Maine DEP Land Use Permitting Director to Join Normandeau Associates

normandeau staff

Falmouth, ME — Normandeau Associates is pleased to announce that Mr. James Cassida, will join the firm beginning August 22, 2011. Mr. Cassida will join Normandeau Associates as a Principal Regulatory Specialist within the Terrestrial/Wetlands Service Group, and will be assisting clients with permitting, natural resource studies, environmental planning, and mitigation services.

"Jim Cassida is one of the most respected and experienced regulatory specialists in New England," said Bob Varney, Normandeau Senior Vice President and former EPA-New England Regional Administrator. "Jim has been involved in the permitting of almost every significant development project in the State of Maine over the past 20 years. His detailed knowledge and experience with the permitting of major wind farms, electric transmission lines, gas pipelines, LNG facilities, highway, bridge, airport and rail projects and large-scale commercial, residential and industrial developments, will provide significant value to our clients with projects in Maine and in many other states as well."

Prior to joining Normandeau Associates, Mr. Cassida served as the Maine DEP Director of the Division of Land Resource Regulation, managing a staff of 37 and overseeing the processing of permit applications for hundreds of development projects statewide. During his tenure, Mr. Cassida was involved in the permitting of projects such as the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline, the Maine Power Reliability Project, the Downeast Reliability Project, and multiple large-scale wind power projects such as Rollins Wind, Record Hill Wind, and Spruce Mountain Wind. Mr. Cassida has developed an excellent working relationship with state and Federal agencies and local communities, and is known for his ability to reach agreement on complex and challenging projects, in an environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner.

Mr. Cassida was MDEP's representative at hearings and work sessions of the Maine Board of Environmental Protection, Land Use Regulation Commission, and Maine State Legislature. He also helped lead the effort to create the Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program, a program designed to accept natural resource compensation fees and award grants to compensate for impacts on wetlands and significant wildlife habitats. Mr. Cassida also is a civic leader who has been elected chair of the Freeport Town Council (three times), has served on the board of the local Economic Development Council and area Chamber of Commerce, and has been active in the Maine Municipal Association.

"I am excited to join Normandeau Associates, one of the nation's premier science-based, environmental consulting firms. I look forward to working with Normandeau's talented and highly-respected staff in Maine and across the nation." Normandeau Associates, one of the oldest and fastest-growing environmental consulting firms in the country, has over 250 staff members working in 19 offices in 11 states.

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