Get your Fluvial Geomorphology Skills Sharpened and Achieve Equilibrium with a 3-Day, Virtual, Short Course with Dr. John Field. Spring and Fall Course Options Available!

Field Geology Services is pleased to offer a three-day online short course entitled “Using Fluvial Geomorphology to Improve Stream Restoration and Watershed Management.”  Given the positive response from participants in past years, the course will be offered twice during 2024 – first from April 30-May 2, 2024 and second from November 18-20, 2024.  An optional virtual field trip will follow each short course on May 3 and November 21, 2024.  This course covers the basic principles of fluvial geomorphology and their use in watershed assessments and the design of stream restoration projects.  The virtual field trip will be to the Chesapeake Bay region with additional locations potentially added based on the interests of course registrants.  The course is being organized and hosted by the River Management Society (RMS).  A brief course description is found below with more details available on the RMS website along with registration information and pricing: https://rms.memberclicks.net/april-2024-fluvial-geomorphology (a link to the November course for registration is on this page but the general information other than the dates is all the same).

Feel free to call Dr. Field at 207-491-9541 or e-mail jfield@field-geology.com for further information on registration or course content.  An early registration discount is available prior to March 30th (for the April-May course) and October 18th (for the November course).  An additional discount is available for RMS members (and for those that join during registration).  Please call or email regarding additional discounts for students and groups of three or more.  We look forward to seeing you in one of the courses!  Please pass this announcement to others that might be interested in the course.

Thank you,

Dr. John Field

Using Fluvial Geomorphology to Improve Stream Restoration and Watershed Management

This 3-day short course (from 10am-5pm Eastern Time each day) with an optional virtual field trip will provide an overview of fluvial geomorphology with a thorough discussion of key concepts such as the principles of equilibrium, channel classification methods, channel evolution, and sediment transport capacity.  A number of examples and case studies from New England, the Pacific Northwest, the Chesapeake Bay region and elsewhere in the country will demonstrate how an understanding of fluvial geomorphology can be used in watershed assessments to identify the underlying causal mechanisms for erosion and flooding problems responsible for significant infrastructure damage and environmental degradation.  Additional case studies will be used to reveal common errors made in stream restoration projects when the basic principles of fluvial geomorphology are not taken into consideration. The course will conclude with a discussion of the appropriate settings and conditions within which to employ a variety of widely used stream restoration techniques.  The virtual field trip will visit degraded streams where future restoration projects may be completed and to already completed stream restoration sites in order to illustrate and reinforce the fluvial geomorphology concepts and stream restoration techniques discussed in the course.

The short course will consist of visual presentations, small group exercises, and activities that will provide participants with practical experiences and examples to recognize unstable channel reaches in a watershed and identify the most appropriate stream restoration techniques that will best address the identified instabilities, if present.  The course is designed for government officials, environmental and engineering consultants, construction contractors, non-profit watershed groups, educators, students, and others dealing with flooding, erosion, nutrient loading, and habitat issues along rivers and streams.

Posted in Announcements/Events, General, Grant Match, Hiring a Consultant, Other Funding Sources, Public Involvement/Outreach, QAPPS, Reporting, Stuff that Didn't Work, Stuff that Worked, Watershed Protection (High Quality Waters), Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters), Watershed-based Plans | Leave a comment

Please join us on March 29, 2024 for the fourteenth hosting of the 2024 Wild & Scenic® Film Festival at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (including five days of video-on-demand) or online from the comfort of your home. Tickets on sale now (75 seats already taken!). What are you waiting for?

Each year, the New Hampshire Rivers Council brings one of the largest environmental film festivals to Concord. This year, we have more room for everyone at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage!

Friday, March 29, 2024.
Reception starts at 6:00 PM.
Showtime is 7:00 sharp.

Get your tickets NOW by visiting Film Festival 2024 – New Hampshire Rivers Council (nhrivers.org)

If you can’t be part of the big night or want to re-watch the films—there’s good news: your ticket price includes five days of video-on-demand.

This is the fourteenth year that the New Hampshire Rivers Council will host this sold-out event. The Wild & Scenic® Film Festival provides environmentally-conscious organizations with an opportunity to showcase films as a way to reach their communities and inspire citizens to effect environmental change. The Festival offers a way for viewers to get energized and empowered to work in the community and get involved in the Council’s initiatives and other projects.

Do you want to take your support to the next level and see your business or organization logo on all event media platforms and on the BIG screen during the film festival?

The event includes a number of ways to showcase national sponsors as well as local business partners, including a reception. Click here for the WSFF NHRC 2024 sponsorship information and pledge form to learn how you can be one of them.

The ticket cost for introductory film festival-goers (first time members only, please) includes a one-year membership to the New Hampshire Rivers Council and all the associated benefits.

As always, members receive special pricing and can renew when they purchase their tickets.

Hope to see MANY of you at the Film Festival!

Posted in Announcements/Events, General, Grant Match, Hiring a Consultant, Other Funding Sources, Public Involvement/Outreach, Watershed Protection (High Quality Waters), Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters), Watershed-based Plans | Comments Off on Please join us on March 29, 2024 for the fourteenth hosting of the 2024 Wild & Scenic® Film Festival at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (including five days of video-on-demand) or online from the comfort of your home. Tickets on sale now (75 seats already taken!). What are you waiting for?

NHDES Cyanobacteria Plan Webinar Announcement

Overview of the State Cyanobacteria Plan 

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 7pm NHDES will host a webinar to provide an overview of the newly released Cyanobacteria Plan: A Statewide Strategy. David Neils, NHDES Chief Aquatic Biologist, will discuss the major components of the plan and answer questions from the public. The webinar is open to anyone interested in learning more about cyanobacteria.

In November 2023, NHDES released a statewide strategy to prevent the increase of, and eventually control, cyanobacteria blooms in New Hampshire’s surface waters. The plan was required by the state legislature and included input from a 17-person cyanobacteria advisory committee.

Included in the plan are key strategies and goals necessary to curb cyanobacteria blooms occurrences and risks. The webinar will focus on these key strategies and discuss specific action items to achieve the strategies leaving plenty of time for questions and answers.

Please use the following link to register for the webinar: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2124137054727556951

Once you register, you will receive an email from the NHDES Watershed Management Bureau with an access link for the webinar.

Posted in Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters) | Comments Off on NHDES Cyanobacteria Plan Webinar Announcement

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS Issued by the City of Lebanon for the Mascoma Lake Watershed Management Plan

The City of Lebanon is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from interested consulting firms to develop a watershed-based management plan for Mascoma Lake Watershed located in Grafton and Sullivan counties in the central western region of New Hampshire. The watershed-based management plan shall meet the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requirements for nine-element (a-i) watershed-based management plan to mitigate phosphorus loading in Mascoma Lake Watershed. Mascoma Lake has experienced increased harmful algal blooms (HAB’s) events in recent years resulting in beach and recreational notices or closure on Mascoma Lake.

Development of an EPA nine key element (‘a-i’) watershed-based management plan for Mascoma Lake Watershed will assess the health of the waters in Mascoma Lake, result in identification of sources of pollutants, and provide a roadmap for mitigation and protection efforts in the future. The plan will address external and internal phosphorus loading to Mascoma Lake and the subwatersheds though development of a management plan that identifies the sources and the necessary steps to reduce loading from each of the subwatersheds within Mascoma Lake Watershed.

BACKGROUND

The Mascoma River Basin Watershed is in Grafton and Sullivan counties in the central western region of New Hampshire. The watershed covers 195 square miles, which includes nine communities and major regional water bodies of Mascoma Lake, Goose Pond, Crystal Lake, and Grafton Pond. The lakes and ponds in the watershed are operated as a unit for storage of water for hydroelectric power and recreation. Based on United States Geological Survey (USGS) data, the usable capacity of the four reservoirs is 1.06 billion cubic feet. Mascoma Lake feeds the Mascoma River the only source water supply for the City of Lebanon Water Treatment Plant. Mascoma Lake is surrounded by homes and cottages and is used for recreational purposes. A dam is used to control the water level in the lake, which also serves to regulate the outflow into the Mascoma River. According to 2023 reports, the flow of the river averages 15.6 MGD with a maximum of 150.2 MGD and minimum of 2.9 MGD.

Electronic copies of your Statement of Qualification should be emailed in PDF format and received no later than Wednesday February 16, 2024 at 4pm to Robert Buras at: robert.buras@lebanonnh.gov Include “Mascoma Lake Watershed RFQ” in the subject line. Alternatively, if unable to submit electronically, two (2) hardcopies must be submitted by the closing date and time to the City of Lebanon, 193 Dartmouth College Highway Lebanon, NH 03766, Attention: Robert Buras and include “Mascoma Lake Watershed RFQ” on the outside of the package/envelope.

See the Mascoma Lake Watershed Management Plan RFQ for more information.

This RFQ can also be found here: Project overview (opengov.com)

Contact Robert Buras at: robert.buras@lebanonnh.gov with questions.

Posted in Announcements/Events, General, Hiring a Consultant | Comments Off on REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS Issued by the City of Lebanon for the Mascoma Lake Watershed Management Plan

SAVE THE DATE: NHDES 2024 Water Infrastructure Funding Workshop

Save the Date! 2024 Water Infrastructure Funding Workshop

Virtual Webinar Series
April 8-12, 2024

This workshop will include a series of sessions focusing on updates regarding funding programs administered by NHDES. Topics include: program updates, disbursements, lead and copper rule, PFAS, emerging contaminants, asset management, sustainability and more!

The intended audience includes current/future loan recipients, community/financial decision makers, public works directors, city/town managers, commissioners, selectmen, municipal and regional planners, consultants/engineers, operators, and others interested in NHDES-administered funding programs.

Agenda and registration links coming soon.

Cost: FREE

Visit our funding program websites for additional program information:

Please contact the DWSRF program if you have any questions: DWSRF@des.nh.gov

Posted in Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters) | Comments Off on SAVE THE DATE: NHDES 2024 Water Infrastructure Funding Workshop

FB Environmental – Current Opening: Senior Project Manager, Freshwater Science – Dover, NH

Current Opening: Senior Project Manager, Freshwater Science – Dover, NH

FB Environmental seeks a motivated and experienced Senior Project Manager to join its dynamic team in Dover, NH. As a Senior Project Manager with a focus on freshwater science, this position plays a key role in managing complex projects related to inland freshwater systems, particularly in New England, with an emphasis on lakes in New Hampshire. This client-centered position involves a combination of field and office work, requiring a high level of skill and organizational ability to execute specialized tasks accurately and efficiently. In addition to project management, this role includes business development and client relations efforts, contributing to the growth and success of the company.

Qualifications

Minimum of a BS or BA in Environmental Science, Limnology, Biology, Ecology, or related field, and 10 years’ experience (with at least five years managing projects) OR a post-graduate degree (MS or PhD) in a related field and five years’ experience (with at least 3 years managing projects).

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong scientific and mathematical skills, including proficiency in data analysis.

Responsibilities

  • Manage and oversee complex projects related to freshwater science, ensuring timely and accurate completion.
  • Direct project support staff and coordinate tasks to meet project objectives.
  • Conduct business development activities as part of a collaborative team effort.
  • Cultivate and maintain client relationships to ensure client satisfaction and project success.
  • Utilize excellent written and verbal communication skills to convey scientific information effectively.
  • Apply scientific and mathematical skills, including data analysis, to support project goals.

Compensation: $75,000 – $90,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to info@fbenvironmental.com. Please include “Senior Project Manager – Freshwater Science” in the subject line.

Application Deadline: Jan 5, 2024 (sooner is better)

FB Environmental Associates is an equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Join FB Environmental Associates in making a positive impact on the environment and contributing to the success of our clients and communities!

 

Posted in Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters) | Comments Off on FB Environmental – Current Opening: Senior Project Manager, Freshwater Science – Dover, NH

NHDES Request for Proposals – New Hampshire Municipal Roadway Soils Management

 New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services                                         Nonpoint Source Management Program

Request for Proposal (RFP) 2023NHMRSM

New Hampshire Municipal Roadway Soils Management (NHMRSM)

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Nonpoint Source Management Program seeks to hire a consultant to perform a due diligence review and develop operational guidelines for materials management associated with non-hazardous roadway soils resulting from municipal roadway maintenance activities such as ditch re-establishment, street sweeping and catch basin cleaning.

This project will research and develop operational guidelines and training for materials management associated with municipal street sweeping and catch basin cleaning. The guidelines will be consistent with State of New Hampshire Solid Waste Management Bureau disposal regulations and will be encompassing of requirements described in the NH MS4 and the Great Bay Total Nitrogen general permits for these activities.

For details about the project and RFP submittal, including communication with NHDES during the RFP period, please use the link below.

NHDES_RFP Roadway Soils Mgmt_2023

Complete RFP packages must be submitted as described in the RFP on January 19, 2024 by 4:00 PM to:

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Portsmouth Regional Office
222 International Drive, Suite 175
Portsmouth, NH 03801

c/o  Sally Soule – Watershed Assistance Section

Sally.A.Soule@des.nh.gov

Posted in Hiring a Consultant | Comments Off on NHDES Request for Proposals – New Hampshire Municipal Roadway Soils Management

Check out U.S. EPA’s NEW Bioretention Design Handbook!

EPA just announced the release of the Bioretention Design HandbookThe handbook was developed to inform practitioners about the latest approaches and lessons learned for bioretention design, construction, inspection, and operation and maintenance.

The handbook contains a compilation of the current state of knowledge from published literature, interviews, and site visits with leading municipalities and practitioners across the United States. A unique feature includes the numerous photographs of bioretention facilities from more than 20 municipalities across the contiguous United States that showcase a diversity of design techniques.

The handbook can be found on the EPA’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, Nonpoint Source Programs webpage here: https://www.epa.gov/nps/urban-runoff-low-impact-development

Enjoy this new EPA Resource. Please share this visually compelling resource with anyone interested in stormwater management!

Please send questions to Robyn DeYoung, DeYoung.Robyn@epa.gov

Posted in Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters) | Comments Off on Check out U.S. EPA’s NEW Bioretention Design Handbook!

Job Vacancy Announcement: Environmental Projects Manager – City of Dover, NH

The City of Dover, NH seeks applicants for an Environmental Projects Manager position to perform routine and complex administrative, technical, and professional work in coordinating environmental projects generally related to solid waste, landfills, hazardous waste, stormwater, municipal drinking water (per the Safe Drinking Water Act), and municipal sanitary sewer (related to the Clean Water Act). May perform engineering design, planning, layout, and oversight work for environmental, water, sewer, stormwater, and other community development projects and programs. Responsibilities include supervision, construction oversight, preparation and coordination of plans, specifications, reports, estimate, field studies, and surveys.

More information about the Enivronmental Projects Manager position may be found on the City of Dover website by visiting the Employment page which has a description on how to apply plus a link for more information about position 24-042 Enivronmental Projects Manager:

https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/executive/human-resources/employment/

Vacancy announcement for this position:

24-042 Environmental Projects Manager Vacancy Announcement

Posted in Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters) | Comments Off on Job Vacancy Announcement: Environmental Projects Manager – City of Dover, NH

Request for Qualifications: Nitrogen Control Plan for Milton, NH

Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) seeks responses to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for nitrogen control plan development for Milton, NH.

In 2022, the Town of Milton, in collaboration with the Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) submitted a pre-application and was authorized to borrow $100,000 as part of a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan through the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to develop a nitrogen control plan. Prior to final work scope and loan approval, a qualifications-based selection procurement process must be conducted through a formal Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to choose a consulting firm.

With this funding, SRPC, in coordination with a selected Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP), will develop a plan for nitrogen source reductions, from point source and non-point sources. The nitrogen source reduction plan would outline specific actions or projects with estimates of load reduction potential and cost to implement these actions or projects.

The plan will serve as a planning tool for Milton to allocate funding for investment and implementation to reduce total nitrogen into Milton Three Ponds/Salmon Falls River which feeds Great Bay. The plan would help Milton understand how much total nitrogen they might expect to reduce in the next 4+ years. A project deliverable would also include a nitrogen source identification planning template that could be used by other towns within the Great Bay estuary.

SRPC is soliciting proposals from QEPs with proven expertise in the development of nitrogen control plans and preparation of non-point source total nitrogen adaptive management plans that comply with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Great Bay Total Nitrogen General Permit. Additionally, QEPs should have first-hand knowledge of the level of detail required in nitrogen control plans, the project experience to leverage their existing work, and the technical expertise to ensure that Milton develops a plan that is implementable and adaptable to their needs.

SRPC has a modest amount of funding available to hire a QEP to assist with selected project tasks and sub-tasks. The QEP will work under the direction of SRPC staff and collaborate with Milton staff and its partners to provide technical advice or services to complete the selected tasks.

RFQ TIMELINE
November 3, 2023 Request for Qualifications release
November 10, 2023 Deadline for submittal of questions on this RFQ (5:00 p.m.)
November 17, 2023 Questions and answers digest distributed to Proposers and posted to www.strafford.org
December 8, 2023 Deadline for receipt of qualification packages to this RFQ (5:00 p.m.)
January 5, 2023 Anticipated final selection of QEP and notification to all firms. SRPC reserves the right to conduct interviews with selected teams. The decision to conduct interviews may affect the specified timeline.

More details can be found in the RFQ: MIL_Nitrogen_Control_Plan_RFQ_110323

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