Professional Programs

Did you know that The Watershed Institute offers informative webinars throughout the year that are geared toward people who have a background in water quality, engineering, or law. Topics include water treatment, chemicals in water, and environmental legislation. While these classes are technical, they are open to anyone who is interested in attending. Upcoming sessions will be listed below and can also be found on our calendar. If you have any questions, please contact Pri Oliveira at [email protected].

Art of Commenting

When: October 2, 2026 | 1:00 PM

Webinar on Zoom

Free but registration required

Speakers:

Daniel Greenhouse, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, Eastern Environmental Law Center
Melissa P. Abatemarco, Esq., Director, Office of Legal Affairs, NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Nicholas Loh, Associate Attorney, Northeast Regional Office Earthjustice
Moderator: Michael Pisauro, Esq., The Watershed Institute

The comment period is the public’s opportunity to weigh in on a proposed regulation or proposed permit. This is when the public can provide information, support an initiative, provide technical information, or explain the implications of a rule or section that an agency may not have considered.

In this webinar, learn how to review a proposal, effective ways to structure comments, when to submit an oral versus a written comment, and how you can make the most of the process. Additionally, the Federal and State rulemaking and comment period are not the same. Learn the differences. Discover how to make the most effective comments to support your position and influence the agency’s review.

Stormwater Design: Myths and Misconceptions

When: October 16, 2026 | 12:00 PM

Webinar on Zoom

Free but registration required

Speakers:

Clay H. Emerson, PhD, PE, CFM, Senior Technical Director, Engineering, Princeton Hydro
Gabe Mahon, PE, Bureau Chief of the Bureau of NJPDES Stormwater Permitting in the Division of Watershed Protection and Restoration, NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Watershed Protection and Restoration
Moderator: Michael Pisauro, Esq., The Watershed Institute

Climate Change has brought increased amounts of annual rainfall and intense storms leading to severe flooding, property damage and, in some cases, loss of life. Managing stormwater in NJ municipalities can be complex to navigate for local engineers, planners, developers, community members, advocates, and decision-makers since stormwater management systems are often the most complicated parts of development applications. Proper stormwater management and design are also vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities and residents.

NJ’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit emphasizes NJ’s obligation to review the stormwater issues caused by land development. Better design submissions will assist in reaching this goal and may speed up the process of review and approval by land use boards.

Join Gabriel Mahon, P.E., Bureau Chief of the Bureau of NJPDES Stormwater Permitting in the Division of Watershed Protection and Restoration at NJDEP, and Dr. Clay Emerson, PhD, PE, CFM from Princeton Hydro as they examine some of the common issues they see in reviewing stormwater management designs.

Professional Programs