Ground Improvement

The mix of erosion control materials available on the market is great. Depending on the needed functional longevity, grade, water velocity and cost, project teams may prefer to mix short-term and permanent devices, reports Tara Beechem in Erosion Control. Colbond's Enkamat turf reinforcement mats is one of the materials noted in the article. Read it online. Learn more here.;

Geotextile tubes are in the news. In East Hampton, New York the temporary installation of geotextile tubes is now one of four approved remedies for shoreline houses threatened by flooding or erosion. And in Florida, a crucial state senate committee has approved a measure that would allow threatened home owners to shore up their structures with the installation of geotextile tubes. Learn more here.;

INDA, the Association of the Nonwovens Fabric Industry, has released a report on the Indian nonwovens market. "India 2007 - 2012" address sectors such as geotextiles, which are growing their market by 23% annually. Many of these materials, however, may be erosion control blankets and natural fiber mats that would not be used for the same sort of civil engineering projects as synthetic geotextiles. Learn more here.;

The Yellville, Arkansas developer who is being sued by the state's Department of Environmental Protection for lacking appropriate erosion controls is progressing on control installation. This includes geotextile lining for rock zones. Learn more here.;

The Statesman reports that geotextile tubes are being installed along eroding shores in India on an experimental basis. One section of the test site will target eroding embankments in a 10 km stretch. If the project proves to be successful, similar schemes will be adopted elsewhere. Experts from numerous agencies contributed to the plan's design. Learn more here.;

The story of Northfield, Vermont is not new: the majority of the town's roads are unpaved, development presents traffic and drainage problems, and the mud season comes earlier. Northfield has now allocated $50,000 per year for installing geotextile subgrade separators. Over a decade much of the town's roads will gain the needed drainage and structural support. Learn more here.;

A developer is finally putting his new site, Overlook Estates, in compliance with stormwater regulations. An agreement for a plan and proper erosion control was arrived at out of court between the developer and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Silt fences, drainage trenches, and geotextile lining beneath riprap are just a few of the required solutions. Learn more here.;

In Florida, a manufacturer of geotextile tubes has won a victory to have the materials classified as "soft armor" solutions. Residential home owners and property groups have wanted to use them for coastal erosion control and beach restoration projects, but environmental concerns over potential interruptions to turtle nesting and legislator lack-of-familiarity with the technology had slowed the process for approval. Learn more here.;

Strata Systems has achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification. This recognition is achieved after meeting various quality management criteria and passing an external audit. Read the release for more information. Learn more here.;

Olympia, Washington's Cooper Crest neighborhood was supposed to be a low-impact, exemplary new development that demonstrated low erosion, contained runoff in detention ponds, and provided plenty of vegetation. But residents have found the soil tricky, the runoff plentiful, and the hillside vegetation difficult to retain. From the Olympian. Learn more here.;

Hanes Geo, an erosion control and landscaping supplier, is opening a facility in the Middlesex area of Nash County, North Carolina, the Rocky Mount Telegram reports. The project is expected to generate more than 200 new jobs. Learn more here.;

The Maccaferri Group has acquired Sargon Geosynthetics Ltd. Sargon, based in New Delhi, has provided geosynthetic solutions to India's infrastructure market for many years, working in erosion control, road and rail improvement, water and waste containment, and much more. Maccaferri is a global manufacturer of geosynthetics and has worked steadily in the Indian market through its Maccaferri Environmental Solutions Ltd. division.

geosynthetica.net would like to thank its site visitors and underwriters for their feedback and many contributions--news, tips, engaging questions, project leads, reports, and so much more. In 2005, we had 200,000 site visitors. In 2006, 300,000. Here in 2007 we are on pace to have 400,000 site visitors. The larger the community, the greater the need to share information. Stay vocal! And thank you.

Greenwich, Connecticut is recovering from heavy storms that caused significant erosion damage to residential and park areas. New erosion and vegetation recovery methods are sought along with better stormwater management solutions. Read about it in the Greenwich Time. Learn more here.;

Starting June 17, construction sites in Tennessee will need a certified erosion control specialist on site (staff or outsourced). Failure to follow this new policy and failure to control sediment runoff may result in fines of $25,000 per day. Read about it in the Memphis Daily News. Learn more here.;

Lake County, Illinois, is standardizing its erosion control inspection processes as of April 1. New rules and inspection procedures will go into effect to better monitor stormwater quality and the use of required runoff controls. Read about it in the Lake County News-Sun. Learn more here.;

The February newsletter for Business Coordination House (BCH) is available online. Included are two geosynthetic-related articles - the first on page 7, India: 1st Integrated Municipal Solid Waste to Energy Project with Scientfic Landfill using Geosynthetics and the second on page 14, Use of Polymeric Geotextiles in Rural and Command Area Roads.

In Henderson County, North Carolina, officials are hoping that their small but growing communities, such as the recently incorporated Mills River, will allow in county erosion control inspectors. To date, the small towns have been reluctant to hire their own or enforce county policies, but the county is eager for change. Learn more here.;

In Georgia, they're awaiting the implementaton of new environmental spending initiatives that will add more erosion control inspectors to monitor the practices of the state's many developers. Meanwhile, the story of the underfunded monitoring program and the sticky issues of fine and fee distribution is told in the Wilmington Star. Learn more here.;

Since 1986, Biobarrier® has been the product of choice for re-directing tree and shrub roots from walls, sidewalks, foundations and landscapes. Biobarrier Root Control System is placed in a trench between roots and the area to be protected and is guaranteed for 15 years. “ When we introduced Biobarrier, it was a different kind of product for the market,” said Jerry Dunaway, Biobarrier sales manager. “It still is unlike anything else. We think it is also the most effective and cost-efficient method of inhibiting root growth. For example, it generally costs about $900 to replace 15 linear feet of 4-foot-wide sidewalk. Using Biobarrier along that same stretch of sidewalk costs less than $50.”

Hawaii's sensitive ecosystem has been part of some angry disputes over erosion control measures on construction sites. Help is on the way. Jeremy Michelson and Jay Stone have become the first CPESC professionals on the island of Oahu, as noted in January 25's "Business Briefs" section of the Honolulu Star Bulletin. Learn more here.;

Interest in artificial surf reefs has grown beyond Oceania, where a few successful projects have been completed. Boscombe in Dorset, England has scheduled the construction of its own reef. The surf is created by the submergence of giant, sand-filled geotextile bags just off shore. Learn more here.;

EC Applications (ECA) has been created to provide innovative and efficient environmental construction and erosion control services. Target markets are the solid waste, waste water, agricultural, and potable water industries in North America. ECA is focused on providing excellent service, quality materials and workmanship, and responsiveness to customer needs. The company will supply and install geosynthetics and erosion control products. The company brings together the necessary experience and scale to successfully assure customer satisfaction. ECA combines a highly efficient operating company with personal service. The management team is led by Christopher Fore, President; and Nicolas Gonzalez, Vice President—Construction. Both have nearly 20 years of geosynthetics installation experience and proven ability to successfully establish, grow, and operate a specialty construction firm. To learn more about EC Applications, Inc., visit its website at: www.ecapplications.com

At the very end of Mary Wisniewski's Chicago Sun-Times article on power company issues is an unexplored note regarding a $1 million erosion control fine. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has apparently settled for that amount with Peoples Gas. The lack of explanation really highlights how much of a pervasive problem poor erosion control has become. Learn more here.;

The city of Menomonee Falls and a developer may settle for paying a $90,000 fine to the state of Wisconsin for failure to enact appropriate erosion control measures, such as silt traps and berms. Also, the ill-performed development took place in an area with an endangered snake. A protective fence was required. Ironic? The development corporation is named Fussville Development. Learn more here.;