Course

Planning and Preparing an Ecological Risk Assessment


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Understanding the Approach and Strategy in Performing ERA's
Course Title: Planning and Preparing an Ecological Risk Assessment
Course ID: REM-405
Status: CLOSED
Date(s): April 17, 2024: 9:30am - 1:30pm
April 18, 2024: 9:30am - 1:30pm
April 19, 2024: 9:30am - 1:30pm
Location: Live Remote Attendance-- USA

Eastern Time Zone, FL
Instructor: Charles R. Harman, P.W.S.
Tuition: $795 / $745*
$745 / $695* (Before March 17, 2024)
Class is Closed

 

Description:

In this 3-day course, attendees will learn and review both the technical and regulatory approaches to completing ecological risk assessments. Participants will come away with an understanding of the planning and preparation process for the completion of an ERA, including data development needs, selection of endpoints, and the development of lines of evidence. Understanding the topics covered will give attendees the ability to accurately assess the potential for ecological risk, which is paramount to the remedial decision-making process. In today’s environmental project planning, this can make the difference between the success or failure of a recommended action or approach.

During the course, attendees will examine the development of ERAs in both aquatic and terrestrial settings, and will receive a broad overview of the ecological risk assessment (ERA) process as it is used in evaluating potential environmental risks and liabilities associated with hazardous waste sites. Emphasis will be placed on providing a hands-on understanding of ecological risk assessment using the basic ERA paradigm as outlined in USEPA’s Ecological Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (ERAGS). Case studies and active engagement with the attendees will be used to reinforce the points presented in lecture.

"Would be great for project managers to understand the work being done on the site, especially minesites."  Jennifer H. Nov 2015

"Very knowledgable instructor…[liked] case studies and field trip." N. Bland, July 31-Aug.1, 2013

"The information was presented/taught very well.  I have a better understanding of ERA's.  I am very impressed with the course." C. Marchand, September 2013

"The instructor was great! He was very knowledgable of the subject and explained it well.  Very Helpful – even for someone involved in a ERA for the last four years." C. Marchand, September 2013

*Reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes, government employees, nonprofits, students and AFS, NAEP, NEBC, TAEP members.

You may register online or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at (425) 270-3274. Online registration is strongly encouraged.

Please wait to receive a course confirmation email, roughly one month prior to the class, before making any travel arrangements.

Intended Audience:

This course is intended for environmental professionals including, but not limited to government and contractor personnel involved in site cleanup, environmental consultants, environmental lawyers, engineers, remedial managers, and environmental students.

Continuing Education Units: 1.30 CEUs

More Information

Course Topics

  • Regulatory requirements
  • General overview of ecological risk assessment
  • Review of the 8-step ERAGS process
  • Regional and/or state approaches and perspectives
  • Problem formulation
  • Conceptual site models
  • Characterization of exposure
  • Characterization of ecological effects
  • Risk characterization
  • Uncertainty analysis
  • Special circumstances
  • Conclusion

 

 

About the Instructor

Charles R. Harman, P.W.S.

Charles R. Harman, P.W.S.

Charles Harman is a Principal Ecologist with Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure, and Professional Wetland Scientist.  Mr. Harman has 30 years of experience in wetlands management, including delineation, evaluation, permitting, and implementation of wetlands mitigation projects.  Mr. Harman has delineated freshwater and coastal wetlands using both the 1987 and 1989 delineation manuals and has designed and managed wetland restoration projects as a result of a variety of construction activities.  He has designed and conducted detailed evaluations of the potential for ecological impacts to wetlands from the implementation of remedial actions, including pump and treat systems; linear developments, and industrial development.  He has evaluated wetlands and other ecological receptors at sites located in sensitive habitats, including bogs and fens, coastal estuaries, and freshwater swamps and marshes.  Mr. Harman has prepared and applied for a variety of permits related to natural resource management at both the Federal and state level.  Mr. Harman has obtained Nationwide Wetland and Individual Permits under the Clean Water Act Section 404 Program throughout the eastern and mid-western U.S. in advance of pipeline development, landfill construction activities and new building activities. 

Mr. Harman was a member of the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Cooperation (ITRC) Work Group on Constructed Wetlands and the Work Group on Mitigation Wetlands.  Mr. Harman made major contributions to the Technical/Regulatory Guidelines that were published for both Teams and was an Instructor for the Internet-based training offered by each group.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Ecology from Texas A&M University and a Master’s degree in Biology from Southwest Texas State University.

What to Bring

Pen or pencil to take notes. 

Billing Information

In order to guarantee a space in a course, the tuition must be paid in full TWO WEEKS before the first day of the course by either check or credit card. State and government agencies paying with a purchase order are allowed payment under the two-week time frame if a copy of the purchase order is received by NWETC.

If You Need to Cancel

Cancellations*

  • With 31 or more days notice, we will offer a 100% refund or credit towards a future course. The credit is good for one year and may be applied to any course.
  • With 30-8 days notice, we will offer a course credit towards a future course. The credit is good for one year and may be applied to any course.
  • With fewer than 8 days notice, there is no course credit available


*Please note that attendee replacement is welcome at any time

Disability Accommodations

Disability Accommodations:

To request disability accommodations, please contact us at info@nwetc.org or 425-270-3274 at least 30 days prior to the event.


Directions

  • From:

  • To:
  •   Eastern Time Eastern Time Zone, FL TBA

Accommodations

 



*Reduced tuition available to employees of Native American tribes, nonprofits, and government agencies; students; and NAEP members.

If you have any trouble registering please call (425) 270-3274 ext 103
Please wait to receive a course confirmation email, roughly one month prior to the class, before making any travel arrangements. Please review what to bring!

 

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