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Stephen W. Chu, PWS, is a senior ecologist at Arcadis U.S., Inc. with over 17 years of experience managing and completing complex ecology-related projects for both public- and private-sector clients in transportation, oil and gas, renewable energy, and commercial/residential development. He is a professional wetland scientist, a certified senior ecologist with the Ecological Society of America, and a certified arborist, and he is recognized as an assured wetland delineator with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Mr. Chu’s areas of expertise include wetland delineation, wetland mitigation design, wetland restoration, wetland and native area monitoring, habitat surveys, tree surveys, threatened and endangered species surveys, environmental permitting, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) environmental documentation. He has extensive experience with fieldwork and permitting projects throughout the Midwest. Mr. Chu also serves on the Society of Wetland Scientist Professional Certification Program Review Panel.

Brielle Cummings, USACE, has worked with the Chicago District Regulatory Branch for three years, serving as the primary project manager for McHenry and DuPage Counties in Illinois. She holds a BS degree in Biology with GIS Technology Certification from University Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and an MPA degree in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University-Bloomington. During her three years in Chicago, Ms. Cummings has reviewed and issued 444 permits, and has finalized 634 actions across all counties of the district, including Indiana. Ms. Cummings also serves as a geospatial technology point-of-contact for the Regulatory Branch and a member of the national USACE GIS emergency response team.

Alicia Dodd is Fremont Township’s recently-appointed Highway Commissioner. Ms. Dodd is known for her creative problem solving, community education and resource management. Her involvement with Fremont Township started in 2014 with the creation of a volunteer community garden built on permaculture principles. Ms. Dodd’s role on the Parks Committee resulted in converting numerous problem areas to native plants and reducing routine maintenance by using no-mow fescues. With the help of Dave Eubanks, Fremont was awarded a ComEd Green Regions Grant to transform their administrative property to an Environmental Campus, showcasing native landscaping and green infrastructure for stormwater management. Her involvement with the Highway Department has included erosion control, stream bank restoration, tackling invasive and aggressive species, responsible use of salt in winter operations, and public education on native plants for improving water quality and stormwater management.

David M. Eubanks is an ecologist and environmental planner with his own consulting practice based on 30 years of professional experience in the civic and public sectors. Since 1997, Mr. Eubanks founded and built a successful ecological restoration and consulting firm that focuses on native landscape design and shoreline erosion control using bioengineered plant solutions. In 1997 through 2000, he served as the consulting aquatic curator to launch the Aquatic Initiative for the Chicago Botanic Garden, a major effort to improve and stabilize water quality, shoreline, and aquatic plant collection. Mr. Eubanks has led numerous ecosystem projects, working with hundreds of clients across 500 acres of land and lakes owned by homeowners, government, civic land trusts, private institutions, corporations, homeowner associations and private estates. He has facilitated some major planning/restoration efforts.

Applied Ecological Services, Inc., Brodhead, WI
Mr. Larson is a principal ecologist at Applied Ecological Services (AES) and a certified senior ecologist with the Ecological Society of America. During his 28-year tenure at AES, he has focused on wetland restoration and design, wetland construction and construction oversight, and vegetation/hydrology monitoring of mitigation sites. His experience at AES includes acting as project ecologist for The Nature Conservancy’s 7,200-acre Kankakee Sands wetland and prairie restoration in Indiana and a 575-acre wetland restoration project in Seneca Falls, New York. He has also been involved in over two dozen wetland mitigation banks in the Midwest, has recently permitted a wetland mitigation bank in Iowa and is currently preparing a mitigation banking instrument for a site in Wisconsin. Dr. Larson has been a lead scientist at AES in the ecological monitoring of hundreds of wetland restoration and mitigation projects. Additional areas of expertise include ecological restoration and management planning and design, environmental review documents, floristic analysis, land cover-type mapping, threatened and endangered species investigations, and stormwater management design for flood control and water quality. He has also completed over 300 wetland delineations throughout the Midwest. 

Michael Machalek, USACE, has worked for the Chicago District Regulatory Branch for 28 years, serving as the senior enforcement officer. Working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Machalek has accumulated approximately $25 million in civil penalties throughout his career, and has a 100 percent conviction rate when going to trial. The bulk of the money received has gone to fund the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Foundation’s Wetland Conservation Account, as well as help other non-profit agencies such as the McHenry County Conservation District and the Openlands Project to acquire property and restore natural areas. He was also the team leader on all of the field testing for the Midwest Supplement for the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual in our region, and he helped write the manual with the national team. Mr. Machalek also serves as the local expert for Jurisdictional Determinations within the Chicago District

Mr. Sliwinski, MS, CPESC, is a senior environmental resource specialist/senior wildlife biologist at Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. Mr. Sliwinski has 28 years of experience, of which 23 years has been with the Environmental Resources Department at CBBEL completing wildlife related projects that include endangered species studies, fish and wildlife surveys, wetland and natural area restoration, controlled burns and airport wildlife hazard assessments/plans/training in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. He has worked on projects such as Baker’s Lake Heronry Restoration in Barrington, Illinois; Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary in Evanston, Illinois; and Tyler Creek Stream Relocation projects in Elgin, Illinois. Additionally, Mr. Sliwinski is on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Association of Environmental Professionals and is adjunct faculty at DePaul University in Lincoln Park Chicago teaching bird identification and aquatic fauna classes.

Hershner Hunter, LLP, EugeneMr. Gelardi is an attorney with Hershner Hunter, LLP. His work focuses on agribusiness, land use and natural resources law. Mr. Gelardi advises business throughout Oregon and Washington on real estate transactions and land development issues, including water rights and environmental matters. He has helped shape Oregon land use law regarding commercial activities on farm and forest lands, and he resolves disputes between landowners. Mr. Gelardi is a graduate of Macalester College and the University of Washington School of Law. He has been named an “Oregon Rising Star” by Thomson Reuters and an “Up and Coming Lawyer” in Oregon by the Daily Journal of Commerce.

Ms. Liljefelt is a partner and the managing attorney at Schroeder Law Offices’ Portland, Oregon office. She joined Schroeder Law Offices in 2009 and graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School with an Environmental & Natural Resources certificate. Ms. Liljefelt represents water users in the West, focusing her practice on water rights review, evaluation, due diligence, permitting, transfer, forfeiture and cancellation, water-related real property and public lands issues and disputes, administrative contested cases, and state and federal litigation. She is licensed to practice law in Oregon, California, and Utah. Ms. Liljefelt is the chair of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association’s Water Resources Committee, the former chair of the Oregon State Bar’s Environmental & Natural Resources Section’s executive committee, and serves on the Bar’s Agricultural Law Section executive committee. She enjoys cooking, kayaking, and camping with her family, and competitively races outrigger canoes with the Mountain Home Canoe Club.

Ecology and Environment, Inc., PortlandMr. Mazer is a professional wetland scientist (PWS) with over 20 years of experience evaluating and managing aquatic resources for both public and private clients. A seasoned field scientist, he has conducted innumerable wetland delineations, functions assessments, and stream surveys, as well as other ecological evaluations including rare plant surveys, avian surveys, and watershed assessments. Mr. Mazer is well versed in wetland and stream habitat improvement. Prior to joining E&E, he was a regulatory project manager for the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Division, where he managed dozens of Clean Water Act Section 404 permits, planned and designed several wetland and stream rehabilitation projects, and annually taught a delineation/jurisdictional determination class specific to Alaska.

WHPacific, Inc., PortlandMr. Quarterman has 39 years of experience in natural resource planning and management with special emphasis on wetland science. With an education background in land use planning and environmental science, he has created a career focusing on wetlands, with a special interest in estuarine systems and wetland plant communities. Mr. Quartermanhas performed over 110 delineations in the western United States and Alaska, including preparation of reports andsubmittal for concurrence on a variety of sites up to 4,800 acres. He has prepared joint federal/state wetland permit applications, and obtained permits for over 70 projects (energy, transportation, commercial) of different scales.Mr. Quarterman has performed wetland functional assessments using a variety of methodologies on 12 projects. He also worked with the Oregon DSL as part of a team developing the Oregon HGM (hydrogeomorphic) wetland functional assessment methodology. Mr. Quarterman has prepared 44 wetland mitigation plans, 39 of which were implemented and 22 of which were monitored throughout construction. He has managed multiple resource inventory projects, rare plant surveys, complex vegetation mapping, and remote field studies in a variety of ecosystems.

Fausone Bohn, LLP, NorthvilleMr. Bohn is a leading practitioner in urban redevelopment, brownfield development, environmental regulatory matters, land use and construction litigation. He also provides advice to municipal governments on various land use and redevelopment projects. Mr. Bohn started Fausone Bohn in 1995. He is a 1988 graduate of the University of Oregon Law School, where he obtained a Certificate of Completion for Environmental Law Curriculum, and received his (B.G.S.) undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources, awarded in 1985. He is a former chair of the Michigan Bar’s Natural Resources and Wetlands Committee; and a member of the Environmental Council and National Brownfields Association.

Ms. Herrera is an aquatic biologist with over eight years of experience in natural resource assessment, including wetland delineations, environmental permitting, stream assessments, mussel/macroinvertebrate surveys and identification, and threatened and endangered species surveys. She graduated with a B.S. degree in Biology and Program in the Environment (PitE) from the University of Michigan and an M.S. degree in Water Resource Science from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Ms. Herrera recently moved back to the mitten to work for Holland Engineering’s Environmental Group. She holds a USFWS permit to survey and handle federally listed mussel species. Her favorite mussels are the spectaclecase and snuffbox.

GEI Consultants of Michigan, P.C. – Allendale
Brian Majka is a professional restoration ecologist at GEI Consultants of Michigan, P.C., in Allendale. He has extensive experience in ecological restoration, design and implementation of wetland construction, soft shoreline engineering, prairie planting, natural areas management and best management practice (BMP) design projects with more than 19 years of experience throughout the country. He has a B.S. degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from Purdue University and is responsible for project management of ecological restoration design and implementation projects for GEI.

Dickinson Wright, PLLC – Grand Rapids
Mr. Stoepker practices in the areas of real estate, construction, and commercial and business litigation. He is experienced in real estate development and litigation; woodlands, wetlands, land use, and zoning; condemnations; drafting of construction contracts; and litigation and arbitration of construction disputes. Author of several articles on land use issues, Mr. Stoepker is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the American Bar Association. He is a former member of the American Arbitration Association’s Construction Section Advisory Board.

Founder of Needham Environmental, Inc., Winnabow, NCMr. Needham opened his wetland consulting firm in 1989. The firm has performed wetland delineations in North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Alabama and the District of Columbia. Work has been primarily in the east where large wetland acreage and developmental pressure coincide. Determinations have ranged from lots to 2000 plus acres. The firm has successfully provided expert witnesses regarding wetlands. Mr. Needham has demonstrated a knowledge of regulations, policy guidance, and technical expertise applicable to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. During his nine years of employment in the Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program, Mr. Needham was responsible for enforcement actions of Section 404 violations. This included wetland delineation, coordination with agencies, and the development of restoration/mitigation plans. His technical knowledge of wetlands and vegetation succession, coupled with his common sense approach, resulted in an exceptionally high ratio of resolved cases without litigation. A portion of his duty in the Alaska District involved the review of technical work of three biologists, and he provided multiparameter wetland training to 20 Alaska District regulatory personnel. In addition to his Corps experience, Mr. Needham’s years of association with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington have added to his scientific knowledge, particularly his knowledge of vegetative communities. His graduate work, comparing bird populations among three forest swamps, was related to changes in vegetation as a result of flooding frequency. His wetland mapping experience, with the Corps and under contract with the Corps, exceeds 1600 square miles. With this experience, he has become adept at recognizing long term changes in vegetative communities in relation to hydrologic changes. Mr. Needham received a B.S. degree (emphasis in Ecology) and an M.S. degree (emphasis in Wetlands) from the University of North Carolina- Wilmington. He is a certified wetland professional with the Society of Wetland Scientists.

Mr. Dilley earned a B.S. in Natural Resources (Fisheries Management) in 1991 and a M.S. in Environmental Science (specializing in wetlands) in 2003, both from The Ohio State University. He and his wife Christine are co-owners of a WBE, WOSB, and EDGE-certified environmental consulting firm, MAD Scientist Associates, specializing in ecological and wetland consulting. Mr. Dilley has over 22 years’ experience as a field biologist, ecologist, and wetland scientist. He is an EPA-certified Level 3 Qualified Data Collector (QDC) for fish and habitat studies in Ohio, a Certified Senior Ecologist with the Ecological Society of America, and a Professional Wetland Scientist with the Society of Wetland Scientist. Mr. Dilley has conducted ecological surveys in over 11 states, at a variety of sites, including Department of Energy, NASA, and U.S. military facilities, landfills, and industrial sites.

Frost Brown Todd, LLC, ColumbusMr. Reed is a partner with the environmental practice group of Frost Brown Todd, LLC. Mr. Reed advises clients on issues of environmental compliance, and defends companies against environmental enforcement activities initiated by Ohio or U.S. EPA. Mr. Reed represents small and large real estate developers on wetland issues. He also represents cities, townships, counties, and port authorities. Mr. Reed handles litigation before state and federal courts and before the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, and he handles administrative appeals. He handles issues including wetland delineation, jurisdictional determination, after-the-fact wetland permits, mitigation, combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and compliance with the standards in a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and both construction and industrial stormwater requirements. Prior to entering private practice,Mr. Reed served in public service under two governors, and then for eight years as an assistant attorney general where he was the chief of three sections responsible for representing Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Transportation, the Ohio Rail Development Commission, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations. Mr. Reed obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors from The Ohio State University, and a Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School where he served on the law review. He is admitted before Ohio Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the N.D. and S.D. of Ohio, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for Washington, D.C., and the United States Supreme Court. He was named by Business First as one of Columbus’ “Forty Under 40” and has been named a “Rising Star” in Ohio Super Lawyers and Cincinnati magazines.

MAD Scientist Associates, LLC, WestervilleMs. Skapof received her B.S.degree in Environment and Natural Resources with a specialization in Environmental Education from The Ohio State University. She was a former Naturalist with Columbus Metro Parks and has extensive experience with surface water and permitting including Section 401/404 Permitting, NPDES permitting as well as Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) and Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan compilation. She is also a Level 2 Qualified Data Collector specializing in Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assessment and is ORAM trained. She utilizes her diverse background to not only assist clients with interpreting the complexities of environmental regulations, but to also assist area schools and educational programs with incorporating environmental education into their lesson planning.

Mr. Strain has over 30 years of experience with all aspects of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance including preparation of environmental assessments (EA), environmental impact statements (EIS), categorical exclusions (CE) and other NEPA documentation, baseline biological assessments, and habitat evaluation procedure (HEP) analyses; threatened and endangered species surveys and critical habitat assessments; wetland and stream evaluations; cultural resource investigations; and vegetative community surveys. Mr. Strain’s particular expertise is in wetland science; including delineation, creation, and restoration of wetlands for mitigation and wildlife habitat; Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 and 401 permitting; and design of constructed wetland treatment systems.

Director of Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Ms. Richardson became the Director of Southern Maine Regional Office in Portland in 2016. She has been with the Department since the early 1990’s, working mostly within the Bureau of Land Resources as project manager and then the Licensing and Compliance manager, where she managed programs administering the Site Location of Development Act, the Stormwater Law and the Natural Resources Protection Act. Ms. Richardson has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Rutgers University.

Mr. Schweisberg provides policy, regulatory and technical advice and assistance for clients seeking to navigate a wide range of regulatory and non-regulatory issues related to wetlands and other aquatic resources. He works throughout the U.S. Mr. Schweisberg is a Professional Wetland Scientist under the Professional Certification Program of the Society of Wetland Scientists. He is a retired federal wetlands ecologist and wildlife biologist who spent over 32 years with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency at its headquarters office in Washington, D.C., and at the New England Region office in Boston. Mr. Schweisberg served as chief of the New England Region’s Wetlands Protection Program, as senior wetland ecologist, and on national work groups developing guidance and regulations on Clean Water Act jurisdiction, among other issues. He has testified before federal grand juries and has served several times as an expert witness in federal, state, and private litigation. Mr. Schweisberg has taught courses in wetland regulation, restoration, and creation; wetland ecology; and wetland identification and delineation for federal and state agencies, academic organizations, and environmental consultants. He received his degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Maine.

Project Manager, New England District, Maine Project Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Peter Tischbein obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Susquehanna University and subsequently obtained a master’s degree in Environmental Science from Rutgers University in 1983. He was hired as a civilian employee for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, Manhattan and became supervisor of the New York Harbor. While working in Manhattan, he obtained his MBA degree from Pace University. Mr. Tischbein moved to Maine in 1989 and worked for 14 years for various Maine engineering and environmental consulting firms. In 2003, he rejoined the Corps, New England District. He serves Knox and Lincoln counties. 

Mr. Dilley earned a B.S. in Natural Resources (Fisheries Management) in 1991 and a M.S. in Environmental Science (specializing in wetlands) in 2003, both from The Ohio State University. He and his wife Christine are co-owners of a WBE, WOSB, and EDGE-certified environmental consulting firm, MAD Scientist Associates, specializing in ecological and wetland consulting. Mr. Dilley has over 22 years’ experience as a field biologist, ecologist, and wetland scientist. He is an EPA-certified Level 3 Qualified Data Collector (QDC) for fish and habitat studies in Ohio, a Certified Senior Ecologist with the Ecological Society of America, and a Professional Wetland Scientist with the Society of Wetland Scientist. Mr. Dilley has conducted ecological surveys in over 11 states, at a variety of sites, including Department of Energy, NASA, and U.S. military facilities, landfills, and industrial sites.

McKinney & Namei, Cincinnati
Mr. Eisenlohr is a litigation associate at McKinney & Namei. Prior to joining the firm, he was assistant city attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, where he served as the city’s legal counsel for its Wetlands Board, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Board, Green Ribbon Committee, Bayfront Advisory Committee, and Housing Advisory Board. In this capacity, he worked on permit applications for private development in environmentally sensitive areas, representing the public interest. Mr. Eisenlohr holds a J.D. degree from William & Mary Law School and graduated magna cum laude from Ohio State University with a B.A. degree in Political Science.

Mr. Strain has over 30 years of experience with all aspects of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance including preparation of environmental assessments (EA), environmental impact statements (EIS), categorical exclusions (CE) and other NEPA documentation, baseline biological assessments, and habitat evaluation procedure (HEP) analyses; threatened and endangered species surveys and critical habitat assessments; wetland and stream evaluations; cultural resource investigations; and vegetative community surveys. Mr. Strain’s particular expertise is in wetland science; including delineation, creation, and restoration of wetlands for mitigation and wildlife habitat; Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 and 401 permitting; and design of constructed wetland treatment systems.

Mr. Schweisberg provides policy, regulatory and technical advice and assistance for clients seeking to navigate a wide range of regulatory and non-regulatory issues related to wetlands and other aquatic resources. He works throughout the U.S. Mr. Schweisberg is a Professional Wetland Scientist under the Professional Certification Program of the Society of Wetland Scientists. He is a retired federal wetlands ecologist and wildlife biologist who spent over 32 years with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency at its headquarters office in Washington, D.C., and at the New England Region office in Boston. Mr. Schweisberg served as chief of the New England Region’s Wetlands Protection Program, as senior wetland ecologist, and on national work groups developing guidance and regulations on Clean Water Act jurisdiction, among other issues. He has testified before federal grand juries and has served several times as an expert witness in federal, state, and private litigation. Mr. Schweisberg has taught courses in wetland regulation, restoration, and creation; wetland ecology; and wetland identification and delineation for federal and state agencies, academic organizations, and environmental consultants. He received his degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Maine.

Wetlands Bureau of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Ms. Tilton has worked at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services for more than 30 years, and currently serves as the Assistant Administrator for the Wetlands Bureau. She led an effort to rewrite coastal and inland state rules, the first rewrite since 1991. The rules were the result of a multi-year initiative to incorporate best available science, increase consistency, and streamline processes. She also has organized and led multiple internal work groups, 40 public meetings, many drafts, and thousands of responses to comments, in addition to her “regular” work supervising staff, putting in place wetland program plans and grant proposals, and overseeing wetlands permit activities. She has a B.A. degree in Botany and Zoology from Connecticut College, a M.S. degree in Zoology from the University of Rhode Island, and a J.D. degree from the UNH Law School.

Mr. Dilley earned a B.S. in Natural Resources (Fisheries Management) in 1991 and a M.S. in Environmental Science (specializing in wetlands) in 2003, both from The Ohio State University. He and his wife Christine are co-owners of a WBE, WOSB, and EDGE-certified environmental consulting firm, MAD Scientist Associates, specializing in ecological and wetland consulting. Mr. Dilley has over 22 years’ experience as a field biologist, ecologist, and wetland scientist. He is an EPA-certified Level 3 Qualified Data Collector (QDC) for fish and habitat studies in Ohio, a Certified Senior Ecologist with the Ecological Society of America, and a Professional Wetland Scientist with the Society of Wetland Scientist. Mr. Dilley has conducted ecological surveys in over 11 states, at a variety of sites, including Department of Energy, NASA, and U.S. military facilities, landfills, and industrial sites.

John A. Heer Supervising Attorney at Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services in Cleveland, OH 
Mr. Heer has almost 30 years of experience practicing litigation, transactional, regulatory and environmental law, including experience with traditional environmental issues relating to the Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, the Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), brownfields, wetlands and stormwater. He also has experience across North America with sustainability and chemical management. He is also a certified ISO 14001:2004 EHS auditor. Mr. Heer earned his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he earned the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Excellence in Advocacy Award on the National Mock Trial team. He received a B.A. degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Indiana University. 

Land Solutions, LLC
Ms. Paschke is a principal at Land Solutions, LLC with a focus on environmental resource studies and permitting related to a variety of land development transportation, and infrastructure projects. Ms. Paschke is a senior environmental scientist with a demonstrated history of working in the environmental consulting industry. Skilled in water resource management, environmental awareness, stream restoration, wetlands, permitting and regulatory compliance and NEPA. Ms. Paschke is a strong technical and research professional with a masters of education (M.Ed.) degree focused in Natural Resources Conservation and Research from Gannon University.

Mr. Strain has over 30 years of experience with all aspects of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance including preparation of environmental assessments (EA), environmental impact statements (EIS), categorical exclusions (CE) and other NEPA documentation, baseline biological assessments, and habitat evaluation procedure (HEP) analyses; threatened and endangered species surveys and critical habitat assessments; wetland and stream evaluations; cultural resource investigations; and vegetative community surveys. Mr. Strain’s particular expertise is in wetland science; including delineation, creation, and restoration of wetlands for mitigation and wildlife habitat; Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 and 401 permitting; and design of constructed wetland treatment systems.

Babst CallandMs. Baldwin is an associate in the Environmental and Energy and Natural Resources Groups of Babst Calland in its Pittsburgh office. She assists clients in a variety of industrial sectors with a broad range of environmental matters, including issues related to federal and state permitting and regulatory compliance. Ms. Baldwin graduated magna cum laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo, earning a B.S. degree in Environmental Studies with a focus on environmental policy and management. Ms. Baldwin earned her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, with a concentration in Energy & Environmental Law.

Beran Environmental Services, Inc.Mr. Beran in the founder and president of Beran Environmental Services, Inc., and he has been active professionally in ecological restoration for over 35 years. He has worked for the private sector, state and federal agencies, and non-profits, having constructed/restored over 50 acres of wetlands. Mr. Beran is a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals, the Association of State Wetland Managers, The American Society of Mining and Reclamation, and the Society of Wetland Scientists. With an extensive background in construction, heavy equipment, project management, and ecology, he has constructed mitigation and abandoned mine drainage treatment wetlands, implemented numerous bioengineering projects, and been involved in over 25 dam removal projects throughout Pennsylvania. Mr. Beran served as an instructor for the University of Pittsburgh’s Pymatuning Ecology Lab’s summer Ecological Restoration class (2002-05). He has provided training for PADOT environmental managers on wetland construction. Mr. Beran has coordinated several volunteer efforts that have resulted in the implementation of long term volunteer commitments to numerous restoration projects throughout Pennsylvania. He is currently a USDA Forest Service Forest Stewardship Plan Writer, chairman of Butler County’s Environmental Advisory Board, and serves on the academic curriculum advisory board for Slippery Rock University’s Environmental Science Department.

SWCA Environmental ConsultantsMs. Riley is a professional wetland scientist and certified environmental planner with over 32 years of experience delineating and monitoring tidal and non-tidal wetlands, assessing habitats, and preparing environmental reports, particularly in the mid-Atlantic states. She evaluates development projects for environmental concerns and regulatory requirements, and guides clients through the approval process. Ms. Riley holds a B.S. degree in Biology/Environmental Science from East Stroudsburg University and an M.S. degree in Ecology from Rutgers University.

Babst CallandMr. Steinbauer is an associate in the Environmental Group of Babst Calland in its Pittsburgh office. He has experience with a broad range of environmental regulatory programs and assists clients on a variety of environmental matters. Prior to joining Babst Calland, Mr. Steinbauer spent nearly eight years working as an attorney in Region 5 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. While at the U.S. EPA, he handled civil enforcement matters brought under major federal environmental laws, including administrative and judicial enforcement actions involving wetlands under the Clean Water Act. Mr. Steinbauer also advised EPA regional program offices on complex permitting matters, including those arising under Clean Water Act’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program. Mr. Steinbauer graduated magna cum laude and with a concentration in environmental law from the University of Toledo College of Law and earned a B.S. degree in Environmental Biology from Ohio University. He began his legal career by serving as a law clerk for a federal district court judge.

Attorney with Clark Hill in Washington, D.C.Ms. Bennett is a member in the firm’s Environment, Energy & Natural Resources practice group. She represents clients on environmental and administrative law matters, focusing primarily on permitting, compliance, litigation and legislative and regulatory policy under the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Ms. Bennett has also guided clients through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cost recovery actions and appeals. She is recognized as a skilled strategist, with expertise in obtaining federal approvals for complex projects that face multi-front regulatory hurdles and public scrutiny, with special emphasis on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Prior to entering private practice, Ms. Bennett was vice president for Environmental Affairs at the National Mining Association (NMA), the Washington, D.C.- based trade association that represents the coal and hardrock mining industry before Congress, the Administration, and regulatory agencies. Ms. Bennett earned her JD degree from the University of Denver, College of Law, where she was the editor of the Water Court Reporter, and is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia.

Avi M. Sareen, President/Principal, TNT Environmental, Inc. 
Mr. Sareen is president and principal wetland scientist with TNT Environmental, Inc., a leading wetland and natural resource consulting firm in Northern Virginia. He is a Virginia certified professional wetland delineator, professional wetland scientist, certified arborist, and certified ecologist. Mr. Sareen’s firm is multi-disciplined, specializing in fields of wetland science, regulatory consulting, biology, ecology, botany, forest ecology and arboriculture. Mr. Sareen earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and Ecology Concentration from Virgina Polytechnic Institute and State University. He studied Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology at Frostburg State University.