27 August 2010 – Mr. Bestmann, a Hydraulic Engineer with a green thumb, is recognized for pioneering the use of synthetic geotextiles on major marine construction applications in the 1960s, as well as his later inventions of numerous methods for addressing construction, habitat, and water quality on waterways, including specialized use of biodegradable materials to aid plant establishment. In addition to holding patents for many innovations such as floating breakwaters, artificial habitat islands, revegetation modules, and nutrient removal systems, Mr. Bestmann provided planning and design consultation globally through his firm until his retirement. Beginning over 20 years ago, he was tapped by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide international technology transfer to assist in the adoption of engineering and construction practices compatible with sustainable water and habitat management. Two leaders at Bioengineering Group trained in Germany under Lothar Bestmann, the world’s foremost practitioner in river and shoreline restoration using bioengineering techniques.
Hollis Allen, an ecologist now retired from the US Army Corps of Engineers stated, “Lothar is a true environmentalist and a great hydraulic engineer and bioengineer. His Bestmann Green Systems had the appropriate name because he is the ‘Best Man’ for green systems and I believe his legacy will live on and on. He is a true gentleman, a great mentor, and will always be my personal friend.”
Noel “Randy” Oswalt, an engineer with over thirty-five years of hydraulic consultation and research experience at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station where he was Chief of Spillways and Channels in the Hydraulic Structures Division shared, “A few times in our life we are blessed to meet people that are exceptional. One such person appeared in my life about 18 years ago and that was Lothar Bestmann, a German gentleman with a desire to help keep the earth and its waters safe and beautiful for all to enjoy. To accomplish this he developed many new ways to use various renewable products for erosion control and river restoration. He not only developed many new products, he invented and constructed tools to place these products on river banks, canals and lake shores in the most efficient manner. The most wonderful thing about Lothar is his desire to share his visions and abilities with others. He was always willing to teach his techniques to whoever was eager to learn.”
Even in retirement, Mr. Bestmann still stays active in his passion for bioengineering by advising restoration oriented business owners, project teams and tending his own garden. “The years working for and training with Herr Bestmann taught me how to have an incredibly open mind, to be playfully creative yet rigorous, about finding solutions and bringing others along to believe in them,” CEO Wendi Goldsmith stated. “Let’s pause to wish him a very happy birthday and thank him for all his contributions to the practice of bioengineering.”
ABOUT BIOENGINEERING GROUP
Bioengineering Group is a woman-owned science and engineering consulting and design firm headquartered in Salem, Massachusetts serving private clients as well as the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other public agencies, with small business status. With a staff of 72 and five offices in the US, the company provides a full range of science, engineering, landscape architecture, and construction management services with a mission of "Building sustainable communities on an ecological foundation.” Current projects include the provision of engineering, program management, and construction management services, in partnership with ARCADIS, for the $1.3 Billion Inner Harbor Navigation Canal that will provide hurricane and flood protection for the city of New Orleans. The firm is also providing design, environmental consulting, and sustainable site planning for private corporations, institutions, and public agencies on large-scale projects. Their portfolio of work spans planning and engineering for sites such as public works facilities, academic campuses, and renewable energy projects with a long track record in green methods for landfill closure and re-use, highway stormwater management, and flood control solutions featuring habitat restoration and watershed health. For more information about Bioengineering Group, visit www.bioengineering.com.
CONTACT
Donna L. Sopper, Director of Communications
Bioengineering Group
+1 978 224 3101
dsopper@bioengineering.com
Michael Reilly
Reilly Communications
+1 617 464 1717
mreilly@reillycommunications.com
