Ellsworth joins VHB as chief environmental planner

John Ellsworth, VHB

Hauppauge, NY John Ellsworth has joined VHB as a chief environmental planner for Long Island. He is responsible for setting local strategy for high-profile environmental planning and review projects, leading quality assurance and quality control of client deliverables, and assisting with business development strategies aimed at new market penetration and client development and maintenance.

Ellsworth is a recognized leader of State Environmental Quality Review Act strategy, analysis, documentation, and litigation support for single and mixed-use real estate projects. He has prepared and reviewed environmental assessment forms, environmental impact statements, and determinations of significance and findings statements.

Key projects have included Syosset Park on a former federal Superfund site in Syosset; redevelopment of the Grumman Aerospace property in Bethpage, Liberty Industrial property in Farmingdale, and South Oaks Hospital property in Massapequa; new residence halls at the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury; and Heartland Town Square, a major mixed-used development in Brentwood.

 “John’s proficiency in SEQRA review is well-known throughout Long Island,” said Terri Elkowitz, Northeast Regional Manager and Senior Vice President. “He will be a tremendous asset to our clients and a valuable resource to VHB’s environmental services team already working on some of the largest and most complex SEQRA reviews across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.”

 Beyond SEQRA projects, Ellsworth also prepared a resource management plan for the West Meadow Creek tidal wetlands in Stony Brook; harbor management plans for the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Complex, Hempstead Harbor, and Port Jefferson Harbor; a resource management and use plan for Camp Hero State Park in Montauk and Smith Point County Park in Shirley; and various grant applications for the Town of Oyster Bay and Village of Port Jefferson. His background also includes an aquatic vegetation survey; technical studies on coastal erosion abatement, hazard mitigation, and marine/coastal resources; and assistance in the planning and design of stormwater mitigation systems.

“We are excited to welcome John to the growing Hauppauge office,” said Kevin Walsh, Long Island Managing Director. “His experience on both sides of the environmental review table—looking at large, complex development projects from municipal and real estate perspectives—will bring added value to our broad range of clients in the public and private sectors.”

 Ellsworth also provides technical assistance for regulatory amendments, land use investigations, and oversight of environmental remediation activities. He earned a Master of Science in Marine Environmental Sciences from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Geology from the University of Rochester.