News and Updates from Our Environmental Assessment and Remediation Team
We are excited to bring you the latest news from our Environmental Assessment and Remediation team, including new credentials, the latest additions to our talented staff, recent news on brownfields program funding in Vermont, and important project developments.
STAFF RECOGNITION: Stone's Brownfields Program Manager Earns AICP Credential
We are excited to congratulate employee-owner and Brownfields Program Manager Annemarie Fortune on earning her American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) credential! This is the only nationwide, independent verification of planners' qualifications and recognizes Annemarie's expertise, commitment to planning, and ethical values as outlined in the AICP Code of Ethics. Join us in congratulating Annemarie on this achievement!
RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT: Regional Entities Awarded Over $7 Million in Brownfields Funding to Support Vermont Communities
Financial barriers are common hurdles to brownfield redevelopment. To support communities in addressing brownfield challenges, public funds are often necessary. As such, we are excited to congratulate many of our regional partners for securing competitive federal funding to support local brownfield efforts. The EPA Brownfields Program provides grant awards to support brownfield assessment, planning, cleanup, and revolving loans.
Among the fiscal year 2023 awardees are Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, Northeastern Vermont Development Association, Northwest Regional Planning Commission, Rutland Regional Planning Commission, Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission, and the Windham Regional Commission. More information about each organization's brownfields program can be found on their respective websites.
Curious if your project qualifies to use these funds? Stone can help you navigate the diversity of funding options to understand eligibility, availability, and requirements. Our interdisciplinary team provides holistic brownfield redevelopment services and is committed to leading clients through complex environmental challenges, including identifying and securing diverse funding opportunities.
Contact Annemarie Fortune, AICP, to Learn More About Our Planning Services >>>
STAFF HIGHLIGHT: Meet the Newest Members of the Stone Team
Jacob Vincent, Project Hydrogeologist
Jacob returns to Stone and brings with him a wealth of acquired knowledge on topics like drilling techniques and groundwater modeling. In his time away, Jacob pursued a Ph.D. in Hydrogeology from the University of South Carolina. We are excited to lean on Jacob's expertise in high-resolution site characterization, numerical modeling, and project design to implement innovative new approaches to assessing contaminated sites. Learn more about Jacob>>>
David Jensen, EIT, Project Engineer
Originally from Vermont, David moved back home after developing expertise in pre-design testing and full-scale design and installation of sub-slab depressurization systems in small to large-sized industrial buildings. David received his Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering from MIT and is an Engineer in Training. He draws on eight years of field and design experience to find creative solutions for contaminated sites that balance regulatory requirements, protect human/ecological health, and client needs. Learn more about David>>>
Lakshmi Pillai, Staff Engineer
We welcome Lakshmi to Vermont from North Carolina where she recently completed her Master of Science and Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University. Lakshmi brings rich experience conducting environmental impact assessments and wet chemistry tests to detect heavy metals in soil and wastewater. She utilizes her engineering expertise to perform a wide range of analytical and design tasks. In her first months at Stone, Lakshmi has greatly contributed to Stone projects via site investigation activities and developing engineering design calculations, drawings, and specifications. Learn more about Lakshmi>>>
Rudy Bentlage, Staff Geoscientist
A Jericho native, Rudy made his way back to Vermont from Connecticut, where he worked on all aspects of ecological restoration projects, including permitting and contractor procurement for dredging and coastal construction activities. Rudy's experience in project management and science communication has proven invaluable to his role as a Geoscientist at Stone. He draws from this experience and his geology background to assist with environmental investigations, contractor oversight, and reporting. Learn more about Rudy>>>
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Remediation Efforts Begin at Jeffersonville Granary
We are proud to serve as the Environmental Professional overseeing the brownfield remediation of the former Jeffersonville Granary. Prior environmental site assessments identified the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at concentrations that exceed the Toxic Substances Control Act criteria for cleanup. Current efforts, funded by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development's Brownfield Revitalization Fund, include the removal and encapsulation of PCB-contaminated materials and the removal of asbestos-containing materials.
The cleanup will enable the redevelopment of the former granary into a hub for local food businesses. The redevelopment and reuse of the site is expected to support the expansion of at least four regionally based businesses, create outdoor greenspace for recreation and leisure, address traffic safety concerns, and promote stormwater management. We are excited to be a part of such an innovative development concept and look forward to seeing how the space connects people and producers to support the local food system and the greater community.