Chris Cziesla Principal Marine/Fisheries Biologist, Owner 206.321.6537 chriscz@cherrycrk.com View Resume	Education University of Oregon M.S., Marine Biology University of Virginia B.A., Biology Specialties Endangered Species Act Fisheries and Marine Biology Regulatory Compliance Strategy

Chris specializes in regulatory compliance strategies and habitat restoration, and brings a tremendous combination of strategic and technical knowledge to his projects. He has conducted research and performed evaluations for infrastructure projects, shellfish aquaculture, waterfront modification, maintenance dredging, road and culvert improvements, and stream and marsh alteration and restoration. His scientific background is in aquatic environments, including assessments and restoration of freshwater, marine, and estuarine systems. His regulatory compliance experience includes working with the Washington Office of Regulatory Assistance to establish the information requirements for all permits associated with JARPA and working with numerous agencies to streamline the Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation process by developing informational requirements and training for federal agencies and applicants. Chris has written numerous programmatic and project-specific Biological Assessments, natural resource sections of Environmental Impact Statements, and Habitat Conservation Plans. He has developed mitigation and restoration plans for sensitive species and habitats including salmonids, shellfish, eelgrass, and wetlands.

	•	As the Endangered Species Act Lead, Chris is responsible for the Section 7 consultations associated with the $4.6 billion State Route 520 Bridge Replacement Program for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). This includes the analysis and evaluation of multiple aspects of the program’s activities and their interactions with the natural environment in a complex urban-park-sensitive shoreline setting.
	•	Chris has provided regulatory compliance and permitting strategies, developed biological assessments and habitat plans, managed the completion of permitting documents, researched shellfish ecology, and developed study designs for numerous shellfish aquaculture projects. He has worked closely with the shellfish industry to strive for a streamlined, programmatic permitting solution (e.g., NWP 48) versus individual permitting efforts.
	•	Since 2003, Chris has been working with the City of Mercer Island and its consultant team in the design and permitting of the replacement of a 2.5-mile segment of the Mercer Island in-lake sewer line along the Lake Washington shoreline. Chris has provided continued permitting support and environmental review and strategy for the construction phase of this project.