Advancing Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in the US
In late July, several major automakers announced that they would be embarking on a groundbreaking partnership that has sparked excitement and hope for the future of electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States. The collaboration addresses a significant barrier to the...
Floodplain Management for Modern Times, Part 4: FEMA Assistance and CFMs
FEMA Assistance for Flood-Prone Communities The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers pre- and post-disaster grants to communities. FEMA grants are administered through states. These funds help communities develop programs that improve public flood...
Floodplain Management for Modern Times, Part 3: Risk Rating 2.0
In our last floodplain guide blog, we discussed FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). One problem with the NFIP that took a long time to address was rate determination. The NFIP has used the same methodology to set rates since shortly after the establishment...
“Waters of the United States:” Final Rule Announced
Sackett v. EPA In a previous blog, Walden discussed the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruling on Sackett v. EPA, where Idaho homeowners, the Sacketts, opposed the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Sacketts were previously developing...
Floodplain Management for Modern Times, Part 2: Flood Insurance
How can you protect your home from floods? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers a program called the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP was established with the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA). The NFIP is delivered to...
Floodplain Management for Modern Times, Part 1: An Introduction
Humans cannot survive without water, yet it can also be one of the most powerful and destructive forces on earth. Flooding is a danger to not only roadways, homes, and commercial buildings, but also to human life. Why do we live or build in areas that are known...
Compliance with Part 360 Regulations: Fill Material Transfer Stations
As a fill material transfer station owner or operator, you’re required to comply with the July 22, 2023, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Part 360 regulations. But how do these regulations and changes affect your operations in the short...
8 Keys to Effective Project Planning
Managing projects can be challenging for many reasons. Lack of clear communication with a client regarding priorities and expectations often causes a project to go off track, resulting in failure to meet the project objectives. Unclear direction to project staff can...
Diesel Not Recommended as a Solvent
People often ask if they can use diesel fuel (diesel) as a solvent or cleaner. The answer is unequivocally, no! Using diesel as a solvent to clean off asphalt and tar from trucks and equipment has long been a practice on construction job sites. It is even something...
What Role Do Technical Specifications Play in Construction?
Technical specifications are a crucial element of construction preplanning and contain explicit, comprehensive details regarding the proper execution of a given project. Carefully written technical specifications establish quality control standards for a project and...