Interview with G. Tracy Mehan,
Principal, The Cadmus Group, Inc.
In Episode 21 of the Green Government Podcast we talk water, wastewater and the role of water in green infrastrucutre and urban planning with Tracy Mehan of the Cadmus Group. Tracy has been involved in the regulation of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure for decades, and he is currently leading the Cadmus Group in advising clients on water–related issues, including the Safe Water Drinking Act and Clean Water Act. Tracy is also a former Assistant Administrator for Water at the U.S. EPA.
“I think the sale still has to be made,” said Mehan when asked about the comfort level of traditional builders in using green water strategies in their infrastructure projects. “I think as we’re seeing more and more communities — Portland, Cincinati, Philadelphia — where the engineers, regulators and the attorneys are getting comfortable with it. I think it’s going to get better and better, and see this become a more broadly used approach.”
More About Today’s Guest
G. Tracy Mehan III is a principal in the Drinking Water and Water Quality Group and an expert in the implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and Clean Water Act (CWA). He joined Cadmus in 2004. As the assistant administrator for water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2001 to 2003, Mr. Mehan directed the SDWA and CWA programs, including permitting, wetlands regulation, and standards. He developed new policies and guidance on watershed-based permitting and water quality trading. And he expanded ambient water quality monitoring and innovative approaches to address the shortfall in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure investments.
Mr. Mehan was director of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes from 1993 to 2001 and director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources from 1989 to 1992. He served briefly as associate deputy administrator of EPA in 1992. Mr. Mehan contributes to a variety of professional and general interest publications, and he often makes presentations on environmental issues.
G. Tracy Mehan is a graduate of Saint Louis University and its law school. He is an adjunct professor in environmental law at George Mason University School of Law and a member of the Water Environment Federation and the Environmental Law Institute. And he is a member of the Water Science and Technology Board for the National Academies’ National Research Council. Mr. Mehan received the 2004 Environment Award from the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies and the 2003 Elizabeth Jester Fellows Environmental Partnership Award from the Association of State & Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators.
Top Resources from the Podcast
We’ve compiled a list of key links and resources referenced in this most recent podcast:
About CEIL
The Center for Environmental Innovation and Leadership (CEIL) is an independent organization designed to facilitate information and education exchange among government professionals charged with identifying, specifying, and buying green goods and services and with the vendors, contractors, and consultants that provide green goods and services. CEIL provides an interactive environment for government and industry professionals engaged in green activities that includes educational events, website, podcasts, webcasts, news and a social media. Learn more at www.CEILeadership.org.
CEIL is the sponsor of GOVgreen Conference and Exposition (November 30 – December 1, 2011, Washington Convention Center) which offers educational tracks on facilities, energy, transportation and conservation and an exhibit floor of companies that provide green products and services to the government. GOVgreen’s conference program is free to government and military professionals. Learn more about CEIL at www.GOVgreen.org.
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