The U.S. EPA has issued a new policy that reduces legal uncertainties for organizations that want to help restore watersheds by cleaning up abandoned mine sites on private land.

Prior to the new policy, groups such as nonprofit organizations and local governments or “Good Samaritans” were reluctant to move forward with a clean-up project because they were concerned that they may be held liable under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Clean Water Act. CERCLA, or “Superfund” as it is commonly called, has language that can be interpreted to mean that a volunteer conducting a partial clean up could become responsible for the entire cleanup. In addition, potential Good Samaritans were also concerned about the possibility or being sued by a third party as a result of the work done at an abandoned mine site. This left Good Samaritans wanting to help, but unwilling to take the risk. Now, under a new policy and set of model tools, EPA and volunteer parties will be able to enter into “Good Samaritan settlement agreements.” These straightforward, non-negotiable documents can be issued relatively quickly at EPA’s Regional office level. EPA designed the new tools to preserve CERCLA’s fundamental principle that responsible parties should pay for cleanups as intended by Congress. These tools do not absolve responsible parties of their existing liability for pollution. www.epa.gov/goodsamaritan/legislation.html.

Nonpoint Source News Notes, December 2007 http://www.epa.gov/owow/info/NewsNotes/issue83/83issue.pdf 

A new research report by a key partner in the Green Collar Jobs Campaign shows that the deliberate cultivation of “green collar jobs” can benefit low-income residents and the local economy.

Professor Raquel Rivera Pinderhughes of San Francisco State University is a leading national expert on the burgeoning green-collar economy. Green-collar jobs are defined as “manual labor jobs in businesses whose primary processes, products and/or services have a beneficial effect on the environment and whose work directly improves environmental quality in some way” (Pinderhughes, 2006). The new report, "Green Collar Jobs: An Analysis of the Capacity of Green Businesses to Provide High Quality Jobs for Men and Women with Barriers to Employment," describes how to harness green business growth to build pathways out of poverty. The research project focuses on understanding how a city’s support for green economic development and green businesses can be leveraged to support living wage work force opportunities for low-income job seekers with barriers to employment. http://ellabakercenter.org/page.php?pageid=26&contentid=350

Noted environmental leader, civil rights attorney and public speaker Van Jones will talk about the national "green-collar jobs" initiative at a presentation February 21 at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.

Too Much Parking Drives NPS Pollution

A Purdue University study found that parking spaces outnumbered residents by 3-to-1 in a suburban Midwestern county.

Researchers surveyed the total area devoted to parking in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and compared it to the number of resident drivers. Purdue professor Bernard Engel, who used computer modeling to estimate changes in stormwater runoff caused by land-use changes, found that Tippecanoe County parking lots turn out about 1,000 pounds of heavy metal runoff annually. The study found that parking spaces outnumbered resident families 11-to-1 and that the total parking area was larger than 1,000 football fields, or two square miles. Because of the stormwater runoff and heat contributed by vast expanses of parking lots, the study recommended that businesses could be more creative about utilizing combined-use or shared parking lots, thereby saving construction and property costs while minimizing land use. This approach might benefit large churches and "big-box" retailers, which often feature parking lots that take up more than twice the area of their buildings.

Science Daily, September 12, 2007 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070911155501.htm

Pet Waste Made Graphic

The Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP), concerned about high fecal coliform levels in a number of Tampa Bay tributaries, is showing residents the extent of potential pollution left by dogs in graphic detail in its effort to reduce the effect of pet waste pollution on water quality.

Many people don’t realize that the average pile of dog waste contains 3 billion fecal coliform bacteria, plus other microorganisms, and can have a significant negative impact on water quality. During a recent pilot project in a small neighborhood park, TBEP used a hand-held GPS (Global Positioning System) unit to map the locations of dog waste piles found along the park’s pathways. Using the data from the first month, they developed a map displayed on a large poster as a key component of a monthly pet waste information station set up at the park. The outreach project made a significant difference. The monthly mapping data show that the number of dog waste piles is down by 48 percent in the park since the education project began, and down by 20 percent along the greenway leading to the park. The installation of new clean-up bag distribution stations has also played a key role in the reduction.

Nonpoint Source News Notes, December 2007 http://www.epa.gov/owow/info/NewsNotes/issue83/83issue.pdf 

Policy Update

Grant Programs 
(Click on a grant for more information)

PennVEST Infrastructure Loans/Grants 

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority published revised cutoff dates for submitting applications for water, wastewater, stormwater and other project funding:

• February 19 for the April 15 board meeting.

http://www.pennvest.state.pa.us/pennvest/cwp/browse.asp?A=4 

National Wetlands Awards

The National Wetlands Awards Program honors individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the conservation and restoration of our nation's wetlands. The 2008 Awards will be given in six categories: Education and Outreach; Science Research; Conservation and Restoration; Landowner Stewardship; State, Tribal, and Local Program Development; and Wetland Community Leader. The deadline for submitting nominations is January 15. http://www.nationalwetlandsawards.org

PA Schoolyard Wetland Habitat Grants

Environmental Concern is now accepting applications for grants of up to $2,000 for schoolyard wetland habitat construction and training under the WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands & POW! Program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The sites can be schools or education centers, but must be in Pennsylvania and within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The funding would cover the design, construction and planting of the wetland. Separate grant monies cover the educator trainings, consultation fees and travel costs. There are slots available for this school year, and more next year. http://www.wetland.org/education_pow.htm

PA REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits

The Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission approved the guidelines and applications needed to apply for the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) farm conservation tax credit. The Commission will begin accepting applications January 2. The REAP Program provides $10 million this fiscal year for agricultural Best Management Practices in the form of transferable or sponsored tax credits. Personal and business state tax credits ranging from 50 to 75 percent of the cost to install conservation practices like barnyard improvements, riparian buffers, no-till planting equipment, stream fencing and other practices will be available. Each farm enrolled in the program is eligible for up to $150,000 in transferable tax credits that can be used over a 15-year period or sold to other taxpayers. A business can earn tax credits by sponsoring projects on an eligible farm. http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=145155 

PA American Water Watershed Art Contest 

Pennsylvania American Water is accepting entries for its sixth annual Protect Our Watersheds art contest. Deadline for entries is February 8. Open to fifth-grade classes in schools served by Pennsylvania American Water or to individual fifth-graders who live in communities served by the company, the contest encourages students to utilize their artistic talents to express the importance of protecting Pennsylvania's watersheds and water resources. As part of the entry, students are asked to write a short description of how watershed protection impacts them personally.  http://www.amwater.com/awpr1/paaw/newsroom/press_releases/page16194.html

Five Star Restoration Challenge Grants

The 2008 Five Star Restoration Challenge Grant Program is currently accepting applications until February 15. The Five Star Program provides financial assistance to support community-based wetland, riparian and coastal habitat restoration projects that build diverse partnerships and foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach and training activities. Funding is available nationwide, but applicants in Calif., Ala., Ga., Fla. and Miss. are especially encouraged to apply due to special funding opportunities provided by the programs corporate sponsors.  http://www.nfwf.org/fivestar

USDA Conservation Innovation Grants

USDA NRCS invites responses to the request for proposals for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) in 2008. Proposals are due February 20. The CIG program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. There are three CIG categories available in FY 2008: Natural Resource Concerns, Technology, and Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will be accepting and reviewing the applications for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Category. Projects may be watershed-based, regional, multi-State, or nationwide in scope. CIG will fund projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations of technologies not already in common use in the project area. At least 50 percent of the total cost of the project must come from non-Federal matching funds (cash and in-kind contributions) provided by the grantee. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/releases/2007/2008cigsignup.html 

Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants

The Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program provides grants to organizations and local governments working on a local level to protect and improve watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay basin, while building citizen-based resource stewardship. The Small Watershed Grants Program has been designed to encourage the development and sharing of innovative ideas among the many organizations wishing to be involved in watershed protection activities. Proposals are due February 29. For more information, visit the Small Watershed grants page.

EPA Community Organization Pollution Reduction Grants

Through its Community Action for a Renewed Environmental (CARE) program, EPA is currently accepting proposals to support community-based partnerships. Proposals are due by March 17. EPA will conduct three conference calls on January 18, February 11 and February 27 for prospective applicants to ask questions about the application process. CARE is a competitive grant program that offers an innovative way for communities to organize and take action to reduce toxic pollution in their air, land and water. EPA anticipates awarding CARE cooperative agreements in two levels. Level I cooperative agreements range from $75,000 to $1000 and can be used to create community-based partnerships to develop local environmental priorities. Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities which already established broad-based partnerships, have identified the priority toxic risks in the community and are prepared to measure results, implement risk reduction activities and become self-sustaining. http://www.epa.gov/care 

American Rivers & NOAA Community-Based Restoration Program River Grants

For fiscal year 2008, NOAA has awarded American Rivers $800,000 to distribute through the Community-Based Restoration grants program. Stream barrier removal projects in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Northwest and California are eligible to apply. This funding is provided through the NOAA Open Rivers Initiative, which seeks to enable environmental and economic renewal in local communities through the removal of stream barriers and realized benefits to diadromous fish species. Grants are provided for three distinct project phases: Feasibility Analysis, Engineering Design, and Construction. Average grants will be $25,000 - $50,000. Successful applicants for one project phase will not be eligible to receive additional funding for that same project phase in future grant rounds. The next proposal deadline is early April 2008. http://www.americanrivers.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AMR_content_63c9&JServSessionIdr009=jn1vg0e142.app6b

PA Water Resources Education Project Grants

The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Water Resources Education Network is now inviting applications for Water Resources Education (WREN) Project Grants of up to $5,000 per project. Applications are due April 2. Educational projects that raise awareness about protecting the community’s drinking water sources and/or preventing nonpoint source pollution in the watershed are eligible. Projects must aim at building an informed citizenry who will protect water resources with actions at home, at work, and within the community, including encouraging local officials to make decisions that will promote clean water. Projects require partnerships of organizations in Pennsylvania such as watershed associations, civic groups, community water systems, governmental entities (including municipal authorities), and other public interest organizations. http://wren.palwv.org/grants/local.html

Events 
(Click on an event for more information)

EPA Watershed Webcasts EPA’s Watershed Academy sponsors monthly Webcasts, audio versions of which are available on their website. The next Webcast, "The Wastewater Information System Tool (TWIST) for Managing Decentralized Systems," will be held on January 16. Past Webcast topics include Smart Growth, AMD and Art, EPA's STORET system, 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: February 19-20 - Cumberland / Franklin Counties March 18-19 - McKean County  http://www.mri.psu.edu/centers/cdgrs/calendar/calendar.html NJ Rahway River Watershed Conference The Rahway River Association is presenting the State of the Rahway River Watershed Conference in Union, NJ on January 12. The conference will discuss ways to preserve sufficient open space as wildlife habitat, protect natural resources, and maintain water quality as a potable source while under pressure to increase urbanization in the Rahway River watershed. http://www.rahwayriver.org/current_events/current_events.htm  NJ Highlands Master Plan Public Hearings On November 26, The Highlands Council released a Final Draft Master Plan (RMP) for final public comment. Once the Plan is adopted, the towns and counties within the Highlands region will begin the process of conforming their planning, zoning and land use regulations with the goal of protecting the valuable resources of the Highlands region. The Council has scheduled three public hearings at which the public may speak. Speakers are limited to three minutes or less. The three public hearings are scheduled for February 6, 4 p.m., Morristown, NJ February 11, 6 p.m., Paterson, NJ February 13, 6:30 p.m., Glen Gardner, NJ Written comments may also be submitted. For more information, visit www.highlands.state.nj.us/njhighlands/master/  DC Smart Growth Conference The 7th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth: Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communities Conference will be held on February 7-9 in Washington, DC. The program will include a dynamic mix of plenaries, interactive breakouts, implementation workshops, specialized trainings, and optional tours of local model projects. http://www.newpartners.org PA Green Economy Presentation Environmental leader Van Jones will talk about the national "green-collar jobs" initiative at a presentation February 21 at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Working with the Apollo Alliance and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Jones is promoting the initiative that he hopes will create “green pathways out of poverty,” while greatly expanding the coalition fighting global warming. The presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be preceded by a reception at 6 p.m. RSVP is required. E-mail rwall@ansp.org.  http://www.ansp.org/townsquare/index.php  International Conference on Stormwater and Urban Water Systems Modeling The annual International Conference on Stormwater and Urban Water Systems Modeling will be held on February 21-22 in Toronto, Ontario. The conference is a forum for professionals from across North America and overseas to exchange ideas and experience on current practices and emerging technologies. Topics include hydrology, hydraulics, water quality and receiving waters, from precipitation processes, runoff, pollutant build-up, washoff, surcharging pipe networks, and water distribution systems, to pollutant removal and impacts on aquatic ecosystems. http://www.computationalhydraulics.com/Training/Conferences/conferencetoronto.html  PA Keystone Coldwater Conference The annual Keystone Coldwater Conference will be held on February 22-23 in State College, PA. This year's conference will focus on the protection and management of Pennsylvania's headwater ecosystems and highlight the emerging research and successful partnerships that keep our headwater streams healthy. An optional afternoon hands-on workshop on headwater taxonomy and field identification is also being offered. http://www.coldwaterheritage.org/coldwaterconference.htm  PA Wild Resources Symposium The Western PA Nature Center Roundtable is sponsoring the Pennsylvania Wild Resources Symposium on February 28 at the Powdermill Nature Reserve in Allegheny County. Broaden your knowledge of Pennsylvania’s native flora and fauna and learn about important research and protection programs. Sessions include: integrating herpetology into the classroom, honey bees and colony collapse disorder, restoring American Chestnut trees and on the trail of the Indiana bat. http://www.aswp.org/pwrs.html  PA Association for Environmental Education Conference  "LEEAP IN! Linking Environmental Education and Play in Nature," is the theme of the 2008 PA Association of Environmental Education Conference set for February 28 - March 2 in Ligonier, Pa. Conference tracks include Human Health and the Environment, Best Practices in the Field, Outdoor Family Fun, and EE in the Classroom. A full complement of workshops, on-site field studies, and off-site field experiences will be offered throughout the weekend, along with exhibits, entertainers, great food, and conference fun! Participants will also experience Flow Learning-- a powerful tool to lead people from their present level of awareness into closer contact with nature. http://www.paee.net/conferencenext.html Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference, Shad Symposium The Wildlands Conservancy will hold the 2008 Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference and Shad Symposium on March 28 in Fogelsville, PA. The conference will discuss effective ways to clean up watersheds, forge partnerships and maximize the resources in the Lehigh Valley. A special Shad Symposium will also be held in conjunction with the Conference to address topics of interest in the restoration of the American Shad to the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=8086&SubjectID= KY Urban Water Management Conference Urban Water Management, an Integrated Water Quality Conference & Exhibition, will be held on March 31 - April 2 in Louisville, KY. The conference will focus on the integration of Stormwater BMPs, Phase II regulations, green infrastructure, and funding of municipal water management programs. It will cover design, construction, maintenance and emerging technology for urban water quality. http://www.urbanwatermgt.com  PA Rural Water Association Conference The Pennsylvania Rural Water Association will host its annual conference on April 1-4 at The Penn Stater Conference Center in State College. The conference will offer 42 water and wastewater classes, more than 120 industry exhibitors, and many special events including the PRWA Tribute to Excellence Awards Banquet. The 2008 Annual Conference is also a celebration of PRWA’s 20th Anniversary. Water and wastewater operators, managers, and board members are encouraged to attend the full week of classes and events which will provide a unique opportunity to learn from fellow water and wastewater professionals in Pennsylvania. http://www.prwa.com/v2/conference/2008/index.asp National River Rally River Rally 2008 will be held May 2-6 in Huron, OH. http://www.rivernetwork.org/rally/index.php National WQ Monitoring Conference The National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC) is hosting its 6th conference, Monitoring: Key to Understanding Our Waters, in Atlantic City, NJ on May18-22. The conference will focus on seven themes that highlight the importance of monitoring in achieving the goal of clean water for all. Especially integral to effective monitoring networks are the “3C’s” of the Council’s Framework for Monitoring — Communication, Collaboration, and Coordination. www.wef.org/ConferencesTraining/Conferences/Co-sponsoredEvents/NatlMonitoringConf.htm NEIWPCC Annual Conference The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission’s (NEIWPCC) 19th Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference: “Progress through Partnerships: Collaborating to Protect Our Watersheds,” will be held on May 19-21 in Groton, Connecticut. www.neiwpcc.org/npsconference Society of Wetland Scientists International Conference  The Society of Wetland Scientists will be holding an International Conference on May 26-30 in Washington, DC. The theme for the 29th annual meeting, Capitalizing on Wetlands, highlights the need for integrating the breadth of wetland science, encompassing biogeography, conservation, ecology, hydrology, management, nutrient cycling and contamination, and wildlife biology with economics, public policy, and education. http://www.sws.org/2008_meeting

Link Of The Month

Combined Sewer Overflow Planning Tool

EPA recently released The Long-Term Control Plan-EZ (LTCP-EZ) Template: A Planning Tool for Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control in Small Communities. This new planning tool is designed for small communities that must develop an LTCP to address water pollution problems related to CSOs. This tool provides a framework for the organization and completion of an LTCP, including step-by-step instructions and a detailed template. www.epa.gov/npdes/cso. 

Integrating Water and Waste Programs Guidance

EPA has released a manual entitled "Integrating Water and Waste Programs to Restore Watersheds: A Guide for Federal and State Project Managers." This manual is targeted primarily to project managers or stakeholders in water and waste programs who are working on assessment or cleanup projects in watersheds contaminated by hazardous materials or waste. The goal of the manual is to enhance coordination across EPA and state waste and water programs by identifying opportunities for streamlining requirements, leveraging resources, and implementing restoration activities more efficiently. This manual provides valuable guidance and information to enable effective use of water and waste program authorities and resources to restore and protect watersheds.  http://www.epa.gov/superfund/resources/integrating.htm

Creating Sustainable Community Parks Guide

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has released a new publication, "Creating Sustainable Community Parks: A Guide to Improving Quality of Life by Protecting Natural Resources." This guidebook provides information for parks and communities to help them design, manage and maintain a park that promotes native plantings, uses environmentally-friendly maintenance practices, and creates wildlife habitat. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/GreeningPennsylvania.pdf 

Presentations from STORET/WQX Users Conference Online

Presentations from the 2007 STORET/WQX Users Conference in November 2007 are now available online. The conference provided an opportunity for users of EPA's STORET/WQX system to learn more about the new Water Quality Exchange (WQX) system. During the conference, users from state, tribal, interstate, academic, and watershed organizations also shared information about how they are using STORET/WQX to manage and share water quality monitoring data, including beach water quality data, and how they are integrating STORET with GIS mapping applications. http://www.epa.gov/storet/2007conf_proceedings.html 

CWP Releases Two Urban Subwatershed Restoration Manuals for Free Download

The Center for Watershed Protection is making its first two manuals of the Urban Subwatershed Restoration Manual Series, released in 2005, available permanently for free download. Manual 1, An Integrated Framework to Restore Small Urban Watersheds, examines the basic concepts and techniques of urban watershed restoration, and sets forth the overall framework used to evaluate subwatershed restoration potential. The second manual, Methods to Develop Restoration Plans for Small Urban Watersheds, outlines a practical, step-by-step approach to develop, adopt and implement a subwatershed plan in your community. http://www.cwp.org/PublicationStore/USRM.htm