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Tales from the Trenches
Regional Land and Water News You Can Use
 
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June 2015                          Issue 19

ALWI Selected by West Virginia For Source Water Protection Contract 
gas pump We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded a multiple-system contract by the Eastern Panhandle Regional Development Council, an agency of the State of West Virginia, to update Source Water Assessments and develop protection programs for several public water supply systems across Jefferson and Berkeley Counties, WV.
 
Our successes with wellhead protection and source water assessment work qualified us for this competitively-awarded contract. Our work will entail updating existing inventories of point-and non-point sources of contamination, developing implementable contingency plans to address water supply contamination emergencies that may arise in the future, conducting public workshops and recommending innovative source protection ideas and implementing detailed measures for ongoing protection. 

ALWI Provides On-Call Municipal GIS Support   

Advanced Land and Water Inc. (ALWI) has been retained by the Town of Middletown to perform ongoing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) development and maintenance services.

 

Our on-call engagement centers around three primary functions: software and hardware support and upgrades, database management and updates, and periodic special projects to meet the specialized needs of the Town.

 

ALWI has assisted the Town with migrating to the most recent versions of various GIS software products and extensions, as well as updating existing geospatial data including parcels layers, orthophotographic base maps, and Town-wide impervious surfaces. We also have helped to expand GIS capabilities throughout Town Hall.

ALWI uses the latest GIS and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology to maintain the highest standards of spatial accuracy and precision. Our customized geodatabase management and visualization services benefit municipalities, other public agencies, real estate professionals, attorneys and general contractors.  
Did You Know? : EPA Issued New Rule Regarding Extent of "Waters of the US"
 

The "Clean Water Rule" was released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) on May 27th (2015). The Rule defines what waters are covered by the Clean Water Act (CWA) and is intended to clarify certain ambiguities regarding the areal extent of wetlands requiring delineation and protection as a component of development plans.

In press releases, the EPA states, "Our economy depends on clean water: manufacturing, farming, tourism, recreation, energy production and other major economic sectors need clean water to function and flourish... "streams and wetlands provide so many benefits to communities by trapping floodwaters, recharging groundwater supplies, filtering pollution, and providing habitat for fish and wildlife." According to Rule proponents, it was developed using scientific studies, a lengthy public comment period and a peer-reviewed report which showed the role of protecting upstream waters in benefiting downstream waterways.

 

Opponents feel that the Rule gives the EPA and Corps too much power in land development decision-making. Opponents feel it will be an attack on property rights if the landowner's water falls under the law, which could result in permitting fees and restrictions.  The Rule is also receiving criticism because the peer-reviewed report was finalized after the Rule was published.  

In This Issue
Source Water Protection
Municipal GIS
Did you Know?
New Employee
Groundwater Floodplain
1912 Liberty Road, Ste. 26
Eldersburg, MD 21784

410-795-4626 phone
 410-795-4611 fax

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New Employee:
Sarah Taggart
 

ALWI is pleased to announce that Ms. Sarah Taggart has accepted a full-time position as a Staff Scientist and joined us after the New Year.

 

Ms. Taggart completed her B.S. in Earth Science at the State Univ. New York at Oneonta in 2013.

 
During her academic career, Ms. Taggert focused on soil sciences, groundwater contamination and geophysical mapping.

 

Since joining ALWI, Ms. Taggart has been supporting our West Virginia SWAP contract.  She is an avid gardener and experienced vegetable grower. We all hope to be eating healthily at the office this summer as a consequence.  

Does Groundwater in a Floodplain Respond to a 100-Yr River Flood? 

 

 

A property was slated for redevelopment in the 100-year floodplain of a major river.  ALWI was retained to opine on the issue of whether river floods cause consequent rises in groundwater levels, as the question bore on the cost & feasibility of the planned re-development.

Geotechnical borings reflected groundwater depths 13 feet below street level & floodplain maps placed the 100-ft flood elevation one foot above land surface. We canvassed the historical hydrologic records & found both flood records & good sources of long term groundwater data.

The owner used our site-specific professional analysis to allay its immediate fears and to support the final design decisions for the project. 
About Us - Read More at www.alwi.com

Advanced Land and Water, Inc. is a hydrogeological and environmental consulting firm with extensive Mid-Atlantic regional experience in water supply and wastewater disposal. Our water supply experience extends to both groundwater and surface water and includes exploration, development, permitting, management and protection of both new and existing supplies. Our wastewater services include soil classification and suitability evaluations, percolation tests, spray and drip irrigation studies, infiltrometer tests, groundwater mounding calculations and nitrate loading assessments. We also provide GIS mapping, environmental and other specialty consulting services.