Special Series

It may seem curious that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) feels the need to report on random erosion inspections and the small fines that resulted from them. But the situation in Pocatello, Idaho, though small in development scope and penalties, is simply a smaller version of the wide-scale failures for proper erosion and sediment control in the United States. Read the release at the EPA website. Learn more here.;

Officials remain adamant about major dredging operations along Wisconsin's Fox River resuming in 2009. Over that last couple years, significant amounts of geotextile tubes and other geosynthetics have been used to help clean up the PCB contamination, most of which stems from the state's paper mill industry. Another large phase most go forth, and it seems likely that 2009 will be the year. Learn more here.;

Raven Geosynthetics, a major manufacturer of geomembranes, reports that it has undergone a surveillance audit a year after achieving an ISO 9001:2000 certification. The audit was geared towards the company's entire quality and management system; and Raven passed with flying colors. Their Dura-Skrim J30, J36 and J45 products all passed the tough NSF 61 requirements. NSF's website will post results soon. Learn more here.;

The Delaware Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has quadrupled the number dams on its risk list, though this list of high - and significant - hazard dams has nothing to do with structural integrity. It is a list of dams that, if they fail, would pose serious risks. Only 2 of the 205 dams on the list are in need of structural repairs; but the others will now receive more frequent structural review. Learn more here.;

During winter storms in the American West, an earthen levee broke in Fernley, Nevada near Reno. The collapse happened early Saturday morning along a bank of Truckee River. Roughly 800 homes have been flooded in a 2 square mile area. The cause of the collapse has not been determined, though some suspect tunneling animals contributed. A temporary, emergency fix has been put in place. The LA Times requires free registration for this story. Learn more here.;

The lastest issue of Erosion Control includes Tara Beecham's article "Supporting Roles" about large-scale retaining walls. Some basic geogrid design information has been included, as has a case study synopsis of a highway interchange from Tennessee. For that project, geogrids from Tensar were used. Learn more here.;

If you are specifying geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) for your project, give a look at the comparative data on materials at geosindex.com. The site's interactive tables can be populated with only the criteria you need to evaluate your selection. Current producers listed include GSE, Naue and Cetco. Learn more here.;

The International Symposium on Geotechnical Engineering Ground Improvement and Geosynthetics for Human Security and Environmental Preservation held 6-7 December 2007, Bangkok, Thailand is reviewed by Dennes T. Bergado, President IGS Thai Chapter. Click the "continued" link for the review.

Water & Wastes Digest and Stormwater Solutions has launched a stormwater-focused search engine site called Water Info Link. From a basic home page search for content on, for example, "geosynthetics," users will be directed to another page at which results of the search are broken into multiple, sortable categories, such as Academic and Manufacturers. Learn more here.;

Waste News has added a comment section to its articles. Subscribers may now contribute their reactions and additional information. Learn more here.;

Stormwater Magazine's latest issue includes Eric Woolson's article "Geosynthetics in Stormwater Management." It looks at ditch lining, geotextile tube dewatering, geomembranes for water retention, and more. Grace Hsuan of the Geosynthetic Institute adds a few solid quotes, and our friends at Propex have their Pyramat product noted. Read it online. Learn more here.;

Ian Peggs of I-CORP INTERNATIONAL writes a short Tech Note titled When to Perform a Pond Liner Integrity Survey (LIS)?

The Fox River in Wisconsin has been part of an ongoing PCB cleanup mission. Years of paper milling in manufacturing along the river have left their mark, and the major companies involved are covering the $390 million cleanup, which involves plenty of dewatering tubes. The next phase requires construction of landfill cells. Permitting seems ready and construction to go forth in 2008 and 2009. Learn more here.;

Thomas Telford, publisher of the journal Geosynthetics International, has made the issues available electronically through Atypon, an e-publishing specialist. Current subscribers to GI and whose email is current with the journal should receive a message from Atypon describing how to log-in. All current members of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) can access GI for free. Visit Atypon for more information. Learn more here.;

Pakistan's agriculture-rich Sindh Province is in need of cleaner water. The extensive, British-built canal system that feeds the province's field is becoming clogged with sediment. The country has in the past worked with the World Bank to line canals for cleaner water supplies. (See GFR, April 2001 at the "continued" link below.) A similar push seems needed now to help the vital Sindh region continue to provide domestic and exportable food. The article can be found by cutting and pasting the following URL into your browser: http://thepost.com.pk/Arc_NatNews.aspx?dtlid=136988&catid=2&date=01/03/2008&fcatid=14 Learn more here.;

ASTM International's Committee D18 on Soil and Rock has formed a new subcommittee (D18.14) for Geotechnics of Sustainable Construction. Its inaugural meeting will be held Monday, January 28 in Tampa, Florida, as part of Committee D18's January meeting. The new committee focuses on standards related to the use of recycled materials in conjunction with or as a replacement for earthen materials. Examples included shredded plastics, tire chips, coal combustion products (e.g., fly ashes, bottom ashes, FGD spray-dryer residuals), shredded shingles, foundry byproducts (e.g., slags, molding sands), crushed concrete, and reclaimed hot-mix asphalt. For more information, please contact the subcommittee chair, Tuncer Edil (edil@engr.wisc.edu). The subcommittee will consider both geoenvironmental and geomechanical issues, including life cycle assessments and impacts on greenhouse gas emissions. For more visit ASTM online at the "continued" link below. Learn more here.;

"Green" projects and technologies have been the trend and a staple of construction dialogues over the past couple years. As we close in on the end of 2007, it is of use to look back at October's release of the greenest state rankings in the US: the article (go to the "continued" ink below) at Forbes and the table of rankings. Those at the bottom of the list are the heaviest polluters. Cut and paste the following URL in to your browser for the table of rankings: http://www.forbes.com/2007/10/16/environment-energy-vermont-biz-beltway-cx_bw_mm_1017greenstates_2.html Learn more here.;

Jeff Howell's Property Advice column in the UK's Daily Telegraph recently handled a question about a muddy approach to a bed and breakfast. Howell's response, of course, is to recommend a geotextile separation layer for the sub-base. It's another strong example of how basic engineering knowledge can be passed on. Learn more here.;

Online tools for design or material acquisition are never absolute. They are only to give an idea of how to select an erosion control blanket or space geogrids in a retaining wall and so forth. Still, they are welcomed and useful in building an understanding of what your project may need. BTL offers pond owners and developers liner estimation tools for full (go to the "continued" link below) and empty ponds (cut and paste the following URL into your browser: http://www.btlliners.com/calculator.php?prod=002a). Learn more here.;

On Tuesday, December 18, GMA Managing Director Andrew Aho met with geosynthetica.net to discuss education programs.

The Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) announces its 2008 Board of Directors: Chairman, Tim Lancaster, North American Green; Vice Chairman, Chad Lipscomb, Western Excelsior; Treasurer, Mark Myrowich, Erosion Control Blanket; At Large, Brad Braden, Mat Inc.; At Large, Tony Johnson, American Excelsior Co.; Executive Director, Laurie Honnigford. Learn more here.;

Geotextiles are used often with historically sensitive sites, such as archeological digs. On Seattle's Pugent Sound, they are using that approach at the historic Cama Beach. The development is on sensitive ground for the native Tulalip tribe. But rather than make the site a dig, park officials are using geotextile to mark disturbed zones, such as utility trenches, for future guidance. Learn more here.;

Naue GmbH & Co. KG has added an Atlanta location to its global geosynthetics business. The new contact is Carsten Lesny. Mr. Lesny may be reached at Naue GmbH & Co. KG, US-Office, 3525 Piedmont Rd., 7 Piedmont Center, Ste. 300, Atlanta, GA 30305; +1 404 504 6295, fax +1 404 233 4883, email clesny@naue.com. Learn more here.;

The Strategy Institute will present the Canadian Brownfield Urban and Industrial Land Development (CAN BUILD 08) conference on 8 and 9 April 2008 in Toronto. Case studies will be offered, the traditional "dig and dump" method of remediation will be challenged with new alternatives, liability will be discussed, and much more. See the overview at Hazmat Magazine. Learn more here.;

The greater Binghampton, New York area is going local with its stormwater and sediment runoff controls and monitoring. Holding ponds and other water retention and silt collection zones will be enforced more stringently come January when the enforcement of state codes becomes the responsibility of municipalities and their public works departments. Learn more here.;