Ms. Kaiser has 10 years of experience as an environmental professional, including more than 7 years in consulting. She works as a risk assessor, assistant project manager, data analyst, researcher, and health and safety coordinator. In these roles, her responsibilities have included human health and ecological risk calculations, project management, statistical analysis, site assessment, research, compliance assurance, sampling method development, and biotic and abiotic fieldwork.
Ms. Kaiser has experience evaluating human health and ecological risks from chemicals in soil, groundwater, surface water, tissue, and air on sites where PCBs, dioxins, PAHs, and/or metals are the primary chemicals of interest. She has provided technical support for multiple projects in Oregon, Washington, and California at a wide range of sites, including retail gasoline stations, bulk petroleum terminals, former gun clubs, abandoned mine sites, electrical substations, lumber mills, and in-water sediment areas. With an interdisciplinary background and a versatile skill set, Ms. Kaiser specializes in projects that do not fit into well-defined categories.
Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments
Developed a scoping/screening-level ecological risk assessment and baseline human health risk assessment for contaminated sediment adjacent to a pulp and paper mill. Key contaminants include PCBs, dioxin/furans, and PAHs. The risk assessment incorporated the findings of midge (Chironomus dilutus) and amphipod (Hyalella azteca) bioassay tests.
Developed a combined scoping/screening ecological risk assessment for a former gun club property with threatened plant species and metals contamination. Worked with client, client attorneys, and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to develop a strategy for site assessment and future disposition. Frequent communications with the client ensured client understanding of project alternatives as they arose.
Prepared streamlined ecological and human health risk assessment as part of a site investigation report for two remote sites with former mining activities. Key contaminants included metals, especially arsenic. Risk assessment considered soil, sediment, and surface water data, as well as freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance.
Performed a field investigation of a lakeside site with former mining activities. Key contaminants included metals, especially arsenic. Field work included soil screening using an X ray fluorescence (XRF) device, and the collection of soil, waste rock, sediment, surface water, pore water, and freshwater macroinvertebrate tissue. Prepared a streamlined ecological and human health risk assessment as part of a site investigation report.
Assisted with spatial analysis of contamination and estimates of soil removal volumes for contaminated property in southern California. Key contaminants included metals, PAHs, and pesticides. Also, developed figures to clearly convey information to the client.
Performed a field investigation of a site with former mining activities. Field work included soil screening using an XRF device, and the collection of soil and mine water. Key contaminants included metals, especially copper. Prepared a streamlined ecological and human health risk assessment as part of a site investigation report.
Compiled sediment, fish tissue, and mussel tissue data collected by public and private agencies to assess human health risks from mercury to Native American populations in the Puget Sound. Developed summary statistics for the data and screened data against relevant risk-based screening criteria.
Performed risk calculations, analysis of bioassay data, and literature research on amphibian toxicity and receptor characteristics in support of ecological risk assessments for the terrestrial and marine environment at a former oil-breaking facility site on the Pacific Coast. This project involved mercury and PCB soil contamination of the coastal property and marine deposition of contaminated sediments.
Performed site reconnaissance, literature research, and report writing for hypothetical spills of ethanol and biodiesel into the Columbia River. Report findings were used by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to help determine how siting an ethanol and biodiesel transfer facility would impact threatened and endangered fish species.
Produced risk-based closure reports at numerous retail gasoline stations in Oregon based on DEQ’s Risk-Based Decision Making Guidance for the Remediation of Petroleum-Contaminated Sites. Used generic and/or site-specific risk-based screening levels as appropriate for the site.
Reviewed client calculations developed for site-specific risk-based concentrations in Africa and provided detailed comments pointing out opportunities for improvement.
Developed a scoping-level ecological risk assessment for a solvent-contaminated industrial site. Assessment included a site visit and records search for threatened and endangered species or habitat.
Natural Resources
Developed several sections of an environmental impact statement for a new state university campus by compiling the research and data necessary for inclusion in these sections. Also assisted the project manager in coordinating the completion of all sections and the final document.
Performed analysis of raw avian data on annual and seasonal timescales for a Northwest wind power project. Provided interpretation of statistical findings and comparison of study findings with those of previous wind power projects.
Developed a habitat evaluation and enhancement design by compiling information on the technical constraints imposed by utilities and existing site uses, and habitat preferences of the species of interest in a restored wetland in Portland, Oregon. The final habitat design maximized the preferred habitat characteristics for these species, with emphasis on western painted turtles.
Characterized survival, distribution, and composition of vegetation 1 year after the construction of several riparian restoration projects. Responsibilities included fieldwork, monitoring protocol revisions, and statistical analysis of findings.
Participated in a variety of additional biotic fieldwork projects incorporating stream seining, vegetation monitoring, invertebrate and herpetofauna mark and recapture, stream morphology monitoring, photosynthetic rate measurements, avian mist netting, and wetland delineation.
Permitting/Compliance
Assisted the client and its legal team in evaluating the client’s potential liability due to ownership and/or operation of properties within the Portland Harbor Superfund site. Specific tasks included considering the composition and distribution of contamination with river sediments, evaluating the contamination generated at neighboring properties, and preparing supplementary information for the Portland Harbor allocation team.
Developed responses, on behalf of clients, to 84 questions formally requested by EPA through the CERCLA 104(e) process. This work entailed compiling client information on historical and current site operations, spill history, environmental permitting, and waste production and disposal. Collaborated with site operators, site employees, and client attorneys to achieve products that fully disclosed the nature of the business to EPA while remaining sensitive to confidential business information and data gaps. Participated in the completion of 104(e) responses for at least 10 clients, spearheading the development of responses for three of them.
Led the consultant team developing site-specific health, safety, security, and environmental procedures and documentation for newly constructed pharmaceutical fill-finish facility. Documents integrated corporate standards and policies with federal and state regulations as appropriate. Assisted with project management, and worked with client and different user groups within the pharmaceutical facility to ensure that prepared documents met client expectations.
Compiled list of permits that would be needed to potentially locate a biodiesel transfer facility and refinery in the Portland metro area. Contacted local agencies to inquire about necessary permits and timelines to help the client determine the benefits and drawbacks of locating a facility in Portland compared to other cities in the United States.
Assisted with the development and compilation of various federal, Oregon, and Washington permits for a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal in Oregon. Worked with the project manager, task leads, and external vendors to help meet deadlines, incorporate revisions, and respond to last minute changes.
Site Assessment and Remediation
Prepared two preliminary site assessments for upland stormwater drainage areas potentially associated with documented sediment contamination in Portland, Oregon. Led a team reviewing and incorporating data from different sites in each drainage basin. Collaborated with client to ensure that the final documents accurately reflected client activities in the drainage basins. Also assisted the client in understanding the Portland Harbor Superfund project and prepared comments in response to draft Portland Harbor documents.
Prepared individual reports describing Phase II environmental site assessments of 48 retail gasoline stations in Washington. Report data included soil samples from borings and groundwater samples from borings and monitoring wells. Although this project had an aggressive schedule that necessitated rapid completion of the reports once laboratory data became available, the project met its deadline.
Collected Asian clam tissue and sediment samples using divers and a box core sampler prior to remediation work on the Columbia River. Following a sediment removal effort, participated in collecting post-remediation samples of sediment, sculpin, crayfish, and Asian clams using box core samplers and traps. Also prepared technical reports describing the successes and challenges faced during the field efforts.
Performed field reconnaissance visits, including interviewing property owners and managers, site photos, and file reviews, in support of a variety of Phase I environmental site assessments. Properties included forested parcels, warehouses, commercial buildings, retail properties, and a freeway intersection.
Served as health and safety coordinator for remediation work conducted at a bulk fuel terminal facility in Portland, Oregon. Developed site-specific health and safety plans, tracked qualifications and training of employees and subcontractors, collected health and safety statistics, reported near-misses and incidents, and conducted site safety audits.
Prepared and developed routine compliance reports for a bulk fuel terminal facility in Portland, Oregon. Also performed river turbidity monitoring during in-water work and groundwater sampling.
Researched the expected methane generation resulting from “clean” fill placed in a former quarry. Developed estimates of landfill constituents based on historical records, analyzed boring logs, and prepared internal reports for discussion with client and attorneys. Conducted onsite methane concentration monitoring at extraction wells.
Solid Waste
Researched population growth and density patterns in conjunction with user data from existing facilities to support evaluation of the impact of population growth and proposed facility closures/expansions on a county solid waste transfer system. These efforts resulted in recommendations that would enhance service levels to underserved portions of the community, manage additional tonnage and traffic from a growing community, and minimize the cost impact of facility closures on haul routes.
Created a model to calculate and compare air emissions from the transportation of solid waste using combinations of rail, barge, and truck transportation. Work necessitated understanding the client’s logistical needs and operational practices, as well as the reliability of each transportation mode.
Researched population growth and county demographics to support analysis of existing transfer station capacity and locations for future expansions.
Researched and compiled data from various solid waste processing facilities across the United States to facilitate with the design of a large-scale solid waste transfer station. Types of data collected included waste volumes, size of facility footprints, types of process lines, waste stream characteristics. Also evaluated the economic value generated through cost recovery of specific waste streams.
Collected data on the type, tonnage, and costs of recycled materials at local Oregon post offices. Interviewed the operations and environmental managers of the central Portland, Oregon, post office on details of recycling operations. Provided state information for compilation into a national report on U.S. postal recycling.
Other
Created a database of remediation technologies searchable by contaminated media, performance efficiency, and chemical of interest.
Worked as part of a U.S. Forest Service multidisciplinary team on a web portal project with the goal of improving management of natural resources by facilitating access to government documents. Duties included acquiring and analyzing data for entry into the portal, verifying existing information, and drafting a journal article.
Worked as a field assistant to a University of Wyoming graduate student at an ultra-remote field station in northern Canada. Also developed an individual project investigating the effects of water, fertilization, and atmospheric warming on photosynthetic rates of high arctic plants.
Developed individual project evaluating the effects of coal burning by-products (weathered fly ash and coal pile runoff) on plant growth.