Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Pieter van Eeden CURRICULUM VITAE OF PIETER HERMANUS VAN EEDEN PERSONAL INFORMATION Dr. Pieter van Eeden Born 5-9-1963, male, Caucasian, 2m tall, 105 kg’s; ID number: 6309055104086; Passport number: 430634646 Drivers license code 08 (light vehicles) EcoMonitor cc, PO Box 13434, Norkem Park, 1631, Rep. of South Africa +2711-972-5298 (t & f), +2783-379-4419 (cell), [email protected] EDUCATION Post-tertiary education, training and experience Refer to Appendix I w.r.t. scientific publications (19) Refer to Appendix II w.r.t. scientific presentations (29) Refer to Appendix III w.r.t. Water Research Commission reports (3) Refer to Appendix IV w.r.t. company reports and publications (48) Refer to Appendix V w.r.t. popular publications (30) Refer to Appendix VI w.r.t. conferences and seminars attended (32) Refer to Appendix VII w.r.t. courses and workshops attended (21) Refer to Appendix VIII w.r.t. conferences and courses organized and presented (8) Tertiary education Rand Afrikaans University Ph.D. in aquatic pollution (see appendix I) (1991 - 1994) M.Sc. (Cum Laude) in aquatic pollution (see appendix I) (1989 - 1991) B.Sc. Hons. in Zoology (1988) B.Sc. (Zoology III, Botany III, Biochemistry II) with a distinction in Zoology IIIA (1984 - 1987) PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE EcoMonitor cc Date of commencement – January 2002 till present Position held - Founding and Managing Director I provide specialist ecological impact assessments on environmental projects such as scoping studies, EIA’s and EMP’s w.r.t. ground- and surface water pollution, the receiving environment in general, solid waste disposal issues, soil pollution, point source pollution (effluent discharges) as well as contaminated storm water discharges and in-stream assessments, among others. Assessment techniques include indexes such as the South African Scoring System 5 (SASS5), Integrated Habitat Assessment Index (IHAS) and a Water Quality Index. I am also in the process of developing a similar index based upon the avian fauna of aquatic ecosystems, provisionally referred to as the Avian Richness Index (ARI). My understanding, practice and interpretation of the SASS5 methodology has been audited by Umgeni Water during 2003 and 2004, the results of which was a pass. Waste, stream, borehole, rain, process and other water samples are tested for various ecological and human health-related toxicity tests, e.g. waterflea, fish, algae, bacteria, Weaver cyto-toxicity and the Tradescantia genetic toxicity tests, among others. I have actively participated in a WRC-sponsored project based upon the practical application of the Weaver in vitro test on the streams and rivers of southern Gauteng (WRC Project No. 1397). Bio-accumulation of metals and other pollutants in aquatic organisms are also part of my port folio. I have experience of application for authorisation, pre-application and EIA exemption checklists, scoping reports and have assisted with the compilation of Environmental Impact Assessments and Reports. I have good working knowledge of the Environmental Conservation Act and its regulations, 1 Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Pieter van Eeden the EIA regulations, the National Environmental Management Act, the National Water Act, National Health Act, Water Use Registration, Water Use Licensing, effluent quality regulations and the Aide Memoir, among other legal tools. I have made several company reports (see Appendix III) on work completed thus far. Iscor Flat Steel Products: Environmental Management Date of commencement - 2000 till 2001 Position held - Senior Scientist I was appointed as Senior Scientist. This required me to manage our department (consisting of 11 personnel) during the absence of the Departmental Manager. I attended various operational meetings such as SHERQ meetings, where various environmental issues were discussed and resolved. I was tasked to address various general issues e.g. geo-hydrological and especially groundwater pollution, impact assessments on the receiving environment as well as solid waste disposal issues. I participated in the holistic and integrated Environmental Master Plan developed to address Iscor FSP’s environmental pollution problems. I also investigated pollution spills and advised on cleaning-up procedures and prevention of further pollution incidents. Due to my specific interests and expertise, I was also tasked with the assessment of ecological and toxicological impacts of Iscor FSP terminal effluent treatment plant as well as contaminated storm-water discharges. This includes employing indexes such as the South African Scoring System 4 (SASS4), Habitat Quality Index (HQI) and Water Quality Index. Bio- accumulation of metals in aquatic organisms are also included. Waste, stream, borehole, rain, process and other water samples were tested for toxicity. In this regard, I provided my expert opinion on ecological impact assessments to Iscor management. I have made several company reports (see Appendix III) and have published a few popular articles in “Steel Power”, Iscor FSP’s in-house newspaper (see Appendix IV). Reason for leaving - Retrenched East Rand Water Care Company (ERWAT): Laboratory Services Date of commencement - 1995 till 2000 Position held - Pollution ecologist After a number of regional ERWAT laboratories was consolidated into one single laboratory, I developed the Ecological and Toxicological Laboratories. From this I established the Ecological Services Department, of which I was the Manager. This was a Business Unit of ERWAT Laboratory Services. I was responsible for the assessment of ecological and toxicological impacts of all Erwat’s wastewater treatment plants w.r.t. effluent and sludge disposal practices. Similar services were also provided to other ERWAT clients such as industries, private citizens, farmers, local councils and others. A number of laboratory personnel were allocated to me whenever the workload demanded it. Services included bio-monitoring, habitat assessments and bio-accumulation of metals in aquatic organisms. Waste, stream, borehole, rain, process and other water samples were tested for toxicity, primarily using the waterflea test. I developed the ability to effectively communicate these specialist services on offer to clients to such an extent that numerous sales were created and upon which client-service provider relationships were built over time. I contributed in developing an environmental policy document for ERWAT. I was very active in ERWAT’s Research and Development Forum. I have made several company reports (see Appendix III) and have published numerous popular articles in “Erwater”, ERWAT’s in-house journal (see Appendix IV). Reason for leaving – Resigned due to no scope for promotion Rand Afrikaans University Fulltime postgraduate student researcher from 1989 till 1995 Impala Platinum Refineries (Platinum Laboratory) Chemical analyst (student) from 1985 till 1988 Rand Water Board, Vereeniging Pump Station Biological analyst (student) from 1984 till 1985 The South African Catering Corps of the South African Defense Force. Chef from 1982 till 1983 2 Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Pieter van Eeden GENERAL I have an excellent insight in aquatic ecology, the receiving environment in general and applicable resource management. I have access to an active network of peers and practitioners with the ability to tap these resources when required. Although I don’t have formal business training, I do have good client-relationship management skills relating to business development, which has allowed me to stay in my own business for four years now. I have a strong interest and practical experience in the socio- economic aspects of water resource utilization and management. I am computer literate with good working knowledge of Windows 95, 98 and 2003, Office 98 and 2000, Word, Excel, Access and other programs. I am also literate in terms of statistical analysis for biologists and user-friendly statistical packages. I am a very efficient typist and report writer. I am hard working (independently or within a team) and enjoy my fields of interest. I am patient and very thorough, especially when communicating scientific and technical matters. I am able to motivate and control those with similar interests. I am able to effectively communicate scientific matters to lay people. I am very able to do all aspects of practical and applied research or project management, including the oral or poster presentation of project proposals and results at management meetings, workshops and conferences. I excel at problem solving within the logistical and financial constraints of the situation. I am particularly able to transform data into a live management tool to enhance updating of work-in-progress and to report information as a user-friendly management tool. I have also successfully organized five toxicity seminars and water quality training courses and other related means of education and training (see Appendix VI) PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS I am a member of the following professional associations: • The Southern African Association for Wildlife Management - Life Member • Bird Life South Africa (BLSA) – ordinary member • Southern African Society for Aquatic Scientists (SASAqS) – ordinary member • Water Institute of South Africa (WISA) – ordinary member • South African Ringing Unit (Afring) – ordinary member • International Association for Impact Assessment: South African Affiliate – ordinary member • Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa – ordinary member RIVER CATCHMENT FORUM MEMBERSHIPS