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The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is actively soliciting its industry's input on the proposed permit modifications to construction site stormwater management by the US Environmental Protection Agency. AGC invites all chapters and members to participate in a free members-only webinar on June 1, 1:00 to 3:00 pm (EDT), to discuss the real-world, practical implications of the proposed permit modifications and to gather information from construction professionals. Learn more here.;

Chesapeake Containment Systems, Inc. is a growing geosynthetics installation company seeking a qualified, experienced geosynthetics installation superintendent. Work areas include the Mid-Atlantic, Mid-West, and Southeast US. Must be experienced in multiple material types and installation, safety and quality focused, have a positive teamwork attitude, and out of town travel is a must. Benefits include: Salary of $50,000+ (based on experience), safety and safe driver bonuses, year-end performance bonus, cell phone, computer, company truck, vacation and 401k program.

Kuraray's EVAL™ group today dedicated its new Davis-Standard 7-layer cast coextrusion film and sheet lab line with a Cloeren NanoLayer™ feedblock and die at its Kuraray Research and Technical Center in Pasadena, Texas. The lab line provides leaders and innovators in industries as diverse as food and medical packaging, agricultural films, and building and construction with access to pilot scale lines as they seek ever-higher performance and cost efficiencies through the use of specialty materials.

On April 18 and 19, Geosynthetica's Elizabeth Peggs attended the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and associated technical sessions for Kuraray Americas' new 21-layer cast film and sheet pilot line in Pasadena, Texas. What she found intrigued her. What does EVOH mean for geosynthetics? Peggs writes, "EVOH is potentially very important to waste containment applications and ultimately the environment." Read more.

Edited by R Fangueiro and published by Woodhead, the book "Fibrous and composite materials for civil engineering applications" explores the development of fibrous materials in civil engineering, both as structural reinforcement and in non-structural applications such as geotextiles. Published April 2011. Learn more. Learn more here.;

Researchers from North Carolina State University claim to have identified the microbe that responsible for the build up of large quantities of methane in landfill sites. It is hoped that these findings can be used to accelerate methane production for power generation. "The research community can use our findings to explore ways of accelerating the methane-generation process," said one of the researchers, "creating methane more quickly for power generation, and making additional room in the landfill for waste disposal." Learn more here.;

American Environmental Group, LTD. (www.agel.net) has announced the opening of a new office in Houston, Texas. The office, headed up by industry veteran Ron Zunker, offers specialization for all three major AEGL divisions: geosynthetic materials installation, comprehensive construction of landfill gas (LFG) collection and control systems, and LFG system operation and maintenance services. Located near Bush International Airport, it is strategically located to provide top-quality support to AEGL's work in the South, Southwest and Southeast.

Geocomp Corporation, a leading geo-engineering firm headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts, is proud to announce and welcome Cynthia Cogan, P.E., as a Group Manager of Consulting Services overseeing Massachusetts and California operations. She will have profit and loss responsibility for these groups and, as a senior technical leader, will oversee a growing professional practice.

Translator Alan Johnson has announced the English-translation release of the revised "Recommendations for Design and Analysis of Earth Structures using Geosynthetic Reinforcements - EBGEO" from Germany. Wiley is the publisher. The completely revised and extended Recommendations deal with all questions relevant to the planning and dimensioning of geosynthetics-reinforced earth structures--now including geotextile-encased columns, bridge subsidence, and more. Learn more. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetica's ASTM page charts relevant standards and work item announcements from ASTM International's Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and other relevant committees impacting specficiation and standardization today.

ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has announced work item WK32975, "Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam." This is a work item revision to existing standard D6817-07. Learn more here.;

ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has published D7702, "Standard Guide for Considerations When Evaluating Direct Shear Results Involving Geosynthetics." This new guide is now available as D7702-11. It is intended to assist designers and users of geosynthetics. It is NOT a standard; it is a guide. And it is not intended to replace education or experience and should only be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Learn more here.;

ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has announced work item WK32900, "Standard Practice for Tests to Evaluate the Chemical Resistance of Geotextiles to Liquids." This is a work item revision to existing standard D6389-99(2005). Learn more here.;

AMI's 5th international conference on Waterproof Membranes will be held from 15-17 November 2011 at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne, Germany. A welcome reception will be held and registrations managed on the first evening followed by a 2-day programme of speakers from the waterproofing industry and its suppliers. Read more about the event and submit your presentation idea.

American Environmental Group, LTD. (AEGL), a renowned national leader in the fields of geosynthetic materials installation and fabrication, comprehensive installer of landfill gas (LFG) collection and control systems, and provider of LFG system operation and maintenance services has acquired the geosynthetic liner operations of Union City, TN-based Mid America Lining Company. Mid America's extensive experience performing geosynthetic installations on a national scale is a natural addition to AEGL's 400+ United States-based workforce.

The Executive Board of Royal Ten Cate (TenCate) has appointed ir. Guido Vliegen (44) as Global Group Director TenCate Grass, effective 1 April 2011. Since 1998, Mr Vliegen has held several management positions at TenCate Protective Fabrics EMEA (Nijverdal, the Netherlands) and North America (Atlanta, US). In January 2009 Mr Vliegen was appointed as Managing Director of TenCate Grass North America based in Dayton (Tennesee, US). Since October 2009 Mr Vliegen was responsible for the marketing and sales of synthetic turf as Global Commercial Director TenCate Grass. In his new position Mr Vliegen will be responsible for all TenCate Grass activities worldwide and will be a member of the TenCate Strategic Platform.

ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has revised standard D6455, "Standard Guide for the Selection of Test Methods for Prefabricated Bituminous Geomembranes (PBGM)" as D6455-11. This guide provides recommendations for the selection of appropriate test methods for prefabricated bituminous sheet used in geomembrane applications to provide consistency in data reporting. Field-related evaluation of PBGM, including but not limited to seam testing, is beyond the scope of this guide. Learn more here.;

ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has revised standard D6767, "Standard Test Method for Pore Size Characteristics of Geotextiles by Capillary Flow Test" as D6767-11. The pore size distribution test is significant not only for indicating pore sizes, but may also indicate a damaged, contaminated, or clogged geotextile. Learn more here.;

Carlisle Energy Services Inc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with New Jersey Meadowlands Commission which will be used to research the feasibility of CES unique exposed geomembrane solar cover technology for Meadowlands Erie Landfill. The Carlisle system will also include an integrated solar PV array with a capacity of about 1 mw. The Spectro PowerCap is a patent pending and a flexible solar photovoltaic system that will be used as a landfill cover. Learn more here.;

A new officer has joined the Board of Directors for the International Association of Geosynthetic Installers (IAGI). American Environmental Group Ltd's (AEGL) Chris Eichelberger has been selected to serve as an at-large member of the Board of Directors. Chris was elected to serve a two-year seat. "We welcome Chris Eichelberger to the Board and look forward to working with him," commented IAGI President Brian McKeown. IAGI strives to provide a forum for geosynthetics installers to advance installation and construction techniques, and to strengthen the knowledge, image and communication within the industry. For more information about IAGI, contact Laurie Honnigford at +1-651-554-1895, e-mail iagi@iagi.org or visit www.iagi.org.

In a February 2011 memo, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Infrastructure Research and Development (HRDI) officially announced the availability of the Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System (GRS-IBS) Synthesis Report (FHWA-HRT-11-027). The GRS-IBS Synthesis Report is the companion document to the GRS-IBS Interim Implementation Guide (FHWA-HRT-11-026), which was disseminated to our field offices by memorandum dated January 21, 2011, in support of the FHWA’s Every Day Counts initiative, which is aimed at accelerating implementation of proven, market-ready technologies. The research behind the proposed design method in the report, which was adopted in the Interim Implementation Guide, is presented along with case histories to show the performance of in-service GRS-IBSs and GRS abutments. Download the Synthesis Report via the Alaska-Fairbanks office website. Learn more here.;

Security is a top priority in the shipping industry. So when plans for DHL's new 290,000 square foot distribution facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania called for 3,450 linear feet of retaining wall along the perimeter of the site, the chain link fencing above the walls quickly became a topic of concern. While the segmental retaining walls and geosynthetic reinforcement are capable of holding back steep slopes and handle heavy loads, the top of the block wall can overturn when a point load, such as a fence post, is applied to the block.

Tensar's North American Green has led the erosion control industry in offering the most complete line of high quality, performance-proven erosion control products since 1985. Today, a U.S.-manufactured addition to that line salutes a patriotic commitment and delivers quality and consistency currently unduplicated in foreign counterparts. North American Green coir logs are the only compressed coconut coir logs that are made in America.

A note from David Suits, Executive Director of the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS): "Not able to attend Geo-Frontiers 2011? I have a limited number of the conference proceedings on CD. The CD has more than 400 papers on it...The Conference had over 1900 attendees and 150 exhibitors." The CD costs $100. Interested members of NAGS should contact Dave at Nagsdirector@aol.com. Learn more here.;

Instructors Dov Leshchinsky and Jim Collin will present a 2.5-day course on "Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and Reinforced Soil Slopes: LRFD and ASD Design Approaches" from 1-3 June 2011 in Los Angeles. The course presents the latest national recommendations for design and construction practice for reinforced soil structures. It includes the latest on reinforced wall and slope design based on LRFD and ASD plus hands-on use of two powerful software packages licensed to the FHWA as well as State DOT's. Attendees may be eligible for up to 2.4 CEUs or 24 PDHs. Learn more. Learn more here.;