Bernadette Wright, LG, and Jessi Massingale, PE, were invited to present an overview of contaminated sediment characterization and management to the Alaska Native Health Tribal Consortium in the Contaminated Sites Program monthly webinar series on January 27, 2026. The presentation provided a high-level overview focused on sediment contamination and remediation specific to Alaska sediment sites. Attendees learned about the similarities and differences between marine and freshwater sediment contamination, how contaminant concentrations are evaluated to assess protectiveness, risks to humans and the environment, applicable regulations, and typical cleanup options.

Many Alaska communities are located on the coast or inland rivers, resulting in an interest in contaminated sediments. The attendees for the webinar included Alaska Native people, EPA brownfields staff from Seattle, and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s brownfields staff from Anchorage and Juneau. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium is a non-profit health organization that covers everything from medical to environmental health. A large part of that is providing education and capacity building for the tribal environmental employees.