'Strengthening ITRC's Value
through Our Membership'

Nearly 300 members and interested parties attended the 2003 Fall Meeting in Monterey, California in late September. During the three-day meeting, teams took advantage of many opportunities to work on their team products and network with other members. Lenny Siegel, director of the Center for Public Environmental Oversight, was the keynote speaker at the opening plenary session. Other speakers included ITRC co-chair Ken Taylor, who updated attendees on ITRC’s 2003 progress, and ERIS Board member Ron Hammerschmidt, who presented recent activities of the ERIS Board of Directors. Another highlight of the plenary session was the election of Bob Mueller (N.J.) as the new ITRC co-chair to replace Brian Griffin, who recently stepped down.

During a reception following the plenary, several ITRC members were recognized for their contributions to ITRC. Outstanding POC awards were given to David Randolph (Tenn.) and Rob Weber (Kan.). The Brownfields Team received the 2003 outstanding team of the year award. Brownfields Team leader Christine Costopoulos accepted the award on the team’s behalf. ITRC also awarded four 2003 outstanding team member awards to John Chambliss (Constructed Wetlands and Mitigation Wetlands), Peter Strauss (Small-Arms Firing Range and Constructed Wetlands), Linda Fiedler (DNAPLs and MTBE-Contaminated Groundwater), and Eric Nuttall (In Situ Bioremediation). Also, outgoing ITRC Advisory Board members Paul Hadley, state engagement coordinator, and Brian Griffin, Board co-chair, were recognized for their efforts on the board.

Rick Tomlinson, former ITRC program director, was honored for getting the ITRC program off the ground, including taking ITRC membership from 20 states to the current 41 and significantly increasing the number of members from approximately 100 to more than 400 today.

A unique and particularly successful event at this fall’s meeting was the state-led implementation breakfast workshop, which afforded an opportunity for members to meet others from their state who are also involved with ITRC. Members enjoyed getting to know fellow state members and gaining an understanding of how their states’ participation in ITRC benefits environmental remediation in their states.