Archive for March, 2007

Stormwater Solutions for PA

March 30, 2007

CBF has opened registration for “Confluence 2007–Preparing for the Storm: Stormwater Solutions for Pennsylvania Communities,” to be held April 5 & 6. If you’re a PA engineer, consultant, developer, municipal official, conservation professional, or watershed stakeholder interested in finding out more about the benefits and challenges of good stormwater management, check out the details.

Links to us:  Design | Software | Maintenance & Repairs | Construction | www.bioretention.com

 

Up on Principio Creek

March 29, 2007

Was on Principio Creek yesterday looking at some restoration work…a real sweet stream in Cecil County, Maryland that is still in great overall condition:

Principio Creek

Cool arch under I-95:

imgp0658.JPG

Caught the skunk cabbage rising:

imgp0671.JPG

Links to us:  Design | Software | Maintenance & Repairs | Construction | www.bioretention.com

Green Building Institute Raffle

March 29, 2007

Support The Green Building Institute and enter to win a trip for two people to Bluebeard’s Castle on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Go here for more info.

Links to us:  Design | Software | Maintenance & Repairs | Construction | www.bioretention.com

GreencityBaltimore Blog created

March 28, 2007

Maryland’s Legislature taking forward steps

March 28, 2007

The House of Delegates has passed HB1220, which is a bill that opens the door for implementation of more sustainable and integrated stormwater management practices and levies a charge of 25 cents per square foot of impervious area on new development.  The $ will go toward various restoration efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.  Lots of other stuff in it, an update will follow.

The Bill is now on to the Senate.  Senate version here.
Those for it can contact their State Senator.

For those against it, we ask – If not this, then What???

Mainstream news here.

Embankment Hazards

March 27, 2007

OK, this is not about stormwater management, per se…

Gaza Sewage Flood

BUT – it does illustrate the hazards that are associated with constructing earthen embankments. Quite simply – they have the potential to fail. And if they fail, the resulting breach wave has the potential to kill and destroy.

The larger the drainage area (fewer facilities), the larger the earthen embankment and greater risk.
The smaller the drainage area (more facilities…. which -surprise- must then be integrated into the site design), the smaller the embankments (if any) and less risk of failure.

Likewis, if an earthen embankment is not maintained appropriately, the risk of failure increases.

I have stood before a breaching embankment before. It is an incredible experience, as it is completely uncontrollable event. There is nothing anyone can do. At that time, when I was asked what to do, the best advise I could give was to run.

All that said, our hearts go out to the folks in Gaza as they deal with the incredible disaster before them….

UMass BMP Eval Site

March 23, 2007

The Clearinghouse: The Massachusetts Stormwater Technology Evaluation Project (MASTEP) has created a web site to host a source of verified technical information on stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) to provide information on innovative technologies to BMP users.

http://www.mastep.net/

Great for proprietary BMPs to prove pollutant removal capabilities.

Heya!

March 23, 2007

Welcome to the first blog on stormwater management…. or at least the first one we know about.

Among the things that may end up here are:

  • Interesting stuff about stormwater management (SWM) that strikes our fancy
  • Technical stuff (read: Engineering) that may bore the hell out of those who are not deeply into site and stormwater management design
  • Some good stuff for those just starting out with SWM design or who wish to know more
  • ID of the many types of SWM facilities
  • Thoughts on maintenance, repair, and construction of SWM
  • Thoughts on Landscape Architecture as related to SWM design
  • Thoughts on Land Planning as related to SWM Design
  • Thoughts on Sustainable Development as related to SWM design
  • Info on proprietary BMP’s
  • Cool stuff we are doing in the Applied Stormwater Studio
  • Streams – where it all ends up – the coolest part… especially restoration
  • Whatever else strikes our fancy.

Questions, comments, and suggestions should be directed to tes [at] mdswm[dot]com