Works Telephone Seminars

Drafting The Flawless Easement BenefitsThe increase in litigation over the location, priority and scope of easements is due in part to the lack of thought, time and effort during the drafting and preparation of easement documents. In some cases future problems and uses cannot be anticipated. However, most conflicts and other problems can be prevented by anticipating the necessary scope of the easement and giving attention to  more...

Current Issues in Wetland Delineation BenefitsMany project proponents lack the familiarity with Clean Water Act Section 404 regulations and wetland resources needed to develop comprehensive permit applications and build sufficient time for regulatory compliance into project schedules. Similarly many project opponents who grasp the regulatory process are adept at identifying inconsistencies in the implementation of the delineation  more...

What You Need to Know About Section 404 Permits ...will help you understand how the federal wetlands program works, introducing you to the field or filling in the gaps if you are already working in the industry. Learning Objectives: - You will be able to discuss how jurisdiction is determined. - You will be able to identify what goes in the application and why. - You will be able to describe what is involved in evaluating the permit  more...

What's that Smell? Sewer System Overflow Prevention and Management BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide a systematic overview of the technical, management and regulatory issues regarding collection system overflows, both dry weather and wet weather as well as both combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and separate sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Information will be provided to help you understand and analyze overflow problems and provide guidance in  more...

What's that Smell? Sewer System Overflow Prevention and Management BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide a systematic overview of the technical, management and regulatory issues regarding collection system overflows, both dry weather and wet weather as well as both combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and separate sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Information will be provided to help you understand and analyze overflow problems and provide guidance in  more...

Prevailing Wage Law: An Understanding of Davis-Bacon ...sed enforcement by the federal government. Federal public works contractors often do not understand the requirements for complying with the Davis-Bacon Act when bidding on and performing federal public works contracts and the consequences of noncompliance. This live audio conference will provide you with the information you need to understand the specific requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act,  more...

Form 706: Estate Tax Return Fundamentals BenefitsAmericans have been able to accumulate wealth. It is estimated more than $10 trillion in wealth will be transferred over the next 15 years. If a person has been fortunate to amass significant wealth, the government imposes a tax when the person transfers their wealth at death. In 2011, if a person's gross estate plus adjusted taxable gifts equaled or exceeded $5 million in value, Form 706  more...

Water Audits and Nonrevenue Water Reduction Methodologies BenefitsThere are many recent issues affecting the importance of uniform, accurate and effective water utility auditing. The largest urban growth areas of the United States are in the southwestern portion of the country, including Phoenix, Las Vegas and southern California. Water resources available to the areas are fully allocated and becoming more expensive to obtain and deliver. In addition,  more...

XBRL in Transition:From Requiring XBRL to Leveraging XBRL to Improve Data Collection, Analysis, and Business Reporting ... XBRL technology from the SEC mandate, why XBRL, how XBRL works, potential problems, issues and how to overcome them to why the market will leverage XBRL as a global, open architecture reporting framework for improved business reporting and analysis. Learn what XBRL means, why public companies have adopted it and why those companies (and the US Government) will foster the adoption of XBRL  more...

NEPA: Understanding the Basics BenefitsSince 1970, the National Environmental Policy Act has been the cornerstone for environmental protection in the United States. To implement NEPA, federal agencies must prepare environmental impact statements or environmental assessments to study the impacts of their proposed actions. Unfortunately, some federal agencies, their consultants and affected citizens do not fully understand the  more...

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP): Developing a SWPPP and the New EPA Storm Water Rules BenefitsCities, states and the EPA are placing new emphasis on storm water discharges from industrial facilities, construction sites and municipalities. They are conducting storm water pollution prevention plan inspections at industrial facilities and construction sites. Some of these inspections have resulted in storm water violations with fines. Nationwide, storm water is a leading source of  more...

Potholes: Causes, Maintenance and Pitfalls BenefitsRoads are built to provide a safe and comfortable ride for road users. To fill this function, a pavement surface must be smooth, thus free of breaches such as potholes. Potholes are circular holes in asphalt pavement extending through an entire pavement layer. In certain conditions, they develop in a matter of hours. If potholes are not fixed immediately after they appear, a safety risk  more...

Rain Water Harvesting BenefitsThis live audio conference will assist owners, developers, utility officials, engineers, architects, sustainability experts, data center managers, environmental scientists, facility mangers, property managers, water utility officials and consultants in understanding the important factors in considering, planning, assessing and implementing rainwater harvesting projects. You will  more...

Wetlands Challenges and Use of Mitigation Bank Credits BenefitsWetlands have presented a liability and construction timing risk to companies, real estate developers, oil and gas companies and other parties constructing buildings, roads, pipelines, oil and gas exploration and production activities, among many others. Failure to understand and manage these issues had resulted in fines, litigation, and extensive delays in construction. Planning ahead,  more...

Understanding Your Summary Plan Descriptions ...n regarding the plan, such as information on how the plan works, eligibility requirements, what benefits the plan provides and how those benefits may be obtained. The summary of material modification describes changes made to the plan and changes in the information in the SPD. This live audio conference will help you understand what a summary plan description is, what ERISA requires to be  more...

Federal Cases From Pleading to Judgment for Paralegals BenefitsThe litigation process, from the beginning of a dispute, through pleading and discovery, to the culmination of a final judgment, is a long and complex process. The most seasoned paralegals and attorneys must juggle deadlines, control the pace of their case, meet the expectations of clients and anticipate their opponents' next move. In this high-stakes chess game, paralegals and attorneys  more...

Making Shared Services Work BenefitsLocal governments across the country are looking for more efficient ways to deliver services in these lean times. In addition to internal budget and efficiency initiatives, many governments are looking to partner with other governments or the private sector in an effort to reduce costs while maintaining service quality. These approaches include contracting, privatization, functional  more...

Structuring and Drafting Conservation Easements ...lexities of crafting a form of conservation easement that works. Pitfalls that are currently being encountered in the field, including valuation issues and tax matters will be addressed. The audio conference also explains the ways in which a conservation easement can be challenged and by whom. This live audio conference is designed for attorneys, accountants, CPAs, business owners and  more...

Turbidity Control and Testing on Construction Sites BenefitsThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has prepared a draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit which will replace the 2008 Construction General Permit. The public notice period expired July 11, 2011. The 2008 Construction General Permit will expire February 15, 2012. Turbidity (cloudiness or haziness of a fluid) is an important parameter  more...

Current Issues in Billboard Leases BenefitsBillboards are an interesting and limited aspect of real property law. They are generally despised by environmentalists and conservationists. They offer nothing to the aesthetic value of our highways. They are often heavily regulated and limited by the various levels of government with jurisdiction over the motor vehicle right-of-ways. They are also a valuable source of revenue to property  more...

Using Travel Policy to Control Costs BenefitsIn the old days, professionals assumed that travel expenses had little impact on their firm's bottom line. Clearly, those days are long gone. Attendees of this program will gain a high level of understanding about the best practices in travel management, so they can manage the balance between the competing strategic goals of service, savings and safety. Because a well-structured travel  more...

Drafting a Green Ordinance: Case Study ...s to follow and little operating experience to judge what works and what will not. There is an obvious need for real world, practical, and proven approaches to reaching achievable and sustainable local controls. This live audio conference will equip local planners and elected and appointed officials with the necessary tools to conceptualize, draft, enact, and self-critique a green land use  more...

Bikeway Design Principles, Planning, and Best Practices ...ian mode of transportation. By expanding their bikeway networks, cities throughout the US have increased bicycle ridership and broadened the transportation options available in their community. However, significant barriers to bicycling keep many could-be riders off of their bikes. Additionally, limited transportation funding hinders the implementation of new bikeways. You will learn the  more...

How to Design Parking Lots That Work BenefitsThis live audio conference will be of great benefit to architects, engineers, developers and contractors. You will learn how to acquire a potential property, how to design and maintain surface parking lots. We will not only devote time to surface features, such as pavements, drainage and striping, but will also discuss the importance of paying attention to soil preparation and pavement  more...

Planning for Renewable Incentives in 2011 and Beyond BenefitsThe grant in lieu of tax credits under section 1603 of the ARRA has been both a lifesaver and a game changer. However, section 1603 is likely to disappear after 2011 unless construction has begun on a project before then. This live audio conference will focus first on what is required to 'begin construction' under section 1603, and will feature Victoria McDowell of the Treasury Department.  more...

Pervious Pavement Alternatives BenefitsPorous pavements are becoming one of the most important tools for meeting nonpoint source pollution goals, building low-impact developments and rehabilitating cities in a sustainable manner. However designers, developers and municipal officials are reluctant to use porous pavements until numerous questions about their practicality and feasibility are answered. This audio conference conveys  more...

Construction Lien and Bond Claims in Texas BenefitsAnalyzing construction payment disputes in Texas can be a complex process. Learn strategies for tackling lien and bond issues for private and public projects. Owners will learn how to protect property from unperfected liens - and what steps to take if they do arise. Contractors, subcontractors and suppliers will learn how to efficiently collect payment for work performed or materials  more...

The Essentials of Wastewater Grit Removal BenefitsWastewater treatment plant personnel and consulting engineers have a common desire, select a grit removal system to remove as much grit as possible from their operations. A properly designed and operated grit removal system prevents grit build up in unit processes, scouring and plugging in lines, and fouling of diffusers and membranes, all while preserving the intended service life of the  more...

Structuring Renewable Energy Projects in Challenging Conditions BenefitsThis in-depth course will provide you with the practical tools and analytic techniques to see your project successfully -- and profitably -- financed. Instruction will be example-driven using structures and project documentation derived from renewable projects. You will briefly review the key concepts of project finance, analyze how risk allocation determines the structure of most project  more...

LEED Credits That Don't Break the Bank! BenefitsLEED project teams often fail to harvest the incentives and rebates that are commonly available to high-performing buildings. Furthermore, teams rarely plan ahead and build the incentive opportunities into their design and construction strategies to ensure that all available dollars are captured. This results in projects going over budget, designers having to choose sub-par systems as a  more...

Anatomy of a Natural Resources Damage Claim BenefitsNatural resources damage claims are an integral part of the environmental clean up and restoration process. Federal, state and tribal natural resource trustees have stepped-up their activities with respect to the natural resources damage assessments process and in their efforts to recover for alleged damages. Trustees are forging forward with assessment activities, involving themselves in  more...

Purchasing Contract Remedies ...ed something NOW: the steel for the bridge, software that works, copiers that do not expire in a cloud of smoke after a mere 1000 copies, smart phones that do not create new security exposures. While these deliverables are different from one another, there are certain principles common to the acquisition of each. Carefully applied, these do much to prevent contract difficulties from becoming  more...

Essentials of Florida Garnishment Laws BenefitsWhen the process server hands you garnishment papers about someone working for you, what do you do? Hire an attorney? Respond on your own? Throw it away? The garnishment writ is a directive from the court to withhold salary or wages from someone working for you (and not just an employee). This audio conference will explain the nuts and bolts of Florida's garnishment laws, from how a  more...

EPA Requirements for Underground Storage Tanks: Recent Changes and Cleaning Up Contamination BenefitsMany developers, businesses and individuals encounter the opportunity to purchase land that has been previously contaminated by underground storage tanks. Many of these prospective purchasers are not aware of or do not understand the responsibilities and liabilities that can be associated with such a purchase. Even worse, most businesses and individuals underestimate the amount of time and  more...

Roadway Rights of Way: Understanding the Legal and Practical Issues BenefitsThis teleconference will provide comprehensive and useful information about rights of way, easements and issues related to their creation, use and liability. If you are a land surveyor responsible for determining property boundaries, an engineer involved in highway and roadway design, a governmental official affected by route location and selection, or an attorney involved in real estate  more...

Public/Private Partnerships: Major Infrastructure and Other Development Projects ...ference will assist you in understanding how the P3 model works and provide you with tools for evaluating the viability of a proposed P3. Learning Objectives - You will be able to identify required and recommended documentation. - You will be able to discuss structures for public/private partnerships. - You will be able to recognize why public/private partnership. - You will be able to explain  more...

California Water Law Update: Rights, Transfers and Supply Assessments BenefitsAs California surface waters become more and more burdened, the utilization and management of groundwater within the state has increased dramatically. Groundwater management is a key, if not the key, to the provision of potable water in the 21st Century. This teleconference will discuss California groundwater basics, its allocation and its future in providing water to many within  more...

Land Development Right Transfer Issues and Complexities ...velopment goals of a community's land use plans. When TDR works, property owners are compensated for voluntarily conserving their land and developers are able to achieve more profitable levels of development despite contributing to off-site preservation. As a market driven tool that requires coordination of various stakeholders, TDR can seem intimidating. This teleconference will give you  more...

Implementing An Indoor Air Quality/Construction Hygiene Plan BenefitsIn the past, organizations developed management plans to help reduce damage to building materials during construction. Following the appearance of mold and water intrusion as a significant threat to construction projects, construction hygiene plans began to emerge in the early 2000s. Today, sustainability plays a key role in most new construction and large-scale renovations projects. To  more...

Current Issues in Cell Tower Leases BenefitsThe wireless industry has built more than 250,000 cell sites in the United States in the past 20 years. But many more cell sites are needed as iPhones, iPads and the like strain existing network capacity with data, email, computer and video applications, as well as to fill gaps in coverage. New cell sites and significant modifications to existing cell sites will also be needed due to the  more...

Groundwater Control and Dewatering Methods BenefitsThe handling of groundwater is among the most complex of all construction problems. Controlling groundwater at construction excavations can be a critical matter when groundwater halts construction jobs or threatens bankruptcy of the project. Groundwater management falls into two major categories, either handling the groundwater before it enters the excavation or handling it after it enters  more...

Implications of the Michigan Budget Shortfall ...ent. Most people do not understand how Michigan's economy works and how it relates to the State Budget process. This teleconference will help shed some light on what economic factors go into the development of the state budget and the impact the current recession and budget shortfall is having on the citizens of Michigan. The teleconference will also examine some possible solutions and the  more...

Perpetual Pavement Design and Sustainability BenefitsEnvironmental sustainability in road construction is becoming increasingly important as the public demands more sustainable practices and economic considerations make sustainable solutions more attractive. Asphalt pavements are widely recognized as being sustainable because they can be recycled easily and effectively, but an even more sustainable practice is to ensure the long life of a  more...

How to Save Millions in Claims Through Ergonomics and Injury Prevention ...ting is essential in an effective ergonomics process that works to prevent the onset of injuries leading to workers' compensation claims and rising costs. The teleconference also explains the benefits of using an ergonomics process to prevent injuries and the multiple strategies available to launch your ergonomics process to effectively drive down claims and costs. From engaging upper  more...

Sustainable Design and LEED Specification Requirements ...eeting LEED criteria. We will also examine materials frameworks and certification standards. Learn about these tools and identify truly sustainable products from those that are merely marketed as green products. Learning Objectives - You will be able to discuss CSI Division 1. - You will be able to explain environmental considerations. - You will be able to identify and evaluate green  more...

Illinois Accessibility Codes BenefitsIn order to address the needs of constituents with disabilities throughout the state, Illinois developed their own accessibility code. This is required to be enforced by all municipalities. While there are a number of applicable accessibility codes that may need to be addressed, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the International  more...

New Jersey s Rehabilitation Subcode BenefitsNew Jersey's Rehabilitation Subcode helps bridge the gap between modern day building codes and what can be done practically. The state of New Jersey will enforce different standards with little regard for grandfathering while also allowing older historical construction the ability to have some flexibility to allow realistic construction limitation to be accommodated. This teleconference  more...

Understanding, Preventing and Addressing Well Performance Issues BenefitsThe demand for reliable clean water continues to grow across the country and one of the most common sources is ground water. The most important component in a ground water based supply system is the wells used to extract water from underground aquifers. Maintaining the long-term performance of wells requires an understanding of the factors that effect well performance. Problems with well  more...

Developing Storm Water Utilities and Impact Fee Programs BenefitsLocal governments are facing growing challenges to manage storm water runoff due to aging infrastructure, ever-increasing capital needs and unfunded federal mandates to manage water quality. Storm water programs that are supported primarily by the general fund must compete annually with other programs and funding is often unreliable and insufficient. Due to the recent recession, tax  more...

EPA's Rules on Compensatory Mitigation for Impact on Wetlands, Streams and Other Waters BenefitsIn 2008, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers adopted new rules that dramatically changed its approach to mitigation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates fill in wetlands and other waters of the United States. The new rules adopt a mitigation hierarchy that moves away from the prior preference for on-site, in-kind mitigation in favor of mitigation banks and watershed-based  more...

Introduction to California Subdivision Law ... subdivision process. Learn how the subdivision process works with other land use and permitting processes. Discover the differences between tentative maps, parcel maps, final maps and certificates of compliance. Make sure you are up to date on the latest rules governing exactions, vesting, CEQA compliance and map expiration. Hear how new rules governing water use and climate change can  more...

Low-Impact Development Maintenance and Upkeep Techniques BenefitsThroughout the country new storm water regulations are requiring the control of runoff peak flow rates, runoff volume and water quality. To meet these requirements, engineers and planners are implementing low impact development concepts into their site development plans. This results in the use of many complex storm water BMPs such as bioinfiltration systems, infiltration basins,  more...

Easement Valuations: Common Pitfalls and Principles BenefitsMany state and local governments are acquiring a variety of preservation easements for a broad variety of reasons and it is important that property owners understand the proper method of valuing these easements to insure they are receiving just compensation. Further, condemnors are increasingly recharacterizing temporary construction easements as noneasements to avoid paying compensation.  more...

New Developments in Greywater Irrigation Systems BenefitsDue to drought, climate change, groundwater over-drafting and sheer population increase, pressure is on developers and builders to conserve water in new developments. The focus for such conservation is on the landscape, which currently uses about half of all urban water. This teleconference will teach you what greywater really is, all the environmental and financial benefits of reusing it,  more...

Current Issues in CEQA BenefitsWhile others chose to fight over the reality of climate change, those of us who work on new development or projects in California only have time to fight to keep up with the enormous changes in California law and jurisprudence concerning climate change. This teleconference will provide an update on the proposed changes to the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines for mitigation  more...

Leasing Public Infrastructure BenefitsFinancing of public infrastructure assets has been popular in Europe and Latin America but is a relatively new phenomenon in the United States. During the first part of this decade, the financing of public infrastructure through public/private partnership concession and lease agreements became increasingly popular. Although these transactions have slowed during the recent financial crisis,  more...

Accounting for Off-Balance Sheet Items Update ...conference will of be of interest to anyone who reads and works with financial statements, individuals who work with securitizations or in the financing business, and those who want to better understand the concepts and principles behind the new off-balance sheet model. Accountants, tax managers, CFOs, controllers, business owners and managers, presidents, vice presidents, CEOs, financial  more...

New Developments in Greywater Irrigation Systems BenefitsDue to drought, climate change, groundwater over-drafting and sheer population increase, pressure is on developers and builders to conserve water in new developments. The focus for such conservation is on the landscape, which currently uses about half of all urban water. This teleconference will teach you what greywater really is, all the environmental and financial benefits of reusing it,  more...

Easement Valuations: Common Pitfalls and Principles BenefitsMany state and local governments are acquiring a variety of preservation easements for a broad variety of reasons and it is important that property owners understand the proper method of valuing these easements to insure they are receiving just compensation. Further, condemnors are increasingly recharacterizing temporary construction easements as noneasements to avoid paying compensation.  more...

Pervious Concrete - The Pavement That Drinks! BenefitsPervious concrete is an innovative building material with many environmental, economic and structural advantages. The proper use of pervious concrete is a recognized best management practice by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for providing first-flush pollution control and storm water management. Property owners and developers can also reduce fees and enhance the bottom line by  more...

CERCLA Liability Update BenefitsConventional wisdom (and EPA policy) has provided that any person shipping hazardous materials to a disposal facility will end up being jointly and severally liable, with all other entities shipping materials to the facility, for any costs of cleaning up contamination at the facility. Likewise, conventional wisdom and EPA policy have informed up that manufacturers or producers who deal  more...

Emerging Trends in Infrastructure Finance - The Stimulus and Beyond BenefitsOur nation's competitiveness has long relied on an efficient, effective and affordable infrastructure network. Over time, both private and public sector investors have played roles in developing our infrastructure. Unfortunately, as the era of government-led and government-financed infrastructure comes to an end because of diminishing resources, alternatives must be explored. Governments  more...

Design Tips for Rain Gardens: Storm Water and Runoff Control BenefitsRain gardens have been used to beautify landscapes while improving runoff quality since their inception in Prince George's County, Maryland, in the early 1990's. Research has shown that their cousin, bioretention, does a very good job of reducing pollutant loads, reducing runoff volumes and increasing infiltration, spurring regulators to look favorably on these practices. What these  more...

Asphalt vs. Concrete: Selection and Design Considerations BenefitsToday, asphalt and concrete receive equal consideration by engineers. Improvements in pavement technology have largely eliminated the ruts that once plagued asphalt and cracks that spoiled concrete. Choosing a material is a matter of economics that considers life span, maintenance requirements, and road closure time. Learn the pros and cons of choosing each material; design considerations  more...

Understanding LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance ...erations Maintenance LEED rating and certification system works. There are millions of existing buildings and numerous opportunities exist to reduce their energy waste, save money, improve health and productivity, and exploit new technologies that have recently become available to help the environment. Learning Objectives - You will be able to explain the U.S. Green Building Council LEED  more...

Current Issues in Digital Billboards and Sign Regulations BenefitsLocal governments, elected officials, municipal lawyers, zoning and building officials, and professional planners face increasing litigation threats due to the proliferation of digital signs. One national expert has predicted a wave of litigation at localities across the country that is trying to maintain attractive communities and prevent visual blight. What is the role of the Federal  more...

Access Management Design and Development BenefitsAccess management is a critical element of every private and public roadway or site development project. As a transportation engineer and/or planner, understanding the basics of access design and access development is crucial in delivering a successful project to your client. Driveway access to a site can have positive or negative consequences on the amount of potential business a retail  more...

Corrosion Control for Water System Piping & Storage Tanks BenefitsCorrosion is a process that attacks buried metallic water distribution and transmission piping often resulting in unexplained water loss, service disruptions, and increased maintenance and operating costs. A recent study indicated the annual cost of corrosion of water systems in the United States alone exceeds $22 billion and is expected to grow. The goal of this teleconference is to  more...

Automated Meter Reading and Advanced Metering Infrastructure: A Guide for Municipal Water and Energy Utilities BenefitsCan you make a sound business case for AMR/AMI? What does it take to have a successful advanced metering system project? Advanced metering systems are evolving to meet municipal needs for efficient customer service, infrastructure management and conservation. But, acquiring and successfully integrating automatic meter reading/advanced metering infrastructure presents unique challenges to  more...

Valuation and Reporting of Gifts and Service Donations ...ns of noncash items, such as pledges, stock, services and works of art. We will also discuss the impact of fair value measurements on recording contributions and how to implement the new fair value measurements from an organizational perspective. This workshop is critical for those who are responsible for overseeing the financial operations of any not-for-profit organization. Accountants,  more...

FEMA's Critical Flood Plain Regulation ...rs who represent them - do not understand how the program works or how to challenge inaccurate mapping or floodplain management decisions that have a major financial and community impact. These impacts include restrictions on development, mandatory flood insurance, higher insurance premiums, and disqualification from disaster assistance. This teleconference will explain how the different parts  more...

Clean Air Act Update BenefitsU.S. businesses are facing unprecedented uncertainty as to future requirements under the Clean Air Act and an array of new programs addressing stationary and mobile emission sources. The Obama Administration and Congress are poised to usher in a new era of greenhouse gas and energy regulation. At the same time, the Obama EPA is confronting a bewildering array of court-ordered regulatory  more...

Obtaining a Portion of the Stimulus Grant Funding BenefitsThis past year the federal government has provided a significant economic stimulus program that has been primarily implemented through grant funding. The Recovery Act (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 signed by President Obama on February 16, 2009) is the economic stimulus package of $787 billion. Because of the national scope of the economic situation, stimulus money has  more...

Practical Transportation Design and Solutions: Concepts and Implementation BenefitsDue to the increasing age of our nation's transportation infrastructure, in conjunction with the increasing demand for travel, the need for ongoing road preservation, safety and mobility projects has continually increased. However, the long term availability of funds for such improvements continues to diminish. Typical planning and design approaches may prioritize projects at the planning  more...

Developing a Community Nonemergency Response System BenefitsCitizens are demanding fast, easy access to government services in an efficient manner that optimizes their investment. Municipal executives are consistently seeking government solutions to improve service without increasing budgets. Elected officials know the quality of services can mean the difference between re-election and defeat. This teleconference will provide municipal leaders the  more...

Principles Of Erosion And Sediment Control BenefitsThis teleconference will provide you an overview of the soil erosion processes and control. Specific attention will be paid to basic processes and on how to use an understanding of those basics to analyze control structures, practices and procedures, especially for new applications and failed installations. Emphasis will be placed on water erosion, but will also cover other topics from the  more...

Determining the Best Service Delivery Options for Public Works and Utility Projects: In-House or Contract? ...s approach with examples to help you determine how public works services should be structured and delivered to gain the greatest financial and operational benefits for your community. Learning Objectives - You will be able to discuss alternative service delivery approaches. - You will be able to list examples of creative uses of contracts to gain efficiency and effectiveness. - You will be  more...

Low Quality Asphalt: How to Avoid Problems Down the Road BenefitsLow quality asphalt is a facility owner's or manager's nightmare. How to turn it into a high quality asset can be a difficult question. That's what this teleconference is about. Reconstruction of asphalt pavements, whether a roadway, commercial parking lot or large distribution center, can be time consuming and very expensive. Costs associated with loss of use can easily exceed costs of  more...

Ground Failures and Other Groundwater-Related Property Damage BenefitsOne ground failure can destroy your professional reputation or decimate your life savings. A ground failure doesn't have to make the national news to be a catastrophic loss to a property owner. Ground failure mechanisms come in many forms - landslides, sinkholes, soil expansion, bedrock heave, soil collapse, erosion - all of which typically include water as a major contributing factor.  more...

Slope Stabilization: Best Practices and Challenges BenefitsThis teleconference will address the types of slope stabilization failures and techniques used to avoid failures by the application of best practices. There are well-established engineering principles for the design and maintenance of stable slopes. This teleconference summarizes practices to overcome challenges to enhance slope stability. Many engineers are faced with challenges to  more...

Implementing a Health Risk Assessment for Your Health Plan: What Works, What Doesn't, What's Legal BenefitsMaybe you've heard about health risk assessments and wonder if they're a good idea for your organization. Or you've been tasked with implementing a health risk assessment as part of your health plan and don't know much about them. You have a lot of questions such as 'How can a health risk assessment help control health care costs?,' 'What makes for an effective health risk assessment?,'  more...

Climate Change and Federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rules BenefitsOn October 30, 2009, EPA published the Greenhouse Gasa Reporting Rule, which required approximately 10,000 facilities in a broad range of industrial and manufacturing sectors to begin monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. The rule is intended to inform EPA policy decisions, including possible new source performance standards for GHGs under the Clean Air Act. This  more...

A Comprehensive Approach to Building Excellent ADA Facilities within the Public Right-of-Way BenefitsMany state and local entities have found full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act within the public right-of-way to be a difficult goal to achieve. This teleconference will provide proven techniques that will increase the chances of fully completing the ADA facilities the first time without costly mistakes or retrofits. This practical approach coordinates the survey,  more...

Understanding and Troubleshooting Copyright Law ... and clients have unprecedented access to these protected works. As a result, it is easier than ever for you, your clients or your company's employees to infringe the copyrights of others. Also, with one click of a mouse, a nameless, faceless internet surfer on the other side of the world can easily infringe your rights. This teleconference helps anyone responsible for creating works or  more...

Stormwater Management for TMDLs BenefitsTotal Maximum Daily Loads are increasingly identifying stormwater as a significant or even major source of loading to impaired waters. Stormwater loading is difficult to identify and quantify even when regulated stormwater dischargers exist in the system. Often, TMDLs that include stormwater loading allocations give target reductions in loading, but give little guidance as to how to obtain  more...

Decentralized Wastewater Solutions BenefitsSensible and sustainable land development is becoming increasingly important in urban and rural areas alike. In areas of rapid growth where a centralized infrastructure does not yet exist, managing this growth becomes a challenge for communities, regulators and developers. As part of the sustainable development movement, decentralized wastewater technology is providing many creative and  more...

Concrete Structural Repair Methods BenefitsInterested in learning more or in refreshing your knowledge about the nuts and bolts of concrete? Besides being the most popular and versatile building construction material, concrete can also be the most complicated to work with. As such, anyone involved in the construction process should have a working knowledge of concrete material issues. This teleconference is a comprehensive overview  more...

Basics of Reverse Osmosis for Brackish Groundwater Treatment nMany professionals in membrane desalination design, operation and maintenance are faced with the difficult task of keeping current on the rapidly changing technology. Reverse osmosis membrane products change as the suppliers introduce new models. How and when to best apply these products and what features and benefits they offer must be analyzed before optimum performance can be realized.  more...

Storm Water Best Management Practice (BMP) Inspection and Maintenance BenefitsAvoid costly permit violations and problems meeting storm water discharge benchmark criteria with proper inspection and maintenance of BMPs. Storm water best management practices require regular inspections and maintenance to ensure long-term proper function. Inspections are the most effective way to detect and avoid potential problems before they become a liability. This teleconference  more...

Demand-Side Water Conservation Initiatives nMany water utilities are having to prepare conservation, drought preparedness and diverse water supply plans to meet existing and future water demands. Internal and external factors are causing water shortages, rate impacts, conflicts among neighboring water users, and both real and perceived unreliable water supplies. These circumstances are impacting businesses, homeowners, and the health and  more...

Water Well Rehabilitation - Technical Considerations and Economic Advantages nThe decline of global economic conditions has discouraged high-volume water well owners, including municipalities, water companies, industrial entities and other large well owners, from incurring the cost of installing new wells. However, the decline of the economy has not reduced the requirement of water purveyors and other well owners to provide a safe and dependable supply of high-quality  more...

Management and Protection of Wetland Buffers nBuffers are upland or riparian areas that separate wetlands or other aquatic resources from upland areas, which are often found in developed or agricultural states. They are very critical to the ecological integrity of the wetlands and typically consist of native plant communities that reflect the local landscape and ecology. They perform a variety of habitat functions for wildlife and other  more...

Community Benefit Agreements nCommunity benefits agreements can increase public participation in the planning process, promote smart growth and environmental justice goals, and bring neighborhoods, local governments, and private interests together to make development projects more sustainable, transparent and accountable. Negotiating a CBA can be a win-win solution for community groups and developers. The community receives  more...

Utilizing Congestion Pricing to Reduce Traffic Congestion and Generate Infrastructure Revenue nMany states and metropolitan areas are faced with increasing traffic congestion along with inadequate sources of transportation revenue to address transportation investment needs. After completing this teleconference, you will improve your understanding of the ability of congestion pricing to address both congestion reduction and revenue generation objectives. You will be able to describe some of  more...

Roundabouts: Planning, Design Principles and Current Practices nAlthough roundabouts have proven safety and operational benefits, proper planning and engineering design is essential for roundabouts to function correctly. This brief, yet practical, teleconference is your opportunity to better understand modern roundabouts and their installation, learn specific design skills and current practices, and apply roundabout design principles to projects in your  more...

Clean Water Act Jurisdiction Guidance Under the New Administration - Rapanos or Oberstar? nThe federal regulatory landscape affecting development in and around waters of the United States was significantly altered by the Rapanos decision. Indeed, that landscape continues to shift as the Army Corps and the courts respond in new ways to a perceived loss of jurisdiction. This teleconference will help you understand the ever-changing jurisdictional landscape and navigate a course to  more...

Implementing Green Initiatives in Government nPublic agencies across the country are implementing green mandates and determining the best routes to meet their objectives in an efficient and effective manner. Green experts and experienced agencies are sharing their best practices and information so as to help other public agencies reap the benefits of their tested proven methodologies. Register for this teleconference and gain access to a  more...