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| In This Issue
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| EC09: Register by this Friday, Dec. 12 for the best rates! |
| Drag & Drop: Watershed Academy, LID Resources, CADD Drawings and more |
| Industry News: Guidelines, Research, Reports & Stories |
| Members in the News: Deveraj, Garcia-Chevesich, Nilex, TenCate, Stevenson and more |
| Chapter News: Mountain States event Wed., Mid-Atlantic web site, Australasia Officers |
| IECA News: IECA Partners with ASLA for Sustainable Sites |
| Career Center: 10 Secrets for Searching for a Job |
EC09 - Environmental Connection
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December 12 early registration deadline is fast-approaching: Register now to save money!
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.
Don't miss out on new networking events, such as Sunday's Dinner Groups, the Survivor Challenge, Chapter Meetings, International Attendees Reception and the SOIL Fund Denim & Diamonds Dinner.
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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Drag & Drop
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December's Featured Resources
EPA Watershed Academy A program of EPA's Office of Water, the Watershed Academy provides training and information on implementing watershed approaches. The program offers more than 50 free, self-paced training modules. Low Impact Development Resources Web Site compiled by the Environmental Business Council of New England. Free CADD DrawingsProper installation of Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) is critical for a successful project. Download free CADD drawings, compliments of the Erosion Control Technology Council. Wetland Program Development GrantsThe EPA Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) provide eligible applicants an opportunity to conduct projects that promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction and elimination of water pollution. Structural StormWater Quality BMP ManualRequest the free Propex Structural StormWater Quality BMP Manual. Source: Water OnlineDrag & Drop features useful resources provided by members for members and others concerned about erosion and sediment control. If one of these resources is of particular interest to you, just "Drag & Drop" the web link into your Favorites folder or Bookmark it for later reference. If you know of a resource that makes your job easier and would like to share, please send your web links to Meg Tully.Back to top
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Industry News
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Guidelines, Research & Reports
EPA Requests Comments on Proposed Construction and Development Effluent Limitations Guidelines
EPA has proposed guidelines to control the discharge of pollutants from construction sites. The proposal would require all construction sites to implement erosion and sediment control best management practices to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges. In addition, for certain large sites located in areas of the country with high rainfall intensity and soils with a high clay content, stormwater discharges from the construction site would be required to meet a numeric limit on the allowable level of turbidity, which is a measure of sediment in the water. In order to meet the proposed numeric turbidity limit, many sites would need to treat and filter their stormwater discharges. For more information on the proposal and to learn how to submit comments go to http://www.epa.gov/ost/guide/construction/.
Read about the National Association of Homebuilders Opinion on Proposed Guidelines. Source: Builder Online.com
EPA Publishes Draft TMDLs to Stormwater Permits Handbook
EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds (OWOW) and Office of Wastewater Management (OWM) have jointly issued a Draft "TMDLs to Stormwater Handbook," available for public comment. This Draft Handbook provides a technical reference for TMDL practitioners and permit writers on current methods being used to develop more detailed stormwater-source TMDL allocations, TMDL implementation plans including best management practices, and methods for translating TMDL allocations into NPDES stormwater permit requirements. The Handbook also provides background information on the components of these programs, but assumes that the reader has a working knowledge of both TMDLs and NPDES stormwater permits. View the Draft Handbook. Source: FX Browne, Inc. Sustainable Environments Blog
Agencies Revise Guidance to Protect Wetlands and Streams
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army are issuing revised guidance to ensure America's wetlands, streams and other waters are better protected under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The guidance clarifies the geographic scope of jurisdiction under the CWA. The revised guidance replaces previous policy issued in June 2007 and clarifies a June 2006 Supreme Court decision in Rapanos v. United States regarding the scope of the agencies' jurisdiction under the CWA.
Report Lists EPA Environmental Progress
The 2008 Performance and Accountability Report has been released that describes EPA's environmental and financial progress over the past year.
Report Indicates Erosion of Waikiki Beach Could Cut Hawaii Tourism by $2 Billion
The disappearance of Waikiki Beach to erosion could cost the tourism industry nearly $2 billion annually in lost visitor spending, trigger more than 6,000 job losses and shrink state tax revenues by about $125 million a year, according to a new report based on surveys with Waikiki visitors. Read the 123-page report.
Source: Honolulu Advertiser.com
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Stories of Interest
UK Man Wins Cliff Home Erosion Case
A retired engineer has won the latest stage of his fight to protect his Suffolk home from falling into the sea. A High Court judge ruled Natural England's decision to permit erosion for "scientific reasons" as unlawful. Source: BBC News
Prairie Strips Minimize Erosion in Iowa
The non-stop rains this spring in IA verified that the use of "prairie strips" at strategic locations in farm fields can stop significant amounts of soil loss. Source: Public News Service.org
Urban Trees Enhance Water Infiltration
A group of researchers from Virginia Tech, Cornell and the University of California at Davis have been investigating innovative ways to maximize
the potential of trees to address stormwater in a series of studies supported by the U.S. Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Grants Program. Source: Water Online
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| Members in the News |
President of IECA Indian Chapter Attends Eco Expo Asia 2008 - C.R. Deveraj, the president of IECA's Indian Chapter, attended the third annual Eco Expo Asia, Hong Kong's only trade show dedicated to products, services and solutions for environmental protection. The show attracted more than 6,000 visitors from around the world, an increase of 20% compared with 2007. Read the full article. Source: Environmental Expert.comMember Requests Donations - Pablo Garcia-Chevesich, a member of IECA's International Development Committee, is working with the University of Arizona to design a low-cost energy-efficient house using recycled materials and soil. Erosion control is required for the success of the project. Products needed include erosion control blankets and/or gabions to avoid the washing out of the soil covering the house (The area is relatively small). Members willing to contribute will be supporting a project that could represent the future of southwestern construction. Contributing companies will receive promotion within the media. To participate, please contact Garcia-Chevesich directly at email: pablogarciah@gmail.com. Nilex Environmental Inc. Announces Kelly Jaeger as Sales Manager - Jaeger offers more than 3 years of experience in the distribution of geotechnical and environmental products. She will be responsible for technical sales management, vendor relations and business development. Nilex Environmental Inc. specializes in geosynthetic distribution in the Rocky Mountain States. For more information, email Saskia@nilex.com or visit www.nilex.com. TenCate™ Geosynthetics North America utilized MirafiŽ HP-Series woven polypropylene geotextiles to reinforce the new St. Anthony Falls Bridge which was constructed following the collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis. Read the full news release. Source: TenCateStevenson Supply Celebrates a Century of Service - Founded in 1908, Stevenson Supply has evolved with the times, from blacksmithing to selling and servicing farming and logging equipment, to offering state-of-the-art environmental compliance products and services. Visit Stevenson Supply on the web at www.stevensonsupply.net or call the company at 707-575-3335 for more information. Congratulations - Peter Mulroony, an IECA member since 1987 from Ontario, Canada has retired. Most recently, he worked for Geosynthetic Systems, a geosynthetic
product distributor in Eastern Canada. Congratulations to Adam Lyman, winner of IECA's, ESCN.TV's and Land & Water Magazine's Survivor Contest for a trip for two to EC09. What's New? IECA welcomes news and updates from all of our members. If you have news that you would like included in our Members in the News section, please send your press releases to Meg Tully.Back to top
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Chapter News & Events
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Hurry - Mountain States Event Starts Wednesday!
Visit the IECA web site home page for IECA and Chapter sponsored events.
Chapter Program Updates
The Mid-Atlantic Chapter is proud to announce its newly-designed web site: http://www.macieca.org/.
IECA Australasia would like to congratulate the following members who have been elected to serve on the Chapter's Board of Directors: Michael Frankcombe has been re-elected as president for the 7th time. Other Board members include Bill Gardyne, vice president; John Wood, secretary; Ben Starr, treasurer. Bill Leggatt, Graeme Ridley, Wayne Walshe, Tony Rees and Luke Nichols will continue to serve on the Board as well. The Chapter thanks Neil Taylor and Dale Chaychuk for their service on the Board. Congratulations to Rick Morse on his election to the IECA Board of Directors.
The Southeast Chapter 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.com.
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IECA News & Information
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IECA Becomes Participating Organization in ASLA Sustainable Sites Initiative
The Sustainable Sites Initiative™ has taken a major step towards creating the first voluntary, scientifically researched rating system and guidelines for sustainable landscape design, construction and maintenance. On November 10th, the second report was released containing draft performance benchmarks and guidelines, available at
www.sustainablesites.org.
A partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), the Initiative addresses the need for guidelines regarding sustainable landscape design, construction and maintenance. The U.S. Green Building Council (of which IECA is a member) is participating in the project and anticipates incorporating the final Sustainable Sites performance benchmarks and guidelines into future iterations of LEEDŽ.
As a Participating Organization, IECA will:
- Inform members about the Sustainable Sites Initiative, including publicizing calls for comments and other opportunities for review and participation.
- Provide input and share research and data that can help inform the development of the Sustainable Sites Initiative.
- Review and comment on the draft performance benchmarks and guidelines (which are currently open for public comment until January 20, 2009).
Access the 180-page report here. To participate in the review process: http://www.sustainablesites.org/review/. Public comment period is over Jan. 20, 2009. For information, contact info@sustainablesites.org.
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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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Who You Know Can Land You That New Job
In this difficult economy, don't forget about the power of connections through IECA membership and the 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. View all the latest job postings on the web site.
10 Secrets for Searching for a Job During a Recession
Focusing your efforts on jobs in growing industries and demonstrating how your work has generated revenue are just two simple ways to distinguish yourself from the rest of the job seekers competing for positions in a down economy. Source: CIO.com
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