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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.