The YEP study group on the Site Characterization Guidance Document (SCGD) on March 19, 2020 has been canceled. Tim Wasielewski of AEI has graciously offered his presentation on this topic which can be viewed here.

EPOC's Young Environmental Professionals group (YEP) is excited to announce the first study group session for the 2020 exam:

LEP Exam Study Group Session: ELURs

When: Wed, February 26th, 2020, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Where: GZA Conference Room, 95 Glastonbury Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Glastonbury, CT.

For more information and to register, CLICK HERE.

Space is limited and registration is required. This session is available to EPOC members only at no fee.
NOTE: This course does not provide any continuing education credits (CECs) for LEPs.

EPOC's Young Environmental Professions group (YEP) is excited to announce the first study group session for the 2020 exam to be held on Wednesday February 26th, 2020 from 5:45-7:15 p.m. The session will be moderated by Kathie Cyr, Licensed Environmental Professional with GZA, and the focus will be on ELURs. However, Kathie will be available to answer questions on any topic. Light food and drinks will be provided. The session is open to all YEP members at no fee, not just those taking the exam this year! Feel free to come and listen or participate and ask questions.

YEP is co-hosting an event alongside the Environmental Business Council’s newly formed Ascending Professionals Committee on February 20, 2019 at City Steam brewery in Hartford, CT.  The event will feature a panel discussion with three professionals discussing their passion for the environmental industry and the career paths they took that lead them from entry level professionals to leaders in their perspective markets.  Please join us for an evening of networking and discussion with some of the industry’s leading professionals.  Additional details and registration information can be found on the event page.

Many of our YEP members have expressed interest in volunteering to better our communities, and all EPOC are invited to join in this Source to Sea Cleanup.  Please see this flyer from Megan Whitesell of CME Associates who has organized a Source to Sea Cleanup in Colchester, CT on September 29, 2018 from 9am to noon. YEP Event: Source to Sea Cleanup with CME and the CT River Conservancy Location: Jeremy River and Comstock Bridge Parking: 231 River Road, Colchester, CT Date and Time: Sat, September 29, 2018, 9:00 AM To sign-up, please register here: https://www.ctriver.org/our-work/source-to-sea-cleanup/join-a-group/join-a-group-map/entry/1426/?gvid=13377  Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1382408161902728/  For additional information, please email Megan Whitesell at mwhitesell@cmeengineering.com Event Details: CME Associates and the Salmon River Watershed Conservation Group ask for your participation in a park cleanup near the Jeremy River in Colchester, CT . This is no ordinary park cleanup – it is part of a larger effort to clean our CT River and its tributaries. The annual Source to Sea Cleanup, arranged by the CT River Conservancy, involves many organizations in the states of NH, VT, MA, and CT. In 2017, 2,500+ volunteers removed over 46 tons of trash from over 249 miles of river banks and waterways. To give you a sense, 46 tons is equal to 322,000 apples! Bring your family and friends for a lovely time of service and quality time spent together. We welcome people of all ages. There is a task for everyone. In preparation for the cleanup: Bring a water bottle for hydration Bring extra clothes Wear and bring sunscreen Wear and bring bug spray Wear comfortable hiking shoes (bring mud boots if you have them) Wear a long-sleeved shirt Bring a pair of gloves Bring your can-do attitude! Fees: No fee required. This event is open to all interested volunteers. Please register at the above link.

Yearly Review 2016-2017

2017 was another exciting year for YEP.  YEP represents our EPOC Associate level members who make up approximately 50% of our membership.  Thank you to our YEP subcommittee members Jean Vossler, Marlee NajamyWinnick, Dan Preli, Kristen Amodeo, Shannon Spezzano, and Laura Yellen, for their work this past year.

YEP membership is open to all EPOC members at no additional fee. To be included in YEP mailings, login to your EPOC account to view your profile and then check the YEP membership box. For further information about YEP, see our website page www.epoc.org/yep or contact YEP@epoc.org.

Social Networking Events

We enjoyed three social events including some beer testing at Two Roads brewery in Stratford in May 2017. A laboratory tour was hosted by CET Labs (Complete Environmental Testing, Inc.).

Thanks to Jean Vossler of Antea Group for organizing some great the Social and Networking Events for YEP members as well as our April meeting.

LEP Study Events

YEP conducted three review sessions prior to the LEP exam in May. These technical sessions were led by Joy Kloss, Bob Potterton, and Gordon Binkhorst. In addition, a two-part Conceptual Site Modeling technical training session was presented by Gail Batchelder, a technical training session on enhancing natural remedial processes was presented by Karen Kinsella.

Thanks to Marlee NajamyWinnick, Kristen Amodeo, and Shannon Spezzano of GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. for putting together excellent LEP study sessions and Technical events.

Past Events

• Nov 10, 2017: LEP Study Session - Guidance for the LEP Exam Application
  
• Feb 23, 2017: LEP Study Session - NAPL-Specifics and Environmental Fate
  
• Mar 22, 2017: Technical Event - Conceptual Site Modeling Process- Part 1
  
• Apr 12, 2017: Annual Meeting - Stony Creek Brewery, Branford, CT
  
• Apr 26, 2017: Technical Event - Conceptual Site Modeling Process- Part 2
  
• May 3, 2017: LEP Study Session - Hydrology Review
  
• Jun 21, 2017: Bunsen Burners and Beer - Two Roads Brewery, Stratford, CT
  
• Jul 12, 2017: Technical Event - The Biogeochemical Toolbox- Enhancing Natural Remedial Processes
  

Upcoming Events

• Oct 23, 2017: QC and Cocktails with CET Labs - Bridgeport, CT
  
• TBD 2017: Fall Social Event
  
• TBD 2017: LEP Study Session - LEP Exam Application
  
• TBD 2018: LEP Study Session
  
• TBD 2018: LEP Study Session
  
• TBD 2018: Spring Technical Event
  
• TBD 2018: Spring Technical Event 
  

Committee leaders

Lastly, I would like to thank Dan Preli for his service on the YEP committee as a founder and participant, and welcome Bill Burgess from HRP Associates to our team.  We are looking forward to another good year!

Sincerely,

Brian Skelly

YEP committee chair

Annual Meeting recap

Welcome new members and thank you to everyone who stayed thirsty throughout our evening at Stony Creek Brewery in Branford, CT on April 12, 2017. The turnout was great with over 30 people in attendance. The attendance sheet really shows how important it is to set up functions in the southern half of CT and capture the new and returning associate members.

To recap for our northern YEP members and to folks who couldn't attend, the evening started with a social hour out at the deck overlooking the water and grounds of a former Brownfields Site - turned brewery! We met new members and even recruited some for our leadership team! The YEP group meeting was supported by our evening sponsors who shared their interests and network with us.  Thanks to Complete Environmental Testing, Cisco Environmental and Cisco Geotechnical, Con-Test Analytical Laboratory, and Rigsby Search Group for sponsoring the event! After tasting the local brews and enjoying the spread (really good soft pretzels) the Leadership Committee reviewed the efforts and accomplishments from the past year.

I must say we really have come a long way from starting off with just an idea, jump-started by Brian and Dan, to launching a full LEP Exam Prep series led by Marlee, Technical Seminars tailored for YEP associates such as the CSM courses, and Socials/Networking events led by Jean.

We will continue to listen and respond to the needs of our associate members whether you are just starting out, curious and looking to network, or inches away from opening the books for the LEP Exam. We are here for you and we want to see you and the environmental industry flourish with success!

YEP members: Discussing the future of YEP with upcoming technical events, social events, and opening up to ideas from the our members.

YEP leaders: YEP Technical Events Chairperson Marlee NajamyWinnick, YEP Chairperson Brian Skelly, Social Events Chairperson Jean Vossler, Treasurer Laura Yellen, and Vice Chairperson Dan Preli (holding the camera and taking the photo).

The view: The view from the porch outside our meeting balcony at Stony Creek Brewery.

Technical Event recap

YEP hosted a technical event Conceptual Site Modeling - Part 1 on March 22, 2017, led by LEP Dr. Gail Batchelder of HRP Associates. Gail led the group of 33 participants through a 45 minute slide show, and then broke out into work groups of 11 participants to review 3 case studies that were led by LEPs Tim Whiting, Kathie Cyr, and Phil Warner.

YEP will host the second part of this technical event Conceptual Site Modeling - Part 2 on April 26, 2017.

YEP Technical Event: Conceptual Site Modeling Process - Part 1
Location: HRP Associates, Inc., 197 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT
Date: Wed, March 22, 2017, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

For further information and to register (required) see: YEP Technical Event: Conceptual Site Modeling Process - Part 1

NOTE: This course does not provide any continuing education credits (CECs) for LEPs.

Course Fees:

YEP Members: $10, Non-members: $20, Gov’t Employee/Students: $10. Dinner included. 

Not a YEP member yet? YEP membership is included with your EPOC dues. We encourage all young environmental professionals to join! For further information about YEP and how to join, see: www.epoc.org/yep.

Course Review:

This two-hour course presents information on conceptual site modeling as related to environmental consulting in Connecticut. This course emphasizes analysis of case studies in break-out sessions. The focus will be on:

• An introduction to the conceptual site modeling process
• Using conceptual site modeling as a tool for effective site characterization
• A brief introduction to Data Quality Objectives

After the lecture, we will break into groups led by LEP facilitators to go over several case studies to emphasize what was presented in the lecture. Hand-outs will be given to help guide the group discussion.

Seminar Agenda:

• 5:30-6:15: CSM Lecture
• 6:15-7:00: Breakout sessions led by LEP facilitators
• 7:00-7:30: Reconvene to discuss case studies as a group and introduce the case study for Part 2, Integrating Data Quality Objectives into the Conceptual Site Modeling Process.

Instructor Bio:

Gail L. Batchelder, Ph.D., P.G., L.E.P

Dr. Gail Batchelder, Technical Director at HRP Associates, Inc. in Farmington, Connecticut, has been actively involved in the direction and review of subsurface investigations and development of conceptual models of site-specific contaminant fate and transport for a variety of contaminants and hydrogeologic settings for nearly 30 years. She is a Licensed Environmental Professional in Connecticut and is licensed as a Professional Geologist in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire. Currently, she serves on the Board of Registration for Licensed Site Professionals in Massachusetts.

Since 1999, Dr. Batchelder has been actively involved in the development and presentation of several seminars for EPOC, SWEP-CT, and the LSP Association on the use of conceptual site modeling and the data quality objectives process as an integral component of investigation and remediation projects. She has also presented two-day training on the subject to Connecticut DEEP staff, and in 2015, presented an updated CSM course for LEPs through EPOC.

Dr. Batchelder received her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in geology from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She holds an undergraduate degree in French from Tufts University.

LEP Study Session recap

YEP hosted another LEP study group session on LNAPL and DNAPL on February 23, 2017, led by LEP Dr. Gordon Binkhorst of ALTA Environmental Corp. Gordon led the group through technical details of NAPLs and how they move through the environment. In addition, Gordon went over what the RSRs say about NAPLs. The study group was well attended and everyone seemed to learn something new! The slides that Gordon presented can be found here:

NAPLs.pdf - slides courtesy of Gordon Binkhorst of ALTA Environmental, Corp.

YEP Membership Meeting
Location: Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Ave., Branford, CT
Date: Wednesday April 12, 2017, 5:00 PM (NEW DATE)

For further information and to register, see: YEP Annual Membership Meeting at Stony Creek Brewery

Event Details:

YEP Annual Membership Meeting
Wed, April 12, 2017, 5:00 PM ~ 8:00 PM
Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Ave., Branford, CT

Google Map Location

This event is open to all YEP members and registration is required to attend. YEP will be providing one free beverage and appetizers!  A registration fee of $20 is required for this event.

Not a YEP member yet? YEP membership is included with your EPOC dues. We encourage all young environmental professionals to join! For further information about YEP and how to join, see: www.epoc.org/yep.

Seeking Sponsors - Please support 

We are seeking sponsors to support this event. You will be recognized (and cheered!) at the event and included on promotional materials. You can sign-up as a sponsor on the event registration page. Sponsor fee is $200.

YEP Annual Membership Meeting

Young Environmental Professionals (YEP) is a group open to all EPOC members (no additional fee) 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.

At this meeting, we will briefly discuss the following:

• Review what we accomplished in 2016.
• Provide some information on educational courses and social events that are already in the works for 2017.
• Survey the group about what sort of events they would like to see in the future.

We encourage YEP members to participate in this event to help shape our 2017 activities.

About Stony Creek Brewery

Stony Creek Brewery believes this is the time for Connecticut craft beer. And our small, ambitious team is doing their part to contribute creative, high-quality beers that inspire people across the region, and invest in a bright future for the state.

Our modern brewery is a sight to be seen, with a stunning indoor/outdoor taproom, game pit, dock access, and a first-hand look at our canning and bottling lines right from the taproom.