Don Barrie, M.S., Geoscience Educator

Don Barrie is head of the geology department at San Diego Mesa College.

Prior to joining the Mesa faculty in 2004, he taught geology, oceanography, physical geography, and natural disasters part time at Mesa, Cuyamaca, Grossmont, and MiraCosta colleges, and at San Diego State University.

As a professional geologist (PG) and certified engineering geologist (CEG), he has over 14 years' professional experience managing geologic and environmental field investigations. For 8 years, he worked as a senior geologist with AMEC Earth & Environmental, a San Diego consulting firm.

Barrie is a California registered professional geologist and certified engineering geologist. He holds a B.S. degree from Humboldt State University and an M.S. from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

Selected Professional Consulting Experience

Expert Witness Testimony – California Energy Commission. Provided expert witness testimony on seismic hazards in conjunction with an application for licensure of a proposed natural gas power plant site in Shasta County, California. Project work included assessment of peak ground acceleration at the power plant site associated with a maximum credible earthquake on local and regional Quaternary faults.

Fault Evaluation Study– Corona CA. Conducted fault trenching investigation on a potentially active strand of the Elsinore Fault south of Corona, California for the purpose of Alquist Priolo zoning.

Landslide Study – Palos Verdes, CA. Conducted geologic mapping and subsurface investigations on a recently activated landslide on the Palos Verdes peninsula. The objective of the investigation was to delineate the geometry of the basal slip surface so that adequate mitigation measures could be implemented to minimize risk of future reactivation of the landslide.

Soil/Groundwater Remediation - San Diego, CA. Managed site characterization and remedial excavation operations in conjunction with a large redevelopment project. Project work included development of petroleum hydrocarbon cleanup levels, assessment of soil reuse/disposal options, preparation of a human health risk assessment, statistical evaluation of contaminant concentrations, and coordination with multiple regulatory agency requirements. Project was successfully completed following receipt of a "no further action" letter.

Groundwater and Soil Investigation – Chula Vista, CA. Managed site characterization study of an industrial property with chlorinated solvent impacts to groundwater and adjacent vadose zone soils. Project work included quantitative evaluation of groundwater chemistry; determination of groundwater flow direction, velocity, and gradient; evaluation of contaminant mobility; and assessment of potential offsite contaminant sources. Project was successfully completed following receipt of a "no further action" letter.

EIR Preparation - County of San Luis Obispo. Authored geology/seismicity/soils sections of an EIR prepared in support of proposed pipeline construction. Project work included evaluation of geologic and seismic hazards along pipeline alignment.

Hydrogeologic/Engineering Investigation – Completed project work in conjunction with a major study of proposed wastewater disposal pond sites in the San Joaquin Valley, California. Duties included developing groundwater contour maps, delineation of regional geologic structures, and estimation of groundwater flow paths and groundwater travel distances to sensitive receptors.

Geologic Hazards Assessment - Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, CA. Evaluated geologic, seismic, and soils-related hazards in conjunction with the preparation of an EIR prepared in support of proposed port expansion activities. Project work included delineation of potential liquefaction hazard-prone areas and development of mitigation measures to densify liquefaction-prone soils.

EIR Preparation – City of Encinitas, CA. Supervised preparation of drainage/water quality section of an EIR for a proposed residential development. Project work included assessment of existing regulatory framework for residential stormwater runoff, evaluation of post-project urban runoff, and development of mitigation measures designed to facilitate infiltration of “first flush” urban contaminants.

EIR Preparation – City of Buenaventura, CA. Supervised preparation of the drainage/water quality and geology/seismicity/soils sections of an EIR for a proposed multiuse commercial development. Project work included preparation of a geologic constraints report to assist project planners and evaluation of geologic and water quality impacts associated with the proposed project.

Groundwater and Soil Investigation – San Diego and Los Angeles, CA. Supervised and managed all aspects of Phase II groundwater and soil contamination studies throughout the San Diego and greater Los Angeles areas. Project work of particular note included direct measurement of groundwater flow directions and velocities using a heat-pulse flow meter, geochemical evaluation of groundwater, background metals evaluations, and conduct of vapor-pathway evaluation studies in conjunction with human health risk assessments.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facility Investigation (RFI) Studies – Chatsworth, CA. Field manager and technical point-of-contact for soil vapor studies and vadose zone contamination assessment performed in conjunction with ongoing RFI work for a major aerospace firm. Project work included development of statistical methodology for determining field action levels, evaluation of background metal concentrations, and interpretation of soil vapor and soil matrix analytical results. Project management tasks included subcontractor selection and evaluation, regulatory compliance, management of field crews, development of field schedules, and preparation of monthly sampling summaries.

Environmental Site Investigations – Guam and Honolulu, HI. Field manager and onsite geologist for several environmental site assessment projects in support of a multimillion contract with the U.S. Navy. Project duties included development of background metals evaluations, preparation of investigative-derived waste (IDW) disposal plans and field sampling plans (FSPs), supervision of field crews, groundwater and soil sampling, and installation of soil vapor monitoring probes.

Subsurface Investigation – City of Sacramento, CA. Conducted subsurface investigations involving the delineation and characterization of a municipal landfill slated for closure by the City. Project work involved the excavation of test pits and surface mapping of landfill features.

Geotechnical Investigations – Various Developers and Municipalities. As onsite supervisor for geotechnical activities provided guidance and performed soil compaction testing during major construction projects, including residential grading projects, a conference center, a bus maintenance facility, and a retirement home.

Geotechnical Feasibility Investigation – City of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Performed geologic mapping, supervised drill crews, and logged deep borings in conjunction with a geotechnical feasibility investigation of a golf course/clubhouse site proposed to be constructed on an ancient landslide.

Aboveground Tank Siting Studies – Commercial Client. Performed fieldwork in conjunction with aboveground tank siting studies. Project work included excavation and logging of test pits, geologic mapping, and aerial photointerpretation.

Selected Publications

Barrie, D. 2008. Canyon Sin Nombre: A Geologic Excursion with James Hutton. The Sand Paper. Anza Borrego Natural History Association, Summer 2008.

Barrie, D. 1987. Engineering Geology of the Estancia Valley, North-Central Mexico. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (unpublished masters thesis).

Johnpeer, G., D. Bobrow, S. Robinson-Cook, D. Barrie, and J. Kelliher. 1987. Proposed Site for the Superconducting Super Collider in New Mexico (Abstract). Association of Engineering Geologists Abstracts with Program, 30th Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.

Johnpeer, G., D. Bobrow, S. Robinson-Cook, and D. Barrie. 1987. Preliminary Study for Siting the Superconducting Super Collider in New Mexico. New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources. Open-File Report 257.

Johnpeer, G., D. Bobrow, S. Robinson-Cook, D. Barrie, J. Kelliher, and R. McNeil, 1987. Estancia Basin, New Mexico Superconducting Super Collider under the direction of L. H. Lattman and H. E. Roser, Volume 3, Geology and Tunneling. New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources. Open-File Report 258.

Johnpeer, G., D. Bobrow, S. Robinson-Cook, and D. Barrie, 1987. Geotechnical Investigation of a Site in New Mexico for the Superconducting Super Collider. New Mexico Geology, V. 9 No. 1, February.

Barrie. D., T. Tatnall, G. Kennedy, and J. Wehmiller. 1991. Neotectonic Uplift and Ages of Pleistocene Marine Terraces, San Joaquin Hills, Southern Los Angeles Basin, California. Geological Society of America 1991 Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Programs, V. 23 no. 5.

Barrie, D., T. Tatnall, and E. Gath. 1992. Neotectonic Uplift and Ages of Pleistocene Marine Terraces, San Joaquin Hills, Orange County, California. The Regressive Pleistocene Shoreline, Coastal Southern California, Annual Field Trip Guidebook No. 20. South Coast Geological Society, Inc.

Barrie, D., 2007. The Metamorphic Rocks of Box Canyon. The Sand Paper, monthly newsletter of the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association, November.

Barrie, D,. 2009. Erosion Road: a self-guided tour through one of the most fascinating geologic landscapes in the Anza-Borrego Desert. A brochure auto tour published by the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association.

Presentations

My Father. Project Management Institute (PMI) Donald S. Barrie Award Ceremony Remarks. Oral Address delivered at National PMI Meeting, Long Beach, CA (online transcript). 1998

Post-conference Presentation to Mesa College, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Building Committee on Labs21 Green Building Conference, Portland OR (powerpoint summary). 2005

Post-conference Presentation to Mesa College, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Building Committee on San Diego Green 2006 Conference, University of San Diego (powerpoint summary). 2006

Rocks for Kids: a Presentation on Basic Rock Types, Jerebek Elementary School, San Diego, CA. January 2007.

Geology 101: Rock Identification Workshop, various groups, including Anza Borrego Natural History Association and Montesoro Development. 2007.

Borrego Has Its Faults: 70 Million Years of Tectonic Action, Anza-Borrego Region, Western Salton Trough. Presentation and field trip for Montesoro Development, Borrego Springs, CA. February 2007.

Geology/Oceanography Activity. A hands-on field trip for children and youth, Culture Camp, summer 2007, 2008, 2009. San Diego American Indian Health Center.

What Powers Explosive Volcanic Eruptions? An experimental workshop for GATE students at Borrego Springs Elementary School. January 2009.

Teaching Geology Online, 2009 Online Faculty Showcase: a presentation to San Diego Community College District faculty on effective online teaching practices. November 2009.

Geology and Tectonics of the Coyote Badlands, Anza-Borrego State Park. Presentation and field trip for Anza-Borrego Nature Club, Borrego Springs, CA. February 2010.

Introduction to the Anza-Borrego Desert. Presentation to the Rancho Bernardo Travelers Club. February 2010.

What do I do when the Ground starts shaking? Earthquake safety presentation and earthquake safety drill developed for the San Diego American Indian Health Center (SDAIHC) Youth Center. August 2010.

Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association
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