Harmonizing Aquaculture Standards
In the United States, aquaculture standards are differ, at times considerably, from state to state. But a new plan to harmonize the field's standards within the country is gaining key support, such as from the National Aquaculture Association (NAA).
Learn more here.;
Agriculture in Africa
The African Development Bank (AfDB), the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), and the World Bank today called for an increase in funding and a renewed focus on agricultural water management in Africa, including irrigation, drainage and rainwater harvesting.
Learn more here.;
Grants in Colombia
The government of Colombia has allocated US $73 million for drainage, water management and irrigation projects, and 270 proposals, some interconnected, have come in. The awarded money will go towards construction materials for dams and tanks; water conveyance; and more. Announcements will be made in May. Projects may receive up to US $3.8 million.
Learn more here.;
Golf Course Upgrades
Geosynthetics have been used increasingly in recreational uses, such as for containment in golf course ponds and even down to drainage and lining beneath sand traps. In Greenwich, Connecticut the sand traps are being replaced and geosynthetics added ahead of the 2008 golf season. The 30-year-old traps are finally receiving a much-needed drainage upgrade.
Learn more here.;
Visalia Moves Forward
Three more cells are being planned for waste disposal in Tulare County, California near the city of Visalia. This is the second phase of a project, and one that will establish nearly 60 years of capacity. Bids are currently being reviewed.
Learn more here.;
Underground Canals
The Swalley Irrigation District near Bend, Oregon is moving a 5-mile canal underground. The decision to bury the canal and pipe the water through high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe is heavily motivated by above-ground water loss concerns.
Learn more here.;
M2M Grows
Mongolia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand are the newest partners in the Methane to Markets (M2M) program, which aims to reduce emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and clean energy source. Methane to Markets now numbers 25 partners. Landfills and animal waste management are major areas of concern in M2M programs.
Learn more here.;
In Memoriam: Tom Davis
Over at SprayFoam.com, Dudley J. Primeaux has posted a column in memory of Tom Davis, a polyurea pioneer. His work included spray-applied liners, geotextiles, secondary containment applications on large and commodity scales, and much more.
Learn more here.;
World Bank Funding
While the heavily industrialized world repairs its aging infrastructures with more modern materials, such as geosynthetics, it's surprising to find little mention of them being encouraged in developing nations. But we did spot one World Bank-related project in the Philippines in which geotextiles are part of the agriculture sector reforms. More than $3 million is being provided on loan.
Learn more here.;
Aquaculture Revival in Kereta
Radio New Zealand reports that a new aquaculture zone has been declared off the coast of Kereta near Coromandel Harbour. The project ends a 7-year moratorium on new aquaculture initiatives. Even with the moratorium, the industry has still supplied nearly $27 million and 300 jobs to the region. In New Zealand, as in most places, aquaculture is growing in importance and scope.
Learn more here.;
World Water Day: Pakistan
World Water Day was March 22. Abdul Manan, writing for Pakistan's Daily Times, used the World Bank's annual WWD report to highlight the significant needs in Pakistan. His article includes staggering statistics on acre-feet of water used by industry and the expansion that will occur; the high percentage of tainted drinking water; the great need for reservoirs, canals and water conservation measures; and much more.
Learn more here.;
Altona Eyes New Landfill
Altona, Manitoba, Canada operates a Class 2 landfill but has discovered it may no longer qualify for the Class 2 status since it serves more than 5,000 residents now. The area must now look towards a future Class 1 landfill, which would require daily cover and a modern lining system. Tip fees have now doubled as the city begins to look towards a stronger future.
Learn more here.;
Experienced Required
Illegal dams and ponds on farms and at orchards in central Washington have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage when they fail. Officials stress that pipe penetrations and improper liner work is the main cause of failures. They also suspect that more than 100 illegal structures remain. The state is now intensifying aerial searches for these illegal constructions.
Learn more here.;
USDA Awards $39 Million
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in California has awarded $39 million for environmental improvements in farming. Among the beneficial uses of the money are riparian stabilization and the lining of ditches for water conservation, according to the release.
Learn more here.;
Ag, By the Numbers
Yesterday, March 20, was not only the first official day of spring but National Agriculture Day. Woods Houghton's guest column in the Current Argus newspaper, published in New Mexico, offers some interesting statistics on the United States agriculture industry. For example, farmers manage 1.3 million acres of water conveyance ditches.
Learn more here.;
The Rodents Did It
An engineering study of the breached canal near Reno, Nevada has ruled that burrowing rodents caused the break that flooded hundreds of homes back in January.
Learn more here.;
More from Ireland
The slowdown in new housing construction in Ireland has prompted more home improvement projects, including greater construction of arenas and gallops for horse owners (of which Ireland has many). An article in the Irish Independent discusses how using geotextile separation materials helps keep the sites drain properly during wet seasons and, utlimately, keeps the horses healthier.
Learn more here.;
Vietnam – Ukraine Agreement
Vietnam and Ukraine have made an aquaculture co-operation agreement to foment co-operation on fisheries and aquaculture. The agreement’s key initiatives include information exchange and technology transfer. It also involves sharing aquaculture training. The two sides said they hoped co-operation between Vietnamese and Ukrainian enterprises would strengthen and develop in the future.
Learn more here.;
Only One in Ireland
In the Irish Independent's farming news roundup one finds a note about geomembrane-lined out-wintering pads. These are artificially drained, soft surface zones that are friendlier to and healthier for cattle than concrete pads or Ireland's wet winter soils. The Department of Agriculture has approved only one contractor for this application. Any sites using unapproved contractors will not be eligible for grant aid.
Learn more here.;
Indiana Aquaculture
Indiana Prairie Farmer reports that years of aquaculture growth forecasts in the state may now become reality. A yellow perch aquaculture operation is starting up with the long-term goal to produce 9 million pounds of this limited fish. In the wild, it's often overfished. Aquaculture may become a more viable growth sector in the US in situations like this.
Learn more here.;
India Renews Shrimp Push
The agricultural officials in India have been hesitant to greenlight a Vannamei industry. Vannamei is the most easily farmed shrimp in aquaculture operations, controlling 90% of the global shrimp market. India is now introducing it at two pilot projects. The country's exports to the United States have dropped roughly 40% over the last two years--when Vannamei imports were welcomed in the US.
Learn more here.;
PCBs from Raceways
In 1997, 10-year-old boy's science experiment revealed that PCBs had polluted Big Spring Creek near Lewiston, Montana. The source: painted raceways at a state fish hatchery. A settlement has just been reached with landowners who suffered property value declines. The problem has also been corrected: the raceways have been lined.
Learn more here.;
Levee Grass Management
The US Army Corp of Engineer (USACE) is racing against the clock to get grass to grow on some elevated levees in New Orleans ahead of the next storm season. The slopes have developed some ruts and are not taking to new seed well. Part of the problem is old, inexact "boilerplate" specifications. Perhaps vegetated erosion contol blankets and turf reinforcement mats (TRMs) merit greater consideration now.
Learn more here.;
SA: Another Saudi Arabia?
South Africa holds much of the world's unmined uranium load. The country has done very well in mining of other precious metals and minerals, and it now seeks to become a cradle to grave uranium processor. From mining to conversion to burial of spent fuel rods, South Africa hopes to become the Saudi Arabia of energy.
Learn more here.;
Betting Big
Over at the Wall Street Journal's Environmental Capital blog, Jim Carlton reports from the ECO:nomics conference in California. John Doerr, whose company provided early backing for tech giants such as Amazon.com and Google, is now betting big on power conversion from animal waste. He's estimated its growth potential as a multi-trillion dollar industry. Geosynthetics provide vital containment and capping for methane harvesting systems.
Learn more here.;
