Blogs

Congratulations to our 2024 IECA Board of Directors—meet the new faces leading us forward! We are excited to announce the results of our 2024 IECA Global Board of Directors Election! After a thoughtful voting process, we are proud to introduce the newly elected members who will help shape the future of our association and continue our mission to protect soil and water resources. Joe Johnson Nancy Schumm Ryan Eaves Please ...
As an attendee of the IV Ibero-American Congress of Sediments and Ecology (CISE) and the First Ibero-American Conference on Erosion and Sedimentation (JIES) , I can confidently say that this event exceeded all expectations. Held from August 5-9, 2024, at the stunning Atlantic headquarters of the University of Costa Rica in Turrialba, the congress brought together 120 participants from 13 countries , making it a vibrant and diverse gathering of experts passionate about tackling erosion and sedimentation challenges across the globe. The success of the event was a testament to the hard work and collaboration between multiple organizations, including the ...
Dear IECA Members, As President of IECA, I want to personally remind you of the importance of your vote in our Global Board of Directors elections. The future of our association depends on the leadership we choose today, and each of our candidates has the passion, experience, and vision to help us grow. Your vote is not just a formality—it’s your chance to make a difference. By voting, you are helping to shape the direction of IECA and ensuring we continue to excel in protecting soil and water resources worldwide. Please take a moment to cast your vote if you haven’t already: Vote Now Thank you for your dedication to IECA and ...

August 2024

COLLABORATE TODAY. SUSTAIN TOMORROW. We hope to see you September 9-11, 2024 at our Northeast Regional Conference in Scranton, PA as we co-locate this year with our peers from the Mid-Atlantic region. In addition to pre-planning your personal travel itineraries to get to the conference, we wanted to highlight a few educational opportunities you may be interested in adding to your agenda. Let’s get ready to explore Navigating Soil & Water Management . Tuesday, September 10th 8:30am-9:10am Casey Grand Ballroom Opening Keynote—Abandoned Mines Speaker: Patrick Webb, Director PA Department of Environmental Protection ...

July 2024

COLLABORATE TODAY. SUSTAIN TOMORROW. Proper Turbidity Barrier Installation in Rivers Submitted by Ryan Henderson, Product Specialist at Aer-Flo Environmental When installing turbidity barriers in rivers special attention needs to be given to how the barriers are configured and oriented in the water. The placement of turbidity barriers directly across streams and rivers is never recommended. Crosscurrents place extreme loads on the turbidity barriers and will push the barriers to the surface, preventing them from containing any sediment. Beyond that, the barriers will often be damaged, destroyed, or swept away. Turbidity barriers installed ...
Message from the Editor Welcome to SPRINT , IECA’S quarterly newsletter designed to help you grow your business. SPRINT is a quick-hitting communication tool providing our business partners with information regarding opportunities to engage with IECA that supports your marketing efforts and goals. As an IECA partner, this is your newsletter – and we would love to hear from you. Our intent is not to add clutter to your inbox, but to provide timely information that you need for budgeting, staffing, and other planning. Follow this link to let us know the type of information you need and what you value most about your work with IECA. ...
I am thrilled to share my latest article in the July edition of Environmental Connection magazine , titled "Rebuilding On-site Soil for Effective Erosion Control." In our industry, the battle against erosion demands innovative solutions that tap into the power of nature itself. We are tasked with reshaping landscapes and fostering healthier ecosystems by effectively rebuilding on-site soil and strategically repurposing on-site materials. In the article, I discuss various techniques such as composting, mulching, bioengineering, and mycorrhizal inoculation, as well as the importance of repurposing on-site materials like rock, stone, and woody debris. These ...
We are honored to extend a cordial invitation to the IV Ibero-American Congress of Sediments and Ecology (CISE) and the First Ibero-American Conference on Erosion and Sedimentation (JIES) . This prestigious event will be held jointly from August 5 to 9, 2024, at the Atlantic headquarters of the University of Costa Rica in the city of Turrialba. This event is organized by the University of Costa Rica, the International Sediment Initiative (ISI-LAC) of the PHI UNESCO, the International Association for Erosion and Sediment Control Ibero-American Chapter (IECA) IA, the Costa Rican Association of Soil Science (ACCS), the Mexican Institute of Water Technology (IMTA), ...
Craig Benson recognized for his excellence in the field with the IECA Presenter of the Year award, will share his expertise in an upcoming webinar. This event is a fantastic opportunity for professionals to gain insight into developing and implementing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for sediment and turbidity. With his extensive experience and over 40 years in practice ( with over 400 projects under his belt). Benson's guidance is invaluable for those looking to enhance their understanding of environmental compliance and watershed management. More details and registration - https://www.wcieca.org/events/TMDLwebinar .

June 2024

COLLABORATE TODAY. SUSTAIN TOMORROW. Addressing the Stormwater Management Professional Shortage: An Urgent Call to Action Submitted by Cody Obropta, P.E. Environmental Engineer with Maine Department of Environmental Protection The stormwater management sector is facing a critical shortage of professionals, a concern that has significant implications for our environment and infrastructure. The demand for reviewers, regulators, inspectors, compliance professionals, designers, and engineers far outstrips the supply, leaving a gap that must be addressed promptly. Failure to close this gap could lead to numerous adverse consequences. One of the most ...