October/November 2007 NEWS

EPA Recognizes Outstanding Water Quality Achievements of 2007

Clean Water Act Turns 35

EPA has announced the recipients of the 2007 National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards aimed at recognizing municipalities and industries for outstanding and creative technological achievements in wastewater treatment and pollution abatement programs. With the passing of the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, it is notable that water quality has dramatically improved through the use of scientific standards, discharge permits, pre-treatment requirements, state and local funding and watershed planning.

"To mark the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, EPA continues to recognize outstanding stewards across the nation," said Assistant Administrator for Water, Benjamin H. Grumbles. "We celebrate innovative approaches and achievements which protect public health and keep our water clean."

These awards represent first and second place national award recipients for demonstrated outstanding project and program water quality achievements in four categories: operations and maintenance, exemplary biosolids management, national pre-treatment and stormwater management. Each year, the awards are announced during the Water Environment Federations Technical Exposition and Conference (WEFTEC).

Specifically, there are nine winners in the operations and maintenance category; five awardees under exemplary biosolids management; six recipients in the national pre-treatment area; and two in the stormwater management category. Winners were chosen based on water quality compliance screenings and a satisfactory environmental quality record. Oct. 18th marked the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. More information about the awards can be found at: http://epa.gov/owm/mtb/intnet.htm.

EPA to Develop Regulations for Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide

On October 11th, the EPA announced plans to develop regulations to establish a clear path for geologic sequestration. This is the process of injecting captured carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in deep rock formations for long-term storage. Once completed, the regulations will ensure there is a consistent and effective permit system under the Safe Drinking Water Act for commercial-scale geologic sequestration programs to help reduce the effects of climate change.

"Addressing global climate change will require fundamental changes in the way the world generates and uses energy," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By harnessing the power of geologic sequestration technology, we are entering a new age of clean energy where we can be both good stewards of the Earth, and good stewards of the American economy."

EPA is working with the Department of Energy as it carries out its carbon sequestration research and development program and is also coordinating efforts to evaluate potential impacts on health, safety and the environment. The Safe Drinking Water Act established the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program to allow the safe injection of fluids into the subsurface in a manner that does not endanger current or future underground sources of drinking water.

EPA plans to propose regulatory changes to the UIC program in the summer of 2008 and will invite the public and stakeholders to provide input throughout the rule development process. More information about geologic sequestration activities under the UIC program can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells_sequestration.html.

Office of Water's WaterSense Program Takes Part in DC Green Festival

EPA's WaterSense program went out to the DC Green Festival to educate consumers in the Washington area about the importance of saving water and a simple new tool to help them reduce water use in their home - the WaterSense label. The WaterSense label gives consumers an easy way to identify high-performing, water-efficient products. The label has already begun appearing on toilets and soon will be on bathroom faucets as well.

The DC Green Festival took place at the Washington Convention Center over the weekend of October 6-7. This event featured speakers, live music, and informational exhibits including a booth presented by EPA's WaterSense program. Over the course of the event, hundreds of attendees stopped by the booth and learned how easy it is to save water by looking for WaterSense when purchasing water-using products or hiring a landscape irrigation professional. The Green Festival's next stop is in San Francisco on November 9-11 (http://www.greenfestivals.org/). Check the WaterSense website to find a labeled product or to learn more about the program (http://www.epa.gov/watersense/).

INDUSTRY NEWS

Two New USGS Reports on Ground Water in the Northern US

The USGS has recently released two reports on arsenic, uranium, and radon in parts of the glacial and bedrock aquifer systems in the northern U.S. These reports can be accessed online at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5036/ and http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/sir2007-5037/. In addition, printed copies are available upon request from Denver at http://infotrek.er.usgs.gov/pubs/.

These studies are part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, which is currently conducting regional assessments in about 9 principal aquifers (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/studies/praq/).

As leader of the glacial, Cambrian-Ordovician, and New England Crystalline regional aquifer assessments, USGS Hydrologist  Kelly Warner is looking forward to hearing from you with any questions on these and other ongoing studies in  the USGS  program. She can be reached at (217) 344-0037 x3010 or klwarner@usgs.gov.

Submit your Abstracts by November 28, 2007!

Be a part of the most important international conference on the practical impacts of karst terrain. Share experiences with professionals from around the world. The complex hazards of karst terrain affect foundations, utilities, highways, and transportation facilities, and present contamination hazards to ground and surface water resources. Since 1984, geologists, geotechnical and environmental engineers, hydrogeologists, geographers, government officials, and a wide variety of professionals working in areas of karst terrain have gathered at the Multidisciplinary Conferences on Sinkholes and the Engineering & Environmental Impacts of Karst™ to learn from each other. If you ever work in karst terrain, you will benefit from attending this conference.

The 11th edition of these multidisciplinary karst conferences is now accepting abstracts. The website is open at www.asce.org/conferences/karst2008. Present a paper, exhibit your services or products, update your professional development with short courses, and enjoy Florida’s springs and karst on the field trip. Join your colleagues in Tallahassee, Florida, next September.

APWA and SWANA Agree to Co-locate Expositions in 2010

On October 23, 2007, the American Public Works Association (APWA) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) announced an agreement to co-locate APWA’s International Public Works Congress and Exposition and SWANA’s WASTECON in Boston, Aug. 15-17, 2010.

“This joint venture between APWA and SWANA will expand the content and enhance the quality of our shows and the overall education experience for all attendees,” said Peter B. King, APWA executive director. “APWA’s 29,000 members have a keen interest in solid waste management issues and our collaboration with SWANA enhances membership services in this critical sector.”

With a projected combined attendance of more than 10,000 public- and private-sector solid waste and public works professionals, and a combined exhibit floor spanning more than 150,000-square-feet, APWA’s Congress and SWANA’s WASTECON will be the must-attend professional public works and solid waste event.

“SWANA exhibitors will benefit from exposure to thousands of public works officials, many of which have responsibilities for solid waste programs,” said John H. Skinner, SWANA Executive Director and CEO. “APWA attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of state-of-the-art solid waste equipment and services.”

“Boston is an exciting destination and the public works and solid waste communities look forward to hosting this first-ever historic collaboration between APWA and SWANA”, noted Jim Coppola, president of APWA’s New England chapter and Vice President of Beta Group, Inc. of Lincoln, R.I.  “The SWANA Massachusetts Chapter is excited about working with our local APWA counterparts to make this the best show possible,” added John Merritt president of SWANA’s Massachusetts Chapter and president of Merritt Communications, Inc.

APWA’s International Congress and Exposition, “The Best Show in Public Works,” will be held Aug. 17-20, 2008, in New Orleans, and Sept. 13-16 in Columbus, Ohio. SWANA’s WASTECON will be held Oct. 21-23, 2008, in Tampa, Fla., and Sept. 22-24, 2009, in Long Beach, Calif.

For more information about APWA, contact Becky Wickstrom at (202) 218-6736 or bwickstrom@apwa.net. For information about SWANA, contact Gabrielle Horowitz at (240) 494-2251 or ghorowitz@swana.org.

Request for Proposals: Wildlife Habitat Policy Research Program

The Wildlife Habitat Policy Research Program (WHPRP) is soliciting Letters of Intent (Due December 3, 2007) for our competitive awards program. Applications for the award are open to everyone.

The WHPRP will fund six specific projects in 2008 related to the implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans and wildlife habitat conservation in the United States.

Project Topics include:

• Wildlife funding /policy linkages: Using State Wildlife Action Plan priorities to directly shape policies and direct expenditures at multiple levels of government
• Efficiency of Land Conservation Spending for Priority Habitats
• Time Sensitivity of Priority Habitats
• Hazard mitigation policy applied to coastal and floodplain habitats
• Development of a research framework for climate and wildlife habitat policy and management
• Impacts of Bio-Energy Production on Conservation of Wildlife Habitat

The WHPRP’s mission is to develop and disseminate new information and tools to accelerate the conservation of wildlife habitat in the US. The WHPRP sponsors work that is of the highest technical quality and also relevant to the needs of policy makers, administrators, resource managers, practitioners, and landowners.

Based upon the Letters of Intent, three candidates for each project will be invited to submit full proposals for external review.  Awards are expected by mid-April 2008 and will range from $100,000 to $150,000 each, depending on the project.  Further information, full project descriptions, and instructions for Letters of Intent are available at: www.whprp.org.

The WHPRP is a program of the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE), an independent, not-for-profit NGO, dedicated to improving the scientific basis for environmental decision-making. Please contact Cheryl Horton at chorton@ncseonline.org or 202.207.0007 if you require further information.  The WHPRP program is supported by a four year grant by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF).

ASCE/EWRI News

Award Recognition Opportunities - Nominate a Peer Today!

Nominate a peer today for an ASCE National Society Award or an EWRI Institute/Council Award! Below, information is provided regarding the three types of awards for which nominations may be submitted:

2006 Rudolph Hering Award Winner (Left to Right: Marcelo Garcia and Cliff Pugh, EWRI Awards Committee Chair)

1. ASCE National Society Awards
   
   EWRI is involved in selecting and proposing awardees for several ASCE National Society Awards which are subject to ASCE approval. The ASCE National Society Award deadlines and nomination process are different than EWRI Institute/Council Awards.
   
   Please note that there have been changes to the ASCE National Society Award Rules for some ASCE National Society Awards. Click here to view the changes.
   
   For more information, contact Jane Alspach at jalspach@asce.org or
   (703) 295-6382.
   
2. EWRI Insitute/Council Awards
   

   2007 EWRI Lifetime Achievement Award Winners (Left to Right: Marvin E. Jensen, Jeanette A. Brown, 2007 EWRI President, and Arlen D. Feldman)

   
   The selection process for EWRI Institute/Council Awards, which are the property of EWRI, are not subject to ASCE approval.
   
   To nominate a peer for an EWRI Institute/Council Award you need to submit an EWRI Institute/Council Official Award Nomination Form, for each person you are nominating, to the appropriate Council Awards Committee. You may choose submit your nomination either online or via hard copy.
   
   Forms received by Autumn Richter (arichter@asce.org) , EWRI Manager, will be posted in the Council Awards Committees’ eRooms. Council Awards Committee members who have questions about eRooms may contact Autumn Richter at 703-295-6063. If any changes need to be made to any Council Awards Committee eRoom, please email Ann Rountree (arountree@asce.org).
   
   Important Deadlines & Updates
   
   November 30, 2007 - Nominations are to be received by Council Awards Committees.
   
   December 15, 2007 - Council Awards Committees are to forward their approved award selections, using EWRI Institute/Council Official Award Nomination Forms**, to the EWRI Awards Committee.
   
   January 15, 2008 - The EWRI Awards Committee approves awards to be given at the 2008 EWRI Congress.
   
   ** ONLY complete EWRI Institute/Council Official Award Nomination Forms received by December 15th will be accepted as submissions by the EWRI Awards Committee (Emails containing some/all information will not constitute an award nomination submission). Forms received AFTER December 15th will be held for consideration by the respective council awards committee for the next fiscal year’s EWRI Congress Award Presentation (The ASCE/EWRI fiscal year runs from Oct. 1st to Sept. 30th).
   
   Click here to view the complete EWRI Institute/Council Nomination Process.
   
3. Journal Awards
   
   EWRI Institute/Council Awards Journal Awards
   
   Journal Awards that are EWRI Institute/Council Awards should follow the EWRI Institute/Council Award Nomination Process. Click here to view a complete listing of EWRI Institute/Council Journal Awards.
   
   EWRI Institute/Council Journal Awards are selected by Journal Editorial Committees. The nominator/Journal Editorial Committee should submit an EWRI Institute/Council Official Award Nomination Form, either online or via hard copy, for EWRI Institute/Council Journal Awards to the respective EWRI Council Awards Committee. For Journal papers which have multiple authors receiving the same award, one form must be completed per recipient.
   
   Journal Awards that are ASCE National Society Awards
   
   ASCE National Society Journal Awards should follow the ASCE National Society Award Nomination Process. For more information on the ASCE National Society Award Nomination Process please contact Jane Alspach at jalspach@asce.org or 703-295-6382.

Mark Your Calendars for EWRI Council Weekend 2008

EWRI members participate in the 2003 Council Weekend, held in Philadelphia, PA

EWRI’s 6th Annual Council Weekend has been scheduled for February 23, 2008, in Los Angeles, California. Email invitations will be sent to appropriate Council, Committee and Task Committee Chairs and EXCOMS in November. Full details will follow shortly.

The Council Weekend gathers the EWRI Governing Board, Councils, Committee and Task Committee Chairs, and EXCOM together to discuss changes to the EWRI organizational structure, improvements in operating procedures, and to foster understanding, cooperation, and coordination between all EWRI Councils. It is important for the continued success of EWRI that all Councils participate in Council Weekend.

EWRI Going International

EWRI found great success in its first international conference, An International Perspective on Environmental and Water Resources, held in New Delhi, India. With that accomplishment notched up, the organization is planning three new conferences outside of the United States in the near future.

In 2009, EWRI will be hosting Global Perspective of Regional Issues: Environmental and Water Resources in coordination with the Asian Institute of Technology. The conference will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on January 5-7, 2009, and will cover a wide variety of topics related to environmental and water resources with a large focus on Asia and Africa.

The second of these conferences will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) for the 33rd International Association of Hydraulic Engineering & Research Congress on the dates of August 10-14, 2009. The Congress will feature five session topics, including: Advances in the Fundamentals of Water Science and Engineering; Water Engineering in Support of Built Environments; Water Engineering for the Protection and Enhancement of Natural Watershed and Aquifer Environments; Water Engineering for Sustainable Coastal and Offshore Environments (Built and Natural); and Advances in Hydroinformatics for Integrated Watershed and Coast Management.

The other international conference will bring EWRI back to India for the 3rd International Perspective on Environmental and Water Resources, in Chennai. This conference will be held January 4-6, 2010, and will be co-organized  and sponsored by the Indian Institute of Technology of Chennai, Inda. The event should hopefully be well-received following the positive response in the aftermath of the India 2006 conference.

Please visit the EWRI Conference Website frequently for updated information on these and other events.

ASCE Wins Advertising Award for EWRI Congress 2008 Ad

After being featured in the October 2007 issue of Stormwater magazine, the American Society of Civil Engineers was presented with the Advertising Achievement Award. The ad featured information on the EWRI Congress, to be held in Hololulu, Hawaii on the dates of May 13-16, 2008. This year's Congress, themed Ahupua'a: Sustainability from the Mountains to the Sea, will have a heavy emphasis on the ancient Hawaiian lifestyle of maintenance through the proper use of natural resources. Information in the ad included many of the general issues to be discussed at the Congress, as well as local issues, specific to Hawaii.

According to the award, the "advertisement achieved outstanding reader ratings in comparison with all other ads measured in Stormwater." This piece garnered the award from the "Best Overall Score - Consulting/Engineering - Half Page" category, and was presented by the Publisher and President of Readex Research.

The award-winning advertisement can be viewed here.

Exhibit at EWRI Congress 2008

EWRI's World Environmental & Water Resources Congress is an excellent venue for learning, experiencing, and networking. This year's Congress in Honolulu, Hawaii should prove to be even more successful in years past. Put your company’s innovative products, services and computer applications in the spotlight in our Exhibit Hall during the bustling Congress. This year's event should expect to hold over 1,000 attendees, including water resources planners and environmental professionals.

The deadline for exhibit sales is May 1, 2008, but it is recommended to reserve your exhibit space as early as possible. Please contact EWRI at ewri@asce.org, Jeff Sandersen at jsandersen@asce.org or (703) 295-6107 or Westley Chun at westley.chun@ch2m.com.

For more information on the exhibit set-ups and times, as well as access to the Exhibitor Prospectus, please visit the the Exhibits page at the EWRI Congress  2008 website.

Low Impact Development (LID) Applications for Water Resource Management

Low Impact Development (LID) is an innovative approach to stormwater management that is being implemented by federal agencies, state, and local governments for aquatic resource protection and regulatory compliance. LID is a site level stormwater management design approach with an objective of maintaining the hydrologic cycle or meeting targeted watershed objectives. This is accomplished by a combination of planning and design strategies that use conservation approaches and techniques to reduce site development impacts in combination with Integrated Management Practices (IMPs).

The ASCE Continuing Education Department presents Low Impact Development Applications for Water Resource Management, a seminar focused on the engineering and techiques associated with planning, engineering, and construction of LID. Held in Boston, the session will take place on Novemeber 29-30, 2007 at the Holiday Inn Boston - Somerville. This seminar will present participants with opportunities to:

• Master the overall concepts and strategies for using LID and Decentralized Controls for new and retrofit construction
• Understand strategies for incorporating LID into local government codes and ordinances
• Understand how to use LID with conventional management techniques
• Illustrate the key concepts of LID

Rod Frederick, P.E., F.ASCE and William F. Hunt, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE will serve as the instructors for this session, and both offer a plethora of knowledge and experience regarding Low Impact Development.

For more information, or to register for the seminar, please visit the ASCE Continuing Education website.

Apply Now for AAWRE Certification

The American Academy of Water Resources Engineers (AAWRE) is now accepting applications for Winter/Spring 2008 review.  The Academy continues to grow with 350 water resources engineers already having qualified for the Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE) credential worldwide.  Join your colleagues and peers from around the globe that have earned the D.WRE designation and validate your knowledge and expertise with AAWRE certification.  For more information and to apply for AAWRE's Diplomate, Specialty Certification program, please visit: http://www.aawre.org/appaawre.cfm.

2008 Member-Get-A-Member Campaign

Recruit Members & Win Prizes!

ASCE kicked off its annual Member-Get-A-Member campaign, and the 2008 drive gives you even more incentive to recruit new members.  When you sponsor members now through Dec. 31, 2007, you’ll be eligible to win the choice between a Nintendo Wii or $250.  Plus, each month you could be one of five lucky winners who receive a $25 gift card, whether your recruits join ASCE or not – it’s ASCE’s way of saying thank you for helping us bring in new members.

Visit www.ascedrive.org today and help your colleagues and peers find their professional home at ASCE.

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)

Appropriative Rights Model Water Code

A hydrologically-based legal framework that balances human and environmental needs, Appropriative Rights Model Water Code provides integrates the management of water quality and water quantity, and takes into consideration the appropriate social, economical, political, and administrative aspects of water management.

View table of contents

Softcover, 2007, 378 pp., Stock# 40887,

ISBN 978-0-7844-0887-2, List Price $150.00 /

ASCE Member $112.50

Measurement of Oxygen Transfer in Clean Water, ASCE/EWRI 2-06

Measurement of Oxygen in Clean Water, ASCE/EWRI 2-06, provides the latest methods for measuring the rate of oxygen transfer from diffused gas and mechanical oxygenation devices to water. A complete revision of ANSI/ASCE 2-91, this Standard represents the current consensus of the ASCE Committee on Oxygen Transfer Standards.

View table of contents

Softcover, 2007, 48 pp., Stock# 40848,

ISBN 978-0-7844-0848-3, List Price $60.00 / ASCE Member $45.00

Remediation Technologies for Soils and Groundwater

Site remediation is a complex and costly process that aims to restore adversely affected land and groundwater resources to environmentally sustainable conditions. Remediation Technologies for Soils and Groundwater provides a comprehensive and thorough overview of conventional engineered processes and technologies used for the remediation of contaminated sites.

View Table of Contents

Softcover, 2007, 456 pp., Stock# 40894 , ISBN 978-0-7844-0894-0, List Price $110.00 / ASCE Member $82.50

CONFERENCES

World Environmental & Water Resources

Congress 2008

May 13-16, 2008

Honolulu, HI

http://content.asce.org/conferences/ewri2008/

Multidisciplinary Conferences on Sinkholes and the Engineering & Environmental Impacts of Karst

September 22-26, 2008

Tallahassee, FL

www.asce.org/conferences/karst2008

IAHR International Groundwater Symposium

June 18-20, 2008

Istanbul, Turkey

http://www.iahr-gw2008.net/web/index.asp

10th International Groundwater Symposium

August 17-20, 2008

University of Johannesburg, South Africa

http://www.uj.ac.za/Default.aspx?alias=www.uj.ac.za/wdsa2008

International Association of Hydraulic Engineering &

Research Congress 2009*

August 10-14, 2009

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

http://www.iahr2009.org

* EWRI  Co-sponsored Events

CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS

Odor Management at Solid Waste Facilities

Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 12 noon to 2pm Eastern Time, per the date(s) listed. $498M/ $598NM Per Seminar Site.

This webinar will address the occurrence of odors at solid waste management facilities and means of assessing them.  Causes of odors, potential sources and potential remedies will be discussed.  Because odor impacts are relatively subjective, quantifying odors can be challenging.  The appropriate approaches to measuring odors and devices used will be presented, as well as limitations and regulatory aspects of odor measurement. General information regarding benefits and components of an odor response plan will be shared, along with a case study illustrating appropriate approaches to odor assessment and evaluation. This seminar is co-sponsored by ASCE's Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI).   Earn 2 Professional Development Hours (2 PDHs)

Advanced Detention Routing: Improving the Operation and Effectiveness of Detention Facilities - Newly Updated!

November 15-16, 2007

Scottsdale, AZ

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

Wetlands and 404 Permitting

November 15-16, 2007

New Orleans, LA

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

HEC-RAS Computer Workshop

November 28-30, 2007

Memphis, TN

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

Low Impact Development Applications for Water Resource Management

November 29-30, 2007

Boston, MA

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

Dam Breach Analysis Using HEC-RAS

December 12-14, 2007

San Antonio, TX

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

HEC-RAS Computer Workshop for Unstead Flow Applications

December 5-7, 2007

Cincinnati, OH

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

Introduction to Detention Pond Design: Parking Lots and Urban Drainage

December 6-7, 2007

Tucson, AZ

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

NPEDS Stormwater Permit Compliance

December 13-14, 2007

Atlanta, GA

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

Pumping Systems Design for Civil Engineers

December 27-28, 2007

New Orleans, LA

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

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.