Residential Green Building Standard Planned

The two most influential groups in the home building industry and the code development and enforcement community, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the International Code Council (ICC), are collaborating to develop a residential green building standard.

In 2005, NAHB published the Model Green Home Building Guidelines, which now form the basis of more than 15 state and local green building programs around the country. ICC has been promoting green building requirements through its widely adopted family of International Codes, which set minimum standards for energy efficiency and sustainable building practices for the construction industry. Both groups recognized the need for a national set of standards for home builders and others wishing to voluntarily adopt "above-code" green building practices. The new standard will provide a common benchmark for recognizing and rewarding green residential design, development, and construction practices in a manner that is transparent, verifiable, and meaningful to builders, product manufacturers, and consumers. When completed, the standard can be adopted by local green home building programs or local building departments as a conformance guide. http://www.nahbrc.org/technical/standards/gbinvitation.aspx

Legacy Sediments Could Have Big Impact on Bay Cleanup

Researchers from Franklin and Marshall College have determined that "legacy" sediments that built up behind old mill dams continue to haunt the region’s waterways and may pose a major threat to the Chesapeake.

The study estimates that more than half of the 180,000 tons of sediment flushed out of the Conestoga and into the Susquehanna River each year originates from legacy sediment, not “new” sources being washed off farms or development sites. It further estimates that legacy sediment each year carries with it about 135,000 pounds of phosphorus. The report concludes that “stream bank erosion is an important source of sediment and nutrients to tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, and is at least as significant as runoff from upland sources in some watersheds.”

Past estimates of the amount of nutrients reaching streams—and ultimately the Chesapeake—have assumed that sediment and nutrients were coming from sources on the land, such as farms and development sites. The nutrient reduction “tributary strategies” prepared by states to meet Bay Program nutrient and sediment reduction goals called for a variety of actions to curb runoff from the land, such as reducing fertilizer use, changing farm tilling practices, planting streamside buffers and other actions. But those actions alone may not meet the goals if a large amount of the phosphorus and sediment reaching the Chesapeake is already in stream channels. 

State and federal officials will be examining these issues, as well as the effectiveness of new cleanup strategies aimed at dealing with sediment and phosphorus already in the stream. Such practices could include identifying erosion “hot spots,” then removing built-up sediments to restore the original wide flood plains. The work may also have ramifications for dams removed to improve fish migration—a major Bay region objective. Past studies have shown that initially, dam removals have little impact on sediment movement. The new study suggests that could change over time if the stream cuts through accumulated sediment and reaches long-buried layers of gravel. That may mean future dam removals could require increased efforts to either stabilize banks or remove stored sediment. http://www.bayjournal.com/newsite/article.cfm?article=3022 

Corps of Engineers Revises and Renews Nationwide Wetland Permits

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has revised and renewed the nationwide permits for regulating work in wetlands and other waters of the United States under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.

The new nationwide permits took effect on March 19. The new nationwide permits include simplified language to provide clarity and certainty. Some highlights of the revised permits include:

• All of the existing permits were reissued and six new ones were added.

• A new general condition was added and one other was eliminated.

• The acreage limits were retained from the current nationwide permits.

• Protections were added for ephemeral streams, including a 300-linear foot limit.

• The new nationwide permits cover activities such as repairs of uplands, time-sensitive pipeline repairs, repairs to ditches and canals to control erosion, commercial aquaculture operations, reclamation of surface coal mining areas, and underground coal mining.

 http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/cepa/releases/nwpermits.htm 

Green Infrastructure Report Lauded

The USEPA Nonpoint Source Control Branch recently sent out an invitation to communities and states to work with EPA on opportunities to use green infrastructure to reduce nonpoint source pollution.

Green infrastructure is an environmentally preferable approach to reducing stormwater and other excess flows entering combined or separate sewer systems in combination with, or in lieu of, centralized hard infrastructure solutions. The Natural Resources Defense Council recently published a special report, Rooftops to Rivers: Green Strategies for Controlling Stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflows, with information on these efforts. The report describes how some cities are using green infrastructure techniques, including green roofs on city buildings, more absorbent concrete, and street planters that intercept rainwater before it hits the ground, to protect their water. EPA calls the report a policy guide for decision makers looking to implement green strategies in their own areas, including nine case studies of cities that have successfully used green techniques to create a healthier urban environment. http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/rooftops/contents.asp

Policy Update

Grant Programs 
(Click on a grant for more information)

PA Stormwater BMP Recognition Program

The Stormwater BMP Recognition Program rewards innovative stormwater management projects that help protect the greater Delaware Valley watershed. Rain gardens, green roofs, infiltration swales, treatment wetlands, and any other stormwater management project in the southeastern region of Pennsylvania is eligible. Applications are due on April 6. Projects that are in design are eligible, in addition to projects that are already implemented. Project must be located in one of the following counties to be eligible: Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and Philadelphia. http://www.stormwaterbmp.org 

NJ DEP Offers Free Tree Seedlings for Arbor Day

Free tree seedlings are available to nonprofit groups and local organizations in New Jersey to celebrate Arbor Day. Provided by the state tree nursery in Jackson and funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, the 8-inch tube seedlings are packaged individually and available in boxes of 98 through April 6 or while supplies last. Organizations requesting seedlings will receive either Eastern white pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir, Northern white cedar or Northern red oak - New Jersey's official state tree. Boxes are selected randomly. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/forest/community/index.html 

PA Growing Greener Grants

PA DEP invites community groups and watershed organizations to apply for the next round of grants under the state’s Growing Greener program and Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Growing Greener II initiative. The deadline to apply is April 13. The grants will finance projects designed to clean up rivers and streams, address serious environmental problems at abandoned mines and contaminated industrial sites, enhance local recreational needs and improve quality of life for residents of the commonwealth. 

In the upcoming grant round, DEP will invest in projects that address watershed impairments and protection through stream restoration; nutrient and sediment trading; stormwater management; and abandoned mine drainage projects that address long-term operation and maintenance challenges. Of special interest are projects for resource recovery and innovative mine drainage treatment, as well as projects that undertake an integrated approach to water resources management at the county or watershed level. In addition, preference will be given to projects that seek to restore an impaired watershed using a comprehensive approach. Projects that include private and public partnerships, promote the long term coordinated stewardship and restoration of the watershed and educate others regarding their roles in protecting the watershed and water supplies are of particular interest to the department. http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/growinggreener/site/default.asp 

F. X. Browne, Inc. has had good success in helping our clients obtain Growing Greener funding in the past. If you have a project in mind, please contact us at info@fxbrowne.com. 

PA DCNR Heritage Areas Grants

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced it is accepting applications for the Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program. The deadline for applications is April 13. Eligible projects must seek to develop and protect the historic, cultural, natural, scenic and recreational resources within a Heritage Area to enhance regional economic development. There are currently 12 designated State Heritage Areas. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/heritageparks/

American Water Environmental Grant Program

American Water is now accepting applications for its Environmental Grant Program to support innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds and community drinking water supplies. Applications are due April 13. Grants of up to $10,000 are being offered. Examples of activities supported by the program include watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, underground tank inspection programs, biodiversity projects, streamside buffer restoration projects, wellhead protection initiatives and hazardous waste collection efforts. To qualify, a proposed project must be located within Pennsylvania American Water's service area, be completed between June 1 and November 1 and be a new or innovative initiative for the community or serve as significant expansion to an existing program. http://www.amwater.com/awpr1/about_american_water/community_programs/page13941.html 

Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program Grants

The Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program is accepting proposals for small grants for watershed restoration and preservation initiatives. There is a particular interest in abandoned mine drainage abatement, natural stream channel design, abandoned mine lands reclamation, and other unique and creative initiatives. Over the last 6 years, the program has provided the much need matching funds for state, federal and other philanthropic sources to aid the watersheds of Western Pennsylvania. http://wpawp.org/html/applying_for_a_grant.htm

Conservation/Environmental Education Awards

International Paper and The Conservation Fund are now accepting nominations to recognize two conservation/environmental education leaders with a $10,000 cash award. Award nominations are due April 15. International Paper partners each year with The Conservation Fund to sponsor the International Paper Conservation Partnership Award and the International Paper Environmental Education Award. The awards are unrestricted grants from the International Paper Foundation. http://www.conservationfund.org/?article=1006

Wildlands Conservancy Native Plant Sale

The Wildlands Conservancy will hold its annual Native Plant Marketplace in May at the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary. Over 100 types of species of native trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses, perennials and vines will be available at reasonable prices, with gardening experts on hand to help with selections and to answer questions. Native Plant Sale Dates and Hours: May 4 - Members' Day - 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; May 5 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; May 6 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; May 12 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; May 13 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Literature, materials and educational programs related to the importance of planting native plants will also be available from related government agencies and other entities. http://wildlandspa.org/calendar/plant_sale.html

Pennsylvania Waste Watcher Awards

The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania, the Solid Waste Association of North America and the Pennsylvania Waste Industry Association are now accepting applications for the 2007 Waste Watcher Awards. Applications are due May 4. The Waste Watcher program is open to all Pennsylvania municipalities, counties, schools, colleges/universities, community non-profit groups, businesses, industries and individuals who have made a significant contribution in recycling, composting and waste reduction/reuse efforts in the 2006 calendar year. http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/news/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=519144 

PA State Wildlife Grants

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat and Game Commissions announced they are again accepting applications for the State Wildlife Grants Program to help address conservation needs for high-priority conservation projects for endangered, threatened and at-risk species across Pennsylvania. Project proposals are due May 4. About $2 million is expected to be available. http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/promo/grants/swg/00swg.htm.  

Chesapeake Bay Trust Pioneer Grant Program

The Chesapeake Bay Trust is accepting pre-proposals for requests up to $150,000 for the Pioneer Grants Program. The deadline is May 4. The program is designed to encourage and promote innovative ideas, creative partnerships, and cutting-edge projects that advance Bay restoration, focusing on best management practices in agriculture and land development that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution. http://www.cbtrust.org/site/c.enJIKQNoFiG/b.2028497/k.5880/Pioneer_Grant_Program.htm 

Tulpehocken, Quittapahilla Creek Watershed Grants

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced that $109,400 is now available through a grant process for stream restoration, habitat enhancement and recreational enhancement activities on streams located in the Tulpehocken and Quittapahilla Creek watersheds. Applications are due June 25. Only project proposals located within the Tulpehocken and/or Quittapahilla Creek watersheds will be considered. These monies can be used for stand-alone projects or to supplement other funding for larger projects that are designed to improve aquatic habitat, water quality, or recreational use. Examples of acceptable activities include fishery habitat restoration or enhancement; fish stocking; fishing access; maintenance or creation of facilities to encourage, improve or expand recreational use of the fishery; or studies related to these issues. http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/newsreleases/2007/grants_tulpe_quitta.doc 

Events 
(Click on an event for more information)

PA Stormwater Manual Training Sessions The PA DEP will be conducting two-day training sessions on the new Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual during April and May. Dr. Frank Browne, P.E., President of F. X. Browne, Inc., is one of the  trainers selected by PA DEP to participate in the training sessions. The Stormwater BMP Manual is a technical reference guide of planning concepts and design standards that satisfy Pennsylvania’s stormwater management requirements when properly tailored and applied locally. The training sessions will highlight key concepts in the manual, including performance guidelines and standards, an inventory of proven BMPs, and a process for planning and applying them to construction sites. http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/watermgt/wc/Subjects/StormwaterManagement/Announcements/default.htm  EPA Watershed Webcasts EPA’s Watershed Academy sponsors monthly Webcasts, audio versions of which are available on their website. The April 18 Webcast will feature Charlie MacPherson from Tetra Tech, Inc. discussing EPA’s new Watershed Plan Builder Tool. Past Webcast topics include TMDLs and trading through the National Estuary Program, the Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) Program, Brownfields Redevelopment, Watershed-based NPDES Permitting, Integrating Wetlands into Watershed Protection; Sustainable Financing for Watershed Groups; Phase II Stormwater; Low Impact Development Strategies, Tools, and Techniques for Sustainable Watersheds; and Eight Tools for Watershed Protection in Developing Areas.  http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts PA Dirt and Gravel Road ESM Workshops The Center for Dirt & Gravel Roads and Penn State University will be holding their Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM) Training. The ESM training provides basic knowledge and tools necessary to maintain roads in a more cost-efficient and environmentally sensitive manner. The training is directed towards Municipalities, the Bureau of Forestry, and others entities responsible for unpaved road maintenance. Workshops will be held on the following dates and locations: April 3 & 4 - Bradford County May 2-3 - Venango / Forest Counties May 30-31 - Westmoreland County June 26-27 - Clarion / Armstrong Counties  http://www.mri.psu.edu/centers/cdgrs/calendar/calendar.html Water Resources Research Conference A Water Resources Research Conference will be held at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst on April 9. The conference,  Sustainable Waters in a Changing World: Research to Practice, will feature a distinguished and diverse group of scholars and practitioners from academia, government, and non-profits, and will attract scientists from the New England region and beyond. http://www.umass.edu/tei/wrrc/WRRC2004/Conference2007/Conf2007Home.htm  PA Source Water Protection Workshop The Pennsylvania League of Women Voters Water Resources Education Network is hosting a source water protection workshop on April 12 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie, PA. Municipal officials, water system operators, community planners and watershed group representatives are encouraged to attend. The workshop will explore how communities can prevent contamination by assessing their water sources, making informed decisions about land use and open space preservation, and involving the public as a partner in protection. Pre-registration is required. http://www.drinkingwaterwise.org  PA Chamber Annual Environmental Laws and Regulations Conference The PA Chamber of Business and Industry will hold its annual Environmental Conference and Trade Show on April 17-18 at the Holiday Inn in Harrisburg. The agenda will include 23 breakout sessions at the basic, intermediate and advanced levels. http://www.pachamber.org/www/conferences/conference.php?ID=0703 NC ArcGIS 9 Workshop A workshop, Intermediate to Advanced Concepts in GIS for Natural Resource Professionals, will be held at NCSU in Raleigh NC, on April 19-20. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/nreos/forest/feop/GIS/index.html  PA Brownfields Conference The Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania is sponsoring its 12th “The Business of Brownfields” conference on April 18-20 in Pittsburgh, PA. The conference planning committee decided to return to the Society’s technical roots and will provide the audience with the latest advances in investigation methodologies, remediation technologies, legal considerations, financial strategies and insurance options. This year there will also be a research track targeting universities. http://www.eswp.com/brownfields/  ME Fluvial Geomorphology Short Course A short course in Using Fluvial Geomorphology in Watershed Assessment and Stream Restoration will be held on April 25-26 in Augusta, Maine with an optional field trip on April 27. The course will be offered a second time in the Lebanon, NH/White River Junction, VT area on May 9-10 with an optional field trip May 11. The course will provide an overview of fluvial geomorphology with a thorough discussion of key concepts such as the principles of equilibrium, channel classification methods, and sediment transport capacity. A number of case studies from New England and elsewhere in the country will demonstrate how an understanding of fluvial geomorphology can be used in watershed assessments to identify the underlying causal mechanisms for erosion and flooding problems. http://www.field-geology.com/short_courses.htm   NY Wetlands Conference 2007 The 2007 Annual New York State Wetlands Forum Conference and Meeting, “Twenty-First Century Wetland and Water Resource Issues,” will be held in Lake Placid, NY on April 25-26. This thirteenth annual meeting is expected to once again examine a variety of wetland-related issues and developments, and how these issues have impacts both state-wide and regionally.  http://www.wetlandsforum.org  Long Island Sound Study’s Municipal Assistance Conference The Long Island Sound Study is hosting a conference on April 28 in Trumbull, Connecticut to provide community land use decision-makers in Connecticut and New York tools to assist with the implementation of watershed management in their municipality. The conference will focus on case studies and available tools for watershed management, riparian buffer protection, stormwater control, and open space protection at the community level. http://www.longislandsoundstudy.net/watershed  NY Federation of Lakes Conference The New York State Federation of Lake Association's 24th Annual Conference, “Water over the Dam!!”, will be held on May 4-6 in Hamilton, NY. The program should be of interest to lake owners, lake managers, boaters, and many others. Topics include invasive species, dam restoration, limnology, water quality, lake ecology, algae, wetlands, and stormwater. http://www.nysfola.org/conf/  PA Volunteer Monitoring Summit  Pennsylvania's 4th Statewide Volunteer Monitoring Summit will be held May 4-5 in Gettysburg, Adams County. This year's conference will offer four concurrent tracks: Restoration and Protection Volunteer Program, Management and Sustainability Monitoring, Nets and Boats (technical information), and Making Monitoring Matter: Government 101. The deadline to register is April 10. http://www.easi.org  PA Land Conservation Conference The Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference will be held in State College on May 10-12. This year's conference will feature a keynote presentation by Larry Schweiger, President of the National Wildlife Federation entitled, "Good Planets Are Hard to Find," on the issue of global climate change. This is Pennsylvania's premier training, networking and inspirational event for those involved with private and public land conservation. http://conserveland.org/conferences/2007/index  PA Wild Resource Festivals Two Wild Resource Festivals are set for May 12 at Moraine State Park and June 9 at French Creek State Park to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Wild Resource Conservation Fund. The festivals feature the best Pennsylvania research and conservation work on wild plants and non-game wildlife. More than 30 presenters at each festival will cover such topics as raptors, invasive plants, flying squirrels, and crayfish. Hands-on demonstrations, guided walks and exhibits, and informal presentations make the one-day festivals a great experience for kids of all ages.http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcf/07fest/index.html National River Rally 2007 The River Network's 2007 National River Rally will take place May 18-22 in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. Over 500 river and watershed protection advocates will come together for four days of education, inspiration and celebration. Over 100 workshops are planned. Nonprofit staff and volunteers, tribal, agency and corporate representatives working on freshwater issues are encouraged to attend. http://www.rivernetwork.org/  PA Environmental Professionals Conference The theme of the 2007 Annual Conference of the PA Association of Environmental Professionals will be "The Legacy of Rachel Carson and the State of the Environment in Pennsylvania." The conference will be held in State College on May 16-18. Participants will explore current ecological, regulatory and pollution prevention issues in Pennsylvania from a variety of perspectives. To mark the 100th anniversary of Rachel Carson's birth in Springdale, PA, the Association will feature events that examine her role in challenging others to think differently about environmental issues. http://www.paep.org/  Annual NEIWPCC Nonpoint Source Conference The 18th Annual New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference - "Seeking New Solutions to Old Problems: The Nonpoint Source Program at 20 Years," will be held on May 21-23 in Newport, RI.  www.neiwpcc.org/npsconference National Watershed Conference-WI The National Watershed Coalition (NWC) will host the tenth National Watershed Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin on May 20-23. The theme of the conference is "Total Watershed Awareness-Extending the Legacy."  http://watershedcoalition.org:80/index.html

Link Of The Month

EPA Office of Water Releases Two New Water Quality Tools

WQX is a new data transfer system that makes it easier for states, tribes, and others to submit and share water quality monitoring data over the Internet. The release of WQX provides for the transfer of chemical and fish tissue data, and for physical parameters such as temperature. With WQX, groups who collect water quality data no longer need to use EPA's STORET database to submit their information to the National STORET Data Warehouse. http://www.epa.gov/storet/wqx.html 

Also newly available is a Web-based Watershed Summary tool designed to help water quality managers and the public use the information in the National STORET Data Warehouse. This tool allows users to create a summary of available data for an individual watershed. The user can then download the specific data needed for that watershed. http://www.epa.gov/storet/wtshd_summary.html 

Special Journal Issue Covers Hydrologic Connectivity 

The Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) recently published an issue devoted to the hydrological connectivity of headwater streams and their contributions to the integrity of downstream waters. Considering the debate over non-navigable waters and the regulatory turmoil caused by the SWANCC and Rapanos wetlands Supreme Court decisions, this article provides a review the state of our scientific understanding of the contributions of headwater, intermittent and ephemeral streams to the integrity of downstream waters. http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2007.00001.x 

E&S Techniques Article Available

A discussion of current erosion and sedimentation control practices, Sediment and Erosion Control on Construction Sites, by Carol Brzozowski, was published in the October 2006 issue of Stormwater. This article explores the types of sediment and erosion control techniques typically used at construction sites. http://www.erosioncontrol.com/ecm_0609_sediment.html.  

Illustrated Riverpedia of North America Published

Art Benke’s Rivers of North America is the source for information on the hydrology, biodiversity and human impact of rivers on the North American continent. This riverpedia, illustrated with photographs by renowned conservation photographers, is a must have for any river lovers’ bookshelf. http://www.powells.com/biblio/9780120882533?&PID=23831 

New DVD Highlights Aging Water, Sewer Infrastructure Options

EPA's Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) has developed a DVD that highlights how local governments are addressing aging sewer and water systems to meet current and future challenges facing our communities. The project profiles five real communities and demonstrates how they are meeting the daily needs for repair or replacement of aging systems, coping with population growth, and addressing issues related to environmental health and water security demands. The DVD presents some innovative options that are available and necessary to ensure water quality in the future. http://www.epa.gov/waterinfrastructure/lgac_video/index.html 

Create a Manure Management Plan Online

The Purdue Manure Management Planner (MMP) is a Window-based computer program used to create manure management plans for crop and animal feeding operations. The MMP currently supports 33 states by automatically generating fertilizer recommendations and estimating manure nitrogen availability based on each state's County Extension Service and/or National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and EPA for nutrient management planning. The MMP includes an extensive set of reports, planning calendars, charts, and tools, both built-in and custom. http://www.agry.purdue.edu/mmp/