Agenda - Northwest Remediation Conference

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Track A

Technologies & Techniques

Emerging Site Characterization Technologies

Details:

Emerging Site Characterization Technologies presented in this session will include:

1) Polymeric equilibrium passive sampling devices (PSDs) which are established tools for evaluating contaminant bioavailability and transport processes.

2) Magnetic resonance geophysical technologies which provide key hydrogeologic properties such as total porosity, effective porosity and hydraulic conductivity for site characterization and environmental remediation.

3) High-resolution site characterization using multiple lines of evidence through direct sensing tools, techniques, and real-time 3D analytics result in accurate site characterization and greatly improve the successes of remedial action of the site.

Moderator:

Yen Vy Van, Senior Environmental Investigation & Remediation Manager, DOWL

Speakers:

Brent Pautler, Ph.D., Senior Manager, Chemistry Services Environmental Services, SiREM
John Sohl, CEO, Columbia Technologies
Dae Walsh, Ph.D., President, Vista Clara

Sediment and Complex Site Remediation

Details:

This session will cover management of contaminated sediment sites from various perspectives. Topics will include complex contaminated site management, administrative means of site strategy, integration of habitat restoration, and including navigation/operational requirements as part of sediment management.

Speakers:

Alan Hughes, Principal Geologist, Maul Foster & Alongi
Ken Hewlett, Executive Vice President, PathForward
Analiese Burns, Habitat and Restoration Manager, City of Bellingham
Amy Kraham, Senior Assistant City Attorney, City of Bellingham
Ariel Blanc, Senior Managing Scientist, Anchor QEA

Navigating MTCA's Stalled Sites

Details:

Discuss the details of a case study of a formal site that progressed through remedial investigation/feasibility study, cleanup action plan, and a Consent Decree by performing source removal and identifying monitored natural attenuation (MNA) as a remedy for petroleum contamination. When MNA failed to meet cleanup goals, and cleanup stalled, a surgical data gaps investigation revealed a narrow zone of upgradient contamination sources that were depleting electron acceptors in the aquifer. Learn how Ecology, the Assistant Attorney General, consultants, and the client worked within MTCA to reach a reasonable solution by modifying the environmental covenant and establishing long-term monitoring goals. The team agreed on a practical path forward while Ecology continues to address upgradient sources so MNA can be successful for the site.

Moderator:

Amelia Oates, Senior Geologist II, Strata Geosciences

Speakers:

Mary Monahan, Senior Scientist, Washington State Department of Ecology
Joe Rehberger, Partner, Cascadia Law Group
Janet Knox, Senior Principal Geochemist, Strata Geosciences

Track B

Science & Regulation

PFAS Regulations: The State of the States

Details:

The landscape of PFAS regulations continues to evolve rapidly, and state agencies are leading the charge. We’ll hear from some Northwest regulators themselves, who will discuss some real-world examples of how cleanup sites are being handled, what they’re seeing in the regulated community, and what may be next. We’ll also discuss what we’re experiencing elsewhere in the country, and how consultants are addressing all-appropriate-inquiries due diligence requirements with two specific PFAS now covered by the ASTM standard.

Moderator:

Erin Waibel, Associate Geologist, Landau Associates

Speakers:

Thomas Wanzek, Scientist, Geosyntec Consultants
Sarah Van Glubt, Project Manager and Data Analyst, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Vance Atkins, Hydrogeologist 4, Washington State Department of Ecology

Emerging Contaminants Research

Details:

Learn about the highlights recent research and practical applications related to emerging contaminants, with a focus on PFAS, 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-Q), and microplastics. Speakers will discuss the latest advances in contaminant characterization, environmental fate and transport, and treatment technologies, providing attendees with actionable insights into the evolving science and its implications for site investigation and remediation.

Moderator:

Yida Fang, Senior Technical Specialist, Haley & Aldrich

Speakers:

Julie Masura, Teaching Professor, University of Washington – Tacoma
John Xiong, Principle Consultant, Haley & Aldrich
Kiersten Maxwell, PhD Student, University of Washington

AI and Machine Learning in Environmental Work

Details:

AI and machine learning are rapidly reshaping how environmental work is done. This panel will share some of the latest developments in adopting AI in the environmental industry and discuss how human intervention and professional judgment are best applied.

Moderator:

Andrew Gardner, Managing Consultant, ERM

Speakers:

Nathan Starr, Senior Hydrogeologist, Pioneer Technologies Corporation
Xuehang Song, Earth Scientist, PNNL
Kyle Waldron, Environmental Remediation Specialist, Marathon Petroleum
John McCorkle, Principal Consultant, Landau Associates

Track C

Policy, Funding & Implementation

Regulatory Updates and Agency Perspectives

Details:

Hear from policymakers and other stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest on recent environmental and remediation policy updates of note. Speakers will represent a range of perspectives, from governmental agencies to consultants, and will highlight regulatory developments, emerging policy priorities, and other changes affecting environmental compliance and remediation projects.

Moderator:

Bharat Chandramouli, Senior Scientist, SGS North America Inc.
Melissa Roskamp, Environmental Engineer, GeoEngineers

Speakers:

Sarah Wollwage, Policy & Technical Support Unit Manager, Washington State Department of Ecology
Kristopher Grinnell, Section Manager, Washington State Department of Ecology
TBD, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

Who's Paying for This? Grants, Insurance, and Other Funding Sources for Assessment & Cleanup

Details:

From environmental assessment to cleanup and redevelopment, funding is often the key to moving projects forward. This session will feature perspectives from EPA, the Washington Department of Ecology, and private insurance recovery specialists on available funding resources, eligibility considerations, and strategies for combining multiple funding sources to close financial gaps and accelerate project implementation.

Speakers:

Cyrus Gorman, Principal, Stantec
Benjamin S. Pariser, Principal, Restorical Research, LLC
Arianne Fernandez, Brownfields Toxicologist, Washington State Department of Ecology

Redevelopment and Affordable Housing on Contaminated Sites

Details:

Affordable housing developers often seek sites that help residents stay connected to the services they use every day. As housing needs continue to evolve, development opportunities are evaluated not only for the characteristics of the property itself, but also for how well a location will serve the needs of the people who will live there. Many of these properties in neighborhoods may have supported commercial or industrial activities long before they were considered for housing, and may come with a history.

Moderator:

Suzy Stumpf, Principal Engineer, Farallon Consulting

Speakers:

Alexandra Kleeman, Environmental Counsel, Hillis Clark Martin Peterson
Michael Warfel, Site Manager, Washington State Department of Ecology
Logan Schumacher, Sr Geologist, Farallon Consulting

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