Containment

The end of February saw the Global Water Footprint Standard published. Spain's government has already included water footprint assessment into policy, making it part of the process to develop river basin plans. Could the rest of Europe follow? Professor Arjen Hoekstra looks at the concepts of blue, green and grey water footprints. Learn more here.;

This year, the Cities of Opportunity report (now in its fourth edition) covers 26 cities and presents in-depth results covering 10 key indicators and 66 variables, examines issues such as transportation and sustainability, and adds insight from major urban thinkers and influencers. Download Cities of Opportunity 2011 (PDF).

Barrick Gold has been one of the most successful mining companies in the world, and the company has conducted admirable and at times truly unique and exemplary environmental protection at mine closure; but at the company's North Mara, Tanzania facility, locals have plagued the project. Liner has been damaged or cut and stolen on multiple occasions, and now locals have flooded into the mining zone to steal waste rock in search of gold. Clashes with security and police have intensified. Learn more here.;

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing to build a reef for Oil Piers Beach (Ventura, California) as soon as next year. The reef would be constructed about 250 yards offshore and utilize a geotextile-bag construction from ASR. The bags would be about 108 yards wide and 22-feet-tall at the apex of the sloping structure. Learn more here.;

The American Public Works Association (APWA) has confirmed that Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), will be on hand to participate in the 2011 Sustainability in Public Works Conference. The event takes place 27-29 June 2011 in Portland, Oregon. Learn more here.;

The membership of the International Erosion Control Association has voted to accept the proposed regionalizationplan. The voting period, which closed May 23, 2011, saw the measure pass withan almost 9 to 1 margin. The accepted regionalization plan will divide IECA membership into two regions. Region One will consist of North and South America and Europe; Region Two will be centered in what has been the Australasian Chapter and include Africa, Oceania and Asia. This move will allow closer management and coordination with each region and better service to IECA's diverse membership.

The Storm Water Solutions magazine staff invites industry professionals to nominate the storm water and erosion control projects they deem most remarkable and innovative for recognition in the November/December issue. All projects must have been in the design or construction phase over the last 18 months. Visit the nomination page here. Learn more here.;

The latest newsletter from Australia-based Global Synthetics includes multiple perspectives on the Utah Point Berth Project (UPBP) at Port Hedland in Western Australia. That bulk export facility is being developed to support (largely) the region's mining industries. Constructing the facility has required stabilizing roads over soft soils, securing stormwater containment zones, slope erosion control, and more. Read about that project and more here (PDF).

Maccaferri's free instructional webinar on erosion control is intended to provide information and understanding of erosion control techniques and soil bioengineering. This webinar will help planners, developers, engineers and contractors with the proper selection and installation of a wide range of solutions to mitigate erosion along slopes, streams, rivers, lakes and channels. Next available session: 9 June 2011, 1:00 - 2:30 pm (EDT). Learn more. Learn more here.;

The 2011 Public Works Manual from PW Magazine includes an article from Laurie Honnigford, executive director of the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC). Writing for the manual's web edition, Honnigford outlines the Quality Data Oversight and Review (QDOR) program from ECTC--a program which takes a scientific view towards providing confidence in erosion control material selection. Read "Seal of Approval" online. Learn more here.;

Since IAGI's founding in 1996 the association has established and operated programs that have recognized outstanding achievements in installation. During the Geo-Frontiers 2011 conference, the International Association of Geosynthetic Installers (IAGI) announced the winners of IAGI's first Installation Awards of Excellence competition. Three awards were given: Extreme Project Award, Innovative Project Award and the Award of Excellence. Brian McKeown, IAGI President, presented the awards during a ceremony honoring the winners.

Tunnelling 20Twenty will take place in Hong Kong 19-22 September 2011. This event from the International Tunnelling Association (ITA) aims to explore the opportunities in tunnelling and what the international market look like for the next 20 years. Organizers have noted that a 25% discount off the standard rate is available to those using the code GEO-25DIS when booking. Geosynthetica is a media partner to the event. Learn more here.;

APWA's Sustainability in Public Works Conference offers a meeting place for professionals in both the public and private sectors for the sharing of innovative ideas in sustainability. With the industry's newest processes and technologies available at this event, attending can prove to be a truly important investment in your community's (or business's) future. The event takes place 27-29 June 2011 in Portland, Oregon. Read more from APWA (PDF).

The American Public Works Association (APWA) launched a revamped website. This includes a new page for its Center for Sustainability. Learn more here.;

Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia have signed a $2 billion plan to begin building a sustainable stormwater-management system in the city over the next 25 years. The green infrastructure plan includes installing porous pavement, roadside plantings and green roofs to collect rainwater runoff. The project is expected to prevent up to 8 billion gallons of water from entering the sewer system. Learn more here.;

The New York Times reports on the costs and concerns associated with China's planned South-North Water Diversion Project, a massive engineering endeavor that would divert six trillion gallons of water a year from the Yangtze to heavily populated areas chronically afflicted with drought. Learn more here.;

The International Waste Working Group (IWWG) reports that IWWG members are eligible for a 10% discount on registration for the renowned Sardinia Symposium, which will be held 3-7 October 2011 in Cagliari, Italy. According to the type of registration requested, the discount may amount to as much as 100 Euro. Learn more here.;

The 1st Edition of the "DPC Geosynthetics Market- UK 2009-2013" provides a review of the structure of the damp proof course, damp proof membrane, and geomembrane markets. This niche report focuses on market size and trends, product mix, supply, distribution and future prospects. Some of the companies included: Anderson Monarflex, British Polythene Industries, Grafton Group, Hyload, Icopal, Jewson, Marley Waterproofing, Monarflex acoustic, Permanite, Plysolene, Ruberoid, SIG, Spectraroof, Travis Perkins, Visqueen Building Products, Watts Group, Wolseley. Learn more here.;

The protective lining for one of the abandoned phosphogypsum stacks at the old Piney Point facility has torn, allowing potentially contaminated seawater to gush from the site. Immense water pressure from the stack’s leak is pushing into an underground drain and then into a lined stormwater ditch, causing a bulge and cracking along the south wall of the south stack. Learn more here.;

Dr. George Koerner, Director Designate of the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), has announced that the GSI Board of Directors has selected TRI Environmental as its official support laboratory for the Geosynthetic Accreditation Institute - Laboratory Accreditation Program (GAI-LAP). Since its creation in 1995, GAI-LAP has grown steadily to include 19 independent, 26 manufacturing quality control, and 4 research/governmental laboratories. Each lab participates in annual proficiency testing and quinquennial on-site audits. Learn more.

Due to overwhelming demand, the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has extended the deadline for abstract submittal to EC12 to June 17. If you are interested in presenting at EC12, submit your 400 word abstract on IECA's website. The event will be held 26-29 February 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Read more from IECA Education Director Jimmy Eanes.

Since he was hired in the '70s by Saudi prince Mohammad al-Faisal, French engineer Georges Mougin has tried to figure out a way to tow freshwater icebergs across the Arctic. Now, with 3-D tech, declassified satellite data, and tugboats, he might have cracked the way to quench the world's thirst. And he proposes using geotextiles. Learn more here.;

The town of Marion, Massachusetts has a nitrogen level building in its bay equivalent to leakage from 1900 homes; yet, the town has only 1700 homes. Citizens and engineers cite the old wastewater plants inefficiency. It is leaking into the harbor. Lining of the WWTP ponds with a geosynthetic barrier seems imminent. City officials are currently debating the issue, costs, and possible WWTP lagoon redesign with liners. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetics Middle East 2011 will take place under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Municipality 25-26 October 2011 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Key themes include transportation, environmental and water applications, polymeric product development, design and installation, testing and cqa, and standards and regulations. Abstract submissions for consideration are due by 16 June 2011.

In 2010, the SOIL Fund provided funding for a project on Easter Island. These test plots helped to develop a method to establish an economically beneficial tree species on the island while controlling erosion and increasing infiltration. Unfortunately, a winter grassland fire destroyed much of the plantings from last year. The SOIL Fund is planning to assist in replanting the trees. We need your help. We are asking anyone interested in assisting in this process at their own expense and looking for the satisfaction of an eco-vacation to beautiful Easter Island, to please contact us as soon as possible. Learn more.