WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that President Obama has nominated an Ohioan to serve on the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). In a letter sent in November 2013, Brown recommended George A. Elmaraghy for the commission.

“Mr. Elmarghy’s experience and unique skills would greatly benefit the ORSANCO board and the watersheds and communities of the Ohio River Valley,” Brown wrote in his recommendation letter to the president, a full copy of which can be found below.

Since its establishment in 1948, ORSANCO has coordinated its eight member states to improve water quality in the Ohio River Basin. The commission’s monitoring programs and studies ensure clean drinking water, protect water for recreational use, and help improve aquatic habitat in the region.

Prior to serving in his current role as Senior Project Manager at Stantec Consulting Ltd., Elmaraghy served in various roles at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency from 1974 to 2013, including Division Chief of the Division of Surface Water, Assistant Division Chief of the Division of Surface Water, and Assistant Division Chief of the Division of Water Pollution Control.  Elmaraghy holds a B.S. from Cairo University and a M.S. from The Ohio State University.

A full copy of Brown’s recommendation letter follows:

Dear President Obama:

I write to recommend George Elmaraghy for appointment as a federal Commissioner to the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). Since its establishment in 1948, ORSANCO has coordinated its eight member states to improve water quality in the Ohio River Basin. The commission’s monitoring programs and studies ensure clean drinking water, protect water for recreational use, and help improve aquatic habitat in the region.

A longtime expert on water quality, Mr. Elmaraghy spent 39 years with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, including nine years as Chief of the Division of Surface Water. In that position, he directed and monitored enforcement and permitting actions for wastewater treatment plants, factories, and stormwater systems. He led the charge to enforce compliance with the Clean Water Act and ensure the health of Ohio’s surface waters. Mr. Elmaraghy has also worked closely with ORSANCO in this position, serving as a member of several committees and as acting commissioner representing Ohio.

Mr. Elmaraghy previously served in the Ohio EPA’s Division of Water Pollution Control, where he negotiated enforcement and permit settlements with wastewater dischargers, and tracked the integrated water program annual commitments with the U.S. EPA. He formulated the agency’s position and output on performance standards, policies, procedures, and goals related to water pollution control in Ohio. Prior to that role, Mr. Elmaraghy served in the Division of Construction Grants, where he inspected construction sites and wastewater treatment plants, prepared technical reports, and negotiated annual commitments with the U.S. EPA.

Mr. Elmaraghy earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at the Ohio State University in Columbus. While pursuing his Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering, he focused his research on the toxicity of ammonia nitrate solutions to aquatic life.

Simply put, Mr. Elmarghy’s experience and unique skills would greatly benefit the ORSANCO board and the watersheds and communities of the Ohio River Valley. Please do not hesitate to contact me with further questions. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown

U.S. Senator

 

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