21st February 2008

ENVIRON is pleased to announce that Samantha Deacon (neé Fishwick) has joined the company as a Senior Consultant supporting their Contaminated Land, Environmental Impact Assessment and other practices. Her primary role will be to integrate ecological risk assessment (ERA) into ENVIRON's existing environmental and health sciences consulting services, and to develop a bespoke ERA practice.

Prior to joining ENVIRON, Sam worked as a scientist in the Environment Agency (England & Wales) managing a research programme to deliver a decision-making framework and tools for the assessment of risk to ecosystems from land contamination (Part 2A Regulations). Sam has over 13 years’ experience in environmental regulation, consultancy and research in the assessment of chemicals in the environment. With the imminent launch of an ERA Framework for contaminated soils in the UK, Sam is excited about the opportunity to put into practice the guidance she has been heavily involved in developing with the Environment Agency and in partnership with Defra, conservation agencies, other regulators and industry.

Many of the UK’s plants, animals and habitats are legally protected under a range of national and international legislation. The ERA Framework is applicable to any land quality assessment that requires the measurement, prevention and removal of adverse effects (from contaminants) on ecological systems. This applies to Part 2A (Contaminated Land Regulations), Planning and development control (EIA, PPS 9 and PPS 23), Habitats, and PPC Regulations. It is also relevant to incoming European legislation such as Environmental Liabilities Directives.

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An international consultancy, ENVIRON works with clients to assess and manage potential environmental, sustainability and health issues associated with their activities and products, both locally and globally. The company currently employs over 1,100 individuals across a network of more than 70 offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.