January 17-23, 2001
Just Knock On The Door
The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters got hammered last Friday in a very unexpected manner. Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the union's Detroit office without disclosing what they were looking for. The search got underway early in the morning of Jan. 12, surprising staffers as they showed up for work. FBI agents closed off the union's offices on the 12th Floor of 3800 Woodward Ave., not letting the workers in. The U.S. District Court in Detroit said the FBI's application for a search warrant and affidavit for the warrant were sealed. Lips were sealed as to the FBI's goal. But a search warrant really wasn't necessary, the council stressed in a statement released after the FBI left. "While the Dept. of Labor frequently investigates labor organizations, we were very disappointed in the manner that they confiscated the records of the MRCC," the statement read. "Our organization would have been more than willing to turn over the records, and have indicated that we will cooperate fully with this investigation."
Taken From Us
The construction industry of southeastern Michigan is saddened by the deaths of two of its leaders. On Jan. 7 Floyd Wieland, who actively participated in the Greater Detroit Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America during his career at Barton Malow Co., Southfield, passed away at an undisclosed age. "He was a tremendously knowledgeable and resourceful construction industry professional," an obituary announcement from the Detroit AGC states. Then, a few days later, Allan Jefferson passed away. He served as president of Cement Masons Local 514 from 1985 until his retirement last year. Both men will be sorely missed.
Brought Back
Remember the Tulloch Rule? It was a nightmare dreamed up by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that the federal court system struck down. Unfortunately, just like a revival of the move The Exorcist, on Jan. 9 it popped back up on the warning screen, thanks to a "clarification" process the Corps and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducted last summer. The regulation - which seeks to further regulate development in "wetland" area - was spawned in 1993. It came about as a result of questions regarding the kinds of activities that can and can't be regulated under the Clean Water Act. Under that law's 404 Program, the Corps and the EPA are supposed to regulate the discharge of dredged and fill material into wetlands. A discharge is defined as a specific activity that involves the addition of material into the wetland. But the Tulloch rule wasn't focused on putting fill material into a swampy area. It dealt with taking material out. That's a rather big distinction, wouldn't you say? Nevertheless, in 1993 the Corps decided to issue Tulloch, seeking to regulate certain land removal activities in wetlands, even if the activities only resulted in small amounts of dirt or muck falling off a backhoe bucket and ending up back into the water. The way the Corps saw it, the dirt that dropped into the water was "incidental fallback" and had to be considered "an addition to the wetland." Somehow that made the excavation work coverable under the regulations of the Clean Water Act's 404 program. Land developers and contractors would therefore have to have their plans reviewed and obtain a permit from the Corps. Otherwise they could not legally material from a wetland. Fortunately, that decision didn't jibe with the U.S. District Court of Columbia. In 1997 it ruled against the Corps, striking the Tulloch rule down. The court's decision was confirmed by two more rulings, the latest in a 1998 unanimous decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals. Rather than take the matter up with the U.S. Supreme Court, the Corps and the EPA decided on taking the "clarification" route. They took public comments last August. The result is now the reborn, Jan. 9 Tulloch rule which will require more people to get federal permits, adding to project delays and costs. Once more construction groups will have to go to court to get another sticky, unnecessary layer of red tape off the industry's back. You win a few points but the game's never over.
Training On The Net
Interested in light gauge steel framing? You may want to check out the Steel Network's webpage at www.pdhonline.org. Last month it launched its first online course, "Vertical Deflection Solutions for Light Gauge Steel Framing." The Steel Network manufactures engineered clips and connectors that are used in the erection of light gauge steel framing. Its course introduces the use of the firm's "Verticlip" in fire rated wall assemblies. For more information visit the website or give Dr. John Huang a call at 703/478-6833 or write to him at jchchc@msn.com.
Boechmann Moves Up
The president and chief executive officer of Fluor Daniel, Alan Boeckmann, is being named president and chief operating officer of the parent Fluor Corporation, effective Feb. 1. The statement from the corporation also noted that Philip J. Carroll Jr., Fluor's chairman and chief executive officer, will be retaining his post. "Mr. Boeckmann was chosen for this new post because of his in-depth knowledge of the industries in which we operate and his long and distinguished track record of success," Mr. Carroll says. "By pulling together the business operations of the corporation under a single leadership position, the company will be able to more quickly assess market and customer opportunities and deliver services in the most optimal and cost effective manner possible." Mr. Boeckmann has more than 28 years of experience in the management and technical execution of engineering and construction projects dor a variety of industrial and commercial clients.
Under The Eyeglass
An approach span to the Daniel Webster Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee, Wis., was demolished on Dec. 28 using sequential explosions following the discovery of fractures in two main girders. The span failure took place on a southern bridge approach on Dec. 13. The three mile long bridge carries I-794 traffic over the Milwaukee harbor near Lake Michigan. The full depth cracks were discovered in two out of the approach structure's three, 10 ft. deep main girders. Designed by HNTB Corp. the bridge was completed in 1974. It's too early to say what exactly caused the failures. Forensic expects for the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation are looking at material and welding integrity. One area of interest is the bridge's use of K-shaped lateral bracing. X-shaped bracing is considered more common. Some speculate the K-bracing, along with a gusset plate attached at the bottom of the girder, may have produced out of plane bending. Also not being ruled out are fatigue induced by 26 years of traffic loading that exceeded design expectations and Wisconsin's typically bitter winters. Rebuilding the approach bridge will cost several million dollars and may take from one to two years.
Questions? Comments? Ideas?
Please submit your responses to the Great Lakes Fabricators & Erectors Association as soon as possible. You can call our new offices in downtown Detroit at 313/309-2000. Or you can drop an email to Guy Snyder at guysny@concentric.net or call him at 313/961-9217. We hope to hear from you soon!
