Editor's Notes:

Climate change caused by global warming is now a reality.  The following stories highlight and document important changes that are taking place in our world and provide information on how to reduce climate change and its impacts on our environment.   Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States Global Warming Affecting the Safety of Our Beaches Large Trees Declining in Yosemite National Park, U.S. Birds and Climate Change:  Ecological Disruption in Motion Climate Change, Wildlife, and Wildlands Toolkit For Formal and Information Educators Coastal Climate Adaptation Website – NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Literacy Guide ~ Lisen Cummings, Sustainable Environments Editor/Designer

Topic of the Month:

Canada Geese Control

United We Serve President Obama is calling on all Americans to participate in a summer volunteer initiative called United We Serve.  Get involved in a volunteer program in your area or register your own event or project.  http://www.serve.gov/index.asp

Bridge of Recycled Plastic Helps the Army Go Green

Climate Change Increases Runoff In Eastern U.S. Forests

Changes in Nutrient and Sediment Concentrations in Streams and Rivers of the United States, 1993-2003

A report issued by the U. S. Geological Survey’s National Water Quality Assessment Program states that phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations have stayed relatively stable in half of the assessed streams between 1993 and 2003.  More...

 

Increased Flooding Risk:  Global Warming’s Wake-Up Call for Riverfront Communities

A new report issued by the National Wildlife Federation states that the United States is experiencing more heavy storms and more severe flooding lately, mostly due to global warming and poor management practices.  More...

 

Flexing the Infiltration Muscle: What’s the Role of ET?

Most states consider infiltration as the ultimate solution for stormwater management, since it reduces stormwater runoff, filters the water through the soil and recharges the groundwater table.  However, there is very little discussion on evapotranspiration (ET).  More...

 

Scientists Zoom in On Carbon Dioxide in NYC

Wade McGillis has set up seven sensors around New York City to record data about carbon dioxide.  More...

 

PA DEP Releases Climate Change Assessment Report:  Examines How Potential Climate Changes Could Impact Pennsylvania

This report issued by the PA DEP identifies possible impacts from global warming.  More...

 

Researchers Find Way to Make Nearly Carbon-Free Rice Husk Ash for Concrete

A new way to process rice husks allows them to be used in concrete as a partial substitute for Portland cement, limiting carbon emissions.  More...

 

EPA Releases National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) Report

In June 2009, EPA released the most recent NATA Report, a national scale assessment of air toxics emissions.  More...

 

A Key to Healthy and Eco-Friendly Wastewater Lagoon Systems

This article features eco-friendly ways to improve wastewater lagoons.  More...

 

Consumer Consequences Game This interactive game illustrates our impact on the Earth through our lifestyle choices.  You answer questions about everyday life choices and it calculates how many Earths we would need if everyone lived like you.   http://sustainability.publicradio.org/consumerconsequences/

Policy Updates:

	House Approves Joint Ventures Program to Protect Migratory Birds The US House of Representatives passed a bill to authorize the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Joint Ventures for Bird Habitat Conservation Act of 2009.  This program focuses on bird conservation planning, solving wildlife problems and restoring habitats.  Joint Ventures have protected, restored and/or enhanced over 13 million acres of migratory bird habitat. Environment News Service, July 16, 2009 http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2009/2009-07-16-091.asp
	Great Lakes Wetlands at Risk Due to Gaps in State, Federal Policy This new report issued by the National Wildlife Federation illustrates how state and federal policy could be improved to protect the Great Lakes wetlands.  The report examines policy in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.  Suggested improvements include better wetland inventories, more staff, more public engagement, increased monitoring of exemptions, and assessing wetland quality. National Wildlife Federation (press release), July 7, 2009 http://online.nwf.org/site/DocServer/2009-07-07WetlandsReportPRESSRELEASE_V3.pdf?docID=10721
	Virginia Statewide Stormwater Regulations Available for Comment the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board are accepting comments on proposed stormwater runoff regulations through August 21, 2009.  Propsoed changes include establishing local stormwater programs, fees, and new water quality/quantity standards. http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/pr_relz.shtml#stmwtrx
	Obama Administration Reinstates Oregon Old Growth Forest Protection The Western Oregon Plan Revisions (a plan to intensify logging of old growth forests in Western Oregon) is being withdrawn.  Therefore, old growth forests and the species that depend on them will be protected.  The forest will again be managed by the Northwest Forest Plan. http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2009/2009-07-16-095.asp
	Draft Executive Order Aims to Curb Floodplain Development A draft executive order composed by the White House would toughen requirements in floodplain management.  The order would direct agencies to use non-structural design in managing floodplains and prevent facilities such as hospitals, police stations and power plants within the 500-year floodplain. http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/07/21/21greenwire-draft-executive-order-aims-to-curb-floodplain-64438.html The draft executive order can be found here:  http://www.eenews.net/public/25/11835/features/documents/2009/07/21/document_gw_01.pdf

 

 

Grants and Awards: Click on a grant for more information) Only currently available grants are listed on the grant page   Grants: PA DEP Conservation Works! PA DEP Coastal Zone Management PA DEP Coastal Resources Management Program PA DEP Enactment of Ordinances and Implementation of Stormwater Management Plans PA DEP Environmental Education Grants Program Fund for Wild Nature Foundation For Pennsylvania Watersheds Grants Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Electronic Grants System Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program Conservation Easement Assistance Program Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative Chesapeake Bay Trust Mini Grants Chesapeake Bay Trust Restoration Grant Program Chesapeake Bay Trust and Maryland DNR Watershed Assistance Grant Program Chesapeake Bay - Living Shorelines Grant Program American Water Environmental Grant Program 1675 Foundation Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund William Penn Foundation Grants The Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee (MUCFC) Grants WWEMA/WWD 2009 Student Scholarship PennVEST Loans – Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Pennsylvania Pollution Prevention Assistance Program (PPAA) Loans Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Grants Page Delaware Basin Restoration Initiative Fund 2009 (HRIF 2009) NY DEC Statewide Water Quality Improvements Projects Program Solar Energy Education for Local Governments WREN (Water Resources Education Network) "Opportunity Grants" Building Health Communities Grant Program USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal (WWD) Loan and Grant Program for Rural Areas USDA Technical Assistance and Training Grants for Rural Areas USDA Solid Waste Management Grant Program for Rural Areas PA Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) Gannett Foundation - Community Action Grants H2O PA - High Hazard Unsafe Dam Projects   Awards: The Nature Conservancy’s 2009 Photo Contest $250 Grants for Growing Greener Stories

Walk Score This website will score you community on how "walkable" it is.  It utilizes a Google map of your community and evaluates the distance of restaurants, shops, libraries, schools, parks and more.  It will then give your community a rating.  Philadelphia ranks fifth in the nation.  http://www.walkscore.com/     Photo credit:  La Citta Vita on Flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/koshalek/3614073719/

Vote for the Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Contest The US Environmental Protection Agency would like you to vote for your favorite submission.  There are five categories in which to vote for a winner: photography, essay, poetry, dance, and mixed media (photography and a poem or essay).  Finalists were selected by a panel of judges based on originality, creativity, use of an intergenerational team, and those that portrayed the theme “The Sense of Wonder.”  The deadline to vote is October 1, 2009.  http://www.epa.gov/agingepa/resources/thesenseofwonder/2009/vote.html

If you are interested in having your own green roof, F. X. Browne, Inc. can help!  We can utilize green roofs in your project to meet federal, state, and local stormwater management requirements and enhance the aesthetic and ecological value of your property.

Tools and Publications:

Top Ten Hot Trends in Greenroof Design 2009
Provided by greenroofs.com, this list features innovative greenroof projects from around the world.  These examples will inspire you to think of greenroofs in a new way.
http://www.greenroofs.com/top10hottrends.htm#2009

2009 Open Space Plan – New York State

This plan, recently released by New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation, provides a comprehensive guide for achieving New York’s conservation goals.  The 2009 plan contains a list of 135 priority conservation projects and over 300 internet links to valuable information and resources.

Environment DEC, July 2009

http://www.dec.ny.gov/environmentdec/55779.html

EPA State Review Framework:  Compliance & Enforcement through State Government

The Environmental Protection Agency is providing online comprehensive reports on water quality enforcement data for all 50 states.  The reports provide data on federal and state enforcement of National Pollutant Discharge System Permits (NPDES).  There are also new tools for the public to search and review the data used to generate these reports.

http://www.epa.gov/compliance/state/srf/index.html

Network Discharge Monitoring Reports (NetDMR) – EPA

This web-based electronic reporting tool will reduce paper reporting.  National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitted facilities can use this tool to submit monthly discharge monitoring reports (DMR).  This tool is currently available for facilities in the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Texas, Utah, and the Gulf of Mexico (offshore rigs).  Additional states are expected to be added to the list within a year.

http://www.epa.gov/netdmr/

Invasive Species Expert Directory

This new resource provides experts in the field of invasive species.  Select a state, and this tool will give you a list of contacts with specifics about their background.

http://www.anstaskforce.gov/experts/search.php

Technical Report, Stormwater BMPs in Virginia’s James River Basin:  An Assessment of Field Conditions & Programs (part of the Extreme BMP Makeover Project)

A stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) performance study was completed of nearly 200 stormwater BMP’s in urban areas throughout the James River watershed.  This technical report describes survey results and recommendations regarding design, construction, and maintenance issues.  This is part of the Extreme BMP Makeover Project, which is focused on improving pollutant reduction achieved by BMPs in the James River watershed. 

http://www.cwp.org/Resource_Library/Center_Docs/SW/ExtremeBMP/extrmbmp_tech_rprt09.pdf

EPA Green Infrastructure Publications
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing help to local officials in implementing green infrastructure in their communities.  Handbooks available cover topics such as Funding Options, Retrofit Policies, Green Streets, Rainwater Harvesting Policies, and Incentive Mechanisms.

http://cfpub2.epa.gov/npdes/greeninfrastructure/munichandbook.cfm

Habitat Happenings

This new web feature provided by the Pennsylvania Game Commission focuses on habitat management practices.  Every week a new journal entry or report will be provided to show what they do on state game lands and lands enrolled in the agency’s cooperative public lands programs.  The first participants featured will be from the Southeast Region. 

http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=528&q=176508

Center for Watershed Protection Webcasts – Stormwater Retrofitting

A webcast will be provided on “Stormwater Retrofitting” on October 14, 2009.  It will focus on restoring watersheds through stormwater retrofitting practices featured in their Urban Stormwater Retrofit Practices manual.  They will also discuss the cost and pollutant removal of stormwater retrofits. Registration will open in August.
http://www.cwp.org/Webcasts/

If you missed their June webcast, “Managing Stormwater in the Age of Budget Cuts”, it is free and available at http://www.cwp.org/Webcasts/#archive

Bad Water 2009:  The Impact on Human Health in the Chesapeake Bay Region

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation released this report regarding the health of the Chesapeake Bay region and its impact on human health.  It features concerns such as harmful bacteria, mercury contamination of seafood and nitrates in ground water.  It is based on interviews conducted with leading scientists and health experts.  The report includes three case studies from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

http://www.cbf.org/Page.aspx?pid=521&srctid=1&erid=67967

Urban BMP Performance Tool

This EPA website is useful for stormwater professionals to aid in selecting effective stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs).  It provides about 220 studies assessing over 275 BMP’s.

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/urbanbmp/bmpeffectiveness.cfm

DEC TV Debuts – New York

This site provides videos on outdoor recreation in New York state, such as hiking and kayaking in the Adirondacks, canoeing in Tivoli Bay, fishing for bluefish off Long Island, and many more.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/dectv/dectv.html

Photo Contests

 

	iConserve Photo Contest – Pennsylvania Show off your natives!  This photo contest is sponsored by iConserve, a website managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).  Just fill out the form and submit up to 5 pictures of native plants to be eligible to win up to $400 in garden tools from Ames True Temper.  http://www.iconservepa.org/plantpostwin.html
	6th Annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest Submit your photos of Maryland’s diverse natural resources and be eligible to win more than $1,200 in prizes and have your photo published.  Winning entries will be featured in the Maryland Natural Resource magazine and on the 2010 DNR calendar.  Entries must be postmarked by September 11, 2009. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/photocontest/
	2009 Erie Canalway Photo Contest - New York Submit photos taken within the boundaries of the National Heritage Corridor, which is comprised of the Erie, Oswego, Cayuga/Seneca, and Champlain Canals and surrounding communities.  There are four categories:  Bridges, Buildings and Locks; For the Fun of It; On the Water; The Nature of the Canal.  The deadline is September 10, 2009.  Winning photos will be featured in the 2010 Erie Canalway calendar. http://www.eriecanalway.org
	The Nature Conservancy Digital Photo Contest Submit images of nature, highlighting the diversity of life on Earth.  Pictures can show animals, wildlife in its natural habitat, plant life, landscapes, weather, and people interacting with nature.  The deadline is September 30, 2009.  The winner will be featured in the 2011 Nature Conservancy calendar. http://support.nature.org/site/PageServer?pagename=rules_ph6