The Stream Diversion and the Landfill

Date: 2 December 2024: Australia/NZ  
Time: 9:00 AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time

Date: 1 December 2024: USA
Time: 3:00 PM Mountain Time

Duration: 1 hour

Presented by: Stephanie Kirk

On the Takitimu North Link Project there is a complex set of stream diversion and culvert installation works being undertaken which have provided numerous erosion and sediment control challenges. A new stream channel is being diverted adjacent to an existing closed out landfill. However, it was discovered that there was a large volume of rubbish outside the footprint of the leachate line which turned a straight forward stream diversion into a complex contaminated land remediation exercise whilst working beneath the water table and within large volumes of leachate runoff. Along with removal of the contaminated land, the new section of stream channel has been designed with a special liner to prevent leachate entering the waterway from the landfill. It has been a tricky, technical and rewarding erosion and sediment control and contaminated land crossover. This presentation seeks to highlight how often, there are crossovers between erosion sediment control and other technical disciplines and how to manage this. 

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hour. 

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligns with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Closing Existing Post-Construction BMP Design and Construction Knowledge Gaps | Two Part Series

PART ONE

Date: 18 September 2024 | USA
Time: 1:00PM Mountain Time
Duration: 1 hour

Presented by: Steve Polk, Founder & Managing Principal, Stormwater STL LLC

In Session One, Steve Polk, P.E., EMBA will provide an overview of stormwater management and green infrastructure regulations, from the adoption of the Clean Water Act of 1972 to the present day, explaining the role of regulations and their impact on capital and maintenance budgets for property owners and land developers. Attendees will also be introduced to the difference between structural and non-structural best management practices (BMPs), the building blocks for capturing and treating stormwater runoff. Attendees will also learn the roles and responsibilities of the Environmental Protection Agency and the EPA’s interaction with state and local authorities in the implementation and enforcement of stormwater quality regulations. By providing successful examples of BMP performance and highlighting factors that contribute to their effectiveness and efficiency, attendees will develop a better understanding of the importance of thoughtful and well-informed BMP design, construction, and maintenance techniques and will help attendees understand how integrating maintenance into the design and construction phases improves functionality and longevity of BMPs.  Session One concludes with a preview of Session Two, which focuses on bioretention basin soil, the most complex and most often used BMP.   

PART TWO

Date: 9 October 2024 | USA
Time: 1:00PM Mountain Time Duration: 1 hour

Presented by: Ted Hartsig, Senior Soil Scientist/Natural Resources Restoration, Olsson

In this session, we will take a deep dive into the most important component of the most widely utilized post-construction stormwater BMP, the bioretention basin (aka rain garden). Soil - including controlled, engineered soils as designed for stormwater BMPs - are living entities that demand attention to detail critical to their success. Soil structure, chemistry, and biology must be a functioning part of the environment which surrounds it to provide successful stormwater services. Stormwater management represents an unbalanced environment in which soils that are designed to receive and treat increased stormwater runoff must be balanced to meet the performance objectives for stormwater control and management. We will provide details of soil physical, chemical, and biological properties necessary for successful bioretention and explore the role and function of the soil media in bioretention basins. We will also discuss the key characteristics and properties of the soil media, such as infiltration rate, porosity, organic matter, pH, and nutrient content, and how they can be measured and modified to optimize the performance of bioretention basins. Additionally, we will examine the challenges and opportunities for soil media selection, installation, and maintenance, and provide practical guidance and tips for achieving successful bioretention projects.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Understand the Why, When, and Where of post-construction stormwater quality regulations. 
2. Recognize the importance of balancing soil physical structure with the chemical and biological activity that's essential for BMP performance and sustainability. 
3. Learn about details of stormwater BMPs/SCMs that must be reconsidered and why "the way it's always been done" is no longer an appropriate or effective way to address a performance problem. HINT - it's the soil! 

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hour. 

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligns with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Valuing Groundcover and Vegetation as a Tool from Start to Finish

August 14, 2024 

Time: 9:00AM Mountain Time
Duration: 1 hour

In partnership with Stormwater Solutions, this webinar will help audiences understand the significance of ground cover and vegetation as a BMP in linear construction.

Presented by: Aaron Harper and Donald Pearson

Effective management of construction stormwater and soil erosion is a critical aspect of land development projects. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are essential for mitigating the risks associated with these activities. A systematic approach that routes runoff to specific conveyances where energy-reducing BMPs can capture and treat sediment-laden water is a predominant approach adopted by many developers and contractors. Among the various BMPs, groundcover stands out as a highly effective method for reducing erosion and sedimentation, thereby improving the quality of runoff before it is discharged.

Groundcover comes in a variety of options, some when combined with seeding, can significantly reduce erosion and enhance soil stability. The North Carolina Department of Transportation recognizes the importance of groundcover and phased vegetation establishment in managing erosion risks.  Contract language, financial incentives, vegetation management plan guidance, seed species selection, and inspection emphasis are all combined to provide contractors the opportunity to be successful.  This comprehensive strategy provides contractors with the tools they need to effectively manage soil erosion during construction. Join Aaron Harper and Donald Pearson as they share four decades of experience highlighting the significance of groundcover and vegetation in linear construction, particularly from the Piedmont to the Coast of North Carolina. Their insights underscore the value of groundcover and vegetation as a practical BMP that can reduce erosion and create opportunities to improve stormwater runoff from active construction projects.

Learning Objectives:

• Prioritizing groundcover and vegetation throughout construction phases and not viewing as a regulatory hurdle to overcome in order to complete the project.
• Groundcover and Vegetation disrupts energy of rainfall and allows for reduced energy of overland flow to create potential for infiltration and reduced stormwater runoff.
• Recognize how planning and execution of a groundcover and vegetation management plan can help achieve expectations, meet requirements of the general construction permit, and satisfy inspection requirements. 
•  Identifying and addressing the challenges of poor soil fertility, low pH, soil compaction, and other factors in the pursuit of releasing improved stormwater quality.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligns with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Collaboratively Building Ecological Fitness and Stacked Offsets in the Ross River Dam

Converting Weeds into Healthy Soils to Filter, Delay, Store and Heal one of the Largest Dams in Queensland

Date: 7 August 2024: Australia/NZ  
Time: 9:00 AM Australian Eastern Standard Time

Date: 6 August 2024: USA
Time: 5:00 PM Mountain Time

Duration: 1 hour

Presented by: Jason Lange

Regenerative Ecological Fitness embodies an ongoing journey, embracing nature, adaptability, and Indigenous wisdom to nurture landscapes. It leverages weeds as resources, utilizing their potential to establish cover, control water velocity, and foster ecological complexity for large-scale restoration. This approach, rooted in Indigenous knowledge, fosters resilience, acknowledging the value of the journey itself rather than a fixed destination.  Join our webinar exploring Regenerative Ecological Fitness in erosion control. Discover how Indigenous wisdom and weed utilization can establish vital cover, mitigate water velocity, and foster ecosystem complexity for large-scale restoration. Learn how these transferable techniques can benefit councils and landowners across Australia, offering scalable practices rooted in Indigenous knowledge and adaptable to diverse landscapes. The webinar showcases practical applications and case studies, emphasizing the potential of these approaches to drive impactful change, fostering resilience, managing erosion, and promoting ecological restoration across broad territories.

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hour. 

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligns with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

* EnviroCert International has listed this webinar as acceptable professional development. 

Using Composite Particle Technology: Practical Applications and Relevant Project Examples

ON-DEMAND
Duration: 1 hour

Presented by: Allen Bullock

Numerous challenges are associated with establishment, maintenance, restoration and repair of wetland and stream systems. Some of these include; creation of low-permeable barriers to contain water, repair of leaking dikes or berms (i.e. due to animal damage) and establishment of sub-aquatic vegetation in shall water environment (i.e. for emergent wetland species). Solutions to many of these challenges can be provided through the use of a Composite Bentonite Aggregate (CBA). This is an innovative and unique manufactured product widely applied for sealing civil and geotechnical infrastructure applications to mitigate seepage.  Applications used throughout the country include sealing around pipelines as an anti-seep collar or trench dam and for repair of leaking ponds or dams. Using a composite particle technology approach, CBA utilizes ordinary aggregate coated with a high swelling sodium bentonite clay to create a finished product that is a stable dry particle which can be simply and rapidly placed in both upland and subaqueous environments.   When hydrated in freshwater conditions, the bentonite swells and fills the void space of the aggregate, resulting in a self-compacted impervious mass with hydraulic conductivity of 1x10-7 cm/sec or lower.  The natural components of the CBA resist degradation, and the plastic nature of the hydrated product withstands damage from freeze-thaw cycles and seismic forces.   For wetland submergent restoration applications CBA technology has been adapted to address the challenges of placing seeds in the water.   This technology involves binding select wetland specie seeds within the clay matrix and provides an alternative to traditional means of plant propagation in wetland/aquatic settings that tend to be very costly and labor intensive. With a higher weight and specific gravity, utilizing CBA technology as a deployment platform for seeding is desirable especially when confronted with habitats prone to fluctuating water levels.   Practical applications of CBA will be shown, along with relevant examples of project performance of which erosion controls are effective in preventing sediment runoff, land users across various industries will be better equipped to effectively manage their sites and prevent sediment-laden water entering our waterways. 

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the properties of Composite Bentonite Aggregate (CBA), and its relevance to civil and geotechnical applications.
• Learn about the CBA geotechnical properties for enhanced performance.
• Become familiar with basic geotechnical applications in which CBA can be an ideal solution.
• Explore examples of successful installations of CBA for geotechnical applications.

Shredded Wood Material for Rights of Way Stabilization

A Case Study – Georgia Transmission Corporation

On-Demand

Presented by: Lauren Atteberry

Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) is an electric transmission cooperative that builds and maintains overhead  high voltage transmission lines and substations.   GTC builds approximately 30 miles of new transmission lines and 10 substations per year.  These numbers are projected to more than double over the next several years. As such, GTC has a robust erosion and sediment control program to  ensure compliance with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Stormwater Construction Permit that is managed by the State of Georgia.  Since 2001, GTC has used “shredded” wood material generated from tree clearing activities to immediately stabilize transmission line rights of way.  An added benefit to this practice is that it complements future ROW vegetation management maintenance programs which are required to prevent electrical outages due to conflicts with canopy tree species.    A case study was conducted in 2012 to document the benefits of using this technique for  both short term and long term stabilization of ROWs.    The practice involves the shredding of wood material generated by project tree clearing that is then applied to areas where construction related land disturbance has occurred.  This practice is only used on 0-33% slopes at a depth of 4-6 inches. Case study results indicate that shredded wood material provides immediate soil stabilization.  The shredded wood material degrades in a mosaic pattern which extends protection from erosion and sedimentation as vegetation re-establishes over the following years.  Other benefits of this practice include that it retains onsite topsoil, encourages re-establishment of vegetation that already naturally occurs in the area, eliminates wood waste from landfills, reduces frequency of ROW inspections and has reduced landowner complaints during construction.

Learning Objectives:

• Georgia integrated Transmission System & Powerline Construction Overview
• GTC Clearing Specifications & Operations
• Case Study discussing benefits of shredded wood material for final stabilization of the ROW

Evaluation of Erosion and Sediment Control Options Under Simulated High Intensity Rainfall 

ON DEMAND

Presented by: Dr Luke Verstraten

In any effective Erosion and Sediment Control strategy, primary erosion control should be a key focus. Erosion and sediment controls are beneficial for construction sites impacted by increases in high intensity rainfall events to reduce the burden on sediment basins. It is becoming common practice to increase design rainfall intensities to account for climate change making a focus on erosion control even more crucial. Substantial improvements to water quality can be achieved with erosion and sediment controls, with some erosion controls limiting TSS concentrations to well below the requirements of legislation under simulated high-intensity rainfall conditions. Effective erosion control methods help construction site policy makers, designers and erosion control professionals achieve the objectives for site compliance. By gaining an understanding of which erosion controls are effective in preventing sediment runoff, land users across various industries will be better equipped to effectively manage their sites and prevent sediment-laden water entering our waterways. 

Climate Resilient Measures for Roads and Other Infrastructure

On Demand

Presented by: Gordon Keller, PE, GE & Mark Weinhold, PE

Billions of dollars in damage have been sustained and many lives lost from climate-related storms and fires in recent years. The objective of this webinar is to present some of the road and infrastructure measures that can reasonably be implemented to reduce the vulnerability or likelihood of damage from
natural disasters. Current road maintenance and attention to thorough drainage detail are critical to avoid concentration of water on roads and prevent damage. Properly designed culverts with conservative capacity and measures to prevent plugging or stream diversion are needed. Stream simulation designed culverts that match natural channel characteristics offer resilience against storms. Various slope stabilization and erosion control measures can be particularly useful to add resilience to roads and prevent landslides, debris flows, and other types of storm damage.

[On Demand] LET'S TALK FLOC: Three Part Series

A flocculant webinar from the company that brought
flocculant (Floc) Logs and Polymer Enhanced BMPs to the industry 

Series Presenters: Seva Bray, Vice President; Kyla Wood, Head of Research and Development & Eddie Snell, Technical Specialist - Applied Polymer Systems

Flocculants are powerful tools that have been used for decades to control erosion, stabilize soil, and remove harmful contaminants from water. Flocculant treatments can meet very low discharge limits, allowing sites to stay in compliance, meet regulations and improve stormwater quality and clarity.  Applied Polymer Systems introduced flocculants to the erosion and stormwater industries in the 1990s, drawing from decades of research and use in mining effluent treatment. Anionic polyacrylamide is the most widely accepted and commonly used flocculant due to being both safe for aquatic life, and highly effective.

PAM use is rapidly expanding across the US and world thanks to its safety for environmental applications and effectiveness at targeting and removing difficult and common pollutants like clay, sediments, and metals. In our Let’s Talk Floc Part 1 webinar we detailed the movement and growth of PAM use for erosion and sediment control from its introduction in the 1990s to its widespread and growing adoption in the US today. We also spoke about the important factors that influence how we use flocculants safely and effectively. In Let’s Talk Floc Part 2, we will build on this important information and focus on case studies and examples of how PAMs were, and currently are being utilized to successfully manage erosion, sediment, metals, and stormwater on multiple projects across the United States and Canada. Join Applied Polymer Systems, the company who brought flocculant technologies to this industry 25 years ago, in the second part of our two series Let’s Talk Floc webinar, as we cover how to effectively, safely, and efficiently use flocculants in the field to meet stormwater and erosion and sediment control goals and requirements.

Thanks to years of education and concerted effort by universities, companies, and organizations like the IECA, flocculant use has evolved from sparse use of what many deemed mysterious “fairy dust”, to widespread adoption and a push towards standardized flocculant training, use and application. With many states recently adopting, preparing to adopt, or considering adopting anionic polyacrylamide into their toolboxes (i.e. pre-approved flocculant lists, QPLs/APLS, or erosion control and stormwater manuals) interest in flocculants and demand for training and information has reached levels never seen before in our industry.  Despite expanded use and interest, confusion and questions still exist, and education is needed to ensure flocculants are used safely and effectively. Join Applied Polymer Systems, the company who brought flocculant technologies to this industry 25 years ago, as we cover how to effectively, safely, and efficiently use flocculants to enhance traditional best management practices to meet stormwater and erosion and sediment control goals and requirements.

In the first parts of our Let’s Talk Floc webinar series we provided participants a foundation on how to select safe and effective flocculants and polyacrylamides and introduced their many uses for improving erosion and sediment control and stormwater quality. In the second part of this series we built on this information and focused on completed projects including robust dewatering and mainstream theme park applications to provide examples of how PAMs were, and currently are being utilized to successfully manage erosion, sediment, and water clarification. In our third and final Let’s Talk Floc Webinar we will use this foundation and apply the acquired skills and knowledge to work through projects that have a need for flocculant use from start to finish. Participants who have not yet had the opportunity to view Let’s Talk Floc 1 or 2, but have a basic understanding of how polymer flocculants work, and their various E&SC and stormwater applications can still benefit from this upcoming presentation and learn the process of proper flocculant planning and use. This interactive webinar will use example sites and give an opportunity for participant participation to work through the flocculant process including planning, regulations, sampling for product matching and selection, application, troubleshooting, maintenance, and disposal.

Part One Learning Objectives:

1. Understanding the basics of flocculant technologies and how to select safe and effective flocculants for treatment systems
2. Understand what anionic polyacrylamide is, how it works, and why it is the standard flocculant used for erosion and sediment control and stormwater treatment in the industry
3. Gain a basic knowledge and understanding of the steps needed to apply, maintain, and troubleshoot flocculants in field applications
4. Recognize how traditional BMPs may be enhanced using anionic PAM to improve sediment control and water treatment 

Part Two Learning Objectives: 

1. Review how to select appropriate flocculants for projects based on specific project goals and site characteristics. 
2. Learn components needed to plan and implement effective PAM treatments for Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management. 
3. Understand common management and use requirements for PAM applications through real world examples and case studies of PAM treatments. 

Sponsored By:

Hosted By:

Each webinar in this series is worth One (1) Professional Development Hour. A total of Two (2) Professional Development Hours are available in this series. 

IECA Australasia Chapter's Environmental Excellence Award Winners for 2023

On-Demand
PDH Credits: 1

Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 3) - Edmonton to Gordonvale Project (E2G)

Presented by: Andrew Kindness

The Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 3) - Edmonton to Gordonvale Project (E2G) is located south of Cairns in Far North Queensland.

It marks a significant advancement in infrastructure, focusing on the duplication of a 10.5 kilometre stretch of the Bruce Highway and realignment and upgrade of 4.7 kilometres of the Queensland Rail North Coast Line. Accompanying these primary objectives is the construction of new local roads, pedestrian and rail bridges.

Situated in a floodplain region, E2G contended with a unique set of environmental challenges - from constructing multiple bridges and managing tropical soils to grappling with unpredictable weather.

E2G's unique approach to implementing innovative solutions for environmental management, while weathering three tropical wet seasons and two tropical cyclones, without diminishing their commitment to erosion and sediment control performance will be discussed in this presentation.  Hear how they adopted innovative technologies, utilising drones for site mapping and erosion and sediment control evaluations, initiated trials for new erosion and sediment control products, and championed strategies that intertwined sustainability goals with erosion and sediment control planning.

NIWA Weather Forecasting – A New Zealand First in the Construction Industry

Presented by: Stephanie Kirk

Everything we do in the erosion and sediment control space is driven by the weather. Is it going to rain today, will that cyclone really end up hitting our site, do we need to install additional measures to help prepare? We focus on continually improving erosion and sediment control device design, investing in the latest water quality technology, applying chemical flocculants, and many more. When the weather governs so much of our world, why are most contractors not going above and beyond to invest in quality weather forecasting software?

This presentation will compare the accuracy of publicly available weather forecasting sites when compared with a top-tier weather forecasting provider and how investing in quality forecasting software can help your site save time and money and help you prepare more accurately for weather events.