| Keep
Uncle Sam Out
Your editorial regarding
deficient small dams nationwide suggests that legislation
at the federal level is what is needed to properly address
this potential problem (ENR 7/26 p. 56). I disagree. I do
not believe that centralized power is the de facto solution
to all of the nation’s problems.
You also note that New Jersey is
admirably and aggressively addressing the issue. Let New Jersey
be a model for other states and keep Uncle Same out.
Offshoring Has Proper Role
Iwant to applaud
ENR for your recent comprehensive and balanced cover story
on the impact that offshoring of engineering work has had
on our industry (ENR 8/2 p. 20). However, your article left
the mistaken impression that all of the major engineering
industry groups have shied away from taking a stand on the
controversial issue.
While it is true that the American
Council of Engineering Companies and the American Society
of Civil Engineers have thus far been unable to reach consensus
on offshoring, the National Society of Professional Engineers
took a position on this issue in April 2004. Our position
may be summarized as follows:
Outsourcing of engineering work should be done only
when the talent cannot be found in the U.S.
If outsourcing of engineering work is done, it should
be done using the same rules, regulations, laws and ethical
codes that employers and employees are subject to in the U.S.
The engineering work should be performed without jeopardizing
national security, and all parties should be made fully aware
of the location and the conditions where offshore work is
being done.
When a licensed professional engineer
considers signing and sealing documents not prepared in his
presence, the following conditions should apply:
The work, wherever it is done, should be done in accordance
with the laws of the state in which the project is located.
The work should be done in accordance with the rules
of the appropriate licensing board in the subject state.
The engineer must not be placed under duress to sign
and seal documents that he or she does not feel are appropriately
prepared.
We feel that NSPE’s
position is balanced between the need to provide companies
with the flexibility to pursue offshoring in cases where it
is warranted, while still addressing real concerns about such
issues as “responsible charge” and national security.
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