Presented by: 

Stan Stephansen, Michael Flood,  James A. Ferretti

EPA Region 2

ABSTRACT:

This presentation will describe how EPA Region 2, working together with its partners and collaborators, is using Microbial Source Tracking techniques to track down and remediate sources of human fecal matter in two watersheds in New Jersey. EPA’s initial MST pilot project focused on the Second River - a very urbanized tributary of the Passaic River with very elevated levels of fecal indicator bacteria but with no known sources of human origin. The presentation will also describe EPA’s current activities to track down human fecal sources in the larger, more diverse watershed of the Lower Raritan River.

SPEAKER BIO: 

Stan Stephansen

Stan Stephansen is a Physical Scientist in the Clean Water Regulatory Branch at EPA Region 2. Stan has been serving as the Water Division’s technical expert for Combined Sewer Overflows and Sanitary Sewer Overflows for the past 13 years. Earlier in his career at EPA Stan worked in the Air Program, the Information Systems Branch and on an extended detail to EPA’s Response to the World Trade Center Disaster and follow-up Indoor Air Programs. Prior to EPA Stan worked as an exploration geophysicist performing seismic field surveys and subsurface mapping and worked as a senior programmer/analyst for a Wall St. Investment Bank.

Michael Flood

Michael Flood is a Life Scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 2 office in New York City and joined the Agency in 2019. He assists in the oversight and implementation of the nonpoint source pollution programs (under Clean Water Act Section 319) for New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as provides technical support on nutrient, agriculture, Harmful Algae Bloom and decentralized wastewater matters in those jurisdictions.  He also oversees the Interstate Environmental Commission’s water quality monitoring programs (under Clean Water Act Section 106) for shared waters among New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut and provides support for bacterial monitoring in the Lower Raritan River of New Jersey.  

Prior to joining EPA, Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a Master of Science in Earth and Environmental Science from Montclair State University in New Jersey.

James A. Ferretti

Jim Ferretti is the Team Leader of the Sanitary Chemistry and Biology Team in the Laboratory Branch of USEPA Region 2.  Jim has over 37 years’ experience in aquatic toxicity testing, biological field assessments, microbiological analysis, including assessment of human associated fecal coliform bacteria in marine and freshwater ecosystems.  Jim joined the EPA in 1990 working in Permits and Enforcement in Washington DC prior to moving to the Region 2 Office in 1992.  Jim has published research on molecular micro methods, sediment toxicity test methods and fate and effects of ammonia in sediments.

Engineers:

This seminar does qualify for 1.0 Professional Development Hour (PDH). A Certificate of Attendance will be available for AWRA-PMAS members only. The meeting price for non-members who wish to receive a Certificate of Attendance for the PDH is $10.00 ($3.00 for meeting + $7.00 for certificate).  

Please note: 

• Presentation Zoom link will be provided in registration reminder email.
• Zoom link should only be used by those who register for the event through AWRA directly. 
• PDHs will be issued through PDFs.
• Please allow extra time to register through Zoom and get software set up.
• Presentation will start at noon.
• Early participants will be in a Waiting Room until noon. 
• Participants must email AWRA.PMAS@gmail.com to request PDH Certificate after the event.

Thank you!