Deborah Roberts, PhD, PWS
Risk Assessor/Wetland Scientist
Dr. Roberts is a wetland scientist and ecologist, holding a B.A. degree from Colgate University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She successfully worked on projects from small wetland delineations to major wetland creation projects and complex permitting issues. She is a certified Professional Wetland Scientist, and has conducted state and federal wetland delineations throughout New York, New England, New Jersey and Florida. Roberts led innovative constructed wetland projects in California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. She has experience with plant surveys and surveys for endangered species including Karner Blue and Frosted Elfin butterflies. Roberts has also served as the lead ecological risk assessor for EPA on a number of complex Superfund sites in Region I, as an independent subcontractor. She is familiar with the RI/FS process and current methods for conducting ecological risk assessments at NPL sites. She has designed and led field data collection efforts to support ecological risk assessments and assisted EPA in review of remedial design alternatives. She has extensive technical training in vascular plant and algal taxonomy as well as evaluation of aquatic plant community structure. She has worked as a consultant since 1989, both independently and as an employee of a large engineering firm based in the Boston area.
Robert Singer, PhD
Limnologist/Environmental Impact Assessment
Dr. Singer earned B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois in biology, zoology, and ecology. He did graduate work at the Duke University Marine Laboratory. While in graduate school and as an Assistant Professor at Colgate University, he worked on the ecological impacts of sewage effluent on lakes and streams. As an Adjunct at Rensselaer's Fresh Water Institute, he led teams to survey Adirondack and New Hampshire lakes for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He consulted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on impacts of acid rain on water quality and testified as an expert witness before the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology. He has worked as a full-time consultant since 1995, supervising biological studies, habitat assessments, wetland delineations, lake and reservoir water quality management projects, endangered species surveys, evaluation of environmental impacts of alternatives for major water supply projects. He has led teams that developed Environmental Impact Statements on some very large infrastructure projects, including the $3 billion Croton Water Treatment Plant for New York City and several large powerplant developments and advanced energy projects.