What's Going on with WOTUS?
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Last year, Blackstone shared an
article
explaining that the definition of the waters of the United States (WOTUS) was in limbo. The 2015 Clean Water Rule attempted to provide a clearer definition of WOTUS but has been under numerous court challenges. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) published a proposal to rescind the Clean Water Rule in July 2017, and in February 2018,
finalized a delay
of the effective date of the Clean Water Rule to February 6, 2020 (the Applicability Date Rule) while they worked on a new rule to replace it. A year later we are still in limbo without a clear definition, but with one on the way.
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Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE):
Julie Coleman has accepted the Bureau Director position in the Bureau of Waste Management; and after more than 20 years in the Bureau of Air, Mindy Bowman has moved into a new role within the Bureau of Waste Management as Solid Waste Section Chief.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR):
The MDNR has reorganized the Hazardous Waste and Solid Waste Management programs by merging both programs’ permitting and compliance/enforcement efforts under the Solid Waste Management program.
The Solid Waste Management Program has been renamed the Waste Management Program to reflect incorporation of the RCRA Subtitle C hazardous waste permitting and enforcement functions. The Hazardous Waste Program has been renamed the Environmental Remediation Program and includes Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup, Federal Facilities, Superfund, Tanks, and Budget and Planning sections.
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Due Diligence Project Profile:
SW Topeka Boulevard Phase I ESA/Phase II ESA
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Blackstone Environmental recently completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and Phase II ESAs for a property located on SW Topeka Boulevard in Topeka, Kansas.
The half-acre site is a commercial property with two single story buildings. The Shawnee County parcel reports indicated that the two commercial structures were built in 1951 and historical occupants included a phone repair shop, a financial group, a custom motorcycle company, several pool supply companies, a flooring company, a copy center, several auto supply stores, a shoe store, a tavern and an oil and gas station.
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Alternative Earthen Final Cover Services
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Blackstone Environmental provides design, monitoring and evaluation services to landfills in the implementation and management of the Alternative Earthen Final Cover (AEFCs).
AEFCs are constructed to perform as well as Subtitle D caps and are more cost effective and sustainable over the long term. Additional benefits include final covers that provide a naturally sustainable, ecosystem-based design requiring less maintenance and offering improved structural integrity, water uptake, vegetation health, nutrient recycling and wildlife/aesthetic characteristics.
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Welcome!
Blackstone is excited to announce
Tyler Sundell
, our newest Environmental Geologist. He graduated in December with a MSc in Geochemistry/ Geospatial Sciences from Missouri State University.
Tyler most recently worked as a critical minerals temporary Geologist for the Geologic Investigations unit of the Missouri Geological Survey.
In his down time, he enjoys mountain biking, reading science fiction and cooking.
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Kudos!
The Blackstone team celebrated Senior Project Manager
Anne Melia
, CHMM, for receiving the 2018 Distinguished Service Recognition Award from the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers, Heartland Chapter. This is the second time she's been honored.
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Congrats!
Kelli Calhoon
, Senior Project Manager at Blackstone Environmental, was selected as Vice Chair for the Midwest Section of the Air and Waste Management Association.
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Out & About
We hope to see you at these upcoming professional events:
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July 14 - 16, 2019
Missouri Waste Control
Coalition Environmental Conference
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August 13 - 15, 2019
KDHE Environmental Conference
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October 1 - 3, 2019
SWANA Kansas Solid Waste Management Conference
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Overland Park, KS
913.495.9990
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Des Moines, IA
515.473.0978
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Iowa City, IA
319.331.1577
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