STAFF
Wetland and Water Resources' scientists and engineers operate as a core team of scientists, engineers, and planners collaborating with a pool of highly-qualified experts available to meet the unique needs of each project. We have proven research track-records and extensive experience in applying research practices and principles to project planning and implementation.
(Click on name for bio)
James Kulpa, Surveying & Hydrology
Roger Leventhal, P.E., Civil Engineering
Leonard S. Sklar, Ph.D. Geomorphology and Hydrology
Philip Bachand, Ph.D., Wetland Engineering
Jake Schweitzer, GIS/Cartography
Vir McCoy, Ecology
John Vollmar, Wetland ecology
A note on our email addresses: to avoid spam, we do not include direct email links.
Instead, we note the email prefix for each person, all of which are followed by "@swampthing.org" unless otherwise noted.
James R. Kulpa
Environmental Data Solutions
Certified Professional Surveyor, Hydrologist
B.S., 1991 Geography, Boston University
James R. Kulpa
has over 15 years of experience in planning and implementing hydrologic,
survey and environmental monitoring-based projects in the state of California,
the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Maine. Mr. Kulpa specializes in designing
and implementing data collection and analysis programs in a variety of environmental
settings for the engineering, hydrologic, environmental planning and regulatory
industries.
Mr. Kulpa has lead survey teams for the United States Geological Survey
and the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
For the past 10 years, Mr. Kulpa has lead large field programs for various
consulting firms in the Bay Area. These efforts have focused on the restoration
and coastal engineering industry throughout the state of California. Mr.
Kulpa works closely with numerical modelers, design engineers, hydrologists,
and geomorphologists to ensure planned data collection and analysis techniques
meet project goals.
Email James Kulpa: jimmy
Roger D. Leventhal, P.E.
Principal
Civil Engineer
M.S., 1985 Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley
B.A., 1983 Geology, UC Santa Barbara
Mr. Leventhal has acquired unique experience in ecological restoration/ environmental engineering projects as the project manager and lead engineer for several major wetlands and shoreline restoration projects in the Bay Area and Sacramento River Delta. He has an academic background in hydraulics and water resources coupled with practical experience in applied engineering and construction. He has evaluated restoration design alternatives, successfully negotiated permitting requirements, prepared plans and specifications and supervised field construction of some of the largest and most successful restoration projects on the West Coast. Through his project involvement, Mr. Leventhal has demonstrated expertise in analysis and design of seasonal and tidal wetlands. In addition, he has demonstrated his ability to manage multiple interdisciplinary teams in conducting civil and engineering design projects and completing projects within a complex regulatory framework. Mr. Leventhal is a registered Professional Engineer.
Mr. Leventhal is an independent contractor who provides civil engineering services to Wetlands and Water Resources on a project basis. You may contact him through the email listed below.
Email Roger Leventhal: rleventhal
Leonard S. Sklar, Ph.D.
Ph.D., 2003 Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley
M.S. 1990 Civil Engineering, Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science
and Art Civil Engineering
B.S. 1989 Civil Engineering, New York University
Email Leonard S. Sklar: lsklar
Philip A.M. Bachand, Ph.D.
Principal
Environmental Engineer, Scientist
Ph.D., 1996 Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley
M.S., 1992 Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley
B.S., 1984 Mechanical Engineering, UC Davis
Dr. Bachand has eight years of applied research and consulting experience in optimizing treatment wetlands for removal of targeted pollutants. His work is predicated on the belief that treatment wetlands offer unique value and offer an attractive alternative due to cost-effective water quality improvement, as well as ancillary wildlife habitat, recreational, educational, and research benefits. He uniquely combines a background in Environmental and Mechanical Engineering with expertise in wetlands and aquatic systems gained from his education and applied research in biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling, ecology and hydrology. His professional experience has necessitated expertise in statistical analyses; mechanistic model development; water and sediment sampling and QA/QC procedures; instrumenting wetlands; and database design and management.
Dr. Bachand designed and managed applied wetland research in the 465-acre Prado Basin wetland in southern California. His research was integral in the multi-million dollar redesign and operation of the Prado Basin wetland. The Prado Basin wetland can now treat flows of 60 cubic feet per second and remove 20 tons of nitrate monthly from the Santa Ana River.
More recently, Dr. Bachand has been the Principal Investigator on a multi-disciplinary, million dollar applied research program investigating methods to enhance phosphorus removal rates in treatment wetlands. This work has focused on reducing phosphorus loads from agricultural runoff and has been a key component in Florida's multi-million dollar, multi-agency efforts to reduce nutrient loading to the Florida Everglades. Currently he is advising South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on scaling up his research to full-scale wetland treatment systems.
Email Philip Bachand: pbachand
Jake Schweitzer
Geographic Information Science Specialist, Cartographer, Web Master
B.A., 1995 Geography, University of California, Berkeley
Mr. Schweitzer has over 6 years of professional experience in geographic information science, including GIS, cartography, GPS surveying, and related web-based technologies. Combining high-end graphics with advanced analysis, his project experience ranges from the City of Oakland's emergency response systems, to Alcoa environmental impact statements, to monitoring Sudden Oak Death Syndrome for UC Berkeley. Examples of his GIS maps are included in the "Projects" section of this website.
Email Jake Schweitzer: jake
Vir McCoy
Wetland Ecologist
B.A., 1992 Geography, University of California, Berkeley
B.S., 1992 Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley
Mr. McCoy has more than ten years of educational and professional experience in the fields of wildlife biology ecology, restoration, botany, and geography. He has used his diverse field experience and technical skills on numerous projects throughout California and Arizona in a variety of habitats. Mr. McCoy has provided integral input to many wildlife and ecological assessments, large wetland and riparian restoration projects, species natural history summaries, ecological risk assessments, EIR and EIS documents, long-term monitoring plans, and wetland delineation and other habitat evaluations. He has experience with avian, mammalian, reptile, amphibian, fish, and invertebrate species including surveys for many threatened and endangered species. Mr. McCoy has considerable expertise on the ecology and restoration of several habitat types including experience with coastal sage scrub, oak woodlands, and wetland habitats including vernal pools, salt and freshwater marshes, and riparian habitats.
Email Vir McCoy: vir
John Vollmar
Vollmar Consulting
Wetland Ecologist and Botanist
B.S., 1990 Evolution/Natural History, University of California, Berkeley
Mr. Vollmar is a botanist and wetland ecologist with more than ten years professional experience. His background combines strong technical experience and training with a thorough understanding of current environmental regulations pertaining to wetland and botanical resources. As a botanist, he has managed and conducted rare plant surveys, floristic inventories and habitat assessments throughout California and other western states. He has worked with dozens of rare plant species, conducting surveys, mapping and impact studies and he is an expert on the endangered Contra Costa goldfields (Lasthenia conjugens). As a wetland ecologist, Mr. Vollmar has managed and conducted numerous wetland delineations and habitat assessments, developed mitigation and restoration plans, and reviewed and implemented mitigation and monitoring plans for several wetland types including vernal pools, perennial and seasonal marsh, riparian habitats, and alkali sink scrub. Through the course of his work, Mr. Vollmar has authored numerous botanical and wetland reports.
Email John Vollmar: jvollmar
