Environmental Affairs Committee (EAC)

The Environmental Affairs Committee (EAC) provides a discussion forum for members of ACEC/MA to discuss business issues related to the field of environmental engineering and consulting (regulatory, policy, funding sources, networking opportunities).  The mission of the committee is to:

• Promote programs, activities, and regulations that are beneficial to the environmental consulting community – including both to the consultants and their clients (public, private, and institutional);
• Review and comment on pending regulation and policies that impact the environmental consulting field (water, wastewater, air, solid waste, hazardous waste, 21E, wetlands, Brownfield’s, funding, grants, etc.); and
• Liaison with the various agencies that create, impact, and enforce regulation and policy.

Structure

Managed by two co-chairs, the EAC has a membership organized around particular areas of membership expertise and interest. These areas include: water resources and wastewater, regulatory compliance, 21E MCP and site cleanup, wetlands and wildlife, energy and environment, solid waste, and storm water.  All committee members are volunteer representatives from ACEC/MA member firms. Additional participants from member firms are always welcome.

The EAC meets every other month at The Engineering Center, on even numbered months, and presents a general agenda which typically includes: 1) pending regulations being tracked by the committee, 2) status of member involvement in various work groups, 3) coordination of liaison meetings, 4) new issues/policy topics on horizon, and 5) informational session from member(s).  Meeting notes are prepared and approved for each meeting.  Goals for the committee include: establishing a partnering relationship with state regulatory agencies; participating in study and policy groups; playing an active role in professional groups; and providing comment on pending regulation and policies that impact the environmental consulting field, as requested by the Executive Director and the ACEC/MA Board of Directors.

Certain updates:

In FY2009, ACEC/MA sought and received clarification from the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust (MWPAT) regarding the "CERTIFICATION OF REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WITH REGARD TO USEFUL LIFE."  As a result of ACEC/MA's efforts, MWPAT implemented this form.