Cathie Buchanan, Environmental Resources Engineer
Objective
My objective is to develop new technology that would provide mitigation/remediation services utilizing best management practices (BMPs) for various projects, which include but not limited to: brownfields, new construction sites, superfund sites, restoring water quality, habitat restoration, etc. New technology would include constructed wetlands, sediment traps, infiltration galleries, leachate collection systems, bioreactors, etc. The natural systems developed would address issues such as water/wastewater treatment, capture of sediment runoff, groundwater recharge, flood control, stormwater treatment, acid mine drainage, habitat restoration, recreation, capture of leachate, etc.
Education
M.S., Biology (Ecology Track), University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio – To begin Fall 2004.
B.S., Environmental Resources Engineering, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California - May 2001.
Minor: Chemistry – Organic and Quantitative Analysis.
Additional Training:
40-hour OSHA Health and Safety Training; December 2001.
Certificates:
California EIT Certificate #108282
Advanced Certified Scuba Diver
Experience and Background
April 2004 to Present
Laboratory Technician, Department of Earth, Ecological and Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo
Conduct analyses for detection of organic contaminants and heavy metals. Extract organic contaminants using a tecatur. Extract heavy metals using EPA Method 3050, acid digestion. Analyses include inductive coupled plasma and gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry.
June 15to June 18, 2004
Constructed Wetlands Workshop Coordinator/Primary Presenter, Lake Erie Research Center, University of Toledo
Organized a constructed wetlands workshop consisting of engineering professionals, university professors, and regulatory agencies. The workshop focused on topics such as sediment control, flood control, habitat restoration and local regulations. I lectured on the functionality of constructed wetlands for removal of constituents, wastewater treatment, factors to consider when designing a wetland, configurations, etc.
August 2002 to March 2004
Environmental Engineer, Bryan A. Stirrat & Associates, Diamond Bar, California
Staff Engineer. Prepare regulatory documents pertaining to permitting and closing of landfills and transfer stations: Final Closure/Post Closure Maintenance Plans, Transfer Station Reports, Report of Waste Discharge. Conduct research for construction of landfill bioreactors. Perform earthworks calculations, cost estimate, and design grading plans, design drainage systems to capture stormwater runoff. Conduct hydrology and soil loss analyses. Gained extensive knowledge of Title 27, California Code of Regulations and Code of Federal Regulations 40.
October 2, 2003 to October 15, 2003
Guest Lecturer/Trip Leader, Wetlands Symposium, Playa Giron, Cuba
I was trip leader for the U.S. delegation to the Wetlands Symposium at Play Giron, Cuba, which included ensuring our group was on time to the various events that we were to attend all throughout Cuba; creating stronger scientific relationships between the U.S. delegates and the Cuban representatives; and learning about the Cuban way of life. I was also a guest lecturer at the wetlands symposium, discussing the functionality of various plants for phytoremediation.
September 24, 2002 to October 2, 2002
Guest Lecturer, Scientific Exchange Program, Havana, Cuba
I lectured on the importance of sustainable of watershed management. The method, inventory and location of anthropogenic influences in the watershed are important in order to gain the data necessary to establish a comprehensive watershed maintenance program. Understand where the impacts are being created and how would a community choose the best method to mitigate the impacts.
November 2001 to July 2002
Engineer/Scientist I, IT Corporation, Sacramento, California
Staff Engineer on Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence Projects, Travis AFB, California. Prepare construction reports: Construction Quality Control Plan, Environmental Cleanup Plan, Field Sampling and Analysis Plan. Supervise subcontractors, conduct burrowing owl survey. Assisted on landfill cap and wetlands mitigation projects at Travis AFB. Other duties for IT included Phase I Environmental Assessments, field site assessment and design mitigation plan for abandoned mercury mine clean-up. In-house wetlands consultant to project managers.
September 2001 to November 2001
Environmental Engineer, Environmental Management, Travis AFB, California
Evaluation of Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements submitted to Travis AFB to check for conformance of the NEPA process. Ensure construction designs and construction activities conformed to Base requirements. Notified subcontractors and base employees of noncompliance. Enforced “stop work” of continued noncompliance.
February 1997 to May 2003
Laboratory Technician/Teacher & Research Assistant, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California
Laboratory Technician/Teacher & Research Assistant for Dr. Robert Gearheart at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. Designed field and lab protocol for; 1) suspended sediment study to establish a TMDL, and 2) humic acid study to find the connection between phosphorus, humic acid and algae. Water Quality Lab Instructor and occasional lecturer for ENGR 451 (Water, Wastewater Treatment), and occasional lecturer for ENGR 111 (Intro to Engineering). Lectured, taught and conducted the following water quality field/laboratory procedures: biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, nitrogenous oxygen demand, pH, dissolved oxygen, determination of phosphorus, total and fecal coliform, electroconductivity, suspended sediment concentration, nitrate and ammonia, volatile organic compounds, discreet and hindered settling, development of constructed wetlands, etc. Assisted/attended the Constructed Wetlands Workshops at Humboldt State University, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. The workshops concentrate on stormwater runoff, mitigation and remediation of mine wastes, municipal wastewater treatment, groundwater recharge, flood control and wetland restoration.
May 2000 to July 2000
Phytoremediation Research Assistant, Lake Erie Research Center, University of Toledo, Ohio
Conducted phytoremediation study to ascertain the feasibility of using local plants, particularly Brassica sp., for the removal of heavy metals from soils. Used Atomic Absorption designed and performed acid digestion on plant parts to find the greatest concentration of copper. Compared the results of copper content from plants to copper contaminated soil to calculate percentage of removal. Also performed soil core sampling, soil analysis using a hydrometer and data entry.
May 1999 to February 2001
Assistant to Chief of Surveys, California Department of Transportation, Surveys, Eureka, California
Field survey crew. Duties included running the rod, total station, taking field notes. Ran traverses, determination of right of way and land net ties, digital terrain mapping and topography, cross sections, set up GPS receiving stations and radio frequency receiving stations. Updated web page to reflect status of survey projects. Archive field books for reference material. Experience with Trimble GPS equipment, Total Station and Leica Level.
List of Natural Resources/Constructed Wetlands Projects
- Watershed Management/Lake Restoration – Identifying the causes of erosion and designing mitigation measures in the Jacoby Creek, Freshwater Creek and Elk River Watersheds of Humboldt County.
- Designed a comprehensive water resources plan for the Pajaro Valley for flood control, wastewater treatment, groundwater recharge, municipal and agricultural usages. Also addressed the problems of overdraft, salt-water intrusion and water conservation.
- Attended the “Symposium on the Health of the Great Lakes, 2000” in Toledo, Ohio to address the problems of urban sprawl, water contamination, recovery of brownfields, soil losses, buffer strips and the creation of new jobs.
- Designed an electrical field to be used in aquaculture in Humboldt Bay to deter bat rays from entering the oyster beds.
- ASCE contest: Received Honorable Mention for the design of a central wastewater treatment facility using a natural wetland for secondary treatment, which discharged into the ocean via floodgate, for Orick, California.
LIST OF REFERENCES
Dr. Robert Gearheart, P.E.Department of Environmental Resources Eng.
House 18
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California 95521
707.826.3135 / Dr. Alison Spongberg
Department of Earth, Ecological and Environmental Studies
University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio 43606
419.530.4091
Frank Demling
Chief of Surveys
California Department of Transportation
Eureka, California 95501
707.445.6600 / Dr. Kevin Czajkowski
Department of Earth, Ecological and Environmental Studies
University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio 43606
419.530.4274
Patrick Morrill
Department of Surveys
California Department of Transportation
Eureka, California 95501
707.445.6600 / Angel Santiago
Environmental Specialist
Martha Adams, P.E.
Shaw E&I
1326 North Market Blvd.
Sacramento, California 95834
916.928.3300 / Virginia Becerra
Senior Compliance Specialist
BAS & Associates
1360 Valley Vista Drive
Diamond Bar, California 91765
909.860.7777