Ground Improvement

Environmental Connection is the annual conference from the International Erosion Control Association (IECA). We remind all of our readers that EC09 is just around the corner! The event will take place 9-12 February 2009 in Reno, Nevada. EC09 provides short courses, new technology exposure, networking, a large exhibitor hall, and much more. An early registration discount is available. Deadline for the "early bird" rate: 12 December 2008. Act now! Learn more here.;

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) invites you to a fundraiser dinner on 9 February 2009 for Save Our International Land (SOIL). The charitable fund dinner will be held in conjunction with the EC09 conference. James Ridgway of Land and Water's Erosion and Sediment Control Network (ESCN.tv) will host. All proceeds go to SOIL. More information will be available soon. Learn more here.;

From the Department of Did You Know? comes news that the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has a Facebook page. Facebook and other social networking websites have increasingly transitioned from being teenage communities to more advanced forums, including the establishment of businesses on Facebook. IECA invites users of the service to become an IECA "fan," which is a mark of support and community among Facebook users. Learn more here.;

The Bulletin of Bend, Oregon has published a little Q & A with geomembrane specialty company BTL. In the past year, BTL has moved into an even larger facility--this following a short stint at what seemed to be a large enough new home but that didn't meet BTL's capabilities and client needs. The profile and interview includes discussion of the economy, industry challenges and projections for 2009. Learn more here.;

It wasn't so long ago--the early 1980s--when large new landfill cells in the United States were constructed without protective liners. In Columbia County, New York, two 30-acre, unlined cells from 1982 have been found to be leaking waste into groundwater. The neighboring, more modern cells, which include geosynthetic liners and leachate collection systems, are still performing well and preventing leakage. Remediation work will be needed along with capping. Some sites in the US and Canada are now reburying old waste in lined cells while sifting through waste for recyclables. Learn more here.;

The November-December 2008 issue of Stormwater magazine includes an article on "Maintenance of Stormwater BMPs." As the authors note at the beginning, "few guides exist pertaining to [BMP] operation and maintenance." This is true. The authors call this a "build ’em and walk" approach, and it's something professionals need to better address. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are certainly not "best" if they are not used and monitored properly. Learn more here.;

Tensar has released a short brochure on the performance of geogrids in cold climates--and how geogrids can be installed quickly without the curing time or cold weather issues related to the use of lime, cement and fly ash. Read more in the PDF brochure. Learn more here.;

Waterproof Membranes 2008 is underway. It's the second in what is anticipated to be a longer-term series organized by Applied Market Information (AMI). And there was something about the program for Waterproof Membranes 2008 that really caught our eye. Key subjects this year include green roofing, sustainability, membrane durability and geotechnical applications. Others in the geosynthetics industry and related construction industries have seen this too, as our first night at the event revealed. Read the report from the opening night's reception. Learn more here.;

The second day of Waterproof Membranes 2008 proved to be crowded with activity. We ventured into deeper (waterproofed) waters with a long but welcomed day of presentations; afterwhich we were treated to a fine, friendly dinner across from Cologne's iconic cathedral. Read the report on Day 2's papers and happenings. Learn more here.;

TenCate Geosynthetics has taken home the top prize in the Geosynthetic Projects category of the 2008 International Achievement Awards (IAA). The winning entries in the IAAs were announced in late October during the Industrial Fabrics Association International's (IFAI) annual conference, which was held this year in Charlotte, North Carolina. IFAI conducts the IAAs each year. TenCate's winning project comes from British Columbia, Canada, where an 85m stretch of road passed between two lakes over some rather swampy terrain. Over a 30-year period the road had settled nearly 2m. TenCate's geotextile reinforced soil (GRS) expertised helped stabilize the situation and preserve a fish passageway between the waters. Read more about the project at TenCate's IAA entry page. Learn more here.;

Though it seems counter-intuitive, the presence of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) may increase nearby property values. At least, that is the finding in three counties in Indiana. A regulated livestock operation (RLO) within one mile of a non-town residence increased sale price by $12,700. It isn't all rosy, of course. Dairy cattle were found to reduce property values; but beef cattle increased values. Learn more here.;

In 1980, only 9 percent of global fish consumption came from aquaculture. Today, that number is 43 percent. In Scotland, aquaculture has actually overtaken sheep and pork to become the second-largest meat-producing sector, with a value of approximately £400 million ($630 million). The largest sector in Scotland is beef, with a value of £467 million ($730 million). Salmon consumption in Great Britain has risen 22 percent in the past two years. It's yet-another story that confirms the huge growth potential in aquaculture for ocean-base and inland hatcheries--particularly in Western nations. Learn more here.;

The Prince William Landfill in Virginia has won two awards. The first was awarded at the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) conference in Tampa, Florida (WASTECON) and was for landfill management. The second was from the Chamber of Commerce, which recognized the landfill with the Innovative Business Practice of the Year award. The facility uses a liner and monitoring system well in excess of local regulations. Learn more here.;

Synteen Technical Fabrics has announced that the company will expand its wide-width weaving capacity by 400% at the Lancaster, South Carolina plant. Synteen Technical Fabrics weaves high-strength polyester geosynthetics for soil reinforcement and stabilization applications, such as for segmental retaining walls, base course and subgrade stabilization for roadway construction, and slope stabilization and repair. Read more in the release.

Two weeks ago, Michigan State University (MSU) announced that it would pursue the development of turnkey projects for waste-to-energy (WTE) solutions on small and medium-sized farms. Much of the news (and research and development funds) about WTE technology tends to focus on very large farms, such as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). MSU seeks to expand the WTE sector through its Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center. Learn more here.;

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed a new rule last week that aims to curtail runoff from animal waste lagoons--but what effect will the new rule really have? Ag Week looks a closer look at a policy which, as the writer notes, seems to put the fox in charge of the henhouse. Learn more here.;

The shoreline in Port Elizabeth, South Africa was damaged in a September storm of breakers, but local authorities insist the damage will be repair--and the shoreline greatly improved--by December. A geotextile-based erosion control plan is being put in place. Learn more here.;

In the town of The Blue Mountains in southwestern Ontario, a request has been filed with the Ministry of Environment to expand the landfill site by 100,000 cubic meters. The site is estimated to have three or four years of space left in it. The facility would like to create 25 years of space. The case for expansion includes the installation of more advanced, modern leachate and drainage management technologies and landfill liners. Learn more here.;

For three decades, the Stauffer Chemical facility in Tarpon Springs, Florida manufactured and processed an array of hazardous and radioactive materials. The site was closed in 1981 but slag piles have remained. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it anticipates beginning cleanup of the 130-acre site in early to mid 2009. Two geosynthetic-capped mounds will be constructed, one on 18.5 acres and the other on 29 acres. Learn more here.;

The International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) 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 and Rick Morse. Read more in the release.

On the eve of GreenBuild 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts, 18 November 2008, a business reception will be held at the Liberty Hotel. Organizers invite you to take part in this opportunity to network with more than 50 Canadian companies, associations and agencies that are international leaders in green building and energy efficiency. To register or if you have questions, please contact Erin Daily by email. Arrangements for this special networking event must be made by 14 November 2008. Learn more here.;

On 13 and 14 November 2008, Rick Thiel, P.E., will conduct a workshop titled "Design of Waste Containment Liner and Final Closure Systems" in Philadelphia. This American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) training opportunity is for those who work with municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills, hazardous waste landfills, superfund sites, industrial landfills, mine tailing closures, or mining heap leachpads. Comprehensive coverage of the latest technology is covered. Learn how to design waste containment liner systems and final closure systems. Design and failure examples throughout. Read more and download the brochure at the following link. Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has announced some short courses. The current offerings include: Geosynthetics in Waste Containment Liner and Cover Design. The course will be offered 8 December 2008 and 9 March 2009 ** Quality Control / Quality Assurance of Geosynthetics Installation. The course will be offered 9 December 2008 and 10 March 2009. ** Examinations for Inspector Certification. This certification exam will be offered 10 December 2008 and 11 March 2009. For more information, please download the short course brochure (PDF).

Australia-based Nylex, which among other products manufactures geomembranes, has announced it will revise its 2009 earnings estimates due to the current market turmoil. The civil engineering aspects of Nylex are not the culprit, though. The adverse conditions impacting the company stem largely from cutbacks in global automotive production, into which Nylex sells some products, and the declining value of the Australian dollar in the world market. Learn more here.;

GZA GeoEnvironmental has appointment Dan Stapleton, P.E., a principal to the company's Nuclear Practice. Stapleton will work as a technical lead for the New England-centered company. Part of his background involves the study of geosynthetics at Drexel University. We congratulate Dan on his new position. Learn more here.;