2021 Agenda - Northwest Remediation Conference

2021 Agenda Details

Track A

Technologies & Techniques

High-Resolution Site Characterization: Advances & Applications

Details:

High Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC) has greatly enhanced our ability to collect large amounts of site characterization data and accurately describe the location and nature of contamination on a site, thus supporting faster and more effective cleanup. Panelists will examine the latest technological advancements of HRSC and the strategies for its application.

Moderator:

Miao Zhang, Haley & Aldrich

Speakers:

Elliot Grunewald, Vista Clara, Inc.
John Haney, Hart Crowser, Inc.
John Sohl, Columbia Technologies, Inc.

The Groundwater to Surface Water Pathway

Details:

Understanding the varied connections between groundwater and surface water is critical to the effective cleanup and management of any contaminated aquatic site. Using examples from the Pacific Northwest, panelists will investigate the complex nature of the groundwater to surface water / sediment pathway including the causes of water quality degradation and contaminant transport.

Moderator:

Yen-Vy Van, Maul Foster & Alongi, Inc.

Speakers:

Steve Germiat, Aspect Consulting, LLC
Chris Moody, Farallon Consulting, LLC
Hunter Young, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Groundwater Remediation Case Studies

Details:

Expert practitioners will present an informative set of case studies that demonstrate successful groundwater remediation solutions for varied, challenging, and problematic pollutants. Panelists will address site conditions; contaminant characterization; treatment selection process and alternatives; and more.

Case studies will include:

• In Situ Thermal Remediation of Chlorinated Solvents in Groundwater in the Pacific Northwest
• Effectiveness of Zero Valent Iron and other Iron-Based Amendments for Remediation of Arsenic in Highly Alkaline Groundwater
• Determining Background Groundwater Concentrations at a Complex Site Using Advanced Statistics and Data Visualization

Moderator:

Clint Jacob, Landau Associates, Inc.

Speakers:

David Fleming, TRS Group, Inc.
Natasha Hausmann, ERM
Evelyn Ives, Landau Associates, Inc.

Track B

Science & Regulation

Investigating for Emerging Contaminants

Details:

As our understanding of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) grows, so does the list of associated public health risks, regulatory concerns, and cleanup challenges. Panelists will provide a general discussion about CECs, what defines a CEC, and present recent examples. Each panelist will then identify a CEC, present a brief history of that CEC including its sources, its fate and transport in the environment, the status of analytical testing methods, and discuss its current Federal and Pacific Northwest regulatory status. Presentations will be followed by an open discussion between the panelists and end with Q&A from the audience.

Moderator:

Thomas Cammarata, SoundEarth Strategies, Inc.

Speakers:

Cindy Bartlett, GeoSyntec Consultants, Inc.
Taryn McKnight, Eurofins Environment Testing America
Kirk O’Reilly, Exponent

Characterizing and Remediating PCBs

Details:

Banned more than forty years ago, PCBs continue to be a persistent contaminant permeating the environment and posing health risks to both humans and wildlife. The challenge with cleaning up PCBs is identifying the sources, particularly in stormwater, groundwater, and sediments. Using case studies, our panel of experts will delve into the challenging and continuously evolving discipline of characterizing (particularly identifying sources) and remediating PCBs.

Moderator:

Mike Ehlebracht, Hart Crowser, Inc.

Speakers:

John Haney, Hart Crowser, Inc.
Nathan Hart, City of Seattle
Myles Perkins, Washington State Department of Ecology
Debra Williston, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

Molecular Genetic Tools: Taking Bioremediation to the Next Level

Details:

Molecular genetic tools are now routinely used to comprehensively characterize microbial communities, and to focus in on specific microbial activities, based on our growing understanding of biodegradation capabilities and functional genes. Next generation sequencing can pinpoint changes in microbial communities that occur through the course of in-situ remediation, allowing for optimization and enhancement of remedial technologies. This session will include practitioners working at the forefront of applied molecular testing at contaminated sites.

Moderator:

James Peale Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.

Speakers:

Phil Dennis, SiREM
Suzy Stumpf, Farallon Consulting, LLC

Track C

Brownfields

Brownfields and the ESG Movement: All the Pieces Matter

Details:

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) advances a more holistic approach to an organization’s societal impact and assesses the ethics and sustainability of its investments. ESG standards are rapidly gaining traction across a broad range of industry sectors, and the environmental sector is no exception. Panelists will discuss how the ESG movement is driving sustainable investment and creating value for redevelopment in urban settings as well as its effect on permitting, remediation, and long-term restoration of environmental quality.

Moderator:

Larry Burke, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Speakers:

Stephanie Caldera, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Kim Marcus, ERM

Funding and Technical Assistance for Affordable Housing-Related Cleanup

Details:

Hear how the Washington State Department of Ecology and its partners are working to make it easier for affordable housing developers to redevelop once-contaminated properties into housing that communities can afford.

Moderator:

Margo Thompson Washington State Department of Ecology

Speakers:

David Dunn, Washington State Department of Ecology
Richelle Perez, Washington State Department of Ecology
Rachel Reilly, Council of Development Finance Agencies

Putting Properties Back into Use

Details:

With creative support from the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Mt. Baker Housing Association is cleaning up and redeveloping five contaminated properties in Seattle’s Mount Baker neighborhood. When complete, the once-contaminated sites will be transformed into a vibrant mixed-use retail and residential neighborhood. Stakeholders will share how this groundbreaking project became a reality, its status, and what we can expect going forward.

Moderator:

Tracy Williams, Beveridge & Diamond PC

Speakers:

Michael Dunning, Perkins Coie LLP
Sandra Matthews, Washington State Department of Ecology
David Tan, Mt. Baker Housing Association

PAST AGENDAS

2020