Tuesday, February 27, 2007

MIDMISEG MEETING MINUTES Feb. 22, 2007

Open meeting:
Introductions of attendees

Associations:

Do we want to work with the IECA or SWCS?

CPESCS:
Does everyone understand the importance? Should we work to educate others? Should we try to entice others to receive this designation? Will it promote a better understanding of soil and sediment loss?

Views from participants:
Networking
Consistency between designers, regulators, contractors, suppliers
Better understanding of expectations of erosion and NPDES Phase 2
Better understanding of the effect of erosion-POLUTION
Team approach to problem solving
Product knowledge
Product installation
Product application
New products
Product reviews
Project reviews

Bylaws
It appeared most wanted to wait to formally set up a committee. A temporary board will be set up. The following individuals volunteered for the board; Kevin Kalmbach (Eaton County Drain), Joe LaGrow (Price and Company), Dave Fisher (Wolverine Engineering).
This committee will review suggestions from the meeting and set up topics for discussion.

Board meetings will be held bi-monthly or as needed. Group meetings will be held quarterly.


Plan Making Workshop
Concerns were voiced in regards to needing to know exactly what the CEA wants to have submitted on the plan. Ingham County is putting together a presentation for later this year for their area. Shiawassee County Health Department is planning a “get to know you” presentation for this Spring. The Shiawassee HD just became the CEA for their county.
It was agreed that the 4 CEA’s represented would discuss the possibilities of a larger plan creation workshop.

Summer Field Day
A lot of questions and discussions were brought up. The board will review both an on site field day and photo work shop. The field day would be open to the public and require more work from this group. It would have a greater impact within the community. A photo workshop/power point would probably be limited to the space of the facility, speakers and topics.

Future topics of discussion
BMP work shop
Plan review workshop between designers and regulators
Stomwater operator expectations, log reports, consistency, and accuracy
Product review, installation workshop

Future Participants
This group is open to any individually willing to attend and provide good constructive opinions in a professional manner. The first group was hand selected to move the group forward in a positive and open minded fashion. It was not set up to specifically exclude any person or company. All opinions need to be reviewed whether some like the content or not. These discussions make us aware of others needs and/or expectations.

Feel free to invite anyone at your discretion. Permission from the group or board is not required for participation.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Soil Erosion Plans

My goal is always to be in a position to enable builders and developers to responsibly develop their land. Since our forefathers failed to care about the environment and just looked at the land as a commodity, we now must pay the price of government regulation.

So far its not that bad. The developer (or their engineer) chooses how the development progresses and determines the products used. There is only about 13 things listed in Part 91 that must be on the plan. The real design is up the engineer.

As an Engineer, I realize the need to utilize standard drawings and cookie cutter plans. But that doesn't cut it for soil erosion. At the least, you must consider the soil type and slope.

The plan should show pre-existing conditions, final conditions and detailed instructions on how to go from one to the other. Typical items missing from plans I see are products used and construction details. How do you bid a project if you don't know which Geotextile fabric they want? How about all thoes plans I see with silt fence details showing wire backing?

Heres my suggestion. First, design the site. Its probably already layed out when you get it. Design the roads and balance the dirt. Do all the standard CE work.

Second, go through the list of things in Part 91 and put them on the plan. This includes soil descriptions. Are they erodible? Which way does the land slope? Where is the nearest water? Where are the existing catchbasins?

Third, think about the site. Protect everything identified in the above step. Silt fence does not stop erosion and therefore does not protect the land. If you don't know how to stop erosion, either learn or hire an individual who does. I am sorry if I sound harsh, but if you cant do it learn how. Plan review takes much longer if the enforcing agent needs to train the designer in the process.

Fourth, instruct your draftsman (or do it yourself) to place standard details for ALL the items listed in your "keying system". Then, you must update them to reflect specific item selections. You are the engineer, use your knowledge to make educated decisions.

If you follow this process you will be able to intelegently argue the basis of design for your project instead of arguing about the "requirements" for part 91.

Finaly, visit the site while it is being built to see what your plan was lacking. We can always do better.

Mid-Michigan Soil Erosion Group

Welcome to the Mid-Michigan Soil Erosion Group. We are dedicated to the advancement soil erosion and sedimentation control (SESC). If you are in Mid-Michigan and interested in Soil Erosion, please contact us. You can always leave a message for Kevin Kalmbach at (517) 543-3886.