A Delaware First - The Nanticoke and Indian River Mitigation Bank

The 350-acre James Adkins Tract, previously a Loblolly Pine forest plantation in Sussex County, was purchased by Ecosystem Investment Partners (EIP) in an attempt to establish Delaware's first private wetland mitigation bank, and in 2010 LandmarkJCM conducted a wetland delineation to establish limits of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' jurisdiction.

Now in the final approval stage by the Corps of Engineers, you can contact EIP to discuss Nanticoke & Indian River Mitigation Bank credits available for reservation now and available for transfer in early 2012. The Bank will serve the wetland mitigation needs of Sussex County, Delaware in the Nanticoke and Indian River drainage basins. Mitigation credits generated by the Bank can be used for compensatory wetland mitigation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Take a look at the Mitigation Bank Map or visit EIP at http://www.nanticokebank.com/.

LandmarkJCM is pleased to assist EIP with the transformation of this former paper plantation into a diverse wetland intended for future banking needs.

PA Housing & Land Development Conference

Wednesday, Howard Fortunato presented the NGBS Land Certification program at the Annual Pennsylvania Land and Housing Conference.

Teaming up with client Conor Gilligan (Craftsmen Developers), Howard and Conor presented an explanation of the Certification program available thru the National Green Building Certification Program. The receptive audience of around 75 attendees was comprised of builders/developers, engineers, architects and code officials in Pennsylvania and Delaware. They learned about the program while other speakers addressed land development related topics such as stormwater and bmp’s in Pennsylvania.

The final day of the conference will address housing specific topics such as building science, universal design, flashing details and others.

Nationwide Permits Set to Expire...Are you Ready?

ARE YOU AWARE that ALL Nationwide Permits (NP’s) issued by the Army Corps of Engineers are set to expire on or around March 18, 2012? The expiration of all NP’s occurs every five (5) years so that the Army Corps can re-evaluate and revise their allowable minor impacts (Nationwide Permits), permit language, and permit regional conditions.
DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE a valid Nationwide Permit for impacts proposed on a property?
IF YOU HAVE BEGUN THE WORK involved with the impacts, or if you have the impacts under contract, signed by March 18, 2012, then you will have 12 months to conduct the work. (In other words, you will be “grandfathered” out of the immediate expiration of Nationwide Permits and you will have until March 18, 2013 to conduct the permitted activities).
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE PERMITTED ACTIVITY BEGUN or under contract to be conducted by March 18, 2012, your permit will be considered expired by the Army Corps and we will have to re-apply for a new permit.
THUS, IF YOU ARE ABLE TO GET THE WORK TO BE CONDUCTED UNDER CONTRACT, please make sure that you have some sort of written proof in your files that you have a contract (that is dated prior to March 18, 2012) in case the Army Corps follows up with you or your wetlands consultant.
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN A CONTRACT by March, 18 2012, we can discuss with you your options of re-applying for your permit after the new Nationwide Permits are revised and released.

This does not affect the validity of your state permit from DNREC, if you have one.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have and I'll be happy to assist.

Amy Nazdrowicz Environmental Scientist
(302) 323-9377
amyn@landmarkjcm.com

Public Servants Among Us At LandmarkJCM

We're proud of Solomon McCloskey and Bob Stronsky for giving back their time and talents to help the communities in which they live to grow and prosper!

Robert "Bob" Stronsky, a Senior Designer working from LandmarkJCM's new Dover and Georgetown offices, has been appointed by the Town of Felton to serve as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner. Bob, who has worked for LandmarkJCM for the past six years, has 26 years of experience in civil/site design and is excited about the opportunty to serve the town where he and his wife, Bonnie, have lived for the past six years. Many of Bob's project have been in the Sussex County area.

J. Solomon McCloskey, a professional civil engineer in our new Dover office, has been been named to served as a Director for the Smyrna Public Library Guild, a non-profit, charitable, all-volunteer organization dedicated to bringing the new Duck Creek Regional Library to citizens of Smyrna, Clayton, Kenton, Leipsic and Cheswold. Solomon has worked for LandmarkJCM for six of his eight years in civil/site design. He and his wife, Lindsey, live in the Town of Smyrna. Many of Solomon's project have been in the Kent and Sussex Counties.

Invention Convention

Several LandmarkJCM staff had the opportunity this weekend to volunteer at the Hagley Museum Invention Convention.

The Convention is a neat opportunity for kids to explore and disassemble old computers, appliances, and other donated goods that no longer function. Then they worked to create their own inventions. Under the watchful eyes of mom or dad, or grandmom or granddad. Plus lots of other science activities and events. Our staff members Bruce Tease, Joe Irato and Howard Fortunato helped out at various times Saturday and Sunday.

The Invention Convention runs thru today January 16, 2012. Info at http://www.hagley.org/. Perfect event for the kids if they are home from school today.

CPFCU Ground Breaking Ceremony January 12, 2012

With the strong growth of housing developments in the Bear area, the new Community Powered Federal Credit Union branch will be readily accessible to the many working class families who live around and transit the Route 40 area. CPFCU is a full service financial institution currently serving 9,000 families in New Castle County. This new facility will have an exponential effect on the number of families it serves.

The 10,000 sq. ft. modern facility to be constructed on Route 40 is all about being responsive to the New Castle County community in member services, design and cost. Community Powered FCU did two feasibility studies before deciding on this branch, one in 2006 and another in 2010. The results were very consistent—this was the location. The new branch designed by Crabtree Rohrbaugh & Associates-Architects is cost effective and responsive to the environment.

LandmarkJCM is pleased to be part of the local Design & Construction Team:
- Crabtree Rohrbaugh Associates – Architects
- Joe Zebleckes/Brandywine Design Guild – Construction Admin
- Landmark JCM – Site/Civil
- Baker Ingram – Structural
- Furlow Associates – MEP
- Commonwealth Construction - GC

The Building Design: The design maximizes energy efficiency, and utilizes cost effective construction methods.
- Optimized Site orientation & sun exposure
- Roofs designed to reduce solar heat gain
- High performance building envelope
- Cost Effective and efficient HVAC systems
- Energy efficient Low emitting (Low E) materials for improved indoor air quality
- Maximized day lighting – numerous Low E windows
- Low flow & water saving plumbing fixtures
- High efficiency lighting
- Sustainable & regional plantings will help with storm water management
- Aesthetically appealing building by day or night along Route 40
- User friendly facility for community & employees

LandmarkJCM has performed the land surveys, environmental services, infiltration testing, civil engineering and site design, stormwater management (SWM), and the certified construction review for SWM structures.

Seasons Greetings to all our friends!

Congratulations 2012 HBADE Board

Congratulations to all our clients and friends that were officially sworn in last Saturday night as the new Officers and Directors of the Home Builders Association of Delaware. Everyone looked sharp as tuxedo's were the call of the evening for gents, formal gowns for the ladies.

Special congratulations to Fred Fortunato of Benchmark Builders as the new President for 2012. This is a special honor for us since Fred joins the list of second generation families to serve as President. Steven L. Fortunato, father of Fred and this blogger, was President of HBADE in 1970.

It is an honor to be part of HBADE, an association of builders and associate members looking to further the interests of housing in Delaware.

J.S. Hovnanian Wins at MAME Awards

Our client J.S. Hovnanian and Sons won big at the recent MAME awards, held this month by Builders League of South Jersey.

Stephen Hovnanian won the coveted Builder of the Year Award, and the firm won the Commitment to Excellence Award. This is truly an exciting award because it is based on homebuyer satisfaction surveys and input.

Read more: http://www.hovhomes.com/about/news_display.php?id=110

Congratulations to J.S. Hovnanian and Sons! We are proud to serve their green-minded home building at Roesville, as they continue to build homes certified in the National Green Building Certification Program.

Ted Williams Joins College of Fellows of ACEC

Ted C. Williams, P.E., FACEC, principal and EVP of LandmarkJCM, has been inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Council of Engineering Companies, an elite group of engineers who have made significant contributions to the engineering profession through their experience, knowledge and networking abilities.

Ted (second from right) was reconized by (from left) David Raymond, President and CEO of ACEC, Everett Cowan, Chairman of the Committee of Fellows, and Terry Neimeyer, Chairman of ACEC, during their Fall Conference held October 19-22, 2011 at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ted currently serves as ACEC Chairman-Elect and will succeed Terry Neimeyer, who began his one-year term as ACEC Chairman in March, 2011.

ACEC is the voice of America's engineering industry. Council members – numbering more than 5,000 firms representing more than 400,000 employees throughout the country – are engaged in a wide range of engineering works that propel the nation's economy, and enhance and safeguard America's quality of life. The Council's mission is to contribute to America's prosperity and welfare by advancing the business interests of member firms.

Halloween at LandmarkJCM !

A few of us took time out to get in spooky costumes yesterday to celebrate Halloween. Kind of takes you back when you were a kid and all that candy was a huge treat. For some of us, it still is...

Pictured left to right: Megan Zelano, Morgan McGee-Solomon, Brent Sulecki, Amy Nazdrowicz.

When sustainable land planning, engineering and environmental sciences have you spooked, contact LandmarkJCM. In costume or not, we can help.

Kent County Courthouse Grand Opening

Following its grand opening in June, the Kent County Courthouse sits in the heart of the historic City of Dover's Capitol Complex and will serve as an expansion and modernization of the justice system for Central Delaware.
LandmarkJCM performed the Site Engineering services for this project which was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Areas of design included stormwater management, sanitary sewer systems and a pump station with force main. With offices in Dover, New Castle, and Georgetown, LandmarkJCM is well positioned to provide engineering, environmental and surveying services statewide.
Solomon McCloskey, P.E., Project Engineer

Green for Green Helps New Homeowners

Ted Williams and Howard Fortunato were honored today to help Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County and Home Builders Association of Delaware present SEU-sponsored Green for Green rebate checks to two new Habitat homes at Terrace Green in Wilmington.

Habitat and the homeowners built the homes to achieve Silver Certification in the National Green Building Certification Program which means their homes were built to be 15% more energy efficient than other new homes built to the State energy code. Plus not to mention all the other features of certified green homes - water efficiency, improved indoor air quality, etc. To achieve certification, LandmarkJCM performed the Verification Inspections. Pictured are Kevin Smith of Habitat, Jen Casey of Home Builders, Ted Williams, Geneva Wilson homeowner, Maurice Boddy homeowner, and Howard Fortunato

Bestfield Homes Celebrates 57 Years

Congrats to Bestfield Homes. They are celebrating 57 years in the homebuilding business!



Bestfield Homes began its roots in 1954, when Mr. DiEgidio built his first community on Boxwood Road in Wilmington, the community of Bestfield.



Since then, the company has transformed and today has several partners. Tony DiEgidio and Dan Martelli are the "main men", with strong support by Construction and Sales Scott Bradley and Guy Waites.



Bestfield has built more than 4,000 homes. For the last few years, we have been privileged to help them obtain green home certifications in the NGBS Program! More importantly, they give back to the homebuilding business by remaining active with the Home Builders Association of Delaware and the Green Building Council.



Way to go Bestfield!

Schell Brothers Launches Extreme Home Makeover

Yesterday morning, the Dunning family in Sussex County Delaware happily learned they are the recipient of the latest Extreme Home Makeover:

http://www.joinextreme.com/delawarefamily/-dp1

The Rehoboth based homebuilding firm Schell Brothers is spearheading all of this, and has been in a whirlwind of activity these last several weeks to prepare. Certainly, other builders that have done these can relate to all the emotions Schell's staff is experiencing. I witnessed the intense planning behind the scenes, during our meeting last week to coordinate timing of our green verification inspections to yield a certified green home! Of course, our Accredited Verifier Joe Gordon is likely to do his first inspection before sunrise later this week as this will be a green certified home under the NGBS program.

Congrats to Schell Brothers for taking on this monumental task.

New Brownfield Task Force formed in Cecil County

John Gonazalez, PE and Kevin Hansen, PG, LEED AP, of LandmarkJCM, on August 2, 2011 were named to a new Cecil County Brownfield Task Force.

The Brownfield Task Force members, selected by Cecil County's Commissioners, will consider draft ordinance for Brownfield overlay zoning and make recommendations to the Commissioners based on their review.

As a resident of Cecil County and branch manager of LandmarkJCM's Havre de Grace office, John Gonzalez says he's

"very interested in seeing the County have a tool to help get economic development going." He says "this type of ordinance can help redevelop sites within the growth corridor, and the County can get properties back on the tax roles."

Kevin Hansen, Director of LandmarkJCM's Science Division, brings years of knowledge and experience in remediation of Brownfield sites and says he is

"excited to have the opportunity to share my experience in helping the County find ways to encourage owners to clean up sites that are contaminated."

The outcome of this Brownfield Task Force can be a Win-Win for all!

Great News from Delaware General Assembly!

The Delaware 146th General Assembly recessed on Wednesday June 30, 2011 for the year.

A highlight came on June 28, 2011 when the HBADE represented by Mark Grahne, Steve Bomberger and Fred Fortunato were recognized on the floor of the House as House Concurrent Resolution #24 sponsored by Representative Brady was passed. This Resolution Recognizes and Proclaims June as "New Homes Month".

In addition, the Delaware Green for Green Program received additional funds to extend it through 2012 and hopefully into 2013 with an additional $500,000 set aside for rebates for homebuyers of Green certified Homes!

Congrats Mark, Steve and Fred! And thank you Jen Casey for your advocacy to help Delaware provide this successful funding for such a wonderful program! Of course it goes without saying we thank our State officials to provide the funding!

Happy Fourth of July to all!

First Master Certified Green Professionals at HBADE!

We are proud to congratulate and announce Dave Blackwell and Don Yoos as the FIRST Master Certified Green Professionals that are members of the Home Builders Association of Delaware!

Dave and Don are with J.S. Hovnanian and Sons. Not only are they the first Master CGP's, they are a member of our HBADE Green Building Council. We at LandmarkJCM are proud they are our client in the National Green Building Certification Program, which is powered by the NAHB Research Center.

The Master CGP goes beyond the standard CGP and is available exclusively to experienced builders and remodelers. The Master CGP curriculum digs deeper into green building science and methods and strategies for selling green. This is a brand new designation which just became available this Spring. Don, Dave and J.S. Hovnanian are early adopters!

Congrats once again to Dave and Don!

Schell Brothers Unveils New Systems for Home Comfort

Schell Brothers Homebuilders held the EXPOsure event this past Saturday at their Independence Hall in Millsboro.

The event showcased introduction of the new Schellter advanced building science construction program and all it's component parts. It gave the 200-300 attendees a behind-the-walls view of the systems related to advanced framing, insulation, air sealing, tankless water heaters, and much more. We were happy to be there to talk with the attendees about the NGBS green certification program, and of course the Green for Green $3,000 homebuyer rebates.

It was a great day, the prospects were fun to talk with, and the Schell staff were enthusiastically courteous. We look forward to participating next time they hold this event.

Philadelphia's Green City Stormwater Solutions

Philadelphia recently kicked off an initiative to help solve their stormwater system problems by incorporating use of porus pavement and rooftop gardens. See this link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110601/ap_on_re_us/us_philadelphia_water_2

Addressing creative solutions to stormwater management and low impact development is what LandmarkJCM is all about. For incorporating such measures in your project, contact Keith Rudy, head of our Water Resources Division, 302-323-9377.