Federal Facilities Online Academy: Resolving Issues before Formal Dispute

Resolving Issues Before Formal Dispute is a two-hour webinar course that identifies less formal options to address conflict before going to dispute under a federal facility agreement. This webinar provides project management tips and techniques to address disagreements early in the process . By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Identify factors that contribute to conflict when working with team members from different agencies;
• Learn how to prepare a team to handle conflict;
• Explore tips and techniques to improve communication and come to resolution; and,
• Understand when formal dispute should be considered.

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, group discussions, case studies, and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total).

Emy Laija, EPA Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (Laija.emerald@Epa.gov or 202-845-3198)
Emy Laija is an Environmental Scientist who works on Superfund cleanups of hazardous waste sites through the EPA Federal Facility Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO) in Washington, DC. Her position includes implementing national policy, promoting consistency in cleanups, developing training, and developing relationships with other federal agencies and stakeholders. Before working in FFRRO, Emerald worked as a Remedial Project Manager for 8 years in EPA's Hanford Project Office in Richland, WA and continues to serve as a Hanford subject matter expert. She earned a Master's Degree focused in Environmental Studies from University of Nevada-Las Vegas and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Logan Senack, EPA Federal Facilities Enforcement Office (senack.logan@epa.gov or 202-564-3312)
Logan Senack is an Attorney-Advisor in the Federal Facilities Enforcement Office (FFEO). FFEO is responsible for ensuring that federal facilities take all necessary actions to prevent, control and abate environmental pollution. FFEO facilitates compliance through inspections and enforcement under all environmental statutes and cleanup at federal facilities. Mr. Senack works primarily on CERCLA issues and on issues in EPA Regions 5 and 7.

Jonathan Tso, EPA Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (tso.jonathan@epa.gov or 202-564-0410)
Jonathan Tso is a Physical Scientist in the EPA Federal Facility Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO). He has a B.S. degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from Purdue University. Prior to joining FFRRO in 2020, Jon worked as a project manager/environmental scientist for multiple engineering firms in the New York City/New Jersey area for over six years. His duties at FFRRO include managing the Federal Agency Hazardous Waste Compliance Docket, vapor intrusion, and NPL listing.

Susan Fulmer, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) (fulmersb@dhec.sc.gov or 803-898-4331)
Susan Fulmer is Program Manager of the Federal Remediation Section at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). This position includes management of staff overseeing the federal lead superfund cleanups in South Carolina, serving as the State's Federal Facility Agreement Project Manager for the Savannah River Site, and serving as the trustee representative for SCDHEC on Natural Resource Damage claims. Ms. Fulmer has over 17 years of state government experience and is a South Carolina registered professional geologist. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Geology from the University of Alabama and a Master's in Earth and Planetary Sciences from the University of New Mexico.

Moderator:

Jean Balent, U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division (balent.jean@epa.gov or 202-566-0832)
Ms Balent is on the staff of the EPA's Technology Innovation and Field Services Division where she has worked to collect and disseminate hazardous waste remediation and characterization information since 2003. Ms Balent manages the Clean Up Information Network website and actively supports online communication and collaboration resources available to EPA. She formerly worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Engineering Division in the Buffalo District. Ms Balent was also a member of the SUNY-Buffalo Groundwater Research Group where she constructed and tested large scale models of groundwater flow. Ms Balent has also conducted research relating to the Great Lakes, environmental remediation, and brownfields re-development. She holds a Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from SUNY-Buffalo and a Master's degree in Information Technology from AIU.

• 2022 Resolving Issues Before Formal Dispute Participant Manual (1.01MB/PDF)
• Slide Presentation for Susan Fulmer; SCDHEC (747KB/PDF)

Webinar Slides and References:

• 2022 Resolving Issues Before Formal Dispute Participant Manual (1.01MB/PDF)
• Slide Presentation for Susan Fulmer; SCDHEC (747KB/PDF)

Additional Resources:

• Federal Facilities Academy 2022 Webinar Schedule
• Federal Facility RPM Training Course

Help & FAQs

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Content Questions?
  Call Emerald Laija at 202-564-2724 or Laija.Emerald@epa.gov
• Technical Problems?
  Leave us a comment
• Cancel Your Registration
• My Participation Records
• CEU Credits and PDHs

Zoom Resources

This seminar will be delivered through Zoom. Participants are encouraged to update to the latest version of the Zoom application for the best experience. If you are unable to install the Zoom application, most functions will be available if you join just using a modern web browser such as Chrome, Edge or Firefox. We strongly encourage you to run the Zoom Meeting Test prior to attending this seminar. Technical support on the day of the seminar will be very limited and subject to significant delays.

Rehabilitation Act Notice for Reasonable Accommodation

It is EPA's policy to make reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities wishing to participate in the agency's programs and activities, pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 791. Any request for accommodation should be made to Emerald Laija at 202-564-2724 or Laija.Emerald@epa.gov, preferably one week or more in advance of the seminar, so that EPA will have sufficient time to process the request. EPA would welcome specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. EPA welcomes specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. Please note that CLU-IN provides both alternate phone call-in options and closed captioning for all webinars, and requests for these specific accommodations are not necessary.

Rehabilitation Act Notice for Reasonable Accommodation

It is EPA's policy to make reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities wishing to participate in the agency's programs and activities, pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 791. Any request for accommodation should be made to Emerald Laija at 202-564-2724 or Laija.Emerald@epa.gov, preferably one week or more in advance of the webinar, so that EPA will have sufficient time to process the request. EPA would welcome specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. EPA welcomes specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. Please note that CLU-IN provides both alternate phone call-in options and closed captioning for all webinars, and requests for these specific accommodations are not necessary.

Webinar Recording

By participating in this CLU-IN webinar, you automatically agree to authorize recording of audio and visual content presented during this live event and consent to subsequent use of this recording in the public domain by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This recording may include questions, comments and poll responses provided by you during the live event in addition to your name, voice, image or likeness. This recording will be made available after the conclusion of the live event as part of the CLU-IN webinar archives, and will remain available indefinitely. If you do not wish to consent to the recording, please do not join the live event, and contact Jean Balent at 202-566-0832 or balent.jean@epa.gov to discuss your concerns.

Content Disclaimer

This webinar is intended solely to provide information to the public. The views and opinions expressed as part of this webinar do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is not intended, nor can it be relied upon, to create any rights enforceable by any party in litigation with the United States, or to endorse the use of products or services provided by specific vendors. With respect to this webinar, neither the United States Government nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.