In-person Event

ACWA 2024 Fall Conference and Expo

Palm Desert, CA
Dec 3–5

ICF is proud to be a Silver Sponsor of the ACWA 2024 Fall Conference and Expo.

Our team is developing innovative multi-benefit initiatives and nature-based solutions that address critical water challenges within California’s complex regulatory environment. By harnessing the power of natural systems while integrating smart technologies, we optimize water resource solutions to create resilient communities and ecosystems.

Our diverse areas of expertise—from environmental planning, ecological restoration, and fish and aquatic science to California water resource management and climate resilience planning—align with our goal of enhancing environmental health while providing tangible benefits to communities.

Our expertise

We combine scientific knowledge with practical strategies to enhance resilience, improve community well-being, and drive sustainable water management, all while balancing the diverse interests of our clients.

  • Comprehensive solutions for sustainable water management: Watershed and water supply planning and regulatory compliance—in alignment with interested parties and under rapidly changing climate conditions—to achieve broader multi-purpose goals.
  • Water policy development: Crafting effective policies that align with regulatory frameworks and community needs, ensuring that all voices are heard in the decision-making process.
  • Environmental planning: Evaluating potential environmental effects of proposed projects across various sectors—including water, transportation, energy, and natural resources—with hundreds of environmental planning professionals who lead the industry in preparing superior environmental documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and Washington State Environmental Policy (SEPA).
  • Flood mitigation and management: Leveraging sustainable planning and design to develop regional flood protection, floodplain management, and restoration solutions.
  • Capacity building and program implementation: Building and executing effective programs delivered on time and within budget through a multidisciplinary approach to identifying risks and opportunities—enabling clients to achieve long-term success in dynamic environments.
  • Habitat conservation planning: Implementing science-based solutions and innovative technology solutions to address endangered species and conservation needs to protect and restore critical habitats while ensuring clear and transparent reporting.
  • Fish and aquatic science: Using the latest fish survey technology and providing research and monitoring to support aquatic ecosystems that help clients answer critical water management questions. We coordinate with state, local, and federal agencies to apply critical thinking to permit terms and requirements, and our scientists offer diverse skills to keep projects on track.
  • Climate resilience planning: Helping communities adapt to climate change impacts, our climate policy and planning group and supporting commitments to decarbonization and carbon emissions. 
  • Stakeholder engagement: Creating engagement opportunities for interested parties to share ideas and information and shape projects that reflect all community interests including disadvantaged and vulnerable communities
  • Tribal engagement: Engaging with Tribal governments to develop culturally responsive approaches that incorporate and respect traditional knowledge and promote inclusive decision-making.
  • Permitting services: Simplifying the complex environmental regulatory and permitting processes, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations. Our team assesses and manages permitting needs, providing strategies to meet requirements while minimizing costs and delays. We also conduct necessary surveys and impact studies to identify effective mitigation options, fostering strong relationships with regulatory agencies to facilitate a smooth permitting process.
  • Grants management: Providing expert guidance throughout the grants management lifecycle, from identifying funding opportunities to application support and program implementation. We also offer customizable software tailored to any grant or program with customized permissions, dashboards, and reporting capabilities.
  • Wildfire management: Developing and refining efforts to manage wildfire risks with climate vulnerability and risk assessment, integrated resource and resilience planning—plus preparing forward-looking plans that provide nature-based wildfire mitigation actions, support local economic development, and focus on fuels and forest health treatments at the scale of the problem.
File Under
  • Environment