Rod Thompson

Experience

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  US Forest Service

  Jun 1990 - Sept 1993

  Biological Technician

  Position was on the North Umpqua Ranger District in Glide, Oregon. Conducted salmon and steelhead spawning, stream habitat, snorkel and electrofishing population and fish distribution, juvenile fish trap mark-recapture, spotted owl, and timber sale related surveys. Trained for and part of wildland fire crew for the 4 years while working for the USFS.

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  Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

  Jun 1994 - Jul 1999

  Biologist

  Roseburg, ODFW SW Regional Office - Lead biologist of radio-telemetry study on steelhead in the North Umpqua River. Also conducted salmon and steelhead spawning and stream habitat surveys and several deer radio telemetry and night spot light deer counts. Led talks at local schools and outdoor oriented events discussing salmon and steelhead life history, radio-telemetry techniques, and other fish and wildlife related topics.Corvallis, ODFW Research Office - Conducted salmon and steelhead spawning, stream habitat, and salmon distribution (electrofishing) surveys throughout western Oregon. Show less

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  The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

  Jul 1999 - Mar 2005

  Position was within the Natural Resources Division of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Managed the Environmental Resources Department, oversaw several Tribal program budgets and grants, and led day to day oversight of Water Quality Specialist and interns conducting water quality, stream habitat, wetland delineations, and other natural resource surveys, research, and reporting. Worked closely with inter-disciplinary teams on tribal timber and natural resources management under the Tribe's natural resources management plan. Represented the Tribe on Superfund (CERCLA and NRDA) contaminant cleanup and natural resource damage assessment activities on Portland Harbor, Taylor Lumber, and McCormick & Baxter sites. Represented the Tribe as lead negotiator on FERC re-licensing of PGE hydro-electric projects (Willamette Falls and Clackamas River). Represented the Tribe on the Willamette River TMDL Council through the DEQ process. Represented the Tribe on the City of Portland Watershed Science Advisory Group that advised, reviewed, and commented on the City's work to integrate the natural, recreational, urban, and economic roles of the Willamette River into watershed management. Active member of the Yamhill Basin Watershed Council and served as vice-chair for 2 years. Show less Position was within the Natural Resources Division of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Managed the Water Quality Program within the Environmental Resources Department. Managed EPA 106 Water Quality Grant including preparation of grant, management of budget, and reporting. Member of inter-disciplinary team that developed and prepared the Tribe's Natural Resources Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) through BIA NEPA process. Led research and development of new riparian management rules for the Natural Resources Management Plan that are still in use today. Managed and led summer interns conducting stream habitat and water quality surveys. Conducted wetland delineations, wetland monitoring, stream habitat surveys, water quality sampling, macro-invertebrate surveys, spawning surveys, fill-removal permitting, and report preparation for all surveys. Prepared the Tribe's Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) following EPA guidelines for all tribal water quality surveys and monitoring and the Tribe's Unified Watershed Assessment. Worked closely with the Tribe's Fish and Wildlife Committee and the Yamhill Basin Watershed Council. Show less

  • Environmental Resource Manager

    May 2002 - Mar 2005

  • Water Quality Specialist

    Jul 1999 - Apr 2002
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  Oregon Department of Transportation

  Mar 2005 - now

  Position was within ODOT Region 2 in Salem. Primary role was to lead ODOT major projects through the NEPA process, examples include the Newberg Dundee Bypass Tier II EIS and the Salem River Crossing EIS. Position included consultant management, work order contract and budget management, continual coordination internally with region and area managers, project team, ODOT program staff and DOJ, externally with federal and state resource agencies and local agencies, review and editing of project documents, participated in open houses and public hearings, and preparing responses to public comment. Worked with DOJ and FHWA to ensure consultants followed the NEPA process and prepared legally defensible NEPA, environmental, and land use documents. Prepared project re-evaluation and supplemental NEPA documents. Worked closely with Region planners and DOJ on land use actions including goal exceptions and urban growth boundary expansions. Show less Position was within ODOT Region 2 in Salem. Primary role was to prepare Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) fill/removal permits (ACOE & ODSL), Section 401 of the CWA Stormwater Management Plans (ODEQ), and ESA Programmatic (NMFS) documentation for State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) and maintenance projects. I also coordinated with the ODOT Construction and Maintenance Offices and contractors on project temporary water management and fish salvage, erosion and sediment control compliance, and permitting needs. Show less

  • State Environmental Engineering and Policy Manager

    Oct 2014 - now

  • Senior Environmental Project Manager

    Jul 2006 - Oct 2014

  • Permits and Water Resources Coordinator

    Mar 2005 - Jul 2006