[Sustainability x]
SB 1270 Proposes Significant California Mining Reform
Posted by Reposted from another publication on Mar 18, 2015
The recent submittal of significant proposed revisions to California's mining law, the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act ("SMARA"), signals potentially broad-reaching changes to the statute. On February 21, 2014, Senator Fran Pavely (D) introduced SB 1270, a bill proposing to overhaul various sections of SMARA. SB 1270 proposes fundamental changes to SMARA. Click here for a copy of SB 1270.
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Growing and Protecting Endangered Species: California Red-Legged Frog Habitat
Posted by Alex Simons on Mar 18, 2015
Over the past fifty years, many state and county mining regulations and federal and state environmental laws have been created to protect and conserve local habitat and rare and endangered species. The California red-legged frog was designated as a threatened species in 1996. Its range is mostly limited to the Central California coast, from Marin County south to Ventura County. Ponds are a part of mining operations, and with the capability to create an ideal pond habitat for the red-legged frog, Graniterock was challenged to find a way to combine responsible mining practices with long-term protection and stewardship of the land.
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Xeriscaping for California's Drought
Posted by Robin Steudler on Mar 18, 2015
With historic drought conditions and looming water shortages, many areas within California will be faced with water restrictions. Homeowners would be wise to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
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A Good RAP: Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement
Posted by Mike Cook on Mar 18, 2015
Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) can be used as an aggregate and partial oil replacement in the hot recycling of asphalt paving mixtures. The most common method (conventional recycled hot mix) involves a process in which RAP is combined with virgin aggregate and new asphalt cement in a central mixing plant to produce new hot mix paving mixtures.
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Equipment Yard Park Makes Transition to Community Park
Posted by Reposted from another publication on Mar 18, 2015
By Mary Reed, Construction Equipment Guide
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What Makes Concrete Green?
Posted by Katha Redmon on Mar 18, 2015
An important part of the design phase of any construction project is materials selection. Concrete, steel or wood are typical options for the building frame; for paving applications, the choice is generally either concrete or asphalt. Material choice depends on several factors, including initial cost, life cycle cost and performance for the specific application. Due to the growing interest in sustainable development, engineers and architects are now motivated more than ever to choose sustainable materials.
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Erosion Control - How to Avoid a $32,500 Fine
Posted by Robert Ellenwood on Mar 18, 2015
Construction projects are required to follow procedures to protect the environment. The Clean Water Act also mandates States and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be jointly responsible for identifying and regulating both point and nonpoint sources of pollution. For those projects not in compliance, fines of as much as $32,500 per day, per violation, can be enforced.
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Stone, the Original Green Building Material
Posted by Graniterock on Mar 18, 2015
From Building Green http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2013/3/29/Stone-The-Original-Green-Building-Material/
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Wildlife Filmmaker Visits Graniterock's Santa Cruz Sand Plant
Posted by Alex Simons on Mar 18, 2015
Lance Milbrand is an acclaimed filmmaker who has worked on a variety of projects including public relations films, corporate promotional videos and wildlife documentaries. He has had a wide variety of clients including NOAA, CBS news, BBC Blue Planet and National Geographic Explorer. New to Santa Cruz County, Lance was looking for opportunities to film amphibian species in the Central Coast Area. Graniterock said “Yes, we will” and offered Lance the opportunity to come to the Santa Cruz Sand plant to view the endangered California Red-Legged Frog during an annual night survey with wildlife biologist Dana Bland and Graniterock environmental specialist Alex Simons.
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Rail Transportation - Protecting Our Environment Now and for the Future
Posted by Graniterock on Mar 18, 2015
Trains are one of the nation's most environmentally friendly modes of moving freight, generating a carbon footprint that is 75 percent less than trucks. In recent decades, the railroad industry has developed new “green” technologies and environmentally responsible operating practices which have led to improved fuel efficiency. Since 1980, railroad fuel efficiency has increased 99 percent. In fact, today’s railcars can move a ton of freight 469 miles on a single gallon of fuel.
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