Look off, dear Love, across the sallow sands, 
And mark yon meeting of the sun and sea; 
How long they kiss in sight of all the lands, 
 Ah! longer, longer we.

from Evening Song
by Sidney  Lanier

Editors Note

Engineers Week is February 19-25. For information about Engineers Week activities, visit http://www.eweek.org/ 

The next round of PA DEP Watershed Restoration Grant Applications are due on March 3. For the upcoming grant round, DEP will invest in projects that seek to address nonpoint source pollution such as comprehensive watershed plan implementation, legacy sediment and stream restoration, nutrient and sediment trading, long-term operation and maintenance for watershed projects and mine drainage treatment systems, urban and agricultural runoff, and upgrades to on-lot sewage systems. F. X. Browne, Inc. has been highly successful in past years with helping our clients acquire Growing Greener grant funding for watershed restoration and protection projects. For assistance in applying for and implementing PA Growing Greener Grants, please contact F. X. Browne, Inc. at info@fxbrowne.com.

Topic of the Month

How Does Development Impact Water Quality, And What Can Be Done About It?

 

As watershed managers, we are faced daily with the question of how to control stormwater pollution from developed areas. However, in order to control stormwater runoff, one must first develop a thorough understanding of how development really impacts water quality. Several new PowerPoint presentations by F. X. Browne, Inc. President Dr. Frank Browne, P.E. have recently been made available on our website that examine these issues

 

The first presentation, Adverse Impacts of Development on Water Quality, describes the five main impacts to water quality that arise as development increases within a watershed, including changes to watershed hydrology, changes in stream geometry, degradation of aquatic ecosystems, pollutant export during construction, and pollutant export after site development. The presentation provides a thorough technical discussion of what happens to streams in developed areas when it rains.

 

The second presentation, Stormwater Management for Traditional Neighborhoods, discusses how developers and homeowners can meet stormwater regulations in urban areas using innovative stormwater best management practices (BMPs). These practices include rain gardens, green roofs, underground storage, cisterns, planters, and porous pavement.

 

In addition to stormwater techniques for traditional neighborhoods, a discussion of the benefits of Low-Impact Development can be found in Low-Impact Development and Stormwater Management.

 

F. X. Browne, Inc. can assist with designing Low-Impact Developments and stormwater BMPs. Contact us at info@fxbrowne.com for more information.

 

 

 

News Clips

New Technique for Subwatershed Investigations

 

The Center for Watershed Protection (CWP) has developed a new method to enable watershed practitioners to better assess upland watershed areas that can influence water quality.

 

The method, known as Unified Subwatershed and Site Reconnaissance (USSR), can be used to help develop watershed plans and can also help to identify specific audiences for education and outreach efforts. The CWP developed the USSR as a field survey that can be used by watershed groups, municipal staff, and consultants to quickly assemble a comprehensive initial inventory of potential pollution sources and restoration opportunities within urban subwatersheds. The USSR has four major assessment components: Neighborhood Source Assessment (NSA), Hotspot Site Investigation (HSI),  Pervious Area Assessment (PAA), and Streets and Storm Drains (SSD). CWP hopes the USSR can provide a quick but thorough characterization of all upland areas for the purposes of identifying major source areas that are contributing pollutants to the stream and controlling pollution sources through education, source controls, pervious area management, and improved municipal maintenance. http://www.cwp.org/PublicationStore/USRM.htm#usrm11

 

Is Low-Density Development Best for Water Quality?

 

"Protecting Water Resources with Higher-Density Development," a recent EPA report, describes a study that examines the impacts of high- and low-density development on water resources. 

 

The EPA study models three scenarios of different densities (one-acre level, lot level, and watershed level) and at three different time series build-out examples. The study then examined stormwater runoff from different development densities to determine the comparative difference between scenarios. The findings indicate that low-density development may not always be the preferred strategy for protecting water resources. Higher densities may better protect water quality—especially at the lot and watershed levels. http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/water_density.htm

 

PA DEP Penalizes Developer for Erosion and Sedimentation Control Violations

The PA DEP took three separate actions against a York County real estate developer for continued violations of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law and the state’s erosion and sedimentation control regulations. 

The department ordered Timothy F. Pasch to pay $50,000 in civil penalties and to correct erosion and sedimentation violations at seven active construction sites in York County. The York County Conservation District and DEP identified more than 250 violations since 2001 at Pasch’s construction sites in several York County townships. Violations have included failure to install proper erosion and sedimentation controls, causing sediment pollution to local waterways, and failure to revise and submit accurate control plans to the conservation district.  Pasch must obtain individual permits from DEP for any additional sites he seeks to develop in the future. Pasch has already paid $10,000 in civil penalties as a result of four prior DEP enforcement actions for erosion and sedimentation and wetland encroachment violations. http://www.ahs.dep.state.pa.us/newsreleases/default.asp?ID=3786 

The federal Stormwater Phase II regulations that went into effect in 2003 require that an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan and an NPDES permit be prepared for any earth disturbance greater than one acre in size. For more information on Erosion and Sedimentation Control and stormwater permitting, please contact F. X. Browne, Inc. at info@fxbrowne.com. 

Experiment Planned to Cool Stream Below Dam

The Pequannock River Coalition plans to launch an innovative project to protect trout below Westbrook Lake in northern NJ. 

The Coalition's plan aims to install a short PVC pipe underneath the surface of the lake in Westbrook Park to siphon cooler waters from the depths of the lake to benefit the ponds downstream. The objective for the plan is to save trout that are unable to survive when the water temperature rises above certain levels in the summer. The plan would allow the pipe to take water which may be as much as 8 to 10 degrees cooler from greater depths in the lake and siphon it to flow over the dam in Westbrook. At present only the warm surface water finds its way over the dam. If successful, the cooler water brought downstream by the siphon pipe will lower the overall temperature of the lake flowing into the ponds below and will hopefully preserve the trout stocks found in the ponds. http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2006/01/13/west_milford_messenger/news/2wmm.txt 

Watch out for...Anchors?

The Coast Guard recently concluded that a lost anchor was to blame for the November 2004 oil spill by a Cypriot-registered tanker on the Delaware River, one of the most costly and destructive environmental disasters in the region. 

The investigation cleared the Greek shipping company of any wrongdoing for the spill that occurred between the channel and a Citgo asphalt refinery in West Deptford, the ship's destination. The lost anchor, weighing 18,000 pounds and standing nearly 7 feet tall, punctured the tanker Athos I, spewing 264,000 gallons of crude oil into the river. Efforts to find the owner of the anchor have been unsuccessful. The Coast Guard therefore is supporting a bill that would require sailors to report to the Coast Guard any significant shipping obstacles that they drop overboard. https://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/651/109428/

Policy Update The PA Governor’s Green Government Council published its 2005-2006 Green Plan which chronicles the green initiatives undertaken by state agencies. NY DEC has announced proposed freshwater fishing regulations for 2006-2008 and will be accepting public comments on the proposals until February 14. Revisions are being proposed to stormwater regulations under the Clean Water Act that would modify National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System regulations to clarify that uncontaminated stormwater discharges from oil and gas field activities do not require federal Clean Water Act permits. US EPA plans to allocate $18 million in FY 2006 for the water quality monitoring initiative under the water pollution control grant program (known as Section 106 of the Clean Water Act).  The PA DEP has published notice that it has finalized Total Maximum Daily Load plans for 62 watersheds in 25 counties (PA Bulletin page 77). PA DEP has published proposed changes to the NPDES General Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).  Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until February 13. The Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) announced a major long-term tributary and flood plain restoration program for the Upper Delaware watershed to begin in early 2006.  PA DEP has simplified the interim water-use registration process as part of the Water Resources Planning Act (Act 220 of 2002). Pennsylvania joined a majority of states in filing two separate friend of the court briefs in important Clean Water Act cases under consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court. A pilot nation-by-nation study of environmental performance recently ranked the United States 28th over all, behind most of Western Europe, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Costa Rica and Chile.    Grant Programs  (Click on a grant for more information)

NY Aquatic Invasive Species Eradication Grant Program The New York State budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2005 - 2006 includes an appropriation of $1,000,000 for an Aquatic Invasive Species Eradication Grant Program. Proposals are due by February 28. This program will award State Assistance Funds for approved projects proposing to eradicate infestations of aquatic invasive species such as Eurasian watermilfoil, water chestnut, zebra mussels, common reed (Phragmites invasive strain), purple loosestrife, or others. Acceptable projects are proposals to kill and/or permanently remove plants or animals that meet the definition of aquatic invasive species or aquatic nuisance species from water bodies or wetlands in New York State. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/habitat/erad.html  PA Karl Mason Award The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals is accepting nominations until February 28 for its annual Karl Mason Award. Karl Mason served the Department of Health from 1952 until his death in 1966 and was regarded as the Commonwealth's first environmental administrator. The Award was created to commemorate his vision of a strong, well-managed environmental program. Two awards will be granted, one for outstanding environmental project by a group or company and the second for environmental work or project by an individual. http://www.paep.org/mason_award.htm  PA Growing Greener Watershed Restoration Grants The next round of PA DEP Watershed Restoration Grant Applications are due on March 3. For the upcoming grant round, DEP will invest in projects that seek to address nonpoint source pollution, such as comprehensive watershed plan implementation; legacy sediment and stream restoration; nutrient and sediment trading; long-term operation and maintenance for watershed projects and mine drainage treatment systems; urban and agricultural runoff; and upgrades to on-lot sewage systems. Eligible projects also could include reducing nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired; designing practices and activities that support water quality trading initiatives; integrating stormwater management and flood protection into watershed management; encouraging the beneficial use of abandoned mine pool water; and integrating air deposition controls and management with mitigating water quality problems. http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/growinggreener/site/default.asp F. X. Browne, Inc. has been highly successful in past years with helping our clients acquire Growing Greener grant funding for watershed restoration and protection projects. For assistance in applying for and implementing PA Growing Greener Grants, please contact F. X. Browne, Inc. at info@fxbrowne.com. EPA Five-Star Restoration Matching Grants Program The National Association of Counties, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Wildlife Habitat Council, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other sponsors, are pleased to solicit applications for the Five-Star Restoration Matching Grants Program. The Five-Star Restoration Program provides grants in amounts between $5,000 and $20,000 to support community-based wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration projects. Projects should build diverse partnerships and foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach and training activities. Proposals are due by March 10. http://www.nfwf.org/programs/5star-rfp.cfm  NY DEC Water Quality Improvement Grants New York DEC announced that funding applications will be accepted until March 31 for Water Quality Improvement Projects (WQIPs). The grants will be available to fund nonpoint source abatement and control projects through a joint program managed by DEC and the Department of Agriculture and Markets. A portion of the non-agricultural nonpoint source funds will be available to assist regulated communities across the state with implementation of Storm Water Phase II requirements through DEC. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/bondact/bamenu.html#wqipapp  PA Water Resources Education Grants League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund Water Resources Education Network (WREN) Project Grants are available for educational projects that raise awareness about protecting the community's drinking water source and/or preventing nonpoint source pollution in the watershed. Eligible recipients include partnerships of local or regional organizations in Pennsylvania such as watershed associations, civic groups, community water systems, governmental entities (including municipal authorities), and other public interest organizations. Projects should include local government involvement and encourage behavior change. The grant awards are up to $5,000 per project. Proposals must be postmarked or hand delivered by April 3. http://wren.palwv.org/grants/local.html  PA Green Schools Grants  The Pennsylvania Governor’s Green Government Council announced schools can apply for a High-Performance Green Schools Planning Grant to help defray the cost of complying with LEED green building design standards. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible costs include building energy simulations and daylight modeling, green coaches and specialty consultant fees, design fees for additional services beyond those conventionally covered, and help with LEED-NC certification costs. The funds are not available for research, materials, or construction costs. http://www.gggc.state.pa.us/gggc/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=153919  EPA Clean Beaches Grants    The US EPA has made $10 million in beach grants available as part of an effort to help ensure the safety of the nation's favorite recreational spots. This grant money is available for beach monitoring and notification programs to 35 eligible states, territories and tribes to help to improve water quality at beaches and notify the public of beach warnings or closings if bacteria levels are too high. http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/grants/fy06fs.htm Schuylkill River Grants The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is partnering with Exelon Nuclear to oversee a new Schuylkill River Restoration Fund that provides money for watershed projects. The fund is part of Exelon's commitment to improve the Schuylkill River and show that changes in water supplies will not adversely affect the river. The Schuylkill River Heritage Area will oversee the fund, providing the money to organizations seeking to undertake such projects as repairing eroded stream banks or restoring polluted waterways. Grant guidelines are being developed. Groups interested in applying for the grant may call the Schuylkill River Heritage Area at 484-945-0200 or visit http://www.schuylkillriver.org.

 

Events  (Click on an event for more information) PA BMP Tours  The Dauphin County Conservation District in PA has installed 16 stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) as part of a tour at the Dauphin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Center. The tour is intended to serve as an educational site for municipal officials, watershed organizations, school groups, consultants, other conservation districts, government agencies, and related groups concerned with stormwater management.  http://www.dauphincd.org/articles/BMP%20project%20intro.htm   PA Watersheds Data System Workshops The Pennsylvania Organization of Watershed and Rivers (POWR) will be holding workshops for anyone interested in learning how to use the PA Watersheds Data System. The workshops are free and will be held on the following dates and locations: February 7 -- Tom Ridge Center in Erie, 5:30-7:30.p.m.,  Feburary 16 -- Northampton Community College in Tannersville, 6-8 p.m. POWR asks that attendees RSVP by at least three days before the workshop. http://www.pawatersheds.org  PA Sewage System Issues Workshops The PA DEP encourages municipal officials and consultants to attend one of five training workshops focusing on sewage facility reporting and planning. The free training sessions have been designed to help communities better understand required sewage system reporting, plan for future growth and economic development, and avoid sewage facility problems that could impact public health and the environment. The workshop will review Chapter 94 regarding Municipal Wasteload Management regulations. Certified wastewater operators are eligible to receive four Continuing Education Credit Hours for attending. The workshops will be offered during February 13-17 at five locations in northwestern PA. http://www.ahs.dep.state.pa.us/newsreleases/default.asp?ID=3787 Philadelphia Urban Sustainability Forum Hosted by the Academy of Natural Sciences' Town Square Program, the Urban Sustainability Forum will be held each month from January to June of 2006. Topics will include air quality, water quality, recycling, land use planning, neighborhood revitalization, and sustainable development. All programs are free and open to the public. Programs will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at The Academy of Natural Sciences auditorium in Philadelphia. The next forum program will be held on February 19. http://www.sustainablephiladelphia.com.  PA Manufactured Soils Conference  The Professional Recyclers of PA and the Penn State Cooperative Extension Service are holding the fourth annual Pennsylvania Manufactured Soils Conference in State College on February 22 and 23. This year’s theme is “Building Soils for Water Quality Enhancement.” The program includes the following topics: manufactured soils for water quality improvement at the watershed scale, policy & regulation, the science of manufactured soils, marketing and economics and manufactured soils, and integrated water management.  http://www.proprecycles.org/PDFs/Manufactured%20Soils%20Registration%202006.pdf  MD Stormwater Symposium Green Matters, an annual symposium organized by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, concentrates attention on environmental issues with which we are currently faced and over which we have some control. This year's symposium theme is Green Matters: After the Rain. The symposium will be held on February 24 at Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD. http://www.mc-mncppc.org/Parks/brookside/greenmatters/greenmatters.shtm  PA Well Owner Training  Penn State’s Master Well Owner Network will hold a well owner training course on March 11 in Lewisburg, Union County, PA. Residents that rely on a private water system for their home drinking water supply are encouraged to attend this free training on the proper construction, management, and testing of private water wells. http://mwon.cas.psu.edu/  PA Invasive Species Program  “Containing Invasives: Closing Pandora,” is the theme for the March 15 annual environmental conference sponsored by DCNR’s Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center and Shippensburg University. I http://palwv.org/wren/documents/2006ConferencePressRelease.doc  Mid-Atlantic GIS Conference The biennial MAC URISA Regional GIS Conference will be held at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ on March 15-16. The conference provides a forum where GIS professionals from the Mid-Atlantic region gather to exchange ideas and learn from each other. A number of  workshops are offered on the first day, followed by a program of formal presentations on the second day. Thesconcurrent sessions include topics of interest to new GIS users as well as seasoned professionals.  http://www.macurisa.org/conference.html  PA Rural Water Association Annual Conference  The Pennsylvania Rural Water Association will hold its annual conference on March 21-24, at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, State College, PA. PRWA will offer up to 19 Department of Environmental Protection-approved Contact Hours for eligible certified operators in five training tracks: water, wastewater, water/wastewater, management/regulatory and operator certification. http://www.prwa.com/v2/conference/2006/index.asp  PA Trail building Workshop The Monroe County Conservation District is sponsoring a workshop at the Environmental Education Center in Stroudsburg on March 23 for professional and volunteer trail planners, builders, and maintainers. The workshop will discuss the design and construction of sustainable, low maintenance trails for non-motorized use. It will also cover working with land managers, using volunteers, and suggested tools of the trade. Discover trail layouts that not only shed water, but provide varied experiences to trail users. http://www.eelink.net/cgi-bin/risee/pcee/showevent?prog=PR6360  PA Environmental Educators Conference  Start planning now to attend the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators conference March 24-26 in Ligonier, PA. The theme of the conference is "Pennsylvania's Harmony - Celebrate the Wonder of Pennsylvania's Environment." Noted children's author Jean Craighead George will be one of the featured speakers, along with workshops, exhibits and entertainment. http://www.paee.net/2006%20Conference%20Information.html Izaak Walton League Wetland Webcasts  The Izaak Walton League is hosting two webcasts: "Wetland-Friendly Lawn and Garden," on March 28, which includes information on how to create rain gardens, install rain barrels, landscape with native plants, and reduce pesticide and fertilizer use; and "Wet Spots into Wonderlands," on April 25, to discuss the benefits of having wetlands on your property, how to protect those wetlands, and how to create vernal pools or bog gardens. http://www.iwla.org/sos/sosweb.htm

 

 

Link Of The Month

 

Wetlands are are critical areas for habitat, water quality, biodiversity, and groundwater recharge. The Center for Watershed Protection’s new Wetlands Website explains how and why wetlands should be part of watershed management. Included on the site are a Wetlands & Watersheds Article Series, Wetland Slideshows, a Wetlands Primer, Wetland Web Resources, a calendar of Upcoming Wetland-Related Events, and a Wetland Research Bibliography. Now available is Article 3 of the article series, "Adapting Watershed Tools to Protect Wetlands." http://www.cwp.org/wetlands/index.htm 

 

F. X. Browne, Inc. provides a variety of wetlands-related services, including wetlands delineation, permitting, constructed wetlands design, wetlands protection planning, and wetlands restoration design. For more information, contact us at info@fxbrowne.com. 

 

 

 

New Tools and Publications

 

EPA Rapid Response to Invasive Species Document Available

 

The EPA Office of Water has released a publication entitled "Overview of Authorities for Natural Resource Managers Developing Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response and Management Plans." This publication provides an overview of EPA authorities that may apply to aquatic invasive species rapid response or control actions. The document is a tool designed for natural resource managers developing aquatic invasive species rapid response and management plans. http://www.epa.gov/owow/invasive_species/invasives_management/ 

Audubon Publishes Backyard Habitat Guide for Pennsylvania Gardeners 

“The Audubon At Home Guide to Gardening for Life in Southeastern Pennsylvania” is a new resource/guide book for creating backyard habitat published through a partnership between the Bucks County Audubon Society and Waste Management. Residents of southeastern Pennsylvania are faced with challenges that are found commonly throughout the northeast United States: excessive water, invasive plants, deer and over-development. The Guide to Gardening for Life offers 84 colorful pages with informative essays and companion profiles of noteworthy area residents who have successfully tackled problems and created habitat spaces that are toxic-free and wildlife-friendly. Readers will also find plant and animal lists intended to enhance conservation efforts, and help to explore the meaning of their personal ecological address and the things to do to preserve its natural health. http://www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/GuidetoGardeningForLife_PA.html 

Plan Aims to Make Hudson River Fishable, Swimmable

The Draft Final Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda outlines a list of short and long term goals for watershed stakeholders in restoring the Hudson River. The Action Agenda is different from past efforts to improve the river in that it addresses not only the river proper, but the land and waterways that are found within the Hudson River Valley Watershed. Action items include restoring the river's fishery, conserving native plants and animals and their habitats, stream restoration, historical preservation, scenic viewshed preservation, improving river access, public education, waterfront revitilization, remediating pollution, and ensuring that the Hudson River will be swimmable from its source high in the Adirondack Mountains all the way to New York City. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/hudson/hrep.html 

New Book: Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystems

As human populations continue to grow, the effects of urbanization on streams and other habitats will become increasingly important to aquatic resource managers and land use planners. A new book published by the American Fisheries Society, Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystems, includes a variety of case studies addressing the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems at locations ranging from Brazil to Southern California to New York. Of special interest is a group of five papers resulting from an interdisciplinary comparative study of urbanization in Boston, MA, Birmingham, AL, and Salt Lake City, UT. These papers address regional variations in study design and responses of habitat, benthic algae, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish to urban development. http://64.224.98.53/publications/catbooks/x54047P.shtml#Summary 

EPA Watershed Plan Development Guide Available

The US EPA has released a draft guide to watershed management, designed to help various organizations develop and implement watershed plans. The "Draft Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect our Waters" is aimed toward communities, watershed groups, and local, state, tribal, and federal environmental agencies. The handbook contains in-depth guidance on quantifying existing pollutant loads, developing estimates of the load reductions required to meet water quality standards, developing effective management measures, and tracking progress once the plan is implemented.  http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/watershed_handbook/ 

BMP Handbook for Marinas Published

North Carolina Sea Grant has published "Stormwater Runoff Best Management Practices For Marinas: A Guide for Operators." The guide discusses why stormwater runoff management is important at marinas and what facility owners can do to address potential problems. Although intended primarily for marina owners and operators, this information should also be of interest to others involved with boating facilities and environmental management, including government and agency officials, planners, consultants and the public. http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/stormwater/PublicationFiles/BMPsForMarinas2005%28Hunt&Doll%29.pdf 

 

 

 

F. X. Browne, Inc.  – Environmental Consulting

F. X. Browne, Inc.
 Engineers – Planners – Scientists
27 Years of Excellence & Innovation

SERVICES

Lake and Water Quality Studies
Watershed Management Programs
Bioengineering Projects
Stormwater Management
Watershed Inventories
Water Quality Monitoring
Laboratory Services
Water Quality & Watershed Modeling
Open Space Planning
Water & Wastewater Planning and Design
Low-Impact Development
Geographic Information Systems
Public Education and Seminars
Wetlands Consulting Services

Corporate Office: Lansdale, PA
Pocono Office: Marshalls Creek, PA
New York Office: Saranac Lake, NY

For more information, call us at (215) 362-3878 or visit: http://www.fxbrowne.com.