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Edward W. Putnam

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Edward W. Putnam
Senior Science Advisor

Edward W. Putnam

Senior Science Advisor (267) 738-1533 Trenton, NJ eputnam@integral-corp.com

Mr. Putnam has 44 years of experience in contaminated site remediation while working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), EPA, and in environmental consulting. Perhaps most prominently, he acted as the state project officer for NJDEP in the federal Superfund program. In this position, Mr. Putnam coordinated interagency actions between EPA and the state.

Early in his career, Mr. Putnam was cochair of a New Jersey task force that, with the EPA region, was responsible for listing 65 Superfund sites on the initial National Priorities List—the most of any state. Because of his work, New Jersey continued to lead the nation in receiving Superfund monies, listing Superfund sites, and deleting Superfund sites. Mr. Putnam also served as one of five state program members on the Superfund Subcommittee of the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology within EPA. Here, he was considered the in-house expert at NJDEP on the Superfund program.

Mr. Putnam’s last position with NJDEP was assistant director for the Publicly Funded Response Element, where he managed over 50 staff and an annual budget of over $15 million. His responsibilities included all phases of remedial response—from site identification through remedial investigation, feasibility study, remedial design, remedial action, and operation and maintenance—on over 300 cases addressing former dry cleaners, leaking underground storage tanks, abandoned factories, and major landfills. Because of Mr. Putnam’s position as an assistant director, his projects had the unique position of being both conducted and regulated by NJDEP. This situation put Mr. Putnam in the position of being the responsible entity for many permits as well as the compliance of those permits.

In addition, through various advisory groups within the National Governors Association and the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials, Mr. Putnam helped draft language for both the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act as well as the Small Business Liability and Brownfields Revitalization Act. He has also testified before the New Jersey Legislature and has helped draft state legislation related to contaminated site remediation. He has also helped develop and implement the Immediate Environmental Concern (IEC) strategy that now protects thousands of residents from direct exposure to hazardous substances in their homes and workplaces.

Most recently, as a director of redevelopment, Mr. Putnam led renewable energy efforts to find new opportunities for solar development on solid waste landfills, brownfields, and historical fill sites. He is currently working on several grid supply and community solar projects.

Emergency Response

Emergency Response Action at a Landfill, New Jersey Served as the project manager for the emergency remedial actions at the Fenimore Landfill in Roxbury Township. The landfill was undergoing redevelopment by a private entity when hydrogen sulfide gas began emanating from recently imported fill at the site. The odor became unbearable to nearby residents, and onsite levels of hydrogen sulfide were determined to be well above those immediately dangerous to life and health. Managed the implementation of a gas collection and treatment system at the site to control the hydrogen sulfide. The treatment involved the combustion of landfill gas and treatment of exhaust gas for sulfur oxides. The deposited fill material responsible for the hydrogen sulfide was then covered with an impermeable cap to eliminate any fugitive emissions from the material and limit the production of hydrogen sulfide. NJDEP expended over $35 million at the site. This situation inspired the Legacy Landfill Legislation in New Jersey.
Waterway Debris Removal, New Jersey Served as the initial project manager for a waterway debris removal project in response to the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy. Managed three regional debris removal contractors and several professional services contractors. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) imposes strict guidelines and policies that must be followed if the state is to be reimbursed with federal funds. In this case, New Jersey was eventually reimbursed by FEMA for all costs.

Remedial Design and Construction

Solid Waste Landfill Closures, Meadowlands, New Jersey Managed the closure of seven old solid waste landfills in the Meadowlands, including the 87-acre Kingsland Landfill and the 90-acre Avon Landfill, as part of the Kingsland Redevelopment Plan. The work was being completed by a construction bond company after the initiating private firm went bankrupt. NJDEP’s Publicly Funded Response Element was charged with managing the bond company’s landfill closure efforts, including various capping scenarios for the many different landfills.
Landfill Closure, Chester and Washington Townships, New Jersey Managed the closure of the Combe Fill South Landfill in Chester and Washington townships. This 60-acre Superfund site was closed with a RCRA cap consisting of a double-liner system of clay and synthetic liner. Remediation of the site also included a 120-gpm leachate collection system involving both chemical and biological treatment. The recent emergence of 1,4‑dioxane as a chemical of concern prompted several treatability studies as part of this landfill’s closure. EPA is expected to implement an advanced oxidation treatment system at the site as a result of these studies.
Landfill Closure, Southampton Township, New Jersey Managed the closure of the BEMS Landfill in Southampton Township. This 40-acre solid waste landfill, located in the Pinelands National Reserve, was properly closed with an impermeable cap, a leachate collection system, and an active gas treatment system.

Remedial Investigation

Helen Kramer Landfill, New Jersey Served as the remedial project manager (RPM) for the remedial investigation and feasibility study for this 66-acre landfill. The selected remedy included an impermeable cap, leachate collection and pretreatment, and an upgradient slurry wall. Also served as the primary author of the records of decision.
GEMS Landfill, New Jersey Served as the RPM for the remedial investigation and feasibility study for this 60-acre landfill. The selected remedy included an impermeable cap, groundwater pumping and pretreatment, and gas collection and treatment. Also served as the primary author of the records of decision.

Immediate Environmental Concern

IEC Strategy Development, Publicly Funded Program, New Jersey As assistant director of the Publicly Funded Program, helped establish the current strategy used by NJDEP to respond to immediate environmental concern (IEC) cases when the responsible party is unknown, unable, or unwilling to perform the appropriate response. The strategy involves a rapid response to eliminate the exposure to contamination, followed by an alternatives analysis for a long-term remedy, while concurrently initiating a source investigation if the responsible party is unknown. IEC cases can involve drinking water, vapor intrusion, or direct contact.

PFAS/Emerging Contaminants

Emerging Contaminant Policy Development, Publicly Funded Program, New Jersey As assistant director for the Publicly Funded Program, participated in the development of NJDEP’s policies and procedures for responding to emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Led this program to evaluate the presence of emerging contaminants at publicly funded sites and to identify potential sources of emerging contaminants in drinking water. Several private wells were found to be contaminated, and appropriate actions were taken to provide potable water. In some cases, new treatment technologies were tested and incorporated in the point of entry treatment units.

Regulatory Compliance

Solar Redevelopment, New Jersey Assisted with regulatory compliance, primarily with solid waste and site remediation, for a major solar developer in New Jersey. In addition to ensuring regulatory compliance, participated in negotiations for administrative consent orders to obtain the most favorable position for the client. In one case, worked closely with NJDEP to develop a restoration project to satisfy natural resource damages for a site.

Expert Testimony

Cost Recovery Cases, New Jersey As an expert witness appointed by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, opined on several cost recovery cases initiated by the state against responsible parties. Provided expert written opinions and depositions on public expenditures and compliance with the National Contingency Plan. Additionally, provided litigation support that involved answering depositions, working with others to calculate natural resource damage assessments, and assisting attorneys with a litigation strategy.

Project Management

Emergency Response Action at a Landfill, New Jersey Served as the project manager for the emergency remedial actions at the Fenimore Landfill in Roxbury Township. The landfill was undergoing redevelopment by a private entity when hydrogen sulfide gas began emanating from recently imported fill at the site. The odor became unbearable to nearby residents, and onsite levels of hydrogen sulfide were determined to be well above those immediately dangerous to life and health. Managed the implementation of a gas collection and treatment system at the site to control the hydrogen sulfide. The treatment involved the combustion of landfill gas and treatment of exhaust gas for sulfur oxides. The deposited fill material responsible for the hydrogen sulfide was then covered with an impermeable cap to eliminate any fugitive emissions from the material and limit the production of hydrogen sulfide. NJDEP expended over $35 million at the site. This situation inspired the Legacy Landfill Legislation in New Jersey.
Waterway Debris Removal, New Jersey Served as the initial project manager for a waterway debris removal project in response to the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy. Managed three regional debris removal contractors and several professional services contractors. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) imposes strict guidelines and policies that must be followed if the state is to be reimbursed with federal funds. In this case, New Jersey was eventually reimbursed by FEMA for all costs.

Feasibility Studies

Helen Kramer Landfill, New Jersey Served as the remedial project manager (RPM) for the remedial investigation and feasibility study for this 66-acre landfill. The selected remedy included an impermeable cap, leachate collection and pretreatment, and an upgradient slurry wall. Also served as the primary author of the records of decision.
GEMS Landfill, New Jersey Served as the RPM for the remedial investigation and feasibility study for this 60-acre landfill. The selected remedy included an impermeable cap, groundwater pumping and pretreatment, and gas collection and treatment. Also served as the primary author of the records of decision.

Litigation Support

Cost Recovery Cases, New Jersey As an expert witness appointed by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, opined on several cost recovery cases initiated by the state against responsible parties. Provided expert written opinions and depositions on public expenditures and compliance with the National Contingency Plan. Additionally, provided litigation support that involved answering depositions, working with others to calculate natural resource damage assessments, and assisting attorneys with a litigation strategy.
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