Pipeline : A blog from Commonwealth Engineershttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.comumbracoenChanges to the Buy Local Preference for Public Works Projectshttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/5/17/changes-to-the-buy-local-preference-for-public-works-projectsThu, 17 May 2012 09:23:12 GMThttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/5/17/changes-to-the-buy-local-preference-for-public-works-projectsThe "local Indiana business preference" (formerly found in Indiana Code 36-1-12-22) has been repealed by the Indiana State Legislature for public works projects.  The original bill was signed into law on February 29, 2012.

This new legislation eliminated the price preference for public works projects, however political subdivisions can still grant the right to give a "local Indiana business preference" when purchasing supplies or equipment.  With the new legislation (Indiana Code 5-22-15-20.9), it is now up to the political subdivision to determine when it is going to apply the price preference.

The repeal will become effective on July 1, 2012.

Have Questions / Need Help?

Should you have any questions concerning the new legislation, please feel free to contact Theresa Criss-Hartwig, at 800-289-1177 or by email at thartwig@contactcei.com.

]]>Mandatory ADA Self-Evaluations and Transistion Planshttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/5/1/mandatory-ada-self-evaluations-and-transistion-plansTue, 01 May 2012 15:49:46 GMThttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/5/1/mandatory-ada-self-evaluations-and-transistion-plansThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 not only reminds communities they must have self-evaluations and transition plans for their sidewalks and handicap ramps, but did you know this applies to all public entities whether or not they receive federal funding?

It is important that all communities take the time to Self-Evaluate your sidewalks and ramps and then complete the Transition Plan to show where and how you plan to schedule and pay to make corrections to meet ADA standards.

  • PROWAC (not Prozac).  The Proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way (PROWAC) has already been published in the Federal Register.  Its comment period closed (for a second time) February 2, 2012, so it is only a matter of time when it could become law.  The current ADA rules were more focused on architectural barriers for building standards.  The new guidelines will now target your rights-of-way.  Make sure you download and read this document from the U.S. Access Board at: http://www.access-board.gov/prowac/nprm.htm
  • Administrative Needs:
    • Key decision makers must staff and budget this process
    • Designate an ADA Coordinator
    • Develop procedures to handle grievances or complaints
    • Develop an ADA policy statement
  • Self-Evaluation (First Step of the Transition Plan)
    • Complete a self-evaluation of your sidewalks and ramps (incluidng physical obstacles) from the street to all public facilities, including places liek shopping areas, housing complexes and apartments
      • Public must have the opportunity to make comments
      • Must keep on file for at least 3 years
      • Must be open for public inspection
    • Resource:  http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/toolkitmain.htm
  • Transition Plan
    • Outline steps to make your facilities accessible to the maximum extent possible
    • Complete a schedule to make the facilities accessible
    • Fund the improvements
    • Make the Transition Plan part of the regular planning process
    • Update as needs change
]]>InfraGard - Guarding the Nation's Infrastructurehttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/4/5/infragard---guarding-the-nation's-infrastructureThu, 05 Apr 2012 08:54:39 GMThttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/4/5/infragard---guarding-the-nation's-infrastructureAre you aware of the quasi-government shadow group guarding our nation's infrastructure from threats - both natural and manmade?  It may not be the group you are thinking of.

InfraGard is a group of individuals from the public in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This association of businesses, academic institutions, law enforcement agencies, and private citizens are working to prevent, and minimize, natural and hostile actions from affecting one of our national resources - our infrastructure.  Infragard provides information sharing and analysis for and through its many members. The FBI field offices correspond geographically with Infragard Chapters.

Have Questions / Need Help?

To learn more about Infragard, and see how you too can join in helping protect your community's assets, please check out the Infragard website at www.infragard.net.

]]>Deadlines Fast Approaching!http://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/3/20/deadlines-fast-approaching!Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:50:55 GMThttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/3/20/deadlines-fast-approaching!

  • Are you a CSO community?

    For CSO permittees, the CSO Notification Rule requires a form notice to be filed each March. Following is suggested language:

    • SUGGESTED PUBLIC NOTICE LANGUAGE

    CSO Community Notification
    (To be filed with newspaper of largest circulation in March of each year)

    As required by 327 IAC 5-2.1-6(1) (Combined Sewer Overflow Public Notification Rule), the _________ of _________ offers local media sources, affected public and other interested persons in and around the (Name of Community) area to provide information concerning frequency of overflow events that may be triggered by precipitation.  Any entity or individual desiring such information is requested to contact the ________ Wastewater Treatment Plant at (___) ___-_____, or, in writing, to the ____________, ___________________________.

     

    • Do you operate a Non-Delagated Industrial Pretreatment Program?

    REMINDER: For those NPDES Permittees that operate a Non-Delegated Industrial Pretreatment Program, you are required to submit to IDEM your Annual Report by April 1st of each year.

    Have Questions / Need Help?

    Should you have any questions or need assistance regarding these deadlines, please feel free to contact our Regulatory Specialists, Don Larson or Brady Dryer by email at dlarson@contactcei.com or bdryer@contactcei.com, or by phone at 1-800-289-1177.

    ]]>    Integrated CSO LTCP / MS4 Funding Bill Introducedhttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/3/7/integrated-cso-ltcp--ms4-funding-bill-introducedWed, 07 Mar 2012 14:56:54 GMThttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/3/7/integrated-cso-ltcp--ms4-funding-bill-introducedSen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced legislation [bill number not available] on February 9 that would require EPA to integrate stormwater and wastewater control programs into a single, long-term plan. The Clean Water Affordability Act is aimed at updating EPA's clean water affordability policy. The current EPA affordability policy does not provide for a full and accurate representation of the financial impacts of clean water investment programs on communities struggling to meet federal regulations for improving their water infrastructure. The Clean Water Affordability Act authorizes $1.8 billion over five years for a grant program to help financially distressed communities update their aging infrastructure.


    The legislation would also establish that:

    • The program would provide a 75-25 cost share for municipalities to use for planning, design, and construction of treatment works to control combined and sanitary sewer overflows.
    • The implementation schedule for water quality related improvements must be tailored to the affected community's unique financial condition.
    • A financial capability assessment should consider more broadly each community's economic situation.
    • Environmental improvements should be structured to mitigate the potential adverse impact of their cost on distressed populations.
    • Allows for reopening of approved Long Term Control Plans for green infrastructure projects.
    • Payback of State Revolving Fund loans are extended from 20 to 30 years
    • Establishes integrated permitting that requires EPA to prioritize the funding of most cost-effective and most important water quality projects.
    ]]>    EPA's FY 2013 Budget Proposal Focuses on Environmental and Human Health Protectionshttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/2/23/epa's-fy-2013-budget-proposal-focuses-on-environmental-and-human-health-protectionsThu, 23 Feb 2012 14:20:07 GMThttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/2/23/epa's-fy-2013-budget-proposal-focuses-on-environmental-and-human-health-protectionsThe Obama Administration has proposed a FY 2013 budget of $8.34 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The budget reflects a government-wide effort to reduce spending and find cost-savings, and is $105 million below EPA's enacted level for FY 2012.

    Key FY 2013 budget highlights include:

    • Supporting State Governments. The budget proposes $1.2 billion in categorical grants for states that are implementing environmental statutes such as the Clean Water Act. The increases from FY 2012 levels nearly $27 million for Pollution Control (Clean Water Act Section 106) grants and about $29 million for the Tribal General Assistance Program.

    • Protecting America's Waters. The proposal provides $2 billion for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving funds (SRFs). This will allow the SRFs to finance more than $6 billion in wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects annually. EPA will work to target assistance to small and underserved communities with limited ability to repay loans, while maintaining state program integrity.

    • Investing in Research. EPA's proposed budget provides $576 million to support research and innovation. Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grants are funded at $81 million to conduct research in key areas such as hydraulic fracturing and green infrastructure. Building upon ongoing research and collaborating with the Department of Energy and the US Geological Survey, a total $14 million investment will begin to assess potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on air quality, water quality and ecosystems. The EPA also will release an Interim Report on the Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources in 2012.

    • Ongoing Support to Economically and Environmentally Vital Water Bodies. EPA is proposing $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Programs and projects will target the most significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes. About $73 million, which is a $15 million increase, will fund the Chesapeake Bay program's continued implementation of the president's Executive Order on Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration. Funding will support bay watershed states as they implement plans to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution in an unprecedented effort to restore the ecosystem.

    Source: U.S. EPA   February 13, 2012

    ]]>    Upcoming Total Coliform Rule Revisionshttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/2/8/upcoming-total-coliform-rule-revisionsWed, 08 Feb 2012 09:05:14 GMThttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/2/8/upcoming-total-coliform-rule-revisionsChanges are on the way for total coliform testing MCL's.  This will affect all systems classified as community water systems or non-community water systems - approximately 154,000 PWS's around the country with over 300 million people served.  The new rule will provide criteria for well ran systems to qualify for reduced monitoring, along with increased monitoring for high-risk systems with bad compliance history. The proposed rule sets a health goal for E. coli and eliminates the MCL for total coliform by replacing with treatment technique requirements and corrective actions.  The proposed E. coli MCLG and MCL is zero (0). Positive coliform results would trigger an assessment for any sanitary defects followed by correction.  A change in the rule will be the elimination of monthly public notifications on the presence of total coliforms.  Once revised public notification would only be required when a positive E. coli violation occurs or a PWZ fails to conduct a required assessment and corrective actions. It is anticipated that final action on this rule will occur around November 2012.

    Have Questions / Need Help?

    Should you have any questions regarding the TCR revisions and how they may affect your community, please feel free to contact our Potable Water Team Leader, Pat Zaharako, P.E., at 800-289-1177 or by email at pzaharako@contactcei.com.

    ]]>    CFF Program Cut to Once a Yearhttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/1/23/cff-program-cut-to-once-a-yearMon, 23 Jan 2012 13:35:51 GMThttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/1/23/cff-program-cut-to-once-a-yearThe Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) have made changes to the 2012 Community Focus Fund (CFF) Program.  Due to funding cuts, the maximum grant award for infrastructure projects has been decreased from $600,000 to $500,000.

    OCRA has also gone to only one CFF round per year.  The new deadlines are:

    • February 10, 2012 - Proposal Due Date
    • June 8, 2012 - Application Due Date
    • August 31, 2012 - Announcements

    Have Questions / Need Help?

    Should you have any questions concerning your community's eligibility for Community Focus Funds or any other grants or loans, please feel free to contact our funding experts.  Contact Theresa Criss-Hartwig or Wayne Bailey, at 800-289-1177 or by email at thartwig@contactcei.com or wbailey@contactcei.com.

    ]]>    Deep Cuts Averted in Federal Water Fundinghttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/1/9/deep-cuts-averted-in-federal-water-fundingMon, 09 Jan 2012 08:17:25 GMThttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2012/1/9/deep-cuts-averted-in-federal-water-fundingThe bill allocates $1.46 billion to EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) in F.Y. 2012, a slight reduction from the $1.5 billion funding level in 2011. The Drinking Water SRF program was funded at $919 million, very close to F.Y. 2011 levels. The bill includes a 10% set-aside for "green infrastructure" wastewater projects, as well as funding for various Corps of Engineers Civil Works programs and clean-up programs under the Department of Energy.

    Based upon the EPA data, the Clean Water State Revolving Funds should be sufficient to fund approximately 473 new wastewater projects nationwide and more than 81,000 jobs when combined with state matching funds. The amount provided for the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds program will fund approximately 353 new drinking water projects nationwide and more than 50,000 jobs when combined with state matching funds.

    The bill provides $1.1 billion for Categorical Grants with $165 million allocated for non-point source (Sec. 319) grants.

    The House of Representatives passed the bill 296-121 on Friday. The Senate passed the bill 67-32 on Saturday. President Obama is expected to sign the budget into law this week.

    Fiscal year 2011 funding Fiscal Year 2012 funding

    Indiana                        $36,600,000.00                                              $35,251,300.00

    ]]>    Do You Know Your Due Date?http://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2011/12/1/do-you-know-your-due-dateThu, 01 Dec 2011 13:49:31 GMThttp://www.commonwealth-engineers.com/2011/12/1/do-you-know-your-due-dateThere's seem to be some confusion amongst the MS4 communities as to when your annual reports are due. Please be aware of the following due dates:

    • The second permit period only requires that you submit two (2) reports. These reports are due in the second (2010) and fourth (2012) years.
    • The next reporting period ends on June 30, 2012. The report is due to IDEM on or before October 30, 2012. This report will cover two (2) years (July 1, 2010 thru June 30, 2012).

    Have Questions / Need Help?

    If you are still unclear about your report's due date, or have questions regarding MS4s in general, please contact Brady Dryer at bdryer@contactcei.com or Don Larson dlarson@contactcei.com or by phone at 1-800-289-1177.

    ]]>