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Upcoming Chapter Events:
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REGISTER TODAY!
Click the links below for more information
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Peninsula Foundations with guest speaker
John Quarstein
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Mid-Atlantic Public Works Institute
October 9-11, 2018
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2018-2019
OFFICERS/DIRECTORS
President
Steven J. Yob, P.E.
County Eng/Director PW
Henrico County, Virginia
President-Elect
Don Cole
Vice President
Brown and Caldwell
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Immediate Past-President
Kenneth M. Eyre, P.E.
Senior Associate
Greeley and Hansen, LLC
Alexandria, Virginia
Vice-President
Phillip J. Koetter, P.E.
Operations Management Administrator
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach, Virginia
Secretary
Amy Linderman, Engineer II
Department of Public Works
Environmental Services
Fairfax County, Virginia
Treasurer
Fred Whitley, P.E.
Senior Project Manager,
AECOM
Newport News, Virginia
Chapter Delegate
Judith L. Hines
Assistant Director of Public Works
City of Newport News, Virginia
Historian
Dawn V. Odom
Planning and Investment Manager
Virginia Department of Transportation
Suffolk, Virginia
Directors
Mark Jamison
Transportation Division Manager
City of Roanoke, Virginia
David Bradshaw
Principal
Clark Nexsen
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Harold R. Caples, P.E.
Engineering Manager
Virginia Department of Transportation
Richmond, Virginia
Ed Crockett
Assistant Director Public Works
City of Newport News, Virginia
Sherry B. Earley, P.E.
Assistant Director of Public Works
City of Suffolk, Virginia
Gaynelle L. Hart
Director of Public Works
City of Lynchburg, Virginia
Joe Kroboth, III, P.E., L.S., PWLF
Director, Transp. and Cap. Infrastructure
Loudoun County, Virginia
Kelly Mattingly, LEED-AP, CRM
Director of Public Works
Town of Blacksburg, Virginia
James W. Long, III, P.E., DBIA
Project Manager, Transportation
Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Scott A. Smith, P.E., L.S.
Coastal Resilience Manager
Department of Public Works
City of Norfolk, Virginia
Jennifer Sanford-Caples
Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP
Richmond, Virginia
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President's Corner
Good day to all and I hope that you had a great Labor Day Holiday and are ready for back to school.
Your Chapter is doing well and has many exciting opportunities for engagement. With the Fredericksburg Conference behind us, Don Cole, your President Elect is planning the next conference in Norfolk on May 15-17, 2019. This will be a new venue and I am excited about this opportunity.
President Bo Mills sent us a letter in August congratulating us on a net increase of 2% in chapter membership. We are one of 35 chapters nationally that showed an increase in membership. Our chapter includes over 900 members throughout the mid-Atlantic. A great resource for sharing information and networking. Please take advantage of every opportunity.
Fiscally, our chapter is in good shape and we can continue our mission to provide education, advocacy and scholarship opportunities. Overall our chapter showed a decline in net assets this past year. This is consistent with the direction your Chapter Board has taken to spend our funds to further our mission and support our profession. Fred Whitely, our Treasurer is doing a bang up job of keeping things straight and the audit committee recently gave Fred a great review. Thanks Fred for your hard work.
It is because of this fiscal direction that we were able to award scholarships to three candidates for professional development and two students. This $7,000 contribution is directly attributable to your support and attendance at our events.
The Chapter also sponsored a RoadEO backhoe winner's attendance at this year's National RoadEO. I am hopeful that Jeremy Snyder of Blacksburg enjoyed the opportunity to attend and see Kansas City.
Finally, the Chapter is supporting the Public Works Museum in Baltimore through a contribution of $3,000 to their efforts. If you are up that way, please check it out.
There is an event on September 26 in Hampton Roads. John Quarstein, one of the area's pre-eminent historians, will share the beginning of public works in Hampton Roads and the impacts on our existing infrastructure. The program will take place in the historic Freight Shedlocated on the beach at the Yorktown Riverfront, 331 Water Street, Yorktown, VA. The education session will begin at 4:00 p.m. followed by a networking event including appetizers at 5:00 p.m.
In summary, your chapter is doing well and trying to provide a variety of interesting education opportunities and outreach to our members. I am hopeful you will take advantage of them.
Steven J. Yob
Chapter President
APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter
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2018 APWA Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year Posting at Kansas City PWX
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2018 APWA PACE Award Presentation to Mid-Atlantic Chapter, 13 Consecutive Years
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2018 Mid-Atlantic Chapter APWA Reception at Kansas City. L to R: Denise Nelson, APWA Im-mediate Past-President Bo Mills, Chapter Past-President Judi Hines greeting APWA Region 3 Director Keith Pugh, Chapter Past-President Matt Villareale
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Lia Rogers, Washington DC DPW (2nd from left) receiving 2018 APWA Emerging Leaders Academy Certification from APWA Immediate Past-President Bo Mills (Far left); Sue Hann and Diane Linderman (APWA Past-President)
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Hazard Mitigation in the George Washington Region
Todd Gordon, The Berkley Group
 Regardless of where you live or work, a natural disaster of some magnitude will impact your community at some time. Hazard Mitigation provides guidance and details on all the things we can do to prepare for and prevent natural disasters before they happen. Public dollars have three times the impact when spent on pre-disaster mitigation over dollars spent on restoration and repairs after the fact.
The George Washington Regional Commission recently updated its Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan covers the City of Fredericksburg and the Counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. It quantifies the potential losses of life and property from drought, dam failure, hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes, wild fire, winter storms, sinkholes and landslides.
More importantly, the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan lays out the steps that these communities will take to prepare for these threats. The steps include upgrading storm sewer and levee systems, retrofitting public buildings with storm shutters, providing wind-proofing, and backup power, to establishing and upgrading emergency communications systems and public information campaigns to ensure residents know what to do when disaster strikes.
Since 2000, federal law has required hazard mitigation planning in order for communities to be eligible for post-disaster grants through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). By adopting a Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and updating the plan every five years, the localities of the GWRC are eligible for funding in the event that a natural disaster strikes the region, as well as funding through the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM) to help plan for natural hazards and disaster-proof their communities.
The GWRC Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan was guided by public works, planning, and emergency management professionals in each of the region's jurisdictions. It was written by The Berkley Group, a consulting firm advising Virginia local governments.
Read the full study here
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New Watershed Educational Program Unveiled at Elementary School
On July 24, Anna Haley and Danielle Wynne from Fairfax County's Watershed Education and Outreach section presented a new program called "Stream Critter Cube Lab" to Woodburn Elementary School students.
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Anna Haley teaches elementary students about stream health.
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In the program, which was adapted from one Anna ran at her previous job with Arlington Echo, students sample stream benthic macroinvertebrates, creatures who live on the bottom of a stream that we can see with our eyes and don't have a backbone. Students were provided a block with different a benthic macroinvertebrate on each side and rolled it 20 times to create a random sample. Using a key designed for the program, students were able to identify the different stream organisms and determine the health of the stream based on the tolerance levels of the benthics that the students found.
While some benthic macroinvertebrates can tolerate pollution, others need clean water to survive. Based on the number of sensitive, moderate and tolerant organisms in the sample, students gave their stream a grade. "This was a great opportunity to bring the streams to our students and help them learn some ways that everyone can keep our streams healthy so we can hopefully give all of our streams an A+," said Danielle.
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County to Highlight Reduce + Reuse at Annual Prince William Recycles Day
Roger LeBlanc, Prince William County
For over two decades, Prince William County Solid Waste Division has been hosting  Prince William Recycles Day in conjunction with America Recycles Day. This year's event will be held at the Prince William County Landfill on Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and admission is free.
County residents and families
are encouraged to attend to learn how they can support waste reduction, save landfill space and found out what's new about recycling.
"Managing our waste is something most people probably don't think much about, but it is a very important part of taking care of our environment and sustaining healthy communities," says Deborah Campbell, Communications Specialist for the Solid Waste Division. "Recycling can be puzzling and even people that recycle regularly learn something new at our event."
 The annual event has grown to attract over 1,000 residents who come out every year to enjoy entertainment, play recycling themed games, learn more about the environment, and tour the County Landfill. Local high school students will also display their artwork made from recycled products, and numerous county organizations will provide information, share volunteer opportunities and ways to participate in an environmentally friendly activities. New this year is a recycling magic show, which is sure to amaze and inform children and adults alike.
Recycling in Prince William County has had some slight shifts over the years with a rate of 33.7 percent in 2015, 36.8 percent in 2016 and 34.6 percent in 2017. The national recycle rate, just under 35 percent, has been flat for several years (latest published rate 34.7 percent in 2015). However, Prince William County residents and indeed all Americans, can still make substantial progress in solid waste management with some actions focused on reduce and reuse aspects.
The theme for Prince William Recycles Day 2018, Double Down on Waste, will shine a spotlight on recycling's often neglected, perhaps less glamorous siblings - reduce, and  reuse. While recycling is a wonderful option, all waste reduction alternatives must be utilized for successful landfill conservation and future waste disposal in Prince William County.
Strategies to reduce waste include not making waste in the first place. Opt for reusable products instead of disposable ones, reusable shopping bags and water bottles are great examples of this. Also buy products made from recycled material and select products with less packaging, which is a more sustainable practice.
Some ideas for reuse include get products repaired, donate items in good condition, or resell them, instead of throwing them away. Purchase "second-hand" items. Another great reuse alternative, borrow or rent items that are used infrequently.
Another less well known waste reduction strategy is "pre-cycling". Consider how the product and packaging will be disposed before you buy it.
This avoids bringing unneeded waste into your home and cuts waste at the source before trash is even created. Buying products in bulk with less packaging, instead of single use items, for example coffee, sugar and condiments.
Also, purchasing products that are packaged in materials that are recyclable in your community, such as aluminum beverage containers, steel food cans, cardboard cartons and plastic soda bottles. An example is buying eggs in a paper carton, which can be placed in the recycling in the Prince William area instead of polystyrene (Styrofoam ®), which should not be placed in the recycling container.
Discover more tips for waste reduction and reuse at Prince William Recycles Day in October. For more information about the Recycles Day event or other Prince William County Solid Waste programs, visit www.pwcgov.org/trashandrecycling.
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New Sign Installed at Americana Park
Anna Haley, ecologist, Stormwater Planning Division, Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services
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A sign explains what a pollinator meadow is and highlights the many benefits native plants provide.
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The pollinator meadow at Americana Park in Fairfax County, Va., is in full bloom for the fourth year since its installation in 2015. Stormwater Management partnered with the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Friends of Accotink Creek to replace a turf grass field between the park entrance and the Cross County Trail. Black-eyed Susans, milkweed and little bluestem, all native plants, were installed by a team of employees and volunteers. Before the planting, the trail and field were prone to flooding, but that is no longer a problem thanks to the pollinator meadow.
A sign was recently installed that explains what a pollinator meadow is and highlights many of the benefits native plants provide. Above the soil, the variety of native plants support species diversity and attract pollinators such as bees and monarchs while providing them with food and shelter. Beneath the soil, native plant roots grow deep into the ground, some longer than four feet, whereas grass roots only stretch a few inches. These deep root structures act as nature's sponge to absorb excess water running off the nearby highway.
Americana Park is the perfect location for this best management practice since it is adjacent to Accotink Creek. This planting helps to slow down stormwater runoff and filter pollutants from roads and other hard surfaces before they reach Accotink Creek. The sign explains the project as a public education effort to keep our waters healthy and tells a story of how we can take action to improve the health of our environment.
More information about the planting initiative is here and a video about the Americana Park planting is here.
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Denise Nelson, P.E., CFM, ENV SP, LEED AP
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the group that gave America's infrastructure a D+ report card, recently released a new policy statement on sustainability. Policy Statement #556 Owners Commitment to Sustainability recommends owners, both public and private, incorporate sustainability principles and practices in the development of infrastructure projects. I'm proud to have worked with the team that developed the policy.
This policy is a follow up to Policy Statement
#418 The Role of Civil Engineers in Sustainable Development
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Stormwater runoff infiltration trench in Blacksburg_ VA reduces localized flooding and recharges the groundwater supply.
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which states that civil engineers should be committed to the principles of sustainable development. In this policy, ASCE
defines sustainability as "a set of economic, environmental, and social conditions (aka "The Triple Bottom Line") in which all of society has the capacity and opportunity to maintain and improve its quality of life indefinitely without degrading the quantity, quality or the availability of economic, environmental and social resources." They further define sustainable development as "the application of these resources to enhance the safety, welfare, and quality of life for all of society."
Similar to APWA, ASCE has identified sustainability as a top priority and created a
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Roadside multiuse path in Fredericksburg, VA promotes safe non-motorized transportation options and alleviates traffic congestion. |
committee to focus on initiatives. The ASCE Committee on Sustainability creates and manages resources on the their
sustainability website, such as the "Sustainability Roadmap" designed to guide members in transforming the profession, searchable resources such as manuals and case studies, links to the Envision® guidance and rating system for sustainable infrastructure, information on the new "
Sustainable Infrastructure Certificate Program," and a link to the next International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure (Los Angeles, November 2019).
The society has several other policy statements related to sustainability, including:
These resources are publically available to non-members and great references on best practices in infrastructure projects and policy.
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Students and Teachers See Wastewater Treatment Benefits on Chesapeake Bay Foundation Boat Trip
Melissa Atwood, outreach specialist, Wastewater Management, Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services
During the week of April 16, forty-two high school students, 60 elementary school students, and 25 middle school teachers boarded the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's research workboat, the Bea Hayman Clark, for an educational experience they won't forget.
Throughout the day, students discussed watersheds, performed water quality testing,
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Fairfax County teachers examine fish caught while aboard the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's research boat, the Bea Hayman Clark.
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conducted plankton studies, and trawled for fish. At the end of the day, students looked at all the data collected and determined an overall health rating for the Potomac River. Students and teachers saw first-hand where the treated wastewater goes and the benefits of discharging properly treated water with low nutrient loads, as well as learning the importance of preventing harmful runoff from entering the rivers.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's (CBF) Potomac River Environmental Education Program is an extension of the Sewer Science program offered by Fairfax County's Wastewater Management Program. Students who participate in Sewer Science learn the importance of treating wastewater to protect human health and the environment. Other extensions of the Sewer Science program include taking a tour of the Noman M. Cole, Jr. Pollution Control Plant and participating in the CBF's Grasses for the Masses program. These programs give students another perspective to help them understand the importance of properly cleaning wastewater before it is released back into the local waterways.
The experience aboard the research boat delivered participants to the end of the water cycle, the river, and reinforced the importance of becoming stewards of the environment, a key message students learn through all of Wastewater Management's educational programs.
Staff from the county's Stormwater Management Program also participated in the event.
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Take Advantage of These Learning Opportunities Available to APWA Members
Click, Listen & Learn
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A recording of the July Click, Listen & Learn webinar on the Kansas DOT & Local Governments Prioritizing Safety Projects is now available in the Members' Library. For more information on APWA Click, Listen & Learn programs, please contact Katherine Anderson at
[email protected]
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APWA eLearning Portal
- APWA's eLearning Portal allows our members to access  their eLearning purchases, view content, complete evaluations and track and report their progress from almost any digital device. Courses are available for sale through the APWA online store and can be purchased individually or in a program bundle at a discounted price! For more information, contact Heather DelaCruz at [email protected].
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Garbage Man Day Should be Every Day
Irene Haske, information officer, Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services
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| Safety analyst Paul Wade greets and thanks a trash hauler at the I-66 transfer station. |
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The second annual Fairfax County Garbage Man Day recognized the tough job that garbage collectors face every day. "They provide an important and necessary service that helps keep Fairfax County a desirable place to live," said Dennis Batts, program manager, Emergency Operations and Safety, Solid Waste Management Program, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. Nationally, this was the sixth annual Garbage Man Day celebration.
The public frequently does not recognize the dangers that garbage truck drivers and their helpers encounter as they perform their rounds. There are commuters on the road who are in a hurry to get to work or school. Some drivers are distracted for various reasons and sometimes they speed past the trucks without realizing a garbage collector may be nearby.
The "Slow Down to Get Around" law was passed in Virginia in the summer of 2015. A few months later, after a solid waste employee was struck and injured by a passing driver, the county's Solid Waste Management Program started its campaign to spread the word about safety. As many public works employees know, trash and recycling collection is the fifth most dangerous job in the country.
"To show our appreciation for the work they do, and to emphasize the need for safety, we decided to host the Garbage Man Day at the I-66 transfer station on Tuesday, June 19," Dennis said. "The response was great and we are very fortunate to have such good relationships with the garbage collectors who serve the residents of Fairfax County."
Some of the drivers who arrived at the transfer station that morning were surprised to be greeted by members of the solid waste safety team, who handed out specially printed Slow Down to Get Around cooler bags, bottles of ice cold water and a '5 to Stay Alive' fact sheet that was created by the Solid Waste Association of North America.
"We really appreciate SWANA putting together the fact sheet," Dennis said. It lists safety tips for waste collection employees, which are: "always wear PPE, especially high visibility vests and outerwear; never use your cell phone or text while driving the truck or at a disposal facility; don't ride on the step if the truck is backing or going forward more than 10 MPH; always comply with safety belt rules; don't exceed the speed limit and don't rush. SWANA wants you to go home to your family every day, safely."
The idea of a garbage man day was the creation of John D. Arwood, president of Arwood Waste, a disposal and demolition company in Jacksonville, Florida.
"Many thanks to David Biderman, president of SWANA and Jordan Schultz, editor, Waste Dive, for stopping by. It was great to have you guys there to support us," Dennis said.
"As a Fairfax County resident and president of SWANA, I want to thank each of you for your commitment to worker and community safety associated with solid waste collection, processing and disposal," said David Biderman. "Fairfax County is a national leader in the effort to get waste collection employees off the list of the ten most dangerous jobs in the U.S.," he said.
"As with last year, it felt like the drivers and helpers in the trucks that came through really appreciated our show of recognition for the work they do. These folks were just genuinely happy to have a group of us out there to recognize the work they do and hear the heartfelt thanks we offered them. They are rock stars," Dennis said.
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Mid-Atlantic Public Works Institute Update
The Mid-Atlantic Public Works Institute (MPWI) started its second cohort of training in September 2017. Session 3 is scheduled for October 9-11, 2018 at the Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Innsbrook. Registration is open and ten slots are remaining before the session is sold out (as of August 31).
The focus of Session 3 is "Communication, Finance and Legal". Subject matter experts will provide training in the regulatory process, legal issues, liability, budgeting, public and media relations, purchasing, inventory management and other related topics. There will be a panel discussion on interagency coordination during significant events that all communities will eventually face and manage.
The program also offers various agencies the opportunity to interact, share and network, which strengthens the bond among Public Works Professionals across the chapter.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Scott A. Smith, PE, LS
Cell (757) 805-0310
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Solid Waste Processing Facility Gets Safer, More Sustainable
Matthew Kaiser, information officer, Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services
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Natural light streams into the I-66 transfer station through recently cleaned skylights.
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Opened in 1982, the I-66 transfer station in Fairfax, Va., handles 750,000 tons of solid waste per year. Every day, hundreds of trash collection trucks back into the bays and dump their loads. The mountains of trash are pushed by a large wheel-loader into waiting semi-trailers which then haul the solid waste to a private waste-to-energy plant. After 36 years, all that diesel exhaust and trash dust coated the walls and ceiling in a dark grime that created a gloomy work environment.
The Solid Waste Management Program recently completed a project to improve visibility and safety in the building and took a big step toward meeting the county's sustainability goal. Forty-nine incandescent lights were replaced with brighter, more-efficient LED bulbs. The walls and ceiling were painted white to reflect more light, and long forgotten skylights were cleaned to allow natural light into the building.
The new lights will conserve an estimated 18,870 kilowatt hours per year and pay back the installation cost in about 15 years. But, according to Solid Waste director John Kellas, the safer environment is the most important outcome of the project.
"The improved visibility on the tipping floor is a night and day difference. Our employees have a much safer space to work in now," said Kellas.
LEDs will soon be installed at Fairfax County's two other solid waste locations, the Newington Collections facility and the I-95 landfill complex in Lorton.
Lighting isn't the only sustainability initiative happening in Solid Waste. The landfill complex is now burning used oil from equipment on-site to heat the maintenance shop and truck wash bay. No waste!
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Wastewater Collections Crews Demonstrate Commitment and Dedication
Melissa Atwood, Wastewater Management, Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services
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Alvin Hillman and Atilio Urbina
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Public works employees hold important jobs in numerous divisions and many would agree that the job of customer service is paramount. No other county agency 'intrudes' upon residents like public works.
We are in their streets, streams, neighborhoods and parks and frequently we are in their homes.
This type of contact with residents from around the world (who have diverse backgrounds, beliefs, lifestyles and incomes) means public works employees while on a job site must be prepared as residents may approach crew members with questions regarding their work or other concerns.
On August 9, Alvin Hillman and Atilio Urbina, one of six CCTV crews in Fairfax County's Wastewater Collections Division, headed out to monitor the county's system of gravity sewers by using specialized CCTV equipment. The CCTV program inspects more than 200 miles of pipe each year.
When they enter the sewer system with this equipment, the crews utilize the National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) standardized defect coding system to identify any operation, maintenance or structural concerns with the pipes. It's their job to report problems as they are found.
The inspection of the sewer system is part of a robust preventative maintenance program designed and conducted by several branches in the Wastewater Collections Division. Although this is the purpose and focus of their work, Alvin, Atilio and other members of the CCTV group, play a much bigger role for Fairfax County by providing exceptional customer service.
During their daily activities, CCTV crew members frequently interact with local residents who are interested or have questions about what they are doing in their street. The crews take the time to address each of their concerns, explain what they are doing and how their work protects valuable county infrastructure and public health.
This is not where they stop, each technician has door hangers readily available that are used when crews see potential concerns within the sewer system that may have an impact on the resident's sewer lateral. These crews help residents understand potential concerns by providing information from the inspection and the appropriate county contacts. This level of effort shows residents that Fairfax County is working to protect public health, wastewater infrastructure and to help residents prevent damage to their property.
"I'm proud of our CCTV crews," said Stacey Smalls, director, Wastewater Collections Division. "They, along with all of our operational crews, act as ambassadors to the Wastewater Management Program. They need to know a little bit of everything to be able to answer residents' questions or to point them in the right direction to make sure their concerns are addressed. They are consummate professionals." he said.
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Stormwater Planning Staff Participate in Community Forestry Forum
Charles Smith, Suzy Foster and Meghan Fellows, all of Fairfax County's Watershed
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Fairfax County experts discussed the benefits of reforestation at a regional forum.
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Projects Implementation Branch (WPIB - Central) participated in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Community Forestry Forum on Survival Survey Techniques in Riparian Reforestation on June 27. They provided an overview of their collective experience in planting and tracking reforestation plant survival for stormwater facilities.
Along with a formal prese
ntation by Suzy and Meghan, Charles answered questions from the audience as part of a panel. The take home point from the day was "reforestation improves the ecological health of the stream and with proper attention to detail, we obtain greater success than we experienced just a few years ago."
Panelists included staff from Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service and Empire Landscape.
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