Using Google Maps, you can now see what the “Walk Score” of any address may be. A Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. Pretty cool stuff.
Check it out here.
Good discussion of Operation & Maintenance and sample documents here.
Don’t really know, but we would guess it is Lake Okeechobee in central Florida. Interesting article on some of the issues they are dealing with – all on a very large scale – here.
Want to do a search for online CAD drawings? Check out CADoogle here. Pretty cool.
“Environmental site design.” Get used to the term. It is also called “low impact development.” Developers will have to rely even heavily on their site designers when Maryland’s new stormwater management law and regulations go into effect next year. The new law requires MDE to establish regulations and a model ordinance that requires implementation of environmental site design to the maximum extent practicable. Developers will be required to demonstrate that ESD has been implemented to the maximum extent practicable and that standard best management practices have been used only where absolutely necessary.
Read it all in the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers latest newsletter here.
The largest collection of photos we’ve run across here.
in New England, a demo by Agg Industries. Read it here
A shining example of codes versus common sense backlash, it seems that folks in California are bootlegging their installation of greywater systems. Interesting read here.
I happened upon this post, that referred to this post.
Long and short: the later post advocated citizens running around trying to find and report erosion and sediment control problems in the Atlanta area. Being a legit business person, I really can not agree with this approach. There are other ways to be more effective in doing the right thing….
So it provoked the following response from me:
“Grass roots ratting on developers and builders sounds really great but does not make for good community relationships – actually it destroys them. Better yet – lobby your local governments to enact legislation with funding to PROPERLY regulate construction activities. That is to say – elected government officials should do the right thing for the environment – which is doing the right thing for the people. It has been happening in many areas of the country for many (30) years. The Georgia good old boys seem to be quite a bit behind on this one and it is probably time to wake up. It is easily do-able, if the local governments get their heads out of the dirt and do what is REQUIRED by the EPA.
Regulation is the government’s job – not citizens. It is the job of citizens to lobby legislators to make sure the government is doing their job.
Folks who run around looking at and reporting violations – doing the regulators job for them – are quite often regarded as wackos by the business community. Being regarded as a wacko does not build respect and does not address the big picture. Instead, it can make it easier for the activist to be quickly dismissed.
In the alternative, folks who run around observing and documenting issues – and then build cases to present to there government officials and legislators (in cooperation with appropriate organizations) – are respected in the business community. Work within the system and you will be more effective at righting the wrongs. Be a busy-body that is “playing regulator” and you will experience disrespect and frustration.”
Whew, got that out….
Reported recently in the Wall Street Journal is this story about a new development trend – establishing communities on working farms. Having grown up on a farm, this is certainly a nice thought. Interesting concept – a next generation of for-profit communes? Or a way to extend and save the family farm?
Sustainable Stormwater Management 