Emma Hall

In case you missed it; David Yanke gave a presentation titled “Landfill Operations – Privatization Feasibility Analysis (A Case Study)” at TxSWANA earlier this month. This presentation takes an in depth look at how to craft an RFP and evaluate cost proposals for solid waste services using Sandoval County, NM as an example. See the full presentation below to find out more!

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📒SAWS' new 5-Year Water #Conservation Plan just dropped! The updated document outlines how SAWS aims to meet our water use reduction goals & maintain the vitality of our growing community, especially during #drought. The biggest changes involve proposed drought rules revisions, including watering hours. #txwater #utilities

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Let us tell you what Communities Unlimited can do to map your system, and how you can utilize the map as a multi-purpose tool!

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Land stewardship spotlight on #riparianareas! 🔦 As the Hill Country's population grows and becomes increasingly urbanized, our pristine rivers, lakes, and streams face degrading water quality as a result of increasingly polluted stormwater runoff. Riparian areas—the interface between land and a river, lake or stream—play a key role in keeping surface waters clean and flowing. Native plants found in healthy riparian areas not only work to filter pollution from stormwater runoff, but also increase aquifer recharge, provide a habitat for wildlife, stabilize stream banks and help dissipate the energy of floodwaters. https://lnkd.in/e5iF6c3X #txwater #texaswater #riparianzone #nativeplants #texasrivers #txrivers

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Seeing the comparison pictures below really highlights the critical importance of effective flood mitigation practices and well-designed drainage systems. Great to see the hard work paying off for everyone involved! #floodmitigation #waterresources #stormwater

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A LOT of the people in the geotechnical contracting industry will be very happy to know that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued a final rule to promote competition by banning non-competes nationwide!! 👀 👀 The FTC estimates that the final rule banning non-competes will lead to new business formation growing by 2.7% per year, resulting in more than 8,500 additional new businesses created each year. The final rule is expected to result in higher earnings for workers, with estimated earnings increasing for the average worker by an additional $524 per year, and it is expected to lower health care costs by up to $194 billion over the next decade. In addition, the final rule is expected to help drive innovation, leading to an estimated average increase of 17,000 to 29,000 more patents each year for the next 10 years under the final rule. In its final ruling, the Commission has concluded that it's unfair and a violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act for employers to engage in noncompete agreements with workers and enforce specific terms within those agreements. The Commission's investigation revealed that noncompete agreements have a detrimental impact on competitive dynamics within labor markets, hindering the efficient pairing of workers with employers. Additionally, it was found that these agreements also have adverse effects on competitive dynamics within product and service markets, impeding the formation of new businesses and stifling innovation. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that noncompete agreements contribute to increased market consolidation and higher prices for consumers. FAIR GAME NOW BABY LETS GO!!

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𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐯𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 In the heavy civil construction scene here in Austin and San Antonio, I often hear, "We need local talent with local experience." 9 times out of 10 this is my go-to approach and for good reasons. But, let's break it down a bit because this region is one of the most attractive areas to move to in the US and is attracting top-quality talent consistently. 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝: Local Project Managers, Estimators, and Superintendents understand our local regulations and terrain. They hit the ground running. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: They’ve got local relationships with subs, suppliers, and authorities, making things move smoother. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲:  Hiring locals supports our economy and builds community pride. 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬: No need to say too much here. Easy to verify their ability. 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬: Bringing in Project Managers, Estimators, and Superintendents from other areas brings new perspectives and innovative solutions. 𝐁𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐥: Expanding our search beyond the local market increases our chances of finding top-notch talent with the exact skills we need. 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: These professionals are usually adaptable and ready to take on new challenges quickly. Local talent will always outshine relocators and relocators can come with some challenges. But it can lead to a stronger, more versatile team. Thoughts? #HeavyCivil #Construction #Austin #SanAntonio

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Increased #urbanization has changed the characteristics of #stormwaterrunoff within Fort Worth, impacting the community’s natural receiving streams. A program is addressing #flooding in road crossings — learn more: https://bit.ly/3V9zAPb

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Today, the Texas Water Development Board adopted the first ever statewide flood plan, that provides a comprehensive assessment of flood risk and dedicates over $5 billion to approximately 4,600 flood projects. We're proud to have offered input on the plan, the first-of-its-kind view of flood risk across the entire state. This is a great win for Texas and we're excited to see other states work towards developing statewide approaches to better understand flood risk and keep communities safe. 👏 What's in the plan? https://lnkd.in/eGWDcQcr #txwater

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The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is stepping up to address water reliability challenges across 10 states with a significant investment of $147.6 million. These funds, sourced from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and annual appropriations, will support 42 projects aimed at combating drought and scarcity-related concerns. According to Camille Calimlim Touton, a commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), these projects focus on enhancing water management strategies, upgrading infrastructure, and implementing innovative technologies to mitigate the impacts of drought on communities, agriculture, and ecosystems. https://lnkd.in/gpZgUmhK Among the noteworthy projects receiving funding are: 🌊 The construction of a well in Gallup, New Mexico, serving the city, Navajo Nation, and parts of McKinley County. 🌊 Groundwater treatment systems in Stanfield, Arizona, to provide cleaner water for 640 residents. 🌊 Water system upgrades for the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma to ensure reliable access to domestic water supplies. 🌊 Pipeline construction in San Buenaventura, California, to alleviate the effects of a three-year drought. 🌊 Recharge basins in California's San Joaquin Valley to capture storm and flood waters for agricultural irrigation. 🌊 Water system upgrades for the Southern Ute Tribe in Colorado to improve flow reliability. #WaterReliability #InfrastructureInvestment #BipartisanInfrastructureLaw #InflationReductionAct #WaterManagement #CommunityDevelopment #Sustainability #GovernmentFunding #InfrastructureDevelopment #DOI #BureauOfReclamation #BreakingNews #LinkedInPost

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🚨 New Factsheet Alert- Creating a Buffer for Texas Ponds Emergent zone buffers enhance water quality and habitat function and are generally easy to maintain, yet pond owners may not know where to begin when assessing and improving their water’s edge. The purpose of this publication is to introduce the concept of and describe how to best implement vegetated buffers in Texas pond emergent zones. https://lnkd.in/gHE_RpVy

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On Tuesday, June 25, Corpus Christi took another major step towards securing the ocean as a source of drinking water. City Council demonstrated again their continued support and commitment to securing a drought proof water supply by approving three important actions. 1. The first one was approving the City’s selection of three qualified reapondents, who will now be invited to submit a proposal for the pre-construction phase services of the project. This includes: Kiewit Acciona/MasTec CDM Smith/PLW 2. It also included the authorization for the City to award up to $138M for Phase 1 Pre-Construction Services and pre-ordering of certain equipment with long-lead times. 3. An amendment to the Freese and Nichols professional services contrast to cover owners agent costs associated with the Phase 1 Pre-Construction Services. As was stated by Councilaman Rolando Barrera “Corpus Christi is open for business”. TEXAS DESALINATION ASSOCIATION Texas Water Infrastructure Network (TXWIN) American Water Works Association Texas AWWA Corpus Christi Water

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Maybe it's not quite all about Silicon Valley after all....? Per the following Axios article, there are 2, or 3, newer tech hubs emerging. Mainly Austin TX, and NYC. But also LA has been in the mix of late. https://lnkd.in/gPqWWtM2 Even still- the SF & San Jose metro areas are still "the hub" of tech and tech jobs, and that is unlikely to change anytime in the near future. #techsales #presales

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For the last several years, it has been inevitable that Oklahoma City, of all places, would become home to the world‘s tallest building. That has since been scaled back to the United States‘s tallest building. Either way, a building like that will stand out like a “sore thumb” and will either give the city the opportunity to look strangely imbalanced or — done right — to look completely spectacular. This entire ‘OKC Tower’ concept is not unlike the Burj Khalifa, which stands leagues over every building surrounding it. But Oklahoma City’s dream Tower has run into a recent snag with the FAA. Concern over a building like this literally towering and flashing its top warning lights might merely look like another aircraft through inclement weather. Among other concerns. Still, I believe this wildly ambitious project will surely get built. Like all projects of this level of ambition, it takes determination, perseverance and unbridled belief in your own abilities to make something like this a reality. #Skyscraper #Supertall #Architecture #Engineering #Construction

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Restoration efforts on the Riverby Ranch Mitigation Site in Fannin County, Texas have provided a safe haven for over 200 species of birds, including a variety of grassland species that are currently experiencing steep population declines such as Dickcissels, Bell’s Vireo, and Grasshopper Sparrows. One such species, the Northern Bobwhite, otherwise referred to as “quail” or “bobwhite”, occupies a particularly valuable ecological and economic niche in this region of Texas, acting as an umbrella species for grassland bird communities and as a popular game bird and important source of income for rural communities. In order to determine the efficacy of restoration efforts on the population of bobwhite quail on the ranch, annual spring call counts, as well as various other bird survey methods, have been implemented with this spring count call conducted in May of 2024. Read more about the report here:

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When should you give free advice to a potential client as a professional consultant (like a land surveyor)? I talk about a rule of thumb I use in Episode 24 of the "Putting Your Business - On The Map" Podcast. I talk about that in this excerpt of the episode. The title of Episode 24 is: "Finding Good Clients - Qualifying Leads And Controlling Proposal Costs". How do you handle free advice in your professional consulting practice? Tell me about it in the comments! #landsurveying #smallbusiness #freeadvice #professionalconsulting

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