NTH Consultants, Ltd. is pleased to announce that Bradley Venman, NTH Quality Officer and Senior Vice President, was selected by Governor Rick Snyder to serve on the Environmental Permit Review Commission through 2022. The Environmental Permit Review Commission was created as part of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to act in an advisory capacity, according to Public Act 268.
 
The 15 members of the advisory commission were personally chosen by the governor due to their expertise in engineering, geology, hydrology, hydrogeology, and air / water quality.  Among other duties the commission will perform, the department director will at times select members to review and advise on permit applications based on their areas of experience. According to the state’s press release, Governor Snyder said, “this board will work to protect Michigan’s environment by having field experts on the committee carefully review all permits to ensure projects are in the best interest of preserving Michigan’s resources and environment.”
 
Venman, from NTH’s Lansing office, has more than 38 years’ experience in environmental regulatory compliance and toxicology / risk assessment. Prior to joining NTH, Venman was Chief of the Waste Characterization & Land Application Unit in the MDNR (now MDEQ). As a toxicologist for the State, Mr. Venman had key roles in the development of risk-based regulations for surface and groundwater discharge criteria, and was instrumental in the development of Michigan’s risk-based cleanup criteria for the remediation and solid/hazardous waste programs. During his tenure with the MDNR, Mr. Venman was involved in development and implementation of the Surface Water, Groundwater and Waste Management Divisions’ regulatory programs, and he continues to be active on various MDEQ stakeholder advisory work groups.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Alma College and a master’s degree in environmental and industrial health and toxicology from the University of Michigan.
 
“It comes as no surprise that Brad would be chosen by the governor to serve on this elite body of advisors; not only does NTH depend on his expertise daily, but the State recognizes the significant value his knowledge and input brings to the table,” said Jeff Jaros, Executive Vice President and COO. “We were also pleased to see that Lansing Board of Water and Light’s Lori Myott, a previous NTH staff member, will serve alongside Brad on this commission; we offer congratulations to both of them and the rest of the board.”
 
You can learn more about NTH’s Environmental Services and our many successful projects here: www.nthconsultants.com/environmental-services

​On the heels of receiving the “ESOP Company of the Year” award, NTH Consultants, Ltd. (NTH) announced that it recently earned a spot as one of “Metro Detroit’s 2018 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For”. This year, NTH and our employee-owners are celebrating 50 years in business, which makes both wins even more significant.
 
“The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” competition identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in their human resource practices and employee enrichment. Companies were assessed based on categories such as communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, recognition, retention and more. In order to be considered, companies complete a comprehensive submission packet followed by anonymous employee surveys. 

“As an employee-owned firm, all of our staff are invested in the company’s performance and client satisfaction, resulting in a creative, cooperative atmosphere that benefits our staff, clients, and project outcomes,” said Jeff Jaros, Executive Vice President and COO. “We are proud to be honored with this award, which highlights our inclusive, community-driven, and supportive culture and demonstrates our commitment to the success of our staff, our company and our clients.”
 
If you would like to be a part of the vibrant NTH culture, visit our careers page to learn more and search our job openings.  

​Find out what YOU can do at NTH: www.nthconsultants.com/job-opportunities

As the energy market evolves from a large centralized system to a decentralized system focused more on cleaner, zero carbon energy, the demand for renewable alternatives continues to grow. As states and corporations commit to meeting renewable energy goals, we continue to see costs of renewable energy projects declining making them a more viable options for governments and companies of all sizes. Rob Bates has joined NTH’s Energy Market team leading our Ecological Services as a Senior Project Scientist leading ecological studies, NEPA documentation, siting, and mitigation of wind and solar projects across the western U.S. Rob is a seasoned professional with 16 years of experience in environmental consulting, wildlife biology and management, habitat restoration, and project management. We hired Rob to help our clients to navigate the complex ecological studies required when developing and operating a renewable energy project while meeting the requirements of NEPA and other regulatory permitting requirements.

Below is an overview from Rob highlighting what clients should consider when planning their renewable energy project.

There are many issues to consider when planning projects timeline and budget. The renewable project owner/developer will need to evaluate the lifecycle, environmental impacts, and property acquisition as they plan, budget, and execute their renewable project. A key part to successful development starts with the initial stages of the project; establishing the needs and goals of the owner/developer and the needs of the end user. Performing due diligence through the lifecycle of the project’s planning and execution is required to make sound decisions for siting of the project and acquisition of the land.

Developing a thorough timeline and steps to be expected as the development of the project moves through the process, should include steps such as:

• Critical Issues Analysis – including ecological and critical habitat studies of proposed sites.
• Regulatory Framework – agency coordination and required reporting.
• Environmental Impact Analysis – compilation of results from Critical Issues Analysis into the appropriate NEPA formatting and reporting.  
• Permit Acquisition – completion, documentation, and reporting of wetlands delineation(s) and submittal of required permit applications.
• Environmental Site Assessment/Due Diligence – Phase I and Phase II studies.
• Community/Public Involvement
  
  

Project planning for renewable energy must also include potential post-operational mitigation measures, studies, and reporting that may be necessary. These include habitat mitigation from unavoidable impacts of the project, post-mortality studies of bats and birds on wind generation facilities, to reporting requirements of an operational renewable energy facility.

If you are interested in learning more, Rob will be presenting at this year’s Michigan Municipal Energy Association’s fall conference, September 12-14, 2018 in Escanaba, Michigan on the Lifecycle of Renewable Energy Project Development. If you are unable to make it to Escanaba to hear Rob’s presentation, he will be one of NTH’s presenters during our fall webinar series. Stay tuned for topics and dates of our webinars. Please sign up here to be notified when this webinar is scheduled. 

NTH takes pride in our sponsorship of a section of M-5 in Metro Detroit, as part of Michigan’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Last week, many of our staff came together after work to clean up our section, and had a few adventures along the way.
​​
Once the team of 10 volunteers received safety training and donned our safety gloves and MDOT-provided safety vests, we divided and conquered our 2-mile section of the highway (between Drake and Orchard Lake Roads in Farmington Hills and Farmington). We split into three teams, and walked along both sides of the highway. We picked up as much trash and debris as we possibly could. We also had one driver who shuttled back and forth among the teams, checking to make sure everyone had enough water and trash bags. Our team collected the typical items one might expect to find on the side of a major highway: cigarette butts, bottles and cans, snack and fast food packaging, plastic bags, and the like. Each year, however, there always seems to be a few unique items that surprise the volunteers:  this time, there were diapers, full car bumpers and other plastic car parts (likely left over from various fender benders), and even a full deer skeleton. 

​All in all, we collected 34 bags of trash. Think about that for a moment: 34 large bags full of garage that, thanks to our efforts, will now be deposited where they belong in the local landfill, rather than washed into our lakes and rivers. For 18 years, NTH has been proud to keep this stretch of highway M-5 clean, and even more proud of the volunteers who make it possible. We look forward to continuing our successful efforts to keep our Michigan Roads beautiful for years to come.

NTH is committed to giving back to the communities in which we live and work; in supporting our employees’ desire to make ​ the world a better place; and in collaborating on volunteer initiatives with clients who share this same passion. NTH’s Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program gives staff members time off to pursue their passions and to help our clients achieve their community outreach goals.

Recently our staff have assisted at two clean up efforts - the Lansing Parks Leave No Trace Event and the Alliance for the Great Lakes Adopt-a-Beach Program​.

Michigan’s Governor, Rick Snyder, and the State Legislature have agreed to put the lion’s share of a budget surplus into the State’s Transportation Network. This is a positive step toward fully-funding the 2015 transportation package which established a $1.2 billion increase to annual transportation funding in the State. As part of the 2015 package, $600 million in state income tax revenues will be contributed annually to transportation in a phased program between fiscal years 2019 and 2021. The income tax contribution is in addition to a projected increase of $600 million annually resulting from the increase in fuel tax and vehicle registration fees.

​Michigan’s transportation network has been deteriorating for years and the conditions of its roads and bridges continues to decline. As of 2017, the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC) reports that 20% of roads are in good condition and 40% in each of fair and poor condition. Further, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2018 Michigan infrastructure report card rates our Bridges C- and our Roads D-. The public is becoming more aware of funding needs and the commitment to transportation funding demonstrated by the Governor and Legislature is a welcome site to many Michigan residents and to companies conducting business in Michigan.

​Where does the money go?
In 1951, the State passed Public Act 51 to create the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF). This act established the division of state transportation at about 39% for the State, 39% for counties, and 22% for local agencies. Following this formula, the additional transportation funding is distributed across the state and to all levels of government. Look for improvements in your community. If you have questions on the distribution of funds, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) publishes data on the MTF for the public. If you have questions on how the money is being spent, please contact your government representatives.
 
What can I do?
NTH serves the community by helping build and maintain infrastructure of almost all kinds. We understand the constraints of local and state governments as well as private organizations that provide services to the public such as transportation, water/waste water, electricity, etc. On a daily basis, we confront the constraints faced by those in charge of the infrastructure. We strive to support them to provide the most cost-effective solutions to their countless needs. Together, we do the best we can with what we have, and to spite the innovations made, more funding is needed.

Please continue to support transportation funding and let your legislators know that you want transportation improvement and that you are willing to pay your fair share for it.

Last weekend, NTH was pleased to be a part of the annual Art Fish Fun festival at Beaudette Park in Pontiac, now in its fifth year.  The event brings together local residents and community organizations to celebrate nature and the arts.  NTH engineers Ashley Lesser and Brock Bosack attended as volunteers, assisting with set-up, tear-down, and events over the course of the day.  NTH also sponsored the park clean-up that kicked off the festival.
 
After the park cleanup, everyone was invited to enjoy a free barbecue lunch, ice cream truck, and face painting.  Various booths higlighted local arts and recreation opportunities. Local museums hosted an array of arts and crafts projects, and an African drum circle provided additional entertainment.
 
It was more than just a party, though!  Science demonstrations taught kids and their parents about soil erosion, native plants, and water quality, in order to raise awareness and empower individuals to take a more active role in protecting our watersheds.  Later in the day, families could try out canoes and kayaks, or learn to fish with Oakland County Drain Commissioner Jim Nash.  Water recreation activities, like fishing and paddling, are a great way for people to connect with the natural world, as well as with one another. The festival provided a great opportunity for everyone in attendance to make connections over a shared enthusiasm for learning about the environment and exploring the outdoors.
 
Despite a couple of rain showers, it was a lively event.  NTH is proud to support this event that encourages environmental stewardship and healthy living.

Ryan P. Butler, P.E., of NTH Consultants, Ltd., was recently elected President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Cleveland, OH Section. Founded in 1852, ASCE represents more than 150,000 members of the civil engineering profession in 177 countries, and is America’s oldest national engineering society. Mr. Butler has been an active member in professional organizations since his time as a student chapter president of National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and has held active roles in ASCE since 2005.  He has served the past year as the Cleveland Section’s Vice President. He has been a Co-Chair of the Northeast Ohio Infrastructure Report Card since 2016, and he also previously held roles as the Cleveland Section’s Treasurer and Geo-Institute Co-Chair, as well as ASCE practitioner advisor to Michigan State University during his time in Michigan.

"Being President of the ASCE Cleveland Section is a true privilege," Butler said. "I am following in the footsteps of many others who have achieved so much in this role before me. I look forward to continuing interaction with so many dedicated civil engineers and promoting the great service of our profession."

Mr. Butler is a Principal Engineer / Project Manager with NTH in the Cleveland (Valley View), OH office. He has more than 12 years of experience performing and managing geotechnical engineering, subsurface utility engineering, utility coordination, and geophysics projects throughout the Midwest.
​
Mr. Butler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University in 2005, and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University in 2010.  He was designated as Student Engineer of the Year and Young Engineer of the Year by the NSPE Michigan, Capital Area Chapter, in 2005 and 2011, respectively.  Mr. Butler also held the honor of NSPE Michigan, Capital Area Chapter mentoring chair, in which he recruited and organized mentoring relationships between professionals in the area and Michigan State University students. 

​The Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drain (OMID) is a vital piece of Southeast Michigan’s infrastructure as it conveys sanitary flow from approximately 800,000 Oakland and Macomb County residents covering a service area of approximately 700 square miles.  After a sinkhole occurred on 15 Mile Road in 2004, Oakland and Macomb Counties became concerned about the maintenance to the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor System (OMIS). Following transfer of the ownership of the OMIS to the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drain Drainage District (OMIDD) from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, the OMIDD Drainage Board selected a design team lead by NTH Consultants, Ltd. (NTH) to carry-out a phased series of inspection and rehabilitation projects starting at the southern downstream end of the system with the Edison Corridor Interceptor (ECI) and working north through the Oakland Arm Interceptor (OAI) and Avon Arm Interceptor (AAI). With the rehabilitation effort of the entire OMIDD system split into multiple repair contracts, the completion of OMID Contract 5, in December 2016, marked the completion of the system wide rehabilitation.
​
OMID Contract 5 work scope completed leak sealing and soil stabilization through chemical and cementitious grouting and performed localized geo-polymer liner repairs to the northern portion of the Oakland Arm Interceptor.  Stretching approximately 5-miles from Sterling Heights through the City of Utica and terminating near the Shelby Township-Rochester border, the northern portion of the Oakland Arm Interceptor was constructed in the 1970’s in three phases: PCI-9, PCI-10A, and PCI-10B.   These three phases run through a mixture of greenbelt, residential, and commercial areas.  As a result, OMID Contract 5 was not without a unique set of challenges and logistical problem solving.  

Gaining Access While Improving the Park Experience
Access to the sewer and manholes was as much of a challenge on OMID Contract 5 as the in-sewer rehabilitation itself.  A large portion of the PCI-10A/B pipe alignment runs through environmentally sensitive areas. The northern half of PCI-10A runs beneath Holland Ponds wetlands in Shelby Township, home to a thriving blue heron rookery and a variety of other protected species such as the spotted turtle and Indiana bat. Continuing south through Shelby Township’s River Bends Park, the interceptor eventually crosses underneath the Clinton River in the City of Utica. As a result, many of the access manholes are located off the road system within wetlands and river floodplains, and have not been regularly accessed since their original installation in the 1970’s. 
​
In coordination with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) – Land and Water Management Division, access paths were designed to provide access for heavy equipment required for completing the sewer rehabilitation while minimizing the impact to the natural environment. The use of geogrids allowed for construction of gravel access paths over less than ideal soil conditions while limiting the excavation of native water absorbent soil materials. This resulted in gravel access paths with a final elevation level with the surrounding wetland and floodplain, eliminating the impounding of water during high water and flooding events, and allowing for unhindered migration of the spotted turtle.  

​Aside from providing access for rehabilitation and future maintenance inspections, the access paths provided a secondary benefit to the surrounding community. Part of the design to limit the project’s footprint in the wetland and floodplain areas was to use as much existing path and trail system as possible before constructing new access paths. The 12-foot wide gravel paths that remained in-place following the completion of OMID Contract 5 branch off of the trail system within Holland Ponds and River Bends Park.  Today these paths provide important emergency services access to remote areas of the parks while extending the trail system for the enjoyment of local runners, bikers, and bird watchers.  

Challenges of In-Pipe Rehabilitation Work
The 5-mile stretch of sewer that makes up PCI-9 and PCI-10A/B varies in diameter from 8-foot to 8-foot 9-inches and continually operate at 20-25% full with a velocity approaching 5 feet per second (fps). There was no upstream gate system to regulate flow, and bypass pumping was not feasible because it was both cost prohibitive, as well as disruptive to the surrounding wetlands. The project team realized rehabilitation work would need to be performed under live flow conditions. As a result, design considerations were made to use a train of work sleds attached to high capacity winches that pulled the sleds from manhole to manhole. This allowed for the transportation of repair materials, tools, and work crews to each repair area, and provided a stable working platform.  

While the use of work sleds required additional pre-implementation planning and design of 8-foot diameter access shafts for the upstream installation and downstream removal, once installed the work sleds could remain in the sewer for the duration of the rehabilitation project.  The mobile work platforms raised tools and work crews safely above the flow of the sewer.  This greatly reduced the safety concerns and crew fatigue associated with working under live flow conditions of over two-feet in depth and velocities approaching 5 fps.
​
The use of the mobile work platforms also had the added benefit of greatly reducing the amount of time required for equipment setup at each chemical and cementitious grouting location.  The increase in productivity meant that an entire manhole to manhole reach of the sewer could be inspected, leaks identified, equipment setup, leaks sealed through chemical grouting, and work verified by engineering staff in a single sewer entry and work shift.
​
Conclusions
With the completion of OMID Contract 5 the design team and group of implementation contractors associated with all phases of the system wide OMID rehabilitation mark the proud end to a challenging and innovative series of projects.  It has been a privilege to work on such a vital piece of Michigan’s infrastructure while solving engineering and logistical problems that will have benefits for many years to come.

Brilliant sunshine greeted nearly 4,000 urban redevelopment professionals including planners, designers, developers, environmental professionals, contractors and financial professionals, from across the country at the ULI Spring Meeting, held in downtown Detroit in early May.  A large portion of the attendees were in town for the first time in many years, if at all, and were impressed by the forward momentum.  “As Detroit goes, so goes the nation,” it has been said.  Certainly, our visitors were intensely interested in sharing creative ideas and lessons learned in the course of Detroit’s recent transformation, to the benefit of post-industrial cities and struggling neighborhoods everywhere.

The conference was a wonderful opportunity for us at NTH to help showcase the Detroit metro area, to hear from the best and brightest minds in urban redevelopment and to network with other city builders and urban infrastructure professionals far and wide. Ashley Lesser, P.E., an engineer in NTH’s Environmental Group who has been involved with ULI Michigan for several years, and Bhushan Modi, P.E., Vice President of Environmental Services were in attendance. The general sessions focused on industry trends and transformative developments in Detroit and Las Vegas, with a keynote by Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.  Various panels highlighted special topics such as parks, public-private partnerships, neighborhood revitalization, historic preservation and adaptive reuse, and the impact of innovations in manufacturing and mobility on real estate.

The transformative development projects highlighted during the conference underscored the idea that the built environment is a key driver of Detroit’s rebirth. Forward-thinking developers have transformed the streetscape of Detroit not only by pursuing ambitious projects, but by filling them with people—the lifeblood of a city.  Toward this end, there’s been a focus on rehabilitating iconic structures and creating inspiring new public spaces. Given the unique challenges presented by Detroit’s long industrial history and dynamic waterfront, these visions could not be realized without engineering expertise; and NTH has helped to fulfill many of these visions over the years.
​
“NTH has been a part of the transformation of Detroit for more than two decades and we’ve had a hand in many of the projects that were on display,” said Modi. “It was great to see attendees and presenters point to projects on which we’ve collaborated, such as Little Caesar’s Arena and other the other Downtown sports stadiums, and to hear the excitement about the West Riverfront Park project on which we will begin work this summer. We are proud to be an integral part of restoration and rejuvenation of the entire Detroit area.”