Doug Cheek
in Connect on LinkedIn
When environmental emergencies strike — whether it's a pipeline release, chemical spill or natural disaster — swift action is only part of the equation. What happens after the immediate response is just as critical.
Doug Cheek, a senior hydrologist at Burns & McDonnell, has helped lead restoration planning efforts across complex environmental response scenarios. He shares insights into how proactive planning and strong coordination help smooth the transition from response to restoration.
Q: When we talk about environmental emergency response, what’s typically involved after the initial response phase?
A: Once the immediate hazards are addressed, the focus shifts to restoration. That includes everything from assessing damage and coordinating with stakeholders to implementing long-term recovery plans. We look at the site holistically: physical impacts like debris and infrastructure damage, ecological impacts on wildlife and vegetation, and even community considerations. The goal is to return the area to a safe, stable condition while keeping sustainability and stewardship top of mind. Cost, schedule and long-term effects (such as might be found in natural resource damage assessments) are also considerations.
Q: What makes that transition from response to restoration so critical?
A: It’s easy to think that once the response teams are packing up, the work is done, but that’s often when some of the most impactful decisions are made. Restoration work has to be carefully planned and coordinated. If the team is strategic, we can minimize harm, speed recovery and take advantage of opportunities to build resilience. The aim is always to leave the site more environmentally sustainable. We use detailed assessments — incorporating wetland surveys, tree inventories, photo documentation and geospatial surveys — to create a road map for what needs to happen next.
Q: What role does community engagement play in this process?
A: It’s huge. Engaging with local officials, landowners and the broader community builds trust and sees that restoration aligns with local needs and values. These are often emotional situations — people are worried about their land, their water, their health. Transparent communication and active listening go a long way in helping communities recover alongside the environment.
Q: What are some of the key components of a restoration plan?
A: Every site is different, but we start with a flexible template and customize it based on the incident and client needs. Restoration can include physical repair, like removing debris, repairing roads or restoring agricultural areas. It often involves ecological work, such as replanting native vegetation, restoring wetlands or rehabilitating wildlife. Soil and water restoration are also major components: everything from sediment cleanup and flow restoration to erosion control and native seeding. These are all elements that go into a restoration plan: They cover scope, design, financial impacts, implementation and monitoring.
Q: How do sustainability practices fit into emergency restoration?
A: Sustainability isn’t just a checkbox; it’s embedded throughout the restoration process. We look at water and energy use, material sourcing, and waste management. For example, we prioritize using locally sourced materials and consult agricultural programs to select native seeds for reseeding. All these decisions help reduce environmental impact and support long-term recovery.
Q: What best practices have you seen make the biggest difference in successful restoration projects?
A: Early planning is essential. Having restoration strategies in place before a release or incident happens enables a faster, more effective response. Strong stakeholder coordination — working hand in hand with the response team, local government and community members — also makes a big difference. And finally, fostering a safety culture throughout the project, from response to recovery, helps build confidence that everyone is protected while the environment is restored.
Collaboration is critical for both emergency response and subsequent restoration support after significant environmental incidents.
