In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, 
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; 
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, 
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

The words for "In the Bleak Midwinter" were written by Christina Rossetti in 1872; the poem was put to music by Gustav Holst in 1906

Editors Note

Happy Birthday EPA! The agency recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. Visit http://epa.gov/35thanniversary/ for more information on anniversary activities.

Speaking of celebrations, all of us at F. X. Browne, Inc. wish you a new year filled with opportunities to enjoy clear, cold, freeflowing streams, lakes free of excessive weeds and algae, and all the open space you need for enjoying the outdoors in 2006!

This Minute Has 61 Seconds Scientists have delayed the start of 2006 by the first "leap second" in seven years, a timing tweak meant to make up for changes in the Earth's rotation. The adjustment was carried out by sticking an extra second into atomic clocks worldwide on January 1 at the stroke of midnight Coordinated Universal Time, the widely adopted international standard.

Topic of the Month

Pennsylvania's Waterways: A Year in Review

In recent years, Pennsylvania has become a leader in reversing the deleterious effects to its waterways from mining, farming, development, and industrial operations. The year 2005 has been a pivotal year for water quality improvements in Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth has taken action to clean up waterways, instituted new water quality standards, and provided hundreds of millions of new state dollars for restoration. Some of the major highlights of Pennsylvania's efforts to improve the health of its waters include: 

• In January, Pennsylvania's Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy was unveiled. The water quality initiative signaled a dramatic increase in state funding targeted for water quality programs and resulted in a greatly increased rate of implementation for cleaning up lakes and streams in the Commonwealth.
  
  
• In May, Pennsylvania voters passed the Governor’s Growing Greener II initiative, securing $625 million in new funds that, like the original Growing Greener program, provide substantial new resources for projects that improve water quality. 
  
  
• In August, Pennsylvania imposed new nutrient conditions in the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits of 190 significant sewage and industrial dischargers in the Commonwealth to require the monitoring and reporting of total nitrogen and phosphorus. 
  
  
• In September, PA Governor Rendell introduced a new nutrient and sediment trading policy that offers farmers, communities and industries another tool to help them meet, or exceed, state and federal water quality goals. This market-based program provides incentives for entities to create credits by going beyond statutory, regulatory or voluntary obligations and goals. The credits can be traded to others to help them more cost effectively meet their obligations or goals.
  
  
• In October, the Commonwealth finalized extensive water quality regulations for large-scale farms and expanded the number of farming operations considered Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations from 165 to 350, therefore requiring more operations to obtain permits. 
  
  
• Throughout 2005, Pennsylvania has continued to strive toward meeting their goals as part of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement among Bay states and partners. By the end of 2005, Pennsylvania will have: preserved 2,717 farms totaling 311,679 acres (more than any other state in the nation), restored 1,135 miles of riparian forest buffers more than 35-feet wide, restored more than 2,250 acres of wetlands and enhanced an additional 2,830 wetland acres to improve their function, and opened 548 stream miles to fish passage.

  http://www.dep.state.pa.us/newsreleases/default.asp?ID=3732

F. X. Browne, Inc. has offices in Lansdale and Marshalls Creek, PA, as well as an office in Saranac Lake, NY. As a Pennsylvania-based business, we have extensive knowledge and experience in working with the various state agencies to obtain permit approvals, prepare stormwater management plans, and conduct watershed planning. Please visit the services section of our website and contact us at info@fxbrowne.com if you would like assistance with a project in Pennsylvania, or anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic region.

 

 

News Clips

Chesapeake Bay Leaders Adopt Innovative Bay Protection and Restoration Measures

Chesapeake Bay regional leaders recently adopted several measures designed to improve the Bay’s health by reducing pollution flowing into the Bay from agricultural areas, improving the management of the Bay’s fisheries, and instilling a Bay stewardship ethic among future generations of watershed residents.

Executive Council members adopted a new animal manure management strategy that will reduce the amount of nutrient pollution reaching local waters from livestock operations. The strategy calls for reducing surplus animal manure and poultry litter by working with farmers to put in place innovative feed management plans, animal waste storage systems, and stream fencing, and by expanding manure and litter transport systems to areas in need.

Executive Council members also adopted the Fisheries Ecosystem Plan. The Plan broadens current management efforts to take into account the linkages among fisheries, habitat and water quality management. The Executive Council agreed to give first priority to the development of ecosystem-based fishery management plans for oysters, striped bass, blue crabs, Atlantic menhaden, and Alosa species such as American shad. During the annual meeting's final session, Executive Council members, regional school system leaders, and environmental education providers signed an agreement to continue to expand Chesapeake Bay stewardship efforts. http://www.chesapeakebay.net/200511exec.htm

Chesapeake Bay Feed Plan Cuts Nutrients at the Source

By better managing what goes in an animal’s mouth, scientists say they can reduce—sometimes dramatically—the amount of nutrients coming out the other end. 

Chickens, cows, cattle, hogs and turkeys in the Chesapeake Bay watershed churn out about 44 million tons of manure each year. Altogether, they are responsible for about a fifth of the nitrogen and phosphorus entering the Bay. Researchers, farm advisers and water quality managers increasingly believe the best way to deal with those nutrients is to keep them from coming out of the animal to begin with. When the Chesapeake Bay Commission last year reported on the six most cost-effective strategies for cleaning up all nutrient sources to the Bay, it ranked diet and feed adjustments second behind wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

Chesapeake Bay Journal, December 2005 http://www.bayjournal.com/index.cfm?issue=267 

Scientists Say Action Needed to Reverse Great Lakes Breakdown 

The "immune" system of the Great Lakes is breaking down and the ecosystem is in danger of collapse, according to a new report released by the region’s leading scientists. 

The paper reports that the Great Lakes buffering capacity is breaking down, rendering ineffective the self-regulating system of the lakes to protect themselves and recover from new stresses like pollution and invasive species. The paper, “Prescription for Great Lakes Ecosystem Protection and Restoration: Avoiding the Tipping Point of Irreversible Changes,” claims that despite progress in some areas, the Great Lakes are exhibiting a number of disturbing symptoms that led the scientists to conclude they may be on the verge of a breakdown. Some of these problems include: the increasing number of beach closings caused by bacteria contamination, the rapid disappearance of diporeia – a key fish food - that has severely disrupted the food chain, the resurgence of the Lake Erie “dead zone,” and the widespread and sudden decline in native fish such as yellow perch. http://www.restorethelakes.org/mediaadvisory.html 

In mid-December, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) published the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy that will serve as a blueprint for prioritizing future actions to restore and enhance the lakes. The GLRC signed a resolution to accelerate cleanup of contaminated sediment, return another 200,000 acres of wetlands to ecological health in equal partnership with the states, reduce the spread of invasive species and make beaches cleaner.  http://www.glrc.us/strategy.html

Pittsburgh City Council to Consider Stormwater Measure

Pittsburgh homeowners could be required to test their storm drains for leaks before they sell their homes if a Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority plan passes with City Council. 

Under the plan, people who are selling their homes would be required to hire a certified plumber to perform a dye test to determine whether storm water is entering the city's sanitary sewer system. If problems are found, repairs would be required before the home could be sold. The dye test could reveal leaks, whether a sewer line has an illegal tie-in that deliberately diverts storm water runoff into the sanitary sewer system or a single line system that combines stormwater and sanitary sewage. Once a home is tested and certified before it's sold, it's not required to be tested again, even if the house is sold again. The Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh criticized the proposed requirement as a burden on homeowners and buyers and a danger to property values. 

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/news/s_402625.html TRIBUNE-REVIEW Saturday, December 10, 2005

Policy Update Acting NJ Governor Codey extended the current state Water Quality Management Planning rules for six months, effectively putting the brakes on a controversial set of proposed new rules for sewer service areas.  PA DEP is reminding residents of several deadlines for the submission of applications under the recently revised CAFO and Other Livestock Agricultural Operations regulations.  Under new proposed regulations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aims to reduce the numbers of Canada geese that reside in the United States.  NY DEC recently announced the release of the 2005 draft State Open Space Conservation Plan. The plan will be available for public comment until January 18. VA Governor Warner announced the adoption of nutrient reduction regulations and a commitment to fund water quality efforts to limit pollution in the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Pennsylvania and the seven Great Lakes states, along with Ontario and Quebec, have signed the Great Lakes Charter Annex 2001 Implementing Agreements, prohibiting diversions of Great Lakes Basin water. The US EPA has proposed a new policy for addressing peak wet weather discharges at wastewater treatment plants. The NYS DEC has released the Draft Final Action Agenda 2005-2009 and Draft Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the Hudson River Estuary Program. Public comments will be received until January 12.   Grant Programs  (Click on a grant for more information)

PA Conservation Corps Grants

The Department of Labor and Industry is accepting applications from political subdivisions and state agencies for the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps (PCC) Program. Applications are due by January 6. The PCC program is designed to provide work experience and educational opportunities to unemployed young adults as they undertake needed projects on public lands in this Commonwealth. Grant recipients receive the services of a PCC crew (all wages paid) for one year. Recipients may also receive the funds to pay for the materials and contracted services needed (municipalities and school districts must supply a 25% cash match). http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=145&q=194750 

NOAA Open Rivers Initiative Grants

The NOAA Open Rivers Initiative is now accepting applications to fund projects to remove dams and other barriers in streams and rivers from now until January 13. Projects funded through ORI grants should have strong on-the-ground habitat restoration components that foster economic, educational, and social benefits for citizens and their communities in addition to long-term ecological habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/projects_programs/crp/partners_funding/callforprojects3.html 

2006 National Wetlands Awards

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is accepting nominations for the 2006 National Wetlands Awards. Since 1989, the National Wetlands Awards Program has provided an opportunity to recognize individuals who dedicate their time and energy to wetlands protection. The 2006 Awards will be given in six categories: 1) Education and Outreach; 2) Science Research 3) Conservation and Restoration; 4) Landowner Stewardship; 5) State, Tribal, and Local Program Development; and 6) Wetland Community Leader. Nominations are due by January 15.  http://www2.eli.org/nwa/nwaprogram.htm 

USFWS Private Stewardship Grant Program

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is seeking proposals for conservation projects on private lands through its Private Stewardship Grants Program. Approximately $6.5 million is available as federal grants on a competitive basis to individuals and groups engaged in voluntary conservation efforts on private lands that benefit imperiled species such as federally listed endangered or threatened species as well as proposed, candidate and other at-risk species. Proposals are due by January 23. http://endangered.fws.gov/grants/private_stewardship.html. 

Boat US Clean Boating Education Grants

The Boat U.S. Foundation is looking to fund creative and innovative projects that teach boaters cleaner habits on the water through its 2006 Clean Water Grant Program. Up to $4,000 per group is available to small, local nonprofits conducting educational campaigns. Past projects have covered topics like pumpout education, pollution prevention, monofilament fishing line recycling, and preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species. Projects MUST involve educating boaters. The deadline to apply is February 1. http://www.boatus.com/cleanwater/grants/ . 

Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants 

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Program, is accepting applications for the 2006 Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program through February 3. The Small Watershed Grants Program provides grants to organizations working on a local level to protect and improve watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay basin, while building citizen-based resource stewardship. The purpose of the grants program is to address the water quality and living resource needs of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. http://www.nfwf.org/programs/chesapeake/index.cfm 

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 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.

 

Events  (Click on an event for more information) PA Watershed Organization Development Workshops The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers announced that a new series of workshops on organizational development will be held in January in Eastern and Central Pennsylvania. The workshops are intended to address issues that confront watershed groups on a regular basis. For a complete list of workshops now scheduled, visit POWR’s Watershed Weekly webpage at http://www.pawatersheds.org/WWeekly/issue.asp?ID=268#orgDev  PA Farm Show The 90th anniversary Pennsylvania Farm Show runs from January 7-14 and will welcome more than 400,000 spectators to the Farm Show Complex, feature some 10,000 animals, 8,000 competitive exhibits and 270 commercial exhibitors. In addition, more than $370,000 in premiums will be offered to exhibitors. Visitors can sample PA Preferred produce, watch young men and women showing their livestock or discover the latest in new agriculture technology. http://www.farmshow.state.pa.us  Rutgers 2006 Environmental Steward Training Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension has announced the opening of registration for the class of 2006 Rutgers Environmental Stewards. The Rutgers Environmental Steward program provides training and experience which equips participants to contribute effectively to the process of finding solutions for environmental problems in the communities of New Jersey. Graduates increase awareness of the techniques and tools used to monitor and assess the health of the environment. They gain an understanding of the research and regulatory infrastructure of state and federal agencies operating in New Jersey that relate to environmental issues. Classes begin in various locations in mid-January. http://www.rcre.rutgers.edu/envirostewards  EPA Watershed Academy Webcast EPA's Watershed Academy is pleased to sponsor its 7th free Webcast Seminar on January 18 on "Using EPA's Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters" EPA has recently developed the Handbook to assist watershed planners in developing effective plans that will provide an analytical framework to restore water quality in impaired waters and to protect waters that may be threatened. The Webcast instructors will provide an overview of the Handbook contents, and then proceed through each of the steps needed to develop and implement watershed plans. http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts/  PA Low-Impact Development Seminar The American Water Resources Association - Philadelphia Metropolitan Area Section is holding their January luncheon meeting on January 19 in Philadelphia, PA. The topic for this month's meeting is, " Better Watershed Management Using Low Impact Development." All meetings are open to the public. http://www.awra.org/state/philadelphia/index.htm

 

Link Of The Month

 

Finding Watershed Funding Just Got Easier

 

EPA's Sustainable Finance Team within the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds just launched a new "Watershed Funding" website. The website is designed to help nonprofit watershed organizations, state and local governments, and funding agencies (e.g., foundations) more easily find information so that they can effectively invest resources to improve watershed health. http://www.epa.gov/owow/funding.html 

F. X. Browne, Inc. can assist watershed groups with obtaining funding and implementing watershed management projects once they are funded. Please contact us at info@fxbrowne.com for more information.

 

 

 

New Tools and Publications

 

PA Volunteer Monitoring Database Announced

 

The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) announced the release of the PA Watersheds Data System, an online warehouse that will store data collected by volunteer watershed monitors statewide. This tool will allow groups to store the data that they have collected in a common database, where neighboring groups can compare monitoring locations and results for data quality verification. The system stores basic chemical parameters like nitrate and phosphorous as well as biological components such as mayflies and freshwater mussels. POWR will be working with groups and hosting workshops across the State in 2006. http://www.pawatersheds.org 

 

NY Invasive Species Task Force Report Available

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released the final report of the New York State Invasive Species Task Force. The report explains the problems that can and do happen when species invade; discusses the many things that government, industry, conservation groups, homeowners, academia, and others are doing to prevent or control invasive plants and animals; and makes recommendations on how New York State can improve its defenses against invasive species. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/habitat/istf/istfreport.html 

EPA Releases Urban Runoff Control Guidebook

The U.S. EPA  released a new guidebook on managing runoff pollution caused by urban activities. National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Areas is an information source for states and cities to use in their pollution management programs for protecting waterways. Included are subjects such as: watershed and site protection, new development, on-site wastewater treatment (septic) systems, transportation, construction, bridges and highways, construction site erosion, sediment, and chemical control, existing urban areas, pollution prevention, operation and maintenance and program evaluation. http://www.epa.gov/nps/urbanmm/ 

Wetlands Biodiversity Report Published

Some of the wetlands and other waters that are "isolated" from navigable waters are no longer under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act as a result of a 2001 Supreme Court decision (SWANCC, 2001). NatureServe has recently completed an assessment of the potential impacts of the SWANCC decision on the at-risk species and communities that are associated with these isolated wetland systems in all 50 U.S. states. The information and analyses contained in this study are designed to assist policymakers and land managers at federal, state, and local levels to better understand the biodiversity value of isolated wetlands in their jurisdiction and plan for their protection. http://www.natureserve.org/publications/isolatedwetlands.jsp 

F. X. Browne, Inc. performs wetlands assessments and delineations for a wide variety of clients. Please contact us at info@fxbrowne.com if you would like more information.

Great Lakes Science Curriculum Available Online

Educators can now access a comprehensive online curriculum covering everything from the Great Lakes aquatic food web to wetlands and fisheries. The dynamic lessons are part of Fisheries Learning On the Web, Project FLOW, developed by the Michigan Sea Grant at the University of Michigan. Project FLOW lessons are geared toward educators who teach upper elementary and middle school students. Each lesson features a hands-on classroom activity. http://www.projectflow.us

 

 

 

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.