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For decades, the state of Oregon used mine tailings for road and rail beds, reservoir construction, residential driveway paving, and much more. Little was known about the long-term health and pollution problems that might be associated with the tailings, which contained traces of heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury. Today, the old mines are being cleaned and the contaminated soil encapsulated with geosynthetics and buried. Contaminated soils remain in the towns, though. Oregon is not alone. Soon, many cities may need to recover and safely rebury the mine tailings once thought to be safe. Read about Oregon's experience in the Register-Guard. Learn more here.;

Larry Washaw, AMCOL president and chief executive officer states that significant "growth in our Lining Technology, Building Materials and Oilfield Services Groups” is due to "high demand for our oil related services and a strong, early European construction market." AMCOL is the parent company of CETCO.

Michael Turley has decided to move on from Colas and has taken a new position as Sector Development Manager for Hochtief (UK) Construction, part of Hochtief International, the third largest construction group worldwide with subsidiaries in Europe, Australasia, South America and the US (recognized in the US as the subsidiary company Turner). His position is related to the UK roads construction sector, and is unlikely to be geosynthetics-related although where opportunities arise to apply his knowledge of the geosynthetics industry, he is happy to do so. Michael's new contact information is as follows: Hochtief (UK) Construction Ltd., Epsilon, Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon, SN5 6NX. Tel: 01793 755555, Fax: 01793 755556 and his email address is michael.turley@international.hochtief.de.

ASTM International was recognized with the Certificate of Appreciation for Achievement in Trade for its work with Vietnam in helping that country adopt international standards in the areas of petroleum, aviation fuels, gasoline, nondestructive testing, road construction, roofing materials, and coal. Learn more here.;

The Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC) develops and updates fair and objective standard documents that represent the latest and best thinking in contractual relations between all parties involved in engineering design and construction projects. ASCE is offering a 10% discount on all EJCDC Contract Documents purchased online when you enter code EC489 in the promotion code field during check out. Learn more here.;

geosynthetica underwriter is seeking North American distributor for conductive geotextile to use on geocomposites and GCLs to facilitate electrical liner integrity/leak location surveys on double lining systems with nonconductive geocomposite leak detection system (LDS) between geomembranes. No need to backfill LDS with water to perform effective surveys. Slopes can be surveyed. Contact Lara at gsa.

Newszap.com, an independent news collective, reports that the Arrowhead Lakes Homeowners Association, Arizona, reminds its residents that proper dock and retaining wall maintenance translates to a healthy lake liner--and it prevents potentially huge repair costs if the lake's lining is damaged due to general homeowner negligence. Like many new developments, man-made lakes are central to the community's higher property value and higher quality of life. Neglected lakeshore walls and docks could lead to a cracking of the concrete cover over the liner in the critical zone where it contacts the shore. This is the sort of awareness that the Geosynthetics Risk Management and Loss Control Program is promoting throughout the insurance and construction industries. To read the article on the HOA discussions, please go to the "continued" link below. For more information on the Geosynthetics Risk Management Program, go to https://www.geosynthetica.net/news/GRMLCPExecSum.pdf for the Executive Summary, or call geosynthetica.net at 561 655 2060 to request a copy of the Geosynthetics Risk Management and Loss Control Program White Paper. Learn more here.;

The January/February issue of Soil Erosion & Hydroseeding asks readers to "Know Your BMP" (see article at the "continued" link below. geosynthetica.net's underwriters offer many BMP-approved erosion and sediment control solutions. See them on the Products and Services page, https://www.geosynthetica.net/ProductsServices.asp. Learn more here.;

We are pleased to announce that Lara Peggs has become Lara Costa, following her marrage on 13 January 2006 to Ray Costa. Lara's email address will remain lara@geosynthetica.net

GRI has produced White Paper Number 7 on Geosynthetic Accreditation Institute-Laboratory Accreditation Program (GAI-LAP) and White Paper Number 8 on Construction Quality Assurance-Inspectors Certification Program (CQA-ICP). Learn more here.;

The Tensar Corporation, a leading developer and manufacturer of technology-driven site solutions, has a new owner – and new, unprecedented capabilities to take its business worldwide. Effective October 31, the Company and its four subsidiaries – Tensar Earth Technologies, Tensar Polytechnologies, Geopier Foundation Company and North American Green – were acquired by the global investment group Arcapita Inc. The Company had been owned since 2000 by Denver, Colorado-based KRG Capital Partners. Minority owners remain American Capital Strategies Ltd., AIG Global Investment Corporation and the Tensar management team. The total transaction value approached $385 million.

This page includes: Change of Conference Dates; Featured Lectures; Special Sessions; Geotechnical Special Publications; Abstract Stats; and the Preliminary Conference Program.

geosynthetica.net Underwriter, Gundle/SLT Environmental, Inc. (GSE), a leading global provider of geosynthetic lining solutions, products and services headquartered in Houston, Texas is pleased to announce an agreement with Synthetic Aggregate Systems, LLC (SAS) headquartered in Havre De Grace, Maryland for the distribution of GSE geosynthetic products into the Civil Construction market. The agreement with SAS, that combines their detailed technical and experienced engineering practices with the innovation of GSE’s products, is expected to result in new product opportunities and technologies for our existing and new customer base. SAS, headed by Peter Ianniello, CEO & Founder will introduce technologies that complement or replace natural materials (sand, stone, and gravel) with geosynthetic materials in civil applications to reduce overall construction costs while increasing project performance. A brochure describing SAS Products and Services can be found at the "continued" link below.

The Landfill 2005 programme features the first Mercer Lecture in Africa, "Contribution of Geosynthetics to the Geotechnical Aspects of Waste and Liquid Containment," presented By Dr. J.P. Giroud. To view the abstract, please go to the "continued" link below.

TRI is offering their two one-day courses again in May. CQC/CQA of Geosynthetic Lining Systems and CQC/CQA of GCL and Cover Systems / Drainage Design and Specifications will be tailored to the Savannah River Project, but will include core elements of TRI's routine curriculum associated with geosynthetic materials, specifications and field installation construction quality assurance.

A geomembrane fabricator/installer is trying to find a source of reinforced metallocene-catalysed PE geomembrane. Are there any, now that Serrot no longer exists and their equipment has been sold to a roofing membrane manufacturer? Flag in Italy? Please contact lara@geosynthetica.net.

TRI and I-CORP have come together again as T-CLIC to present the third in the series of Leak Integrity Survey (LIS) courses, held 22-23 April 2005.

Whenever you are in the Phoenix area, do not miss eating at Tarbell's at 3213 East Camelback Road. Reservations are essential (phone 602-955-8100), and ensure you get one of Nader's tables. Send any other good eating tips to lara@geosynthetica.net. Learn more here.;

www.intnews.com. International Newsletters publishes newsletters, magazines and reports (included are Technical Textiles .Net and Performance Materials) and organises conferences and other events in the fields of advanced, high-performance and industrial materials. Learn more here.;

Maro Patent Alerts compiled by Roger D. Corneliussen. Maro reviews the US Patents published weekly and copies the patent numbers and titles to Alerts messages.

Metallocene compound, olefin polymerization catalyst containing the compound, and method for producing an olefin polymer by use of the catalyst. To view the abstract, please cut and paste the following link into your browser: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=/netahtml/search-adv.htm&r=1174&f=G&l=50&d=PTXT&s1=ISYMD-20050125&p=24&OS=isd/01/25/2005&RS=ISD/20050125

Hot-melt adhesives based on polyamide-block graft copolymers. To view the abstract, please cut and paste the following link into your browser: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=/netahtml/search-adv.htm&r=1243&f=G&l=50&d=PTXT&s1=ISYMD-20050125&p=25&OS=isd/01/25/2005&RS=ISD/20050125

Geosynthetica underwriter is seeking North American distributor for conductive geotextile to use on geocomposites and GCLs to facilitate electrical liner integrity/leak location surveys on double lining systems with nonconductive geocomposite leak detection system (LDS) between geomembranes. No need to backfill LDS with water to perform effective surveys. Slopes can be surveyed. Contact lara@geosynthetica.net.

Download geosynthetica's VIP Floor Pass (pdf) for complimentary admittance to the Geo-Frontiers show floor, field demonstrations, and Terzaghi Lecture!

Strategic partnership of two industry leaders to provide expanded product offerings and support to customers. Atlanta, GA – September 27, 2004 – The Tensar Corporation, the leading U.S. manufacturer of high performance polymeric products, announced the acquisition of North American Green, a premier provider of rolled erosion control products. The closing was finalized September 24…