PFAS Workshop: Focus on Idaho

Understanding the Scope and Scale of the Emerging Challenge

August 19, 2020
8:30 am – 12:30 pm MST
An NEBC Virtual Event 

Schedule:

8:30 – 8:45 am  
Introductions 
Gregg Mindt, NEBC / John McCorkle, SLR Consulting 

8:45 – 9:15 am
The Science of PFAS 
John McCorkle, Principal, SLR Consulting 

Mr. McCorkle will review the current state of the science for understanding per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); what they are, why they are a problem, and what makes this problem particularly unique and challenging.  The presentation will include a brief background of the history of PFAS, a discussion of the toxicology of these chemicals, their physical properties and fate-and-transport in the environment, and site characterization approaches and challenges.

9:15 – 9:45 am 
PFAS: Laws & Litigation
Kevin Murray, Holland & Hart 

Operating in a legal arena with fluid or non-existent endpoints can be challenging. PFAS laws and regulations are fluid and developing, risk management decisions related to liability mitigation, site acquisition, legacy site management, and even closed sites raises issues regarding enforcement and litigation. This presentation will highlight these issues and offer a look through a foggy crystal ball.

9:45 – 10:00 am 
Break 

10:00 – 10:30 am 
PFAS Remediation Alternatives  
Eric Buer, Principal, SLR Consulting

Remediation of what the New York Times and Washington Post have called “forever chemicals” is challenging. This presentation will review both established and emerging technologies used to address PFAS in soil and groundwater. 

10:30 – 11:00 am 
The Regulatory Landscape 
Mike Murray, Ph.D., HDR Engineering, Inc. 

Dr. Murray will discuss the current regulatory landscape at the Federal, state, and municipal levels for addressing PFAS in the environment.  He will describe USEPA’s 2019 PFAS Action Plan that is addressing drinking water, cleanup, monitoring, research, enforcement, and risk communication. Next, he will describe how many states and local entities are not waiting on the USEPA and have initiated their own action plans, health advisories, emergency restrictions, and regulations. Finally, he will discuss how this patchwork of state and local actions is complicating PFOS mitigation efforts and what the future may hold for a more unified approach. 

11:00 – 11:10 am 
Quick Stretch Break

11:10 – 11:40 am 
What’s Happening in Idaho: Agency Perspectives 
Panelists include: 

 – Michael McCurdy – Idaho DEQ
 – Christina Boulay – Idaho DEQ Air Quality Division
 – Jerri Henry – Idaho DEQ Drinking Water Protection and Finance Division
 – Mary Anne Nelson – Idaho DEQ Surface and Wastewater Division
 – Dana Swift – Idaho DEQ Waste Management and Remediation Division
 – Morgan Willming – Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Public Health
 – Haley Falconer – City of Boise 

While many of the big PFAS headlines are focused on issues in other states, it is both a national and local issue as PFAS chemicals are so common and problematic.  The state of Idaho and municipalities like the city of Boise are keenly aware of these issues.  This panel will discuss a variety of perspectives from several divisions of Idaho DEQ, as well as the Department of Health and Welfare, and the City of Boise, followed by a focused question-and-answer period. 

11:40 – 11:55 am 
Q&A with Idaho Agencies

11:50 am – 12:15 pm
Q&A with all Speakers 

Thank you to our sponsor!