Minnesota Air, Water, and Waste Environmental Conference (MAWWEC) 2008 — Session Details

10 Steps to compliance

Morning session: A 10-step introduction to hazardous waste management and compliance with Minnesota rules designed for newcomers to the hazardous waste field and those who need a refresher. Session covers how to evaluate waste streams, proper management, transportation, emergency planning, training employees, and record keeping. We will discuss recent and upcoming amendments to the Minnesota hazardous waste rules.

Speaker: Ray Bissonnette, MPCA, presentation 2, presentation 3

10 Steps to compliance and metal plating

All day: A morning 10-steps to compliance session followed by an afternoon of getting more specific for metal finishing facilities. Metal Finishing facilities, including Circuit Board Shops, were targeted by regulators starting in 2000 to enforce hazardous waste regulation. Efforts to comply with these rules encompass regulatory interpretation and prevention. This break-out session will focus on Floor Management Plans which will prevent corrosive liquids from permeating your floors. A general template will be reviewed at length. We will discuss how this plan can be altered and incorporated specific to your facility. 

Speaker: Christine Wicks, MPCA

10 Steps to compliance and health care

All-day: A morning 10-steps to compliance session followed by an afternoon of getting more specific for Health Care. Health Care facilities, including hospitals and clinics, provide an invaluable service to the community. Unfortunately, many health care facilities are not complying with the hazardous waste regulations. This session will discuss hazardous waste compliance at all types of health care facilities, focusing on regulatory interpretations and types of waste commonly generated.

Speaker: Tanya Maurice, MPCA
Speaker: Joshua Burman, MPCA
Speaker: Catherine Zimmer, University of Minnesota - MNTAP

Response to hazardous materials spills

This training session will provide information to individuals and companies who handle petroleum and hazardous materials on what to do when a spill impacts land, water, and air. Presentations will focus on the responsible parties’ legal obligations, spills prevention, preparedness, and available resources. Table-top spill exercises will provide participants with experience in rehearsing the processes for notification and remediation of spills.

Moderator:Jim Stockinger, MPCA
Speaker: Pat Martin, Bay West
Speaker: Steve Lee, MPCA
Speaker: Walt Haas, MPCA
Speaker: Mark Wacek, Metro Airport Commission

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.,
Ziegler’s headquarters in Bloomington:

Map of 901 W 94th St Bloomington, MN 55420-4236

Solid waste emerging technologies

Are you getting everything out of your equipment? Many landfill sites out there use Caterpillar (CAT) equipment.
This training session will be held at Ziegler's (CAT) headquarters in Bloomington and will have some great classroom explanations and demonstrations on what equipment and accessories CAT has to make your job easier and more productive on the working face. You will be able to talk with Ziegler staff and ask those specific questions about CAT equipment. You will also be able to get into those pieces of equipment in the afternoon to see just how they feel like so the next time you looking for equipment you will have the knowledge to make an informed decision.

Moderator: Curt Hoffman, MPCA

Industrial stormwater permit: No exposure certification

No Exposure is the practice of removing pollution-containing materials from exposure to stormwater. It is a key component of compliance with Minnesota’s Industrial Stormwater Permit. This permit requires many industrial facilities in Minnesota to manage stormwater runoff from their sites as a way to protect our rivers and streams. The benefits of implementing No Exposure include:

• protection of Minnesota’s waters 
• Simplified regulatory compliance
• increased efficiency through pollution prevention
• improved employee health and safety
• A five-year exclusion from the permit is available to facilities that can certify that all pollutant-containing materials are sheltered from exposure to stormwater

Moderator: Troy Johnson, MPCA
Speaker: Sara Brown, MPCA
Speaker: Tom Jablonski, MPCA

Air quality stack testing and permit applications

Attendees of stack testing training will learn about:

1. Ensuring test reports are complete and meet MPCA requirements.
2. Developments in the MPCA Stack Test and Monitoring Program.
3. Updates and expectations for the new DRF-1 form (if applicable for audience).

Permit Application training will introduce and describe the completeness checklist to be used by MPCA staff to evaluate both the administrative and technical completeness of air permit applications. Training will cover the extensive changes made to the Compliance Plan application form (CD-01), the result of a joint effort of MPCA staff and representatives from industry and consulting, to simplify and clarify the application process.

Trainer: Andrew Place, MPCA
Trainer: Curt Stock, MPCA
Trainer: Toni Volkmeier, MPCA, New CD-01 form
Trainer: Paula Connell, MPCA, Completeness Checklist

Solid waste management issues

The afternoon session will provide a series of presentations on current hot topics in solid waste, including an update/status on the proposed pre-demolition rules. These proposed rules would govern the screening & removal of hazardous materials from structures prior to their demolition & disposal.

Trainer: John Curry, MPCA
Trainer: Katie Koelfgen, MPCA
Trainer: Todd Lindenberg, Ziegler
Trainer: Josh Olson, Ziegler
Trainer: Rich Limer, Ziegler

General Session

The reality of planning for disasters: I-35 bridge collapse and southeast Minnesota's floods

This panel discussion offers an in-depth look at two Minnesota communities that responded to major disasters in 2007--and the lessons they learned. Find out what happened in each crisis, which agencies helped manage the response, and what the incident command center looked like. What resources (people and equipment) were needed to cope? What happens when the "crisis" is over? Find out what you need to know in order to prepare for future emergencies.
 
Moderator: Jim Chiles, MPCA
Speaker: Windy Block, City of Rushford, Floods
Speaker: Rocco Forte, City of Minneapolis, How planning pays off

Bridge, Flood Sessions

Looking forward--Opportunities for adapting to global warming

Minnesota's rapidly changing climate brings greater climate variability. Last year's catastrophic flooding and drought are examples of the expected changes. This session will explore the anticipated changes and provide concrete examples of how municipalities, counties, engineers, water and natural resource managers, environmental professionals, and others can respond. Learn how to begin to address climate change in your programs and in the future.
           
Moderator: Peter Ciborowski, MPCA
Speaker: Linda Mortsch, Adaptation and Impacts Research Division, Meteorological Service of Canada, Environment Canada, Water Resources Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change
Speaker: Joel D. Scheraga, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Opportunities to Anticipate and Adapt to the Effects of Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region

Emergency response: Lessons learned from the bridge collapse and floods

This session will present some of the environmental lessons learned from the response to the I-35W bridge collapse and the multi-county flooding in southeastern Minnesota.

Moderator: George Anderson, Vision Ease Lens
Speaker: Steve Lee, MPCA
Speaker: David Morrison, MPCA

Human impacts of a disaster

We see the incredible news footage on TV: homes full of oozy mud, cars half submerged in the river. But what happens behind the scenes that affects human health? Drinking water, the air we breathe, and how we relate to the world around us can change after a disaster has struck. Come learn how the experts in drinking water, indoor air quality, and in the emotional aspects of disasters help those whose lives have changed.

Moderator: Beth Gawrys, MPCA
Speaker: Dan Tranter, Minnesota Department of Health, Indoor air quality investigations of previously flooded buildings in southeast Minnesota
Speaker: Michael Convery, Minnesota Department of Health, Well Management, 2007 Flash Flooding in Southeastern Minnesota: Impacts on Drinking Water Supplies
Speaker: Ted Canova, Twin Cities Red Cross, I-35W Bridge Response--Red Cross Comfort Amid Chaos

Minnesota's disaster debris recap 2007

As Minnesotans, we have had some tragic events in 2007 that will continue to shape waste generation, recycling and material handling for our state in years to come. Join in to listen about the events that were nationally recognized as disasters very close to home. There will be presentations on the 35W bridge collapse and the southern Minnesota flood, both events have affected many lives around the state. Discussion will center around what is involved with the handling of a disaster event, emergency site permitting, how is waste handled appropriately, and were we adequately prepared. Join us to listen to the stories of how we took the first steps to ensure public health and safety is managed appropriately in the face of disaster.

Moderator: Jason Haus
Speaker: Jill Johnson, Winona County
Speaker: Kim Nelson
Speaker: Evan Mackey, Carl Bolander & Sons, Bridge clean-up efforts

Statewide Issues Sessions

How clean is Minnesota's air? A statewide perspective 

MPCA evaluates air quality in a variety of ways. Monitoring, often considered the gold standard, can only cover a limited area and number of pollutants. Learn about MNRiskS, a new statewide cumulative modeling and risk assessment screening tool that helps fill in the gaps and provides improved information for targeting risk reduction. Also learn what MPCA is thinking about the Supreme Court's requirement to perform "cumulative effects" analyses for projects undergoing environmental review.

Moderator: Sean Gabor, University of MN
Speaker: Kari Palmer, MPCA, Statewide Air Monitoring: Coverage and Gaps
Speaker: Gregory Pratt, MPCA, MNRiskS: Statewide Model of Risks from Air Pollution
Speaker: Mary Dymond, MPCA, Cumulative Effects Analysis for Environmental Review

Fixing Minnesota’s dirty sewage  

This session will review case studies on a sampling of approaches being implemented to fix Minnesota’s failing septic systems. Recent county annual reports estimate that 20% of the septic systems in the state are failing to adequately treat wastewater. Bringing septic systems into compliance can be complicated, confusing, and costly. This session will provide realistic solutions to meet the challenges facing homeowners and communities alike.

Moderator: Bill Dunn
Speaker: Kellie Strobel, Chisago County, Department of Environmental, Chisago County 3 CountyPilot Program: Fixing straight pipes.
Speaker: Mary Darragh Schmitz, Chisago County Department of Environmental, Chisago County 3 CountyPilot Program: Fixing straight pipes.
Speaker: Peter Miller, Wenck Associates, Inc, Burtrum: What is  their true problem and what really needs to be fixed?
Speaker: Valerie Prax, University of Minnesota, Extension, Burtrum: What is  their true problem and what really needs to be fixed?

Human and ecological impacts of climate change in Minnesota

What are the links between climate change and ecosystem change, and how will these changes affect biosystems in Minnesota? This session will address the implications of climate change on human health and Minnesota’s forest, stream and wetland ecosystems.

Moderator: Linda Limback
Speaker: Joel D. Scheraga, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Climate change and human health: risks and responses
Speaker: Lucinda Johnson, Natural Resources Research Institute of the U of M, Duluth, Impacts of Climate Change on Minnesota`s Aquatic Resources
Speaker: John Pastor, University of Minnesota - Duluth, Global Warming and the Forests of the Lake Superior Region

Protecting lakes and streams

What is Minnesota doing to protect its lakes and streams? Presentations will cover 1) an example of city incorporating non-degradation into planning and management activities, 2) an innovative approach to planning in the Minnesota River watershed, and 3) an update of the Industrial Stormwater Program.

Moderator: Leslie Stovring, City of Eden Prairie
Speaker: Diane Spector, Wenck Associates,  Incorporating Nondegradation into Planning and Management Activities
Speaker: Larry Gunderson, MPCA
Speaker: Bill Kell, MPCA, Building Community Commitment in the Minnesota River Valley
Speaker: Zachary Chamberlain, MPCA, Industrial stormwater--What's the latest?

Waste to energy 

What to do with Minnesota waste? Come learn how different communities are managing waste from incineration with ash utilization. Get a close-up view of recent trends in European waste-to-energy plants. Our presenter has spent the last two years visiting many of the newest facilities and has gained a significant understanding of how the technologies may transfer to U.S. applications.

Moderator: Charles Lederer, TKDA
Speaker: Rick Moskwa, City of Red Wing
Speaker: Bill Wilson, Polk County
Speaker: Jeffrey Harnly, Xcel Energy, Europe's continued progress with waste to energy

Corrective action decision making

Join a discussion about the decisions that are contemplated in implementing corrective action, using case studies from agricultural cooperatives, brownfields, and TMDLs. Learn about the criteria used to select and implement corrective action when the contaminants are both known and unknown, and the flexibility needed.

Moderator: Ingrid Verhagen, MPCA
Speaker: Joe Bischoff, Wenck Associates, Inc, Setting the Shingle Creek TMDLs into Action
Speaker: Jason Lowery, Terracon Consultants, Inc., Utilizing Triad Techniques to Investigate and Remediate Properties Impacted by Agriculture
Speaker: Rick Crum, Northeast Technical Services, Fairview Addition in Virginia, Minnesota: A Contingency Plan Implementation Case Study

Minnesota goes green: Witness to a tipping point

When it comes to "green," it seems we've reached a tipping point in Minnesota with the success of events such as the Eco Experience at the State Fair and the Living Green Expo. This session will review the tipping point concept and how it can be applied to motivate community action to protect our environment. Learn about recent research into the psychology of "green" attitudes and behaviors of Minnesotans.

Moderator: Mark Snyder, MPCA
Speaker: Jeff Ledermann, MPCA
Speaker: Christie Manning, University of St. Thomas

Resource Conservation and Sustainability Sessions

The business response to product stewardship:  Collaborative actions to collection and recycling

Representatives from the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), Thermostat Recycling Corp, the forming Paint Stewardship Organization, and a Canadian industry organization will discuss industry collaboration to implement take-back programs for carpet, thermostat, and paint. Candid analysis will highlight what has worked, what is challenging, and how to participate in a regulated or voluntary framework.

Moderator: Garth Hickle, MPCA
Speaker: Leslie Wilson, Solid Waste Management Board
Speaker: John Gilkeson, MPCA

Conservation and cleaner water: LID, pervious pavement, and water quality trading

This session will cover a low impact development (LID) example from the Coffee Creek Project in Duluth; the pervious concrete option; and the challenges with water quality trading and best management practices.

Moderator: Roberta Wirth, MPCA
Speaker: Chris Rousseau, MSA Professional Services, Coffee Creek Low Impact Development Project
Speaker: Jason Krueger, Pervious Concrete in Minnesota
Speaker: Jim Klang, Kieser & Associates, Water Quality Trading and the BMP Challenge

Is water conservation needed in Minnesota?

With 10,000 lakes and a multitude of rivers and groundwater reservoirs in Minnesota, do we need to concern ourselves with water conservation? This session will take a look at current water resources and provide an overview of water auditing, which will be a key driver for water conservation.

Moderator: John Blackstone, City of St. Paul
Speaker: Princesa VanBuren, Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, Protecting Minnesota water resources
Speaker: John Wells, MN Environmental Quality, Protecting Minnesota water resources
Speaker: Christopher D. Elvrum, Met Council, Planning for Water Supplies in the Twin Cities Area
Speaker: Russ Horner, Water Management, Inc, What is Water Auditing and What are the Benefits?

Compost: Getting it there and managing it  

Four compost facility operators will describe their organics collection programs and their compost facility operations. The Swift County collection and compost facility, the longest running source-separated collection program in Minnesota; the Carver County pilot program; the mandatory commercial collection program for organics and the compost facility operated by WLSSD; and the Resource Recycling Technologies demonstration compost facility.

Moderator: Judy Purman, The Purman Group, LLC
Speaker: Bill Fouks, Carver County Department of Environmental Services
Speaker: Heidi Ringhofer, Western Lake Superior Sanitary District
Speaker: Scott Collins, Swift County Environmental Services
Speaker: Caleb Werth, Resource Recovery Technologies, LLC

Preventing air pollution: Finding opportunities to reduce your environmental impact

Hear how a city and an industry approach environmental improvement. Minneapolis's Sustainability Initiative is built around 24 indicators with numerical measures focusing on the environment, social equity, and economics. On the industrial side, Minnesota dry mill ethanol facilities were benchmarked relative to energy use, air emissions, water quality, and water use. Results will be presented along with best practices that reduce air emissions or water consumption, and improve water quality.

Moderator: Phyllis Strong, MPCA
Speaker: Gayle Prest, City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Sustainability Initiative and Its Impacts on Air Quality
Speaker: Nancy Kelly, MnTAP, Identifying Environmental Process Improvements through Benchmarking Minnesota Ethanol Facilities

To deconstruct or not to deconstruct? That is the question

WasteCap Wisconsin has fascinating experiences about how they partner to deconstruct large projects, conduct “Talk and Tours" to showcase them, and share other ways to promote further recovery of construction and     demolition waste. Also, Kangas Excavating Inc. will review how they recovered for reuse 97% of the "waste" material by deconstructing the Mesabi Elementary School, avoided the usual permitting process, and nearly eliminated landfill fees.

Moderator: Linda Countryman, MPCA
Speaker: Jenna Kunde, WasteCap Wisconsin, Inc.
Speaker: Bob Kangas, Kangas Excavating

Property values--The contamination factor

Moderator: Jonathan Smith, MPCA
Speaker: Bob Strachota, Shenehon Company, How Contamination Affects Property Values

Exhibitor Reception in Exhibit Hall

General Session

Creating a diversity friendly and inclusive organization for ALL employees

This interactive keynote is based off of Jermaine's book, "Be Diversity Competent!" Diversity competence is the foundation for organizational success. Learn practical skills on how to motivate and inspire diverse employees. Learn how to communicate effectively across cultural lines and create an environment where diverse people feel they can thrive and succeed.

Moderator: Cathy Moeger, MPCA
Speaker: Jermaine Davis

Energy and Climate Change Sessions

A look at residential wood combustion

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in burning wood at residences. This session will highlight some of the health impacts of burning wood at home and what one Minnesota outdoor wood boiler manufacturer is doing to decrease emissions and effects.

Moderator: Heather Magee-Hill, MPCA
Speaker: Robert Thiboldeaux, Dept. Health and Family Services, Outdoor water boilers, smoke, and property use conflicts:  Wisconsin's health and regulatory perspective
Speaker: Rodney Tollefson, Central Boiler Inc., Emissions from Outdoor Wood-Fired Hydronic Heaters--Renewable Wood Fuel

Responding locally to climate change through energy efficiency

This session will cover a range of opportunities for encouraging and improving energy efficiency, and describe how small businesses, residential homeowners, and communities can and are finding opportunities to reduce their carbon footprints through energy efficiency.

Moderator: Catherine Neuschler, MPCA
Speaker: Karl DeWahl, MnTAP, Energy Efficiency: How to Identify Opportunities
Speaker: Mark Hinds, Lyndale Neighborhood, Energy Efficiency and the Sustainable Neighborhood
Speaker: Anne Hunt, City of St. Paul, St. Paul Urban CO2 Reduction Program: Focus on Energy Efficiency

Transportation: Opportunities to address climate change

Hear about land use, transit technology and infrastructure changes within the transportation sector to save energy and reduce climate change.

Moderator: Anne Claflin, MPCA
Speaker: Barb Thoman, Transit for Liveable Communities, Community Land Use to Promote Transit Use
Speaker: Jim Erkel, MN Center for Environmental Advocacy, Mass Transit and Reducing Transportation Emissions

Investigation and cleanup of ethanol and ethanol-blended fuel spills

The use of high percentage ethanol-blended fuels (E-85) has increased dramatically, and fuel-grade denatured ethanol is now the #1 hazardous material shipped by rail. MPCA's Petroleum Remediation (PRP) and Emergency Response (ER) programs are researching and developing new policy on the investigation and remediation of E-85 and fuel-grade denatured ethanol releases. Discussion will include current state of knowledge, common misconceptions about ethanol releases, and recent data.

Moderator: Jason Moran, MPCA
Speaker: Mark Toso, MPCA
Speaker: Tom Higgens, MPCA

Increasing recycling in Minnesota

What’s happening with recycling? Are there any new ideas out there? Have we hit the ceiling on recycling? Come learn about the metro-area Rethink Recycling Campaign and the statewide Recycle More Minnesota campaign.

Moderator: Mark Rust, MPCA
Speaker: Mark Rust, MPCA
Speaker: Angie Timmons, Hennepin County
Speaker: Tina Patton, MPCA
Speaker: Wayne Gjerde, MPCA

Landfill gas: Resource or pollutant?

Imagine the opportunity where something like landfill gas, typically considered a pollutant, now may be considered an energy and revenue resource! This session will discuss the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission research that the MPCA has conducted from Minnesota solid waste landfills and the potential opportunities for GHG reduction and energy recovery.  A case study of a Minnesota landfill will take you on the adventure of entering the iChicago Climate Exchange for trading carbon credits. Then the verification process for getting credits approved for trading with the Chicago Climate Exchange will be outlined.

Moderator: Kathy Osborne, Foth and Van Dyke
Speaker: Mike Lynn, MPCA
Speaker: Fred Doran, RW Beck
Speaker: Christine Magerkurth, First Environment

General Session - Lunch

Lest We be Cavalier: The Challenge of Adapting Effectively to Climate Change

Any smart policy portfolio must contain actions both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to a changing climate. The mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions is necessary to slow the rate of climate change. Adaptation is essential because the climate will continue to change regardless of what we do to mitigate; these changes in climate pose risks to human health, the environment, and social well being. But we cannot be cavalier about the ease with which we can adapt effectively, even in a wealthy and technologically advanced country like the United States. Events like the destruction of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the deaths of 30,000 people in the European heat wave of 2003, and the climate-induced damages being incurred by tribal communities in Alaska, suggest that significant barriers exist to effective adaptation. If we are to succeed in our goal of protecting public health and the environment, then we must make significant investments to improve our understanding of the essential elements of effective adaptive responses, as well investments to implement the adaptive management practices themselves.

Moderator: Lisa Herschberger, MPCA
Speaker: Joel D. Scheraga, National Program Director, Global Change Research Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Technical and Regulatory Sessions

Changes to the AQ permit process:  Get it done faster! 

MPCA is working to make air permitting faster and easier. Learn how to get your technical questions answered through the Advanced Air Quality Permitting Assistance program. Discover the extensive changes made to the Compliance Plan application form (CD-01). Receive an introduction to the new completeness checklist for air permit applications and learn who to contact to keep unit numbering consistent between the MPCA and a permittee.

Moderator: Jared LaFave, MPCA
Speaker: Chris Buntjer, MPCA, AAQPA, Unit Numbering, and the new CD-01 form
Speaker: Paula Connell, MPCA Completeness Checklist

Save money and reduce climate change by saving energy

Hear about money-saving conservation options for households, businesses, and other organizations. This will also include a discussion of the last year's energy efficiency legislation and policy recommendations from Minnesota's Climate Change Advisory Committee.

Moderator: Bill Droessler, Minnesota Environmental Initiative
Speaker: Sheldon Strom, Center for Energy and Environment, Energy Efficiency--The Best Power Plant                            
Speaker: Karen Rhodes, Xcel Energy, Commercial Energy Efficiency

Performance testing and CEMS

Discover how the MPCA Performance Testing and Monitoring Program has evolved over the last several years. Learn the program goals as well as expectations and responsibilities of facilities and testing companies. A brief synopsis of changes and clarifications to the DRF-1 Excess Emissions Reporting Form will also be provided.

Moderator: David Hillesheim, Xcel Energy
Speaker: Curt Stock, MPCA
Speaker: Andrew Place, MPCA

Mining in northern Minnesota: Current projects and related topics 

This session will discuss the renewed interest in mining in northern Minnesota in response to increasing need for natural resources here and abroad.  Roles and responsibilities under the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act will be examined.

Moderator: Steve Gorg, MPCA
Speaker: Daniel R. Jordan, Iron Range Resources, What's happening in mining on the Mesabi Iron Range?
Speaker: Jennifer Engstrom, Minnesota DNR; Division of Lands and Minerals, Mining and our natural resources: Responsibilities and research

Wisconsin landfill stability rule

Hear from state engineers in Wisconsin and Minnesota about the implementation of Wisconsin's new Landfill Stability Rule. What are some of the operational lessons it could offer for landfills outside Wisconsin?

Moderator: Jim Chiles, MPCA
Speaker: JW Spear, J Spear Associates
Speaker: Kathy Holland-Hanson, MPCA

GIS and remediation: Data, standards, and site examples

Learn how GIS tools help MPCA 's Remediation programs make decisions about cleanup and future land use considerations. This session will provide an overview of spatial data collection processes, and outline the Remediation programs' expectations of locational data format and quality. Take a brief tour of the MPCA's web-based GIS applications. Lastly, several real life examples of the use of GIS technology at cleanup sites will be presented.

Moderator: Jim Stockinger, MPCA
Speaker: Chris McLain, MPCA
Speaker: Beth Brown, MPCA

Prohibited Class 5 injection wells

This session will discuss the rules and regulations pertaining to prohibited injection wells that can still be found at autobody shops, dental clinics, and other locations. The session will include a discussion on the harm that these systems can cause and various clean up options.

Moderator: Rachel Peters, MPCA
Speaker: John Taylor, U.S. EPA

TMDL updates: Outlook and innovations

During this session two innovative activities will be overviewed.  The presentations will be on: 1) the Mercury TMDL stakeholder process; and 2) looking at training to address water impairments using the Road Salt Training as an example to impact positive change.

Moderator: Glenn Skuta, MPCA
Speaker: Kabby Jones, MEI, Mercury TMDL stakeholder process
Speaker: Connie Fortin, Fortin Consulting, TMDL strategy: Training to motivate change

MPCA hazardous waste and emergency response case studies

This session will discuss the response to three recent incidents. The first incident is a used oil dumping case where a truck operator makes a poor decision. The second is an interesting computer equipment dumping case where secrets rise to the surface. The third case is a hydrochloric acid release from a railroad car with an acid cloud near a town. Which way will the wind blow, you should come to this session and find out!

Moderator: Jason Moran, MPCA
Speaker: Dorene Fier-Tucker, MPCA
Speaker: Kit Grayson, MPCA
Speaker: Craig Schafer, MPCA

Hot Topics/Legislative Update Sessions

Minnesota's electronics recycling law: From policy to implementation   

Representatives from manufacturers, local government, and recyclers will discuss implementation of the Minnesota Electronics Recycling Law, which was passed in 2007. Learn more about the Environmental Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) for evaluating the environmental attributes of computer equipment.

Moderator: Garth Hickle, MPCA
Speaker: Lisa Bujak, MPCA
Speaker: David Thompson, Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Co, LLC

Policy recommendations from the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group

Join us for an update of activities of the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group (MCCAG) and discuss possible recommendations for legislative action.

Moderator: Bill Sierks, MPCA
Speaker: Edward Garvey, Dept. of Commerce, Minnesota's Climate Change Plan: Recommendations of the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group

Waste designation impacts

Oneida-Herkimer decision. What does this mean to Minnesota facilities? What are the impacts to public vs. private.  Are there waste transportation implications or energy issues? And where do we go from here?

Moderator: Jackie Deneen, MPCA
Speaker: Beverly Conerton, Minnesota Attorney General's Office, Solid Waste Management Options After United Haulers, presentation 2, presentation 3
Speaker: Kevin Johnson, Stoel Rives LLP, Waste Delivery to SW Resource Recovery Facilities in Minnesota, presentation 2
Speaker: Doug Carnival, McGrann Shea

Fine particles and haze: Plans for reductions and resulting benefits

Discover how Minnesota's State Implementation Plan will improve visibility by reducing ambient particulates in the Boundary Waters Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park. This session will also discuss the health benefits from reducing haze and particulate levels and explore the impact of controlling various sources on expected health benefits.

Moderator: John Seltz, MPCA
Speaker: Catherine Neuschler, MPCA, Reducing Particulates and Preserving Scenic Vistas: Minnesota's Regional Haze Plan
Speaker: Julian Marshall, University of Minnesota, Health Benefits of Reducing Haze and Particulate Pollution

Emerging water issues

This session will overview two hot water issues: 1) Perfluorochemicals (PFC) in water; and 2) preventing the infiltration of invasive species into Lake Superior from ballast water discharges.

Moderator: Carolyn Dindorf, Fortin Consulting
Speaker: Virginia Yingling, MN Dept of Health,  Southeast Metro Perfluorinated Chemical (PFC) Investigation Update
Speaker: Dave Kortan, MPCA, Ballast Water Discharges: Preventing Evasive Species

Legislative solid waste hot topics

Come hear the latest hot topics in solid waste and recycling, and what’s on tap for the 2008 session and beyond.
MPCA staff will discuss the 2007 Solid Waste Policy Report and its recommendations to the Legislature, including waste reduction, organics management, recycling, waste-to-energy, landfills, and backyard garbage burning.

Moderator: Mark Rust, MPCA
Speaker: Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey County
Speaker: Julie Ketchum, WMI
Speaker: Brita Sailor
Speaker: Paul Gardner
Speaker: Tim Scherkenbach, MPCA
Speaker: Dennis Ozment

Remediation hot topics

MPCA's Petroleum Remediation Program recently evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of mechanical remediation systems. Join us to find out how you can improve system performance, and learn how Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) illustrates the distribution of LNAPL in the subsurface and how this assists with remediation design. Find out how the newly enacted Uniform Environmental Covenants Act can help control the future use of sites where contaminants remain in place.

Moderator: Audrey Van Cleve, MPCA
Speaker: Paul Stock, MPCA-Detroit Lakes Office, Mechanical Remediation System Performance Improvement at Petroleum Leak Sites in Minnesota
Speaker: Jason Kirwin and Joann Dyson, West Central Environmental Consultants, Inc., Site Assessment Using Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) at Petroleum Contaminated Sites
Speaker: Alan Williams, Attorney General's Office, The Uniform Environmental Covenants Act—What Is It and How is MPCA Implementing It?