CORPORATE EXPERIENCE

Talisman Land Resource Consultants Inc. is an environmental consulting firm established in 1976 in Vancouver, BC.
During 35 years of assignments throughout the province and overseas, Talisman established a sound reputation based on a multidisciplinary approach to resource planning and resource development projects. Paul Christie, a founding partner of Talisman, now lives in The District of Coldstream, near Vernon, B.C. and, through Talisman, continues to offer his consulting expertise in the fields of agriculture and environmental science to a wide variety of public and private clients in the agriculture, transportation, energy, mining, and land development sectors.


EXPERTISE

• Soil Survey
• Bio-Physical Land Inventory
• Agricultural Assessment
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Land Reclamation

EDUCATION

• University of British Columbia, 1975, Vancouver, BC, B.Sc.
  (Soil Science and Biology)
• University of British Columbia, 1975-77, Vancouver, BC,
  Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Soil Science and Biology

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES & Activities

• College of Applied Biology (British Columbia)
• Association of Professional Biologists of British Columbia
• British Columbia Institute of Agrologists
• Past President, Canadian Consulting Agrologist's Association (inactive)
• Current member, District of Coldstream, Agricultural Advisory Committee

RELEVANT PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Agricultural Projects

• Assessment of agricultural impacts, mitigation planning, coordination of ALC approval and assistance in property acquisition for the proposed South Fraser Perimeter Road in Surrey, for the B.C. Ministry of Transportation under the Gateway Program. Participation in the Topsoil Salvage and Delta Regional Irrigation Projects being implemented as part of the agriculture compensation and enhancement strategies. Monitoring of agricultural issues through the current project construction process.

• Assessment of agricultural impacts, mitigation planning, coordination of ALC approval, assistance in property acquisition, and construction monitoring for the 4-laning improvement project for Highway 15 (176th Street) in Surrey, B.C. Ministry of Transportation. This project has been constructed.

• Assessment of agricultural impacts and mitigation planning for detailed design of the four phases of the Coquihalla Highway system, for the B.C. Ministry of Transportation. Work entailed liaison with several engineering firms carrying out detailed design and consultation with ranchers and farmers potentially affected by the proposed works.

• Over thirty-five years experience co-ordinating private and government initiated agricultural assessment studies involving ALR lands and liaison with the Agricultural Land Commission, throughout B.C. Major ALR assessments include working with the District of Summerland as an agricultural advisor on updating of their Official Community Plan, the Kamloops on the Lake (6 Mile Ranch) Project, the Western Star Truck project in Kelowna, the Pier Mac Gravel Pit and Kelowna Airport ALR lands, and the Merritt Mountain Music Festival lands.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Environmental Planning and Monitoring

• Environmental Monitor for the WR Bennett Bridge Project, Okanagan Lake, Kelowna. Tasks include assistance in obtaining required resource agency permits and approvals, ensuring compliance with permit requirements during construction activities, liaison with resource agency personnel, and habitat restoration at project completion. This project was initiated in the summer of 2005 and the new bridge was opened in May, 2008. Recent work includes demolition of the old bridge and construction of the habitat compensation areas which will be completed in early fall 2010. On-going, periodic monitoring of habitat compensation areas, as required under the DFO Authorization, until 2015.


• Preparation of fisheries and wildlife habitat restoration and compensation plans, and input to sediment and erosion control plans, for several golf courses in the Lower Mainland, under the permitting and review of the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the BC Ministry of Environment, including Morgan Creek and the Hazelmere Golf Courses in Surrey and the Northlands Golf Course in North Vancouver.


• Environmental co-ordinator for the Lions Gate Bridge Project, including detailed environmental planning, resource agency permitting, and monitoring of construction, for American Bridge/Surespan. The major environmental issues and monitoring requirements related to the protection of Stanley Park forest and streams along the Causeway and the foreshore environments at either end of the bridge. Talisman carried out the reclamation of the North Shore staging area at the completion of this project in the fall of 2001, under the permitting and review of the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.


• Environmental co-ordinator for the detailed planning, permitting and construction monitoring of the Cypress Bowl ski area Master Plan implementation, in West Vancouver. Work included the installation of a major culvert on Cypress Creek in the base area, the installation of a two quad chairs, improvements to alpine ski runs, new ski trails in the Nordic area, reconstruction of an existing access road, construction of a toboggan play area, and ongoing reclamation of historically disturbed lands. All work was carried out under permitting and review by BC Parks and BC Environment.


• Environmental Advisor to the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW). Work included assessment and monitoring of private sector and public developments and coordination of the RMOW environmental inventory and GIS mapping program, including mapping of wetlands, riparian areas and old growth forest.

A detailed resume is available on request, email: paulc@talismanenviro.com.

Revised: September 2010