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RiverSweep 2019
On May 11, 2019, a few of NEOCHMM’s, “usual suspects” gathered at a lot off of East Schaaf Road in Independence, Ohio for our annual RiverSweep event. This lot is near the confluence of West Creek and the Cuyahoga River. At one time a bar was on the site. The building was torn down and the lot restored to its riparian character to protect West Creek. The lot was then modified into a wetland to take and treat run off from East Schaaf Road. During heavy rains, West Creek will flood into this lot, thus relieving pressure on flooding further downstream on the Cuyahoga River.
With assistance from employees of Shook Construction and a Boy Scout Troop, we planted about 20 Maple and Locust trees around the perimeter of the lot, thereby enhancing the habitat for wildlife in the area. We extend our thanks toWest Creek Conservancy for supporting the event and for all those who participated in improving the habitat.
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- Written by Mark Baumgardner, CHMM
- Created: 13 May 2019
- Last Updated: 13 May 2019
EnviroServe Site Tour
On Thursday April 18th NEOCHMM had our monthly meeting at EnviroServe in Parma. We were welcomed like family by George Karas and the rest of the EnviroServe team. We had a wonderful meal as we looked at how they dispatch their trucks on a daily basis. The amount of planning and thought into every run is considerable and addresses all aspects of safety for the driver
After dinner we toured the EnviroServe Facility where we saw the holding docks, trucks, and dispatch areas. We had a wonderful time learning how EnviroServe handles and transports hazardous waste. A very special thank you to George and the rest of the team for allowing us to see their operations and making us all feel at home.
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- Written by Jim Chambers
- Created: 24 April 2019
- Last Updated: 24 April 2019
Ohio EPA Updates
Jennifer Kurko, Assistant District Chief of OEPA’s Northeast District Office and one of NEOCHMM’s favorite presenters, came to our March 2019 meeting to provide us with updates on the Ohio EPA’s priorities and focus under the new Governor and Agency Director. The main environmental priority is protecting water quality. To accomplish this, the H2Ohio Water Quality Initiative will provide a $900M fund to protect water quality for the next 10 years by investing in long-term solutions, addressing challenges such as algae blooms and nutrient pollution, and prevention and management programs that will include science, research, and measurement. Another priority is to improve customer service from the State Government by improving project turnaround times, providing simple, clear, and prompt communication with a focus on the customer.
Jennifer provided follow-up information on the OEPA’s Internal Training Initiative which she spoke about at our November 2016 meeting. Over 500 OEPA compliance staff completed the training in 2017. There are six four-hour training modules for the staff to complete. Some of the topics include understanding inspection authority, preparing for an inspection, what to do after the inspection, and effective communication. In 2019 the training course will be open to air pollution inspectors from contracted agencies and in 2020 it may expand to include solid waste inspectors form the local health departments.
Jennifer also touched upon the topics of the emerging contaminants per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the new hazardous waste pharmaceutical rules for healthcare and reverse distributors, beneficial use rules, construction and demolition debris, and the 50th anniversary of the fire on the Cuyahoga River and improvements made to water quality in the past 50 years.
NEOCHMM thanks Jennifer for an interesting presentation and her continuing support of our Chapter through these educational sessions.
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- Written by Kenneth Doyle, MBA, CHSP, CHEP
- Created: 22 March 2019
- Last Updated: 22 March 2019
IHMM Spring 2019 Update
As a member of the IHMM Board of Directors, I periodically update Certificants and NEOCHMM Chapter Members of developments at IHMM.
After 34 years at the same location, IHMM recently completed its move to a new office.
The office is located at 9210 Corporate Park Drive in Rockville, MD. The office is located right off the I-270, at the Shady Grove Road intersection, in northwest Rockville. It is not too far from the old office, but has the facilities and amenities needed to help move the Institute forward for the next five years and beyond. If you are in the area and would like to take a tour of the office, call ahead and the staff will try and accommodate you.
The IHMM Board recently started the process of updating the Institute’s strategic plan. The plan was last updated in 2013. With new members being elected to the Board and new challenges in the next 5 years, it was time for the Plan to be revised and updated. As this process is completed, we will advise all Certificates of our plans.
One item that will never change is for Certificants to recruit new persons to the hazardous materials field and towards certification. Please take the time to identify and mentor a young professional. Then have them apply for certification. This is a process, not a onetime event. You and the profession will be better for your efforts.
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- Written by Mark Baumgardner, CHMM
- Created: 05 March 2019
- Last Updated: 05 March 2019
