Please join your colleagues for networking and four excellent technical presentations.
As an ACEC National recognized Regional Continuing Education Provider (RCEP), ACEC of Vermont will be providing workshop attendees with four approved Vermont professional development hours (PDHs) for the workshop.
We are happy to invite you to listen to case studies for projects involving biomonitoring using eDNA, the emergence of PFAS and how landfills may help sequester these compounds, the complex rehabilitation of the Montpelier Union Elementary School playground, and examples of green infrastructure projects at industrial facilities by Stantec, Sanborn, Head and Associates, Engineering Ventures, VHB, and the VTDEC.
ACEC of Vermont is proud to announce that we will be hosting the Fourth Annual Environmental Protection Technical Workshop on October 17.
TECHNICAL WORKSHOP AGENDA
OPENING REMARKS AND SPONSOR RECOGNITION: 10:00 – 10:30 AM
Brendan Cosgrove, Executive Director for ACEC of Vermont
INTRODUCTION OF PRESENTERS: 10:30 – 10:35 AM
Brian Beaudoin, P.E., Chair of the Environmental Protection Committee for ACEC of Vermont
SESSION #1: 10:35 – 11:35 AM
Course Title: Detecting the presence/absence of Aquatic Species using eDNA
Purpose and Objective: Environmental agency approvals and investment decisions by project proponents require rapid, reliable and cost-effective methods to detect and monitor potential constraints, such as species at risk, invasive species, keystone species and pathogens. Sampling the environment for environmental DNA (eDNA) has recently emerged as a reliable and cost-effective method for biomonitoring. eDNA is DNA shed by organisms into their surrounding environment. As compared with conventional field surveys, sampling for eDNA is rapid, less labor-intensive, and provides an objective way to confirm species presence or absence. It also provides distinct advantages with respect to worker safety and sampling costs. The results of the proof-of-concept testing that has been conducted on several pilot projects across the Country to demonstrate the benefits of this eDNA field tool to confirm the presence of aquatic species, along with the quality control measures that have been built into the tool to provide reliable results will be presented. Examples will be provided of how eDNA sampling has been incorporated into aquatic monitoring projects to augment conventional survey approaches and to address challenging questions for the energy and transportation industries and lessons learned from these projects moving forward.
Presenter: Jake Riley, Stantec
LUNCH & NETWORKING: 11:35 AM – 12:45 PM
SESSION #2: 12:45 – 1:45 PM
Course Title: Here, There, and Everywhere
Purpose and Objective: Per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been a recent focus of the regulatory world in Vermont and numerous other states. These manmade chemicals have unique surfactant-like properties that allow them to repel both fats and water, and consequently have over the last 70 years been extensively used in consumer products such as “non-stick” cookware and food packaging, water-repellant and stain resistant coatings for textiles and carpeting, fire-fighting foams, and many other consumer products. As a result, PFAS are now distributed through the environment, reaching even remote polar locations, and are found in human blood (where they bioconcentrate). This talk will discuss background levels of PFAS measured recently in shallow soils throughout Vermont. Thanks to the ubiquitous presence of PFAS in consumer products and waste, PFAS enter and are released from landfills and wastewater treatment plants, and are thus a potential source of PFAS to the environment. However, it appears likely that landfills also sequester PFAS. Sampling data indicate that the compounds detected in leachate differ from those detected in sludges accepted by landfills. This presentation will also include preliminary data under collection to identify some of the PFAS loadings to landfills. Estimates of PFAs fluxes into and out of landfills will be provided to lend insight on the role of landfills in PFAS management.
Presenters: Steven Zemba, Ph.D., P.E., Sanborn, Head & Associates
Break: 1:45 – 1:55 PM
SESSION #3: 1:55 – 2:55 PM
Course Title: Montpelier Union Elementary School (MUES) Playground Rehabilitation Project
Purpose and Objective: As a busy and vital community centerpiece, Montpelier Union Elementary School (MUES) had a plan to rehabilitate the property surrounding the building, which included a playground, ballfield, courtyard, fire lanes, a vestibule, and a steep eroding bank. Space was at a premium in this downtown 3.4-acre parcel and therefore challenges existed trying to retrofit the site into a vibrant outdoor space where students could safely play and learn. The project was further complicated when several iterations of soil pre-characterization identified impacted soil that exceeded the applicable standards for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and in its current state presented a potential exposure risk to students currently using the existing facilities. Locations with PAH-impacted soil were also detected below ground surface in locations that would be disturbed during rehabilitation activities. As a result, this already complex and costly construction project became even more complicated, because the remediation of soils now needed to occur concurrently with construction. In collaboration with the VTDEC, VT Department of Health, the design team, parent groups, the landscape architectural team, and school staff, VHB developed an approved Corrective Action Plan (CAP) that described the remediation approach, clean-up objectives, oversight requirements, and provided detailed specifications of how potential exposure risk was to be mitigated.
Presenter: Kurt Muller, VHB; Hannah Wingate, EV; Michael Nahmias, VTDEC
Break: 2:55 – 3:05 PM
SESSION #4: 3:05 – 4:05 PM
Course Title: Green Infrastructure Practices for Industrial Facilities
Purpose and Objective: Conventional stormwater systems on industrial facilities are designed to collect, convey and discharge runoff as efficiently as possible. The intent is to create a highly efficient drainage system, which will prevent flooding, promote good drainage and quickly convey runoff offsite. Unfortunately, many industrial facilities are now facing ever more stringent state discharge standards that are unattainable with their existing end of pipe solution(s). Contrary to conventional practices, Green Infrastructure (GI) principles are based on managing stormwater at the source of runoff through the use of microscale controls that are distributed throughout a site. Consideration of GI practices for an industrial facility may help improve water quality treatment onsite and thus ensure discharge compliance. GI practices have been implemented successfully for both residential and commercial development but are rarely used for an industrial facility. While some GI practices are applicable to an industrial facility, many could result in contaminant migration and environmental impacts (i.e., promoting groundwater infiltration). Our presentation will introduce the audience to industrial equivalent GI best management practices and present a case study of site-wide GI implementation for stormwater management from a smelting facility located in eastern Iceland.
Presenter: Amanda Ludlow, Stantec
CLOSING REMARKS/EVALUATION: 4:05 – 4:15 PM
Brian Beaudoin, P.E.
