LEA Central: Ralph Hunter Memorial Award

2010 Recipient: Rebecca Lafreniere, San Diego County

This award is given in recognition of an individual who has made a major impact to the local enforcement agency (LEA)/solid waste field by development of a special or new program, involvement with educational activities, committees and/or workgroups, or permitting and/or enforcement, or special achievement that enhances the protection of public and environmental health principles through the LEA/EA program.

Rebecca Lafreniere has over 22 years experience in the environmental health field and 18 years working in the San Diego County and San Diego City Local Enforcement Agencies. She acts as a statewide leader in the solid waste program areas and has a solid track record of effectively working with other County Departments, her staff, the regulated industry, and other regulators on the local and state level to solve solid waste issues and create new programs. She is recognized locally and statewide for her intelligence and leadership qualities and is frequently sought after to provide advice regarding complex solid waste and enforcement issues. Some of her many accomplishments include:

• Worked with multiple agencies to develop an enhanced monitoring program at the San Diego Mission Bay Post Closure Landfill Site to better protect the environment, public health, and the nearby SeaWorld theme park.
• Participated in the Quince Burn-Ash Investigation and Remediation Project which resulted in the City of San Diego removing the top three feet of contaminated soil and burn-ash from the unpaved areas of 12 residential properties and a city right-of-way property.
• Served on the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health Hazardous Incident Emergency Response Team from 1992 to 1998 and was involved in over 100 emergency responses, including Heavens Gate, chemical transportation roll-overs, clandestine labs, and a “US Filter” 6,000 bulk hydrochloric acid release that resulted in a civil settlement from US Filters.
• Participated in school staff and community meetings to fully delineate the extent of the Webster Elementary School burn site to determine the depth of cover materials and allow the school to build a two story media and classroom building and new lunch shelter at the site.
• Served on the California Enforcement Advisory Council for 4 years and is the outgoing 2008-2010 Chair.
• Received the Director’s Award for the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health, the Exceptional Service Award for the City of San Diego Community Health Division, and a Certificate of Recognition – Expert Instruction from the California Integrated Waste Management Board

Rebecca is a worthy recipient of the Ralph Hunter Memorial Award. Please join us in congratulating her on this achievement.

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