Nov 13
2009

SWATSWAT is a hydrologic model developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Station in Temple, Texas in cooperation with Texas A&M University.  Unlike most hydrologic models, SWAT models not only the movement of water, but movement of nutrients as well.  As a result, it is a tool widely used to model watershed non-point sources for their contribution to water quality.

The NC Cooperative Extension Service has arranged for the SWAT team to come to North Carolina in order to hold training sessions.  There is an introductory course to be held at NC A&T University in Winston-Salem on Monday, November 16th and Tuesday, November 17th.  I will be attending this session.  Advanced training is to be offered at NC State University on Thursday, November 19th and Friday, November 20th.

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Nov 7
2009

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Nov 7
2009

Coastal Development on the IncreaseThe coastline is a most hazardous place to develop.  The sands, especially of the barrier islands, are constantly shifting and may be washed away with any large storm.  Waves, winds, and flooding from these storms are also a regular danger.  Even worse, the mean sea level is on the rise and forecast to increase up to 3 feet in the next 100 years.  Sea level rise, of course, threatens to engulf much of the coastline.  Despite all this, development is on the increase up and down both of our coasts, as this article in the Miami Herald notes.

Also as the article notes, this is likely to mean expensive measures to save this development.  It is certainly likely in urban areas such as Miami and New York.  However, what of the huge amounts of development occurring elsewhere along the coastline?  It is not very likely that sea walls will be built along the entire East Coast.  It would be far too costly.  Instead, much of the area is likely to be abandoned.  However, is this being taken into account when development is being planned or permitted?  It seems quite unlikely, especially when developers are likely to walk away well before their construction will be threatened.  Also, the only planning tools being used right now only take into account estimates of current risk based on past events, which will further encroach inland as time goes by.  It seems that we are spending our money foolishly and that the coming generations will lose much due to the foolishness of our investments.

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Nov 7
2009

Reuters MediaIt is a bit late in the posting, but Reuters has a story about the low bids that have been coming in on construction projects funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) money.  They are reporting that bids are coming in 30% below estimates.  This is in keeping with observation by the Public Water Supply (PWS) section of the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR).  The section has been distributing ARRA funds for water projects across the state and bids are most definitely coming in low as a rule.

The article goes on worrying that contractors are bidding below cost to win the projects and will be unable to recover funds because of redistribution of funds.  My understanding, however, is a bit different.  The PWS funding promises are based on the original estimates.  Even though contracts may come in lower, PWS is still liable for the same amount until the project is completed and all change orders have been dealt with.  Therefore, so long as there is legitimate cause for a change order, there is still opportunity for contractors to recover costs.  The only strings attached that I am aware of are that funding may be prorated according to the portion of work that has been contracted by the February 17, 2010 ARRA deadline and that no work will be compensated that has not been performed by February 17, 2012.  As a result, the biggest concern is speed and not compensation.

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