In 2016, several laws that concern the environment have come into effect in California. Do you know which ones may impact you? Air Quality The state Air Resources Board will gain two members—by legislative appointment—who will represent communities suffering from air pollution. Drought Cities and counties are no longer able to ban residents from removing
The potentially strong El Niño and exceptional rain this winter requires project owners pay special attention to Construction General Permit (CGP) and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) regulations to ensure construction site compliance and avoid project delays and violations. Paul Walsh, a Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) with Dudek, said “The most effective SWPPP designs utilize
Combining the drought and evidence of a “Godzilla” El Niño event likely this winter, stormwater is increasingly valued as an asset worth integrating into California’s overall water management strategy. Re-thinking how to leverage stormwater resources opens up opportunities for repurposing infrastructure designed and built to dispose of flood waters. More than one in five Californians—7
While installing the conveyance pipeline for the Poseidon Carlsbad desalination plant, crews lowered a crane for maintenance and were surprised to find a nest containing five bird eggs. The contractor, Kiewit Shea Desalination (KSD), immediately halted work. Dudek biologists—serving as environmental monitors for the project—identified the nest as belonging to Cassin’s Kingbird, a native species
Students in the Encinitas Union School District (EUSD) are developing and writing campus Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) as part of a year-long program. Support and enhanced education is provided by the cities of Encinitas and Carlsbad, Encina Wastewater Authority, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, and Dudek. Students Become SWPPP Interns Last year, EUSD hired Bill
Water agencies seeking funding for California groundwater projects, including recharge and banking projects can be encouraged by the history of the SMARTWater program’s past awards supporting California groundwater projects. Funded projects included: Recharge and banking differ only by whose water is being recharged. Recharge is generally any surface water supply stored as groundwater for later
The project taps a new water source, reduces urban run-off, improves water quality, and converts an irrigation system from potable to recycled water. In a collaborative effort with the County of Orange and the City of Laguna Beach, South Coast Water District is constructing an innovative water harvesting and treatment facility that will have multiple
Pre-selection, pre-approval, and pre-purchase of equipment and materials are three procurement methods that, when used correctly, can shorten construction schedules, control costs, ensure quality, and reduce the risks of conflicts and claims during construction. Each approach needs to be carefully administered within specific exceptions to California’s Public Contract Code governing competitive bidding practices for public
Construction of the Western Hemisphere’s largest seawater desal facility is expected to start in early 2013 after the San Diego County Water Authority approved the purchase of water produced by the plant. The purchase agreement cleared the way for the sale of bonds to finance the fully permitted project. The plant will produce enough water
Three small California wastewater districts have streamlined workflow using Dudek’s new online GIS Viewer that provides web-based access to the district’s GIS files. “We can now view, query and manage our infrastructure information far more efficiently,” said Chuck Duffy, who serves as general manager for the Rancho Santa Fe, Whispering Palms and Fairbanks Ranch community
