2026 Transportation & the Environment Conference

This conference focuses on the Michigan Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) permitting and application process, stream mitigation, bridge & culvert considerations, impacts of roads on natural resources, flood & emergency permitting, hydro methodologies, and more.

Conference Sessions

PRESENTATIONS - Day 1, January 13, 2026

Transportation Memorandum of Understanding: History and Progress
Mike O' Malley - MDOT

The Challenges and Opportunities of a Changing Climate: A Michigan Perspective
Dr. Jonathan T. Overpeck - University of Michigan

Bridges and Culverts Permitting Considerations
John Saltanovitz, PE - EGLE-Water Resources Division

Permit Types and Requirements for Impacts to Wetlands, Lakes, and Streams
Ben Johnson - EGLE-Transportation Review Unit

When is a Permit Not Required? Common Exemptions
Luke Golden & Christy Kelly - EGLE-Transportation Review Unit

Stream Mitigation
Bethany Matousek - EGLE-Water Resources Division

Permitting Process and Complete Applications
Rachel Matejewski - EGLE-Transportation Review Unit

Environmental Resource Permitting and Compliance: A County Engineer's Perspective
Wayne Harrall, PE - Kent County Road Commission

Floods & Emergency Permitting Process
John Gustafson - EGLE- Water Resources Division

Atypical Types of Flooding in the U.P.
Linda Hansen, PE - EGLE-Water Resources Division

 

PRESENTATIONS - Day 2, January 14, 2026

Part 31 Permitting Considerations
Ashley Roznowski, PE - EGLE-Water Resources Division
Lucas Fitzpatrick, PE - EGLE-Water Resources Division
Minmin Shu, PE - EGLE-Water Resources Division

EGLE and FEMA – How They Interact on Floodplain Reviews
Matthew Occhipinti, PE - EGLE-Water Resources Division

Federal T&E + Public Roads
Michelle Kane - United States Fish & Wildlife Service
Seth Jones - US Fish & Wildlife Service - Ecological Services

State T&E + Public Roads
Amy Bleisch - Michigan DNR

Environmental Crossroads: Navigating Project Compliance with MDOT
Robyn Coole Michigan DOT - Local Agency Program

Stream Monitoring
Jeremie Wilson - Michigan DOT

Bridging the Gaps – A Collaborative Approach to Improving Road Stream Crossings
Keenan Cooper - Conservation Resource Alliance

Innovation in Wetland Monitoring & Corrective Action
Don Sneed - MDOT Wetland Mitigation Program

Continuing Education: The 2026 Transportation & the Environment Conference counts for up to 12.5 hours of continuing education for professional engineers; registration is required. The Center for Technology & Training's continuing education policy is available at ctt.mtu.edu/continuingeducation.