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National Association of County Engineers ~ September 2020
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President's Update from Scott McGolpin
Over the last month, it seemed as though the entire west coast of the United States was ablaze. We wake up to yellow skies every morning with some of the most brilliant orange sunsets I have seen since relocating to California while enduring worse than normal air quality. In San Francisco, it has been reported, that afternoons feel like nighttime and drivers have to use their headlights when driving.
Many of our fellow Public Works officials are responding to these wildfires. What we have learned in Santa Barbara County is that wildfires and their immediate impacts are just the tip of the iceberg. Often, while the fire still smolders, our Flood Control teams are on the ground within the torched watersheds evaluating protective measures to be implemented prior to the winter rains. The majority of the time these measures provide the difference between whether a community floods or not, and in some cases, life or death for the residents we serve.
Over the last week, our friends on the Gulf Coast have been addressing the impacts of Hurricane Sally. As the water recedes and county road and bridge damage is assessed know that NACE is here to support your efforts in any way we can. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by these emergencies.
Planning for NACE 2021 in Palm Springs, Riverside County, CA is in full swing. The County Engineers Association of California's (CEAC) NACE 2021 Planning Committee and NACE's own Staci Morgan are busy evaluating potential topics for technical sessions that will highlight some of the innovative methods California is using to not only maintain and improve our transportation systems, but also outline experiences and best practices for responding to emergencies. As mentioned above, California has recently been hit by fires, and previously mudslides, earthquakes, and now COVID 19. There is plenty to share. Also, we are working on putting together the world-renowned CLODS Barbeque! The CLODS, or California's Loyal Order of Dedicated Servants are CEAC's Past Presidents who not only are important members, but they can also cook. Stay tuned for more information on that. California is looking forward to seeing you all next April in Riverside County, CA for NACE 2021.
Read On
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Tensar offers a system approach to construction. That means we'll partner with you throughout your project's lifespan - from planning and design to installation and on-site consulting - to help cut labor and material costs and get the job done faster. You will experience the convenience of having a supplier, design support, and site assistance all through one team of qualified sales managers and engineers.
Ready to build better pavements? Visit our online resource center where you can watch informative webinars, download free tools, and read examples of how TriAx Geogrid saved money and extended pavement life from low volume roads to the busiest interstate highways.
If you are a NACE Corporate Member and have exciting news to share or a special promotion for NACE members, please submit your spotlight information or press release to Staci Morgan (staci@countyengineers.org).
To see previous spotlight articles, please visit our archive here.
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Welcome New NACE Corporate Partners!
VSS Macropaver
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Save the Date below to join NACE next year in beautiful Riverside County, California!
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Exhibitor Registration will be opening soon!!
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As a service to our partners, NACE publishes upcoming trainings and webinars each month. If you have upcoming events you would like to see here, please send to staci@countyengineers.org. To see all current NACE related events, please visit our calendar.
National Summit on Rural Road Safety: Rural Road to Zero (virtual)
September 29-October 1- Registration is Now Open! September 29- Road Safety Champion Program trainings Click here for more information and to register. CLAS Innovation Exchange Webinar: Every Day Counts for Local AgenciesOctober 1 | 1:00-2:30 pm EDT
Click here for more informatio n.
NACE Safety Committee/APWA Joint Virtual Safety Meeting
"How Does a Young Engineer Know What they Don't Know"
October 15 | 1:00 pm EDT
Click here for more information.
FHWA Webinar: FoRRRwD Countermeasures: Gravel Road Treatments, Rumble Strips and SafetyEdge(SM), and Centerline Buffers
October 20 | 1:00- 3:00 pm EDT
Click here for more information.
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Request for Comments Regarding Public Assistance on Inundated and Submerged Roads
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the eligibility of public roads inundated by flood waters directly related to a major disaster declared under the Stafford Act. This policy is in effect for all major disasters declared on or after January 1, 2016. More information on the eligibility of roads as part of the PA program is available in the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG).
For more information, click here.
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| **REMINDER**
FEMA Grant Programs NOFO
FEMA Announces Notice of Funding Opportunities for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants
On August 3, 2020, FEMA posted funding notices for two hazard mitigation grant programs for more than $660 million. The two grant programs, the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC, will provide funds to states, local communities, tribes and territories for eligible mitigation activates to strengthen our nation's ability to build a culture of preparedness. These programs allow for funding to be used on projects that will reduce future disaster losses.
The application period opens on September 30, 2020. Please submit applications at FEMA Go Portal no later than 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on
January 29, 2021.
- Flood Mitigation Grants: The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 establishes the goal of reducing or eliminating National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims through long-term mitigation actions. For the FMA program, the agency's predetermined funding priorities include flood mitigation planning and efforts for repetitive as well as severe repetitive loss properties.
- Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grants: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made $500,000 federal funds available through the new Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities (BRIC) grant program to states, local communities, tribes and territories (SLTTs) for pre-disaster mitigation activities. BRIC is a new FEMA pre-disaster hazard mitigation program that replaces the existing Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program.
- Click here to view the NOFO; Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-20-MT-029-000-99
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ICYMI- NACE COVID-19 Resources
NACE has compiled member submissions of operational best practices regarding county engineering during the current pandemic. To see the latest edition, click here.
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Job Postings
Check out the latest job postings from our members here. |
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