Special Series

On February 21, the American Public Works Association (APWA) will offer a two-hour, audio web-broadcast on the subject of diminishing water supplies and retention strategies. For speakers, times and fee information, please visit the broadcast event page. Learn more here.;

The February 2008 issue of CE News includes an Erosion Control Products section featuring American Excelsior, Erosion Control Blanket, and Propex; and a New & Noteworthy section that includes Strata Systems new 18-ft.-wide geogrid rolls. Learn more here.;

The 2009 fiscal plan from the Bush Administration is drawing considerable heat for its slashing of environmental project funding. John Flesher, writing for the Associated Press, breaks down the significant cuts in erosion control and dredging spending proposed for the Great Lakes. Learn more here.;

On 4 March 2008, Dong Zhang and William Preininger will speak on the subject of "The Evolving Role of Nonwovens in Technical Textiles." This is a free webinar event sponsored by TechTextil North America. The synopsis does not indicate the specific market segments to be addressed, but Dong Zhang is expected to address a wide-range of markets with nonwovens growth. Register for the event here. Learn more here.;

ASTM International's Proficiency Testing Program provides companies with a statistical quality assurance tool that enables them to compare, improve and maintain a high level of performance in the use of ASTM methods with other laboratories worldwide. For information on the methods used in the Yarn & Thread Program and the program schedule and fee information, download the PDF. Learn more here.;

US President George Bush has submitted a defense- and debt-heavy budget but has sharply cut into the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) budget. The current budget draft cuts nearly $500 million from the EPA, about $400 million of which slices through wastewater treatment programs and projects. Learn more here.;

Flat surfaces and right angles have defined most architecture and have been used primarily to save money. But at the University of Manitoba's Centre for Architectural Structures and Technology (CAST) they are using geotextiles to create more dynamic and less expensive structure shapes out of concrete. Wood forms would no longer be needed, thus preserving wood resources and freeing up design choices. Learn more here.;

Just a quick reminder for members of the International Geosynthetics Society: the invoices for your membership dues have gone out. Please pay your dues as soon as you can so that the society can continue to provide the same high-quality services to you and the profession. Readers of geosynthetica who aren't members are encouraged to look into membership. It's actually quite affordable. Learn more here.;

And now for something completely different: In a strange twist of who's whoism, Propex and Tensar both received mentions in an article on a Chicago-based real estate website: BlockShopper. Turns out the writer decided to include the employment history of the condo buyer (who now works for a GPS device maker). Learn more here.;

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) is changing the name of its flagship publication, current the Industrial Fabric Products Review. With its March 2008 issue, the magazine will publish under the name Specialty Fabrics Review. This is not the first name change in the publication's history. It has changed names previously for the same reason: to reflect growth and change in the industries it serves. Learn more here.;

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., 30 January 2008—ASTM International, one of the world’s largest standards developing organizations, is seeking nominations for the William T. Cavanaugh Memorial Award. This annual award is granted to a person of widely recognized eminence in the standards system who has made extraordinary contributions to the field of national and international voluntary standards. Nominees for the Cavanaugh Memorial Award may or may not be members of ASTM International. The title of honorary member is bestowed upon recipients who are non-ASTM members. Established in 1987, the award honors William T. Cavanaugh, who served as chief executive officer of ASTM from 1970 until 1985. During his service, Cavanaugh firmly established ASTM as the world leader in the development and dissemination of voluntary consensus standards. Nominations should describe each candidate’s qualifications as completely as possible. Nomination packages should include relevant information about the candidate’s professional background; outstanding contributions made within ASTM International as well as other standards organizations or professional societies; and all offices and special positions held in each organization. In addition, any of the candidate’s accomplishments to advance the efforts of the global standards community should be specifically identified, including standards interaction with governments, industry, or academia, as well as any past honors, citations and awards that relate to voluntary standards. No more than two individuals will be selected for the Cavanaugh award in a single year. The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2008. Nominations should be sent to the Executive Committee, c/o the President’s Office, ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. For a copy of the award criteria, contact Maureen Houck, ASTM International (phone: 610/832- 9594; mhouck@astm.org). Established in 1898, ASTM International is one of the largest international standards development and delivery systems in the world. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems, and commercial transactions around the globe. Learn more here.;

In 2007 ASTM International launched a large online dictionary for its members. This impressive resource has grown from its initial 30,000 terms to more than 75,000 entries on specifications, test methods, technologies, and more. The 2008 version also features increased sortability by committees and standards. ASTM Committee D35 focuses on geosynthetics. For more information on joining ASTM, please visit the website. Learn more here.;

The latest episode of Land and Water's Erosion and Sediment Control Network (ESCN.tv) is available. This week's top stories include geosynthetica's Education Box program, the Top Rollout Award, turbidity barriers, and more. Watch it online. Learn more here.;

The American Public Works Association (APWA) has a special offer for first-time members. For only $65 you can have a one-year individual membership. Members receive key opportunities to network, gain PDH and CEU credits, learn about new technologies and BMPs, and much more. Visit the APWA website for more information, or download the special offer PDF here. Learn more here.;

The World Bank has launched the 2008 Global Development Marketplace competition. This year's theme is Sustainable Agriculture. Up to $4 million in grants will be issued to small-scale projects that demonstrate innovative ways that farmers might get crops to market, access to farms might be improved, water might be conserved, and so forth. Learn more here.;

A study synopsis in Water & Wastewater Digest suggests that intensive timber harvesting and forest fertilization does not greatly contribute to runoff--if BMPs are used properly. The study comes from the Journal of Environmental Quality and focuses on the southeastern United States. Cautions in the synopsis include the low rate of fertilization and warm weather (high growth) in the study's region. Learn more here.;

On Friday 18 January 2008 Propex Inc. formally applied for Chapter 11. Chapter 11 is not liquidation bankruptcy but rather an option which allows the declaring company an opportunity to right-size their balance sheet. According to Wikipedia “Chapter 11 is a chapter of the United States Bankruptcy Code, which permits reorganization under the bankruptcy laws of the United States.” Read Propex’s press release or visit them in their booth at IECA ’08 Conference in booth #607 February 19-21, 2008. Learn more here.;

The Daily is a complimentary publication offered by AASHTO as a service to the transportation community. You can view all past updates online here. Learn more here.;

Members of the International Association of Geosynthetic Installers (IAGI) recently voted for IAGI’s 2008-2009 Board of Directors. Candidates were nominated by the industry, and those elected will serve two-year terms on the IAGI Board of Directors. The members elected to the Board of Directors include: Carl Apicella, American Environmental; Brian McKeown, Clean Air and Water Systems; John Heap, Colorado Lining Systems; “Demo” Dave Mc Laury, Demtech Services Inc.; Todd Harman, Hallaton, Inc.; Steve Daniels, Geo-Synthetics, Inc.; Bill Shehane, Seaman Corporation; Nicky Araujo, Servicios de Ingenieria Geosintetica, S.A. Mr. Apicella will serve as President, Mr. McKeown will serve as 1st Vice President, Mr. Heap will serve as 2nd Vice President and Mr. McLaury will serve as Treasurer. Dennis O’Brien, MPC Containment, Inc., will continue to serve on the Board as Immediate Past President. The 2008-2009 IAGI Board of Directors will guide several exciting projects planned for the coming year, including increasing participation in the Certified Welding Technician (CWT) and the Approved Installation Contractor (AIC) programs. The IAGI Board of Directors will be in attendance at the 2008 GeoAmericas conference to be held March 2-5th in Cancun, Mexico. IAGI will host a General Assembly and a Training Lecture during the event. “Members of IAGI continue to grow and improve this industry,” Laurie Honnigford, IAGI managing director, said. “Companies are finding value in having their welders achieve CWT status, and AIC companies are setting the industry standard of professionalism. The new IAGI Board is committed to advancing the interests of the installers and will continue to respond with solutions for improvement, advancement and growth.” IAGI strives to provide a forum for geosynthetics installers to advance installation and construction techniques, and to strengthen the knowledge, image and communication within the industry. For more information about IAGI, contact Laurie Honnigford at +1-651-554-1895, e-mail laurie@honnigford.com or visit the website at the link below. Learn more here.;

An insurance company for underwear manufacturers has settled a suit involving pollution at former Fruit of the Loom production facilities in multiple states. The manufacturer had declared bankruptcy. The $42.5 million settlement will go towards environmental cleanup and site remediation. Free registration required to read the story at the link below. Learn more here.;

The latest edition of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) Membership Directory is online at the society website. Note: while numerous pages at the IGS site are available to all, the membership directory is available only to members. Members must login to the Members Only section of the site. Learn more here.;

Firestone's Video Library has vastly increased. It now includes over 20 detail video clips demonstrating step-by-step instructions on the most common installation details including seaming techniques, pipe flashing, corner flashing, anchor trenching and much more. Access the videos on Firestone's website. Learn more here.;

Bethany Township, near St. Louis, is to receive part of a $42.5 million settlement for a heavily polluted site. State and federal officials must now decide on cleanup strategies. And now for something completely different: Zubin Jelveh's musings on how economists struggle with gross domestic product (GDP), a ranking that in some respects rewards nation's for damage on the scale of Superfund's project. Cut and paste the following URL into your browser for Jelveh's comments: http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/odd-numbers/2008/01/09/beyond-gdp Learn more here.;

In Exeter, New Hampshire, an expansion to the RiverWoods care facilities is planned along sensitive wetlands. The engineers have proposed building a temporary road that uses geotextiles to protect the basic wetland organic material beneath. After two years of construction, the access road would be removed. They maintain the wetland will reclaim the land over two years after that. The city would like examples of this application first. Learn more here.;

When investigating a site purchased by Sioux City, Iowa, project personnel discovered a buried building. It will need to be removed before the city can develop the property. Regardless, their bigger concerns rest with poor soils. Their city engineer has recommended geotextiles over a crushed concrete base to shore up the zone. Learn more here.;