Colin Plank, PG
Colin Plank is a Senior Principal Geologist based in Michigan with more than 20 years of experience focused on developing geologically grounded, process-based conceptual site models (CSMs) to guide subsurface investigations, reduce remediation time frames, and improve site management.
Specialties
Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy; Geology-Focused Conceptual Site Models to Optimize Groundwater Remediation; Groundwater Basin Characterization for Sustainable Groundwater Management; ESS-Based Conceptual Site Models to Guide PFAS Remedial Investigations; RCRA RI/FS and CERCLA-Regulated Groundwater Projects; Support for Environmental Forensics Studies with Improved Definition of Contaminant Migration Pathways
Practice Areas
Contaminated Site Assessment and Cleanup; Environmental Management; Water and Natural Resources; Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Education
MS, Geology, University of South Carolina, 1999; BSc, Geology, Grand Valley State University, 1997
Registration
Certified Professional Geologist, CPG #12117
Client Service
Federal, state, and commercial clients rely on Colin for his expertise and wide-ranging experience leading teams of hydrogeologists, stratigraphers, and Geographic Information System (GIS) and data visualization specialists to develop and effectively communicate holistic understandings of subsurface conditions. Through effective communication of CSM findings, data gaps, and implications for future strategies and outcomes, Colin acts an important liaison between site stakeholders, increasing transparency by offering data-driven explanations and building trust and consensus among all parties. Colin and his team have developed facility-wide CSMs in support of remedial investigations/feasibility studies (RI/FS) at more than 45 United States Department of Defense sites and 40 private client sites in 40 states.
As a developer of the Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy (ESS) approach to aquifer characterization and coauthor of “Best Practices for Environmental Site Management: A Practical Guide for Applying Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy to Improve Conceptual Site Models” (USEPA Groundwater Issue Paper 2017), Colin has advanced the practice of groundwater remediation. The ESS approach offers improved understandings of contaminant storage and transport pathways to inform clearer analyses of spatial and temporal trends in analytical data. These ESS-informed analyses underpin more efficient remediation programs for traditional and emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Colin continues to innovate and drive the industry toward new paradigms in living and digital CSMs by developing web-application-based CSMs and the data structure and best practices necessary to maintain them. In addition, Colin and his team collaborate with industry and academic partners to develop new approaches to lithologic data acquisition, including geology-based graphical borehole logging. In 2015, Colin’s work resulted in a Letter of Commendation from the Secretary of the Air Force for the impact of his stratigraphic analyses on site understanding and remediation results at Kirtland Airforce Base, New Mexico.
Contact Colin at Colin.Plank@Geosyntec.com.
