Looking for experience and expertise and something more?
Our professional history demonstrates we have the tools, knowledge, and custom approach to achieve your desired goals. We provide a range of sustainability, climate change, ecosystem, and community engagement services. We focus on helping you discover new possibilities, inform sound decision making, and decide on a sustainable path forward. Kulshan Services focuses its services on four areas: Sustainability, Climate Change, Communities, and Ecosystems.
You can expect our approach to be collaborative and informed by the best science. We will reinforce that as we build a relationship with you and understand your unique needs. We'll help you address your specific challenges in the context of place, priorities, and budgets.
We have a demonstrated track record you can trust. After a decade of service, we have lead or participated in over a hundred projects serving more than fifty clients throughout the Northwest and beyond. For many of our clients, they keep coming back to us and we seek to deliver.
We want to become your trusted partner. Let us know how we can help!
Climate Change Case Studies
City of Bellingham Climate Action Plan Task Force Kulshan Services [Peak] facilitated and provided administrative support to the Climate Action Plan Task Force tasked with developing recommendations to accelerate the city's 100% renewable energy targets to 2030 and 2035. The resulting report adopted a triple bottom line approach to evaluating each measure; determined feasibility, costs, and impacts of the 100% renewable energy ambitions; developed 100% renewable energy targets; identified funding mechanisms and develop a plan to achieve the recommended 100% renewable targets; developed accelerated greenhouse gas emissions targets for the Council to consider for adoption; and identified policy considerations to attain accelerated targets. The Task Force developed measures for transportation, buildings, land use, and renewable energy generation. Bellingham City Council approved the final report and Bellingham departments are now using the resulting report to inform and direct its climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies for the next ten to fifteen years.
City of Bellingham Climate Action Plan Update and Greenhouse Gas Inventory Kulshan Services [Peak] updated the City's Climate Action Plan with new emissions inventories to track progress, and new emissions forecasts and planning scenarios to meet climate goals for both the city government and the community. The City Council will review the draft plan in December 2017. The City of Bellingham, Washington, a leader in climate action committed to 100% Green Power for its municipal operations in 2006 and developed a climate action plan in 2007. This update includes updates to previous emissions reduction actions and new actions to continue reducing emissions despite a growing population.
Port of Bellingham Climate Action Strategy Development Under Project Lead, Veda Environmental, Kulshan Services [Peak] is working on the team to assist the Port of Bellingham evaluating impact to port operations, identify mitigation and adaptation goals, setting goals and implementing actions that evolve iteratively towards a visionary Climate Action Strategy that will position the Port of Bellingham as a leader among mid-sized ports. We are promoting conversations at the nexus of science, strategic planning, and communication to help this organization and stakeholders identify issues and opportunities and to communicate and engage effectively.
Sustainability Case Studies
PAC Worldwide Three members of the Kulshan [Peak] Team in 2018 worked on a feasibility study to explore opportunities to close the loop on plastic packaging with a key client specializing in global online sales. The team presented the results of their feasibility study which identified methods for recovering its pure PE packaging. In addition, we determined, to the extent possible, the economic and logistical viability of potential methods of PE recovery. PAC Worldwide is a leading global packaging provider. In 2020, PAC hired Kulshan Services [Peak] to assist with a Sustainability Report and will continue with a Sustainability Plan for this company that supplies the world with packaging products.
Tony's Coffee Our sustainability team members have been working with the 2021 Coffee Roaster of the Year, Tony's Coffee, to identify opportunities for emissions reductions and efficiencies; provide neutral party analysis on packaging and messaging for their new line of coffee; identify options for carbon offsetting; meet with key staff to discuss findings; and prepare report with a summary of findings.
Stormwater Case Studies
Stormwater Education Projects
Stormwater Discovery Tour Our team partnered with Shew Design to create an interactive website for residents and visitors to learn more about the variety of effective stormwater management systems used throughout the City. The self-guided Stormwater Discovery Tour features five locations in the City with maps, photos, and interpretive information. Check out the Bellingham Stormwater Discovery Tour website. Each interactive tour puts the city’s stormwater education money to work in a completely new way to educate people on ways in which rainwater travels through the natural and man-made landscape.
Stormwater System Training and Workshops Our field staff conducted stormwater workshops to educate homeowners and businesses in Island, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties about maintenance and regulations.
LID Training for AWC We were part of five member team to develop, promote, and deploy an engaging, audience-centered LID training program. See the online information that Kulshan Services developed to educate WSAC and AWC members. This team's experience translated complex technical information into easy-to-understand to cut through the technical layers of LID and provide action-ready packages of concise, relevant information. Check out the LID implementation findings: Association of Washington Cities article and Low Impact Development Training.
Stormwater Inspection Projects
Whatcom County Public Works Our field staff have taught workshops and provided on-the-ground training to stormwater facility owners. We also evaluated residential and commercial stormwater facilities, complete IDDE inspections, and monitored catch basin conditions in the Lake Whatcom watershed.
Anacortes LID Municipal Code Updates Todd Eastman and David Roberts along with the assistance from Karen Welch (Welch Ecological Services) completed a major overhaul of several titles of the City of Anacortes Municipal Code and engineering standards. The project began as an integration of low impact design (LID) requirements as specified in the City’s NPDES stormwater permit. Part way into the project, City staff shifted the scope after identifying many outdated and conflicting parts of the existing code necessitating a restructure. We also provided outreach materials to support staff at the permit desk during the transition.
Bellingham School District Our field staff evaluated stormwater systems at 17 Bellingham School District facilities under sub-contract to 2020 Engineering. This gave the district vital information as to the condition of their stormwater systems and maintenance needs.
City of Bellingham Public Works Our field staff carried out an independent Phase II compliance evaluation of City-owned stormwater facilities. This analysis and field work informed the City's decisions regarding their stormwater rate study.
Program Analysis and Systems Support our team and Welch Environmental have evaluated programs and developed internal processes and tools to help municipalities meet their NPDES requirements. Projects included Low Impact Development (LID) updates to codes and engineering standards. We have worked with the cities of Burlington, Lynden, Anacortes, and Bellingham.
Stormwater System Field Mapping Whatcom County Public Works Department hired us to assist with field mapping the Birch Bay stormwater system as part of a stormwater facility inspection and inventory program. This information informs hydrologic analysis and modeling of stormwater flows as well as the identification and evaluation of stormwater problems. This helps the Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management District (BBWARM) maintain and manage the stormwater system to protect water quality and infrastructure.
Land Use, Permitting, and Leasing Case Studies
Marina Permitting and Leasing Marinas often face permitting, financing, and regulatory challenges when renewing their leases or planning infrastructure improvements. We have helped numerous marinas with their leases around the state, We have also worked with several waterfront property owners throughout the state, coordinating with regulators, applying for permits, assisting with lease negotiations, and developing mitigation plans.
Youth Camp Permitting We completed a preliminary environmental and land use evaluation for the Boy Scouts of America Camp Black Mountain property in Whatcom County. The project was a component of the due diligence process for a potential purchase of the property.
Fiber Optic Cable Crossing Research Black Rock Cable sought our assistance to complete its service connections along the I-5 corridor. To do so required crossing the Snohomish and Stillaguamish Rivers. We researched and compiled easement data at the Department of Natural Resources and to identify opportunities for cooperative use of easements. Upon completion of these key infrastructure improvements facilitated by our company, Black Rock Cable sold its fiber optic network and company.
Whatcom County Environmental Assessment for Trail Plan Whatcom County hired us to complete an Environmental Assessment for the Whatcom Park/Lookout Mountain Trail Plan (Plan). The EA supported the SEPA review process for the Plan. The Draft Environmental Assessment provided an alternatives analysis for development of the preferred trail system design and other alternatives considered. This effort also identified avoidance, minimization, and mitigation strategies for impacts from the Plan.
GIS Farmland Availability Assessment in Skagit County Our GIS team analyzed parcel, land cover, crop, and hydrology data to identify potentially-available farmable lands in Skagit County. This information is now providing fascinating data with potential to inform innovations in farmland use in Skagit County. Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF) is a group composed of agricultural, educational, and economic interests in Skagit County. With grant funds from the USDA to promote opportunities to increase farming in Skagit County, they are engaged in providing training, support, and data to assist would-be farmers to get started in business. Through the use of GIS, we identified parcels totaling 51,928 acres with 41% identified as potentially farmable – information useful to new farmers to locate affordable, farmable land in Skagit County.
Mine Reclamation Planning and Permitting For eight years, we have been the project manager for a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional planning effort to develop a new reclamation plan and obtain a revised operating permit for the Swen Larsen Olivine Mine in Whatcom County. This process has included local, state, and federal agency coordination, an integrated NEPA/SEPA approach, environmental review and document preparation, and sub-contractor management.
Shoreline Stabilization and Estuary Restoration Our team provided planning, research, mapping, and multi-agency coordination for a shoreline stabilization and beach enhancement project at the Nippon Paper Industries Company facility in Port Angeles, WA. Nippon Paper operates a paper mill at the western end of Ediz Hook and Port Angeles Harbor.
Washington Hydraulic Code Revisions The Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) sought out our specialized assistance in review of the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for proposed revisions to Washington's Hydraulic Code - Chapter 220-110 WAC. We provided comments to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Washington Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Habitat Conservation Plan OUr team members reviewed the DNR Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to define the plan's impact on marine industry practices. Clients included NMTA and the City of Bellingham. We detailed the likely impacts to owners of docks and marinas, and provided comments on the draft HCP and associated EIS.
Environmental Assessment for Whatcom County Parks Whatcom County hired us to complete an Environmental Assessment for the Whatcom Park/Lookout Mountain Trail Plan (Plan). The EA supported the SEPA review process for the Plan. The Draft Environmental Assessment provided an alternatives analysis for development of the preferred trail system design and other alternatives considered. This effort also identified avoidance, minimization, and mitigation strategies for impacts from the Plan.
Sand Plant Relocation Study Olivine Corporation hired us to assist with identification of sites to locate a sand crushing facility in Whatcom County. We helped the client define key site attributes for the facility, then utilized zoning information, GIS, and local data to identify alternatives for the site.
Water Quality Testing Case Studies
City of Lynden Illicit Discharge Analysis Our water quality specialist mapped and evaluated Lynden’s discharges to Fish Trap Creek in Whatcom County, then identified source areas and facilities contributing to illicit discharges. The project was part of a cooperative effort involving the Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District to identify urban and rural sources of fecal contamination to the creek.
Water Quality Studies We have conducted water quality studies for the City of Lynden and Blaine which included catch basin and outfall testing and inspections, water quality mapping, and IDDE investigations and reporting.
Sudden Valley Water Quality Sampling Project Our team conducted a water quality sampling project for the Sudden Valley Community Association in Bellingham, WA to determine the impact of community development on water quality. Staff completed water quality analyses of area streams and nearshore areas of Lake Whatcom adjacent to the community. Results of this sampling effort were compared to earlier assessments to identify trends.
People for Lake Padden We worked with students from Western Washington University (WWU) and local volunteers to collect and analyze water samples to develop a baseline understanding of runoff impacts on a popular recreational lake in Bellingham, WA. In addition, we helped evaluate land use in the lake's watershed and projected effects of future development scenarios. David Roberts served as the group's science adviser by developing the study objectives, project design, sampling plan, QAPP, data presentation, and website.
Facilitation Projects
Skagit MRC Oil Spill Planning Workshop We facilitated a two-day workshop whole-group sessions during this event sponsored by the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) considered the economic, social, and environmental impacts of an oil spill in the San Juan Islands. The workshop attracted over 70 participants representing residents and representatives from local, state, federal, and Canadian agencies, Coast Salish nations, and non-governmental organizations. Additionally, we provided summaries of key takeaways from the sessions - a specialty of our team.
Climate Action and Adaptation Planning and Climate Protection Action Plan We helped the City of Bellingham, Washington, update their Climate Protection Action Plan for both municipal and community activities. This involved updating and calculating greenhouse gas emissions inventories using standard protocols, quantifying and reporting on emissions reductions measures, forecasting future emissions, and developing planning scenarios to meet emissions reductions goals. Staff also helped update the City of Bellingham Climate Adaptation Plan.
Sustainable Lands Strategy (SLS) David Roberts facilitates the SLS Executive Committee and coordinates with the leads of the Stillaguamish and Lower Skykomish Integration Teams and their facilitator. Other Kulshan team members are working with Snohomish County on other projects. The Snohomish County Sustainable Lands Strategy (SLS) was established in 2010 to address the growing conflict between the dual mandates of preserving farmland and protecting fish throughout the County, particularly the riverways and estuaries that are critical to both. The mission of the Sustainable Lands Strategy is to help generate net gains in the productivity and sustained health of fish and farm communities. Other team members are providing support in community engagement and monitoring programs with the SLS.
Flood Risk Reduction on the Nooksack River We facilitated the development of the System-Wide Improvement Framework Plan (SWIF) for the Nooksack River—a collaborative process to prioritize and implement improvements to the river’s levee system and habitat. The effort has been continued with over 30 agencies and interest groups developing a floodplain implementation plan that addresses community safety as well as the needs of endangered Chinook salmon.
Farm Fish and Floods Initiative (3FI) We facilitated the Farms Fish and Flood Initiative (3FI) in a long-term process. This multi-stakeholder group is pioneering mutually-beneficial approaches to saving farmland, restoring salmon runs, and reducing flood risk. The current focus is on modeling to identify potential fish and wildlife habitat and developing tools and approaches for farmland protection.
Skagit Inter-Agency Review Team (IRT) Along with PDSA Consulting we facilitated a process to bring water relief to landowners and enhance summer stream flows in a sub-drainage of the Skagit River. Our team worked with the sponsor, the upper Skagit Tribe, and an inter-agency review team to develop a conceptual proposal for groundwater recharge and a mitigation credit system designed to make water available for new users.
North Fork Swift Creek Reroute Whatcom County evaluated alternatives for long-term management of asbestos laden water and sediments in Swift Creek. One alternative involved re-routing a clean tributary of Swift Creek to simplify sediment management requirements. we worked with engineers and private landowners along the proposed route to determine the acceptability of several proposals.
South Fork Valley Nooksack River Watershed Planning We facilitated the initial watershed planning process in the South Fork Valley of the Nooksack River. Our team conducted individual stakeholder interviews, organized numerous interest group meetings, staff one public meeting, facilitated the strategic planning of the project. The South Fork Nooksack Watershed Project brought together landowners, tribes, agencies and community members for an open dialogue about how to conserve agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and recreation in the South Fork Nooksack watershed, while protecting and restoring our water resources in the face of climate change.
Strategic Planning Projects
Community Boating Center Charrette Our facilitation team planned and carried out a community charrette to assist the Community Boating Center with identification of future needs and ideas for new facilities.
Blaine City CouncilRetreat The Blaine Washington City Council held a planning retreat with facilitator, David Roberts focused on enhancing community communication and engagement and establishing priorities for the coming year. It was informed by a presentation on effective approaches to social media engagement by project partner and strategic communications firm, Shew Design. The strategic discussion identified city engagement needs using a hybrid group decision model followed by an identification of tasks and priorities. The facilitation opened up sharing and ideas.
Whatcom Land Trust Retreat and Strategic Planning Sessions Facilitator, David Roberts, worked with the Board of the Whatcom Land Trust over a series of meetings to develop values for the organization and an action plan for the next five years.
Whatcom Public Works Stormwater Strategy Our watershed specialist has advised staff from County Public Works with effective strategies to address maintenance of private stormwater facilities and effective working relationships with communities concerned with floodplain management.
Education and Outreach Projects
Stormwater Discovery Tour We partnered with Shew Design to create an interactive website for residents and visitors to learn more about the variety of effective stormwater management systems used throughout the City. The self-guided Stormwater Discovery Tour features five locations in the City with maps, photos, and interpretive information. Check out the Bellingham Stormwater Discovery Tour website. Each interactive tour puts the city’s stormwater education money to work in a completely new way to educate people on ways in which rainwater travels through the natural and man-made landscape.
San Juan County Recycling Outreach Project We worked with San Juan County to educate businesses and Transfer Station users about how to improve the recyclability of their commingled waste. Over the period of a year, team members, Ryan Roberts and Alyssa Rodriguez, reached out to over forty businesses to learn more about the barriers they were experiencing in producing cleaner recycled materials - plastic, cardboard, and bottles and cans. Additionally, they spent ten weekends at the Transfer Station working with individuals and answering their recycling questions. The same contract hired Shew Design of Bellingham to create strategic communication tools to get the recycling message across to a variety of audiences.
Skagit Watershed Council Community Engagement Campaign We worked with staff and educators to develop a communication framework to educate and engage a variety of people in the diversely populated Skagit community. Our engagement plan included a photo contest, blogs, establishing a social media presence, and the creation of a yearly Resource Guide comprised of 50+ environmental education and stewardship efforts. Our engagement campaign included hashtags with unifying themes and a survey designed of fifty organizations that provide environmental education in Skagit County.
Gig Harbor Boating Survey and Seminar Our team members worked with the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance and the Gig Harbor Yacht Club to develop a community boating needs assessment. We developed and analyzed an online community survey and organized a community boating seminar. Our work identified marine-related service needs in Gig Harbor and a valuable planning tool for future business.
Whatcom County SMP We partnered with The Watershed Company to lead public open houses and gather public input for Whatcom County’s periodic review of its Shoreline Master Program as required by the state. The review ensures the County stays current with changes in laws and rules, remains consistent with other County plans and regulations, and is responsive to changed circumstances, new information and improved data.
Bellingham Comprehensive Plan Update Our team worked closely with HDR and City of Bellingham staff to develop and carry out public outreach and engagement to support the process including plans for the workshops, survey, and design of materials. Using the City’s proprietary website, we developed an online survey, a FAQ document, a repository of materials suitable for the public including video archives and related websites, and a project overview with direction from City staff. Due to COVID restrictions, we pivoted to holding an online open house and recording those City Council proceedings that were focused on stormwater management and utility rates. In spite of the pandemic, we collected considerable public input to inform the process.
South Fork Nooksack Watershed Public Engagement We facilitated nine months of meetings for the Nooksack Tribe involving a wide range of interests in the South Fork of the Nooksack River to gauge interest in developing a watershed plan to protect and enhance ecosystems, incorporate community safety and uses, and address climate change concerns.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Steelhead Gene Bank Public Meetings Our staff assisted WDFW with planning and facilitating four public meetings to assist in developing Steelhead gene banks throughout the State to address their management and protection requirements under the Endangered Species Act. Kulshan also trained WDFW staff on ways to respond to questions and work effectively with the public.
Pacific Northwest Scenic Trail Stakeholder Meetings We partnered with PDSA Consulting to conduct nine stakeholder meetings to scope a comprehensive management plan for the Pacific Northwest Trail – an ambitious project on the scale of the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail designed to bring access to natural places and create economic benefit to small cities along the three-state east-west route.
Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Public Meetings We led eleven neighborhood planning meetings for Whatcom County Parks and Recreation. Upon completion of the meetings, we provided a full report of the comments received informing the update to their Comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan.
NMTA Aquatic Lands Interactive Workshops At the annual NMTA Marina and Boatyard Conference, we delivered workshops on topics related to leasing, environmental requirements, and working effectively with agencies and regulators.
Skagit Watershed Council Meeting Support We have provided skilled meeting support for the Skagit Watershed Council including the Board of Directors, Technical Workgroup, Protection Subcommittee, Community Engagement, and Steelhead and Bull Trout Subcommittees. With these administrative, technical, and coordination needs taken care of, the Council members are able to focus their work, collaborate, and fully participate in meetings.
Aquatic Surveys and Research
Aquatic Surveys and Research
Shoreline and Stream Restoration Projects Our team members have planned and coordinated shoreline restoration projects on Puget Sound to remove creosote-treated driftwood. This work involved monitoring beaches, mapping creosote locations using GPS and GIS, maintaining a database, administering permits and contracts, educating and recruiting volunteer groups, and writing reports for the DNR. Team members also worked for the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association to plan and coordinate stream restoration projects, recruit and educate volunteers, manage a database, monitor water quality, and survey salmon.
Fisheries and Aquatic Surveys Members of our team have expertise conducting a variety of fisheries and aquatic surveys. Their experience includes: salmon spawner surveys in the Nooksack and Skagit River watersheds, including collection of otolith, scale, and tag samples; working in US Forest Service streams performing habitat mapping and conducting fish and amphibian surveys to determine abundance and diversity; conducting limnology studies of high mountain lakes in the North Cascades National Park; conducting benthic macroinvertebrate sampling in Mount Rainier National Park, the Skykomish River, and the Yuba River; conducting extensive water quality sampling of the Skykomish River; assessing fish populations in reservoirs and streams located throughout the Sacramento and Merced river watersheds; and assessing fish passage barriers in the Skagit and Yuba River tributaries.
Hydroelectric Projects Members on our team have provided fisheries and aquatic services on the many hydroelectric projects: Sunset Fish Passage and Energy Project, Snohomish Public Utility District; Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project, Alaska Energy Authority; Yuba River Development Project, Yuba County Water Agency; Wells Hydroelectric Project, Douglas County PUD; Merced River Hydroelectric Project, Merced Irrigation District; and the Yuba-Bear and Drum-Spaulding Projects, Nevada Irrigation District, and Pacific Gas and Electric.
Wildlife and Plant Research We have staff who can perform a variety of wildlife and botanical research projects. They have extensive experience in this area including: spotted owl and bald eagle monitoring; abundance and road ecology of the North Cascades elk herd; Olympic marmot metapopulation research (trapping, sampling, and tagging); small mammal and amphibian abundance and diversity in managed forests (trapping, sampling, and tagging); endangered plant surveys, invasive knotweed mapping on the Skagit River; ecological sampling of high mountain lakes in North Cascades National Park; stream evaluations on Forest Service Lands; benthic macroinvertebrate sampling in Mount Rainier National Park; fish passage assessments in Skagit River tributaries; and invasive knotweed mapping on the Skagit River.