Image Provided by Western Dredging Association
Hunt Valley, Maryland (28 August 2026)—EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC (EA), a leading provider of interdisciplinary environmental services, is proud to announce that Peggy Derrick, Vice President, was honored with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Western Dredging Association (WEDA) at the organization’s 2026 Dredging Summit & Expo recently held in Montreal, Canada. The award is WEDA’s highest honor and recognizes individuals whose contributions to WEDA and the dredging profession will have a lasting impact on the industry for decades to come.
With over three decades of professional experience, Derrick is recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts in dredged material management, sediment characterization, remediation, permitting, and environmental compliance for navigation and infrastructure projects. She has managed and implemented sediment and navigation-related projects across the eastern United States, supporting multiple branches of the military, port authorities, and private-sector clients. Her work has included the management of dredged material programs totaling more than $100 million and involving more than 80 million cubic yards of material.
“Peggy’s impact on EA, our industry, and profession extends far beyond the projects she has led,” said Chris Canonica, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Through her technical excellence, leadership, mentorship, and commitment to collaboration, she has elevated standards across the dredging and sediment management industry. This award recognizes not only her extraordinary career accomplishments, but also the lasting influence she has had on clients, regulators, colleagues, and the broader environmental community.”
A dedicated WEDA member since 2006, Derrick has served on the organization’s Environmental Commission for nearly two decades. She also played a key role in developing the association’s Environmental Award program. As Program Manager for WEDA’s Eastern Chapter from 2013 to 2018, Derrick coordinated annual technical programs that connected members with emerging trends, innovative practices, and leading industry experts. She is an active presenter and author on topics including sediment management, in-water impacts, and best management practices for dredging and in-water construction, permitting, and environmental stewardship.
Beyond her direct project work, Derrick has been widely recognized for advancing collaborative solutions among regulators, project owners, and industry professionals. Throughout her career, she has consistently advanced approaches for dredged material testing, permitting, environmental review, and stakeholder engagement that have benefited navigation, remediation, and infrastructure projects across the country. She has also mentored countless environmental and sediment professionals, helping develop the next generation of leaders in the dredging community.
“Peggy’s career exemplifies EA’s commitment to technical excellence, innovation, and environmental stewardship,” said Brian Lesinski, Executive Vice President and Chief of Client Programs. “We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor and grateful for the leadership, expertise, and dedication she continues to bring to our clients, our teams, and our industry.”
Derrick joined EA in 1995 and currently serves as a Vice President. Throughout her career, she has helped deliver complex dredging, navigation, remediation, and ecosystem restoration projects while promoting environmentally responsible solutions that balance infrastructure needs with resource protection.
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