Ripple Effect: Episode 126: Beaver Damn Analogs

Rose Smith, Stream Ecologist and Lead on the Sageland Collaborative’s Riverscape Restoration Program discusses her work with Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs). BDAs are a surprisingly simple solution to landscape change and bringing watersheds back into balance. By slowing the flow in the watershed BDAs can assist with sedimentation issues in reservoirs, fire mitigation, and water…

The Ripple Effect Episode 124: 2023 Legislative Wrap-Up

Jeff Gittins of Smith Hartvigsen makes a return appearance to do a Wrap-up of the 2023 Legislative Session. A lot happened in a few short weeks – especially at the end of the Session! In particular pay attention to HB491 creating a new Great Salt Lake Commissioner, SB76’s sneaker provision shortening the time to review…

The Ripple Effect Episode 123: Back to Basics

Fraser McLoed Chief Products Officer for Civic Ledger walks us through his company’s return to basics by reformatting their block-chain technology to assist with water accounting. As always, Fraser provides a lively perspective on water use and management from a variety of perspectives and professions. A great discussion about the need for a solid grasp…

The NLRB Prohibits Confidentiality, Non-Disparagement Provisions in Severance Agreements with Non-Managerial Employees

Confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions have become staples in employee severance agreements. Following the National Labor Relation Board’s (NLRB) recent opinion in McLaren Macomb, 372 NLRB No. 58 (2023), these terms may be a thing of the past. In McLaren Macomb, 372 NLRB No. 58 (2023), the Board examined whether the employer violated Section 8(a)(1) of the…

The Ripple Effect Episode 122: Water use Messaging and Communication

Megan Jenkins of Yoppify, LLC, discusses Yoppify’s unique niche of providing water utilities a malleable platform to create targeted messaging campaigns about water use. This extremely useful tool allows utilities of all sizes to message directly to sub-sets of water users to best distribute information about needed water reductions, conservation programs, rebates or other helpful…

Managing Love in the Workplace

I have performed two marriages in the last few weeks, and this month we celebrate Valentine’s Day; so, love is in the air.  But how should companies respond when love permeates the workplace between employees, as it often does?  Are you prepared if Cupid strikes your Company?   When it comes to office romances, love can…