Containment

The design and construction of a replacement dam on difficult foundations was recently completed at a salmon smolt facility in Scotland. RM Doake from AECOM explains how the design process was shaped by working in such an environmentally sensitive area--including through the extensive utilization of geosynthetic clay barriers (also known as GCLs) and thick nonwoven geotextiles for seepage control and soil stabilization. Learn more here.;

Research has found livestock produce about 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gases--more than all sources of transportation combined. In the Marin, California area, they are looking into "cow power"--converting cow waste into sustainable electricity. The technologies have been on the rise, thanks largely to grants. And since waste does not take a break--whereas wind and solar are regularly interrupted--more grants are now available for cow power projects. Learn more here.;

The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power is covering the 9.2-acre Santa Ynez reservoir with a Hypalon geomembrane system and switching disinfectants from chlorine to chloramine. These changes will help the operation meet two new rules that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established to make drinking water safer. Work should be completed by August 2011. Learn more here.;

The early-bird registration rate has nearly arrived for Polyolefin Additives 2010. Save up to EUR100 if you register by 12 February 2010. The event, hosted by Applied Market Information (AMI), is a discussion-provoking, networking opportunity with top professionals from the polyolefin compounding industry. Issues such as UV stabilization and weatherability are addressed. Industry segments like agricultural film and pipe and explored. The discussions are wide-ranging and intriguing. Polyolefin Additives 2010 will take place 23-25 March 2010 in Cologne, Germany. Read more and link to the program and conference website.

The Obama Administration this week proposed a budget of $10 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The President's budget includes a $41.4 million increase in tribal funding across the nation, of which $30 million is targeted for the new multi-media grants to tribes to move beyond capacity building to implementation of Federal environmental programs. In the Pacific Southwest, EPA is committed to protecting the health and environment of 147 federally recognized tribes, as well as a tribal land base of over 27 million acres.

Soil issues at the proposed site of a 750-million-gallon reservoir in Fremont, Ohio are pushing the city to add a geomembrane lining system to the site. City residents are concerned at the many costs that have been added to the project overall. Most of the redesign issues--the liner is only one of many necessary decisions--have cropped up since earthworks began last April. Learn more here.;

Geomembranes come in many forms: polypropylene, high-density polythylene, polyvinyl chloride, reinforced, non-reinforced, and many other forms. One of Canada-based Soprema's specialties is bituminous geomembranes, a class that is gaining ever-greater use in environmental, infrastruture and hydraulic applications. Learn more about this geomembrane class at Soprema's site. Learn more here.;

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making nearly $2 million available in 2010 to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. EPA will award CARE cooperative agreements at two levels. Level I awards range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish community-based partnerships to assess toxics problems in their community and consider options for reducing environmental risks.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released action plans developed by 22 electric utility facilities with coal ash impoundments, describing the measures the facilities are taking to make their impoundments safer. In addition to the action plans released today, EPA is also releasing assessment reports on the structural integrity of an additional 40 coal ash impoundments at 16 facilities across the country. Most of the 40 impoundments have a rating of "high" or "significant" hazard potential, indicating the potential for harm in the event of impoundment failure. Read more.

Though the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment has authority over a proposed large animal operation in St. Joseph County, Michigan, local commissioners and citizens are debating whether the project should be allowed. The farm's operator has tried to assuage concerns by promoting the site's planned geomembrane liner for waste containment. Learn more here.;

Geo-Frontiers 2011 brings together the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute (GI) and the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI). It will be held 13-16 March 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The Call for Abstracts has been issued. Current tracks include Soil/Rock Mechanics and Modeling; Geotechnical Testing and Site Characterization; Foundations and Ground Improvement; Slopes, Embankments, and Earth Retaining Structures; Geosynthetics; Geoenvironmental Engineering; Geo-Hazards (Earthquakes, Landslides, Erosions, Others); Transportation Materials and Pavements; and Other Geotechnical Related Issues. Abstracts due: 8 March 2011. Learn more here.;

A variety of waterproofing work can be completed with the ENVIRONAP geomembranes: transportation structures, waterproofing and hydraulic works, environmental protection, etc. The quality of SBS modified bitumen used for the products fabrication offers great elasticity and an excellent resistance to aging. ENVIRONAP geomembranes are available in 2 and 4 meter widths. Learn more. Learn more here.;

Old Bar Beach Sand Replenishment Group (OBBSRG) was formed 12 months ago to air residents' concerns about the erosion which has already claimed two beachfront dwellings in Old Bar, New South Wales, Australia. OBBSRG has been studying gabion systems and geotextile tubes or bags. Working with scientific groups and engineers, they've found many successful groyne constructions like these in Australia, and now must convince local councils that they are the best decisions. The group believes a series of six groynes constructed of sand-filled geotextile bags is the practical and economical way to protect Old Bar properties. They estimated AUS $200,000-$400,000 is needed to preserve $300 million in property and infrastructure. Not a bad investment. Learn more here.;

In November 2009 the north west of England experienced widespread flooding. In the town of Workington, one road bridge collapsed and the other was deemed unsafe. The town was divided in two. The Royal Engineers were commissioned to build a temporary footbridge. The Engineers required design guidance on stabilisation and delivery of geogrids within 24 hours.

Sarah McCubbin-Cain has shared with Geosynthetica a letter sent to Virginia-based members of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO). There, the state senate has passed legislation that may lead to dam failures by allowing non-compliant facilities to continue to operate. ASDSO asks for help in stopping this new legislation.

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has announced that it will host the North American Carbon Credit Summit on Wednesday, 14 April 2010 in Reno, Nevada. The one day event will provide the most current information available on the constantly evolving carbon credit market as it applies to municipal solid waste professionals.

Mumbai, India-based Emmbi Polyarns, a polymer processing firm with significant interest in geosynthetics manufacture, has opened its initial public offering (IPO) of 95,74,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each for subscription. The price band has been fixed at Rs 40 to Rs 45 per equity share and the issue will close on February 3. The offer has been greeted with both excitement in the Indian market and concern for the dilution level. But Emmbi insists that its ambitious expansion goals, rooted heavily in geosynthetics, will justify the IPO and secure Emmbi's business. Read an interview with Makrand Appalwar, Emmbi's Managing Director. Learn more here.;

A "floating-geotextile mat" has been selected to be the first wetland-based filtering system for the Rangitikei District Council's wastewater treatment plant in Marton, New Zealand. Since only one company provides the system in New Zealand, the project will not go to tender. It is expected to cost roughly $500,000. It replaces a mechanical oxygen input system and is thought will save $40,000 per year in operations cost. Learn more here.;

Earth911 has published an article on Republic Services use of thin-film photovoltaic cells on exposed landfill caps. Learn more here.;

Many forecasts believe engineering firms will hedge their bets on recovery this year, bringing many back to their force; only, with a good percentage of those new and returning employees on a contract basis to start. But the outlook is improving. Learn more here.;

Plastics Today has published its polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) spot price report. They found PE up $0.04/lb last week, a trend "driven by soaring monomer costs and pointing to higher contract resin prices in February." Ethylene shortages have played a role. Similarly, PP spot prices were up $0.02/lb last week. The rise in monomers shows "no abatement" at this point, especially since PP manufacturers have successfully passed along some recent cost increases. Learn more here.;

North Brook Farms in Auburn, New York recycles new rubber shoe soles that fail inspection. The largest supply of these comes to the farm from a military distributor. North Brook then grinds up the rubber and stuffs it into geotextile mats which are sold to farms for animal bedding. The young company's orders are starting to come from overseas, including a two-million pound order from Ireland. Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), based in Folsom, Pennsylvania, and National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) in Taiwan have announced that the first international GSI-Asia Geosynthetics Conference will take place 16-18 November 2010 in Taichung, Taiwan. NPUST currently is the home of GSI's Taiwan office (GSI-Taiwan). GSI's Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI) annually holds an international event in North America. That event is nearing its 25th anniversary. The launch of an international forum serving the Asia region is exciting news. Read more about its highlights.

Members of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) are invited to take part in the election of IGS officers and council members. The elected terms run from 2010-2014. This 12th IGS election is historically significant for the breadth of its field of candidates. In what is a rare occurrence in IGS elections, two candidates are vying to succeed president Fumio Tatsuoka (Japan). Those candidates are Peter Stevenson and Jorge Zornberg. Also, 23-well-qualified candidates are seeking the eight general elected council positions. This is certainly the largest field to ever seek election, and it's a strong sign that the IGS's 30 chapters, 121 corporate members, and 2000+ individual members are active and interested. Read about the election and statements from both presidential candidates.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold its 5th National AgStar Conference 27-28 April 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Conference organizers have released a tentative program, which focuses heavily on the use of anaerobic digesters and making these systems profitable in the ag sector. An optional half-day tour of two anaerobic digester system at 4,000-head farms is offered too. Learn more and download a copy of the program at the AgStar Conference website. Learn more here.;