COE Head Discusses Iraq, U.S. Water, And Corps Reorganization With ACEC Lt. General Robert Flowers (center) greets ACEC Chairman Eric Flicker (right) and ACEC President Dave Raymond at his U.S. Army Corps of Engineers headquarters office in Washington, D.C. In an exclusive interview for Engineering Inc., Lt. General Robert Flowers, head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, estimates $20 billion will be spent over the next five years to rebuild Iraq. "There's just an enormous amount of work to be done, including facilities for sewer treatment, water treatment, the electrical grid and restoring Iraq oil infrastructure," Flowers said. The complete interview which also covers a range of other issues, will be available in the upcoming November/December issue of Engineering Inc. ACEC will print an additional 1,000 copies of this issue and distribute them to key Corps officials throughout the U.S. Any ACEC firm that would like to advertise in this special edition should place ads by October 7, 2003. Contact Kirsten Russell at The Magazine Group, 202.530.8076, or krussell@themagazinegroup.com, and ask for ACEC member rates. ACEC/Corps Mississippi Valley Partnership Conference ACEC's continuing close relationship with the Corps is highlighted by special regional meetings such as the upcoming 4th ACEC-COE Partnership Conference with the Corps' Mississippi Valley Division. Twelve ACEC state organizations will participate. The conference focuses on business opportunities and will be held October 21 in Vicksburg, Miss. Contact the Corps' Henry A. Dulaney, 601.631.7724 or henry.a.dulaney@mvk02.usace.army.mil for further information.

ACEC/Mississippi, HDR, Degenkolb Step Up
As Major ACEC/PAC Supporters In Phoenix

ACEC of Mississippi, HDR Inc., and Degenkolb Engineers in California are currently top contributors to ACEC/PAC for the Fall Conference in Phoenix. The organizations have each given in excess $2,000 to support ACEC/PAC events in Phoenix, with the Mississippi state organization leading overall with $2,800 raised.

Other companies and state organizations that are supporting ACEC/PAC events in Phoenix include Strand Associates, Inc. of Wisconsin, ACEC of North Carolina, and ACEC of Minnesota.

"This is the kind of support that's needed if we are to achieve our legislative goals so crucial for our industry," said ACEC Chairman Eric Flicker. Corporate sponsors will have their name and logo featured prominently during all ACEC/PAC events. Auction donors will receive special recognition during the auction. For sponsorship information, go to www.acec.org or contact Lorna O'Hara (202-347-7474 or lohara@acec.org).

ACEC members are also encouraged not to miss their opportunity to enter and win a Compaq Tablet PC TC1000, the Grand Prize for the ACEC/PAC Raffle in Phoenix.

The Compaq Tablet PC combines the power of a notebook PC with the convenience of pen and paper. This amazing piece of machinery retails for $2,500. Tickets are only $25 each, or six for $100. Only a limited number of tickets will be sold, and you do not need to be present in Phoenix in order to win. Contact Lorna O'Hara (202-347-7474 or lohara@acec.org).

NJ Transportation Chief Touts 90 Percent Outsourcing; Promotes New Funding Plan New Jersey Commissioner of Transportation Jack Lettiere (left) and ACEC President Dave Raymond at ACEC headquarters. New Jersey Commissioner of Transportation, Jack Lettiere, visited ACEC headquarters last week to discuss outsourcing successes and strategies for increasing funding for transportation projects in the reauthorization of TEA-21. Lettiere, who met with ACEC President Dave Raymond and Rodney Pello, vice president of ACEC/New Jersey, took pride in New Jersey's 90 percent outsourcing of DOT engineering. He also advocated legislation to create a Transportation Finance Corporation (TFC) that would use federal dollars to leverage $80 billion worth of bonds for highway and transit projects. AASHTO has advocated a similar bonding proposal. "ACEC's support will be critical in this regard, and I look forward to working with the Council and ACEC of New Jersey to pass a six-year highway bill that provides the funding we desperately need," said Commissioner Lettiere.

TEA-21 Extension Down To The Wire

With TEA-21 expiring Tuesday, September 30, Congress is working to pass an extension bill to keep federal highway and transit funding flowing to the states. ACEC is promoting bills pending in the House and Senate that will extend the program for five months. Congress will have until February 29 to pass a multi-year reauthorization bill or another extension.

The House extension bill (H.R. 3087), passed on September 24, includes a so-called "dimmer switch" provision, which would allow states to use unobligated funding to continue operations for three months after February 29. The Senate proposal does not include the "dimmer switch" provision because they believe it reduces pressure on Congress to get the multi-year bill done by the end of February. ACEC is aggressively promoting passage of the six-year, $375 billion reauthorization bill early in 2004.

Upcoming Market Forecast Series Events ACEC's exclusive Market Forecast Series presented by David Eakin (General Services Administration) has been rescheduled due to Hurricane Isabel for Wednesday October 1, 2003, 12:30pm to 1:30pm EDT. On-site registration is sold out. Registrations still available for on-line participation. To register, visit www.acec.org or email Smailli@acec.org. Upcoming Market Forecast Series Events: Oct. 23 — U.S. National Park Services business opportunities with Sue Masica, associate director, Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands Nov. 13 — U.S. Naval Facilities business opportunities with Jim Wright, chief engineer

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