Special Series

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has updated the look and functionality of its web site. New features are aimed at increasing the value of the site for IECA’s 3500 members and the erosion and sediment control community. Aside from the new graphics and improved navigation, the site introduces IECA’s new content management system. This system allows site visitors to search IECA’s compilation of conference proceedings, News To Use articles, Erosion Control magazine features, and policy papers using a variety of search criteria. The new system also allows information to be stored in multiple languages and file formats. “Our new content management system is a vast improvement over the previous system which only housed archives of conference proceedings,” said Scott Johnson, information technology manager for IECA. “The new system gives people access to more types of information. And, as an international organization, we are excited to have the ability to offer information in more languages.” While only members have full access to papers and case studies, non-members can view abstracts and purchase copies of the proceedings from the IECA online bookstore. The new site is just one way IECA is using web-based technology to reach and educate its members. In the past year, IECA has revamped its members only listserve, started a government relations blog, added an enhanced career center and begun providing online education through ieca.webex.com. “With members across the country and around the globe the Internet is the most effective way to keep everyone connected,” said Becky Milot-Bradford, association development director. “We plan to continue to improve and expand our online offerings for the erosion and sediment control industry.” Explore IECA’s new web site at the link below. Learn more here.;

The March 2007 Geosynthetic Institute newsletter includes a roundup of the institute's many activities and research projects, progress on generic specifications, a report on GRI-20, and much more. (And geosynthetica thanks the GSI team for the kind mention in the GRI report!) Download a PDF copy today. Learn more here.;

In Spring City, Pennsylvania, the borough council is debating the adoption of a new boat ramp plan. The 80-foot-long, 60-foot-wide ramp is to be made of geotextile, as reported here. No additional site details or drawings are provided in the article. Learn more here.;

Writing for Land & Water, W. Matthew Rogers and Mike Faha describe the Port of Portland's Terminal 6 Porous Pavement Project and its use of geotextiles in the design. Read it online. Learn more here.;

A new report, Geosynthetics in Civil Engineering, brings together a number of the profession's veterans (Koerner, Jones, Collins, Suits, and more) to raise awareness of the many roles geosynthetics play. The report address the basic materials, their diverse applications, quality assurance, and service life. Read the release. Learn more here.;

Canadian Environmental Protection's March issue feature a piece on the Sydney tar ponds and coke ovens cleanup project. The site material will be stabilized and solidified, and a cap with either an HDPE geomembrane or a clay liner system, such as involving a GCL, will be installed over sections between 2008 and 2012. Learn more here.;

The Jamesville Colony in Yankton County, South Dakota, has received approval as a Class A Animal Feeding Operation. This allows expansion but requires a better waste management system. A new concrete tank will have a geomembrane cover to control odor. Read about in the Yankton Press & Dakotan. (Free registration required.) Learn more here.;

Oregon-based BTL offers a series of insightful slideshows on its website. You select the topic by clicking on the image, then the slides run automatically. NOTE: each frame is separated by a 7-second delay, but the site page will refresh automatically. Topics include Liners, Golf Course Liners, Pipe Boot Installation, Industrial Liners, Residential Liners, and Installation. Access them through BTL's website at the link below. Learn more here.;

The Dutch-headquarters of Colbond has appointed Jan Mahy the director of global research and development. Mr. Mahy has 18 years of experience and currently works for Colbond's former parent company, Akzo Nobel. He will officially take over his directorship on April 15. For more information, read the release. Learn more here.;

"I have always been an advocate of geosynthetica.net and the value that it delivers to its underwriters and readers alike." - Alicia Centeno, TenCate.

The geomembrane cap on a New Hampshire landfill has been exposed after significant rainfall washed away cover soil in some sections. Repairs to the site are needed now. The city fears it may need to spend upwards of $245,000 to rectify the situation. Learn more here.;

D35 is holding an informal workshop at the June Committee Week and is looking for volunteer presenters. It is scheduled for June 27 (Wednesday) from 5:00 - 6:30 PM.

Propex Inc. will announce its 2006 year-end results on April 2 and hold a conference call on the matter April 11. The company is a leading manufacturer and marketer geosynthetics and is headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. For more information, read the release. Learn more here.;

Two developments--a shopping center and a corporate campus--near Austin, Texas have been targeted by an environmental group and now the city for improper erosion control practices. Silty water built up on-site, so workers apparently pumped the water off-site in an illegal disposal practice. Better use of BMPs and silt fence is called for. Learn more here.;

The Port Clements landfill near Queen Charlotte, British Columbia, Canada is to be capped with a geomembrane earlier than expected due to some concerns over leachate generation and unexpected flow in one of the landfill's water courses. Read more about this site. Learn more here.;

Republic Services has come to an agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency regarding the Countrywide Recycling & Disposal Facility. A fire had long-been suspected in a cell at Countrywide. Republic has 60 days to submit a plan to halt the fire. A $1 million fine will also be paid by Republic. Learn more here.;

The staff of geosynthetica.net would like to thank the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) for allowing us to visit during the group's spring meeting in Miami. More news about (and from) ECTC is forthcoming. Also, we'd like to thank Bob Moran of Belton Industries and Tim Lancaster of North American Green for last night's hospitality along South Beach. Learn more here.;

Crews in Naples, Florida will be taking in the trash from the Golden Gate canal. Plenty of debris remains in the water following 2006's Hurricane Ernesto. A floating boom is being installed to trap and collect the debris. Learn more here.;

A geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) is one of the solutions being called upon to resolve Grass Valley, California's Empire Mine State Historic Park's many problems. Installation of the cap should begin this spring. Erosion, poorly contained runoff and elevated levels of arsenic, iron and manganese are just some of the site's troubles. Learn more here.;

Textile World reports that TenCate Geosynthetics North America has promoted Wally Moore to president; John Henderson to vice president of marketing; Todd Anderson to vice president of sales - construction products; and Mark Gunzenhauser to vice president of sales - industrial fabrics. Learn more here.;

Ian Peggs of I-CORP INTERNATIONAL recently performed the first electrical integrity survey in India on an HDPE lining system incorporating a conductive geotextile. Read his brief account of a very slippery slope.

Rapid City, South Dakota is like many cities: it must eventually bring its stormwater system into compliance with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II requirements. In the long term, that may mean an $80 million investment for the city, but that may be a very distant future, city officials insist. The current system is performing well enough and can be upgraded more slowly. Learn more here.;

North American Green has provided expertise towards the latest professional development article in CE News. The April 2007 issue includes an article on "Effective Drainage Channel Stabilization and Design with Turf Reinforcement Mats." Readers can use the piece towards professional development hour (PDH) credit. Access the article through North American Green's page on geosynthetica.net, read online and take the quiz at the end of the article. Learn more here.;

Fiber optics and imbedded sensors are propelling a new direction in geosynthetic research and application. The German-based Innovations Report looks at their use for seismic and soil subsidence analysis and response. Read it online. Learn more here.;

Just north of Mountain Home, Arkansas, Baxter County is opening a new landfill with extra liner protection, the Baxter Bulletin reports. The region's topography and past problems with landfill designs have brought about a tougher liner and leachate collection system for long-term protection of even small cells such as this site's 3-acre cell. Learn more here.;