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Contributed by the International Erosion Control Association
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In February, the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is bringing Environmental Connection 2012 (EC12), its annual conference and expo, to the Entertainment Capital of the World – Las Vegas. The world's largest soil and water event is expected to draw nearly 2,000 civil engineers, contractors, developers, and government personnel. With world-class education, the largest expo hall of its kind featuring more than 150 products and services from around the globe, and unique events designed to build long-lasting business relationships, EC12 is a one-stop shop for professionals dealing with erosion and sediment control and stormwater quality.
Top-notch continuing education
Attendees at IECA's annual conference can expect fresh education from some of the industry's most respected instructors. As the landscape of the erosion and sediment control industry continues to change and evolve, it is even more necessary to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques. IECA's peer-reviewed education is sure to have an immediate impact when attendees return to the job.
The most popular education format is the full-day training course. This year, IECA will offer pre-conference training courses on Sunday, Feb. 26, featuring seven new courses. Professional engineers and others interested in pursuing or maintaining a professional certification will benefit from the seven Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and 0.6 IECA Continuing Education Credits (IECA CEU's) awarded for the completion of each full-day training course.
"I never leave an Environmental Connection conference without learning something," said Jason Lederer of the Bioengineering Group after the 2011 conference in Orlando, Fla. "These meetings are critically important for helping me keep up-to-date on products, developments, and techniques in the erosion and sediment control industry."
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Some courses of interest for civil engineers include:
EC1201: How to analyze and solve soil stability, with Jerry Sanders, CPESC – How do you solve the dilemma of soil stability in urban construction projects? There are several factors such as confined access and work area to consider in addition to local governance and homeowner's associations. This full-day course will cover creek bank stabilization, shoreline stabilization, building pad development, hillside remediation, and remediation of failed retention systems.
EC2201: Stream and riparian area investigation, rehabilitation, and design workshop, with Richard Fischer, Ph.D. – When considering methods to restore and manage streams and associated riparian areas in order to prevent non-point source pollution, a broad range of physical and ecological functions including water quality improvement, flood storage capacity, habitat and movement corridors, and aesthetics need to be considered. This tutorial workshop will not only introduce these methods, but also help you select the best, most environmentally sensitive and cost-effective approach using numerous case studies.
EC4201: Turbidity control 101: What you need to know for this unfolding business opportunity, with Rich McLaughlin, Ph.D., and Melanie McCaleb, CPESC – McLaughlin will help you keep your project site out of trouble by showing you research-based and field-tested turbidity control methods. This class will teach you how to design and install turbidity control systems for just about any site and how to make quick adjustments for the changing site conditions.
EC6203: Erosion and sediment control specifications: How to obtain better erosion and sediment control through better specifications, with Julie Etra, CPESC, and David Todd, CPESC – Construction specifications are often ignored in erosion and sediment control design. This class will show how they benefit a project and how they are assembled. Using a combination of interactive exercises, the attendee will learn how to write concise, clear specifications and how to make them work with the SWPPP.
EC6204: Designer and reviewer series, with Jerry Fifield, Ph.D., CPESC, CISEC – A growing problem in the erosion and sediment control industry is the advent of "boiler plate" plans that aim to meet submittal requirements instead of focusing on practicality, common sense, and cost effectiveness. Fifield provides tools for designers and reviewers to develop and review effective sediment and erosion control drawings for implementation on construction sites.
EC6301: Innovative designs for erosion, sediment, and turbidity control, with Ted Sherrod, CPESC – Calling all engineers involved with the design of erosion and sediment control plans for linear and vertical construction! This advanced, fast-paced workshop emphasizes selection and design of appropriate best management practices (BMPs). Permanent and temporary erosion/sediment control design elements as well as a review of rainfall/runoff fundamentals will be covered.
EC6302: Newest best of the BMPs, with John McCullah, CPESC – Experienced designers and practitioners can pack out their erosion control toolboxes with this full-day course and learn to "begin your project and erosion control plan with the end in sight!" What is a "stabilized project" and how can you get your Notice of Termination in the shortest and most effective way? McCullah, host of "Dirt Time," provides the answer to this and more.
EC9201: Rainwater harvesting, with Bill Hunt, Ph.D., P.E., and Kathy DeBusk, EI – Learn how to design rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems from an instructor team that have combined to design, install, and/or monitor 40 systems across North Carolina since 2004. This full-day course will review basic system configurations, design options, construction techniques, and a frequently used RWH predictive computer model. Case studies and a special focus on overseas work bring practical, real-world examples into the classroom.
EC9202: Dust prevention plans for construction, with David Walker, CPESC, and Dwayne Stenlund, CPESC – This course is ideal for engineers, agronomists, landscape architects, biologists, geographers, rangeland managers, environmental policy makers and regulators, professionals, and practitioners who design, regulate, and install management practices and products for controlling wind borne dust. The knowledge gained from this course will help participants in their professional work by providing tools needed to design erosion control plans that are cost effective and can demonstrate regulatory compliance by using a science-based approach to risk assessment.
Half-day and one-hour technical sessions
The education program also includes half-day and one-hour presentations known as technical sessions. These sessions are comprised of innovative technical papers showcasing the latest research, inspiring case studies, thought-provoking forums, how-to workshops, and informative poster presentations. Engineers should not miss the following sessions:
Riprap channel grade control design methodologies in stream restoration – With a move toward more environmentally acceptable stream zone restoration, the use of rock riprap for stream channel gradient control is becoming more popular than ever before. Many often confuse methods for channel grade control design. See how physical hydraulic modeling was used to solve these mysteries and to provide confidence for long-term channel gradient control success to stream channel stabilization professionals.
Soil infiltration and mounding analysis for the investigation, design, and construction of infiltration stormwater BMPs – This half-day session will provide attendees with real-world examples of field tests used to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the soil as compared to an infiltration rate or other non-physical soil quality. The session will provide data sheets and examples of how to collect and process the data into usable results for the design and review of stormwater facilities. The second half of the session will cover the science and engineering of infiltration mounding design. Attendees will also receive spreadsheets to complete the analysis quickly and easily for review and preliminary design.
Cross drainage: A new approach to design and installation – For the construction of linear projects, the highest risk period for sedimentation and erosion impacts is at the very beginning of the project when major earthworks have commenced and not all sediment and erosion controls have been fully constructed. This was identified as one of the key risks on the Hume Highway Woomargama Bypass Project in Australia. Therefore, a process to identify and design key cross drainage infrastructure and then obtain client and regulatory approval for early construction for key cross drainage was implemented.
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Emerging paradigms in stormwater management: Onsite passive treatment approach that makes sense economically and environmentally – Industry experts will address how traditional stormwater management practices have become economically and environmentally inefficient. Via case studies and field data, the presenters will illustrate how innovative stormwater management technologies and design philosophies can positively impact both the environment and bottom line.
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Stormwater pollution prevention: Beyond dirt – While sediment is certainly the most obvious pollutant of concern from construction site activities, stormwater pollution prevention goes well "beyond the dirt." Even very small amounts of other chemicals, petroleum products, and wastes can pose a serious threat to the environment as well as the health and safety of the workers and the public. This workshop will explore the types of pollutants most commonly found on job sites, the types of BMPs used to protect against their discharge, and how this relates to stormwater discharge permits. The workshop will also discuss training employees and subcontractors on good housekeeping BMPs and the importance of documenting all activities related to non-sediment pollution prevention.
Polymer-enhanced soft armoring of construction slopes: From research to engineering – Polymer-enhanced soft armoring of construction slopes is an experimental erosion and sediment control system based on university research. This session will delve into that research and show the steps taken to use the system in a design project. Steps to expand research into design are presented.
Las Vegas Wash field tour
Planned for full completion by 2016, the once desolate, eroding, no-man's land of the Las Vegas Wash floodplain of a decade ago is now reaching full transformation into a desert oasis where re-established wetlands and riparian vegetation once again flourish. Multiple wildlife species have returned, and recreationists make the Las Vegas Wash a popular destination spot. Join IECA for a half-day tour of this remarkable project.
The expo
Save space in your scheduled to check out the EC12 expo hall! Get yourself up to speed on the latest products and services from 150 exhibitors. You'll also have the chance to win fabulous prizes with the expo hall prize drawings taking place throughout the show. Expo hall hours are Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Wednesday, Feb. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Special events and activities
While formal training will always be the cornerstone of Environmental Connection, IECA also works to provide attendees with numerous opportunities to meet and connect with other industry professionals. These events provide a relaxed environment ideal for making new business connections.
Get to know your fellow attendees outside the classroom by mingling at the Expo Hall Grand Opening or enjoying lunch with colleagues while checking out the HydRodeo.
EC12 Golf Tournament – You can swing where the Rat Pack played! On Monday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., spend some quality time with clients and friends at EC12 playing at the world-class Las Vegas Country Club. Golfers will enjoy a recently completed $5.4 million dollar course renovation. Cost is $150 per person or $600 for a foursome. Fee includes transportation to/from EC12, green and cart fees, pre-round range ball, box lunch, and post-tournament prizes for top foursomes and game winners.
HydRodeo Lunch – On Monday, Feb. 27, from noon to 2:00 p.m., everyone is invited to participate in the EC12 HydRodeo. Chapters will compete in a "rodeo" featuring events such as tying up wattles in the wattle doggin' race, passing the buck, and hydro-jousting. Come out to cheer your chapter while enjoying lunch, or participate to help your chapter win a trophy.
General session and awards – On Monday, Feb. 27, from 4:20 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Greg Schaner, attorney adviser, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Wastewater Management, will give EC12's keynote address. Schaner will be discussing changes and updates to the Effluent Limitations Guidelines and what they mean for IECA members.
Expo Grand Opening Celebration – On Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., enjoy appetizers and drinks in the expo hall as we celebrate the opening of the EC12 exhibition. Expo hall hours are Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Wednesday, Feb. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
IECA 40th Birthday Bash!
Join IECA on Wednesday, Feb. 29, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., for a party 40 years in the making! In honor of IECA's 40th birthday, we will be holding a birthday bash extravaganza complete with food, drinks, entertainment worthy of Las Vegas, and cash prizes. Here are three reasons to not miss IECA's 40th Birthday Bash:
- It's free for attendees! Tickets to the Birthday Bash are included with every full-conference registration – that's entry to the industry's can't-miss event of the year at no additional cost.
- Go out with a bang! The Birthday Bash will be the place to end your conference experience. Say farewell to new business contacts and old colleagues as you wrap your week up at the world's largest soil and water event.
- Did we mention cash prizes? IECA will be giving out $4,000 in cash! Even if the gaming tables weren't kind to you, you can still leave Las Vegas a winner. Twelve lucky attendees will be walking away with $250 in cash, and one attendee will win the top prize of $1,000. Those are some great odds!
EC12 venue: The entertainment capital of the world
All EC12 activities will be held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino Las Vegas. A great place to visit, the Rio is located near the Vegas Strip and has a free shuttle service. Attendees can enjoy a 120,000-square-foot casino, fabulous spa, and four pools. The Rio is also home to some of the best shows and dining for all palates. Last but not least, the Rio Las Vegas Hotel annually hosts the World Series of Poker main event. Book your hotel reservation today and experience all that Rio Las Vegas has to offer.
For more information on the Rio and transportation options from Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport, visit IECA's website at www.ieca.org/travel
Registration tips
Training courses for Environmental Connection sell out every year. For the best selection, register early.
An unlimited number of full-conference and expo hall passes are available. But don't wait to register onsite. Registration lines can be long, especially Monday and Tuesday. To save time, register using IECA's secure, online registration form. For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.ieca.org/engineering
