But challenge is something that Mainquist relishes, and tackling next-to-impossible projects in Kansas and Nebraska is what CYN-MAR is all about. Founded in 1988, CYN-MAR Environmental (a name that was mutually agreed upon by Mark and his wife Cyndy) specializes in handling erosion control issues in road and bridge construction areas. And even though erosion control has become a vital topic in many transportation departments as of late, it wasn’t always that way. “In the ’80s, if you mentioned erosion control around the other contractors at a job site, they would just giggle and turn their back on you,” says Mainquist. “The times have certainly changed.”Indeed they have. Federal and state departments are paying close attention to erosion control issues at road and bridge construction sites, and it has become a critical part of the overall project plan (particularly if the plan involves state highway money and federal matching). This and overall increased awareness of environmental issues have played key roles in keeping CYN-MAR extremely busy. In late 2001, the Nebraska Department of Roads began work on expanding a portion of Highway 275 between Norfolk and Stanton from two lanes to four in each direction. Located in a hilly section of northeast Nebraska, the area is often referred to as “The Bavarian Alps” of Nebraska by locals and contractors alike. The project had three stages as each side of the highway was expanded, followed by redevelopment of the median. Nebraska Hydroseeding of Gretna, NE, was contracted to handle the erosion control part of the job. Mainquist and his machines were back on their payroll. “A job like this takes a lot of coordination,” says Mainquist. “Working for them allows me to be in the field doing what my machines and I do best.”The initial work consisted of leveling the “Alps” along an 11-mi. stretch, cutting, and filling. In some areas of deep fills, 240 days of settling was required. However, heavy rains throughout the spring, summer, and fall of 2002 delayed the work because the ground was oversaturated. Once crews were able to get at the site, Mainquist realized he had his work cut out for him.“The cuts that were about 2:1 in slope definitely made it not easy to maneuver around in,” he says. “But we specialize in slope work, so we knew we could handle it. We spend our whole lives going up one side of a hill and back down another.”