Mercer International Inc.’s Post

Why we hang around landfills? Visiting site is a great opportunity for us to collect samples but also to gather useful site information. This includes observing areas of seepage, changing site activities and assessing ground conditions; all great clues and insights as to what is happening beneath the surface! One of our key activities is monitoring groundwater to assess leachate impact using our favourite L/N ratio. Sometimes we can see the impact of historical and surrounding land uses. Enjoying landfills may surprise some people, but we love the challenge and the chance to spot some awesome wildlife. Did you know that the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Landfill siting, design, operations and rehabilitation guidance is currently under review? For those interested in learning more or seeking expert advice, our landfill specialists are available for consultation. Reach out here: https://lnkd.in/e3DChiGC Are You a Senior Consultant in Brisbane? If you’re a senior consultant with expertise in contaminated land and environmental consulting, we’re looking for someone like you! We currently have an opening for a Senior Environmental Consultant. Apply now: https://lnkd.in/ebWeZKDG #EESI #WeFixLand #EnvironmentalEarthSciencesInternational #Landfill #EnvironmentalScience

Today’s takeaway comments about property development vs. wetlands and biology at today’s #NorthStateBIA event: Comment: There’s nothing easy about wetlands permitting. Response: You’re right. The requirements and timelines often do not make sense or are overbearing. The best way to manage these issues is knowing what you are dealing with before buying or applying and then planning your desired outcome. Comment: Is it faster to go through state or federal permits? Response: The EPA’s recent decision to exclude isolated wetlands and waters from federal jurisdiction creates confusion, but also opportunity. State permitting guidelines require agencies to permit projects in 3 months if a complete application is submitted. Comment: The biggest issue we have is with poor customer service and project management. Response: Absolutely. No developer or builder wants to manage someone else’s job. When you hire an environmental consultant, their service should come with response and customer service that anticipates your project goals. #PropertyDevelopment #WetlandsPermitting #EnvironmentalConsultants

As biological consultants, we often focus on wildlife and habitat concerns. However, we understand that project managers juggle many responsibilities, including: ✔ Environmental Compliance  ✔ Worker safety  ✔ Project timelines and budgets  ✔ Equipment and material logistics  ✔ Regulatory requirements from various agencies When you understand that each of these areas also requires its own unique permitting processes, it's clear why many project managers feel overwhelmed. The permitting process can be overwhelming and a significant source of stress and potential delays. We've seen projects hit unexpected roadblocks due to overlooked permits or last-minute discoveries that require additional authorizations. For instance, a seemingly straightforward project can suddenly require a Section 10 incidental take permit if a protected species is found on site, potentially adding months to your timeline. Each permit comes with its own set of requirements, timelines, and potential pitfalls: Environmental Assessments (EAs) or Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) may be required, often involving lengthy public comment periods. Permits might need to be obtained from multiple agencies—federal, state, and local—each with its own procedures and timelines. The specific surveys required can vary widely depending on the project location and potential species present, affecting scheduling and budgeting. Knowing all of this, here’s our advice: ✔ Engage in early consultation to identify all potential permitting needs, helping to avoid surprises down the line. ✔ Align biological surveys and assessments with the project timeline, considering optimal survey windows and agency processing times. ✔ Leverage established relationships with regulatory agencies to help streamline the permitting process. ✔ Translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable steps for the team. Time is money in construction and development, butwith the right expertise the permitting process can go from a potential obstacle to a well-managed part of your project plan. #PermittingProcess #EnvironmentalCompliance #ConstructionChallenges #BiologicalConsulting

A day in the field as an Environmental Control Officer, observing the rehabilitation process on an open pit (Rooikoppie) mine. When done concurrently, rehabilitation can be a beautiful thing. This might seem like a ploughed field, but no, it is a mine site. #EnvironmentalControl #RehabilitationProcess #MiningIndustry

Hello everyone. Am here looking for a job opportunity to advance my professionalism through a more practical and versatile approach. Having worked with one of the best water consultancy firms in Kenya (Earth Water Ltd) in association with local and international partners (like Rural Focus, KenGen, Acacia Water, SMEC, COWI, etc.), I have built the capacity in a multi-disciplinary sector. Equipped with relevant expertise and adequacy in experience, we have corporately delivered quality results to satisfied clientele (who includes but is not limited to private clients, national and county government institutions i.e., MoWS&I, WWDAs, WASCOs; and international stakeholders like WBG, IFC, World Vision, ICRC and KRCS, UNICEF, UNEP, IGAD and Universal Resource International (URI). In the local sector, I have conducted studies/work in areas like Garissa County, Wajir County, Samburu County, Marsabit County, Turkana and Mandera County in Kenya and Hoosingow, Dhobley, Borama and Hargeisa in Somalia in groundwater mapping and assessment, monitoring and supervision of Water Hygiene and Sanitation projects, borehole drilling, supervision and equipping, geotechnical studies and supervision of minor construction works, program management, community development projects, raw field data scrubbing and analysis. I have confidence that with prowess skills, and three years of experience in hydrogeology, geophysics (ERT, VES and HEP), geotechnical studies, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Water Sanitization and Hygiene programs in ASAL areas including Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Kitui, Embu, Kajiado, Lamu and Taita Taveta counties in Kenya I have enough expertise as far as hydrogeology is concerned. I have also done evaluations of tenders for different community projects, acquiring integrity and transparency as my reputation among my virtues. This has earned me deep knowledge in matters about MEAL and WASH programs, i.e., Ground Water Development & Quality projects specifically for communal needs, community development initiatives, environment conservation, monitoring and evaluation skills and strategic planning. Throughout this operation mostly in the areas which are considered to be hardship areas, this experience gives me confidence to work in any region and multicultural backgrounds. I also boast impeccable computer skills in software that aid in data analyses (i.e., IPI2Win, Schlumberger, Zond3D, Res2D, MS Excel & Access, QGIS and ArcGIS). I am proficient in editing and formatting skills in preparing quality and standard reports using MS Word. I am looking forward to a kind response. Regards Charles Ngui Mulatya Geologist

It’s almost three months since I joined the Water Resources Management Authority in the Public Relations Unit. Here are some of the things I’ve learnt: 📌 I've learnt to adapt quickly to changing tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment. Every day brings new challenges and requires flexibility to manage multiple responsibilities effectively. 📌My role has significantly enhanced my communication skills, particularly in conveying complex information about water resources and conservation efforts to the public clearly and effectively. 📌Working closely with other departments has reminded me of the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Coordinating with various teams ensures that our messaging is consistent and impactful. The technical team is always willing to provide information and teach me the workings of the water sector and I must say, it’s quite a fascinating sector. 📌I am gaining experience in handling public relations crises, learning how to respond quickly and appropriately to public and media inquiries and concerns. I think this is the most interesting part about my job. 📌in this drought crisis, I am looking forward to engaging with the community to ensure public participation in water conservation efforts. #watersector #water #conservation #PRdairies

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Holiday! I’m excited to present my first attempt at writing a blog, on a project which has kept me busy both in the field and in the office over the last couple of months. A huge shoutout to my colleague Matthew Herzel for collaborating on this blog and contributing valuable insights! As an environmental engineer, understanding groundwater conditions is key to developing effective cleanup strategies. In this blog, I dive into how groundwater sampling, source evaluation, and the process of drilling and well development all play a crucial role in assessing contamination and optimizing remediation efforts. By combining data-driven insights with well-engineered solutions, we can ensure a more sustainable approach to groundwater protection. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gZiy_2xe #Groundwater #EnvironmentalEngineering #WellDevelopment #monitorwelldrilling #CleanupStrategies #GroundWaterQuality #Sustainability #groundwatersamples #pacificnorthwest #GeoEngineers #FieldEngineers #womanengineers #environmentalgeology

Request for Proposals, National Geographic Society Freshwater Conservation Projects, pre-applications due March 25, 2024 The National Geographic Society launched a new funding opportunity to support community-led freshwater conservation projects in global water-scarcity hotspots. This opportunity is open to the public. Read below for more information, and visit our page for it! The goal of the Freshwater Conservation request for proposals (RfP) is to help highlight the real-life stories about water scarcity by funding on-the-ground, community-led conservation projects addressing freshwater scarcity challenges through impactful solutions. These grants are highly competitive and reserved for select projects located in one of the 20 water scarcity / water gap Hotspots, as defined by the modeled water gaps in the Society’s Freshwater Initiative’s World Water Map. Please read the FAQs for a description of the Hotspots and priority locations. Competitive projects will be community-led projects that include tangible freshwater conservation goals such as creating resilient and sustainable solutions for improved water quantity, quality, and/or water connectivity (hydrology), for example, through green-infrastructure or nature-based solutions. The deadline to submit pre-applications is Monday, March 25, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT. Applications must be submitted online through the Society’s grants portal. To start a new pre-application, select the “apply now” button for the Freshwater Conservation RfP here: https://lnkd.in/gdVtKUgA. If you have questions about the opportunity, please send an email to funding@ngs.org with “Freshwater Conservation RfP” in the subject line.

The value of attending the Law and Legislation Forum The water industry – and those who work within this space – is increasingly impacted (both positively and negatively) by legislation coming out of Sacramento. GRA’s Law and Legislation Forum provides a unique opportunity to delve into the laws that shape our industry.   The Law and Legislation Forum will cover key topics like the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the impact of Proposition 218 on groundwater management, maximizing groundwater storage potential, and addressing emerging contaminants. These discussions will be led by legislators and industry experts, and attendees with insights into the future of groundwater management. Attendees will leave equipped with the knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape of groundwater management, ensuring your projects are compliant, sustainable, and effective. You will also learn and get to interact with big names in the industry like Former Assemblyman Roger Dickinson @roger-dickinson-9086b762, Stephan Tucker, MBA, P.E., P.M.P, Jennifer Pierre, Jay Lund, Paul Gosselin, Pablo Garza @pablogarza1, and more.   Don’t miss the change to learn, network, and contribute to the conversation shaping our industry’s future!   Register (https://lnkd.in/g_ens5Jh) or sponsor (https://lnkd.in/gjg-6eVA) today!   #water #policy #legislation #groundwater #engineering #networking

🌍🛢️ Big news in the energy and environmental sectors! The U.S. Department of the Interior has chosen to maintain protections on 28 million acres of D-1 public lands in Alaska, a significant reversal from prior efforts to open these areas to oil and natural gas leasing. ### Context: Under the Biden administration, this move safeguards the vital ecosystems of Alaska, preventing potential extractive activities. This decision, rooted in comprehensive environmental reviews and public opinion, highlights a pivotal shift in resource management and environmental preservation. ### Personal Insight: Having been in the oil and gas industry for over three decades, I've witnessed firsthand the delicate balance between development and conservation. During my early career, I worked in areas adjacent to protected lands, and the stringency of regulations was both a challenge and a relief. It was a daily reminder of our responsibility towards the environment and the communities we serve. ### Engaging Elements: 🔍 The final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by the BLM shows a clear stance – the ecological and social costs of lifting protections are simply too high. What are your thoughts on balancing resource development with environmental conservation? 📊 Over 15,000 public comments and strong support from Alaska Native groups played a crucial role. Have you ever participated in such environmental reviews or public consultations? 📢 Consider how vital such protected lands are for future generations. Do you think other regions should follow suit? ### Style and Tone: Professional and informative, yet engaging and thought-provoking. This will encourage meaningful discussions and reflections on the industry’s future and its interplay with environmental stewardship. ### Hashtags and Keywords: #EnergyIndustry #EnvironmentalConservation #PublicLands #Alaska #OilAndGas #SustainableDevelopment #BLM #EIS #USInterior This decision marks a significant moment for both the oil and gas industry and environmental advocacy. Let's dive into this complex but crucial discussion – your insights are invaluable! 🌐👥✨