Containment

It’s Tuesday and attendees and exhibitors are arriving in Salt Lake City, Utah for the biennial Geosynthetics conference. Geosynthetics 2009, managed by the Roseville, Minnesota-based Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), is being held under the theme “Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering,” two subjects key to Western states like Utah. Geosynthetica is a cooperating organization for this year’s event. We’re proud to be part of this seminal gathering for North America’s geosynthetics practice. Reports from the conference will be published daily (Wednesday – Friday, February 25-27) and a wrap-up will be published next week.

The Reno Gazette-Journal (RGJ) has posted an article from extension education and associate professor Loretta Singletary on the subject of "Nonpoint source pollutants associated with Nevada agriculture." She offers a general breakdown of the threats, uses of best management practices (BMPs), total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), and other affiliated matters. Learn more here.;

BioCycle Magazine has published an interesting, historical perspective on animal waste digesters. BioCycle actually began as a publication named Compost Science and published its first hint of power-generation from manure lagoons in 1960. From that point on, systems have utitilzed floating covers, flexible bags and other technologies to move towards better harnessing methane power and improving waste management. Learn more here.;

Over at Mondaq, where articles with more of a legal perspective are posted, Karen Miller's "Canada: Legal Implications Of Green Building, Part I: The US Litigation And Claims Experience" has been published. Miller notes that few claims have been reported, but those that have are related to liability insurance policies on green projects and failures. (Note: Mondaq articles are free to view but require a registration.) Learn more here.;

Massachusetts' Plum Island now has artificial dunes supported by geotextile bags. The dunes have been installed to protect structures on the island after considerable erosion. Officials have even installed fences to protect the dunes. Members of the Plum Island Taxpayers Association (PITA) are anticipating that the US Army Corps of Engineers will approve a plan to dredge the Merrimack River and deposit the lionshare of dredged sand on Plum Island for beach renourishment. Learn more here.;

In 2003, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) expressed concern over the structural security of its Kingston coal ash reservoir. But the company expressed even greater concern with the proposed redesign bills, including one that recommended up to $25 million of work (and which would have appropriated $5 million for a proper liner). The TVA chose a sub-$1 million plan. When the Kingston facility failed in December 2008, it released 5.4 million cubic yards of contaminating ash across 275 acres. The estimated cleanup cost is $525-$825 million. That's 21 times the highest redesign cost proposal from 2003 and 105 times the cost of the liner TVA balked at. One can reasonably expect liners to be mandated in the near future for these disposal and storage facilities. Learn more here.;

The latest short courses and accreditation exams from T-CLIC (TRI-CORP Liner Integrity Center) have been anounced. The line up is as follows: March 23-24, Training for the Performance of Liner Integrity Surveys (LIS) ** March 25-26, CQC/CQA of Geosynthetic, Compacted Clay Liner and GCL Systems ** April 7, Interface Friction/Direct Shear Testing and Slope Stability Issues ** April 8, Structure, Testing, Performance and Application of Drainage Geocomposites in Landfills. Learn more at TRI's website. Learn more here.;

Professor Shobha K. Bhatia has been awarded a Chancellor's Citation for Excellence at Syracuse University, where she teaches civil and environmental engineering. Five people were honored during a February 12 awards ceremony. Dr. Bhatia's 20 years of geotechnical and geosynthetic engineering work was recognized for her broad range of professional contributions (including soils characterization in geosynthetic applications, waste containment, and road construction), dedication to research, the fostering of international work and dialogue, and social justice. We congratulate her on this well-deserved honor. Learn more here.;

The Daily Commercial News and Construction Record reports on how the city of Calgary is progressing with its remediation and redevelopment of East Village Stormwater Wetland. Park space is being established on the former contamination site near the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) have been installed to separate clean and contaminated waters. The project was a finalist in 2008 for a Canadian Urban Institute Brownie Award. The competition cited the proper use of capping technologies among the project's exemplary design points. Learn more here.;

The Truckee Canal's 2008 breach flooded Fernley, Nevada. Since then, western water conveyance technologies and the need for new designs have been debated. At a Truckee-Carson Irrigation District's (TCID) meeting this week, Misha Stojicevic, Storey County's capital improvements project manager, introduced the idea of geosynthetic lining systems instead of just a concrete barrier. Stojicevic also suggested TCID could get $4 million of funding for repairs from the state if it worked with Churchill County too. Learn more here.;

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is advancing on the installation of geotextile tubes along the battered dunes of Grand Isle, Louisiana. The small island, which is focused primarily on recreation and hospitality, was damaged during 2008's hurricane season. USACE is performing 5 miles of restoration work with geotextile tubes and a sand cap through August. Learn more here.;

The new issue of Compounding World magazine, from AMI, is available for viewing online. The February edition includes features on new developments in antioxidants and stabilizers, an analysis of the compounding markets in China and India, machinery and materials innovations for compounding TPEs, and new technologies launched at the Coperion Open House. Plus, all the latest business news, additives developments and new machinery are included. Learn more here.;

The Canadian Brownfield Urban and Industrial Land Development conference (CanBUILD) 2009 is designed to drive sustainable development by educating industry stakeholders about the latest innovations in site remediation, financing opportunities, environmental successes, and the legislative developments that matter most to brownfield builders, owners, and municipalities. It aims to bring peers together to share information, challenges and successes, and to give each municipality a clearer vision on how to reach long-term community sustainability. The event will be held in Toronto 1-2 April 2009. Learn more here.;

The Brownfields 2009 conference brings together approximately 6,000 attendees. Co-sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), it seeks to create an exceptional educational experience and welcomes all perspectives on the most important issues facing brownfields practitioners, policy makers, communities and companies. The Call for Ideas will be open through 1 May 2009 for those who would like to propose education programs and presentations. The event will be held in New Orleans 16-18 November 2009. Learn more here.;

An abandoned mining in Canada's Yukon will take 40 years and $500 million to properly close, the government estimates. The Faro mine project will undergo a 15-year-construction phase that is expected to cost $30 million per year, and an additional $10 million is thought to be needed for the last 25 years of closure operations. Learn more here.;

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is encouraging all members to call their Congressional representatives and senators to push for greater infrastructure dollars in the current stimulus proposals. The roughly $800 billion proposal, as it currently stands, does not have nearly as much infrastructure money as expected. For example, senators such as Barbara Boxer (D-CA) are proposing to use $50 billion not spent in the first year of stimulus for future transportation and water infrastructure improvement. Read more in ASCE's alert. Learn more here.;

In Italy, expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks--also known as geofoam--have been used in some of the newest "eco" architecture. Take for example architect Giulio Ceppi's design for Autogrill near Ravenna, Italy. The strucutre uses geofoam blocks have been built up to create an insulating layer upon which soil and ivy has been placed to create a green roof. Learn more here.;

Tensar's main United Kingdom office has been awarded the North West Greater China Business Award. The Blackburn-based firm was presented with the award at the North West Greater China Business Awards at a banquet hosted by UK Trade and Investment and the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The awards recognize businesses and organizations that are cultivating strong trade links with China. Learn more here.;

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has elected 65 new members and nine foreign associates. Included among them you'll find Dr. Jean-Pierre Groud of J.P. Giroud Inc. Dr. Giroud was elected based upon "pioneering research in geosynthetics engineering and its practical application in civil/geotechnical engineering." Dr. Giroud, in fact, coined the term "geosynthetics." Congratulations are certainly due. See the other new members here. Learn more here.;

Peak Engineering Technologies has changed its name to Peak GeoSolutions to better reflect the company's impressive growth in services. The February 2009 newsletter from the company reveals the name change, a new logo, and new service offerings, including geoelectric liner integrity surveys and technical tailgate training. Also, Peak is offering short courses: ** CQA/QC Short Courses for Compacted Clay Liner and Geosynthetic Installations, which features proctorship for the Geosynthetic Certification Institute - Inspector Certification Program (GCI-ICP); and ** a Peak-exclusive short course on total landfill construction and CQA. Learn more in the February newsletter.

TenCate, which manufacturers materials for industries such as geosynthetics, aerospace, defense and recreation turf, will take a minority holding in Australia-based TigerTurf. TigerTurf has considerable business in the Australasia region regarding professional sports fields, tennis courts, and schools; and works with major organizations such as FIFA. Other recent TenCate acquisitions and agreements in the synthetic turf market include Greenfields, Edel Grass and FieldTurf Tarkett. Learn more here.;

The Initial Public Offer (IPO) market has been grim in the United States with economic investment so low. More than 100 offers were withdrawn last year in the US, and over the past six months only two IPOs have gone forward. A few more companies withdrew IPO floatation on February 3. Among them, geogrid and infrastructure specialist Tensar. Learn more here.;

ASCE's India 2010 conference--the 3rd International Perspective on Current & Future State of Water Resources & the Environment--seeks abstract proposals of 500 words or less on water resource planning, conveyance, infrastructure, innovative technologies, hazarous and solid waste management, and much more. Download a brochure for the call. Learn more here.;

The March-April 2009 issue of Erosion Control includes Tara Beecham's look at various erosion control blankets (ECBs) and turf reinforcement mats (TRMs). She focuses on the basics behind reasons for selection (natural look and long-term anchorage for vegetation), various systems (such as erosion control systems above geomembrane and clean soil, as you might find in remediated areas), and touches upon biodegrable options. Commercial development, recreational development and other sectors are represented. Among those companies mentioned in the article you'll find American Excelsior, East Coast Erosion Blankets, North American Green, and Presto Products. Read it online. Learn more here.;

E&A Ltd have announced that its subsidiary Fabtech SA Pty Ltd has formed a strategic alliance with Layfield Geosynthetics & Industrial Fabrics Ltd. The production and distribution agreement focuses on geosynthetic lining solutinos for applications such as water conservation, floating covers, and storage dams. From Business Spectator. Learn more here.;