2024 Agenda - Northwest Remediation Conference

Keynote Panel: PFAS in the Northwest

This interactive session will include expert discussion of PFAS sites in the Pacific Northwest, including updates on emerging state and federal PFAS regulations. Panelists will share multiple perspectives on challenges and opportunities associated with PFAS remediation, and how the rapidly evolving regulatory environment and technical understanding of PFAS science are impacting industries and cleanup sites in the Northwest today. Attendees will learn about the latest developments in PFAS remediation and gain a deeper understanding of approaches to PFAS cleanup at regional sites.

Brianna Brinkman, Washington State Department of Ecology

Robert Healy, Port of Tacoma

David Rabbino, Jordan Ramis

Track A

Technologies & Techniques

In Situ Remediation at Local Complex Sites

Details:

The design and implementation of in situ remediation technology is inherently complex. These complexities are exaggerated at local sites by glacially consolidated soils, dense urban setting and MTCA expectations for cleanup. Achieving in situ treatment goals under MTCA requires realistic performance expectations and remediation engineering expertise. This session will showcase three case studies which used physical, chemical, and/or biological in situ technology to successfully treat solvents, hexavalent chromium, and 1,4-dioxane. The presentations will focus on the treatment expectations achieved and how specific complexities were overcome.

Moderator:

Adam Griffin, Aspect Consulting

Speakers:

Joshua Hyrman, ERM
Trevor Louviere, Dalton, Olmsted & Fuglevand (DOF)
Delia Massey, Aspect Consulting

Using Spatial Data and Statistical Analysis Towards Pursuing Closure at MTCA Sites

Details:

A discussion on statistical concepts in site characterization and confirmation sampling to demonstrate compliance under MTCA. The speakers will have an open discussion on topics such as properly defining the sample “population” at a site, basic and extrapolated statistical models under MTCA, statistical inefficiencies and pitfalls, and statistical pathways to demonstrating MTCA compliance. The discussion will include approaches that have been successful under MTCA to achieve regulatory closure, and exploration of what approaches may be possible and underutilized.

Moderator:

Lannie Smith, Atlas Geosciences NW

Speakers:

Mike Arnold, G-Logics/Atlas Geosciences NW
Charles San Juan, Charles San Juan Consulting

Vapor Intrusion Investigation & Mitigation: What you Need to Know

Details:

Exposure limits from vapor-forming chemicals such as trichloroethylene and benzene have raised concerns about Vapor Intrusion (VI) and its impact on project requirements. Examine the latest investigation and mitigation techniques in this evolving discipline and how to address different attenuation factors and their influence on investigative techniques and methodologies.

Moderator:

Lisa Goode, Geosyntec Consultants

Speakers:

Bridgette DeShields, Integral Consulting
Adam Richards, EPRO Services
Clare Tochilin, SoundEarth Strategies

Track B

Science & Regulation

Understanding Changes to Cleanup Regulations in Washington State

Details:

On January 1, 2024, a sweeping set of updates to the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) took effect. These changes were the most substantial changes to the Washington cleanup regulations in more than two decades and include significant new requirements to the way that contaminated site assessment and remediation is conducted, including a strong emphasis on incorporating Environmental Justice issues into the process. This session will include a presentation by the Washington State Department of Ecology, as well as a roundtable discussion of these changes with panelists presenting their perspectives on these changes, how they’re impacting cleanups so far this year, and what we might expect to see moving forward.

Moderator:

John McCorkle, Landau Associates

Speakers:

Gregory Hixson, Veris Law Group
Nathan Soccorsy, Anchor QEA
Sarah Wollwage, Washington State Department of Ecology

Silica Gel Cleanup: Science and Applications

Details:

The Washington State Department of Ecology published the Guidance for Silica Gel Cleanup in November 2023 to guide the use of silica gel cleanup (SGC) with the NWTPH-Dx method at cleanup sites regulated under MTCA. Using SGC with NWTPH-Dx helps quantify the proportions of petroleum hydrocarbons versus non-petroleum polar organics in soil and groundwater samples. The panelists will discuss how to leverage the best available science on SGC in risk management at cleanup sites, including remedy selection and groundwater monitoring timeframes.

Moderators:

Danielle Foss, ERM
Miao Zhang, ERM

Speakers:

Suzanne Dolberg, Puget Sound Energy
Mike Ehlebracht, Haley & Aldrich
Andrew Kallus, Washington State Department of Ecology
Kirk O’Reilly, Exponent

Bioremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons

Details:

For over three decades, microorganisms have been effectively utilized in the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Despite this extensive duration of application, the implementation of bioremediation methodologies can pose significant challenges. The upcoming discussion panel will delve into various aspects of bioremediation, including planning, execution, data analysis, and regulatory considerations. Perspectives from bioremediation providers, consultants, and regulators will be examined to offer comprehensive insights into the complexities and strategies involved in this remediation approach.

Moderator:

Jeff Jordan, ETEC

Speakers:

Eric Bueltel, ETEC
Paula Parrott, Parrott Environmental Consulting
Michael Warfel, Washington State Department of Ecology

Track C

Brownfields

Best Practices for Securing and Leveraging Funding for Brownfields and Environmental & Climate Justice Programs

Details:

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Justice40 and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) represent historic levels of investment for disadvantaged communities overburdened by pollution, climate impacts, and a legacy of discriminative development practices. These and other resources can be leveraged to address Environmental & Climate Justice (ECJ) issues, remediation of legacy contamination, reduction of pollution, sustainability, resilience, and provide affordable housing and critical infrastructure.

Is your community poised to take advantage of these transformative opportunities? Are you utilizing best practices to build successful and sustainable restoration, development, revitalization, and resiliency programs?

Our panel of experts will cover topics such as:
• Exciting increases in funding and new programs established as part of the BIL, Justice40 and IRA
• Best practices for securing EPA funding for brownfields & ECJ programs
• Washington State programs and resources
• Accessing historic insurance policies to fund cleanup activities
• Conventional & Advanced Site Investigation & Remediation (CASIR) technologies

Moderator:

Chris Gdak, Montrose Environmental Group

Speakers:

Elaine Heim, Washington State Department of Ecology
Stephen Koenigsberg, Montrose Environmental Group
Benjamin Pariser, Restorical Research

Brownfield Programs for Tribal Lands

Details:

EPA’s Brownfields Program invests in Tribal communities to tackle a wide range of environmental health, economic, and social challenges caused by contaminated properties, often in sensitive natural environments and near vulnerable populations. Brownfield programs enable Tribal Nations to establish standards and policies, assess, and clean up brownfield sites. We’ll hear from two Pacific Northwest Tribes and USEPA on the successes and challenges of developing and implementing these programs for Tribal lands. Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of the unique challenges of working on Tribal lands.

Moderator:

Stuart Fricke, Akana

Speakers:

Gina Baughn, Coeur d’Alene Tribe
Madison Sanders-Curry, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Valerie Streeter, The Tulalip Tribes

Redevelopment Success Stories

Details:

Redeveloping brownfields improves public health by cleaning up contamination and transforms derelict properties into new opportunities. Reclaiming lost properties and reutilizing them for the benefit of the community and the economy results in some truly amazing success stories. Panelists will share examples of transformative redevelopment projects that have enhanced and enriched their communities.

Presentations Include:

– Estelita’s Affordable Housing Journey: Challenges and Opportunities for Growth
– Lignin OU Affordable Housing Project
– Millcreek Common Vision and Success Story

Moderator:

Elaine Heim, Washington State Department of Ecology

Speakers:

Shreejita Basu, Washington State Department of Ecology
Benjamin Bowers, Terracon
Adam Griffin, Aspect Consulting
David Harris, Terracon
Ben Howard, Port of Bellingham
Edwin Lindo, Estelita’s Library

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