Summer Tech Talk – Preparing for PFAS Regulations in the Pacific NW

The Portland Professional Development Committee invites you to attend our virtual* technical talk on the emerging contaminant per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). While of global concern, this topic will focus on perspectives in the Pacific Northwest in preparation of federally-promulgated PFAS regulations and the potential impacts compliance regulations may pose on businesses and environmental service providers. This event is free to all environmental professionals in the Pacific Northwest.

Our panelists represent the diversity of the Pacific Northwest’s environmental industry who have grown their practice in providing PFAS risk management services: attorneys, environmental consultants, and water treatment providers. Our panelists will share an overview of their work, framing the current understanding of the ever-growing science of PFAS in preparation of future regulations under three pillars: 1) Environmental Liability of PFAS 101: overview of PFAS regulations and general liabilities; 2) The Big Picture of PFAS: what’s happening now and what’s to expect with a focus on air quality technology; and 3) Water Resources Protection: regulatory aspects of PFAS pertaining to community water supplies and treatment.

*Advanced registration is required and a confirmation email will be sent containing a link to join the virtual event the day before the event. Should you have any questions, please send an email to [email protected].

About Our Speakers

Laura Kerr – Stoel Rives’ Environmental Attorney Laura Kerr helps clients solve complex challenges arising under federal and state environmental laws. She regularly advises on compliance issues, navigates permitting processes, manages environmental risks in transactions and resolves environmental disputes and enforcement actions. Laura guides clients through the multitude of regulations governing air and water quality, waste management, chemical spills, land contamination and other environmental liabilities. Laura’s experience prior to entering the legal profession as a researcher and educator in environmental science enhances her ability to translate complicated scientific ideas and find workable solutions to environmental problems facing clients. Laura previously worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and for a natural resources nonprofit organization that partnered with the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Geological Survey at Mount St. Helens.

Ariel Stavitsky – Ariel Stavitsky is an associate in Stoel Rives’ Environment, Land Use and Natural Resources group. Her practice includes environmental and natural resource-related litigation, project permitting, and regulatory compliance counseling across multiple industries. Ariel also served as judicial clerk to the Hon. John V. Acosta of the U. S. District Court, District of Oregon and law clerk with the Oregon Department of Justice, General Counsel Division, Natural Resources Section. Before her legal career, Ariel worked in communications and as an environmental consultant in Atlanta, GA, specializing in due diligence, risk assessment, and compliance. She now draws on that experience to help clients thoughtfully and proactively solve complex environmental issues. Ariel is a member of the WIE Portland Mentoring Committee.

Alexandra (Ali) Salter-Blanc – Ali is an Environmental Remediation Scientist with Jacobs with a passion for applying scientific knowledge to real world problems. She holds a doctorate in environmental science and engineering from Oregon Health & Science University where she conducted research on the fate and remediation of emerging contaminants in groundwater and soil. She recently celebrated 5 years with Jacobs in Portland, Oregon where she supports and leads a wide variety of remediation projects and serves as a PFAS subject matter expert. Ali owes her job at Jacobs to a chain of networking connections that began at a WIE networking event in Portland—thanks WIE!

Michelle Neumann – Michelle Neumann is an Environmental Engineer with Jacobs since 2012 in Seattle, WA. Her project experience and training includes air quality modeling, air emission inventories, air permit applications and compliance, and health risk assessments for a variety of industries. Michelle has experience in various roles such as technical support, technical lead, and project manager. Michelle is also the Air Quality Modeling Community of Practice Leader where her role is to support the development of innovation and excellence and her passion is to support the members of the community to have successful careers.

Tammie Wilson – Tammie Wilson is a Project Coordinator at Clean Water Services in Oregon. Her background is in stormwater compliance and management as an experienced stormwater engineer for the environmental services industry. Tammie received her BS in Physics, MS in Environmental Science, and MS in Environmental Quality Science. Tammie is a member of the WIE Portland Professional Development Committee.

Thank You to Our Event Sponsors!