INNOVATION July-August 2013

CO 2 Sequestration Research • Legislated Dam Safety Reviews • Life Cycle Assessment

JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS OF BC

July/August 2013

2012/2013 Project Highlights

Flood Risk Reduction Lessons for BC

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content s

JULY/AUGUST 2 013 [ vol .17 no .4]

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Germany and Alberta’s Floods – Flood Risk Reduction Lessons for BC? Dr. Matthias Jakob, P.Geo. and Kris Holm, P.Geo. CO 2 -absorbing Mineral Shows Potential to Transform Mining Industry Jean Sorensen Two Neighbours Share a Profession and a Lasting Friendship Jean Sorensen

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2012/2013 Project Highlights

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President’s Viewpoint – Independent and Adaptable Viewpoints

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Association Notes – Five Bylaw Amendments Proposed for Fall Vote; Submitting Motions for the 2013 Annual General Meeting; Task Force Reports on Gender Imbalance in Engineering and Geoscience Professions; New APEGBC Website to be Unveiled this Fall; Fall Council Election; Government Relations Update; Community Panel Aims to Get Members Talking

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Council Report – May 3 and June 14, 2013

ON THE COVER: Flood waters fill

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Resource Group Helps Small Firm Owners and Sole Proprietors Build their Businesses

Centre Street south of the Calgary Tower, June 21, 2013, in Calgary, Alberta. On page 16, Dr. Matthias Jakob, P.Geo., and Kris Holm, P.Geo., discuss lessons for BC from the Germany and Alberta floods. Photo: ©iStockphoto. com/51Systems.

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Legislated Dam Safety Review Guidelines

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Towards Sustainable Design with Life Cycle Assessment

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2012/2013 Benevolent Fund and Foundation Donations

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6 Newsmakers 24 APEGBC Professional Development 62 Discipline and Enforcement 62 Membership 65 Professional Services 69 OQM List 70 Careers 71 Datebook

2012/2013 Project Highlights 30

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JULY/AUGUST 2013

Volume 17 Number 4

v iewpoint

Given that this column is titled “Viewpoint,” I would like to express my opinion on some desirable features of our collective view- points—both within professional practice and beyond. When I meet new members at our induction ceremonies, one snippet of advice I sometimes provide is: “don’t be a rubber stamp.” What does this mean with respect to professional practice? In fact, this feature relates to a portion of our Code of Ethics, that includes a call on members and licensees to: “conduct themselves with fair- ness, courtesy and good faith towards clients, colleagues and others, give credit where it is due and accept, as well as give, honest and fair professional comment.” Let me elaborate. A key aspect of sound professional practice relates to the roles of checkers and reviewers. When asked to pro- vide a review, it is all too easy to do this in a cursory manner and simply endorse the content being reviewed; however, it is critical that such reviews are carried out independently and thoroughly, even to the point of providing contrary, independent viewpoints. And, this relates both to specific technical calculations as well as to identifying unexpected issues that may otherwise have been over- looked. That is, the statements “don’t be a rubber stamp” and “give honest and fair professional comment” are intended to urge thor- ough, fair and independent reviews and commentary of the work of others. It is noteworthy that such aspects also feature prominently in APEGBC’s Organizational Quality Management Program, which highlights procedures relating to checks of professional work and to independent reviews. This thinking applies beyond professional practice. In my involve- ment with many organizations, boards and committees, I have often observed that the most beneficial and critical advances are sometimes made through minority opinions on committees, dissenting views, sober second thought, and even “squeaky wheels.” Indeed, these pro- vide a natural way of assuring a system of checks and balances as organizations and committees advance their agendas. That is, it is perfectly in order to hold diverse and independent viewpoints—pro- vided of course that all discourse is fair and respectful. At the same time, a complementary and desirable feature of one’s viewpoints is that they are adaptable—so that one keeps an open mind and does not maintain a rigid outlook. This certainly applies to professional practice (“accept… honest and fair professional com- ment”), where technical advances are often made through healthy, respectful discussion of differing viewpoints so as to strive towards consensus on a way forward. And again, this applies to an organizational environment, where free and respectful debate with open minds—rather than the imposi- tion of a particular pre-held viewpoint—is the best approach to con- sensus building. One aspect of this relates to consultation processes, which again need to be conducted with an open mind, such that the input of those being consulted is fully and seriously taken into account in reaching a position (which may or may not differ from the opinions expressed), rather than having adopted a predetermined position. Overall, I believe that we are all well served, both within profes- sional practice and beyond, by holding viewpoints that are indepen- dent and yet adaptable.

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC Suite 200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC Canada V5C 6N2 Tel: 604.430.8035 Fax: 604.430.8085 E-mail: apeginfo@apeg.bc.ca Internet: www.apeg.bc.ca Toll free: 1.888.430.8035

2012/2013 COUNCIL, APEGBC P resident M.D. Isaacson, P.Eng., PhD, FEC V ice P resident M.B. Bapty, P.Eng., FEC P ast P resident J.H. Holm, P.Eng., FEC

Independent and Adaptable Viewpoints

Councillors A.E. Badke, P.Eng.; S.M. Carlson, P.Eng.; J.J. Clague, P.Geo., PhD; A Fernandes, CIM, FCSI; H. Hawson, P.Eng., FEC; D.M. Howes, P.Eng.; H.G. Kell,y P.Eng.; G.D. Kirkham, P.Geo.; J. Martignago; A.J. Mill, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC; K.E. Savage, P.Eng., FEC; M. Waberski, BCLS; M.C. Wrinch, P.Eng., PhD, FEC; S. Wynn, PhD

ASSOCIATION STAFF A.J. English, P.Eng. C hief E xecutive O fficer and R egistrar T.M.Y. C hong, P.Eng. C hief R egulatory O fficer and D eputy R egistrar J.Y. Sinclair C hief O perating O fficer M.L. Archibald D irector , C ommunications and S takeholder E ngagement J. Cho, CGA D irector , F inance and A dministration D. Gamble D irector , I nformation S ervices A. Lim A/ D irector , M ember S ervices P.R. Mitchell, P.Eng. D irector , P rofessional P ractice , S tandards and D evelopment D. Olychick D irector , M ember S ervices G.M. Pichler, P.Eng. D irector , R egistration G.A. Thiele, LLB D irector , L egislation , E thics and C ompliance R.M. F ilipiak, P .Eng. A ssociate D irector , A dmissions V. Lai, CGA A ssociate D irector , F inance and A dministration J.J.G. Larocque, P.Eng., LLB A ssociate D irector , P rofessional P ractice

Dr. Michael Isaacson, P.Eng., FEC President

Melinda Lau M anaging E ditor

EDITORIAL BOARD S. Chiu, P.Eng.; R. Gupta, P.Eng., P h D; C.L. Hall, P.Geo.; S.K. Hayes, P.Eng.; K.S. Hirji, P.Eng.; M.A. Klippenstein, P.Eng.; I. Kokan, P.Eng.; M.E. Leslie, P.Eng.; B. Thomson, P.Geo., FEC (Hon)

president@ apeg.bc.ca

Advertising material should reach the publication by the 5th of the preceding month (e.g., January 5 for the Jan/Feb issue).

Advertising Contact: Gillian Cobban Tel: 604.929.6733 Fax: 604.929.6753 E-mail: advertising@apeg.bc.ca

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Subscription rates per issue $4.50; six issues yearly $25.00. Annual subscriptions of Association members are apportioned from membership dues in the amount of $15 per member (rates do not include tax). Innovation is published six times a year by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia. As the official publication of the Association, Innovation is circulated to members of the engineering and geoscience professions, architects, contractors and industrial executives. The views expressed in any article contained herein do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Council or membership of this Association. Submission Guidelines: Innovation encourages unsolicited articles and photos. By submitting material to Innovation, you grant Innovation a royalty-free, worldwide license to publish the material in Innovation magazine; and you warrant that you have the authority to grant such rights and have obtained waivers of all associated moral rights. Innovation reserves the right to edit the material for length, clarity and conformity with our editorial guidelines (www. apeg.bc.ca/resource/innovation/editorial.html) and is under no obligation to publish any or all submissions or any portion thereof including credits. All material is copyright. Please contact the Managing Editor for reprint permission.

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MAKING VANcOUVER MORE ENERGy EffIcIENT, ONE DAzzlING lIGhTING PROjEcT AT A TIME

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A number of APEGBC members and projects were recognized with a variety of honours this spring, with commendations including leadership, service, and contributions to the professions or to society. Chemical engineer Tom Boughner, P.Eng., was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal earlier this year on the recommendation of the Town of Slave Lake, Alberta for his contribution as Town Recovery Manager following the wildfires in 2011. In May, Guy Van Uytven, P.Eng., was the recipient of a 2013 Canadian Society for Senior Engineers Fellowship Award. UBC engineering professors Dr. Akram Alfantazi, P.Eng., and Dr. Jonathan Fannin, P.Eng., were inducted

as Fellows of the Engineering Institute of Canada on May 28, 2013, for their academic and research contributions, while Colin Smith, P.Eng., FEC, and Gordon Lindsay, P.Eng., FEC, were awarded the Canadian Pacific Railway Medal for leadership and service to the Engineering Institute of Canada. Engineers Canada has recognized the BC Place Revitalization project with the National Award for an Engineering Project or Achievement. The award was accepted by principal engineer Glenn Hubick, P.Eng., on behalf of Genivar. APEGBC offers its congratulations to the recipients of these honours, which highlight achievement within the professions.

Spring Season Abounds with Recognition for APEGBC Members

Dr. John Grace, P.Eng., Appointed to Order of Canada

Chemical engineer Dr. John Grace, P.Eng., has been made an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his contributions to chemical engineering, notably to the development of cleaner technology for industrial processes and energy production. Dr. Grace is a professor in the department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of British Columbia and is Canada Research Chair in Clean Energy Processes. Specializing in fluidized bed technology and related multi-phase systems, Dr. Grace is a respected leader in his field. He is also a co-founder of Membrane Reactor Technologies Ltd., a company

Dr. John Grace, P.Eng., OC

focused on efficient hydrogen generation and use. Grace was recognized with APEGBC’s Meritorious Achievement Award in 2010. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Engineering Institute of Canada, and the Chemical Institute of Canada. He is also the recipient of a host of awards including the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering’s R.S. Jane Memorial Award, the Career Achievement Award of the Science Council of British Columbia, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ Thomas Baron Award and its Dupont Particle Technology Forum Award. The Order of Canada, one of Canada’s highest civilian honours, was established in 1967 to recognize a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the country.

Get Connected! APEGBC on Social Media

Get Connected with APEGBC events, news and colleagues whether you’re at your desk, or on your smartphone or mobile device. APEGBC’s LinkedIn Group lets members interact and post topics for discussion online or make professional connections. And, the @APEGBC twitter feed keeps you posted with association news, events, and interesting engineering and geoscience related stories from around the web. Find APEGBC on Twitter (www.twitter.com/apegbc) and LinkedIn (ca.linkedin.com).

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as soc ia t i on notes

Five Bylaw Amendments Proposed for Fall Vote This fall, five bylaw amendments to modernize the Engineers and Geoscientists Act will be put to the membership for ratification. The bylaws proposed for amendment relate to limited licensee recognition and participation in governance processes, removal of time limits on EIT/GIT memberships, and alternative complaint resolution. These changes are part of APEGBC’s ongoing work to ensure that our governing legislation is current, adequate and relevant, reflecting modern practices. Consultation with members and stakeholders was undertaken for each of the proposed bylaws listed below in accordance with APEGBC’s Bylaw Consultation Policy. This policy outlines a process that was established as part of a Council initiative to increase the opportunities for members to provide feedback on potential bylaw changes. Consultation methods included: surveys, direct member e-mails, articles in Innovation and Connections with an e-mail contact for member feedback, and promotion through the association’s social media channels. Feedback received during the consultation processes was generally supportive of the amendments. All comments and data were reviewed, and in some cases, revisions to the wording of the bylaws were brought forward to Council, prompted by stakeholder input. Limited Licensees The Act received 11 modernizing amendments in June 2012. These included changes that enable limited licensees to participate in APEGBC’s key governance processes, including the ability to run for Council and vote in council elections, petitions, and bylaws; and to call and vote at meetings of the association. The amendments to the Act in June resulted in a number of automatic changes to some of APEGBC’s bylaws to bring them into alignment; however Council identified three additional bylaws for amendment that, while not in direct conflict with the Act changes, exclude limited licensees from related processes of governance and recognition. Bylaw 3 (a.1) Nominating Committee – The Nominating Committee is responsible for nominating individuals for the offices of president and vice president, and Council. Currently, the wording of this bylaw states that only members (as defined in the Act , professional engineers and professional geoscientists) may participate on this committee. Proposed amendments would allow limited licensees to participate on the nominating committee. Bylaw 3 (j) Ballot – This bylaw outlines the procedure for counting ballots for the council election. It currently states that only members (as defined in the Act , professional engineers and professional geoscientists) may participate as ballot counters. Amendments will allow limited licensees to participate as ballot counters. Bylaw 10 (c.1 and c.2) Life Membership and Honorary Life Membership – Bylaw 10 (c.1) permits Council to confer life membership in the association upon any member who meets certain criteria. Bylaw 10 (c.2) permits Council to confer honorary life membership in the association on those who have served in the office of president, or an individual Council deems to have made outstanding contributions to the professions of engineering or geoscience. Currently, both of these honours are limited to members (as defined in the Act , professional engineers and professional geoscientists). Amendments to these bylaws will allow life and honorary life licensure to be bestowed on limited licensees. Eight-year Limit on Member-in-Training Status Bylaw 11(c) Engineers-in-Training, Geoscientists-in-Training – Bylaw 11(c) sets out the requirements for status as an engineer- or geoscientist-in-training, and states, in part, “Engineers-in-training or geoscientists-in-training may not remain in that status for a period of more than 8 years unless satisfactory reasons for doing so are presented to the Council.” Amendments to this bylaw would remove the eight-year time limit. Alternative Complaint Resolution Bylaw 18 Alternative Complaint Resolution – This bylaw outlines and captures the critical elements, requirements and framework of alternative complaint resolution of discipline cases, while providing sufficient flexibility to the process. The full text of the bylaws has not been included in this article due to length. However, it is available and can be viewed online at www.apeg.bc.ca/about/bylaws2013.html and will also be provided to members as part of the voter information package that will be distributed by e-mail in late August. APEGBC encourages all voting members to actively be a part of association governance by participating in the bylaw vote and Council election this fall.

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Submitting Motions for the 2013 Annual General Meeting Proposed motions for APEGBC’s 2013 annual general meeting should be submitted to the Governance Committee no later than Wednesday, October 16, 2013, in order to enable publication in advance of the meeting on October 26. Under the Engineers and Geoscientists Act , APEGBC holds an annual general Meeting (AGM) of its members. Reports are provided by the president and the CEO on the activities of the past year, and the financial report is presented. At the meeting, members are provided with the opportunity to ask questions and make motions for consideration by Council. Motions may be proposed by registered professional members (P.Eng., P.Geo.) or by limited licensees (Eng.L., Geo.L.). Proposed motions will be published on the APEGBC website, www.apeg. bc.ca. By reviewing the proposed motions in advance of the AGM, members and licensees will know what is going to be debated and can decide if they wish to attend the AGM based on that information. The Governance Committee will contact members submitting proposed motions to address any procedural issues with the proposed motion prior to its publication. Information on the correct format for motions and how to submit them for review and publication can be found online at www.apeg.bc.ca/ac2013/agm.html. Please note that a mover and a seconder for the motion will still need to be present at the AGM. The AGM will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2013, at the Whistler Conference Centre in Whistler, BC. Task Force Reports on Gender Imbalance in Engineering and Geoscience Professions APEGBC’s Women in Engineering and Geoscience Task Force recently presented its final report at the June 14, 2013, meeting of Council. The report makes a number of recommendations on how APEGBC can work to mitigate the gender imbalance in engineering and geoscience. In March 2013, Council established the Women in Engineering and Geoscience Task Force to identify the causes of gender imbalance in the engineering and geoscience professions, make recommendations as to how they could be addressed effectively by APEGBC, and indicate metrics that would evaluate success. The task force is composed of representatives from industry, academia, regulatory organizations and crown corporations. Task force findings have indicated that in comparison to other professions, engineering and geoscience recruit substantially fewer women, and that more women leave these two professions than others that require a similar level of education. In its report, the task force affirms that “APEGBC needs to act now to catch up with other associations and the federal government and provide leadership for its members.” Significant research on the issue of gender imbalance in the professions exists, the report notes, as does sufficient evidence in support of the actions proposed in the recommendations. The task force report identifies two key issues of recruitment and retention, and presents a strategy along with recommendations for how APEGBC can take action in these areas. These include creating partnerships with stakeholders in support of gender diversity and improving outreach. APEGBC’s career awareness and mentoring programs were also seen as two strategic areas of growth. The complete report of the Women in Engineering and Geoscience Task Force is available at www.apeg.bc.ca/about/wiegtf.html. For more information about the report or the Women in Engineering and Geoscience Task Force, contact Janet Sinclair at jsinclair@apeg.bc.ca.

New APEGBC Website Unveiled This Fall A new APEGBC website is set to launch in fall 2013. The site will feature improved navigation as well as a fresh look and feel that is more representative of its purpose and its intended users. The most important change to the site is that it will now be easier for users to search for and locate content. APEGBC’s website is a key communications asset, and is often the first point of contact for potential members as well as the public. It is the main source for information on engineering and geoscience in BC, such as practice standards and guidelines or the registration process. With the goal of improving the end-user experience, the redesign process involved input from key stakeholders who use the APEGBC website, such as members, applicants for registration, and university students. The new website has been much anticipated by members and staff alike who indicated that they found the current site at times difficult to navigate, or dated in look and feel. APEGBC’s use of social media has made it even more important to have a modern web presence, as the website is the main hub for social media to link back to. Over the next few months, APEGBC members can expect to see other changes related to web communications, reflective of the new site.

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Government Relations Update APEGBC Engages with Government on Practice and Public Protection Issues As a part of its regulatory role, APEGBC works with municipal, provincial and federal govern- ments to enhance public protection and provide leadership in addressing issues relating to the practice of professional engineering and geoscience. The following describes some of the current activities that APEGBC has been engaged in. Onsite Sewerage – Together with the Ministry of Health, APEGBC is working to develop a consistent approach in the design of onsite sewerage systems so that qualified professionals are aware of best practices and the expected quality of practice. The Professional Practice Guidelines for Onsite Sewerage Systems was developed in collaboration with the ministry and published in November 2012. These guidelines are available at www.apeg.bc.ca/ppractice/documents/ ppguidelines/Sewerage_Guidelines.pdf. Seismic Mitigation – By providing expert advice to the Ministry of Education for the BC Seismic Schools Program, APEGBC is helping to make BC schools seismically safe. APEGBC continues to work with the University of British Columbia and the ministry on this award- winning program to undertake new research on how buildings up to eight storeys may respond during a seismic event. In addition to providing ongoing technical expertise, APEGBC has also been assisting government in expanding the use of this technology to buildings at BC universities. Mobile Crane Inspections – APEGBC is providing input on issues associated with the inspec- tion of mobile cranes and the related WorkSafe BC legislation and guidelines. As a recognized stakeholder, APEGBC is participating in discussions with WorkSafe BC and other stakeholders on how mobile cranes are inspected including inspector qualification and crane inspection criteria so that public safety objectives are met. Disaster Response – With Emergency Management BC (EMBC), APEGBC is exploring ways that it can assist in the preparation and execution of emergency response related to natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, landslides, etc.). One of these activities includes APEGBC working with EMBC to establish a list of qualified professional members to respond to natural disasters. Environmental Operators – APEGBC has been providing comments and expertise to the Ministry of Health on the Classification and Certification of Environmental Operators Project. This work with the ministry and other stakeholders seeks to achieve consensus on how environ- mental operators should be classified and certified to support public safety. Labour Mobility – APEGBC is supporting labour mobility through partnerships that help internationally trained professionals integrate into BC. APEGBC is currently working with the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training on three projects to facilitate labour mobility including: the development of tools to enable applicants to better determine how their skills will be recognized in Canada, an examination of the competency outcomes for the one year Canadian experience requirement, and the feasibility of adapting the Engineers Canada lan- guage competency test for the Web. Dam Safety Reviews – Recently, APEGBC assisted the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas in preparing and updat- ing professional practice guidelines to address dam safety reviews carried out on dams under the BC Dam Safety Regulation and under the Mines Act respectively. (For more information on the dam safety review guidelines, see page 15.) Engineers and geoscientists play a key role in the public safety and well-being, and APEGBC is committed to working constructively with governments at all levels to assist in carrying out this responsibility. For more information on APEGBC’s government relations activities, contact Janet Sinclair, at jsinclair@apeg.bc.ca.

Fall Council Election APEGBC is governed by a council comprising members elected by their peers, as well as four government appointees. The 2013/2014 APEGBC Council election will take place this fall, with a minimum of five councillors to be elected, as well as one vice-presidential candidate. Election to the office of president will be by acclamation as the candidacy is uncontested. The vote will be conducted by electronic ballot and members and licensees will be sent an e-mail in late August with access to candidate statements and instructions on voting procedures. Members and licensees who have not provided APEGBC with a valid e-mail address will not receive direct notification, but will still be able to access electronic voting through the main page of the association’s website. To ensure that APEGBC has your current e-mail address, please visit: www.apeg.bc.ca/ reg/changestatus.html and click on Change your Address with APEGBC. Paper ballots will be available by written request. Should you wish to receive a paper ballot, please send your request to APEGBC, #200 – 4010 Regent St., Burnaby, BC, V5C 6N2, or contact apeginfo@apeg.bc.ca.

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Community Panel Aims to Get Members Talking Consultation with members plays a crucial role in association governance. Surveys, articles and feedback opportunities via e-mail, phone or in person are some of the ways in which APEGBC communicates with members. The Member Community Panel, introduced this past spring, is APEGBC’s most recent effort to provide opportunities for two-way communication between members and the association. The Member Community Panel was created to be a web-based advisory board. By participating, APEGBC members and licensees will be able to provide input that will directly influence APEGBC programs and initiatives. Panel members are contacted via e-mail periodically and invited to provide their feedback on specific questions through an online response module. For example, members might be asked to provide thoughts on preliminary concepts for an advertising campaign, give feedback to improve the user experience for member programs or resources, or make suggestions on how APEGBC should deliver information to its members. The APEGBC Member Community Panel is open to all APEGBC members and licensees. To join the panel, all you need to do is log-in to the secure Member Portal on the APEGBC website. Once there, click on the Member Community Panel link on the left-hand menu. After you’ve completed your profile, you will be notified by e-mail when the next request for input is submitted for the response of panel members. Community Panel members will also periodically receive quick e-mail updates on how APEGBC has put members’ ideas, comments and suggestions into action. There is no time commitment; members and licensees can choose which questions they want to respond to, and opt-out at any time. Any of the feedback provided through the Member Community Panel will not be linked directly to members’ profiles and a secure third-party will be used to collect the information in order to maintain confidentiality. For more information about the APEGBC Member Community Panel, contact Melinda Lau at mlau@apeg.bc.ca or 604.412.4866.

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landslide risk. Current provincial legislation does not present adequate information for practitioners to apply a consistent approach, leading to local governments independently developing natural hazard regulations that are inconsistent between various areas across the province. In response to a motion put forward on this topic at the 2012 APEGBC AGM, an advisory group of subject matter experts was formed to consider this issue, and their recommendations were approved by Council. Work will begin shortly with government officials. Enforcement Strategy Approved for 2013-2016 APEGBC’s Enforcement strategy focuses on reducing the incidence of unregistered practice of engineering and geoscience in BC. The program aims to improve the association’s ability to identify unregistered practice; reduce unregistered practice in the public sector, academia and senior industry employees; and increase internal collaboration to identify unregistered individuals. The existing Enforcement Strategy has demonstrated success in several ways. Review of mineral disclosure reports for BC properties has enabled proactive outreach to individuals possibly undertaking unregistered practice, and has led to the registration of 25 individuals since July 2012. Discussions with geoscientists employed by the Geological Survey of Canada have identified potential barriers to, as well as incentives for, professional registration. Formalized agreements and strengthened relationships with other regulators, including the British Columbia Securities Commission and the BC Oil and Gas Commission have also supported this work. The 2013-2016 Enforcement Strategy will continue to pursue these goals and will also focus on examining disincentives to registration, engagement opportunities and outreach work with additional sectors.

of an initiative specifically relating to gender diversity in the professions in the development of the 2014-2017 Strategic Plan. Council applauded the Women in Engineering and Geoscience Task Force for their work. Council Examines Issue of Association Relevance Council has recently undertaken work to examine the relevance of APEGBC to its members, the public and other stakeholders by identifying potential threats and opportunities that may impact the relevance of APEGBC now and in the future. Four workshops were organized to examine these issues in depth, involving members and non- members from a diverse range of disciplines and the public. Several recurring themes were brought to light during the workshops, including promotion of the professions, support for quality management programs, and increasing the engagement of emerging disciplines. Council will receive a full report on these workshops for further discussion and action at their September 2013 Planning Session. Bylaws Approved for Ratification by Members At their May meeting, Council approved proposed amendments to three association bylaws addressing governance and recognition processes for limited licensees. Together with two other bylaws previously approved by Council (Alternative Complaint Resolution and the removal of the eight year time limit for EITs/GITs), these proposed amendments will be put before the membership for ratification this fall. (See page 8 for more information on the proposed bylaw changes.) APEGBC to Approach Government on Assessment of Acceptable Level of Landslide Risk APEGBC will be engaging the provincial government on establishing a level of acceptable

APEGBC’s Council of elected members and government appointees meet throughout the year to conduct the business of association governance. The following are highlights of the May 3 and June 14, 2013 Council meetings.

Operating Budget Approved The 2013/2014 APEGBC operating budget was approved by Council at their May meeting following extensive review by the APEGBC Executive Committee. The budget reflects efficiencies across association programs, including building operations, government relations, publications, exams and operational costs. Efficiencies in 12 different areas of operation enabled the inclusion of several new program initiatives, including programs examining association relevance, women in engineering and geoscience and increased support for APEGBC outreach and public relations. The approved budget will result in an operating deficit of $114,000. Funds from the general operating fund will be used to mitigate the deficit. Report on Gender Imbalance in Engineering and Geoscience Received by Council At the June meeting of Council, Councillor Donna Howes, P.Eng., presented the final report of the Women in Engineering and Geoscience Task Force. The Task Force was established in March 2013 to identify the causes of the gender imbalance in engineering and geoscience and to recommend actions APEGBC could undertake to mitigate this imbalance. (For more information about the Women in Engineering and Geoscience Task Force report, see page 9.) Council will receive an annual report on the initiatives undertaken and progress made towards improving gender diversity, and will be considering the inclusion

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Annual Report of the Registration Fairness Panel The Fairness Panel is an independent non-statutory body that examines the fairness of the process when an applicant’s appeal of a registration decision is rejected by the Registration Committee. The panel makes

recommendations to the Registration Committee and Registration Task Force on process, policies and procedures as warranted, and reports to Council on an annual basis. The panel is supported by a pool of expert reviewers who assist when the technical competence of the

applicant is at issue, rather than the process followed or adherence to policy. This year (March 2012-February 2013), the Fairness Panel reviewed 36 cases. Of these cases, 20 were appeals referred to the Fairness Panel by the Registration Committee.

APPOINTMENTS INTERNAL Editorial Board Stella Chiu, P.Eng. Rishi Gupta, P.Eng. Karim Hirji, P.Eng.

Mines Task Force – Dam Safety Review Guidelines Harvey McLeod P.Eng./ P.Geo. Chris Carr P.Eng. Graham Greenaway P.Eng. Harvey McLeod P.Eng./ P.Geo. Scrutineers for 2013/2014 Council Election & Bylaw Vote Paul Blanchard, P.Eng., FEC (Chief Scrutineer)

EXTERNAL APEGBC Director to Engineers Canada Russ Kinghorn, P.Eng., FEC Forest Practices Board Audit Team – Special Investigation Bridge Planning Design and Construction Lee Deslauriers P.Eng., RPF PNWER Representative Colin Smith, P.Eng., FEC

Frank Denton, P.Eng., FEC John Watson, P.Eng., FEC Standing Awards Committee Jim McEwen, P.Eng. Sustainability Committee Kerly Acosta, P.Eng. Value for Money Steering Committee Mike Bapty, P.Eng., FEC

Discipline Committee Neil Cumming, P.Eng. Geoscience Committee Jeff Wilson, P.Geo. Investigation Committee John Pao, P.Eng., Struct. Eng.

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Resource Group Helps Small Firm Owners and Sole Proprietors Build their Businesses Professional business coach Moreen Singh has been spent much of her 30 years of experience as a senior manager and business strategist working with engineers, and it shows in her no-nonsense approach. In 2004, APEGBC launched the strategies for managing financials, maintaining profitability, time management, risk management, contracts and more. Facilitated by Singh, the two regular business group meetings take place once a month Vancouver every second Monday of the month and topics of discussion range from business development planning to risk mitigation for sole proprietors. The Better Business Group caters to members who are looking to

and members each receive an hour of one-on-one business coaching. “The purpose of both groups is twofold,” says Singh, “to gain an awareness of business practices while learning from others’ mistakes and to foster an environment for creative dialogue from objective people to give input into your business.” The Business Development Group is designed with new business owners in mind and focuses on defining key markets, establishing fee structures, developing and employing proven marketing strategies and effective sales techniques. This group meets in

Business Resource Group with Singh, with the aim of providing APEGBC members who are sole proprietors or small firm business owners the opportunity to exchange ideas and get frank feedback on business issues and benefit from the guidance of a professional business coach. Over time, the group was split into two to meet the needs of members: the Business Development Group and the Better Business Group. The two Business Resource Groups are tailored to the needs of their members, sharing techniques and

implement a more formal business strategy and leadership model in an existing business. The main focus is on sustainable growth through business management strategies, effective marketing techniques, and product development. This group meets in Burnaby every third Wednesday of the month. Group meetings plus coaching are $225 monthly, and are open to all members of APEGBC. For more information on the Business Resource Groups or to register, please contact Sabine Cheng at scheng@apeg.bc.ca. v

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Course Code Location

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Civil Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Pavements

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October 24-25 14 November 18-19 14 November 20-22 21 November 27-29 17

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04-0929-2282

Vancouver

04-0928-2282 Vancouver

November 12-14 21

Environmental Designing Wastewater Pumping Systems and Lift Stations Sampling Strategies and Statistical Analyses of Contaminated Sites

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October 28-30 21 November 4-5 14 November 27-29 17

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28

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*PDHs: Continuing professional education for licensed engineers is measured in Professional Development Hours (PDHs). A PDH is one contact hour of instruction or presentation.

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Legislated Dam Safety Review Guidelines

Dams serve many purposes: they provide storage for drinking water, irrigation, commercial and industrial uses, they aid in flood control, and in British Columbia, hydroelectric power provides 86% of the province’s electricity. However, with these societal benefits also comes risk to public safety in the event of a physical or operational failure. BC experiences on average one dam breach annually. Most of these failures have occurred at smaller sites without loss of life, due in large part to the sparse population surrounding these structures. But, as the population grows and new residential development occurs downstream of dams, greater human, environmental and economic losses are likely to result in the event of future failures. In BC, the Water Act and Dam Safety Regulation has authority over all freshwater dams and holds dam owners liable for any damage caused by the construction, operation or failure of their dam. Provincial legislation requires that dam safety reviews be carried out by professional engineers qualified in “dam safety analysis . ” Until now, little guidance has been available provincially to identify whether a professional engineer is suitably qualified by training or experience to undertake and accept responsibility for such analysis, nor have there been accepted published standards for carrying out dam safety reviews. Commissioned by the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, APEGBC recently published professional practice guidelines for dam safety reviews: Professional Practice Guidelines – Legislated Dam Safety Reviews in BC . The Guidelines define the professional services, standard of care and specific tasks to be provided by APEGBC members conducting this type of work; provide descriptions of the roles and responsibilities of the various participants/stakeholders involved in a dam safety review; and set out expectations for the appropriate knowledge, skill sets and experience to be held by APEGBC members working in this field. It also aims to address

consistency in the reporting prepared by APEGBC members providing professional services in this field of dam safety reviews. Dam safety reviews require a systematic review and evaluation of all aspects of the design, construction, maintenance, operation, processes and systems affecting a dam’s safety, including the dam safety management system. The Guidelines assist in project organization and determination of responsibilities, and provide general principles governing dam safety analysis, quality assurance/quality control, and report presentation. The Guidelines are not intended to serve as a prescriptive technical document but instead provide focus on the issues to be considered when undertaking a dam safety review. In order to meet the legislated requirement “to determine whether the dam is safe”, the Guidelines include the Dam Safety Review Assurance Statement , introducing the term “reasonably safe.” Upon signing this statement, the qualified professional gives their assurance that the dam owner has implemented all dam safety management measures, therefore conforming to the norms considered by the regulatory authority and the engineering profession to reasonably reflect established engineering and dam safety management practices. Although the Guidelines apply to dam safety reviews prepared in response to the British Columbia Dam Safety Regulation, it is recognized that reviews may be prepared for other purposes. For example, mine-related dams are governed under the Mines Act and Health and Safety Regulation Code for Mines in BC (Code), which currently refer qualified professionals to the Canadian Dam Association Guidelines when undertaking dam safety reviews. However, it is anticipated that the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines will adopt the Guidelines in the near future, once an appendix to the Guidelines specifically related to mining dams is complete. The Guidelines were prepared on behalf of APEGBC by a committee

of senior practitioners within BC’s dam engineering community with the assistance of APEGBC staff. The BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations developed the work proposal and provided financial support, matching APEGBC’s contributions. Review was provided by various stakeholders including the province’s dam safety officers, representatives of the Canadian Dam Association, and APEGBC’s Internal Review Task Force. The Guidelines were approved by APEGBC Council in May 2013. The Professional Practice Guidelines – Legislated Dam Safety Reviews in BC are available on the APEGBC website at www.apeg.bc.ca/ppractice/ppdocs.html. v

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Germany And Alberta’s Floods – Flood Risk Reduction Lessons for BC?

Dr. Matthias Jakob, P.Geo. Kris Holm, P.Geo.

In June 2013 Germany experienced another “century flood,” or “Jahrhunderthochwasser.” The last one had occurred in 2002 and, once again, towns and cities were under water. Only weeks later, a century flood took place in Alberta. Major flooding had previously taken place in 2005, and here too towns and cities were again submerged. Germany is an industrialized nation and has spent hundreds of millions of euros on risk-based flood assessment and control since the 2002 flood. So how, only 11 years and some 20 billion euros in costs after the last flood catastrophe, could a flood result in another 11 billion euro bill? Canada, too, is an industrialized nation, and no stranger to flood disasters over the past two centuries. In light of these recent flood disasters in Europe and Alberta, we wish to prompt discussion on how we can reduce the risk of similar disasters in British Columbia. Germany’s Flood Spring of 2013 was one of the wettest ever measured in some areas of Central Europe, and for five days in a row, two low-pressure systems produced incessant rain that fell on already wet ground. The low pressure system, “Frederik,” formed over Central Europe during late May and funneled wet air masses counterclockwise into Central Europe via the Black Sea and central Eastern Europe. The other low pressure system, “Günther,” was centred in the Carpathians and enhanced Frederik by continuing the rotational airflow towards the Alps. Two stable high-pressure systems over the east Atlantic and Western Europe assured the persistence of the low-pressure systems. By the time the air masses reached Germany, they had cooled and entered from the northeast. Reaching mountain ranges in the German middle mountains and finally the Alps, orographically enhanced uplift resulted in huge precipitation amounts in excess of 400 mm. In Bavaria, Saxony, Thuringia and Hessen a total of 13.4 billion cubic metres of water fell within four days. The return periods on many rivers well exceeded 100 years as well as previous records set in 2002 and 2005. New records were reached on the Danube at Passau, exceeding the record previously set in 1501. River stages on the Saale, Zeitz on the Weisse Elster were the highest measured in the last 400 years. Had it not been for very low snowlines (down to 1,000 m in parts of the northern

Gera, Germany, near the Weisse Elster River in June 2013 following the peak of the flood. Taken on Oststrasse.

©iStockphoto.com/Kerstin Waurick

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