Panel Overview:

CSN will synthesize what the four expert groups accomplished with the stream restoration protocols over the last two years. Next, an all-star panel of noted practitioners and researchers will discuss what unfinished business needs to done to effectively implement the protocols in the coming years.

These include new regional BANCS curves, better floodplain models, improved functional uplift metrics, more outreach and training and critical stream science needs. In addition, the panel will be asked how to make our stream restoration practices more resilient to extreme rainfall. The audience will get their chance to chime in on their priorities.

Speaker Bios:

Rich Starr

EPR

Mr. Starr has over 30 years of experience in watershed and stream assessment, planning and restoration. Currently he is the Office Manager for the EPR Baltimore Office where he is responsible for managing all aspects associated with budgets, workload, staff performance, product quality assurance, and office growth and development. He has led comprehensive and critical studies for major watershed-based ecosystem restoration projects and water resources development projects. He has extensive experience in project planning including developing project goals and objectives, identifying significant issues and project effects, developing project plan alternatives, and leading plan formulation and selection. He has developed, designed, and monitored plans for wildlife and fisheries habitat enhancement projects, stream restoration projects, stormwater management, TMDL reduction projects, and floodplain management projects. He has conducted numerous geomorphic watershed and stream assessments; implemented stream restoration and fish passage projects; provided construction oversight, developed stream assessment protocols and tools; produced technical and planning documents; and developed training courses on functional-based stream assessment and restoration.

Prior to EPR, Mr. Starr worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 16 years. As Chief of the Habitat Restoration Division, Chesapeake Bay Field Office, his responsibilities included leading and managing the Stream Habitat Assessment and Restoration Team, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, and the Schoolyard Habitats Program. Before the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mr. Starr worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District for nine years where he led complex water resources development projects.

Josh Running

Stantec

Josh Running is the National Technical Lead for Ecosystems Restoration and a Senior Associate for Stantec.  He has been working in consulting for over 20 years, and in the stream restoration and related fields for 17 years.  He received his BS in Watershed Management, with a Minor in Soil Science, from UW – Stevens Point.  He lives in Williamsburg, VA with his wife, Amanda, sons (Porter and Sullivan), dogs (Casey & Fred) and cats (Eve and Wall-e).  He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys a cold beer from time to time….and time to time.

Drew Altland

RK&K

Drew Altland is a Senior Manager of Water Resources with Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP (RK&K) and a professional engineer with 28 years of experience throughout the Eastern USA.  He specializes in stream and wetland assessment, eco-restoration design, watershed and floodplain studies, geomorphic assessments, hydrologic, hydraulic and sediment transport analysis, 2D hydrodynamic modeling, stormwater and drainage design, environmental permitting, and construction management services. Drew has served on multiple expert panels and technical committees focused on stream restoration, legacy sediment impacts, and sediment/nutrient crediting of restoration practices. He has a B.S. in Civil Engineering with a water resources focus from the Pennsylvania State University and is a registered professional engineer in PA, MD, NC, TN, GA, TX, and the District of Columbia.

Paul Mayer

U.S. EPA

Paul Mayer is a Research Ecologist with the USEPA/ORD, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment in Corvallis, Oregon.  Paul’s research interests are in stream restoration and ground water ecology with special focus on how ecosystem restoration, green infrastructure, and stormwater management can improve water quality.  Paul has worked with numerous talented research collaborators in the Chesapeake Bay area since 2001.  Paul received a BS from North Dakota State University, MS from University of Missouri, and PhD from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.  He has been employed by the USEPA since 1998.

Neely Law

Fairfax County

Neely L. Law, PhD, is a Water Resources Project Manage/Engineer with Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Stormwater Planning Division and Co-Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Program Stream Health Work Group. Neely oversees the complete design and project management of water restoration projects. She has participated in a number of Expert Panels as a participant and coordinator with the most recently completed “Non-Tidal Wetland Creation, Rehabilitation and Enhancement”. One of her most meaningful accomplishments was the lead development of a green jobs training program for under- and unemployed adults with the Center for Watershed Protection. Please join Neely as she embraces the need to restore healthy watersheds and streams in her work through inter -agency coordination, information management and facilitation with stakeholders.

David Wood

CSN

David Wood is the Stormwater Coordinator for the Chesapeake Stormwater Network, where he develops training programs and technical resources for a network of over 11,000 stormwater professionals from across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. David also serves as the Coordinator for the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Urban Stormwater Workgroup. David has worked on nearly a dozen BMP expert panels, including the most recent effort to revisit and update the Stream Restoration Protocols. Prior to joining CSN, David worked for the Chesapeake Research Consortium, supporting programs to improve tracking and implementation of practices to meet the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. David has his BA in Biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Bill Stack

Center for Watershed Protection

Bill Stack is a Senior Advisor and former Deputy Director of Programs with the Center for Watershed Protection.  He has over 40 years of experience  in water resource protection and restoration programs related to water supply and source water protection, urban stormwater management, agricultural non-point source control, and flood management. Prior to coming to work for the Center Bill spent 30 years working for Baltimore City Department of Public works where he headed the Source Water Protection and MS4 Programs. Bill has a B.S in Biology from St. Mary’s College of MD and M.S. in Biology from Towson University and is a Professional Engineer.