Friday, December 30, 2011

Do you have a plan for Storm Water Pollution Prevention?


PROTECTING our environment, especially streams and wetlands, is a responsibility that Commonwealth and our clients take seriously.  During the design development phase of our energy projects, Commonwealth’s environmental staff are working with the utility engineers, right-of-way personnel, and contractors to plan for soil erosion control and to minimize the impacts caused by construction, including off road access and installation of structures.

On developing land, erosion frequently presents in the form of gully erosion on land disturbed for a year or less.  Gully erosion, the result of concentrated flows of surface runoff, generates high sediment volumes requiring costly clean-up and the continual need for site stabilization during development.  A construction site typically erodes at a rate of 50 tons/acre/year.  This erosion rate is 5 times greater than cropland erosion, and 250 times greater than woodland erosion. These land changes are the source of much of the sediment that pollutes our streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

In 1972, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, PL 92-500 and Amendments, were passed.  Section 208 of PL 92-500 required that area-wide plans be prepared to control pollution from all sources, including urban-industrial areas.  The goal of PL 92-500 was to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waterways.”  In 1992, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated that states, that had been given the authority to administer provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. Section 466 et seq.) and issue National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, make provisions for the regulation of discharges of stormwater and dewatering waste waters from construction activities.

Commonwealth has been expanding our services in providing Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) for transmission line construction projects.  On route map drawings, we are incorporating access routes and storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) measures per U.S. EPA and State standards.  These plans include a narrative, location, and details of the controls.  For transmission projects, this includes: drainage patterns and final slopes (in most cases the existing and final will be the same); areas of soil disturbance; location and details of controls to be used on the site; best management practices (BMPs); and the method for stabilization of disturbed areas, both temporary and permanent.  BMPs include such things as: vegetative buffers, tracking surfaces, check dams, silt fence, temporary fords, treatment and release for dewatering, and site restoration and stabilization.  The intent of these drawings is to show how sediment will be kept out of the streams and wetlands; prevent any off-site accumulations, including tracking onto public roads; and restore the site once construction is complete. 


GENERAL


Soil erosion involves the wearing away of the surface of the land by the action of wind, water, ice, and gravity.  Once worn away, the detached soil particles are transported and ultimately deposited, resulting in sedimentation.  Geologic or "natural" erosion and sedimentation occur over long periods of geologic time, resulting in the wearing away of highlands and the building up of lowlands.  In general, natural erosion and sedimentation occur at a very slow rate.  Erosion and sedimentation become a problem when they are accelerated beyond natural rates.  Accelerated erosion is primarily the result of the influence of human activities on the environment.  Once exposed, unprotected soil is subject to rapid erosion by the action of wind, water, ice or gravity.  In many parts of the US, sediment produced by uncontrolled erosion is the greatest pollutant by volume impacting our lakes, streams, and wetlands.  Everyone in these areas is affected by erosion and off-site sedimentation.  Erosion and sedimentation result in: loss of fertile topsoil, filling of lakes and streams, increased flooding, damage to plant and animal life, and structural damage to buildings and roads.

One period of higher erosion potential exists during the spring thaw.  It is a time when the coastal storm track increases rainfall potential.  Additionally, because the ground is still partially frozen, the absorptive capacity is reduced.  While frozen soils are relatively erosion resistant, they melt from the top down, creating a soft erodible surface over a hard impervious sub-surface.  In northern climates, thawing of the soils often occurs in conjunction with the early spring rains combined with snow melt.  Additionally, soils with high moisture content are subject to frost heaving and can be very easily eroded upon thawing.  Wind and water are the main agents of soil erosion.  The amount of soil they can carry away is influenced by two related factors:

1.      Speed - the faster either moves, the more soil it can erode; and

2.    Cover - mulch, organic litter, plants, and hardscape protect the soil and, in their absence, wind and water can do much more damage.  Vegetative cover plays an important role in controlling erosion by protecting soil surface from the impact of falling rain, holding soil particles in place, enhancing the soil’s capacity to absorb water, slowing the velocity of runoff, removing subsurface water between rain falls through the process of evapo-transporation, and improving infiltration rates.

By limiting and/or staging the removal of existing vegetation, and by decreasing the area and duration of exposure, soil erosion and sedimentation can be significantly reduced.  Give special consideration to the maintenance of existing vegetative cover on areas of high erosion potential such as erodible soils, steep slopes, ditches, and the banks of streams.

The contribution of water pollutants from your property may be small; however, when hundreds of small inputs are added together or aimed at sensitive areas, the impact is significant.  There are a number of things that homeowners can do that are simple and, in the end, will be very cost effective:

1.      Become familiar with the natural drainage patterns of your property.  Try not to alter them.  Proper site design will help you avoid costly erosion control measures.

2.      Contact your town, county, or state offices to find out whether permits will be needed from them and, if so, secure any necessary permits and applications.

3.      Plan to preserve existing vegetation as much as possible.  Vegetation will naturally take up water, trap sediment, curb erosion, and improve the appearance and the value of your property.  Mark the trees and shrubs that you want to protect.  The root systems of grasses, shrubs, and trees help keep sloped surfaces in place.  Less erosion will occur on a vegetated hillside than on one without vegetation.  This is extremely important near water.  A vegetated buffer area can stabilize stream banks and be a last line of defense to absorb pollutants before they reach a river or lake.  An ideal buffer area is 25 to 50 feet of uncut grasses, shrubs and trees, but even a smaller strip can be beneficial.  Remember that heavy machinery must be kept well away from trees to avoid compacting their roots.

4.    For construction projects, discuss all aspects of the job with your contractor, including what erosion control measures will be used, such as installing silt fence on the down slope sides of exposed soil or around soil stock piles.  This is very important because there are laws concerning non-point source pollution and sediment is considered a non-point source pollutant.

5.      Locate soil piles away from any roads or waterways.

6.      Plan earth disturbing activities early in the year so that you can re-vegetate the site before the end of the growing season.  Grass and vegetation help curb erosion.  Plan to mulch disturbed sites if construction is delayed past the growing season.  This will protect bare soil during the winter and from spring runoff.

7.      Use temporary seed, such as an annual rye, to stabilize bare areas, including stockpiles, until removed or re-graded.  Mulch can also be used when temporary seeding is not feasible.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc!

y   i s s!  

H a p p y   H a n u k k a h!

  a!

Whatever you're celebrating, we wish you a delightful holiday!  We hope that, as you gather together with family and friends, you give and receive more joy than your hands and heart can hold.  To those traveling, we wish you safe travels.

We also want to let you know how very much we appreciate each one of our clients who allow us the privilege of working on your projects and becoming part of your circle of trust.  Our goal each day is to provide you with more reasons to Connect With Confidence.  It's not just a slogan to us.

If you want a chuckle, check out this bit about an engineer's take on Christmas: http://www.engineeringedu.com/Santa.html.  Who knows, perhaps it will save you time figuring it our for yourself...assuming you haven't already. ;)

Friday, December 16, 2011

Is your family at risk this Christmas?


You've seen the headlines...

Local family struggling to cope as fire destroys home.... 

It's devastating anytime, and especially at Christmas.  It doesn't have to happen.

We are proud to design ways to deliver power where it's needed most and we do so with safety in mind.  That's why, as we approach year's end with all its festivities and celebration, we want to take a brief minute to share some important reminders about holiday lighting that could save your life or the lives of those you love. 

Outdoor Lighting
  • Double check the lights for any frayed wires or cracks and be sure there is a light in each socket; damaged strands should be discarded.
  • If you decide to add more lights, don't use a ladder anywhere near overhead wires; be sure the ladder is securely placed on level ground. 
  • Lights should be approved by Underwriters Laboratory; "UL" will be clearly displayed on the tag.  And be sure the lights are approved for outdoor use.
  • Check to make sure tacks or nails were not hammered into the electrical cord during installation; most lights now have clips that can be used to attach to the house. 
  • Be sure heavy-duty, outdoor extension cords are being used.
  • If possible, outdoor lights and any inflatable decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters.
  • Use a timer, or turn off the lights before going to bed.
Indoor Lighting
  • Continue to check lights for frayed wires or any other damage, particularly if there is a pet in the household.
  • Don't overload extension cords; no more than three sets of standard lights should be used per cord.
  • For special ornaments that plug into a bulb receptacle, use no more than two such ornaments per strand, or check the manufacturer's directions.
  • Lights should not touch drapes, furniture or carpeting.
  • Do not leave lights on overnight.
  • If you have children in your home, use safety caps on all electrical outlets
Safety tips courtesy of FirstEnergy via PR Newswire.

Friday, December 2, 2011

On Location: Roanoke, Virginia

This month, for those considering employment with Commonwealth, or simply wishing to learning more about us, we are featuring a series of posts showcasing our various office locations.  We are pleased to continue this week by introducing you to our Roanoke, Virginia office in America's picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains.  We trust you will find it, as we do, to be a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

Nicknamed "The Star City," Roanoke, Virginia is considered the cultural and business hub of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  It is the fourth largest city in the state and is home to many cultural attractions.  Roanoke's bustling city center is filled with lovely historic buildings, amazing upscale restaurants and great shops.  It's easy to spend a whole day just exploring the blocks of this amazing area.  You may wish to stop by the historic City Market to see the produce and wares grown and created by local producers, especially as Roanoke is located within the designated “North Fork of Roanoke” winemaking region. 
Love the outdoors?  Try hiking, biking, walking nature trails, fishing, and paddling in the cool, clear waters.  You’ll find an abundance of natural choices in Roanoke with 69 parks, 5 greenways, Carvin’s Cove, the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, and Appalachian Trail.
The Roanoke Valley is conveniently located off of Interstate 81 and the Blue Ridge Parkway at the southern tip of the Shenandoah Valley.  Experience the railroad heritage, take in the arts and culture, shop, eat and enjoy the wealth of outdoor recreation in the heart of breathtaking mountains.  Surrounded by scenic beauty, the Roanoke region is a perfect place for Commonwealth employees to live and work. 

Soak in the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Experience Roanoke's exciting nightlife

Follow your rising star to "The Star City"

Shop, dine, and explore in downtown Roanoke

Pretty as a picture!

Children of all ages enjoy the Shenandoah Valley's rich railroad heritage

Just a few of the highlights:

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

On Location: Mount Vernon, Washington

This month, for those considering employment with Commonwealth, or simply wishing to learning more about us, we are featuring a series of posts showcasing our various office locations.  We are pleased to continue this week by introducing you to our Mount Vernon, Washington office in the rugged and majestic Pacific Northwest.  We trust you will find it, as we do, to be a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

"Spectacular!"  "Breathtaking!"  "Magnificent!" 

These are just a few of the words sure to come to mind when you visit our Mount Vernon location.

Nestled between the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound to the West and the Cascade Mountains with the scenic Cascade Loop drive to the East, Mount Vernon, Washington is the county seat of Skagit County. 

At just 60 miles from Seattle and 90 miles from Vancouver, it is an easy distance to virtually anything you might have in mind.  Skagit County features an abundance of action, adventure, relaxation, and culture, but you don't have to leave home to find recreation, entertainment, and family fun, because Mount Vernon has enjoyed a rating of #1 "Best Small City in America."

Historic Downtown Mount Vernon offers much in the way of boutique and antique shopping and fine dining, or you may wish to grab lunch at one of the great eateries and enjoy the day at Edgewater Park.  Perhaps you'd prefer to walk your dog along the miles of paved trails, take a whale-watching tour in the San Juans, kayak the Skagit River, or go eagle-watching in Concrete. 

In Mount Vernon, the sky's truly the limit.

Be surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery

Explore the limitless playground

Witness firsthand the majestic Bald Eagle in flight

Mount Vernon, a nature lover's paradise

Enjoy the gorgeous Tulip Festival

Tackle the slopes of Mt. Baker


Just a few of the highlights:

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A Special "Black Friday" Option


If you will be in the Jackson area and looking for something different to do on Friday, consider brunch at The Granary at Ella Sharp Museum:

BLACK FRIDAY BRUNCH*
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Hot New Orleans Style Beignets
Eggs Benedict - traditional or with salmon cakes
A Variety of Homemade Quiche to include:
Salmon with fresh dill and hollandaise,
Tomato Herb with Goat Cheese
Traditional Quiche Lorraine
Bananas Foster French Toast
Bagels and Homemade Gravlax
Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
Homemade Corned Beef Hash
Scandinavian Apple Puff Pancake (Pfannakuchen)
And our regular lunch menu too.

...and touring the W.A. Foote exhibit to learn more about Commonwealth’s roots.  There is a $5.00 admission fee for the galleries.

*The Granary does not take reservations for groups <6 people.

(With special thanks to Monica Collett for the great suggestion!)

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Monday, November 21, 2011

Commonwealth Pool Tourney Results


THANK YOU to the company and the participants who helped make Commonwealth's 4th Annual Pool Tournament a success!  

Trophies were awarded to our first and second-place finishers, and a very special "Horse’s Rear" trophy was awarded to the team in last place.

And now, for our award recipients...
  • In first place were the illustrious team of Dave "the Destroyer" Myers and John "Right Pocket" Raymond. 
  • Finishing second were "Magnificent" Mike Petty and Kevin "the Krusher" Stone. 
  • Receiving the non-coveted "Horse's Rear" trophy were Brett "Bruiser" Broxholm and Chase "Champ" Oxbourgh.
Brett "Bank Shot" Stockhill and "Sensational" Sam Cobb finished third.

Door prizes were awarded to everyone and a special thanks goes out to Sandy Fisher who stopped by to watch.

Thanks again to those who participated – we hope to do it again next year!
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Friday, November 18, 2011

"Vampire" update


Bela Lugosi as Dracula

For Halloween, we wrote about stand-by or "vampire" energy-consuming devices that cost American consumers an average of $10B annually.  You might be pleased to learn of this positive development on that front.

WASHINGTON, D.C. and LOUISVILLE, CO – The U.S. cable industry today announced a new initiative dedicated to improving the energy efficiency of consumer set-top boxes and other devices and developing advanced cable-enabled services designed to promote innovative consumer energy conservation measures. A key element of the initiative is the “CableLabs® – Energy Lab,” a new facility within the cable industry’s R&D consortium that will concentrate exclusively on improving energy efficiency, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and CableLabs® announced today.

The energy initiative will promote the development, testing, and deployment of technologies that will enable cable subscribers to reduce and manage energy consumption in the home, including establishing new requirements for both cable video devices and network support systems. Among other things, these specifications will enable the manufacturing of devices that have “sleep” capabilities to reduce power consumption when subscribers are not actively watching television. After successful field testing of set-top boxes with next generation power management semiconductors, cable operators will begin promoting the deployment of these devices as part of their ongoing efforts to provide functional, reliable and energy efficient services.

The resulting increased energy efficiency for new model set-top boxes will improve on the strides in recent years by cable operators to utilize devices with dramatically lower energy consumption than previous generations of equipment. In addition, cable operators providing service to approximately 85 percent of U.S. cable customers have committed to ensure that by the end of 2013 at least 90 percent of all new set-top boxes they purchase and deploy will be ENERGY STAR 3.0 devices....

Reed assumes new post at national engineering firm’s northwest regional office


MOUNT VERNON, WA – Commonwealth Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce that Paul W. Reed, P.E. has been promoted to the position of Transmission Section Manager in its northwest regional office in Mount Vernon, Washington.  “With 13 years’ experience serving the electric utility industry, Paul is an accomplished transmission engineer who brings tremendous insight and expertise to this role,” stated John White, Commonwealth Vice-President and Northwest Regional Manager. 
Reed is a registered professional civil engineer in the state of Washington and received his B.S. from the University of Washington.  Prior to joining Commonwealth in 2010, he was employed as a Transmission Engineer at HDR Engineering, Inc. and at Puget Sound Energy in Bellevue, Washington.  White continued, “Paul looks forward to using his collaborative leadership approach to expand his team and to assist clients in upgrading their transmission infrastructure.”  “The people at Commonwealth are a great team and it’s a real privilege to be able to serve in this new capacity,” commented Reed.
Commonwealth offers a complete package of engineering and consulting services for clients and is proud to be listed among the 2011 Top 40 Design Firms by EC&M Magazine and the 2011 Top 500 Design Firms by ENR.com.  The company maintains principal offices in Mount Vernon, Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; and Jackson, Michigan, along with satellites in Columbus and Dayton, Ohio and Roanoke, Virginia.

For more information, please visit: http://www.cai-engr.com/

# # #

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

On Location: Atlanta, Georgia

This month, for those considering employment with Commonwealth, or simply wishing to learn more about us, we will be featuring a series of posts showcasing our various office locations.  We are pleased to continue this series by introducing you to the great southern city of Atlanta, also affectionately known as "The Big Peach."  We trust you will find it, as we do, to be a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

Despite its humble beginnings as a settlement at the intersection of two railroad lines, Atlanta today is a major business city and the primary transportation hub of the entire Southeastern United States.  It contains the country's third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies and is also home to the many cultural institutions and exhibits.  As Georgia's Capitol and largest city, Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlantic metropolitan area.

Trendy, gracious, vibrant, and energetic, Atlanta is the ultimate blend of Southern hospitality and multicultural influence, lending to its reputation as one of the nation's leading international cities.  Additionally, to the delight of environmentalists, it is unique among all major American cities for its lush tree canopy, earning it the nickname, "City in a Forest."

Whether you are an avid sports fan, a student of urban architecture, or an outdoor enthusiast lured by the balmy climate into one of Atlanta's spectacular city parks, you are sure to find plenty of activities to meet your cultural and recreational needs here.

Atlanta Stadium
 
Centennial Olympic Park

Atlanta Aquarium

Atlanta Zoo
 
Just a few of the highlights:

 ·         Atlanta Botanical Garden
 ·         Georgia Aquarium
 ·         Fox Theater
 ·         Braves Museum & Hall of Fame
 ·         Georgia Dome
 ·         Centennial Olympic Park
 ·         Atlanta Motor Speedway  


Don't forget to visit us on Facebook for more great photos and information! 

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It's that time of year! Are you ready to bring some cheer?!

**NOW ACCEPTING NEW, UNWRAPPED TOYS**


Toys for Tots Began in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks, USCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children.  In the fall of 1947, Bill's wife, Diane, crafted a homemade doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization which would give it to a needy child at Christmas.  When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he should start one.  He did.  Marines have conducted successful nationwide campaigns each year since 1948.  Over the 62 years of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Marines have distributed more than 400 million toys and a powerful message of hope to more than 188 million needy children. 

Commonwealth Associates, Inc. is proud to assist in this worthy cause.  We invite you to participate with us by bringing your new, unwrapped toys for children up to age 12, to our office lobby in Jackson. 

Thank you for caring!  YOU make the difference!

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Friday, November 11, 2011

A note of thanks...


Today we recognize and applaud the brave men and women who selflessly serve and have served this country so courageously and honorably.  We owe you so much more than words can express. 

Please accept our most heartfelt "Thanks."
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

On Location: Jackson, Michigan

This month, for those considering employment with Commonwealth, or simply wishing to learning more about us, we will be featuring a series of posts showcasing our various office locations.  We are pleased to start by introducing you to the city we call "home" -- Jackson, Michigan, location for the headquarters of Commonwealth Associates, Inc.  We trust you will find it, as we do, to be a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

From its historic downtown, to the 600 acres of beautiful, open parkland that stretch across the city limits providing limitless outdoor recreational opportunities, Jackson easily earns its designation as one of Michigan’s “Cool Cities.”  Once known as the “Crossroads of Michigan” due to its location at the I-94/US 127 junction and its use as a major railway hub, Jackson has become a crossroads of innovation led by an eclectic group of entrepreneurs and artists. 

The area features numerous festivals and celebrations and cultural activities abound.  Attend the symphony, catch a Broadway show, or stop by the Shakespeare Festival.  History buffs may wish to explore Jackson’s captivating history with a visit to the birthplace of the Republican Party “Under the Oaks,” or soak in her rich heritage with tours of Underground Railroad and Civil War sites.  Wine lovers can spend the day at their favorite local winery and race fans can try their hand at a lap around the famed Michigan International Speedway.  Love the water?  You’ll find plenty of it to play in here, so grab your gear and set off on an adventure.

In the “Rose City,” there’s something for everyone…making it the perfect place to call home.

Cascade Falls, Cascades Park

Destination: Downtown - an art lover's paradise

Jackson's Civil War Muster

Just a few of the highlights:

Don't forget to visit us on Facebook for more great photos and information!