In particular, the WMSG recognizes that large projects along waterways pose a unique set of management challenges such as:
- Multiple Stakeholder Interests;
- Multiple Stressors (past and present; local, regional, and global);
- Multiple Uses of Open Water Areas;
- Multiple Landscapes, comprised of a spectrum of natural and modified habitats;
- Multiple Regulatory Requirements and Jurisdictions, Federal (e.g., CERCLA, NEPA), State, and local;
- Mosaics of Land Uses, rural, suburban, and urban;
- Long Term Causes of Conditions;
- Long Timeframe of Solutions; and
- Changing Conditions Over Course of Projects (e.g., climate change, redevelopment, etc.).
To manage these complex projects, WMSG engages a team of inter-disciplinary professionals and a combination of scientific methods, technologies, engineering knowledge, socio-economic analysis, and planning tools including:
- An Adaptive Management Approach;
- Watershed Context;
- Water Budget-based Analysis;
- Natural Capital Perspective;
- Scientific Approach to Understanding Uncertainty;
- Empirical Approach to Identify Controlling Factors (State) or System Drivers;
- Emphasis of Graphical Displays, Exposure Pathway Assessment, and Conceptual Analytical Models, before engaging detailed statistics, quantitative risk assessment, or numerical models;
- Spatial/Temporal Data Management to support evaluation of management alternatives (non-engineering and engineering);
- Trends and Gradients Analysis in Relation to Stressors (Direct, Indirect, Cumulative) to Evaluate the Trajectories of Valued Resources under Baseline Conditions and Management Alternatives;
- Integration of Traditional and Ecological Engineering Solutions;
- Predict Outcomes of Management Options with strategies to reduce uncertainties;
- Risk Analysis in a Benefit-Cost Analysis Context;
- Integrating Community Health and Environmental Planning; and
- Communication with Stakeholders.
ELM’s APPROACH
Beyond the perspective and tools described above, ELM’s integrated approach emphasizes development of conceptual site models that are compatible with the regulatory and state/local planning policies and form a basis for a path forward towards project-specific solutions. Visual presentation of ideas supported by sound science, engineering and the application of technologies is used to engage stakeholders (e.g. local communities to federal natural resource trustees) in a collaborative process that balances competing interests and leads to a shared vision.
Maintaining project momentum is essential if the process is to be results and outcomes oriented. This requires the proper sequencing of data collection and analysis, as well as proactive presentation and discussion of alternatives to improve impacted conditions in a manner that optimizes the benefits realized for the costs. Recognizing that improvements to waterways is a long term process that carries with it much uncertainty, ELM integrates an adaptive management approach with the regulatory, planning and finance objectives of its clients and the other stakeholders.
WMSG PROFESSIONAL STAFF
The WMSG professional personnel include individuals with expertise in the disciplines important to management of large projects along waterways: chemistry, ecology, engineering, geology, hydrology, information management (GIS/Equis), toxicology, planning, construction management and cost accounting. All of the professional staff is required to actively develop and diversify their expertise as a means of nurturing an inter-disciplinary and integrated team approach to complex waterways problems. Specialty services such as detailed quantitative risk assessment and numerical hydrodynamic modeling are provided in teaming arrangements with firms that ELM works with regularly. Below are brief biographies of many of the professional staff with expertise in waterways management.
Peter P. Brussock, Ph.D., Director 
Dr. Brussock has taken the lead in formulating the ELM approach to management of projects along waterways. During 25 years of work on waterways, he has applied his diversified technical (e.g. aquatic ecology, fluvial geomorphology, and water resources engineering) and risk management (risk analysis and planning) background to a wide range of environmental contamination problems along waterways. Projects include management of two mega-Superfund sites with tidal and non-tidal components; State-lead sites in the Mid-Atlantic; and Department of Defense sites, including on the Mississippi River.
Dr. Brussock emphasizes watershed-based studies in a water budget framework to produce a holistic understanding of the natural and human-managed elements of waterway systems that supports identification of the relative importance of the numerous stressors in waterways and their inter-relationships. Based on these site characterizations, he has directed evaluations of risk management alternatives that use the in-depth knowledge of the project-specific system to prepare remediation, mitigation and restoration strategies that can be applied in an adaptive management approach to optimize the benefits from management costs.
Dr. Brussock also emphasizes aggressive pursuit of continuing professional development and diversification for himself and other professionals participating in the Waterways Specialty Group at ELM. His professional certifications/registrations reflect this emphasis, including: Certified Senior Ecologist, Professional Geologist, Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, Professional Wetlands Scientist and Certified Planner.
Robin Dingle, PWS 
Ms. Dingle has over 20 years of experience in environmental management, planning, and reporting associated with large and complex projects in wetlands, waterways, and coastal systems. Ms. Dingle is recognized for her ability to assess, characterize, and survey ecological systems to integrate environmental data in order to develop balanced management strategies of natural resources. Specifically, her adaptive management strategies are supported by relevant and current scientific studies, site-specific data, pertinent laws and regulations, stakeholder interests/needs, and incorporation of all other related data (hydrology, ecology, environmental chemistry, economics/cost-benefit analysis).
Projects experience includes remediation of complex wetland environments at mega-Superfund Sites, watershed studies targeted at long-term sustainability of water quality and quantity, ecological risk evaluations of entire river systems contaminated by past mining activities, and large Federal projects along the New Jersey coast and several large estuaries. Specific experience includes the design, implementation, and management of remediation projects; ecosystem restoration/mitigation plans; watershed management/planning; wetland delineations, functional assessments, and permitting; environmental planning; and the preparation of reports/documents.
Ms. Dingle has a diversified environmental sciences background specializing in wetland and watershed management, environmental toxicology, and natural resource planning with expertise in watershed management, ecological risk assessment/remediation and permitting. Ms. Dingle also has extensive project management experience and has coordinated extensively with agency representatives on behalf of clients. She is certified by the Society of Wetlands Scientists as a Professional Wetland Scientist and by the Ecological Society of America as a certified Ecologist. In addition, Ms. Dingle has obtained a Professional Certificate of Watershed Management from Michigan State University, and has completed Rosgen Level I (Stream Geomorphology) and Habitat Evaluation Procedures.
Michael McNally, P.E. 
Mr. McNally brings a practical eye to large scale complex projects that can only be developed through unique experience that combines almost 20 years managing a wide range large environmental investigation, engineering and construction projects, with a lifetime of practical field time and personal interest in water and estuary environments gained as an avid boater and salt and fresh-water angler. Throughout his career, Mr. McNally has specifically worked to develop a diverse practical knowledge of site specific challenges posed by complex sites and the implementation, cost and technical considerations associated with these challenges. In addition to traditional consulting services, Mr. McNally spent approximately 6 years managing large turn-key design and remediation projects that allow him to evaluate projects with the technical outlook of an environmental manager integrated with the practical implementation perspective of a contractor. This integrated perspective facilitates development of practical and cost-efficient site-specific investigation, remediation, restoration, and management strategies.
Mr. McNally currently serves as Assistant Project Coordinator for a watershed wide investigation and feasibility study for a large multi-party Superfund Group. Primary responsibilities for this role include facilitating technical management and guidance of the project with Dr. Brussock and providing primary budget and contract management for the RI/FS activities associated consultants and contractors. Mr. McNally has conducted work on 13 PRP-lead Superfund Projects and multiple large scale industrial sites including significant waterway and wetlands components. These efforts included: managing dioxin contaminated sediment removal and construction of a flood wall at a large Superfund site in northern New Jersey; management and implementation of a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) sampling program associated with the investigation of a large urban river; management (as designer and constructor) of a landfill removal and wetlands construction abutting a trout stream in New York State; management (as a constructor) of the restoration and construction of a wetlands at a Superfund site in northern New Jersey, preparation of a draft permit application package for a Brownfields redevelopment project involving import of approximately 4.5 million cubic yards of dredge materials.
As part of the Watershed Management Group’s commitment to continuing technical and professional development, Mr. McNally has attended and participated in key watershed, sediment and estuaries management conferences and has completed continuing education courses in Fluvial Geomorphology for Engineers, evaluating sediment transport, and active capping and modeling of for contaminated sediment. Mr. McNally has a BS in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Jennifer Wollenberg, Ph.D. 
Dr. Wollenberg has a diversified background in aquatic systems assessment and management, including environmental chemistry, ecology, hydrogeology, and natural resources. She uses her multi-disciplinary background to develop site-specific conceptual models to focus site investigations on environmental processes that may require management to mitigate impacts and improve natural resource values. She specializes in assessing and characterizing fate and transport of chemical constituents in freshwater and estuarine systems, and has particular expertise in evaluating the effects of geochemical stressors (especially mercury and other inorganics) on ecosystem processes and structure, such as trophic transfer of contaminants, wetland function, and community dynamics. She combines these skills to implement site-specific management approaches that minimize human and ecological risks and meet regulatory requirements.
Project experience includes conducting comprehensive watershed studies in both freshwater and estuarine settings; development of conceptual models of chemical fate and transport that incorporate both site-specific data and current scientific literature; calculation of water budgets for the evaluation of stream discharge, groundwater recharge, and chemical fluxes; baseline ecological risk assessments; evaluation of remedial alternatives to ensure protection of human and ecological health and compliance with cleanup objectives; wetland delineations and protected species surveys for characterization of natural systems; and, preparation of environmental permits (wetlands, coastal, flood hazard) for both site development and environmental cleanup projects.
John Loper, P.E. 
Mr. Loper has 33 years experience in providing strategic planning support and managing complex environmental liabilities at private sector remediation sites across the country. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering, is a licensed professional engineer and wastewater treatment operator in multiple states, and is a member of a number of professional and honorary societies and organizations. Several of the nation’s largest chemical and petroleum firms have trusted Mr. Loper to guide them through their morass of stakeholder demands, develop sound technical solutions, and negotiate and implement cost effective remedies.
Mr. Loper presently serves as Principal-in-Charge for managing on- and off-site RCRA and CERCLA liabilities at a major PCB cleanup site in the southeastern United States. In this capacity, Mr. Loper manages all technical components of RI and FS activities for four major operable units, including ecological and human health risk assessment activities. The extent of potential impacts in the watershed encompass nearly 40 stream miles of significant waterways. Mr. Loper routinely interacts with a number of vital stakeholders, including local residents, community groups, USEPA Region IV and State regulators, and Natural Resource Trustees in a collaborative manner in an effort to identify and develop workable and protective remedial solutions. Mr. Loper’s holistic, integrated approach toward managing the multiple site demands has resulted in significant cost savings for his clients while preserving their technical and public integrity. Examples include establishment of conservation corridor easements, evaluation of “green”, bio-engineered solutions, and working proactively with third parties in the upfront design of improvements to be constructed in affected areas of the site in order to reduce potential adverse impacts.
David Towsey, GISP 
Mr. Towsey is responsible for technical expertise, design, and implementation of a corporate wide data management program at ELM. Mr. Towsey has over 17 years of diverse experience within the environmental consulting industry. His area of expertise is GIS design, development and analysis; database design and management; site conceptual design and development and contaminate concentration modeling.
Mr. Towsey has extensive experience designing and implementing data management systems for large waterway projects. Projects include development and design of data management systems on multiple large petroleum refineries along the Delaware River Estuary and the development and design of data management systems for large superfund projects in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
In addition to his Data Management expertise, Mr. Towsey is a seasoned environmental professional with extensive experience conducting environmental site assessment activities including soil and groundwater investigations and site characterization activities. This has included completing investigations of Brownfields sites under Pennsylvania’s Industrial Site Reuse Program and Key Sites initiative. In addition, Mr. Towsey has had experience in overseeing underground storage tank removals, sub-contractor oversight and environmental report writing. He has also performed numerous Phase I Environmental Assessments (ESAs) at residential, commercial, and industrial facilities.
Lauren Laport, P.E. 
Ms. LaPort has fifteen years of consulting experience in environmental engineering, with a background in remedial investigation and design for soil, water, and sediment, water resources engineering, stream channel design, bioengineering for stream bank stabilization, and environmental permitting and planning. Her project experience for the design, construction and oversight of water resource projects is complimented by broad understanding of, and appreciation for, the dynamics of hydrology and riparian systems gained by fly fishing the streams and rivers of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Montana.
Ms. LaPort is a licensed Professional Engineer in New Jersey. She earned her engineering B.S. degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1990 and completed graduate work in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 1992 to 1994. Water resources continued professional development includes training in fluvial geomorphology, stream restoration, modeling using ArcGIS, HEC-RAS and GeoHEC-RAS.
Jeff Amant, CPESC 
Mr. Amant, CPESC, is an environmental professional drawing on over 19 years of diversified experience in construction management at sediment removal/restoration sites, designing and implementing stream restorations and wetland mitigation projects. He is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) by the International Erosion Control Association. His primary responsibilities include conducting, designing, and implementing remediation and mitigation projects along waterways. His project experience has developed his expertise in construction management at complex waterways at both mega-Superfund sites as well as in the private sector. Mr. Amant has been successful in implementing adaptive site management strategies on complex waterway projects resulting in reducing costs and schedules, while increase overall project success.
Specific technical experience includes design and field implementation of stream restoration and wetland mitigation projects and storm water permitting for construction sites and industrial facilities. Permitting experience includes Soil Erosion Sediment Control Plans, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans, wetland permits, tidal instruments, U.S. Army Corps permits, and Waterfront Development permits. Regulatory experience includes the USEPA Superfund program, Pennsylvania’s Act 2 program, New Jersey’s Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA) and Site Remediation Programs, USEPA Brownfields Pilot Program, as well as numerous other state programs throughout the United States. Managerial experience includes developing and implementing project management strategies, techniques, and tools; establishing project formats and schedules; developing and tracking project budgets; maintaining client contacts; coordinating and supervising field operations; and reporting project progress.
David Sherman, P.G. 
During 12 years of work on waterways, Mr. Sherman has applied his diversified technical (e.g., hydrogeologic, geophysical, and environmental sample and media management) and risk management (risk analysis and assessment) background to a wide range of environmental impacts along waterways. Projects include task management of one large Superfund site with a variety of remediation components; project management of State-lead sites in the Mid-Atlantic; and project management of Department of Defense sites.
Mr. Sherman draws on his extensive site characterization experience to formulate and develop detailed conceptualized site models that exemplify the interaction of various environmental systems. Based on these site characterizations, he has assisted with evaluations of risk management alternatives that use the in-depth knowledge of these project-specific systems to prepare remediation, mitigation, and restoration strategies that can be applied in an adaptive management approach to optimize the benefits from management costs.
Specific technical experience includes the management of groundwater compliance for PADEP, NJDEP, and USEPA sites; manufactured gas plant (MGP) constituent remediation; hexavalent-chromium impacted site evaluation and remediation; and design and field implementation of focused subsurface investigations including well drilling, geophysical methods, and hydrogeological correlation.
Mr. Sherman proactively pursues continuing self-professional development and diversification. His professional certifications/registrations reflect this emphasis, which include Professional Geologist licensures in several Mid-Atlantic states, and a New Jersey Subsurface Evaluator. Mr. Sherman has most recently pursued additional professional development in the areas of GIS and applied groundwater modeling and contamination transport.
 Kristy Aller, Project Manager and Rosgen Level IV, Certified Associate Ecologist
Ms. Aller has over 6 years of environmental consulting experience, specifically in water resources management. Ms. Aller’s responsibilities include multiple components of aquatic assessments and water resources planning, ranging from field studies to development and implementation of complex restoration plans. Her project experience includes watershed assessment and management, geomorphology surveys, stream restoration, wetland delineations, state and Federal environmental permitting, biological surveys (i.e., benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, threatened/endangered species), and wetland mitigation design, construction oversight, and monitoring.
Ms. Aller’s experience is supported by her formal education in aquatic ecology and continuing professional development. In addition to completing all 4 levels of Rosgen training in fluvial geomorphology and natural stream channel design, Ms. Aller has training in wetland delineation and permitting, benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and analysis, rare species, and other components of watershed management. She is certified by the Ecological Society of America as an Associate Ecologist. Ms. Aller uses her background, training, and experience towards adaptive management of aquatic systems.
Kim Edelman, PWS 
Ms. Edelman has over 7 years of environmental consulting experience during which her area of focus and project involvement has been devoted almost entirely to wetland and water resources. Specifically, Ms. Edelman conducts wetland- and waterways-related fieldwork including wetland delineations, functional assessments, and post-construction monitoring of wetland and waterways projects. She also has experience with coastal monitoring programs including field collection of marine finfish and core sampling for benthic analyses, and has formal training in streambank restoration.
Ms. Edelman couples her ecological field expertise with an understanding of pertinent state and Federal regulations to prepare environmental permit applications and technical reports for projects in waterway and wetlands including the development of wetland restoration/mitigation plans and soil erosion and sediment control plans/measures. Ms. Edelman also integrates her knowledge of pertinent regulations and the ecology of wetland and water resources to provide environmental compliance construction oversight. Ms. Edelman is a certified Professional Wetland Scientist (#1902). She maintains an understanding of environmental regulations by attending training seminars as permit requirements are updated. In addition, Ms. Edelman is pursuing certification as a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control.
Betsy Helsel 
Karen Helsel serves as Project Administrator for projects and tasks on large environmental projects, including a mega-Superfund site managed by The ELM Group. Drawing on her 21 years of government service with the Pennsylvania Legislature and as a local elected official, Ms. Helsel coordinates the infrastructure development and planning components (permits, board approvals, access, etc.) of the site work to ensure Federal, State and local government compliance. She works with local officials and government agencies to provide project updates for the community and address community relations issues.
As Project Administrator, Ms. Helsel manages subcontractor negotiations through to contract execution and provides the ELM technical management staff contract management support for the implementation of contract terms. She assists with schedule management and maintaining compliance with Consent Orders with agencies. Ms. Helsel oversees the cost accounting manager and serves as liaison between ELM technical staff and project Trustees, Technical Committee and Common Counsel for budget approvals and contract modifications. Ms. Helsel applies her background in legislative policy and regulation to develop protocols to ensure compliance with project guidance documents for ELM and project subcontractors.
Ms. Helsel also manages the negotiations related to off-property access needs for two mega superfund sites for ELM and oversees the implementation of agreement terms.
Joan Murphy 
Joan Murphy is the Cost Accounting Manager for large projects at The ELM Group, Inc. specifically involved with larger government superfund projects. She works closely with the Project Administrator in setting up scope of work tasks and interpreting contracts as they relate to invoicing and reporting requirements. During her 8 years at ELM, she has developed expertise with Federal Acquisition Rules (FAR) and USEPA reporting guidelines as they relate to each project.
Ms. Murphy maintains a streamlined focus to cost accounting and is articulate in her review of contractor invoices and utilizes her proficiency in spreadsheets to monitor budgets and extract information for cost assessment. Her background in finance and management contributes to the detail-oriented tasks required in generating invoices, facilitating timely payment and tracking budgets for cost management. She lends support to the technical staff of ELM and maintains a team approach to provide quality work.
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