Selected Articles from Western Chapter IECA Newsletter - Summer 2002

	Summer 2002 Issue, June 27, 2002 Click to view the current issue in Acrobat® PDF format. If you want to save the newsletter to your computer, right-click (hold-click in MacOS) and choose Save link as... or Save target as... WCIECA_Summer_2002.pdf | 2.4MB
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2002 Conference Recap

President's Message

Sausal Creek Field Tour Photo Highlights

Oakland Fire Field Tour Photo Highlights

Abstract: Monitoring for Revegetation, Erosion Control and Restoration Projects

Regulatory Update

Non-Storm Water Pollution Prevention

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Reminder
The Western Chapter is hosting a field tour of erosion control projects at Lake Tahoe, CA and NV on Friday July 19, 2002.

Your registration must be received by July 7, 2002.

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Had a great time; wish you were there!

By Peter McRae

Approximately 100 eager Western Chapter IECA (WCIECA) participants attended the "Monitoring for Success" 3rd Regional Conference on Erosion Control, which was formally "kicked off" at 8:00 AM, Thursday, April 18 by Chapter President Julie Etra. By then, 56 enthusiasts had already completed a day of training for their CPESC certification at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael, California, under the experienced tutelage of Carol Forrest, WCIECA's Technical VP. 16 companies had set up exhibits displaying their industry involvement running the gambit from professional services to cutting-edge seeding technology to structural sediment control products.

Approximately 100 participants attended this year's WCIECA conference.

With California Phase I and Phase II Requirements very much on everyone's mind, Tom Huetteman, EPA's Chief of the Clean Water Act Compliance Office, led off by outlining how the EPA ("we're here to help you") plans to implement these wide-ranging regulations. Larry Kolb, Assistant Executive Officer of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, complemented Tom's remarks by describing the "big picture" impact of these regulations upon the Bay Area. Larry was followed by Bruce Wolfe, Watershed Management Division Chief with the Regional Board, who spoke in greater detail of the changing regulatory environment, and how one can best continue to do business without running afoul of its extended reach. By mid-morning the conference program had expanded into two concurrent sessions featuring top-flight speakers with a range of papers that either complemented the early "storm water runoff" emphasis, or powered straight into the "monitoring for success" theme of the conference.

No after-lunch snooze phase was catered to at this conference; boxed lunches accompanied us out into the field to Paradise Vineyard where we hiked across the rolling contours of San Pablo Bay's newest wine country. Basking in bright sunlight, we were briefed on the forward-thinking efforts made to minimize runoff from the vineyard without impacting the beauty or efficient operation of the property. This project also addressed the restoration of their tidal creek for aquatic bird habitat. Back on the buses and on to the Sears Point Raceway project. Here we viewed the multitude of erosion and sediment control practices implemented to stabilize a moving mountain. This is an ongoing project that also enables major earthmoving activity to continue through the winter months necessary to meet construction deadlines.

Professional cooperation between landowners, consultants and regulatory agencies was the hallmark of both these successful projects, enabling innovation to flourish and calculated risks with Nature to be taken. Ongoing and open communication, plus a heavy dose of respect for all parties' interests and responsibilities, pervaded the briefings.

Meanwhile across San Francisco Bay, another bus group was busy viewing the Oakland Hill Fire district 10 years after Wildcat Creek was revegetated with the "then new" bonded fiber matrix product pioneered by Weyerhauser. A quick trip across Oakland brought this group to Sausal Creek where a variety of techniques are being used to restore this urban creek from its WPA improvements.

Friday dawned to a second morning of technical presentations running the gambit from "community involvement in restoration", through "mycorrhizal innoculum", "wetlands", "non-stormwater requirements compliance on roadway construction", to "biotechnical streambank stabilization". Ultimately, the conference ended with a banquet luncheon and closing remarks highlighting what had been learned. Thanks were again given to the generous sponsors of the coffee breaks and continental breakfasts, and recognition paid to the exhibiting vendors.

By 1:00PM, conference attendees were on their way home having spent a most enjoyable and illuminating two days seeing friends and meeting new participants in our industry. Again, no after-lunch snooze awaited those who stayed on to attend the Chapter board meeting. Remember, you are always welcome to jump in with ideas at any time.

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President's Message

Dear Western Chapter Members,

By the time you receive this newsletter, the Western Chapter will have four new Board members. I would personally like to extend my appreciation to the outgoing members who have served with great dedication, energy, and integrity. During their terms on the Board, major progress has been made. Carol Forrest, currently Technical Vice President and former Chapter President, has served since the chapter's inception. Carol has remarkable powers of leadership, and among other things, has helped to increase Chapter membership and improve our financial status. She has provided us with a direct connection to IECA and CPESC, which is increasingly recognized as the industry certification. Claudia Chambers, current Treasurer, has brought a new level of organization and accountability to the organization. Thanks to her vision and hard work, our non-profit organization is now set up with two bank accounts, including a money market and checking account. We are insured, have our own CPA, and have finalized our incorporation as a non-profit status. These women are true inspirations. Peter McRae has also served us well since he filled the seat vacated by Angelo Pecorilla, completing Angelo's term. Peter has just been re-elected.

I would also like to congratulate and welcome the new Board members, and am confidant that they will insure the continuation of an active, growing Chapter. Our new Board members are:

Michael Broadwater is the Regional Manager with Vali Cooper and Associates (VCA). VCA provides construction management services for both the private and public sectors.

David Franklin is currently Vice President and General Manager of Metamorphosis Erosion Control Inc. Their services include preparation of SWWPs, Landscaping, Manufacturing, E&S Control for construction projects, quarries, streambanks, parks, public works, private and commercial owners.

Peter McRae is President of Quattro Environmental which focuses on technologies for the successful establishment of sustainable native plant growth in harsh environments on mine, highway, and golf courses throughout the Western U.S. and overseas. Peter is a materials supplier and designer.

Tony Pitts is currently Director of Sales and Marketing for Earth Saver straw wattles. He has worked in the erosion control field for the last 12 years beginning with the manufacture of hard armoring products, then as a supplier of a full line of erosion and sediment control products.

The Board meeting will be held on Saturday, July 20, at JWA Consulting Engineers, 276 Kingsbury Grade, Stateline, Nevada, from 8:30- 12:30. New officers will be elected. As always, the Board meetings are open to non-members.

Don't forget to register for the Tahoe field tour, it will be a fun and educational day.

Julie Etra, CPESC
Western Chapter IECA President

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Sausal Creek Field Tour Photo Highlights

Sausal Creek field tour.	Erosion control using vegetated geogrids along Sasual Creek.
Debris rack in Sausal Creek.	Bruce Berlin demonstrates the gap beneath RECP.

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Oakland Fire Field Tour Photo Highlights

Field tour attendees listen as Mike Harding describes the Oakland Hill fire.	Slides were a concern in the aftermath of the fire.
Caldecott Tunnel vegetation regrowth.	Revegetation and new homes 10 years after.

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Monitoring for Revegetation, Erosion Control and Restoration Projects

Abstract: Site stabilization of disturbed slopes through the attempted establishment of a persistent plant community has been implemented throughout the United States for decades with various degrees of success. Treatments utilized to stabilize disturbed slopes, including but not limited to revegetation, need to be monitored to determine their success. Monitoring must be identified in the initial project planning to insure that adequate resources are allocated for implementation. A number of different methodologies can be used, depending on the nature of the project, the project objectives, and available financial resources. This paper discusses different levels of monitoring (reconnaissance vs. intensive), methodologies, and proposes that standardization of these methodologies be adopted on a regional basis.

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Regulatory Update

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the proposed rule for Effluent Limitation Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for the Construction and Development Category (67 FR 42643). This proposed rule published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2002.

In the rule EPA proposes several options to establish national effluent limitation guidelines and standards for storm water discharges from construction sites required to obtain NPDES permits.

Option 1 requires implementation of a self-inspection and certification requirements to improve the effectiveness of the erosion and sediment control measures for construction sites one acre or greater. This option reflects the lower threshold of ground disturbance of the Phase II storm water rule. EPA estimates that this option would incur costs of about $130 annually ($117 to the private sector, and $13 million to state and local governments), and accrue benefits of $10 million annually. This option encourages permit tees to adopt better erosion and sediment control measures and in the process will reduce sediment discharges.

Option 2 essentially codifies the EPA general construction permit and adds self-inspection and certification requirements. This option is proposed to apply to projects of five acres or more. EPA estimates costs of $505 million annually ($55 million to the private sector, and $50 million to state and local governments), and benefits of $22 million. This option improves erosion and sediment controls at construction sites and is expected to remove 80% of the total suspended solid discharged from construction sites. EPA estimates that the cost of the sediment removal would be $0.01 per pound and considers this cost reasonable.

Option 3 is the no regulation option. Under this option no new national regulations are proposed; the current state and federal regulatory programs for construction erosion and sediment control would continue. There are no monetized costs or benefits of option 3; however EPA notes that because the status quo would continue, the costs associated with the current level of sediment discharges to waters would continue to accrue.

EPA requests comments on all the options proposed as well as comments and information on several variations on the options and several other significant aspects of the proposal, such as technologies, costs, and economics. EPA must receive comments on the proposal by October 22, 2002. Public meetings for this proposed rule will be held on July 9, 2002; July 23, 2002; July 30, 2002 and additional dates to be announced later. The July 9 hearing will be held at the Hyatt Regency at the San Francisco Airport. Western Chapter members are encouraged to review these regulations, submit comments, and attend the public hearings, as this rule will affect the future of our industry.

Sandy Mathews, mathews6@llnl.gov

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Non-Storm Water Pollution Prevention

Now that summer is here the last thing on most folks mind is water pollution prevention. Although the weather is warm and perhaps in some areas of our Western Region rain events are not likely water pollution prevention remains a topic of importance. This is a good time to focus on the issue of non-storm water pollution prevention.

The dry season can presents challenges particularly if your project is in an area susceptible to high winds. Wind erosion creates dust that can be transported to storm drain systems and watercourses. Ways to minimize wind erosion include:

• Use of soil stabilizers, chemical, mechanical or vegetative.
• Apply water to disturbed areas.
• Stabilize construction vehicle entrances and exits. This also helps prevent dirt from being tracked onto public streets.

With the increase in drier weather most areas will see an increase in construction activities, especially concrete work and asphalt paving. The following practices will help reduce concrete and asphalt waste pollution:

Asphalt Operations

• Properly dispose of waste resulting from paving activities.
• Place drip pans or absorbent materials under paving equipment while not in use.
• Use non-toxic substances to coat asphalt transport trucks and asphalt spreading equipment.
• Protect drain inlets when applying tack or slurry coat.

Concrete Operations

• Do not allow concrete slurry to enter storm drains or watercourses.
• Plan for and use an appropriate concrete washout facility.
• Educate workers on proper waste disposal methods.
• Install signs to direct equipment operators to proper washout facilities.
• Perform washout of concrete trucks in designated areas only.

Some other non-storm water pollution prevention practices to consider include:

• Spill prevention and control. Don't let leaky equipment or careless maintenance practices result in spills or leaks. Keep clean up materials and spill kits nearby.
• Waste management. Make sure that trash and construction debris are properly disposed of. Have enough dumpsters on site to handle the waste load.
• Equipment fueling and /or maintenance. Use dedicated areas that are protected from run-on and run-off. Protect soil from spills and leaks. Observe all applicable laws for storing and transporting oils, fuel, etc.

Proper dust control is needed at this site.	A stabilized construction vehicle exit helps control dust and keep dirt off the adjacent road.
Paving operations increase in drier weather.	This sign helps direct equipment operators to a proper concrete washout facility.

Having good housekeeping practices can mitigate most of the non-storm water pollution issues discussed here. Keep your site clean and orderly. Don't let a buildup of potential pollution sources on the jobsite become a serious problem.

Mel Mathews, C.P.E.S.C., Western Chapter Board Member
AEI-CASC Engineering, Ph# 949-453-1748