Photo By Matthew Stinson | David Steckler (left) was officially awarded Naval Facilities Engineering Systems...... read more read more
David Steckler was named Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Washington Environmental Restoration Employee of the Year. He made a significant contribution to the Navy Environmental Restoration Program during 2020 in his role as the Remedial Project Manager for the Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Webster Field, and the former Bayhead Road Annex (BHRA).
At NAS Patuxent River and Webster Field, Steckler oversaw the completion of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-focused preliminary assessments (PAs) and site inspections on expedited schedules in response to heightened public concern over the possible presence of these chemicals in environmental media around the bases. At the conclusion of the PA, he coordinated and executed a well-attended public information session regarding PFAS that included representatives from NAVFAC, Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC), Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the St. Mary’s County Department of Environmental Health. In addition, he provided two well-received PFAS briefs to the St. Mary’s County Commission.
At the former BHRA, Steckler oversaw the completion of one of the first PFAS remedial investigations (RI). Then, in anticipation of public interest regarding the RI report, he managed a second multi-agency effort to build a public website for BHRA. The website went from concept to publication in under 30 days, drafting much of the text himself.
“PFAS is rapidly gaining regulatory and public attention,” said Robert Williams, NAVFAC Washington environmental business line leader. “We are lucky to have David leading our PFAS efforts for these sites.”
Steckler demonstrated leadership, managing his two partnering teams, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The NAS Patuxent River team in particular had a number of successes including charting a path to no-further-action at a site where the USEPA had been indicating that an action is warranted. In addition, David successfully managed his teams’ transition to virtual meetings, while keeping their productivity high.
With a positive attitude and a focus on restoring the environment in a scientifically defensible, resource conscious manner, David embodies the SeaBees motto: “Can Do!”
| Date Taken: | 10.22.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.22.2021 15:04 |
| Story ID: | 407829 |
| Location: | DC, US |
| Hometown: | ROCKLAND, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 165 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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