Dr. Anne Thebo, University of Washington – Bio
University of Washington
Dr. Anne Thebo is a research scientist and hydrologist with the UW Climate Impacts Group (CIG). Her work at CIG focuses on characterizing water-related impacts of climate change and supporting the advancement of climate-resilient water systems. She does this through the co-development of research, tools and resources addressing the needs of resource managers, communities and policymakers spanning the urban, environmental, and agricultural sectors. Prior to joining CIG, Anne was a senior researcher at the Pacific Institute where her work combined synthesis research and stakeholder engagement with analytical tools to assess opportunities, benefits, and tradeoffs of water and climate resilience strategies such as alternative supplies, water use efficiency, and stormwater management approaches.
Stormwater and Climate Change: Impacts, Resources, and Solutions
Heavy rain events are projected to be 20% more intense, on average, by the 2080s compared to the 1980s. Although rainfall is the dominant driver of stormwater impacts, other issues could be important as well, including warmer temperatures, rising sea level, larger river floods, and increased wildfire risk. This talk will briefly review the latest science of climate change impacts, with a focus on stormwater in the Pacific Northwest. We will also highlight existing tools and resources to support climate change planning, prioritization, and design. Finally, we will highlight key lessons for managers interested in climate resilient stormwater planning and design.
Madison Rose Bristol, Washington State Department of Ecology 6PPD/q Stormwater Planner – Bio
Washington State Department of Ecology
Madison Rose Bristol represents the Washington Department of Ecology and is one of the agency’s lead planners in addressing 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone. In their position, they facilitate collaborative efforts between Ecology and Tribal Governments, state and federal agencies, research groups, and local to national interest groups. As a stormwater planner, they are also responsible for allocating funding for stormwater best management practices (BMPs) effectiveness studies and monitoring contracts. Prior to joining Ecology, Madison served as a committee member for the WA Department of Health’s Environmental Justice Community Participation Fund Grant, an elections administrator for King County, a strategic planner for the UW Farm, an EcoArts program coordinator for the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, and as a human dimensions researcher for the Oregon Marine Reserves Program. They received both a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Washington (2022), which reflected their studies in and passion for Indigenous sovereignty, community-based climate resilience, urban farming, and collaborative governance. They also hold degrees in Environmental Science & Terrestrial Resource Management and Dance (UW). Madison is a life-long resident of Western Washington and has deeply appreciated the opportunity to influence decision-making processes on topics of such high consequence – like 6PPD/q and environmental justice – for the places and communities they call home.
6PPD: Collaboration, Research, and Action around Toxic Tire Chemicals
For over 20 years, scientists faced a toxic mystery: coho salmon returning to urban streams and rivers in the Puget Sound region were dying before they could lay their eggs. A breakthrough came in 2020 when 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q), a chemical that is formed when 6PPD in tire rubber reactions with ozone, was discovered among 2,000 different chemicals in stormwater as the culprit behind coho deaths. In the few years since this discovery, public interest, funding, and research on 6PPD and 6PPD-q has grown rapidly. Additionally, though the coho were the ones who first told us that there was something toxic in stormwater, actions around 6PPD and 6PPD-q have expanded to also address sensitivities in other species, human health concerns, environmental justice, and Tribal Treaty Rights. In their presentation, Madison will tell the story of this history, describe the WA Department of Ecology’s holistic strategy, and will underscore how collaborative efforts have been fundamental to successful actions to date.
