Earmarks in Decline
US Congressional spending is being reined in, particularly in regards to special earmarked spending requests from states. This unfortunately includes plenty of military construction and erosion control measures. The new scrutiny is the result of public discontent over lawmakers leveraging their votes with earmarked initiatives.
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Stringer's Ridge
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, a development has been proposed along the steep sloped and historic Stringer's Ridge. The city engineer is concerned over potential erosion and the ability of the sewer infrastructure to handle runoff. Everyone involved could simply make a short jaunt to Propex, which is based in Chattanooga, to learn about geosynthetics in erosion control and road construction.
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Rail Returns, But…
City light rail, commuter trains and even industrial railways have seen a revitalization over the past 5 or 10 years. But new tracks are presenting what is perhaps an unplanned for, yet highly common, problem: runoff. The Oceanside to Escondido 22-mile track near San Diego is a prime example. The new route has cost millions in erosion control measures and been fined heftily. It's a sector in greater need of attention.
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Article: De-Icing Facility
CETCO's redesigned website includes a number of sharp case studies demonstrating the critical roles geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) and other materials play in infrastructure. One of them involves the de-icing facility at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Geocells, GCLs, drainage composites and other materials all go into keeping air travel safe. Download the case study in PDF.
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China's Rural Roads
The Xinhua News Agency reports that China will upgrade 270,000 km (167,800 miles) of rural roads in 2008 as part of its vast transportation modernization effort. Also, 5,000 km (3100 miles) of new expressways will be constructed. It is hoped that the massive plan will incorporate more environmental and erosion controls.
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Tahoe's Recovery
The Tahoe Basin was ravished by wild fires in 2007, and since then agencies and government officials have scrambled to find and release restoration and erosion control funding. Those monies are starting to free up. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has announced nearly $3 million in funds for 15 earmarked projects, most of which involve erosion control, drainage or revegetation measures.
Learn more here.;
EC Event for Florida
The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is holding a course on "Florida's New Erosion and Sediment Control Manual for Designers and Reviewers." The one-day event will be led by Dr. Jerald S. Fifield, CPESC, on 22 February 2008 in conjunction with EC08 in Orlando. For registration information and a course outline, visit the event page at IECA.
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Sign of the Times
Wow. In Bibb County, Georgia, the effects of more stringent erosion control regulations have become quite severe. In this instance, fines are not the concern. The problem is that for a road widening project the state DOT may need to claim four homes (that were built and occupied just three years ago) and 20 feet of land from many other residents - all to comply with erosion control rules on building detention ponds.
Learn more here.;
Article: Desert Ecosystems
American Excelsior has published an article titled "Soil Temperature Controls Microbial Activity in Desert Ecosystem." The climate-conscious pieces presents data from a study of Curlex erosion control blankets and how soil temperature affects microbial activity. Download a copy today.
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Article: Geosynthetic Wrap
Land and Water magazine's article, "The Edge of Paradise," looks at the use of geosynthetic wrappings with erosion control tubes to stabilize and revegetate a hillside after the partial collapse of a retaining wall. Geosynthetics from Checkmate were used in the project.
Learn more here.;
Geotextile Reefs in India
The construction of artificial surf reef through the submergence of geotextile bags and tubes has largely been explored in Australia and New Zealand. But it's not arriving in India. Opponents are angry the funds needed weren't being used for Tsunami rebuilding activities; but proponents contend the 500-foot-long reef will offer beach stabilization benefits too.
Learn more here.;
Runoff in Vermont
Officials in the American state of Vermont having opened an extra $8 million in funding for farm runoff-prevention projects, such as erosion control schemes and manure pit designs. But with a backlog of 200 sites in need of assistance, full change in New England's farming community may be long in coming. Greater funding support for updated engineering is definitely needed.
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Phased Construction?
Stafford County, Virginia is so tired of developers who lack erosion control solutions that the county is considering requiring phased clearing of land to ensure as best they can that some practices will be honored before development is allowed to continue. It's a severe step, and not very practical; but it highlights how slow developers are to adopt best practices and materials.
Learn more here.;
Ask the Builder
Tim Carter's current "Ask the Builder" column focuses on preventing erosion of gravel driveways. Carter notes for the reader that gravel driveways need to be built with the same design characteristics required of our roads: a strong base and clear understanding of the underlying soils. Water incursion is the enemy. Carter recommends geotextiles between the subsoil and first gravel layer.
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Fixing the Miller Farm
An aluminum toewall, a 1000-foot waterway, 43,000 square feet of geotextile, and 1850 cubic yards of riprap have finally fixed the many years of erosion on the Miller Farm in Minnesota's Moscow Township. The project was necessary to prevent further runoff into the Turtle Creek Watershed District. The Millers' cows will soon get their pasture back.
Learn more here.;
Space Savers
We always like to acknowledge when popular media recognizes geosynthetics in infrastructure. The Herald in Sierra Vista is the latest. In an article on using a spray-applied fibrous mixture for a landfill's daily cover, the author has also informed readers about basic landfill liner construction and drainage management.
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Coulby Pond's Future
Coulby Pond in Wickliffe, Ohio is getting so full of sediment that the aquatic life is declining. City officials are to debate tonight, Monday, whether to move forth with dredging. But dredging operations may not be enough. Bank reinforcement may be needed, and a liner may need to be installed to prevent further erosion.
Learn more here.;
Florida Permits for Geotextile Tubes
Senate Bill 1472 has been signed by Florida Governor Charlie Christ. The bill expands public access to beaches and expands the ways in which dunes may be protected from erosion. The state Department of Environmental Protection may now issue permits for geotextile-based technologies. For an example, see the work of Florida-based Bradley.
Learn more here.;
Response Time
California's most recent fires have brought about great concern over mudslides, with so much soil exposed. In San Diego County, they anticipate spending $4 to $5 million in the next month on erosion control and revegetation measures.
Learn more here.;
A Veto and a First
The US House of Representatives voted 361-54 to override a water bill veto of President Bush - the first override of his almost seven years in office. The $23.2 billion bill now goes to the Senate for an override vote. It includes considerable funds for erosion control, flood control, wastewater management and transportation.
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Landfill-Related Deaths
Four men died last week in Northern Wisconsin when they went to repair a faulty pump at a landfill's drainage collection zone. Poisonous gas had built up in the enclosed, underground space, but the crew apparently lacked awareness of how to properly evaluate the potential risks. It's an alarming example of the need for more expertise. Our sympathies are with the families.
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Mile-Long Curtain
The Witch Creek Fire near San Diego has threatened Lake Poway. As erosion control and revegetation measures are put in place, a mile-long turbidity curtain will be installed to protect the lake's water from sediment, seed and fiber runoff (from hydroseeding).
Learn more here.;
Apology Accepted
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has apologized for its extraordinarily poor erosion control monitoring of a project near Mobile. The US 98 highway construction is mired in mud and erosion and runoff has threatened Mobile's main water supply, Big Creek Lake. More controls have been established, but cleanup measures and future control is sought.
Learn more here.;
Hurricane Defense
The Boca Raton News reports on the need for hurricane defense infrastructure and new shoreline erosion control approaches in Palm Beach County, Florida. Shoreline repairs cost about $16 million annually. The county is looking to find more permanent solutions. Some of the alternatives under consideration will be geotextile tubes and offshore geotextile reefs.
Learn more here.;
Harvesting Rainwater
Writing for Texas' Midland Reporter-Telegram, Deborah Benge Frost reports on methods of harvesting rainwater, including draining runoff into lined ponds and creek beds. Harvesting rainwater in these ways not only provides more water for residential water and larger irrigation but reduces erosion.
Learn more here.;
