As SD1’s environmental compliance manager, Brooke Shireman oversees the implementation of SD1’s storm water quality permit. In this edition of SD1 Staff Spotlight, Brooke tells us a little more about her role.
Brooke, what does your role involve?
SD1 is required by the Clean Water Act to manage the quality of storm water runoff in our service area, so I work with my department and others throughout SD1 to ensure we're complying with those permit requirements in a way that makes sense for our community. We must continuously evaluate what we're doing and how we can improve, so it’s very important in my role to be adaptable and pivot when a new approach is needed.
What led you to SD1?
Prior to coming to SD1, I worked at the Kentucky Division of Water where I had the opportunity to work on some projects here in northern Kentucky. I was impressed with the folks at SD1 and what they were doing in storm water management, so I was really excited and grateful when I was hired on in this role.
Have you always been interested in the environment?
Yes, I always liked to play in creeks and things like that growing up. I studied biology at Indiana University, and I enjoyed the field-based classes. In the summer, I participated in stream water quality monitoring and worked with some volunteer organizations. I fell in love with being in the field and over time, environmental policy and the regulation components became even more interesting. My current role really marries those two passions.
What are some of the challenges you face?
The water quality issues that we have in our community did not happen overnight. It's many, many years that have gotten us to this point, so addressing and actually fixing those issues will not happen overnight either. We have to be really patient in seeing results. It's challenging, but it really drives me.
What do you find rewarding?
The most rewarding part of my job is when we tackle larger projects as a group and see it through. I love problem-solving and working as a team, so seeing the impact of our work in the community is great. Another aspect that’s really rewarding is seeing how students react to our educational programing, getting excited about preventing storm water pollution and asking about water careers.
How does your role support SD1’s mission?
Everything we do, especially regarding our permit compliance, supports our mission because the overall goal with that requirement is to improve the quality of stormwater that is entering into our local creeks and rivers. When we're tasked with doing that, there's a direct benefit to the environment, but there's also a direct benefit to the well-being of our community- the health and the economy of our community. When we have clean water that's surrounding us, it provides so many opportunities.
What do you like to do outside of SD1?
I love being outside- hiking, paddling, gardening, even just sitting on our back deck at home in the woods reading a book. Anything that keeps me outside.
What is your favorite about working at SD1?
The people I work with are some of the smartest and most dedicated people I've ever worked with. They're just good humans. They are kind. They care about each other. They're fun. And with that combination, even when you're working on something that is not great, coming into work is still enjoyable because of the people that are here.
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