PM Environmental is proud to announce the recent appointment of Stephen Zayko, P.E., Q.C., to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s (MDEQ) Remediation and Redevelopment Division (RRD) Response Activity Review Panel. 

Zayko will begin serving on the Response Activity Review Panel immediately, and will remain on the panel for the next three years. 

“I was very excited to learn the MDEQ had accepted my application,” said Zayko. “I enjoy working collaboratively with the MDEQ, industry professionals, and environmental professional peers and this opportunity will allow me to continue working with these groups in new ways.” 

The MDEQ promotes the management of Michigan’s air, land, and water resources to support a sustainable environment, healthy communities, and vibrant economy. 

The Response Activity Review Panel advises the MDEQ’s Director on technical or scientific disputes, including disputes regarding assessment of risk, response activity plans, no further action reports, certificates of completion, and documentations of due care compliance.

To apply to the Response Activity Review Panel, applicants were required to have a relevant baccalaureate degree with ten years of experience; a relevant Master’s degree with eight years of experience; or a current Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Professional Geologist (P.G.) license with of six years of full-time relevant experience.

Zayko is currently Manager of Technical Services at PM, a position he has held since 2011. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Michigan and a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG). He also holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, a Master’s of Science in Geology from Wright State University, and has over 20 years of experience providing environmental engineering services. 

Active in professional associations, Zayko has participated in the annual American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) summer workshop as an attendee and presenter for the past four years. He also participated in the 2014 Criteria Stakeholders Advisory Group. 

As both an engineer and geologist, Zayko has the technical capabilities to review and evaluate all components of response activity plans, including site characterization, local/regional geology and hydrogeology, biological and chemical reactions, non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) characterization and transmissivity analysis, appropriate well construction details and performance, remediation system design, remediation system engineering plans and details, operations and maintenance plans, and economic analysis of response activities and associated documentation for financial assurance. 

“I applied because I believe it is a great way to demonstrate that PM is an industry leader,” said Zayko.  “It also shows that we are among those that work collaboratively with the MDEQ to meet the common goals for the State of Michigan, its residents and businesses.  Those goals include developing an environment that both maintains our natural resources and facilitates state and business growth.”