KAREN M. MILLER, P.E., P.G.
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PROFESSIONAL HISTORYEnvironmental Consultant, independent,
2004-present Lower Colorado River Authority, Senior
Environmental Engineer, 2000-2004 URS Corporation/Radian Corporation, Senior
Engineer, 1990-2000 Radian Corporation, Staff Engineer, 1987-1990 Rice University, Teaching and Research Assistant,
1984-1987 Engineering Assistant, Haynie and Kallman, 1984 EDUCATIONRice University, M.S. Environmental Science and
Engineering, 1989 Rice University, B.S. Civil Engineering, 1985 TECHNICAL SPECIALITIESRegulatory Compliance, Project Management,
Environmental Permitting, Environmental Auditing, Management Systems, Water
Quality Regulatory Compliance, Environmental Permitting |
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Calculated
greenhouse gas emissions for facilities in South Texas and in the Caribbean. ·
Managed
schedule, budget, and resources for environmental components of electrical
transmission line and substation construction and maintenance projects.
Developed ISO 140001-type management system for company operations. Responsible for identification, technical
guidance, and engineering controls for any environmental regulatory issues
and permits including but not limited to: state and local surface and
groundwater, wetlands and waters of the U.S., threatened and endangered
species, cultural resources, and storm water pollution prevention. ·
Prepared
environmental permit applications; negotiated with regulatory agencies;
performed geologic assessments according to Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality (TCEQ) standards; perform environmental site assessments (ESAs) to
ASTM E 1527 standards; develop environmental protection policies and
procedures for operations staff; track national, state and local
environmental regulatory changes and provide summaries of impacts to
operations managers; and supervise five employees to manage the environmental
components for more than $300 million in capital improvements on an annual
basis. · Reviewed proposed 40
CFR 60 Subpart YYY and compared TCEQ regulations to determine which is more
stringent.
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Coordinated
threatened and endangered species issues with construction and maintenance
groups. Coordinated with Executive Management, Legal, Engineering,
Construction, Real Estate, Project Management, landowners, and customers to
implement environmental requirements. Solved complex environmental and
operational issues. Worked with other business units on Houston Toad Habitat
Conservation Plan. Initiated process for organization-wide HCP for endangered
songbirds.
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RI/FS, Site
Investigation
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Designed
numerous soil and groundwater sampling programs, developed work plans, and
performed sampling activities at a variety of government and industrial
facilities. Developed numerous RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) programs for
industrial clients. Programs included soil and groundwater sampling up to 50
feet of depth, interpretation of boring logs, and use of statistical analyses
to manage data. |
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Directed
excavation and disposal of approximately 8,000 tons of creosote-contaminated
soil and debris, a listed hazardous waste (K001). Project was completed
within time constraints to meet Land Ban deadlines. Implementation included
interpretation of applicable regulations including RCRA Land Ban, preparation
of bid specifications, subcontractor selection and supervision, and
preparation of summary reports. Developed and implemented a treatability
study for the biodegradation of remaining creosote wastes based on concentrations
of creosote, weather, and soils. Included research of applicable federal and
state regulations, negotiation with regulatory agencies, sampling and
preparation of work plan/operating plan and monitoring program. After
collection and extensive review of data generated from study, recommended
full-scale design and implementation of land-farming technique. |
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Sampled
surface impoundments and tanks to identify types, amounts, and depths of
contaminants. Used laboratory analyses to determine amount of wastes and
soils to be removed and the proper disposal methods for tank closures at a
petrochemical plant in Beaumont, Texas. Developed alternative closure
criteria recommendations and decisions. |
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Directed
the modification of a design and completion of construction specifications
for the closure of a surface impoundment upon which an active facility will
be operating after closure. The design incorporated existing site conditions,
including soil and groundwater, and consisted of concrete, HDPE, and clay and
covered several acres. |
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Designed
sampling work plans for the soil and groundwater contamination located at the
Industrial Transformers Superfund Site. Collected surficial and deep soil and
groundwater samples. Reviewed drilling logs. Used data to devise and evaluate
treatment alternatives (RI/FS) to remediate the PCB-contaminated surface
soils and TCE-contaminated groundwater. Formulated conceptual designs.
Applied 3-D, variable-spaced grid MODFLOW model to the site conditions.
Calibrated the model and determined the ability of the proposed
pump-and-treat system to remediate the site with minimal subsidence.
Developed bid specifications. Performed QA/QC on construction techniques.
Evaluated ongoing treatment data and revised design and operation as needed. |
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Collected
soil and groundwater samples associated with surface impoundments operated at
a Gulf Coast industrial facility. Analyzed data and directed removal of
contaminated soils. Designed two HypalonŇ/clay caps and one
concrete/HypalonŇ/clay cap to close
surface impoundments. Prepared bid specifications and oversaw construction.
Performed QA/QC for construction activities. |
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Revised
and updated RCRA A and Part B Permit applications for numerous facilities along
the Gulf Coast. Applications included reviews of site geology and
hydrogeology, descriptions of sampling programs completed to date, analyses
of groundwater remediation programs. Auditing |
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Performed
more than 2000 Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments in
accordance with the ASTM standard, as well as tailoring the audits to the
customers’ needs. Audits have included aircraft engine repair facilities,
lubrication plants, numerous oilfields, and plastic extrusion plants, among
others. ·
Conducted
risk assessment audits of facilities all over the North American continent
for compliance with Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA, OSHA, MSHA, and
CERCLA, in addition to state and local regulations. The reviews included
assessments of the adequacy of the groundwater remediation systems. Performed
hazard ranking (EPA) and financial analysis models as part of the audits.
Incorporated the findings into audit reports to quantify risks to the clients
associated with the facility. Reviewed SPCC, Contingency, Hazardous Waste
Operations, Closure, Waste Analysis, and Business Plans for the facilities.
Also reviewed closure cost estimates, financial information, insurance
information, training and medical records, inspection results, and
recordkeeping. Developed best management practices program to audit
international facilities. ·
Developed
audit programs and completed safety and environmental audits of numerous
facilities throughout North America. Developed database to produce reports
used to prioritize compliance initiatives. Water
Quality ·
Calculated
air emissions from pharmaceutical facility’s wastewater processes using EPA’s
WATER9 ·
Prepared
numerous individual stormwater permit applications for various manufacturing
facilities along the Gulf Coast. Strategized selection of outfalls for
representative sampling. Collected samples. Petitioned for representative
sampling to regulatory agency. Collected groundwater and surface water
samples. Conducted slug tests. ·
Prepared
numerous SPCC plans for a variety of facilities. Interpreted new regulatory
requirements. Recommended operations and equipment upgrades to improve
compliance with the rules. ·
Prepared
Edwards Aquifer Water Pollution Abatement Plans and Contributing Zone plans
for a variety of facilities. Designed and specified Best Management
Practices. ·
Collated
and analyzed multiple years of data from a fuel spill site located in
Traverse City, Michigan to identify trends in the contaminant concentrations
of BTEX indicator compounds. Modeled contaminant transport and in situ
biodegradation at the site. Applied, calibrated, and tested BIOPLUME II using
site data and confirming via mass loss calculations. Included existing
interdiction field into model. Compared BIOPLUME II test results to USGS
Solute Transport Model test results. Analyzed various cleanup strategies. ·
Collected
and analyzed data from project location in Central Texas area with extensive
fecal coliform and nitrate contamination of the Edwards Aquifer. Modeled
stream recharge and nitrate transport using the USGS Solute Transport model.
Tested and applied the finite element groundwater transport model SUTRA.
Calibrated BIOPLUME II model and prepared expert testimony documents. ·
Collected
and analyzed data from groundwater contaminant plume located at United
Creosoting Superfund site in Conroe, Texas. ·
Performed
slug tests and evaluated the resulting data. Incorporated the data into the
USGS Solute Transport model and modeled a solvent spill that had contaminated
a shallow, unconfined aquifer in East Texas. ·
Using
SAS, statistically analyzed factors affecting fecal coliform counts in Lake
Houston. Collected surface water samples. ·
Modeled
the hydrologic characteristics of the San Jacinto River and Brays Bayou using
SCS models TR-20, WSP2, HEC-1, and HEC-2 and designed stormwater detention
facilities. |
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
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Registered Professional
Engineer, TX, 1993 |
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Licensed Professional
Geoscientist (Geophysics), TX, 2003 |
Gullett Elementary
– Campus Advisory Council, Odyssey of the Mind Coach, PTA fundraising
Kealing Middle School – Magnet Advisory Group
Girl Scout leader, Troop 2178
Available upon request