Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI)
Related News Archive: 2018
Celebrating in new, exciting and innovative ways!
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new” - Socrates The last month has been filled with new, exciting and innovative ways of celebrating our industry, members, history and potential as civil engineers! Here are some highlights that I hope will inspire you as much as they have me. More »
Keeping Your Assets Above Water: Coastal Flood Issues, Climate Change, Land Use Planning
In August, the ASCE OC EWRI Committee welcomed John Moynier, Vice President at Michael Baker International, for a special presentation on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Given the recent challenges posed by coastal flooding, climate change, and regulations that apply to jurisdictional dams, it was a timely and relevant discussion. More »
New Fiscal Year!
Only a few days into our new roles, and already we have tons to share!! Check out the latest news regarding the ASCE Presidents and Governors Forum (PGF), ASCE California Surface Transportation Report Card Release, ASCE Los Angeles Section Annual Meeting, Installation of Officers & Awards Luncheon, ASCE Committee on Younger Members, ASCE International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure,... More »
Graying the Lines
It is amazing how quickly this year has gone. I want to sincerely thank all of you, especially those who supported our committees and institutes by planning, executing, and enjoying the amazing events we had this year. You made serving as Branch President as smooth as I could have ever imagined. You also made it very rewarding. More »
"Doing Politics" is Good for Your Career
I’ve said it, and I’ve heard many of my peers - “I don’t do politics”. I was younger then, and I had different priorities. I’m not saying they were the right priorities, but as a younger adult, I didn’t see the benefit of researching each candidate for every office listed on an upcoming ballot, never mind every bill and proposition. More »
California Infrastructure Propositions Win at Primaries
By: Maria Matthews, ASCE Society Government Relations California voters were tasked with weighing in on Propositions 68 and Propositions 69 in addition to making their candidate selections for November’s general election. These measures needed only a simple majority to pass. More »
The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same
By Jeff Braun, P.E. I know this is an over-used saying, and it makes me sounds like everyone’s grandfather, but I am sincerely impressed with, and thankful for, the Orange County Branch’s culture and organizational systems that make leading such a great organization very rewarding … and probably easier than some may think. More »
Mid-Basin Injection: Centennial Park Presentation
By Remi Candaele, M.S., P.E. In February 2018, the ASCE OC EWRI Committee welcomed Ben Smith, Project Manager at the Orange County Water District (OCWD), and Mike Tsoi and Erin Cabanero, who both served on the consultant design team, to speak on the Mid-Basin Injection at Centennial Park project. Implementing the Mid-Basin injection system at Centennial Park is key because it will recharge the GWRS with 4 wells only, while reducing well pumping energy that would otherwise be consumed in conveyance to the Anaheim basins. More »
Soft Doesn't Mean Easy
By Jeff Braun, P.E. Engineering involves math and science, right? Long enough ago that I don’t want to say how long ago it was, I was a high school student who enjoyed my physics and math classes more than the history and literature readings. I loved tinkering with mechanical toys and seeing how they worked, checking out bridges and buildings to see what kept them from falling down. I loved my drafting class, where I was able to create plans for a house I may want someday. More »
Do You Believe in Luck?
By Jeff Braun, P.E. I had the opportunity to participate as part of industry panels for two of our Branch’s student chapters over the past couple of weeks, where we discussed how students can best position themselves for internships and career opportunities. We discussed job search resources, developing a personal brand, networking, resume hints, and interviewing skills. I was very impressed with the honesty students showed when sharing concerns and fears, and their motivation to invest the time and effort to best position themselves for their career. The conversations between the attendees and panel members were inspiring, and led me to think back to my job search experiences. I recall one of the interviews involved writing a short one-page response to a comment/question of my choosing from a list of options. One of the questions jumped out to me right away: “Do you believe in Luck?” More »
Regulatory Challenges to Operating and Maintaining MWD Infrastructure
By Jennifer Marks In December, the ASCE OC EWRI Committee welcomed Deidre West, Senior Environmental Specialist at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), for a special presentation on the Regulatory Challenges to Operating and Maintaining MWD Infrastructure. Ms. West began the presentation with an overview of MWD as the largest wholesale water agency in the United States, and detailed the role of the Environmental Planning Section (EPS) which she manages. More »
Professional Development is NOT Optional
By Jeff Braun, P.E. As Civil Engineers, we are members of a profession, not a “job” or a “trade”. As such, we are held to a higher standard by society and our peers. As with other professions, such as doctors, teachers, and architects, engineers are expected to maintain their level of expertise and keep up with the latest state of the practice through continued learning and professional development. It is too easy to get lost in the weeds of the daily grind, focusing on publishing the next deliverable. Before you know it, you’re ten years down the road and you aren’t aware of the latest research, software, or modeling methods; putting you at a significant disadvantage to others in the industry. More »
