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Staff Member Information

Brian R. McMahon Vice-President 7881 SW Ellipse Way Stuart, Florida34997 Office: (772) 781-6408 Cellphone: (772)-215-2282 Fax: (772) 781-6409 E-mail: brianrm@ewr1.com

Qualifications

Brian R. McMahon, P.E., the firm's President, has over twenty-four years of experience in land development for residential, recreational and agricultural use, surface and ground water resource engineering, analysis of natural and developed hydrologic systems, drainage hydraulics and application of reclaimed wastewater. He routinely leads negotiations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, State Water Management Districts, local municipalities and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to secure permits for project development.

Education, Training and Professional Registration

Mr. McMahon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering at the University of Florida in 1976. He went on to earn a Master of Engineering degree at the University of Florida in 1977. His Master's thesis investigated the use of a finite difference, chemical transport model to simulate the movement and reaction of cations in soil.

In 1986 McMahon successfully completed an intensive week long course at Butler University in groundwater flow modeling using the USGS MODFLOW code

McMahon became registered to practice engineering in the State of Florida in 1982; registration no. 32098.

Project Experience Summary

1. Lake Okeechobee Water Quality: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Over a very short, 120-day period McMahon led a large and diverse team of engineers, dairy scientists, agronomists, soil scientists and water quality modelers in a huge effort to develop agricultural nutrient management plans for 19 dairy complexes in the four Lake Okeechobee priority basins. The purpose of the project was to identify, quantify and develop BMPs to remediate high phosphorus sources associated with the dairy operations that contribute to loads to the Lake. Each plan includes extensive information regarding current farm practices, current soil phosphorus concentrations, local and regional hydrology, phosphorus mass balances, GIS based water quality models, potential BMPs and detailed cost data for each BMP.

2. Okeechobee Stormwater Phosphorus Treatment: Soil & Water Engineering Technology

McMahon's team of engineers, water testing lab, biologists, water quality samplers and construction contractor were hired by Soil & Water Engineering Technology through the South Florida Water Management District's Dairy Best Available Technologies project to create and implement a concept to remove phosphorus from stormwater runoff from the Dry Lake Dairy in Okeechobee. The project also included preliminary and final design, cost feasibility analysis, permitting, construction administration and system start up.

3. Wetland Restoration for Phosphorus Treatment: C&N Environmental Services, Inc.

The South Florida Water Management District hired C&N and Engineering & Water Resources to undertake one of the Lake Okeechobee Isolated Wetlands Restoration projects. The goal of the project was to restore hydrologically impacted isolated wetlands to restore their native ability to treat stormwater runoff from a dairy in the Lake Okeechobee watershed. McMahon's team provided engineering design and feasibility analysis of various restoration alternatives.

4. Environmental Restoration: National Audubon Society Ordway-Whittel Kissimmee Prairie Sanctuary

As engineer in responsible charge, McMahon analyzed the surface water hydrology to establish water control elevations that would re-hydrate onsite wetlands while protecting the sensitive habitat of the Grasshopper Sparrow. He prepared permit applications to receive authorizations for the restoration from the South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He also provided technical assistance to the National Audubon Society in mediating drainage issues with neighboring land owners to resolve a Federal lawsuit brought to protect the Grasshopper Sparrow. The Sanctuary is located in Okeechobee County, Florida.

5. Hydrologic Modeling and Permitting: Lykes Bros. Inc. Agricultural Lands

As Director of Engineering for Lykes, McMahon conducted hydrologic modeling, drainage design, water resource development and permitting for 200,000 acres of land for production of citrus, cattle, sugar cane and wood products in Highlands, Indian River, Dade, Pasco, Polk and Glades County, Florida. He supervised a team of biologists, surveyors and engineers in identifying wetlands and sensitive habitats for development of environmental management plans to protect those areas. Design elements included stormwater treatment basins, pipelines, canals, levees, water control structures, surface water and groundwater pump stations and roads.

6. Stormwater Management System Design: Florida Everglades Restoration Project

McMahon led a team of engineers that designed modifications to canal systems and pumping stations for the East Shore and East Beach Water Control Districts in Palm Beach County Florida. This project was mandated by the Everglades Forever Act and will divert agricultural drainage discharges from Lake Okeechobee to new storm water treatment areas.

7. Regional Water Supply Planning: Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority

As project engineer, McMahon analyzed the surface and groundwater supply potential for a four county area, including Hardee, Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte County, Florida. The plan projected future water demands, evaluated resource availability and proposed projects for future water supply.

8. Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse: City of Orlando, City of Apopka, Southern Utilities, Orlando International Airport, City of Ocala, City of Lake Alfred

As project engineer and project manager, McMahon designed agricultural and urban wastewater reuse systems for treated domestic wastewater in Orange, Osceola, Lee, Polk, Lake and Seminole County, Florida. He has participated in a wide range of projects including Orlando's Water Conserv II citrus irrigation program, various pasture grass irrigation systems, designed the wastewater reuse system for the Orlando International Airport and assisted in founding the City of Apopka's project.

9. Groundwater Resource Development: Agricultural Producers, Orlando Utilities Commission, City of Ft. Myers, City of Apopka, Sarasota County, City of Homestead

McMahon has been involved in almost every aspect of groundwater resource analysis and development. He has personally conducted numerous aquifer performance testing programs and evaluated the impact of aquifer withdrawals using state-of-the-art computer models. He has designed well fields, wells and pumping equipment with capacities up to 40 million gallons per day, managed a water well drilling crew and prepared water use permit applications in Orange, Seminole, Polk, Lake, Lee, Highlands, Dade, Indian River and Glades County, Florida.

10. Residential and Recreation Land Development: The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Jupiter, Florida

McMahon led a team of engineers and surveyors to complete engineering design and regulatory agency approvals for a 285 acre golf club and spa with an associated residential community including roadways, stormwater management system, water system, wastewater system.

11. Residential and Recreation Land Development: The Bear's Club, Jupiter, Florida

McMahon served as project team leader, completing engineering design and regulatory agency approvals for this beautiful 370 acre residential and golf course community including roadways, water system, wastewater system, reclaimed water system and stormwater management system.

Awards

1976 - Dalton Harrison Irrigation Design Scholarship

1989 - Florida Section, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Young Engineer Award

1991 - American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Sunkist National Young Engineer Award

2004 - Florida Section, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Special Recognition Award

Technical Publications

Journal Publications:

McMahon, B.R. 1977. Modeling of Cation Transport in a Packed Bed Reactor of Soil, ME Thesis, University of Florida, 58 pages.

Overman, A.R., B.R. McMahon, R.L. Chu and P.C Wang. 1979. Modeling of Cation Transport in Soil. Hydrologic Transport Modeling Symposium, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Paper No. 79-461.

Overman, A.R., B.R. McMahon and R.L. Chu. 1981. Cation Transport in Packed Bed Reactor of Soil. Journal of Environmental Engineering Division, ASCE. 107:267-277.

McMahon, BR. 1988 Groundwater Flow Modeling for Land Application of Waste Water. American Water Works Association-Florida Section Transactions, November.

McMahon, BR., 1988. Wastewater Irrigation Reuse - An Overview. Water and Wastewater International. March issue.

McMahon, BR., R.C.J. Koo and H.W. Persons. 1989. Citrus Irrigation With Reclaimed Wastewater. Citrus Engineers Conference, American Society of Mechanical Engineers. March 30,1989. Lakeland, Florida.

McMahon, B.R., K. Brandon. 1999. Phase Two of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Water Quality Seminar at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.


Technical Reports:

McMahon, B.R. 1982. Aquifer Performance Test Program Hydrogeological Report. Six L's Farms, Muse, Florida

Mather, WA. and B.R. McMahon. 1984. Engineering Report For SFP No.1- Pine Oaks Golf Course Effluent Disposal System City of Ocala, Florida

McMahon, B.R. and W.C. Goucher. 1985. Water Reclamation Site Sprinkler Irrigation Effluent Disposal System Preliminary Design Report. City of St Cloud, Florida.

Goucher. W.C. and B.R. McMahon. 1985. Overland Flow Treatment and Disposal System for STP No.2 - Engineering Report City of Ocala, Florida.

McMahon, B.R. 1985. Water Conserv 1 Expandability Study. City of Orlando, Florida.

McMahon, B.R. and S.G. Leeper. 1986. Citrus Demonstration Project Micro-Sprinkler Irrigation System Preliminary Design Report. City of Orlando, Florida.

McMahon, B.R. and S.G. Leeper. 1986. Water Conserv 1 Wastewater Reuse Study. City of Orlando, Florida.

McMahon, B.R. and D.L. Farabee. 1987. Water Conserv I Reuse System Preliminary Design Report. City of Orlando, Florida.

Provost, W.S. and B.R. McMahon. 1987. Phase One Irrigation Improvements Preliminary Design Report. City of Sarasota, Florida.

McMahon, B.R. and C.C. Conklin. 1987. WWFP Effluent Disposal Capacity Test. City of Homestead, Florida.

McMahon, B.R., B.D. Broussard, W.F. Burkholder and PA. Bowdoin. 1988. Site - Specific Engineering Study for the New Land Application System. City of Apopka, Florida.

McMahon, B.R. May 17, 1988. Annual Report of the District Engineer. Joshua Water Control District, Arcadia, Florida.

McMahon, B.R. May 16, 1989. Annual Report of the District Engineer. Joshua Water Control District, Arcadia, Florida.

McMahon, B.R., B.D. Brossard and F.K. Dent. 1989. Preliminary Design Report Ringling MacArthur Reserve Wellfield Collection System. Sarasota County, Florida.

McMahon, B.R., W.F. Burkholder. 1989. Modeling of Drawdowns Induced By Future Groundwater Withdrawals. Orlando Utilities Commission, Florida.

McMahon, B.R. 2000. NPDES Pollution Prevention Plan for The Bear's Club Development, Jupiter, Florida

McMahon, B.R. 2001. NPDES Pollution Prevention Plan for The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa Development, Jupiter, Florida

McMahon, B.R. 2001. Agricultural Nutrient Management Assessment for Underhill Dairy. Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Okeechobee, Florida

McMahon, et al, 2003. Agricultural Nutrient Management Plans for 19 dairy operations in the Lake Okeechobee watershed. Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Tallahassee, Florida.