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Environmental Water Resource Institute (EWRI) Technical Session Presentations

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Section 404 permitting has been the dreaded topic in site planning and engineering of projects for a number of years.  This is a result of either a bad experience or simply unknowledgeable of the process.  Today Mr. Reinecke will provide a brief introduction to waters of the United States, Section 404 Permit types, and how to strategize your project to get it over the finish-line.  The presentation will provide real-life examples on how projects were permitted and strategized to utilizing Nationwide Permitting to its advantage.   Proper planning is not just about obtaining the Section 404 permit, but also whether the project can afford the compensatory mitigation.  Mr. Reinecke will provide an overview of recent guidelines in the Fort Worth District regarding mitigation policies as they will affect the overall budget of a project. 

Rudolph (Rudi) Reinecke is the Vice President of Integrated Environmental Solutions, LLC (IES).  IES has been in business for 13 years providing environmental consulting in Texas and surrounding states.   Rudi holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Rangeland Ecology and Management from Texas A&M University.  Rudi has been providing environmental consulting for 20 years through working at Texas Department of Transportation, Geo-Marine, Inc., and IES.  Rudi came into the stream and wetland field through his experience in plant taxonomy and ecology program at Texas A&M, but has cultivated his career through desire to identify solutions to the complexities of Section 404 permitting.  Through his understanding of all facets of the current regulations and relationships with USACE, mitigation bankers, and general site planning process, Rudi offers his clients strategies to minimize time, money, and headaches in dealing with the Clean Water Act regulations. 

Jerry Cotter, P.E., is the Chief of the Water Resources Branch, for the Fort Worth District.  Prior to this position Jerry served as the Chief of the Water Management Section within the Water Resources Branch.  The Water Resources Branch manages and conducts investigations for 27 flood control reservoirs, levee systems across the Dallas Fort Worth area and numerous flood damage reduction projects within the Fort Worth District.  Jerry is also the senior leader for national teams within USACE engaged in developing new and innovative tools to support the USACE water resources and water management missions.

After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Jerry began his career with the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1980 as a hydraulic engineer within the Water Resources Branch.  In 1984, Jerry left federal service and practiced in the private sector until 1994 when he left the Super Conducting Super Collider and returned to work for USACE in the Water Resources Branch.  During his career, Jerry has worked on many studies as well as infrastructure projects for municipal, county and federal governments across Texas and in Florida including, dam designs, drainage systems, water and waste water systems and roadways.