Monday, December 29, 2008

Wetlands Guidance (Revised)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued revised guidance on wetlands this month. This guidance was in response to the Rapanos Supreme Court Decision and revises and further clarifies the previous guidance.

The new guidance can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/pdf/CWA_Jurisdiction_Following_Rapanos120208.pdf

The new guidance clarifies the definition of Navigable Waters to expand to Waters that are navigable-in-fact or could be used for navigation. There is also a further clarification of adjacency and jurisdiction and further discussion of "significant nexus".

All of the clarifications are to the benefit of the agencies.

To see how this affects your project, please contact JCM Environmental. http://www.jcmenv.com/

A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. --George Bernard Shaw

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Congrats to Benchmark Builders

We're happy and proud to congratulate Benchmark Builders as they join the growing ranks of Delaware homebuilders that are building green! Benchmark was able to get front page coverage on the 12/20/08 News Journal Real Estate section to announce that the Village of Eastridge will be green.

Located in Kent County, this active adult community will provide buyers in the Clayton area with green built homes which are planned to be certified green through the National Association Of Homebuilders Green Building program.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Great Pond Work

Our Land Management Branch grew tremendously in 2008 and made a name for themselves as the "go to" company for challenging jobs where customer service was important. Here are just a few of the comments received this year from satisfied pond clients:

In recognition of our satisfaction with the efforts of you and your staff, we unanimously voted to extend our (pond maintenance) contract with JCM for the next 2 years. Thanks again and please relay our thanks to Kevin, Joe, Wendy and others for their hard work and their cheerfulness in helping our community improve the quality of our ponds.


(The pond looks) much better than before! .....your crew was great and explained a lot to me about the growth of the algae and the treatment. The plants they planted are beginning to bloom and look nice.


I received a call from a community that is considering hiring JCM to maintain their ponds. I told them that JCM was great; they improved our pond and are professional and responsive, always promptly returning calls and doing what they say they will do.

Many thanks to the hard working Land Management crew: Dave, Kevin, Wendy, Tim, Joe and their seasonal helpers.

You can reach Dave at dave@jcmenv.com or (302) 854-9138 X801.

Congratulations Amy on Publication

Amy (Alsfeld) Nazdrowicz has had a research paper accepted for publication in "Biological Conservation" related to the effects of various factors on the success of created wetlands. You can view the article at the link below:

http://jcmenv.com/Biological%20Conservation_Alsfeld%20et%20al%20.pdf

She has also been selected to present her data and findings at the Delaware Estuary Conference in Cape May, New Jersey in January 2009.

Amy works in JCM Environmental's Sciences Branch as a project manager overseeing all wetland creation, enhancement and mitigation projects, including design, construction oversight, planting and monitoring. She can be reached at amy@jcmenv.com and more information is available at www.jcmenv.com.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Regional Wetland Delineation Manual

The Corps of Engineers will now be requiring the use of the new Coastal Plain Wetland Delineation Manual for a trial period of one year. For more information contact JCM Environmental. Also, see more information at the link below:

http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/cenap-op/regulatory/spn/spn08_Final_Regional_Supplement.pdf

Sussex Green Development

I am proud to say that JCM Environmental and Silverstock Builders were heavily involved in assisting Sussex County, Delaware in developing a Green Development Policy. This policy was adopted by the Sussex County Council on Tuesday December 16, 2008.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20081216/DW01/81216022/-1/DW

This voluntary program encourages Green Development and Building and gives incentives to builders and developers for building green and developing green. This is a win-win policy that will benefit Sussex County for many years to come.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Board of Directors

Howard Fortunato and Jim McCulley were sworn in today to the Homebuilders Association of Delaware (HBADE) Board of Directors at the Inaugural Luncheon at the Sheraton in Dover.

This marks Jim's sixth year of serving on the Board at various times in his career and Howard's first year of service as a Board Member.

Howard did previously serve as the Executive Officer for this group and is currently serving as the President of the Green Building Council of the HBADE.

Congratulations Howard and Jim.

In addition to the swearing in, it was an occasion which reminds us how far the housing industry has come this year. At the beginning of the year we saw Anderson Homes complete the miraculous feat of rebuilding a home in Wilmington for the Extreme Makeover Show.

Howard was instrumental in starting the Home Builder's Green Building Council and Howard continues as President.

We have seen the green building business grow with many firsts by our clients -

SIlverstock Homes, first gold in Delaware and the Nation since NAHB unveiled their NAHB Green program.

Thompson Homes build the first gold certified home in New Castle County.

JS Hovnanian built the first Silver certified homes in Kent County and the first certified models in Delaware and probably the nation.

Here at the end of the year we see Sussex County poised to begin a green initiative while the other counties are not far behind.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Now An Engineering Firm

JCM Environmental is proud to announce that we now have a Certificate to Practice Engineering from the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers (DAPE).

With the addition of Doug Seavey, P.E. to our staff, we are now providing Environmental Engineering in our Remediation Branch. Doug also has tremendous wastewater experience and is assisting our clients with single lot and community wastewater design.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

We are here to help (Praying Optional)

Driving through Ocean View, Delaware yesterday, I was reminded of a job that another consultant had worked on and told the owner that their land was worthless.  We came in and with more detailed studies proved that the land was not worthless and that only a small portion was actually wetlands.  The remainder of the property had been impacted by work that DelDOT had done and needed an experienced investigator to collect and sort out the data.

Upon the completion of the study, the owners wife said "I have been praying every night for someone to come help us".  We take our job very seriously and we do go the extra mile to look for innovative solutions and we try to thoroughly understand complicated property conditions. 

You don't have to pray for us to help you, just call or e-mail.

I recall praying for several months that the same client would pay their bill, but that is a different story!

Call JCM Environmental and see what we can do for you.


Friday, December 5, 2008

Committee of 100 Dinner

Howard, Craig, Andrew and I went to the Committee of 100 Annual Holiday Dinner on Wednesday night and saw lots of old friends and met some new ones.

The holidays are a great time to slow down just a bit, reconnect and visit with people who you may have been too busy to see all year. Where did the year go anyway, it has been a tough year for everyone but it seemed to fly by.

This is a great time to wish everyone a Happy Holiday and prepare for a year that we all know will be better than this year. Count your blessings and reconnect with someone you may have forgotten about.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Better Business Bureau


Written by Jacki McCulley, Business Manager at JCM Environmental:

We have been accepted as members of the Better Business Bureau! I met with a representative of the organization several weeks ago and discovered that being a member is a process of verifying our standing in the business community and having no complaints against us, in addition to other criteria.

Interestingly, the BBB was founded many years ago to protect consumers against “snake oil salesmen” who would come into town and sell folks potions claiming to do wonderful things, then they would take the money and run. Today’s BBB serves the client in many ways, including legal services in the event a client does lodge a complaint.

It is to everyone’s credit and high ethical work standards that allows us to be a part of the BBB, and for that, I would like to thank everyone at JCM Environmental and all of our clients.



Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Thank You Shaina


Shaina Phillips has been a huge part of JCM Environmental over the past four years. She has helped grow the Sciences Branch and has mentored many of the newer employees.

Shaina has decided to go back to school and make a career change. She will be greatly missed by the staff and clients of JCM Environmental. The tribute to her is all of the fine people who she helped train will be picking up where she left off.

We wish Shaina all the luck in the world in her future endeavors and will keep a spot open for her at JCM Environmental in case she decides she wants to come back.

Thanks Shaina!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Science Olympiad Help

Recently, Amy Nazdrowicz and Jodi Kerstetter took our critters on the road, and met with A.G. Waters Middle School’s Science Olympiad team to help prepare them for their spring competition, in particular relating to reptiles and amphibians. Amy and Jodi discussed specifics about various reptile and amphibian species native to Delaware, and the Delmarva Peninsula, and gave the kids the opportunity to touch a snake, salamander, and frog. While some of the students initially balked, most of them ended up touching a Garter Snake, and noticing the difference in skin texture.

Amy and Jodi will be headed back in the spring to help the kids brush up before the big test. Good luck A.G. Waters!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

First Certified Silver Homes in Kent County and Delaware

Now that it's official, we're happy to congratulate JS Hovnanian & Sons, homebuilders of Roesville Estates outside Frederica in Kent County Delaware. They have received Silver Certification of their three model homes, awarded by the National Association of Homebuilders Green Building Program. They are first "Green Home" in Kent County, and first Silver Certified Home in Delaware under the NAHB Green Building Guidelines. We also believe that they are the first in the nation to certify their model homes as green and are waiting for confirmation from NAHB, we do know that they are the first builder in Delaware to certify their model homes as "green".

As always, great to see homebuilders building green AND to see the home buying public embracing green construction. Will it help sales? We think so! Is it mandatory? NO! Does it cost the builder a little more? Probably. But Hovnanian is another example of our growing list of builder clients that are thinking about the environment while they build homes.

Mentoring Younger Students

Written by Jodi Kerstetter, Environmental Scientist with JCM Environmental:

Last spring a couple of JCM employees had the opportunity to work with Brader Elementary School’s Conservation Club. Located less than five minutes away from the Newark, Delaware office, it was a great way to connect with local youth with a passion for the environment. These kids are bright and motivated, and it made me want to foster their interest in the environment all the more.

After discussing various options and levels of involvement, the school and I decided the best route would consist of going through training, and becoming a mentor. I’m pleased to announce that I was cleared earlier this week, and am working out my schedule with the school!

Working with kids, and environmental education in general, has always given me a great deal of personal satisfaction, and I’m so excited to be able to share my love of the environment with young people who are genuinely interested and motivated to learn more.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

First Certified Gold home in New Castle County


Several of us at JCM were pleased to attend a press conference yesterday at which our client Thompson Homes was recognized the County and the local press (http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20081125/NEWS08/811250359/1006/) for building the first Gold Certified home in New County Delaware under the NAHB Green Building Program. The County was especially pleased since they are trying to encourage green building in the County.

The ceremony was held at the home in Crossland, and the homeowner, who has been living in the home for three weeks, is thrilled. We're of course very pleased and honored to have been the Verifiers for Thompson to attain this honor. Needless to say, can't wait for the next one!

It's great to see green thinking and green building catching on.


Thursday, November 20, 2008

DNREC Revolving Loan

A few days ago I blogged about the speedy turn around time that DNREC has been meeting for Brownfield Reimbursements (15 days). They are also offering a low interest revolving loan that will allow short term borrowing to cover the payment for invoices. This would then be reimbursed to the developer within 15 days and the total cost would just be a small interest payment.

For more information, contact our Remediation Branch at (302) 737-9335 X201 or e-mail craig@jcmenv.com or dseavey@jcmenv.com

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Speaking of Silver Woods and Recognition

While blogging about the national recognition for JCM Environmental and Silver Woods in Bethany Beach, Delaware, it occurred to me that many of you may have missed the initial press coverage.

Click below to watch a clip of Bob Thornton, developer of Silver Woods, being interviewed on WHYY Evening News with regard to green building and his "first in the nation" certification.




For more information on green building, visit our web site at http://www.jcmenv.com/ or contact Howard Fortunato at howard@jcmenv.com.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

More National Recognition


Yesterday, the November 2008 edition of Builder Magazine came out and featured a story (on page 60) about a JCM Environmental project, Silver Woods in Bethany Beach, Delaware.

The short article talked about the JCM plan for a nature trail with bird feeding stations as part of the "green" aspects of the development and stated how they are becoming more common.

We are proud to have worked with Silverstock Builders on this exciting project which boasts the first Gold Certified Green Home in the Nation under the NAHB Green Building Guidelines. Silver Woods also boasts the second Gold Certified Green Home in Delaware which was just certified last month.

Follow this link to see the article if you are not a subscriber to "Builder":
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/hanleywood/builder_200811/index.php?startpage=62

Monday, November 17, 2008

Corps of Engineers Permits

Nationwide Permits (NWPs) are permits issued by the Corps of Engineers (COE) to everyone in the nation for specific projects under specific conditions. Many of these permits require a Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) to the COE which contains specific details and agency comments.

The COE has 30 days to respond to the applicant to ask for additional information. If they do not ask for additional information, it is assumed that the application is complete. The COE has an additional 15 days to respond to the applicant once the application is determined complete. The COE can state that the project qualifies or doesn't qualify for the NWP or whether the impact requires an individual permit.

If there is no response from the COE after this 45 day period, the permit is considered valid for the project along with all of the conditions associated with the permit. We have seen many more permits "issued" by default under these circumstances in the past few months.

If you would like additional information, please contact our Sciences Branch at (302) 737-9335 X1 or by e-mailing todd@jcmenv.com.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Beat the Price Increase

A quick note to JCM's current and prospective pond maintenance clients.... The manufacturer of Aqua Master aeration fountains is increasing their prices in January 2009. JCM sells, installs and services these quality Aqua Master aeration fountains. Contact Dave at (302) 737-9335 x801 (DE upstate) or (302) 854-9138 x801 (DE downstate) or by e-mail at dave@jcmenv.com if you want to beat the price increase.

Green homebuilding and parking lot lighting

The other day I was in a pubic parking lot around 6pm. Because our clocks were recently set back for daylight savings time, the timers for the parking lot lights were not adjusted so it was dark. Reminds me that many people leave their porch lights on at night or if they expect visitors to arrive after dark. Green minded homebuilders, including our clients with NAHB certified green built homes, can avoid this waste of energy and extra profit to the electric company by installing motion sensors on outdoor lights (front porch, patio, garage lamps). It saves energy for the homeowner and the builder earns energy efficiency points toward Green certification by installing them. Another option for builders to earn points is for "inside occupancy sensors for lighting control" - such as in bathrooms. An easy and inexpensive step to take and they all add points for builders to sell certified "green" built homes. More examples of creative methods homebuilders are using to deliver environmentally conscious products while helping sell homes during marginal economic times.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Another First for JCM Environmental


JCM Environmental is proud to announce that we are the consultants and verifiers on the first NAHB Silver Certified Home in Delaware under their Green Building Program. The home is in Roesville Estates and was built by J.S. Hovnanian and is the first Silver Certified home in Kent County as well as the first "Green" home in Kent County under the NAHB Program.


Other firsts that JCM is proud to be a part of:

First Gold Certified Home in the Nation*
First Gold Certified Home in Delaware*
First "Green" Home in Delaware*
First Gold Certified Home in New Castle County*
Second Gold Certified Home in Delaware*
Third Gold Certified Home in Delaware*

As of today, there are 4 "Green" Certified Homes in Delaware under the NAHB Guidelines and JCM Environmental has been consultant and verifier on all.

* Under the NAHB Green Building Program www.nahbgreen.org

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Brownfield Reimbursment

DNREC is turning around Brownfield reimbursements as quickly as 15 days recently. Keep in mind that 100% of your costs may be reimbursable (up to a cap) when investigating and remediating a brownfield site. After reaching the cap, another 50% (up to another cap) of your costs may be reimbursable. The caps depend on the type of project and whether there is a public benefit component (non-profit use, low income housing, etc.).

DNREC also has low interest and no interest loans available for this type of work.

The time has never been better to develop a brownfield site. Call us for more details at (302) 737-9335 x201!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Georgetown Returns Day

We had a great time at Returns Day yesterday. Thank you to Stephanie Hansen of Young Conaway for her invitation to their party and her hospitality yesterday. In addition to all of the politicians in the parade it was good to see Chris Roberts, Bob and Brenda Thornton, Bill Lower, Kevin Smith, Jamie Rostocki, Jennifer Pennoza and others in Georgetown.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Returns Day

A group of JCM Environmental employees will be attending Returns Day in Georgetown tomorrow. We will be in our Georgetown Office at 418 N. Bedford Street until about 1:00 PM and then we will be out and about. Stop in and visit or look for us in town, we will all have JCM shirts on.

Congratulations Craig on Green Certification

Craig Smith, Assistant Branch Manager in Remediation just received his Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation from the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB).

He joins Howard Fortunato, Branch Manager of Green Systems/Sciences who was the first CGP in Delaware. They join Kevin Hansen, P.G. who is LEED-AP certified and Joseph Gordon who is a certified Green Verifier under the NAHB Green Building Program.

In addition to our full list of services JCM can also help your project get certified "green" under a variety of certification programs.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

My first blog, to get the green word out

Well this is my first blog, so readers don't be surprised if it takes me a while to zig when i should zag. But I wanted to mention that a few weeks ago myself and another JCM staffer had the pleasure to work the Delaware Home Show for the HBA/DE Green Building Council (GBC). The GBC is new and I am proud to have been elected the first President. Part of our mission is to get the word out to consumers about what is "green" and what to look for when purchasing a "green" home. We had a lot of interested folks stop by our booth and we told them to be sure to look for the NAHB Green Building Logo as a sign their new home is built "green" according to National Guidelines.

As many of you know, JCM Environmental is approved by NAHB to provide builder verification services for the NAHB Green Building Program (as well as the LEED Program).

Many consumers are complaining that everywhere they go they see "green" claims and homebuilders claiming to be "green". Many times, these claims are not backed up with a certification and this constitutes what is known as greenwashing. At least now they can rely on the NAHB Program to provide a certificate and to cut through the green clutter.

Welcome Doug Seavey, P.E.

We are proud to welcome the newest addition to our team, Doug Seavey, P.E. Doug will be working as an Environmental Engineer in our Remediation Branch and lending support to all of our other Branches. Doug has 11 years experience as an Environmental Engineer and will be assisting with Brownfields Remedial Action Plans, Designs, Oversight and Community Wastewater Design and Review.

Doug has previously worked for Tetra Tech in California, Oregon, Massachusetts and Delaware doing public and private remediation work and community wastewater designs.

Doug can be reached in our Newark Office at (302) 737-9335 X406 or at dseavey@jcmenv.com. More information at http://www.jcmenv.com/.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Position Paper Sent to DNREC

This is a position paper that I sent to DNREC as part of our Super Green Program review. I believe that the concepts should be embraced with or without Super Green as a better way to preserve and protect our valuable natural resources.
Super Green Position Paper
JCM Environmental (Jim McCulley)
Resources Values and Preservation

It is with great pleasure that I review and participate in the Super Green Program. I highly commend DNREC and everyone who has participated in this process for the quality of the program documents and the speed with which this has all been accomplished. This initiative provides a unique opportunity to encourage discussion of a practical new direction for Delaware land use policy.

Delaware has an opportunity to incorporate into Super Green, a policy that would have a positive effect on three areas simultaneously: land preservation, environmental stewardship and positive economic development. I have spoken about this topic for many years, based on my experience in the environmental field, and my involvement in countless land development projects over the last twenty years.

Delaware is home to many important species, habitat types and land formations, all of which hold great value for us and future generations. Problems in the preservation of these resources come from the vastly different valuations placed on these resources, and the willingness of the public to pay for the free-market value of these resources being preserved.

The current system asks that the landowner pay for preserving resources for the public good. The net result of this is that the value of the resource becomes negative for the people that actually own the resource. This is contrasted by the high value placed on the resource by the public and regulators. This type of system is bound to lead to problems.

Landowners know the value of their land and the resources that are part of their land. If their goal is to sell their land, they usually try to maximize the value. If wetlands or rare species or old growth forest on their property significantly detract from the value, there will be pressure to eliminate these areas prior to the sale of the property.

Imagine instead that natural resources had value to the landowner. Then, instead of trying to eliminate them, he or she would be looking to accurately map them, characterize them and preserve them. That would represent a 180-degree shift in current thinking, but it is possible.

Currently, these resources have no value because these areas are not developable and they usually cannot be counted towards the developable areas on a site. This makes them almost worthless, and therefore the landowner will look for ways to prove that the wetlands are smaller, the rare species habitat does not exist or worse, for example, they will legally clear the nicest Loblolly Pine forest in the state to eliminate the designation ‘Mature Forest’ from their property.

If the landowner could instead claim a development density bonus for preserving wetlands, rare species habitat and/or important forested areas, those truly outstanding and publicly-important areas, every landowner would instead try to prove that they had the best forest or a highly functional wetland or a rare species habitat on their site. This would be contrary to the way things are done now, but would make my job a lot more fun, and would take DNREC out of the current adversarial position to land development that they are currently in and would assist the State in preserving important resources.

This approach would give the resources value and would give the most important resources the highest value to the people that currently own them or future purchasers. This approach would also result in more concentrated development at higher densities which results in “greener” development with less pressure on important or valuable resources.

The only price that the public would have to pay for the preservation of important resources would be the acceptance of higher density development. This is going to happen anyway as we learn that high density development is more environmentally friendly. Of course the local jurisdictions would have to sign on to this concept to allow higher density “by right” in areas where valuable resources are being preserved or in growth areas where the preservation of resources in non-growth areas provides a density bonus.

For elected officials, this is a win-win proposition:

· By advocating resource protection and simultaneously promoting responsible development, the elected officials of Delaware become advocates for the best of both worlds.
· No longer would Delaware officials get those uncomfortable opposing requests from developers vs. environmentalists.

The Super Green State initiative is the perfect avenue to implement a program like this.

In order to make a program like this work, it will be important to assign higher point values to the practices that will result in the biggest benefit to the environment and the public. For example, preserving the best resources in exchange for higher density should be a huge point bonus as well as remediating a particularly contaminated brownfield site in order to encourage these practices which have the most benefit. It may be practical to say that a project which preserves a high priority resource and cleans up a highly contaminated site is already Super Green without doing anything else as the environmental benefits may far outweigh all of the other factors considered in the program.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Welcome to our blog.

JCM Environmental is proud to have a blog where we can keep our clients up to date about regulatory news, industry happenings, events and other interesting news. The staff of JCM will be posting often and we encourage you to keep up to date by subscribing or checking in regularly.