EPOC has been actively involved in reviewing and commenting on the recently updated CT DEEP Groundwater Monitoring Fact Sheet (November 1, 2014, Rev. October 1, 2015). This document can be found on DEEP’s website at:

http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/site_clean_up/remediation_regulations/groundwater_compliance_monitoring_factsheet.pdf.

The EPOC Board of Directors, and our newly formed Technical Support Committee, have submitted comments to CT DEEP on the November 1, 2014 version of the GW Monitoring Fact sheet, which led to the revisions issued by the Department on October 1, 2015.  Our submittals are available in the links below:

• EPOC Comments on Groundwater Compliance Monitoring Requirements – Fact Sheet dated November 1, 2014

• Summary of EPOC Technical Support Committee Comments (In addition to those of the EPOC board) on the DEEP Environmental Program Fact Sheet – Groundwater Compliance Monitoring Requirements – Remediation Standard Regulations (November 1, 2014) - Comments Prepared 17 June 2015

In addition to the above submittals, members of our Technical Support Committee met with CT DEEP staff on September 3, 2015 and had productive discussions resulting in the latest version of the Groundwater Monitoring Fact Sheet (October 1, 2015). The committee will continue discussions with DEEP on other issues as warranted.

For further information about EPOC’s Technical Support Committee, please contact Evan Glass at: evan@altaenv.com.

2015 Scholarship Awards

The EPOC Environmental Scholarship Fund was established in 1998 to assist Connecticut residents, or an immediate family member (spouse or child) of an EPOC Member in good standing, who are attending a college or university (in CT or out of state) and have declared majors pertinent to the environmental field.  The scholarships are awarded annually to junior, senior, and graduate level students (full or part-time) enrolled in accepted programs of study leading the student to become a Technical Environmental Professional in the State of Connecticut as defined by the CT DEEP, or a professional in a related service discipline who may render technical assistance to the Technical Environmental Professional. EPOC would like to express its thanks to all the students applying for a scholarship this year. At a recent meeting of the EPOC Scholarship Fund Committee, this year’s scholarship winners were voted on and approved. The total amount of awards for this year was $8,000. Congratulations to the following:

Mara Scallon

Mara is a resident of Sandy Hook and is a senior at Northeastern University in Boston, majoring in Environmental Science. During her time at Northeastern, she served as the Executive Director of Husky Environmental Action Team and worked at co-ops involving remediation of contaminated properties, solar panel installations and air quality issues. In her application, Mara states, “Ultimately, I intend to work in the field of environmental remediation, specifically cleaning up chemical spills and deliberate discharges.” Mara’s faculty advisor states, “Mara is a very well-grounded and dynamic person, with all of the values that you would hope that a EPOC Scholarship awardee would have, to represent your institution for the next year and thereafter.”

Carly Cavanaugh

Carly is a resident of Middletown and a junior at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), majoring in Environmental Earth Science. Carly is currently conducting research with her professor to test the lead levels of the soil at a gun range in Simsbury, and has served as Secretary of the Geology & Planetary Science Club at CCSU. In her application regarding her future career in the environmental field, Carly states, “I can effectively contribute my knowledge of the importance of remediation, the proper use of resources, and the correct management of land to aid in solving environmental problems.” Her Hydrogeology professor writes, “Carley is stellar in the field, and proved to be very capable in field geology…Her dedication to her work and the quality of the work she has done so far is outstanding.”

Kristin Salimeno

Kristin is a resident of Berlin and is entering her senior year at the University of Tampa, majoring in Environmental Science. Kristin has interned during the past two summers at an environmental consulting firm involved in remediation studies. One of her professors of Biology states, “She is notable as a scholar, as a professional, and as a grounded, thoughtful, and mature person. I am very confident that you will be proud to have her as one of your scholarship recipients. “

Austin Granchelli

Austin is a resident of South Windsor and is a senior at Goodwin College in East Hartford, CT majoring in Environmental Studies. Austin became interested in an environmental career after taking an environmental monitoring course that included sampling and analyzing water quality parameters of the Connecticut River.  The Director of Environmental Studies at Goodwin College states, “Because of his drive to succeed, proven abilities, and impressive academic record, I recommend Austin as a worthy candidate for the scholarship.”

The EPOC Scholarship Fund is financed through the support of EPOC programs, proceeds from golf tournaments, and direct contributions from individuals and companies. EPOC is a non-profit organization, and as such, contributions to the Scholarship Fund are tax deductible for most firms. Unlike many other organizations, 100% of your contributions go in the EPOC Scholarship Fund. A committee of volunteers who support its goals and ideals manages the fund. Anyone needing additional information about the Scholarship Fund or EPOC, please contact Seth Molofsky.

For the latest information about YEP, click here.

EPOC has formed YEP (the Young Environmental Professionals group, see description below) and we are now formalizing our member list. If you are interested in receiving updates and invitations to YEP events, please take a moment today to join YEP officially by logging into your EPOC account and then click on your name (top right on each page) to view your profile and then “Edit profile". You will now be able to join YEP by checking box under “Group participation” and then click “Save” at the bottom of the page. YEP is open to all EPOC members and is included with your membership dues.

ABOUT YEP 

Young Environmental Professionals (YEP) is a group open to EPOC members interested in our programs and social activities that will include:

- Informational events for those “on-track” to become CT LEPs;

- Online forum/discussion board to share news, ideas, and questions;

- LEP exam Study Groups;

- Socializing and networking events (e.g. bowling, hiking, happy hours); and

- Other activities per member input

By joining YEP you will receive invitations to all our activities and access to all our discussion forums.

For questions about YEP and how you can become involved, please contact us at YEP@epoc.org.

2014 Scholarship Awards

The EPOC Environmental Scholarship Fund was established in 1998 to assist Connecticut residents who are attending a college or university (in CT or out of state) and have declared majors pertinent to the environmental field.  The scholarships are awarded annually to junior, senior, and graduate level students (full or part-time) enrolled in accepted programs of study leading the student to become a Technical Environmental Professional in the State of Connecticut as defined by the CT DEEP, or a professional in a related service discipline who may render technical assistance to the Technical Environmental Professional. EPOC would like to express its thanks to all the Connecticut students applying for a scholarship this year. At a recent meeting of the EPOC Scholarship Fund Committee, this year’s scholarship winners were voted on and approved. The total amount of awards for this year was approximately $10,000. Congratulations to the following:

Celicia Boyden

Celicia is a resident of Moosup and is a senior at the University of Connecticut, majoring in Environmental Engineering. During her time at UConn, she also worked as a hydrologist at the U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Geophysics. Celicia’s Environmental Engineering professor states, “I have been deeply impressed by the excellent leadership of Ms. Boyden for design teams, and good organization skills for class and research. She has discussed with me several times about her thoughts of career paths. She always expresses enthusiasm of applying her knowledge to solve real environment problems…”

Brianna Church

Brianna is a resident of Higganum and a junior at University of Connecticut, majoring in Environmental Engineering. Brianna was a member of a team of interns at the UConn Office of Environmental Policy (OEP). Her Environmental Engineering professor writes, “Over the past two years, I have also seen Brianna continue to excel in her studies, consistently performing at the top of her class, while working 10-12 hours a week this past year as an extremely reliable, diligent and productive OEP intern. What sets Brianna apart, even from the most motivated students, is her thirst for knowledge and willingness to seek new challenges.”

Johnathan Feldman

Johnathan is a resident of Windsor and is entering his senior year at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), majoring in Geology. Johnathan’s Geology professor states, “What sets Johnathan apart from other students is that his service to the Physics and Earth Sciences Department is unparalleled. This past year, Johnathan initiated an effort to bring a chapter of Sigma Gamma Epsilon (SGE), the Earth Sciences Honor Society, to CCSU. He is currently working on a project with Dr. Oyewumi to investigate arsenic contamination in the area of Lebanon, Connecticut.”

Larry Page

Larry is a resident of Northford and is a graduate student at the University of New Haven, pursing a master’s degree in Environmental Science. Larry also works full-time as an environmental consultant at a Connecticut based firm. Larry wrote in his essay, “…my continued studies, which include the pursuit of a Ph.D. in environmental science, will enable me to fulfill my desire to learn about natural processes and to contribute to environmentally sustainable progress.  This type of progress is becoming increasingly important as the population grows and the stresses on the planet’s natural resources rapidly increase.”

Sarah Vitale

Sarah is a resident of Manchester and is in her second year of her PhD Hydrology program at the University of Connecticut. Sarah’s graduate academic advisor states, “Sarah is eager to learn and shows a strong commitment to advancing her education in hydrogeology. In her first year as a Ph.D. student, she has taken initiative in the development and progression of her research. She is further developing a cost effective means of characterizing groundwater flow conditions in bedrock and overburden wells using dissolved oxygen as a tracer.Sarah has demonstrated the leadership and persistence necessary to follow through with challenging projects and build a successful career in the environmental field as a hydrogeologist."

The EPOC Scholarship Fund is financed through the support of EPOC programs, proceeds from golf tournaments, and direct contributions from individuals and companies. EPOC is a non-profit organization, and as such, contributions to the Scholarship Fund are tax deductible for most firms. Unlike many other organizations, 100% of your contributions go in the EPOC Scholarship Fund. A committee of volunteers who support its goals and ideals manages the fund. Anyone needing additional information about the Scholarship Fund or EPOC, please contact Seth Molofsky.