Liquid Assets Penn state Public Broadcasting's (PSPB) new public service media project to raise awareness about America's water and wastewater infrastructures-Liquid Assets-has received the full support of the American

Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

"The development of clean drinking water and wastewater systems has greatly improved human health, which makes raising public awareness of our urgent water and wastewater systems needs vitally important," notes ASCE Executive Director Patrick J. Natale, P.E., F.ASCE, CAE. "Years of underinvestment, coupled with increasing demands, have pushed America's water infrastructure to the brink of crisis. We must motivate support among the public and policy leaders for the development and implementation of innovative solutions."

The goal of the Liquid Assets project, which is scheduled to debut in 2008, is to raise public awareness of the nation's water and wastewater systems and their vital role in protecting our health and supporting our economic prosperity. A comprehensive public education initiative by Penn State Public Broadcasting, Liquid Assets will include two 60-minute national broadcast programs, nationally distributed toolkits with components to facilitate public meetings and local government official education, and an outreach grant program to support and promote local issues-based television productions that tie in with the national broadcasts.

"Having the ASCE on board as an outreach partner insures that Liquid Assets will be more than just broadcast," said PSPB's Creative Director Tom Keiter. "Our goal is to stimulate community discussion and bring this issue into the public consciousness using television as a catalyst. The reach of ASCE, and their experience in facilitating outreach activities is significant and we look forward to working together."

Penn State Public Broadcasting is part of Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in the world. As a broadcaster licensed to one of the largest land grant research universities in the country, PSPB is committed to the concept of public service media: developing non-commercial programming on important societal issues that goes beyond broadcast. Liquid Assets originated out of a relationship with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in Penn State's College of Engineering.

ASCE, CSCE and ICE Sign Sustainability Protocol

On July 4, 2006, the Presidents of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE), and the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) signed a charter for "A Sustainable Future for the Planet." It states in part:

"ASCE, CSCE and ICE believe that sustainable development is at the core of professional practice. We recognize that the needs of all people must be met within the environmental and resource capacities of the planet, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

"Sustainable development can only be achieved under transparent systems of government and informed citizenship at all levels, and through the use of appropriate social, technical and economic tools. There is a continuing need for the development and refinement of these systems and tools and of the ways in which they are implemented."

"Civil engineering has a vital role in bridging the gap between having sustainability aspirations and putting them into practice. This role is shared between professional bodies, their members, the wider civil engineering profession and other people and organizations with whom we can work and influence. The provision and maintenance of civil engineering infrastructure and the built environment as a whole will continue to play a crucial role in maintaining and improving quality of life and protecting the environment in all parts of the world."

The charter calls for the following outcomes:

" ASCE, CSCE and ICE will each develop, monitor and implement an action plan to help articulate and deliver their contribution to sustainable development, both nationally and internationally, including addressing the Millennium Development Goals. This will build on work already carried out by the three organizations."

"The plan will include the definitions of sustainability and sustainable development, guiding principles and recommended actions that we can take as individual professionals and as professional bodies. We will seek acceptance of these principles and actions by the world community of civil engineers and all others engaged in the planning, design, construction and operation of the built environment."

"We will identify and collaborate with local, national and international organizations, as appropriate, in implementing the principles and actions of the plan. By committing to this undertaking, we will seek to turn our commitment to sustainable development into practical and beneficial outcomes in civil engineering practice."

New Features on ASCE Website

Can’t figure out which Society award your candidate fits?  Are you interested in nominating a professional with acknowledged eminence for ASCE Honorary Membership, but haven’t a clue on how to begin?  There are brand new tools on the Web that will help.  A search tool for matching your candidate with the best Society award fit can be found by clicking on What Award Am I Eligible For? A step-by-step worksheet to help you develop an Honorary Member nomination package is also available.  Visit www.asce.org/awards for further details. 

AAWRE's Diplomate Certification Program - Apply Today and Save $200

The American Academy of Water Resources Engineers (AAWRE) is currently accepting online applications for the Diplomate, Specialty Certification program for spring 2007. Presently, you may apply at a one-time special discounted rate of $100 - a savings of $200! Online applications must be received by February 28, 2007. For more information and to apply, please visit: http://www.aawre.org/appaawre.cfm.

The Environmental and Water Resource Institute (EWRI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the International Association of Hydraulic Engineering and Research (IAHR) invite you to exhibit at the 2007 Hydraulic Measurements and Experimental Methods Conference (HMEM 2007) in Lake Placid, New York scheduled to be held September 10-12, 2007*.

Don't miss the opportunity to reach the decision-makers at this extraordinary conference!

For just $925, this conference will enable you to showcase your products, services, systems, and applications to more than 250 national and international engineers and scientists in the hydraulic measurements and experimental methods field. Our meeting historically attracts industry leaders with an immediate need to put theory into practice!

Take advantage of this high traffic exposure to develop new customers, increase sales, and educate customers regarding your company. Come and enjoy the breath-taking views of the Lake Placid and the fine amenities at the Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club.

Exhibit space is limited, and is assigned on a first come first served basis….so we advise you to act quickly!

>>For more information about the conference, visit the HMEM 2007 website.

>>Click here to view the Exhibitor Prospectus.

>> Questions? Contact Autumn Richter.

* An icebreaker reception is scheduled for September 9, 2007 to kick off the event. The conference technical sessions are scheduled to be held September 10th-12th with technical tours on September 13th.

2007 Member-Get-A-Member Campaign

Recruit Members & Win Prizes!

ASCE counts on its members to help us grow by participating in the Member-Get-A-Member Drive.  The 2007 campaign presents new opportunities to recruit and new prizes to win.  The next drawing will be held Dec. 31 when ten members will win a $50 Bank of America Visa gift card.  Each recruit who joins earns their sponsor an entry in the quarterly drawing.  Help colleagues discover why ASCE has become the professional home for more than 140,000 civil engineers.  Visit www.ascedrive.org to start recruiting today!

Time is Running Out to Renew 2007 ASCE Membership

ASCE strives to give its members every possible advantage to succeed at every stage of their career.  Ensure you continue experiencing ASCE’s abundant opportunities by renewing your membership dues by Jan. 1 to remain in good standing.  Renew today using one of these three easy ways:

1. Returning your 2007 renewal form, mailed Sept. 5
2. Online at www.asce.org/renewal
3. Calling (800) 548-ASCE (2723)

COMMITTEE NEWS

Council Weekend 2007

EWRI’s 5th Annual Council Weekend has been scheduled for February 24-25, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia. Email invitations were sent to appropriate Councils, Committee and Task Committee Chairs and EXCOMS on December 7. Full details will follow after the winter holidays.

Proposal for Climate Change Committee

When you think about it, climate change has the potential to affect nearly every aspect of civil engineering.  As more and more technical information becomes available, it is critical that our profession begins to provide a voice on this important issue.  For this reason, I am trying to gather support to establish an ASCE committee devoted to climate change issues in Civil Engineering.  Obviously this is a huge task but we must begin somewhere.   Once a committee is established we can begin to scope out the issues.  Perhaps a good start would be to identify infrastructure impacts.  While I propose to place the committee within the EWRI initially, all institutes should most likely be involved.   

If you are interested in participating in this effort, have any comments or suggestions, or simply want to voice your support please contact Brian Roberts at Brian@waterlearning.org, Water Resources Learning Center, 3918 Prosperity Ave, Suite 215, Fairfax, VA 22031, 703-289-9600. 

NEWS

EPA to Examine Conditions of Nation's Lakes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is embarking on a three-year study to determine the state of America's lakes. The "Survey of the Nation's Lakes" is the first-ever attempt to assess real-world conditions by studying 909 lakes, ponds and reservoirs whose profiles are representative of all lakes in the United States.

What will it accomplish?

The survey, a joint effort among EPA, the states and some tribes, will:

• determine the ecology of the lakes and the factors which influence their condition
• stimulate and implement ideas within all levels of government: federal, state, regional and local
• build state and tribal capacity for monitoring and analyzing lake water quality data
• collect a set of lake data for better management of lakes
• develop baseline information to evaluate progress

"America's lakes shape the landscape and are at the heart of our natural heritage, health, and beauty," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles. "EPA's national state-of-the-lakes study will measure lake health, map priorities, and motivate grass-roots stewardship, a cornerstone of the President's Cooperative Conservation agenda."

Survey samples will be taken from natural and human-made freshwater lakes, ponds and reservoirs next summer. Bodies of water included in the survey will be a minimum area of 10 acres in area and at least 39 inches deep.

The last time EPA catalogued the status of lakes was in 1972-1976, when 815 lakes were evaluated nationwide. The new study will resample 113 lakes from the earlier survey for comparison.

                                          What will it measure?

Researchers will look at water chemical quality, turbidity, color, conditions of shoreline habitat, and pathogen indicators. Other conditions will also be measured. Researchers will use the same sampling techniques among all lakes to provide uniform results and permit comparisons across the country.

This study is part of a larger EPA effort to assess coastal waters, rivers and wetlands. A similar survey, for wadeable streams, was completed earlier this year. All of the surveys will be repeated to analyze the success of efforts to manage and improve overall water quality. The report on the lakes survey will be released in 2009.

More information about the Survey of the Nation's Lakes: http://www.epa.gov/owow/lakes/lakessurvey/

PUBLICATIONS

Ordering Information: Visit http://www.pubs.asce.org or call 1-800-548-2723 (U.S.) / 1-703-295-6300 (Int’l.) / 1-703-295-6278 (Fax)

Zero-Valent Iron Reactive Materials for Hazardous Waste and Inorganics Removal

This committee report provides a tool for engineers or decision-makers to evaluate the applicability of Zero-valent iron (Fe0) and give them the technical solutions about the engineering application of Fe0 to contaminated sites. Written from both theoretical and practical viewpoints, this book covers the comprehensive principles, latest research findings, and innovative development of Fe0 in hazardous waste and inorganics removal. The approaches of design, installation and performance evaluation of Fe0-based PRBs are also covered.

Holiday Gift Ideas

Here are some ASCE titles that will make great holiday gifts for your favorite engineer.  Happy holidays from ASCE Publications!

CALL FOR PAPERS

The organizing committee for the upcoming conference is currently seeking abstract submissions.

Hydraulic Measurements & Experimental Methods 2007

September 10-12, 2006 (Technical Sessions)

September 13, 2003 (Technical Tours)

Lake Placid, NY

Abstracts due: October 31, 2006

Visit the conference website at

www.asce.org/conferences/hmem07 for more information.

CONFERENCES

Annual Conference and Expo of the International Erosion Control Association

Environmental Connection, the annual conference and expo of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), is the world’s largest soil control community.  Over 2300 attendees and 160 exhibitors will connect in Reno,

Nevada, USA, February 12-16, 2007.  Attendees can choose from 18 full day training courses and more than 50 technical sessions addressing topics such as green building, wind erosion, how to write and implement a SWPPP, selection and installation of Best Management Practices, effective inspection programs and much more.  The expo, February 14-15, will showcase the latest in erosion, sediment control and stormwater products and technology.  With exclusive expo hall hours, attendees don’t have to choose between attending sessions or cruising through the expo—there’s enough time for both.

Contractors should not miss “Monopolize Your Marketplace”, a business improvement workshop designed specifically for contractors.  Judy Guido, the green building industry’s leading business management coach and consultant, will show contractors how to differentiate themselves from their competition, extend their sales channels and where they can find free or low cost business resources.  This workshop will take place on Thursday, February 15, 2007.

For more information about EC07 visit www.ieca.org/EC07.

2nd National Low Impact Development Conference*
March 12-14, 2007
Wilmington, NC

http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/swetc/lid/home.htm

World Environmental & Water Resources Congress 2007

(EWRI Event)

May 15-19, 2007

Tampa, FL

http://content.asce.org/conferences/ewri2007/

XXXII IAHR Congress*
July 1-6, 2007

Venice, Italy

http://www.iahr2007.corila.it/

2007 Hydraulic Measurements & Experimental Methods Conference (EWRI Event)

September 10-12, 2007 (Technical Sessions)

September 13, 2007 (Technical Tours)

Lake Placid, NY

http://content.asce.org/conferences/HMEM07/

International Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge*

October 28 - November 2, 2007

Phoenix, AZ

www.ismar2007.org

* EWRI  Co-sponsored Events

CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS

Pumping Systems Design for Civil Engineers

January 3 - 5, 2007

Las Vegas, NV

http://www.asce.org/conted/seminars/seminar.cfm?cat=4#abc121abc

Introduction to Detention Pond Design: Parking Lots and Urban Drainage

January 11 - 12, 2007

San Antonio, TX

http://www.asce.org/conted/seminars/seminar.cfm?cat=2#abc126abc

Low Impact Development Applications for Water Resource Management

January 11 - 12, 2007

Burlington, VT

http://www.asce.org/conted/seminars/seminar.cfm?cat=2#abc29ab

HEC-RAS Computer Workshop

January 17 - 19, 2007

San Antonio, TX

http://www.asce.org/conted/seminars/seminar.cfm?cat=4#abc113abc

Water Quality Modeling

January 18 - 19, 2007

Scottsdale, AZ

http://www.asce.org/conted/seminars/seminar.cfm?cat=2#abc34abc

SPREAD THE WORD

Please forward this message to your friends and colleagues who share an interest in environmental and water-related issues and would like to hear from the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Encourage your friends and colleagues to JOIN EWRI and receive all the benefits of being an EWRI Member.