Felicia Federico, D.Env.

Executive Director

Department: UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science

La Kretz Hall
Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1496
FFederico@ioe.ucla.edu
Personal Website

Education

University of California, Los Angeles: D.Env, Environmental Science and Engineering
University of California, Los Angeles: M.A., Geography
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y.: B.S., Mechanical Engineering

Research

Dr. Federico’s research focus is on managing impacts of urbanization on streams, specifically the effects of changes to the hydrologic regime that results from urbanization (these changes are referred to as “hydromodification”). Understanding urban hydrology, and the resulting geomorphic response of stream channels, provides a physical basis for conservation and management of Southern California’s sensitive and ecologically important streams. Continued local research, augmented by collaboration across other Mediterranean climate areas, is critical to providing regionally appropriate solutions. Dr. Federico is particularly interested in understanding and facilitating the process by which research findings are incorporated into policy and management actions. Her experience with land development projects has increased her understanding of the challenges involved in translating research into specific actions on the ground, such as design standards for stormwater control. Through participation on technical advisory committees, she has gained insight into the critical role of education and outreach at all levels of stakeholders to support this information transfer.

Additional Interests

Felicia also has a strong interest in the process by which organizations implement sustainability initiatives. As part of her environmental management responsibilities within the petroleum industry during a period of intense regulatory change, she helped facilitate transitions across a range of business activities, including physical operations, economic analyses, training programs and legal considerations. Similarly, the paradigm shifts required to meet today’s sustainability challenges will require behavioral and process changes across the spectrum of organizational practices, and will benefit from studies to improve the effectiveness of such transitions.

Work Experience

Dr. Federico’s background includes environmental consulting, where she was responsible for managing multi-objective water resources projects involving stormwater runoff, water quality, stream protection, water harvesting and low impact development. Felicia participates on the Technical Advisory Council for the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) Hydromodification Project, and was a member of the LA County Department of Public Works Hydromodification Task Force. She was the Project Manager and primary author for the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) hydromodification white paper issued in May 2009. Dr. Federico has presented on hydromodification and stream stability issues to a range of audiences, including workshops and conferences sponsored by the California State Water Resources Control Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, CASQA, the County of Santa Barbara, the Floodplain Management Association, and the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project.

Dr. Federico also has 15 years’ experience developing and implementing corporate programs for environmental regulatory compliance. This includes 10 years of management and supervisory oversight related to air emissions, water quality, hazardous waste, spill prevention, emergency response, industrial hygiene and worker safety.

Publications

Managing Hydromodification Impacts due to Urbanization through the Regulation of New Development and Re-development in California. Doctoral Dissertation, UCLA Environmental Science and Engineering Program, March 2009.

A Multi-Metric Index for Evaluating the Condition of Riparian Corridors (co-author with Shelley Luce and Richard F. Ambrose). Water Environment Federation Technical Conference, October 2007, San Diego, CA.