Events

Upcoming Events


An Economist, a chemist, and an engineer are stranded

on a desert island: What good is the economist?

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

at 12:00 (Noon) Eastern

Because no one should be forced to listen to a talk about economics for 50 minutes, this talk will focus on three economics-adjacent topics. First, why do economists want to discount the future, and what implications do their choices about discounting have on the global issues of our day? Second, what is environmental justice and why won’t it go away? Third, why can’t economists ever just tell me what something is worth: a primer on social benefit-cost analysis? The goal of the discussion will be to provide some insight into the inner workings of an economist’s mind and, perhaps, to illustrate how economists can occasionally be useful.

Presenter: Dr. Jeffrey Wakefield is formally trained in Economics, Marine Biology, and Biochemistry. He has over 20 years of experience conducting social benefit/cost analysis, financial assurance, and resource damage assessments.  Throughout those 20 years, his goal has been to help policymakers and stakeholders make decisions that consider all dimensions of a problem.

 Registration Deadline: April 26, 2024

 Note: Registration is for one entrant. Any other individuals who would like to join this session are required to complete their own registration forms. The registration fee is set per person, not per connection.

PAEP Members – Webinars are free to current members but you will still need to register.
Non-Members – the fee for the webinar is $20 per person.

Registrants will be sent an email, closer to the date of the event, providing information on how to join the webinar.

“The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals aims to promote environmental education, research, planning, assessment, review, and management through the formation and operation of a nonpolitical multidisciplinary professional society.” The content of our webinar series is not developed by PAEP, but by the presenters themselves.

  •  May 7, 2024
     12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Details Price Qty
2024 Current PAEP Member $0.00 USD  
PAEP Non member $20.00 USD  

Protecting Pennsylvania’s Aquatic Ecosystems from Thermal Discharges in an Era of a Warming Climate

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 12:00 (Noon) Eastern

 

The aquatic ecosystems of Pennsylvania are home to many types of organisms that are sometimes physiologically challenged by external environmental fluctuations, including those from anthropogenic sources. While many of us are familiar with ecological risk of exposure to chemical pollutants in our waters and lands, this presentation will focus on the potential impacts of water temperature, or more specifically, the effects of additional heat from single-point discharges of effluent produced by power generating, manufacturing, or other industrial facilities. An overview will be given on the water quality standards and water temperature criteria established under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to assure the protection and propagation of a “balanced”, “indigenous” population (BIP) or community (BIC) of shellfish, fish, and wildlife in and on the receiving water body. An owner or operator of a facility can exceed one or more of the water quality standards for temperature by obtaining a thermal variance as allowed by §316(a) of the CWA, which requires demonstrating those applicable effluent limits are more stringent than necessary to protect the BIP. The approach of the predictive and/or retrospective assessments used in §316(a) demonstrations will be discussed. Since the initial guidance from the US Environmental Protection Agency was given in 1977, the concepts, approaches, and criteria for §316(a) demonstrations have not been updated over decades of environmental change. Such changes that will be discussed include increasing climate warming, invasive species or stocking programs, habitat improvements and degradation, cumulative effects, and a valid non-stationary baseline.

Presenter: Chris Gurshin is a Vice President and Principal Scientist at ASA Analysis & Communication, Inc. He has extensive background in fisheries research and environmental impact assessments of aquatic ecosystems, with over 20 years of experience related to the Clean Water Act §316(a) and (b), National Discharge Pollutant Elimination System, underwater construction compliance monitoring, and conservation. He has delivered cost-effective and data-driven solutions in government and industry sectors, including nuclear power and fossil-fuel power plants, offshore wind projects, port facilities, subsea cable transmission and hydroelectric facilities. He has extensive operational leadership experience in fisheries surveys, aquatic compliance monitoring, and benthic surveys. His technical expertise includes quantitative techniques in fisheries assessments, fishery acoustics, and statistical programming. 

Dr. Gurshin received his Bachelor of Science in Marine Science and Biology from the University of Tampa, Master of Science in Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures from Auburn University, and Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology from the University of New Hampshire. 

  Registration Deadline: April 19, 2024

 Note: Registration is for one entrant. Any other individuals who would like to join this session are required to complete their own registration forms. The registration fee is set per person, not per connection.

PAEP Members – Webinars are free to current members but you will still need to register.
Non-Members – the fee for the webinar is $20 per person.

Registrants will be sent an email, closer to the date of the event, providing information on how to join the webinar.

“The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals aims to promote environmental education, research, planning, assessment, review, and management through the formation and operation of a nonpolitical multidisciplinary professional society.” The content of our webinar series is not developed by PAEP, but by the presenters themselves.

 

  •  April 24, 2024
     12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Details Price Qty
2024 Current PAEP Member $0.00 USD  
PAEP Non member $20.00 USD  

Past Events


Pollution Prevention and Energy Efficiency (P2E2) Roundtable Meeting at Walmart Distribution Center, Tobyhanna, Monroe County.

On August 20th the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals (PAEP) P2E2 Roundtable held its quarterly meeting at the Walmart distribution center in Monroe County. The topic focused on the robust sustainability practices including recycling and energy efficiency of the world’s largest retailer. The company provided a presentation and on-site tour where they explained that over 90% of the waste generated within the facility is recycled.

Walmart has “sustainability stations” strategically placed throughout the building. The company has over 17 miles of automated conveyors that ship over 300,000 cases of freight each day to Walmart stores in four states. The site consists of a 200 acre campus that includes the main distribution center building, which encompasses 1,250,000 square feet of floor space (30 acres under roof). Also housed on the campus is a truck maintenance garage, pump house, waste water treatment plant, and parking for over 2000 trailers.

New members of the Roundtable were welcomed and two have asked to join the Steering Committee. The new members asked many questions to Walmart’s senior management team. More information on Walmart’s sustainability program that focuses on energy, waste, and sustainable products can be found here.

  •  August 20, 2015 - November 3, 2015
     12:00 am - 4:39 pm
We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.

Join us and see how Ultra-Poly recovers value from materials that are difficult or even previously impossible to process. Their operations have the potential to save significant natural resources and change recycling in America.

Click here for additional information

  • Start Time
     November 19, 2015
     8:30 am - 12:00 pm
We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.

Join us to discuss Geisinger Health System’s sustainability initiatives.  Geisinger’s Sustainability Program works toward improving and increasing environmentally friendly programs and includes a focus on reducing waste, minimizing the use of hazardous materials, reducing energy and water use, preventing pollution of local waterways and increasing recycling efforts.

  •  February 4, 2016
     8:00 am - 5:00 pm
We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.

Come join your fellow PAEP members at Knute’s Pub in Shippensburg, PA to learn about Shippensburg University’s Center for Land Use and Sustainability (CLUS) and hear about some of the exciting projects with which the CLUS is involved. Social networking and Business Card Drawing will be from 5:30-6:00 PM with the presentation from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.

There will be no registration fee for the event; however, a head count is needed in advance to provide to the meeting location and to coordinate potential carpooling. Please RSVP to JT Graupensperger @ moc.inonnepnull@regrepsnepuargj or 717-620-5922 by Thursday, April 7, 2016.

  • Shippensburg University's Center for Land Use And Sustainability
     April 14, 2016
     5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.

2016 Annual Conference  2016 PAEP Conference Registration Packet

May 11-13, 2016

Toftrees Resort, State College PA

***UPDATE On-Line Registration and Payment Closes at midnight on May 9, 2016.  Payments Accepted at the Door via CC or Check***

You are cordially invited to participate in the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals Annual Conference at Toftrees Resort, in State College Pennsylvania.

Conference sessions and speakers will cover many subjects relevant to today’s issues, including an update to the FAST ACT, FERC process and regulations, energy independence, wetlands and streams impacts and mitigation, land recycling, public involvement in low income communities, an update tot he PA Conservation Explorer tool, regulatory permitting information, new PennDOT initiatives and mitigation for historic bridges.

Our keynote address will be made by PA DCNR State Secretary Cindy Dunn, a PAEP Karl Mason awardee.  Ms. Dunn has been a supporter of PAEP, and we are pleasedshe can be here to update our members on the path DCNR is taking to protect Pennsylvania’s natural resources as well as discuss new DCNR programs.

  • Full Conference
     May 11, 2016 - May 13, 2016
     2:00 pm - 12:30 pm Full Conference Registration includes attendance at each of the day’s events and meals for that day.

    - Non-Member Full Registration Includes one PAEP General Membership for 2016.


  • May 11 : Off-site Tour Penn State Arboretum and Creamery
     May 11, 2016
     2:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Not included in the Full Registration
  • May 11 : Welcome Reception
     May 11, 2016
     6:00 pm - 7:15 pm Heavy Hors D’oeuvres/Cash Bar with Exhibitors
  • May 12 : One-Day Rate
     May 12, 2016
     7:00 am - 8:30 pm Includes all sessions, meals and materials for that specific day. (This fee does not include PAEP membership dues for non-members.)
  • May 12 : Reception Dinner
     May 12, 2016
     6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
  • May 13 : One-Day Rate
     May 13, 2016
     7:30 am - 12:30 pm - Includes all sessions, meals and materials for that specific day. (This fee does not include PAEP membership dues for non-members.)
We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.

A workshop for Environmental Professionals

The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals (PAEP) in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Southeast Regional Office are proud to bring you a Professional Development Training Class:

Strategies for Wetland, Stream and Species Mitigation

(Ecological Offset Solutions)

When there are unavoidable impacts to wetlands, streams and endangered species habitats, those projects may be required to mitigate for the impacts to those natural resources. Whether this is a stand alone project on a single site or a linear project involving miles of potential impacts, planning for mitigation is an important task for the Environmental Professional, Resource Manager and Project Owner.

At our 2016 PAEP Annual Conference members of Resource Environmental Solutions (www.res.us) gave a great presentation on wetland and stream mitigation strategies, as well as the use of species/conservation habitat banking. Although Wetland Banking has been in existence for a long time and is the preferred mitigation strategy, banking use in eastern Pennsylvania is very limited. Both PennDOT and RES have successfully been using banking in central and western Pennsylvania for several years. Conor Gillespie and Jonathan Kasitz of RES will explain some of the available strategies that can be used to mitigate for unavoidable project impacts using a watershed approach, including the integration of wetland, stream and species mitigation.

We are sorry but space is limited to 50 people!

Friday July 29, 2016 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm

1st Floor Conference Room

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Southeast Regional Office

2 East Main Street

Norristown, PA 19401

For Directions and Parking information:

http://www.dep.pa.gov/About/Regional/SoutheastRegion/Pages/Directions.aspx

The PADEP Office is also conveniently located near public transportation facilities: SEPTA High Speed Line and Manayunk/Norristown Regional Line.

This is a Bring Your Own – Lunch and Learn Event

  • PAEP/PADEP Workshop
     July 29, 2016
     12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.

Date: Thursday, August 18, 2016

Time: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Place: ETAC/NCC: Fowler Family Southside Center 511 E. Third St., Bethlehem, PA 18015

Room 605 Phone Number: 610.332.6103

Directions: From East or West: Find your best route to Rt. 22. Take the 378 S. exit. Follow Rt. 378 S to the Third Street exit. Merge left onto Third Street and follow to the 500 block. Click here for map and directions

Attendees Limit 25 attendees (max)

Cost: Free. (Please pass this on to anyone else you know who might be interested.)

RSVP: Mike Parrent (lim.liamnull@vic.tnerraP.L.leahciM Use “P2/E2 meeting” in the subject line. Please provide your name, title, business name, and phone number. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes as we will be walking for the tour!

Required: Attendees must be 18 years or older, no smoking, and no photographs allowed.

Deadline: Register by Thursday, August 11, 2016

Click here for details

  •  August 18, 2016
     8:30 am - 12:00 pm
We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.

PA Conservation Explorer Lunch n’ Learn Event

presented by:  Mr. Kent Taylor

Natural Resource Program Specialist, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry

Kent will give an overview of the new PA Conservation Explorer, an online tool for conservation planning and PNDI environmental review. Participants will learn about the tool’s capabilities and how it has changed from the previous PNDI Environmental Review Tool. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session to help current users learn more about specific topics and issues.

WHEN:   Friday, September 9th 12:00 – 1:30 pm  (Check-in starting at 11:30 am)

WHERE:   Civil and Environmental Consultant, Inc., Seminar Room 2, 333 Baldwin Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15205

COST:  $10 – Members                           $15 – Non Members

Lunch will  Consist of subs, fruit and various sides.

Register online by Tuesday, September 7th

OR

RSVP attendance to Sarah Lavin at sml104@pitt.edu, and have cash/check payable at door.

We will also be selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a beautiful wall art piece donated by one of our members. All proceeds will go towards our PAEP scholarship program.

Event Sponsors:

RHEA Engineers & Consultants, Inc.

Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.

  • Western Section Lunch n' Learn
     September 9, 2016
     12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.

Field Trip for Environmental Professionals

The Fort Washington business park and interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery County has been subject to significant flooding problems for decades. To help this issue, Upper Dublin Township contracted URS (now AECOM) to design and build two new flood-retarding structures along tributaries to Rapp Run and Pine Run. This project involved an interdisciplinary team of professionals from Colorado, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania and was successfully permitted and built within 3 years. The challenges to obtain the first regulatory approvals for a new “dam” in Pennsylvania since 1985 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Dam Safety, and Montgomery County Conservation District were discussed at PAEP’s annual conference in May 2016. Archeology, bog turtles, red-belly turtles, legacy sediment, visualization assessments, and the creation of a compensatory wetland mitigation site on a former soccer field were all components to creating structures that successfully control flood waters without adversely impacting the surrounding environment. Come see the structures and wetland mitigation sites in person and hear a synopsis of the project!

FREE for PAEP Members

$5 non-members

BYO Lunch

 We are sorry but space is limited to 25 people!

Questions? Call 610-832-3597 or email moc.moceanull@leppop.harobed

Thursday October 6 , 2016 12:00 PM

McDonald’s Parking Lot

Dreshertown Plaza Shoppping Center

1650 Limekiln Pike, Dresher, PA 19025

Participants will be contacted in the event of inclement weather to advise if tour will be rescheduled

  • Thursday
     October 6, 2016
     12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.

Pennsylvania State Programmatic General Permit Lunch n’ Learn and Webinar

presented by:

Mr. Jared N. Pritts

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District

The PASPGP program is a general Section 404 permit issued under the federal Clean Water Act by the Corps   on a Pennsylvania‐wide basis for activities that would cause no more than minimal adverse environmental effects. Jared will give a presentation outlining the significant changes made to the program within the newly enacted PASPGP‐5.

WHEN:
Thursday, October 13th 12:00 – 1:30 pm

Lunch n’ Learn check‐in starts at 11:30 am
WHERE:

Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc.

Seminar Room 2333 Baldwin Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15205

Live Webinar: Online via GoToMeeting.com

 Cost:
$10 – Members;                $15 – Non‐Members

Lunch will consist of assorted subs and various sides.

Register by Tuesday, October 11th ONLINE

 OR

RSVP attendance to Sarah Lavin at ude.ttipnull@401lms, and have cash/check payable at door.

NOTE: If you plan on attending the live webinar, you MUST register online.

Event Sponsorships:           

               RHEA Engineers & Consultants, Inc.               

                            Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc.                         

  • Oct 13th Lunch n' Learn
     October 13, 2016
     12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.