2025 Environmental Seminar Agenda
DRAFT AGENDA: Speakers & Topics Being Finalized, Check Back for Updates
Wednesday, September 24
4:00 – 6:00 pm : Non-compulsory Networking Nerds in Nature
Informal Networking Happy Hour, not required but nice-to-attend – Meet at The Lounge at Alderbrook
Dinner not included in registration – Reservations Recommended if Dining at Alderbrook
Thursday, September 25
7:00 am – Breakfast & Registration
8:00 am – Welcome Remarks
8:20 – 9:20 am – Federal Regulations & Key Legal Updates
Rachael Lipinski, Van Ness Feldman
Rachel Sinsheimer, Headwaters Law Group
9:20 am – 10 Minute Coffee Break
9:30 – 10:30 am: – Turning Contamination into Opportunity: The Port of Tacoma and Tacoma School District Partnership, Maritime Center Brownfield Redevelopment
Rob Healy, Port of Tacoma
Adam Kulaas, Tacoma Public Schools
10:30 am – 30 Minute Networking, Stretch Break
11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Utilizing Technology in Environmental Work
Ben Nield, The Northwest Seaport Alliance – Drones
Emily Sanders, Philippa Carter, Jacobs
12:00 – 1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 pm: After the Blast: Four Decades of Lessons from Mount St. Helens
Eric Wagner, Writer & Biologist, PhD in Biology, University of Washington
2:00 pm – Break
2:15 – 3:15 pm – A Dredging Paradigm Shift
Trevor Louviere, DOF
Troy Bussey, PIONEER Technologies Corporation
Laura Gurley, Port of Everett
3:15 – 4:00 pm – ESA Consultations (One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish)
Matt Szymanowicz, Port of Seattle – Permitting Strategy
Kristin Evered, Port of Tacoma – Permitting Strategy
Jenn Stebbings, Port of Seattle – Alternative Port Calculator
Michelle Havey, Anchor QEA – Alternative Port Calculator
Kurt Baumgarten, Port of Bellingham – Permitting Strategy
Jacob Kirschner, Port of Everett – Case Study
4:00 pm – 15 Minute Break
4:15 – 5:30 pm – Show Me Something Cool
Any Port Staff in Attendance
Ports from around Washington share their environmental stories and experiences in a “show and tell” style presentation. Each port staffer attendee who wants to share will have three minutes by way of a video, multimedia, verbal story, song, dance, one act mini play, the sky is the limit…wow us with your tales of glory! Past presentations have been diverse, creative, fun, and motivational. Stories with cute fuzzy animals get extra “oohs and ahhhs”. Bring your story to share with the group and prepare to be inspired!
5:45 – 6:30 pm – Social Hour & Reception
6:30 – 8:00 pm – Dinner
Friday, September 26
7:30 – 8:30 am – Breakfast
8:30 am – Check out of your rooms
9:00 – 9:50 am – Environmental Justice – State law, Community Voices, & Port Action
Allyson Bazan, HCMP
Emily Hess, Maul Foster & Alongi
9:50 – 10:50 am – Washington’s Clean Buildings Performance Standards: Unique Port Challenges & Lessons Learned
Meghan Reckmeyer, The Northwest Seaport Alliance
Eric Yakovich, Port of Kalama
Perry England, MacDonald Miller
10:45 am – Break
11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Port Industrial Symbiosis: What the heck is it and why did you go to Denmark?
Carly Michiels, WPPA
Cassi Marshall, Port of Camas-Washougal
Noon: Wrap Up and Adjourn