IECA Names Environmental Achievement and Contractor of the Year Winners
Each year the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) recognizes industry professionals and their outstanding achievements in the erosion and sediment control industry. IECA recently named its 2012 winners for the Environmental Achievement and Contractor of the Year awards.
The Environmental Achievement Award is IECA’s premier award. It recognizes an outstanding erosion and sediment control project, program, or system that demonstrates excellence in natural resource conservation and environmental protection. IECA names Sue Harney, with the Jelke Creek Restoration Project, winner of the 2012 Environmental Achievement Award. Harney was involved with the Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary Restoration Project, which was the culmination of a decade-long process transforming an abandoned gravel pit into an environmental and recreational showcase for Dundee Township located in Kane County, IL. Its mission was to increase groundwater infiltration; stop sediment, pollutants, and stormwater from flowing into Jelke Creek and Fox River watersheds; provide passive recreation; and create a rich habitat using native vegetation. An area of approximately 150 acres of the 240-acre site was reconstructed into two native prairies, wetlands, ponds, and public trails. The project created 18 acres of wetlands, four ponds, 10 fishing overlooks, and over 110 acres of native prairieland. Over 5,000 linear feet of terraced ponds, 3,500 linear feet of bioswales, and four stepped ponds promote infiltration, impound rainfall, and carry remaining surface flow from an 800-foot elevation to a 740-foot elevation in less than a half-mile of distance. The site now helps to control and contain rainwater. Rock checks, vegetated swales, and prairie vegetation control erosion on steep slopes. Over 3 miles of walking trails have also been constructed.
“Jelke Creek is a wonderful example of a restoration project that provided not only erosion control but multiple benefits to the community,” says Sandy Mathews, IECA Awards Committee chair. After a decade of design and transformation, the abandoned gravel pit is now a habitat for birds and other species and community amenity,” Mathews continues.
The Contractor of the Year Award recognizes a contractor who has achieved outstanding accomplishments through single or multiple projects or for the development of new practices. IECA announces Ben West and the Denver Transit Construction Group recipients of the 2012 Contractor of the Year Award.
Denver Transit Construction Group (DTCG) was the Construction Manager on the RTD FasTracks West Rail Line Project. This project consisted of a 12-mile, 600-acre light rail corridor. During the production phase, the West Rail Line was the largest construction project in Colorado, spanning 12.1 miles through three municipalities. The rail corridor includes 16 bridges over state-owned water and federally protected wetlands, two tunnels, seven concrete box culverts, 15,000 feet of sanitary sewer and water lines, and detention ponds designed to contain the precipitation from 100-year storm events. To prevent the least possible risk of environmental impacts, DTCG used the techniques of planning, historical flow monitoring, and selection of cost-effective pump and pipe choices. To successfully accomplish stormwater management and erosion control requirements, it was critical to educate and encourage field forces through monthly training classes. DTCG also collaborated and successfully engaged clients and stakeholders in the overall project development and deployment. All job-site areas were regularly monitored, exceeding permit requirements, and also immediately following every precipitation event that could have the potential to cause erosion, sedimentation, or environmental degradation. Multiple and varied best management practices (BMPs) were implemented and maintained to successfully manage stormwater runoff and to mitigate potential pollutant discharges to sensitive environmental areas. DTCG’s efforts and successes in the field of environmental compliance, specifically in the field of erosion and sediment control, have been recognized by stakeholders and industry professionals.
As Mathews says, “The awards committee was impressed with Ben West and the Denver Transit Construction Group. Particularly notable were the recommendations from the local regulators. This put the nomination over the top. One regulator noted he set up field trips to the site to demonstrate how an erosion and sediment control program should be run on a construction site.”
Both 2012 winners will be recognized this year at IECA’s annual Environmental Connection Conference in San Diego.
Consider submitting your work for next year’s awards. Categories include Environmental Achievement, Sustained Contributor, Contractor of the Year, Educational Achievement, Organization of the Year, Professional of the Year, Young Professional, and Technological Innovation Awards. These awards are selected on criteria that reflect quality, skill, and environmental benefits. Winners will be selected from responses to a “Call for Entries” process, which will be announced on the IECA website. Press releases, prestige, and honor come with winning an IECA award.
If you are interested in learning more about the awards process, please visit http://www.ieca.org/awards.
