Harding, Michael V.

Michael Harding is an environmental scientist and one of the leading technical experts in the erosion control industry. A graduate of Purdue University, Michael has over 40 years of experience in erosion and sediment control, resource management, mined land reclamation, wildlife habitat development, and nonpoint source pollution control both in the United States and overseas. He designed and supervised the construction of the San Diego State University Soil Erosion Research laboratory and was its Director from 1999-2002. He has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge related to the effectiveness of alternative approaches to erosion control through field and laboratory testing programs. Michael played a key role in the emergency soil stabilization efforts following the 1991 Oakland firestorm, 1993 Southern California fires, the 2003, 2007, 2012 and 2014 San Diego County/City Fires. Nationally, his efforts on over fifty emergency response plans have focused on leadership, financial assistance and technical guidance in the form of post-fire hazard assessment, design of mitigation strategies, and oversight of extensive mitigation implementation efforts before the onset of winter rains. He developed and teaches the course “Fire & Rain: Post-Fire Hazard Remediation.” Michael is the former President of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) and Chief of Council (COC) for that organization’s International Regional Council (IRC).