Federal Facilities Academy: Community Involvement at Federal Facilities

Community Involvement at Federal Facilities is a two-hour webinar course that focuses on community involvement requirements, resources, and techniques available for Federal Facilities being cleaned up at National Priorities List (NPL) sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Learn about community involvement requirements under CERCLA;
• Understand the roles of the lead federal agency and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in public involvement at Federal Facilities;
• Discover resources and tools available for community involvement activities;
• Explore community involvement techniques and approaches that can be used at Superfund sites; and,
• Identify community involvement opportunities throughout the Superfund process at Federal Facilities.

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, case studies, and group discussions. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding of the CERCLA process. 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.

Cal Baier-Anderson, EPA Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (Baier-Anderson.Caroline@epa.gov)
Cal Baier-Anderson is a Physical Scientist with the US Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO) of the EPA's Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM). Cal's work in FFRRO focuses on promoting consistent and effective cleanups at federal facilities Superfund sites. This includes leading PFAS problem-solving work groups and implementing considerations for environmental justice at Federal Facilities Superfund Sites.

Laura Knudsen, U.S. EPA Region 10 (knudsen.laura@epa.gov or 206-553-1838)
Laura Knudsen has worked for EPA since 2010 and started at headquarters in the Superfund Community Involvement Program where she led the 2016 update to the Community Involvement Handbook. While at headquarters, Laura also supported the Superfund Construction & Post Construction Management Branch. Laura is currently the lead EPA Region 10 Community Involvement Coordinator at the Portland Harbor Superfund Site. She holds dual Masters degrees in Environmental Science and Public Affairs from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University in Bloomington.

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.

• 2024 Community Involvement at FF Course Participant Manual:
  • Adobe Acrobat format (9.01MB/PDF)
  • Adobe Acrobat format (2.87MB/PDF)

Webinar Slides and References:

• 2024 Community Involvement at FF Course Participant Manual:
  • Adobe Acrobat format (9.01MB/PDF)
  • Adobe Acrobat format (2.87MB/PDF)

Additional Resources:

• Federal Facilities Superfund Process
• Superfund Community Involvement Tools and Resources
• Five Year Review Tools

Help & FAQs

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Content Questions?
  Call Emy Laija at 202-845-3198 or laija.emerald@epa.gov
• Technical Problems?
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• 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 Emy Laija at 202-845-3198 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 Emy Laija at 202-845-3198 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.