2007 Issue

www.utahengineerscouncil.org 26 One of ASCE’s roles is to look to the future and identify trends that will impact the profession, and then develop plans and policies to deal with those changes. ASCE currently has three efforts focused on the future: a Strategic Planning Committee, a Summit on Civil Engineering in 2025, and a Summit on the Infrastructure. While most of us find our primary interface with the American Society of Civil Engineers [ASCE] at the local Branch meetings each month, we know that ASCE is doing many things, locally, regionally, and nationally, behind the scenes. So, what exactly is ASCE up to these days? O NE OF THE MOST VISIBLE ASCE AC- TIVITIESONANATIONAL LEVEL ISOUR GOVERNMENT RELATIONSPROGRAM. OUR STAFF IN WASHINGTON D.C. actively monitor and influence legislative and regulatory issues. Partially as a result of our efforts with Hurricane Katrina studies, the Board provided guidance to our govern- ment relations staff by passing or revising formal Policy Statements on the “Evalua- tion of Federal Water Resources Projects” (directly impacting the evaluation process used by the Army Corps of Engineers), “Restoring and Maintaining America’s Beaches”, and “Unified Definitions for Critical Infrastructure and Sensible Se- curity”. The Board also approved a Policy Statement supporting the internationally agreed “Millenium Development Goals”, directed toward improving the quality of life for people around the world. While our government relations pro- gram “on the hill” is very effective, the Board of Direction is considering some ways to increase our effectiveness. There are many issues before our Congress that have civil engineering impacts, such as infrastructure financing, environmental legislation, natural hazards programs, and infrastructure security. One avenue being considered by the Board is establishing a Political Action Committee, an organi- zation that could raise funds to support candidates that share our viewpoints in these important areas. ASCE’s current tax status, as a 501c(3) organization, allows us to lobby on issues, within limitations, but not to support candidates directly. The advantages and disadvantages of a PAC are being weighed by the Board, and input is being sought from our members. Many are aware of ASCE’s policy on raising the bar. for professional licensure and practice, known as Policy 465. Enor- mous efforts have been expended over the past five years to develop a meaningful approach to increasing the standards for engineering licensure. One step has been What’s Up at ASCE? BLAINE LEONARD, P.E., F.ASCE, Zone IV Vice President, ASCE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS www.asce.org President-Elect/ UEC Representative D. Robert Davis, P.E. Sunrise Engineering, Inc. 801-526-0990 Vice President Brent Packer Secretary/Treasurer Dennis Pay Newsletter Editor Kelly Michael Burns to work closely with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying [NCEES], the group that administers the PE Exam and develops guidance for licensing laws. At an NCEES meeting in Alaska last month, representatives from state licensure boards around the country passed a modified “model law”. This new “model law” includes provisions for additional education and training in order to obtain a PE License. While this law is not binding on any state, and won’t even be adopted for a number of years, it sets the path forward for changes in licensing laws in the future. ASCE played a key role in developing and supporting this change around the country. One of ASCE’s roles is to look to the future and identify trends that will impact the profession, and then develop plans and continued on following page SOCIETY FORUM