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Sandy Browning

Sandy Browning
Sandy Browning
Operations Director

Sandy Browning

Operations Director

Ms. Sandra Browning is a consultant at Integral with more than 30 years of experience in applied sediment science and information management.  She specializes in contaminated sediment investigations; dredged material sediment characterizations; disposal site monitoring; and data, office, and contract management.  Ms. Browning has led or supported numerous sediment investigations in contaminated estuaries and river systems, including CERCLA sediment assessment activities and state-led cleanup actions in Washington and Oregon.

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May 04 2021

Sediment Investigation

Kenmore Navigation Channel Sediment Characterization, Kenmore, Washington Under a subcontract, served as task manager for a sediment characterization in 2019 to support maintenance dredging. Responsibilities included the development of a sampling and analysis plan, completion of the sediment collection effort, and completion of a sediment characterization report and EIM database deliverable.  All work was performed according to the latest requirements of the Dredged Material Management Program and Sediment Management Annual Review Meeting process.  This project was performed in follow up to a 2014 sediment characterization that resulted in the need for additional bioaccumulation testing of dioxins/furans. More than 60 sediment cores were collected using a vibracore system to obtain adequate volumes of sediment for chemistry, bioassay, and bioaccumulation testing.  Sediments were evaluated relative to criteria to determine the suitability of dredged material for unconfined open‑water disposal in Elliott Bay.
Elliott Bay Bioaccumulation Study, Seattle, Washington Under a subcontract, served as task manager for the collection of surface sediment in 2019 to support a benchmark bioaccumulation study. Responsibilities included the development of a sampling and analysis plan, completion of the sediment collection effort, and completion of a data report and EIM database deliverable.  This study was performed to generate bioaccumulation dioxin/furan data for comparison to data collected as part of the Kenmore navigation channel dredged material characterization and potentially other dredged material characterizations involving dioxin/furan bioaccumulation studies.
Dredged Material Sediment Characterization, Longview, Washington Served as project manager for a study to characterize sediments adjacent to outfalls belonging to the Nippon Dynawave Packaging (NDP) property in Longview, Washington.  The objectives of the sediment characterization were to monitor sediments in accordance with requirements of NPD’s NPDES permit and to evaluate sediment quality through comparisons to Washington State Sediment Management Standards (SMS) per the Sediment Cleanup Users Manual II (SCUM II).  Twenty-four surface grab samples were collected for sediment chemistry and tiered bioassays.  At the completion of chemical testing, most chemicals were not detected, and no chemical concentrations exceeded SMS cleanup objective values. Consequently, no toxicity testing was triggered.  The study was completed in 2018.
Dredged Material Sediment Characterization, Longview, Washington Served as project manager for sediment characterizations in 2008, 2010, and 2015 to support maintenance dredging.  Responsibilities included project administration, field logistics, subcontractor coordination, client contact, and reporting.  This work was performed according to the requirements of the dredged material evaluation and disposal procedures from the Dredged Material Management Program and the 2006 freshwater testing requirements outlined in Regional Sediment Evaluation Team guidance.  Collections were performed using a sediment grab sampler and vibracorer.  Sediments were evaluated relative to criteria to determine the suitability of dredged material for unconfined open‑water disposal in the Columbia River.
Port Angeles Harbor PRP Allocation Support, Port Angeles, Washington Researched sewer conveyance system and potential sources to support client in allocation of sediment remediation costs associated with dioxins/furans, mercury, and PAHs.  Investigation included historical research and comparisons to other Phase II NPDES permittees relative to source control.
Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) Cleanup Projects, Budd Inlet, Olympia, Washington Lead sediment scientist for the sediment quality investigations of two cleanup sites (Hardel Mutual Plywood and Reliable Steel) in Budd Inlet.  Both sites are part of the Puget Sound Initiative, and the RI/FS process is proceeding under the MTCA cleanup program.  Surface sediments at Hardel were sampled for contaminant chemical testing and were visually inspected for wood waste content.  At Reliable Steel, both surface and subsurface core samples were collected.  For both sites, sediment samples were evaluated relative to the Washington State Sediment Management Standards to assess sediment quality.  In 2010, additional samples will be collected at the Reliable Steel site to satisfy the Agreed Order with the Washington State Department of Ecology.  Preliminary cleanup areas and volumes determined in 2008 for the Reliable Steel site will be updated and incorporated into a feasibility study.
Dredged Material Sediment Characterization, Port of Grays Harbor, Aberdeen, Washington As QA/QC manager, oversaw field collection and reporting tasks associated with the characterization of sediment to support maintenance dredging at four marine terminals (2007) and the expansion of Terminal 1 (2009).  Sampling and testing was performed in accordance with procedures from the Dredged Material Management Program.
Boat Haven Marina, Port Townsend, Washington Served as project manager and lead scientist for the completion of a PSDDA sediment characterization for the renovation of Boat Haven Marina.  Responsibilities included field logistics, subcontractor coordination, client contact, and reporting.  Samples were collected using a vibracorer, and sampling and testing procedures were conducted in compliance with PSDDA and Puget Sound Estuary Program guidance.  Sediments were evaluated relative to criteria to determine the suitability of dredged material for unconfined open-water disposal and/or habitat restoration.
Year 8 Monitoring Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site, East Operable Unit, Winslow, Washington Project manager for Year 8 monitoring activities.  Developed the operations maintenance monitoring plan addendum, field sampling plan, quality assurance plan, and health and safety plan.  Responsible for field surface and subsurface sediment collections, clam tissue collections, and habitat surveys.  Prepared a final data report that evaluated the data according to data quality objectives described in the above plans and recommended future operations maintenance monitoring plan tasks.
Hylebos Waterway Pre-remedial Design, Commencement Bay Nearshore/Tideflats Superfund Site, Tacoma, Washington As project manager and scientist, directed the sediment assessment activities in the Hylebos Waterway CERCLA site (pre-remedial design) from 1999 to 2000.  Between 1994 and 1999, assisted or led activities associated with the collection of sediment samples, preparation of sampling plans and technical memoranda, data analyses (including GIS), and report production.  Database manager for the transfer of all data from the quality assurance managers to the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program database stored at EPA, Region 10.  Evaluated chemical data, sediment-profile imaging data, toxicity testing data, and infaunal benthos data to define potential sediment management areas (no action, natural recovery, and remediation areas) in surface sediments.  This work culminated in the production of the Pre-Remedial Design Evaluation Report in 1999.
Slip 4 Sediment Investigation, Lower Duwamish Waterway CERCLA Site, Seattle, Washington At the Slip 4 early action area, coordinated and contributed to a data summary report and coordinated database and GIS requirements.  These activities supported defining the remedial boundary of a non-time critical removal action undertaken by the City of Seattle under CERCLA and MTCA.
PSDDA Disposal Site Monitoring Program, Western Washington Contributed to the analysis and reporting of bioassay and benthic body burden data from Commencement Bay (2001 Full Monitoring).  Assisted with fieldwork and lab coordination.  In 2002, contributed to sediment chemistry discussion and performed final senior technical edit of the draft report, Tiered-Partial Monitoring of the Elliott Bay PSDDA Disposal Site.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Marine Sediment Sampling, Chemical and Biological Analyses in Western Washington Project manager and scientist for the following pre-dredge sediment characterizations that were conducted to determine the suitability of materials for open‑water disposal:
  • Squalicum Creek Waterway FY00 Operation and Maintenance (PSDDA)—Led project, led fieldwork, oversaw laboratory work, and prepared reports.
  • Grays Harbor (Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay Dredged Material Evaluation Procedures) FY00 Operation and Maintenance—Assisted in preparation of programmatic sampling and analysis plan and report preparation.
  • Duwamish River and Turning Basin FY00 (PSDDA)—Led project and oversaw laboratory work.
  • Duwamish Waterway FY99 Operation and Maintenance (PSDDA)—Participated in fieldwork and validated bioassay data.
  • Port Townsend Marina (PSDDA)—Participated in fieldwork.
  • Tokeland Marina (Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay Dredged Material Evaluation Procedures)—Led project, led fieldwork, oversaw laboratory work, and prepared reports.
King County Marine Outfall Siting Study, Marine Habitat Report, Puget Sound, Washington Contributed to the marine habitat report fish species descriptions and coordinated final report production with King County and Battelle Marine Science Laboratory staff.
Multi-user Disposal Site Programmatic EIS, Puget Sound, Washington Authored sections addressing the construction and use of conceptual aquatic and nearshore multi-user disposal sites in Puget Sound.  Contributed to the selection of preliminary disposal sites using GIS and orthophoto analysis.  The programmatic EIS was prepared to provide a broad initial environmental review of potential disposal options necessary to find safe, cost-effective ways to manage the containment of contaminated materials dredged from Puget Sound harbors.
Denny Way/Lake Union Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project, Seattle, Washington Participated as a scientist in sediment core processing, led the preparation of the sediment characterization report, and designated preliminary sediment remediation areas for sediments in the vicinity of the existing Denny Way combined sewer overflow and proposed outfall construction site.  Surface and subsurface sediments were characterized to obtain baseline sediment chemical data that were needed for a Washington State Department of Natural Resources land use authorization and to define potential sediment management areas in the area surrounding outfall construction.

Remedial Design

Remedial Investigation of Releases to the Columbia River, Hanford Site, Richland, Washington Deputy project manager responsible for project administrative activities, including coordinating and tracking project tasks, complying with federal contract requirements, and assisting with monthly invoice and progress report preparation.
Portland Harbor CERCLA Sediment Remedial Investigation, Portland, Oregon Since 2001, manager for information management tasks which involve maintaining and updating the project database, GIS spatial files, central library, and project website for the Portland Harbor CERCLA RI/FS.  Also led or assisted with Round 3 sediment collection, upland source identification tasks, outfall verification work, and property access for all field events.  Recently led the preparation of the nature and extent section of the draft remedial investigation report, which was delivered to EPA in October 2010.  In 2007–2008, coordinated and contributed to the completion of the Comprehensive Round 2 Data Report, a six-volume report summarizing all data collected through Round 2 activities, along with ecological and human health risk assessments.  Prior to the development of this report, co‑led and contributed to the synthesis of existing land use, groundwater, and sediment chemistry information to implement adaptive management strategies for designing Rounds 2 and 3 sampling programs.  Also led and contributed to the completion of the programmatic work plan and numerous supporting RI/FS documents throughout the project, including field sampling plans, data management plans, and interim site characterization summary reports.

Sediment Sampling

Port of Olympia, West Bay and East Bay Sediment Characterizations, Olympia, Washington As task manager, led a sediment investigation for the Port of Olympia in accordance with Washington State Sediment Management Standards in 2007.  Both surface and subsurface cores were collected.  Led field sampling and analysis plan preparation, sediment collections, and reporting.  Also served as QA/QC manager for Puget Sound Dredged Disposal Analysis (PSDDA) dredged material characterizations at East Bay in 2005 and West Bay in 1999 and 2000.
Former Pulp Mill, Bay Operable Unit RI/FS, Sitka, Alaska Validated bioassay data generated from 18 sediment samples.  Three bioassays were used with and without ammonia purging techniques.  Reviewed and evaluated laboratory data relative to the work plan and laboratory standard operating procedures, including holding conditions, sample tracking methods, control performance, water quality parameters, ammonia data in pore water and overlying water, and transcription errors.
Boatyard Repair Facility, Phase 2 Site Assessment, Aberdeen, Washington Participated as a scientist in collecting intertidal sediments and upland soils to assess sediment quality on and adjacent to a boatyard repair facility.  These data were evaluated relative to MTCA guidelines and used to recommend possible cleanup scenarios.
Duwamish/Diagonal and Norfolk Remediation Sites, Seattle, Washington Served as a scientist assisting in recommending appropriate toxicity tests, sample collection methods, and laboratories that were needed to characterize the Duwamish/Diagonal remediation site.  Evaluated the toxicity testing data relative to Washington State Sediment Management Standards.
Former Wood Treatment Plant Remediation Project, Lake Washington, Renton, Washington Scientist leading vibracore extrusion and processing activities.  Sediment samples were selected from cores depending on the volume of wood chips present, the station location, and the presence or absence of aromatic hydrocarbons.  The presence or absence of hydrocarbons was determined using visual screening methods and a photoionization detector.  More than 75 cores were processed during a 2-week period.
Port of St. Helens Remediation Investigation and Risk Assessments, St. Helens, Oregon Participated in planning the sediments aspect of the remedial investigation and contributed to the combined sampling and analysis and quality assurance plans.  Assisted in collecting bank and riverine sediments from an area adjacent to a former wood-treating facility on the St. Helens River.  The data were used to identify the extent of contamination, potential contaminant migration pathways, and risks posed to human health and the environment.
PSDDA Characterizations of Lower Snohomish River and Upper Turning Basin of the Duwamish Waterway (FY97), Washington Project manager for a task order issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District.  Responsibilities included field logistics, subcontractor coordination, client contact, and reporting.  Collections were performed using the Corps’ vibracorer, and sampling and testing procedures were in compliance with PSDDA and Puget Sound Estuary Program.  Sediments were evaluated relative to criteria to determine the suitability of dredged material for unconfined open-water disposal and/or habitat restoration.
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