Join RMAEP and HDR for this talk about Waters of the United States: An Overview of Delineation and Permitting, presented by Ryan Hammons, PWS

Schedule:

4:30 - 5:00  Drinks and snacks

5:00 - 6:00  Presentation and discussion

Abstract:
Waters of the U.S. is a term introduced in 1972 as part of amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948, also known as the Clean Water Act. The term has been debated since its introduction, and continues within our judicial system and change over of presidential administrations. The Clean Water Act provides authority to the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to both define waters of the U.S. and regulate dredge/fill activities within waters of the U.S. This presentation will give a brief history of waters of the U.S., its current status and definition, and the Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting process.

Bio:
Ryan Hammons is a Professional Wetland Scientist with approximately 17 years of industry experience. Ryan received his B.S. and M.S. in ecology from Texas A&M University in 2006 and 2008, respectively. His education focused on the study of ecology, particularly land management and its effects on plant community ecology. Ryan worked with HDR, Inc. during his M.S., providing progress reports and research to support a Biological Opinion resulting from impacts to an endangered orchid, the Navasota ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes parksii), as a result of the construction of a landfill. Ryan provided 5 years of focused research on the Navasota ladies’-tresses from 2006 to 2011, including habitat characterization, transplanting, and effects from grazing, feral hogs, shrub encroachment, and prescribed fire. In 2011, environmental consulting became his full time job, which led to a focus in surveys and reporting in support of environmental regulations and permits across the central and western United States. Ryan’s focus soon became the delineation, proposed jurisdictional determination, and permitting for waters of the U.S. Currently, Ryan works as a full-time Senior Wetland Specialist for HDR, Inc. in Denver, Colorado, working on a variety of development projects, including renewable energy, transmission/distribution, and highways/roads.