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Creative Solutions for Water Quality Compliance

Why EcoLogix Group was engaged:

A seaport client has many environmental initiatives that are focused on meeting, and where possible exceeding, regulatory requirements. One area that is of particular interest is the use of innovative approaches for addressing stormwater requirements for the many acres of impervious surface on marine terminal facilities. EcoLogix Group was engaged to help obtain permits and regulatory approval for an innovative technology designed to grow algae using harbor water and remove the algae and associated nutrients to improve water quality in the harbor and meet nutrient reduction requirements for the water body. A pilot facility was constructed with funding assistance through a grant from an environmental non-governmental organization (NGO) and guided by scientists from a local university and a local environmental design firm. The facility is currently being operated on the client’s marine terminal in an unused part of the paved surface adjacent to the Harbor.

How EcoLogix Group responded:

EcoLogix Group was asked to assist the team because of its many years of experience with regulatory programs and its familiarity with the state nutrient trading program that is currently under development. Working with regulatory staff and the client’s team, EcoLogix Group has helped develop a new permit for the technology that includes provisions describing how nutrient credits derived from the technology can be generated and documented. Once fully operational, the credit certification process will allow permittees to meet their wastewater discharge and stormwater permit requirements using nutrient credits from a variety of management practices, such as this technology. The nutrient credit generation and trading program will be an important mechanism to help the state meet its nutrient reduction targets for the water body and other total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirements more efficiently and at lower cost.

Outcome:     

EcoLogix Group is working with the team to pilot test the regulatory agency’s new web-based credit certification process, using the client’s pilot facility as a test case.

LEAD:          

Robert M. Summers, Ph.D.

Robert Summers, Ph.D. Array

Internationally-Recognized Expert and Water Resources Practice Leader

Robert Summers, Ph.D.

Array

Bob Summers leads EcoLogix Group’s water resources practice in the mid-Atlantic region and supports government and industrial clients in the area of outreach and technical solutions.

An internationally-recognized expert in water quality issues, he is an experienced multi-disciplinary environmental program executive, highly skilled in managing complex projects involving scientific, engineering, technical program, regulatory, legal and administrative staff. Dr. Summers has been a key participant and leader in the multi-jurisdictional Chesapeake Bay Program since the first agreement was signed in 1983. The EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program is the nation’s largest, most comprehensive and successful integrated watershed planning and implementation effort.

Prior to joining EcoLogix Group in 2016, he served for 33 years in Maryland’s progressive environmental programs, developing and leading a wide range of water, air, land and waste management program activities. He was appointed secretary of the Environment by Maryland’s Governor where he led the Department of the Environment (MDE) and its 1,000 employees responsible for the state’s planning, regulatory, management and financing programs to protect public health, restore and protect air and water quality, clean up contaminated land and ensure proper management of hazardous and solid wastes. Dr. Summers oversaw an operating budget of $111 million and a capital budget of $191 million.

Before being appointed Secretary, his primary focus was on planning and management of Maryland’s water pollution regulatory programs, including stormwater management and MS4 permits, erosion and sediment control, wastewater discharge, wetlands and waterways, water supply protection and state programs to assist local governments with financing of water and wastewater infrastructure improvements.

Dr. Summers has a doctoral degree in environmental engineering and a Bachelor of Arts Natural Sciences, both from The Johns Hopkins University.

Bob serves on the Board of Directors for Blue Water Baltimore and enjoys canoeing the region’s beautiful rivers and sailing on Chesapeake Bay.