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November's Featured Resources
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EC09 - Environmental Connection
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Don't Forget the Early Registration Deadline - Dec. 12
Now, more than ever, choosing to take an active part in your professional development is critical to survival. At EC09, you will find the resources that will help you outlast the competition all year long. Complete registration booklets will be in your mailbox very soon.
Environmental Connection courses tend to fill up prior to the early registration date of December 12, so register now for any courses you may want to attend. For complete conference details and to register, go to http://www.ieca.org/conference/annual/ec.asp.
Members Save Money - And remember, if you are not a member, you can stretch your dollar even further by joining. Not only do you receive a significant discount on your conference registration fee, but also you gain access to training, valuable PDH's and CEU's and other benefits all year long. Join Today!
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SOIL Fund Benefit - Denim & Diamonds Dinner
Join us Monday evening, Feb. 9 from 4:00pm - 7:30pm for a casually
elegant evening at the Atlantis Hotel & Casino with dinner and a
live auction hosted by James Ridgway of ESCN.tv. All proceeds for this event will go IECA's charitable fund, Save Our International Land (SOIL). The
mission of the SOIL Fund is to provide a permanent funding source for
programs and projects that improve environmental quality through
education, research and applied technology. Cost for the
dinner is $150 per person. Please sign up for this worthwhile dinner
when you register for the conference. Check back soon for a list of
auction items! Back to top |
Industry News
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Research & Reports
Sustainable Sites Initiative Draft Report Available for Public Comment - The Sustainable Sites Initiative invites public comment on the new report titled Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks Draft 2008, the most comprehensive set of national guidelines yet developed for the sustainable design, construction and maintenance of landscapes.
The Sustainable Sites Initiative is an interdisciplinary partnership working to foster a transformation in land development and management practices. The Initiative aims to supplement existing green building and landscape guidelines as well as to become a stand-alone tool for site sustainability. The U.S. Green Building Council, a major stakeholder in the Initiative, anticipates incorporating the benchmarks into future versions of the LEEDŽ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System.
The report includes more than 50 prerequisites and credit options that cover everything from initial site selection to construction and maintenance. The report represents thousands of hours with input from 37 technical advisors in hydrology, vegetation, soils, materials and human health and well being. These credits were tailored to apply to any landscape, with our without buildings.
To participate in the review, go to http://www.sustainablesites.org/review/. The public comment period is over Jan. 20, 2009. For information, contact info@sustainablesites.org.
American Rivers and Midwest Environmental Advocates Releases New Report - Local Water Policy Innovation: A Road Map for Community Based Stormwater Solutions helps citizens ensure clean water in their communities. Read the full News Release. Read the 44-Page Report. Source: American Rivers
Soil Conservation and River Management Tied Together - Sediment in rivers comes from erosion of the landscape as well as the erosion and collapse of the banks themselves. Just how much each source contributes to a river - and how it affects the flow and path of that river - is the subject of research by Peter Whiting, professor of geological sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Read the full News Release. Source: Science Daily
Virginia Tech Engineers Identify Conditions That Initiate Erosion - A team of Virginia Tech College of Engineering faculty members and graduate students have demonstrated that sustained spikes in turbulence are responsible for dislodging particles, whether on land or in the water. They report their research results in the October 31 issue of Science in the article, "The Role of Impulse on the Initiation of Particle Movement Under Turbulent Flow Conditions." Read the full News Release. Source: Virginia Tech
New International Wind Erosion Journal Launches in 2009 - The first international journal focusing on wind erosion research will begin publication in 2009. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) soil scientist Ted M. Zobeck is the president-elect of the newly formed International Society for Aeolian Research and co-editor-in-chief of its new quarterly Elsevier journal, Aeolian Research. Read the full News Release. Source: USDA ARS
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Stories of Interest
MAF Grants $1.4m for Erosion Protection and Research - The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of New Zealand has allocated two more erosion treatment projects for a total of $1.4 million under its Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Hill Country Erosion Fund. Read the full News Release. Read more about the Land Fund.
New Rule: Clean Water Permits Voluntary for Factory Farms - The Bush administration finalized a rule that allows more than 15,000 factory farms across the country to avoid certain requirements of the Clean Water Act if they claim they do not discharge animal wastes into lakes, rivers and streams. Read the Full Article.
Source: Stormwater Authority.org
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| Members in the News |
ScourStop Awarded Rare Public Interest Finding (PIF)
The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has issued a rare Public Interest Finding (PIF) for the use of ScourStop on state projects. ScourStop transition mats are a biotechnical replacement for rock rip-rap and offer permanent protection against scour and erosion at drainage outlets, overflow structures and stream banks and provide an aesthetically pleasing, natural landscape. Now that a statewide PIF has been issued and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), designers can specify the use of ScourStop transition mats (as a proprietary product) on both state and federally funded projects. As the name suggests, a Public Interest Finding is a state DOT request for FHWA approval based on the public's best interest - that allows an exception to be made to one of the many state or federal rules, policies or procedures that apply to construction contract lettings conducted by the Iowa DOT. PIF approval remains a very rare occurrence. The Iowa DOT will submit a PIF on a product only after careful consideration, when it is deemed to be more effective than existing procedures or practices. Tom Carpenter, CPESC, creator of ScourStop transition mats and president of Erosion Tech LLC, said, "I'm very honored for our product to be selected for a PIF and for it to be recognized on a statewide basis. The PIF will enable better statewide compliance with NPDES Phase II requirements and will provide the impetus for MS4 entities and private designers to specify vegetated, soft armor Best Management Practices." For more details, visit www.scourstop.com. Back to top |
Industry Pioneer Brings Custom Approach to Training
After training more than 4,000 general contractors, superintendents, public policy makers, engineers and project managers for clients including Wal-Mart Stores, IECA and StormCon, Shirley D. Morrow, CPESC, CISEC announces the opening of her new training and consulting company, ABC's of BMP's, LLC.
Morrow has been providing training and consulting in the stormwater and erosion & sediment control industries for more than 16 years. She conceived, developed and implemented Wal-Mart's EPA-approved Stormwater Professional Training & Certification Program. Morrow served on the Board of Directors for IECA and was president for five years for the Great Rivers Chapter of IECA.
Morrow works closely with engineering firms and general contractors to provide guidance on stormwater compliance with Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) and site best management practices (BMPs). She provides training and consulting for federal, state and municipal agencies as well as engineering firms and general contractors. She also provides expert investigations in litigation cases.
For more information about the ABC's of BMP's, LLC, please call 816-803-8763 or email: sdmorrow@abcbmp.com Source: ABC's of BMP's
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McCullah Featured Explorer in Smithsonian Exhibit
John McCullah, CPESC, past IECA Board member and host of the Dirt Time video series, is featured as an explorer in the Dig It! - The Secrets of Soil exhibit now on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Through the virtual exhibit, kids can discover the world of soils with images and information. Click here for an Overview of the Program. Back to top
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Cudo Stormwater Products Launches an LID-approved Solution to Stormwater Management
Cudo improves upon established technology with an easy to install and maintain system that addresses underground stormwater storage, infiltration, treatment and rainwater harvesting. Cudo is a modular plastic cube that can be installed as a single-level underground system or connected vertically to create water storage solutions with virtually unlimited size, shape and capacity. Cudo is a green solution that makes it possible to "deal with the rain where it falls," which is becoming increasingly important in an era of environmental awareness and more stringent construction regulations. Cudo meets LID standards, adds LEED points to developments and can be easily assembled and transported at a building site.
For more information about the Cudo stormwater system, visit www.cudocube.com or contact Doug Allard at (877) 876-3345 or doug@cudocube.com. Source: KriStar Enterprises
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Chapter News & Events
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Winter is a Great Time for Training
Cold weather might slow down your job site, but training opportunities are available year-round through local Chapters. Visit the IECA web site home page for IECA and Chapter sponsored events.
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Chapter Initiatives Bring Value to Members
The Southeast Chapter announces scholarship opportunities to assist members who wish to attend EC09 but are facing tightening travel budgets. The program will offer 3 scholarships, each worth $1,000.00. Deadline for applications is December 5, and awards will be announced Dec. 15. Click here for Complete Details and an Application. If you have questions, please contact Richard McLaughlin at 919-515-7306 or rich_mclaughlin@ncsu.edu. Applications should be sent to Melanie McCaleb at sechapterieca@gmail.com. The Southeast Chapter also is asking for members to run in the upcoming Chapter Board of Director's election. Nominations are due December 31. Questions? Contact Peter Romocki at erosionranger@gmail.comThe Great Lakes Chapter has received a $5000 Ohio EPA Environmental Education Mini Grant to help the Chapter pay for and deliver three different review classes and exams for storm water management professionals. Each class will be offered twice in 2009. Class participants will have the opportunity to become certified professionals in sediment and erosion control and storm water quality management. These classes are designed to help small municipalities and construction industry professionals improve their compliance with storm water regulations. Collaborators include the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center at Cleveland State University, Ohio EPA Northeast District Office and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Congratulations to Chapter president Brett Bergefurd and the Great Lakes Chapter. The new Ontario Chapter has created a Web Site for its members. The Chapter is actively seeking volunteers to help bring education to the area. To see who the members are in your area and to get involved, please contact Chapter president Mark Hartley. Back to top |
IECA News & Information
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IECA Announces 2009 Board of Directors
IECA's membership voted to re-elect Becky Gauthier to the 2009 Board of Directors. Joining Gauthier to the 2009 Board of Directors are new board members Phil Handley, CPESC and Rick Morse, CPESC.
Handley and Morse will begin their service and Gauthier will continue service to the association and its members in February alongside fellow Board members Mike Chase, CPESC, CPSWQ, CESSWI; Julie Etra, CPESC; Mark Hunter, PE; Sandy Mathews; Brock Peters, CISEC; and Tom Williams, CPESC.
Please read the complete News Release.
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Become an IECA Fan on Facebook
Social media, or using the internet to connect people, is the buzz word today. One way IECA is using the internet to connect members is by having a Facebook presence. Think of the page as a "three-dimensional listserve." Our Facebook Fan Page is open to anyone, and we hope that it will facilitate people meeting each other and having constructive discussions. Please support this new initiative by joining Facebook and becoming a fan of our page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Erosion-Control-Association/37673432413?ref=mf. This will be an easy first step for you to explore the power of social media and support IECA at the same time. Back to top |
Showcase Your Best Work By Entering IECA's Annual Photo Contest
IECA's Annual Photo Contest is an opportunity to gain visibility and share your accomplishments with the erosion and sediment control community. Entries will be displayed on IECA's website and also laminated and enlarged to be showcased at Environmental Connection, IECA's annual conference and expo. Voting will take place at Environmental Connection, and ribbons will be awarded at the conference. The contest is FREE - so send in those pictures! Entries are due on or before December 31, 2008. Complete details on how to enter the contest can be found on IECA's web site. Back to top
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Career Center News
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Looking for a New Job?
In this difficult economy, don't forget about the power of connections through IECA's Career Center. If you are a member, you can post your resume for free, and member employers receive discounts when you purchase a job ad.
Recent Job Postings
If you have questions about the Career Center, please call 800-455-4322 or 303-640-7554 or email membership@ieca.org.
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