Valerie Raco-Rands
Research Technician
Administration
714-755-3219
valerier@sccwrp.org
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Valerie E. Raco-Rands helps maintain SCCWRP’s website, manage SCCWRP’s publications, and create graphics. She has worked in a wide variety of disciplines including chemistry, marine biology, and anthropogenic inputs. She has also worked in DNA barcoding. She was responsible for DNA sample tracking, sorting and sampling invertebrates for DNA analysis, and taking and processing specimen photos. She has participated in the creation of the 1994-2008 Southern California Bight Regional Monitoring Program trawl reports by summarizing and performing data analysis of fish and invertebrate communities. She has also designed and played a major part in creating a southern California historical fish trawl database dating from 1954 to 2003, helped to create a demersal fish biointegrity index for assessing pollution impacts on the southern California shelf, and participated in a study to describe the relationship of changes in southern California fish populations to trends in environmental variables.

She has also specialized in summarizing various anthropogenic inputs from large and small municipal wastewater facilities, power generating stations, oil platforms, stormwater runoff, and hazardous material spills into the Southern California Bight. She also designed and helped create a centralized 30-year database of the large POTW effluent mass emissions. She also has conducted SCCWRP's MicrotoxR bioassay program which has included analysis of municipal wastewater, treatment plant effluents, storm water surface runoff, marine sediment interstitial water, produced water from oil drilling, and oil tanker ballast water. She has performed abalone bioassays and has assisted with other bioassays such as sea urchin fertilization, echinochrome assays, and amphipod growth experiments.

As an Assistant Research Technician, she has participated in clean technique dissections of various fish and invertebrates for chlorinated and trace metal analyses, performed trace metals digestions, and trace organic base-neutral and acid extractions.

She received a B.S. in marine biology from California State University, Long Beach in 1982 and a certificate in digital media arts from Orange Coast College in 2004. She joined SCCWRP in July 1979.

Education

Certificate digital media arts, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA. 2004

B.S., marine biology with distinction, California State University, Long Beach, 1982

Professional Experience

Research Technician, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority. Costa Mesa, CA. 1983-present

Assistant Research Technician, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority. El Segundo and Long Beach, CA. 1979-1982

Research Assistant, California State University, Long Beach. Long Beach, CA. 1979-1980

Marine Technician, Marine Biological Consultants. Costa Mesa, CA. 1978-1979

Research Technician, Occidental College. Los Angeles, CA. 1978

Honors and Awards

Dean's Honor List, California State University, Long Beach (1976-1977)

Presidents Honor List, California State University, Long Beach (1977-1978)

Publications


Journal Articles

Schiff, K.C., S.B. Weisberg, V. Raco-Rands. 2002. Inventory of ocean monitoring in the Southern California Bight. Environmental Management 29:871-876.

Technical Reports

Allen, M.J., D. Cadien, D.W. Diehl, K. Ritter, S.L. Moore, C. Cash, D.J. Pondella II, V. Raco-Rands, C. Thomas, R. Gartman, W. Power, A.K. Latker, J. Williams, J.L. Armstrong, E. Miller, K.C. Schiff. 2011. Southern California Bight 2008 Regional Monitoring Program: Volume IV. Demersal Fishes and Megabenthic Invertebrates. Technical Report 655. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., D. Cadien, D.W. Diehl, K. Ritter, S.L. Moore, C. Cash, D.J. Pondella II, V. Raco-Rands, C. Thomas, R. Gartman, W. Power, A.K. Latker, J. Williams, J.L. Armstrong, E. Miller, K.C. Schiff. 2011. Southern California Bight 2008 Regional Monitoring Program: Volume IV. Demersal Fishes and Megabenthic Invertebrates (Appendix B). Technical Report 655.B. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., D. Cadien, D.W. Diehl, K. Ritter, S.L. Moore, C. Cash, D.J. Pondella II, V. Raco-Rands, C. Thomas, R. Gartman, W. Power, A.K. Latker, J. Williams, J.L. Armstrong, E. Miller, K.C. Schiff. 2011. Southern California Bight 2008 Regional Monitoring Program: Volume IV. Demersal Fishes and Megabenthic Invertebrates (Appendix D). Technical Report 655.D. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., D. Cadien, D.W. Diehl, K. Ritter, S.L. Moore, C. Cash, D.J. Pondella II, V. Raco-Rands, C. Thomas, R. Gartman, W. Power, A.K. Latker, J. Williams, J.L. Armstrong, E. Miller, K.C. Schiff. 2011. Southern California Bight 2008 Regional Monitoring Program: Volume IV. Demersal Fishes and Megabenthic Invertebrates (Appendix A). Technical Report 655.A. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., D. Cadien, D.W. Diehl, K. Ritter, S.L. Moore, C. Cash, D.J. Pondella II, V. Raco-Rands, C. Thomas, R. Gartman, W. Power, A.K. Latker, J. Williams, J.L. Armstrong, E. Miller, K.C. Schiff. 2011. Southern California Bight 2008 Regional Monitoring Program: Volume IV. Demersal Fishes and Megabenthic Invertebrates (Appendix C). Technical Report 655.C. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., D. Cadien, D.W. Diehl, K. Ritter, S.L. Moore, C. Cash, D.J. Pondella II, V. Raco-Rands, C. Thomas, R. Gartman, W. Power, A.K. Latker, J. Williams, J.L. Armstrong, E. Miller, K.C. Schiff. 2011. Southern California Bight 2008 Regional Monitoring Program: Volume IV. Demersal Fishes and Megabenthic Invertebrates (Appendix E). Technical Report 655.E. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., D. Cadien, D.W. Diehl, K. Ritter, S.L. Moore, C. Cash, D.J. Pondella II, V. Raco-Rands, C. Thomas, R. Gartman, W. Power, A.K. Latker, J. Williams, J.L. Armstrong, E. Miller, K.C. Schiff. 2011. Southern California Bight 2008 Regional Monitoring Program: Volume IV. Demersal Fishes and Megabenthic Invertebrates (Appendix F). Technical Report 655.F. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., D. Cadien, D.W. Diehl, K. Ritter, S.L. Moore, C. Cash, D.J. Pondella II, V. Raco-Rands, C. Thomas, R. Gartman, W. Power, A.K. Latker, J. Williams, J.L. Armstrong, E. Miller, K.C. Schiff. 2011. Southern California Bight 2008 Regional Monitoring Program: Volume IV. Demersal Fishes and Megabenthic Invertebrates (Appendix G). Technical Report 655.G. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., D. Cadien, D.W. Diehl, K. Ritter, S.L. Moore, C. Cash, D.J. Pondella II, V. Raco-Rands, C. Thomas, R. Gartman, W. Power, A.K. Latker, J. Williams, J.L. Armstrong, E. Miller, K.C. Schiff. 2011. Southern California Bight 2008 Regional Monitoring Program: Volume IV. Demersal Fishes and Megabenthic Invertebrates (Appendix H). Technical Report 655.H. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., E.T. Jarvis, V. Raco-Rands, G. Lyon, J.A. Reyes, D.M. Petschauer. 2008. Extent of fishing and fish consumption by fishers in Ventura and Los Angeles County watersheds in 2005. Technical Report 574. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., E.T. Jarvis, V. Raco-Rands, G. Lyon, J.A. Reyes, D.M. Petschauer. 2008. Extent of fishing and fish consumption by fishers in Ventura and Los Angeles County watersheds in 2005 (Appendix A). Technical Report 574.A. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., E.T. Jarvis, V. Raco-Rands, G. Lyon, J.A. Reyes, D.M. Petschauer. 2008. Extent of fishing and fish consumption by fishers in Ventura and Los Angeles County watersheds in 2005 (Appendix B). Technical Report 574.B. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., E.T. Jarvis, V. Raco-Rands, G. Lyon, J.A. Reyes, D.M. Petschauer. 2008. Extent of fishing and fish consumption by fishers in Ventura and Los Angeles County watersheds in 2005 (Appendix C). Technical Report 574.C. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., E.T. Jarvis, V. Raco-Rands, G. Lyon, J.A. Reyes, D.M. Petschauer. 2008. Extent of fishing and fish consumption by fishers in Ventura and Los Angeles County watersheds in 2005 (Appendix D). Technical Report 574.D. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., E.T. Jarvis, V. Raco-Rands, G. Lyon, J.A. Reyes, D.M. Petschauer. 2008. Extent of fishing and fish consumption by fishers in Ventura and Los Angeles County watersheds in 2005 (Appendix E). Technical Report 574.E. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., E.T. Jarvis, V. Raco-Rands, G. Lyon, J.A. Reyes, D.M. Petschauer. 2008. Extent of fishing and fish consumption by fishers in Ventura and Los Angeles County watersheds in 2005 (Appendix F). Technical Report 574.F. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., T. Mikel, D. Cadien, J.E. Kalman, E.T. Jarvis, K.C. Schiff, D.W. Diehl, S.L. Moore, S. Walther, G. Deets, C. Cash, S. Watts, D.J. Pondella II, V. Raco-Rands, C. Thomas, R. Gartman, L. Sabin, W. Power, A.K. Groce, J.L. Armstrong. 2007. Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Monitoring Program: IV. Demersal Fishes and Megabenthic Invertebrates. Technical Report 505. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Allen, M.J., A.K. Groce, D. Diener, J.S. Brown, S.A. Steinert, G. Deets, J.A. Noblet, S.L. Moore, D.W. Diehl, E.T. Jarvis, V. Raco-Rands, C. Thomas, Y. Ralph, R. Gartman, D. Cadien, S.B. Weisberg, T. Mikel. 2002. Southern California Bight 1998 Regional Monitoring Program: V. Demersal fishes and megabenthic invertebrates. Technical Report 380. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Allen, M.J., R.W. Smith, V. Raco-Rands. 2001. Development of Biointegrity Indices for Marine Demersal Fish and Megabenthic Invertebrate Assemblages of Southern California. Technical Report 469. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Bay, S.M., D.J. Greenstein, V. Raco-Rands, J.W. Anderson. 1989. Responses of marine organisms to wastewater: comparisons between species and effluent types. Technical Report 0239.

Annual Report Articles

Allen, M.J., R.W. Smith, E.T. Jarvis, V. Raco-Rands, B.B. Bernstein, K.T. Herbinson. 2004. Temporal trends in southern California coastal fish populations relative to 30-year trends in oceanic conditions. in: S.B. Weisberg, D. Elmore (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 2003-04 Biennial Report pp. 264-285. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Steinberger, A., E.D. Stein, V. Raco-Rands. 2004. Offshore oil platform discharges to the Pacific outer continental shelf along the coast of southern California in 1996 and 2000. in: S.B. Weisberg, D. Elmore (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 2003-04 Biennial Report pp. 16-30. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Schiff, K.C., S.B. Weisberg, V. Raco-Rands. 2001. Inventory of ocean monitoring in the Southern California Bight. in: S.B. Weisberg, D. Elmore (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1999-2000 Annual Report pp. 212-217. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Raco-Rands, V., A.n.d.r.e.a. Steinberger. 2001. Characteristics of effluents from large municipal wastewater treatment facilities in 1997. in: S.B. Weisberg, D. Elmore (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1999-2000 Annual Report pp. 28-44. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Raco-Rands, V.. 1999. Characteristics of effluents from large municipal wastewater treatment facilities in 1996. in: S.B. Weisberg, D. Elmore (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1997-1998 Annual Report pp. 2-17. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Raco-Rands, V.. 1999. Characteristics of effluents from nonpower industrial facilities in 1995. in: S.B. Weisberg, D. Elmore (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1997-1998 Annual Report pp. 18-30. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Raco-Rands, V.. 1997. Characteristics of effluents from large municipal wastewater treatment facilities in 1995. in: S.B. Weisberg, C. Francisco, D. Hallock (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1996 Annual Report pp. 3-16. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Raco-Rands, V.. 1997. Characteristics of effluents from power generating stations in 1995. in: S.B. Weisberg, C. Francisco, D. Hallock (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1996 Annual Report pp. 32-43. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Raco-Rands, V.. 1997. Characteristics of effluents from small municipal wastewater treatment facilities in 1995. in: S.B. Weisberg, C. Francisco, D. Hallock (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1996 Annual Report pp. 17-31. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Raco-Rands, V.. 1996. Characteristics of effluents from large municipal wastewater treatment facilities in 1994. in: M.J. Allen, C. Francisco, D. Hallock (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1994-95 Annual Report pp. 10-20. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Raco-Rands, V.. 1996. Characteristics of effluents from power generating stations in 1994. in: M.J. Allen, C. Francisco, D. Hallock (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1994-95 Annual Report pp. 29-36. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Raco-Rands, V.. 1996. Characteristics of effluents from small municipal wastewater treatment facilities in 1994. in: M.J. Allen, C. Francisco, D. Hallock (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1994-95 Annual Report pp. 21-28. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Westminster, CA.

Cross, J.N., V. Raco-Rands, D.W. Diehl. 1985. Fish reproduction around outfalls. in: W. Bascom (ed.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1983-84 Biennial Report pp. 211-227. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Long Beach, CA.

Brown, D.A., E.M. Perkins, K.D. Jenkins, P.S. Oshida, S.M. Bay, J.F. Alfafara, V. Raco-Rands. 1983. Seasonal changes in mussels. in: W. Bascom (ed.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1981-82 Biennial Report pp. 179-192. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Long Beach, CA.