EPA Town Hall

Date: Presented at StormCon 2024 in Reno, Nevada on August 28, 2024
Speakers: Lisa Biddle, James Houle & Chris Kloss
Credits: 0.75 PDH / Approved for all Envirocert International, Inc. (ECI) Certifications: Approval #PDH-0042

This session will follow a non-traditional format that will consist of discussing some of the most vexing problems facing stormwater programs and asking for feedback from panelists on these findings. The session will seek robust attendee participation with the audience through Q&A. This session will be designed to be a useful listening session for the U.S. EPA stormwater staff to hear from MS4 permittees and associated professionals.

Session duration: 45 minutes

About the Presenters

James Houle is the Program Director for the UNH Stormwater Center. His responsibilities include directing and managing the Stormwater Center’s growing body of research projects. Areas of expertise include diffusion of innovative stormwater management solutions, the design and implementation of innovative stormwater control measures including green infrastructure (GI), and low impact development (LID) strategies, planning and implementation, operation and maintenance, and water resource monitoring. Dr. Houle holds a PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Science and has over fifteen years of experience with water quality related issues in New England and is a certified professional in storm water quality (CPSWQ) and a certified professional in erosion and sediment control (CPESC).

Lisa Biddle is the Municipal Branch Chief in EPA’s Water Permits Division in the Office of Wastewater Management. She has been working on wastewater, stormwater, and related policy issues for almost 20 years, first in the private sector and then in EPA’s Office of Water since 2011. Lisa is a licensed professional engineer in Virginia and holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University and an MS in Environmental Engineering from UNC, Chapel Hill.

Chris Kloss is the Director of the Water Permits Division in U.S. EPA’s Office of Water. He oversees the national NPDES permitting program, which is a key element in EPA’s clean water program. The Water Permits Division develops national policy and works with EPA and state permit writers to administer the permitting program for 750,000 permittees nationwide. The Division also implements voluntary programs related to animal agriculture, green infrastructure, and integrated planning. The Division’s responsibilities require collaborating with a broad swath of federal, state, local, industry, and environmental groups.