WEDA Midwest Chapters Detroit Meeting Focused on Sediment Handling
Photos by Jason Koenig
The Western Dredging Association (WEDA) Midwest Chapter met in Detroit on April 13 – 15. The venue was the Doubletree Guest Suites.
After an ice breaker on the evening of April 13 the event opened on Thursday the 14th with opening remarks at 8:15. Chapter President Kevin Slattery welcomed the group and WEDA National President Paul Quinn discussed the 2012 federal budget remarking that the new focus should be on how to do jobs more cost effectively. Bill Hanson then talked on what it will take to get the younger generation involved in dredging.
The technical program included 11 talks on the general theme “Sediment in a Changing Environment.”
Speakers were: Tim Harrington Contaminated Sediment Dredging and Sediment Enhancement on the Wisconsin River; Ted Smith: Successful Hydraulic Capping of Contaminated Sediment in a Contained Aquatic Disposal Site; Huck Raddemann: EVS Modeling of Sediment Characterization Data; Randy Wilcox: Dewatering Oil Laden Contaminated Sediments with Geotextile Containers; James Dunkley: Hydrographic Surveying & Sediment Remediation; Kevin Slattery: Boat Mounted Laser Imaging Scanner; Vern Gwin: Dredge Quality Management; Harry Steves: The DQM Experience; Angie Mundell: The Fox River Corps/EPA Agreement; and a panel discussion by Corps representatives on the Corps dredging program.
Wayne Schloop of the Detroit District hosted a bus tour of the Detroit River contained disposal facility on Thursday after the luncheon.
At the business meeting following the tour new officers were elected including the committee who will plan the 2012 meeting. New officers are George Berken president; Paul Machajewski vice president; James Westcott treasurer; Jennifer Kahler secretary and Kevin Slattery program director. Tim Briggs outgoing program director will not serve in the coming year and the other officers moved up a slot from their 2011 positions.
The prelimary site for next year’s meeting is Green Bay Wisconsin in late April or early May.
James Dunkley of J.F. Brennan was voted “Best Presenter” by the members.
The final total was 51 attendees and presenters.
