current picture of carbon
sequestration potential for Fort Collins and identifies feasible paths forward. We believe our team possesses
the right skills, knowledge, and passion to deliver.
Proposed Approach
Our approach, detailed below, builds a unified and clear understanding and process through thoughtful,
customized analysis and inclusive and effective engagement. By emphasizing transparency, utilization of local
and peer-reviewed data and tools, and constructive stakeholder engagement, we will empower the City to
optimize its natural assets and meet emission reduction goals.
TASK 1. INFORMATION DATA TRANSFER
We will begin by compiling and reviewing available city studies, reports, policies, data, and models to gain a
comprehensive understanding of available information and input data for the baseline inventory. We expect
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to work closely with City staff to identify and transfer documents digitally through email and/or a file sharing
service such as Dropbox or FTS. Examples of relevant data include the Climate Action Plan (CAP) model;
available GIS files, such as Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps, tree inventories, zoning maps, and the area of
study (Fort Collins’ Growth Management Area (GMA) and Natural Areas); the I-tree Eco Study (2016); and
Natural Areas Master Plan (2014). We will conduct an initial review of these materials prior to the kickoff
meeting to ensure that any questions regarding the materials can be addressed during the meeting.
TASK 2. KICKOFF MEETING AND Q&A SESSION
With background information collected, we will convene a kick-off meeting with City staff to solidify a
common understanding of project goals; gain a full understanding of work completed to date and available
data and resources; and agree on a clear work plan for completing the project. The meeting will also be a
time to begin articulating City priorities, concerns, and considerations; identifying key stakeholders; and
closely reviewing potential models and methods. Of particular importance will be identifying the suite of
factors acting on carbon sequestration potential in Fort Collins, such as the Emerald Ash Borer and
development pressure. The consultant team will provide a list of any questions concerning the information
transferred in Task 1 that City staff can consult before the meeting to prepare responses. Following the
discussion, we will prepare a brief but detailed project work plan and task-level timeline that summarizes
meeting outcomes. This work plan and timeline will be referenced at each stage of the project to ensure
timely and effective implementation.
TASK 3. BASELINE INVENTORY
We will work closely with City staff and stakeholders identified in Task 2 to build a baseline inventory of
carbon stocks and terrestrial GHG emissions. Key carbon stocks will be woody biomass and soil organic
carbon, including deep soil carbon (not just the top 20 cm of soil as addressed in many studies). Emissions will
include biomass and soils emissions from land use change, nitrous oxide (N2O) from fertilizer, and may
include methane (CH4) from soils saturated by irrigation. The baseline inventory will be divided by the four
land use/cover categories identified by the City: urban forest, grasslands (including native grasslands, private
lawns, and managed City grasslands), soils (including under native grass and tree vegetation, lawns, and
developed land covers), and urban agriculture.
We will begin by compiling and if needed, categorizing GIS data to gather a clear picture of land uses and
cover types across the target area. Using City zoning maps, population growth projections, and broad climate
trends, we will develop at least two potential future scenarios that model future land use and cover: 1) a
“business as usual” projection of current policies and trends, and 2) at least one conservation scenario where
policies and actions support terrestrial carbon sequestration and avoid terrestrial GHG emissions.
With the land uses and coverage types known, we will consult available studies and literature and, if needed,
conduct brief phone calls with topic experts to identify potential formulas for translating LULC and vegetation
inventory information into carbon storage and sequestration values. We will seek to consult all relevant
sources, and in doing so will leverage existing contacts and relationships at Colorado State University (CSU)
and its Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory (NREL), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
We will review the identified formulas and present recommendations to relevant City staff and stakeholders
during a check-in meeting. The presentation will include a draft methodology that presents formulas and
approaches, weighs their strengths and limitations, and presents a clear recommendation. The meeting
objective will be to arrive at an agreed-upon set of cited methods and formulas for translating available land
use and land cover data to carbon storage and sequestration values.
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Formulas and approaches identified during the meeting will be applied through development of an Excel-
based model that depicts current and potential future carbon sequestration and storage scenarios. The
ultimate goal of model will be to quantify emissions reductions and understand actions that the City may
implement or influence through its operations, regulatory actions, incentives, or policies—and will estimate
anticipated resource needs and social costs and benefits of each action. Unless directed otherwise, we will
use the U.S. government social cost of carbon in these economic estimates. We will develop a model that is
straightforward, user-friendly, and replicable for future users and applications. The model will also clearly link
to the existing CAP model to allow CAP modelers to input data as needed to track progress and/or refine
emissions reduction targets and approaches. The model will clearly cite all assumptions and use dynamic
references where possible to allow for scenario planning and sensitivity analyses (e.g., if a zoning change
allows for increased building density, how much would that reduce soil and biomass carbon emissions from
conversion of grasslands and trees to buildings, streets, and associated structures?). We also anticipate
developing an embedded “user guide” in the model with a table of contents and overview of features and
functions.
TASK 4. COMPARATIVE METRICS AND IMPACTS
The sensitivity analysis capabilities of the model will allow for facilitated identification of similarities,
differences, and important tradeoffs among the land use/coverage categories. Specifically, we will use
outputs from the model to develop a high-level, easy-to-understand comparison of the four primary carbon
sequestration/storage categories and accompanying subcategories. The comparison will break down each
category by management practice; corresponding sequestration potential; and potential consequences, co-
benefits, or considerations associated with each. Synergies and conflicts between policy options and
management practices will be highlighted—effectively telling the story of carbon sequestration potential in
Fort Collins in a more transparent manner than presented in the model. An example framework for this
comparison is provided below. (Note the information in this chart is illustrative only.)
Table 1. Example comparative metrics table.
Category
Management
Practice
Sequest. /
Avoided
Emission
Potential
Primary
Affected
GHGs
Implementation
Feasibility
Cost
Congruence
with City
Priorities/
Plans
Consequences,
Co-benefits, and
Considerations
Urban
Forest
Street trees Low CO2 High Moderate Moderate Improves quality of life
Expand
forest area
High CO2 Moderate High High
Consider mortality risks
from drought; consider
species shift for resilience
(e.g. Ash Borer, drought)
Converting grassland to
trees might reduce soil
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factors acting on carbon sequestration potential in Fort Collins, including impacts from the Emerald Ash Borer
and development pressures.
Draft recommendations will be vetted by external and internal City stakeholders. We will work with the City
to refine the initial list of stakeholders identified at the project kickoff meeting. We expect the list to include,
at a minimum, key staff involved in the CAP development, academic and government experts from
institutions such as CSU, the USFS, as well as other municipalities who have done similar work regarding
carbon sequestration such as the cities of Boulder and Phoenix. We will conduct phone or in-person
interviews using a customized interview guide. Interviewers will walk stakeholders through the inventory
findings and recommendations, with the ultimate objective to refine and, if needed, supplement the draft
recommendations to reflect City priorities, capacities, and the latest understanding of sequestration ability
and policy.
The refined list of draft recommendations will undergo further refinement, prioritization, and
contextualization during a brainstorming charrette. All key personnel from the consultant team will facilitate
the charrette, which will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss draft recommendations and
their relative perceived efficacy; political, economic, and social considerations; potential tradeoffs and/or co-
benefits; and how individual recommendations and actions could be joined together as a broader
sequestration strategy for the City. We will also discuss linkages to the CAP reduction goals and implications
for action prioritization. Outcomes from this task will be a draft and revised set of recommendations, each
with a brief description of relative pros, cons, and other considerations as relevant.
TASK 6. REPORT DEVELOPMENT AND FINALIZATION
The list of policy and management options, baseline inventory, quantitative estimates of emission mitigation,
and set of recommendations will be compiled into one cohesive City of Fort Collins Carbon Sequestration
Report. The report will be a succinct summary of evaluated carbon sequestration potential among the
identified categories (including synergies and conflicts) and resulting recommendations for City action. The
goal will be to provide a document that the City can immediately use to solidify a strategy, begin
implementation, and track progress over time. The report will also describe opportunities and next steps for
funding, implementation, and further research, if needed, that were identified during the interviews and
charrette. The draft report will be delivered in Microsoft Word to the City for review using tracked changes
and comments, after which point our team will compile and address comments in a final version to the City.
The final report will be presented in a reader-friendly format that clearly distills key concepts and findings
through compelling graphics and concise text. The report will have a freestanding executive summary that
can stand alone from the full report, as well as separate appendices that provide detailed methodologies,
assumptions, and outcomes.
Cascadia has an in-house design team that crafts visually appealing products that are scaled to the needs of
each client. We offer Word and Adobe-based document design and production services, infographic
development, and compelling data displays. Our standards are upheld with rigorous quality control processes
that involved editorial board review and senior-level oversight of all written work products and deliverables.
TASK 7. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
We have kept our team small to minimize resources spent on project management. Our approach relies on
clear communication and careful attention to budget. We will work closely with the City of Fort Collins to
develop a clear work plan for achieving project goals while respecting the available resources and to ensure
that work progresses according to the agreed-upon timeline. We strive to identify and correct issues early,
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and we use project management software to ensure that we have daily desktop access to current budget and
cost status.
Timeline
This initial timeline assumes that a contract is in place by September 15, 2016. We can commit to completing
the work before February 1, 2017.
Task
2016 2017
Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan
1. Information Data Transfer
2. Kickoff Meeting and Q&A Session
3. Baseline Inventory
4. Comparative Metrics and Impacts
5. Recommendation Development
6. Report Development and Finalization
7. Project Management
Sustainability
Cascadia Consulting Group is composed of individuals who feel strongly about the impact we have on human
and environmental health, so we place a high priority on ensuring that the internal choices of the company
reflect our values. Cascadia has five green initiatives and an active Green Team that evaluates and improves
company-wide sustainability practices, including green purchasing, using water- and electricity- efficient
appliances, reducing paper use, and ensuring accessible and well-signed recycling infrastructure.
Ecofor supports resource conservation by implementing best practices such as changing use patterns to
reduce heating and cooling energy use, using efficient lighting and appliances, and diverting waste from
landfill whenever possible. Ecofor also supports alternative modes of commuting, such as bicycling.
Keys Consulting (KCI) also strives diligently to conduct its business in a sustainable manner. Aside from
recycling, composting, and minimizing paper waste by working digitally whenever possible, KCI endeavors to
reduce carbon emissions by bicycling and telecommuting. To address other facets of sustainability, Keys
Consulting also aims to work with partners who address social justice issues.
2. Qualifications & Experience
Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. brings 22 years of experience and has worked with
hundreds of public agencies on planning and advancement of climate, sustainability,
and environmental initiatives. Cascadia is a small, women-owned business
headquartered in Seattle, WA with satellite offices in Oakland, Los Angeles, and
Tucson. Our team is experienced in all elements of climate change and sustainability
inventories, assessments, and strategy development. We offer expertise in:
Evaluating and employing GHG inventories and accounting methodologies.
Analyzing and communicating science and data.
Developing strategies that optimize efficiency, effectiveness, and co-benefits.
Supporting meaningful stakeholder and community engagement in productive
decision-making and prioritization of near term and long term actions.
Ecofor LLC is a Seattle-based firm that works across the full spectrum of greenhouse
gas emissions mitigation activities relating to land use, including modeling the potential emission benefits of
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project, programmatic, and policy actions. The firm also conducts policy analysis for governments, develops
standards and methodologies for offset registries, contributes to project development, performs project and
methodology validation and verification, and performs verifier accreditation.
Keys Consulting, Inc. (KCI), based in Colorado and founded by Patrick Keys in 2011, specializes in cutting-edge
environmental research, analysis, and facilitation. The firm has worked throughout the U.S. and
internationally, collaborating with a broad range of clients to design, develop, and implement community
responses to climate change impacts.
Project Experience
Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Effects of Forest Development Rights Acquisition | King County, WA |
2004-2005
Ecofor quantified the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of several possible development scenarios, including
keeping 90,000 acres in commercial forestry, using existing zoning and patterns of development in the county
in combination rates of population growth. Ecofor also quantified the fraction of tree cover as a function of
lot size in suburban areas of the county and used these relationships to estimate future tree cover as a
function of possible development patterns; modeled tree growth and carbon sequestration; and estimated
emissions from road construction and variation in vehicle miles travelled as functions of development.
Reference: Doug Howell, formerly with King County | (206) 450-6654 | seattlehowell@gmail.com
Terrestrial GHG Offset Standard Development | Environmental Resources Trust, California CAR,
ACR, VCS, Gold Standard, Chicago Climate Exchange, US EPA | Various
Ecofor developed program standards, sector standards, and offset quantification protocols for afforestation,
forest management, avoided deforestation, fertilizer management, and manure methane. This work included
revising standards in light of experience applying them to projects. For programs, Ecofor served as technical
reviewer of proposed offset quantification methodologies. For VCS jurisdictional standards, Ecofor served as
lead author of the baseline, project grandfathering, and cross-jurisdictional sections of the standard. This
work included developing the VCS jurisdictional emissions leakage quantification method.
Reference: Kimberly Todd, UNDP| kimberly.todd@undp.org
GHG Inventory Methodology Review | King County, WA | 2015-2016
Cascadia is continuing work on a comprehensive review of the King County Department of Natural Resources
and Parks’ greenhouse gas accounting methodology. Past work included development of a draft report that
recommended changes to the Department’s approaches and methodologies for measuring progress towards
carbon neutrality, including recommendations for methodologies around carbon sequestration and County
parks and managed lands. Building on this work, our team is currently refining the draft report and beginning
a focused investigation of the calculation of landfill gas emissions—an area identified as needing more in-
depth study and analysis.
Climate Action Plan | City of Ashland, OR | 2016
Cascadia is supporting the City of Ashland in developing its first Climate and Energy Plan. For the mitigation
component, we are building on the City’s recent GHG inventory and working with the City and stakeholders
to clarify the mitigation goal, develop GHG reduction targets, and identify and evaluate potential
implementation actions. This project also includes designing and facilitating a series of open houses and
stakeholder workshops to gather input and generate broad public support. Final outputs will include a
Climate and Energy Action Plan, an implementation plan, and a monitoring and evaluation plan.
Reference: Adam Hanks, Management Analyst, City of Ashland | (541) 552-2046 | adam@ashland.or.us
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Extreme Event Preparedness Facilitation | City of Fort Collins, CO | 2015-2016
Cascadia worked with KCI to facilitate a stakeholder engagement and dynamic planning process to address
the impacts of wildfire smoke and extreme heat. This included compiling a comprehensive list of impacts and
potential adaptation options, and designing and leading three workshops to shortlist and prioritize measures.
Our facilitation approach built on existing knowledge to lay out an actionable path forward for the City that
was aligned with existing City frameworks and planning processes. Cascadia also supported development of
an implementation plan and communications material, including public web content.
Reference: Katy Bigner, Environmental Planner, City of Fort Collins | (970) 221-6317 | kbigner@fcgov.com
Climate Change Decision Support and Facilitation in Vietnam | USAID | 2012-2015
Cascadia and KCI worked together to empower urban planners in Vietnam to identify location-specific
climate impacts and make land use decisions that improve the resilience of new infrastructure investments.
The team customized and deployed Cascadia’s Climate Impact Decision Support Tool, which provides climate
impacts information specific to the user’s timeframe and sector of interest, as well as tailored adaptation
recommendations. Cascadia and KCI provided expert guidance on climate science, facilitated conversations
around potential adaptation strategies, and compiled climate information into the customized tool.
Reference: Michael Cote, Climate Adaptation Specialist, ECODIT | (703) 841-1883 | mcote@ecodit.com
Internal Operations Sustainability Plan | Teton County, WY | 2016
Cascadia is leading the development of Teton County’s first internal sustainability plan in 2016. Focused on
the County’s internal operations, the planning process began with baseline sustainability inventory that
benchmarked sustainability progress in the County, including outcomes from the County’s greenhouse gas
inventory, other sustainability indicators, staff interviews, and review of relevant County documents.
Cascadia built on this baseline assessment to identify and evaluate goals, strategies, and actions for inclusion
in the draft plan, which is currently under review by County staff.
Reference: Deanna Harger, Administration, Teton County | (307) 732-8409 | dharger@tetonwyo.org
Annual Sustainability Inventory | Sound Transit | 2014-2016
For the past two years, as part of a broad On-Call Sustainability contract, Cascadia has prepared an inventory
of Sound Transit’s environmental impacts and resource use. This far-reaching report and accompanying
tracking system quantifies and documents the footprint of all agency operations in terms of greenhouse gas
emissions, air pollutants, water and energy use, and solid waste generation and diversion. Cascadia’s carbon
footprinting work formed the backbone of the project: we updated and vetted emissions factors and used
them to calculate Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions and Scope 1 criteria air pollutants. Overall findings
from the Sustainability Inventory were presented to the agency’s Board of Directors as part of its annual
Sustainability Progress Report and will inform agency-wide planning and investment.
Reference: Amy Shatzkin, Sust. Manager, Sound Transit | (206) 903-7454 | amy.shatzkin@soundtransit.org
Environmental Stewardship Initiative Strategic Plan | City of Bellevue, WA | 2012-2013
Cascadia assisted the City of Bellevue in updating its Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI) Strategic Plan
and reporting on successful outcomes of the Initiative to date. As part of this effort, Cascadia worked with
the City to update its municipal and community-level greenhouse gas emissions inventory and assisted in the
development of a web-based platform for tracking other environmental indicators and outcomes. In addition,
Cascadia collected and analyzed data on current programs and practices, used the results to identify and
evaluate new opportunities for action, and drafted content for the updated Strategic Plan.
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3. List of Project Personnel
Led by Cascadia Consulting Group, our proposed team provides leading expertise in ecosystem and climate
science, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and product delivery. Our key personnel have worked
together in the past to deliver highly effective facilitation and climate adaptation planning products.
Ruth Bell | Principal-in-Charge Cascadia
Ruth brings more than 25 years of experience designing and implementing resource conservation, energy
efficiency, and pollution prevention programs that deliver measurable environmental results. As Cascadia’s
co-President, Ruth oversees the firm’s Climate and Natural Resource practice area. For King County, Ruth
manages climate related projects including an analysis of greenhouse gas emissions reduction associated
with green building rating systems, and development of focus group discussion guides for the county’s
Strategic Climate Action Plan. Ruth holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Biology from Macalester
College.
Reference 1: Elizabeth Lyon, Seattle City Light | (206) 325-9711 | elizabeth.lyon@seattle.gov
Reference 2: Christie Baumel, City of Seattle | (206) 233-7173 | christie.baumel@seattle.gov
Reference 3: Patti Southard, King County | (206) 477-4621 | patti.southard@kingcounty.gov
Andrea Martin | Project Manager Cascadia
Andrea Martin, Senior Associate at Cascadia, will have primary responsibility for the contract. Andrea
specializes in developing and employing customized tools and approaches to support climate action and
sustainability analysis, decision-support, and planning. Her recent work at Cascadia includes development of
a Climate and Energy Action Plan for the City of Ashland (OR), an Internal Operations Sustainability Plan for
Teton County (WY), and a GHG methodology evaluation for King County (WA). Prior to joining Cascadia,
Andrea focused on carbon offset accounting and policy at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy
Solutions in Durham, NC, where her work included an evaluation of avoided deforestation protocols under
the Voluntary Carbon Standard and a comprehensive literature review of agricultural best practices for
carbon sequestration (T-AGG). She also researched climate impacts and sequestration potential of wetland
and forest ecosystem services at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Andrea holds a B.S. in
Biology with Honors from the University of North Carolina and a Master’s degree in Environmental
Management from Duke University.
Reference 1: Amy Shatzkin, Sound Transit | (206) 903-7454 | amy.shatzkin@soundtransit.org
Reference 2: Michael Cote, ECODIT | (703) 841-1883 | mcote@ecodit.com
Reference 3: Deanna Harger, Teton County | (307) 732-8409 | dharger@tetonwyo.org
Gordon Smith, Ph.D | Technical Lead Ecofor
Since 1994, Gordon Smith has worked on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions by changing land use. He has
expertise in forest carbon sequestration, avoided forest emissions (REDD+), soil carbon, manure
management, fertilizer nitrous oxide, and soil methane. Dr. Smith has worked worldwide on the entire
spectrum of mitigation, including modeling likely emission benefits of project and programmatic activities,
policy analysis for governments, standard and methodology development for offset registries, validation and
verification, and verifier accreditation. He is an expert in biomass carbon sampling efficiency and designing
sampling systems to meet precision goals. He is on the editorial board of the journal Carbon Management, is
a member of the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute advisory committee, is a Verified Carbon Standard
(VCS) expert in afforestation/deforestation, improved forest management, avoided deforestation (REDD),
and agricultural land management, and is a member of the American Carbon Registry (ACR) AFOLU Technical
Committee. He is the Director of Ecofor LLC, which works on program design and implementation of
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greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and adaptation policies and activities involving land use, and is the
Technical Lead for the Sustainable Lands component of the USAID Climate Economic Analysis for
Development, Investment and Resilience (CEADIR) project.
Reference 1: Adam Diamant, Electric Power Research Institute | (510) 334-4391 |
adam.diamant@comcast.net
Reference 2: Adam Lazarus, Stockholm Environment Institute | (206) 547-4000 | mlaz@sei-us.org
Reference 3: Keith Paustian, Colorado State University | (970) 491-1547 | keithp@nrel.colostate.edu
Patrick Keys | Local Liaison & Stakeholder Engagement Lead Keys Consulting
Patrick Keys, Principal Consultant at Keys Consulting Inc. based in Fort Collins, CO, will serve as lead facilitator
and local liaison. He has 10 years of experience on the topic of climate change, ranging from policy
visualization and on-site adaptation decision-support to primary research on changes in extreme
precipitation. Patrick has both participated in and helped facilitate workshops on municipal responses to
climate change impacts. He has a strong background in communicating physical science concepts in non-
technical language and is well connected to the climate and citizen science community in Fort Collins.
Reference 1: Jennie Baron, International Water Management Institute | j.barron@cgiar.org
Reference 2: Bill Dougherty, Climate Change Research Group | billd@ccr-group.org
Reference 3: Ken MacClune, Institute for Social and Environmental Transition | ken@i-s-e-t.org
4. Organization Chart/Proposed Project Team
Gordon Smith, Technical Lead Patrick Keys, Engagement Lead
Gordon will lead baseline
inventory development and
provide technical advice, and
review and support for the
final report.
Patrick, a local of Fort Collins,
will lead on-the-ground
stakeholder engagement and
support analysis and writing for
the final report.
Ruth Bell,
Principal-in-
Charge
Ruth will
provide high-
level project
oversight.
Andrea Martin, Project Manager
Andrea, point of contact for the City
of Fort Collins and primarily
responsible for the contract, will
coordinate the analytical process and
lead development of the final report.
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5. Availability
Below is the anticipated availability of project personnel to participate in this project in the context of other
commitments, as well as our team’s availability for an on-site interview.
Project Personnel Project Availability Interview Availability
Andrea Martin
Project Manager
Available to lead and participate in all project activities,
including a trip to present baseline findings and refine
recommendations.
Available for call-in.
Patrick Keys
Engagement Lead
Fully available for all project activities, including leading in-
person meetings and interviews.
Available for on-site
interview until 9/20
and call-in until 10/6.
Gordon Smith
Technical Lead
Available to lead the baseline inventory, provide technical
review and input throughout the project, and attend one trip
to present baseline findings and refine recommendations.
Available for call-in,
and possibly available
in person, if preferred.
6. Schedule of Rates
The table below details a schedule of hourly rates that will apply for the tasks described in Section 1. We
estimate $51,365 in labor costs and $1,625 in expenses, totaling $52,990 for project completion.
Task Personnel Hours and Hourly Rate Total Cost
(labor +
Expenses)
R. Bell
$195
A. Martin
$130
G. Smith
$150
P. Keys
$100
Other*
$90
1. Information Data Transfer 0 4 6 4 0 $1,820
2. Kickoff Meeting and Q&A Session 2 6 4 4 0 $2,170
3. Baseline Inventory 2 40 80 16 24 $21,350
4. Comparative Metrics and Impacts 1 12 12 4 0 $3,955
5. Recommendation Development 2 16 40 24 0 $12,470
6. Report Development and Finalization 2 24 16 16 8 $8,230
7. Project Management 2 16 2 2 0 $2,995
TOTAL 11 118 160 70 32 $52,990
*Other staff include Cascadia’s GIS analyst and graphic design specialist.
7. Vendor Statement
I have read and understand the specifications and requirements for this Request for Proposal and I agree to
comply with such specifications and requirements. I further agree that the method of award is acceptable to my
company. I also agree to complete PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT with the City of Fort Collins within 30
days of notice of award. If contract is not completed and signed within 30 days, City reserves the right to cancel
and award to the next highest rated firm.
FIRM NAME: Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc.
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Appendix A: Work Samples
Three Primary Work Samples:
Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emission Effects of King County’s Acquisition of Development Rights to
Snoqualmie Tree Farm
http://www.cascadiaconsulting.com/uploads/pdf/snoqualmietreefarmghgreport.pdf
Environmental Stewardship Initiative Strategic Plan
http://www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/pdf/PCD/ESI_Strategic_Plan_2013-2018_FINAL_Dec2013.pdf
Releasing the Pressure: Water Resource Efficiencies and Gains for Ecosystem Services
https://www.sei-international.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Air-land-water-
resources/sei-unep-releasing-the-pressure.pdf
Other Supporting Work Samples:
Road-testing of Improved Forest Management Offset Protocols
http://www.cascadiaconsulting.com/uploads/pdf/ifm-roadtest_report_final1.15.2013.pdf
King County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Methodology Review
http://www.cascadiaconsulting.com/uploads/pdf/kcghgmethodologyreviewreport_draft_do_not_di
stribute.pdf
Fort Collins Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat Event Preparedness Workshop Series Summary Report
http://www.cascadiaconsulting.com/uploads/pdf/fortcollinsworkshopseries-
detailedsummarywithappendices_final.pdf
Shoreline Climate Action Plan http://www.cityofshoreline.com/home/showdocument?id=14091
Revealing Invisible Water: Moisture Recycling as an Ecosystem Service
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/asset?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0151993.PDF
Sound Transit 2015 Sustainability Progress Report
http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/2015_Sustainability_Progress_Report_0.pdf1
Tacoma Climate Action Plan: Progress Report 2010
http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/sustainability/CAPProgressReport2010.pdf
Climate Change Decision Support and Facilitation in Vietnam
http://www.ccrdproject.com/adaptation-partnership/climate-impacts-decision-support-tool
Food Security & Climate Change Final Technical Report from AGEDI's Local, National, and Regional
Climate Change Programme
http://media.wix.com/ugd/102678_73f7f25cc2d74efcbe87817d67dcb491.pdf
1 Cascadia provided analysis and content for this report; Sound Transit produced final design and formatting.
CITY OF FORT COLLINS RFP 8355
CARBON SEQUESTRATION REPORT CONSULTING
Cascadia Consulting Group | August 26, 2016
Appendix A: Work Samples
Three Primary Work Samples:
Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emission Effects of King County’s Acquisition of Development Rights to
Snoqualmie Tree Farm
http://www.cascadiaconsulting.com/uploads/pdf/snoqualmietreefarmghgreport.pdf
Environmental Stewardship Initiative Strategic Plan
http://www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/pdf/PCD/ESI_Strategic_Plan_2013-2018_FINAL_Dec2013.pdf
Releasing the Pressure: Water Resource Efficiencies and Gains for Ecosystem Services
https://www.sei-international.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Air-land-water-
resources/sei-unep-releasing-the-pressure.pdf
Other Supporting Work Samples:
Road-testing of Improved Forest Management Offset Protocols
http://www.cascadiaconsulting.com/uploads/pdf/ifm-roadtest_report_final1.15.2013.pdf
King County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Methodology Review
http://www.cascadiaconsulting.com/uploads/pdf/kcghgmethodologyreviewreport_draft_do_not_di
stribute.pdf
Fort Collins Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat Event Preparedness Workshop Series Summary Report
http://www.cascadiaconsulting.com/uploads/pdf/fortcollinsworkshopseries-
detailedsummarywithappendices_final.pdf
Shoreline Climate Action Plan http://www.cityofshoreline.com/home/showdocument?id=14091
Revealing Invisible Water: Moisture Recycling as an Ecosystem Service
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/asset?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0151993.PDF
Sound Transit 2015 Sustainability Progress Report
http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/2015_Sustainability_Progress_Report_0.pdf1
Tacoma Climate Action Plan: Progress Report 2010
http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/sustainability/CAPProgressReport2010.pdf
Climate Change Decision Support and Facilitation in Vietnam
http://www.ccrdproject.com/adaptation-partnership/climate-impacts-decision-support-tool
Food Security & Climate Change Final Technical Report from AGEDI's Local, National, and Regional
Climate Change Programme
http://media.wix.com/ugd/102678_73f7f25cc2d74efcbe87817d67dcb491.pdf
1 Cascadia provided analysis and content for this report; Sound Transit produced final design and formatting.
ADDRESS: 1109 First Avenue, Suite 400
EMAIL ADDRESS: andream@cascadiaconsulting.com PHONE: (206) 449-1112
BIDDER’S NAME: Andrea Martin, Senior Associate
SIGNATURE:
PRIMARY SERVICES ISSUES CONTACT: Andrea Martin
TELEPHONE: (206) 449-1112 CELL: (704) 604-5727
EMAIL: andream@cascadiaconsulting.com
carbon in some
conditions
Yard trees Moderate CO2 Low Low High
Reduce cooling demands;
less cost to city; focus on
drought resilient species
TASK 5. RECOMMENDATION DEVELOPMENT
From the model outputs and comparative chart, we will develop a draft set of recommendations for
optimizing carbon sequestration and terrestrial emission mitigation in Fort Collins. The recommendations will
address all avenues by which the City can influence sequestration, including targeted conservation projects,
policy adjustments, and improved management practices. Recommendations will bring to bear the suite of