Kelly Somers

US Environmental Protection Agency, Water Division

Term: 2023-2026

Monitoring and Assessment Team Assignment: SAV, Water

Title: Senior Watershed Coordinator

Department: Water Division

Organization: US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3

Education: MS Environmental Science, Drexel University 2012; BS Environmental Science, University of Delaware 2007

Primary Focus Area Estuarine ecology and management, freshwater SAV, plastic pollution with a focus on microplastics

Secondary Focus Area(s): Watershed management, riverine ecology, wetland ecology, GIS

Career Experiences: Kelly joined EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region in 2014 where she works in watershed restoration and protection with a strong background in watershed monitoring and research.  In her role as a Senior Watershed Coordinator, she works collaboratively with stakeholders to identify data and research gap and investigates innovative solutions to emerging watershed issues.  She leads the region in issues such as plastic pollution, particularly microplastic and spearheaded a SAV monitoring initiative.  Prior to joining EPA, she worked in academia and non-profit focusing on estuarine research and monitoring.