F. X. Browne, Inc. Staff Provide Community Service

F. X. Browne, Inc. staff have been busy lately presenting papers, providing training, and doing volunteer work.

Dr. Frank Browne, P.E., company President, has been assisting PA DEP in training engineers in the use of the new Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, which was designed to minimize the adverse impacts of stormwater on groundwater and surface water resources (Dr. Browne also helped draft the manual.). He recently participated in a three-day DEP-sponsored workshop to train PA DEP and Conservation District staff in the use of the manual.

F. X. Browne, Inc.'s Megan LeBoon presented a paper on Stormwater Management at the World Environmental & Water Resources Congress in Tampa, FL. Megan was also recently appointed to the American Society of Civil Engineer's Stormwater Infrastructure Committee.

Tiffany Barnes, F. X. Browne, Inc. laboratory manager, volunteered to provide free stream surveying services for Pocono Creek, Brodhead Creek and Slateford Creek for PA DEP's Watershed Snapshot 2007, an Earth Day Survey of Pennsylvania's water bodies and watersheds. The work involved conducting stream assessments including water quality, stream order and type, visual assessments and characteristics, riparian zone survey, land use survey, and macro-invertebrate survey, and reporting the results to DEP.

Rebecca Buerkett, F. X. Browne, Inc. project scientist, volunteered to conduct a stream ecology workshop at the Adirondack Park Visitor's Interpretive Center in Paul Smiths, NY, as part of their Saturdays Are For Kids program. The children watched an interactive presentation on stream ecology and then trooped down to the stream to catch and analyze macroinvertebrates.

Study Places Values on New Jersey’s Natural Assets

A recent report by economists commissioned by the New Jersey DEP attempts to put a dollar value on the state’s natural resources. 

According to the report, the Pine Barrens have an environmental value of about $1,476 per acre per year, based on their ability to provide the earth with water, animal habitat, and pollination. Beaches like Sandy Hook and Sea Girt, with their environmentally essential sand dunes, had the highest value per acre per year, about $42,000. New Jersey’s cities, which occupy more acreage than almost any other topography in the state, had no environmental value, except for parks, playgrounds and other occasional green spaces. Neither did the rest stops on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Wetlands in Florida, another recent study reported, are worth $11.3 billion each year, or about $3,190 per acre, just for storm protection. In New York, where wetlands are much scarcer, the total is $271 million, or about $20,691 per acre per year. Advocates of such studies of “natural capital” or “ecosystem services” call it a way to give greater legitimacy to environmental arguments, and make people realize more fully what they give up if they sacrifice nature. 

NYTimes, May 21, 2007 From Beaches to Pine Barrens, a Study Puts Values on New Jersey’s ...

Maryland Enacts Stormwater Management Law

Maryland has enacted a law that sets higher standards for new development to reduce stormwater runoff.

The Stormwater Management Act of 2007 is a fiscally neutral bill that applies to all new major development. It requires developers to use environmental site design as the primary method for managing stormwater, and requires no net increase in runoff from a development site. The legislation requires cities and counties to update archaic local zoning codes to allow for low impact design techniques. In also directs the Maryland Department of the Environment to study and recommend the implementation of an appropriate fee schedule to increase enforcement of stormwater laws. The department must also create a comprehensive process for permitting development that will protect state waters from the first groundbreaking to the final stages of development and beyond. "Controlling storm water isn't sexy," said Maryland State Senator James Rosapepe. "But it's critical to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay." http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2007/2007-05-10-09.asp#anchor5 

Environment News Service, May 9, 2007

Stormwater Tax Sought in Virginia

Richmond, VA Mayor L. Douglas Wilder is proposing a new tax on every Richmond property owner to solve the city's stormwater drainage and water quality problems.

The mayor's proposal includes a flat $89 annual fee for every homeowner, with higher rates for businesses and nonprofit organizations depending on the expected stormwater runoff from roofs and pavement on their properties. The fees would generate about $15 million in net revenue each year to pay for drainage improvements, maintenance of ditches and catch basins, and enforcement of water-quality regulations. Almost three-fourths of the money would come from businesses and nonprofit groups, although they would be able to cut their annual fees by up to 50 percent if they can reduce the quantity or improve the quality of stormwater runoff from their properties. 

Richmond Times Dispatch – May 4, 2007

Policy Update

Grant Programs 
(Click on a grant for more information)

Tulpehocken, Quittapahilla Creek Watershed Grants

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

PADEP Composting Infrastructure Development Grants 

The PADEP is now accepting applications for Composting Infrastructure Development Grant Program. Applications are due June 28. For-profit business entities and nonprofit organizations are eligible for grants on a competitive basis to increase the quantity of yard and/or food wastes collected and processed in the Commonwealth. DEP will award grants of up to $100,000 to any one project.  http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/landrecwaste/cwp/view.asp?a=1338&q=469423

National Environmental Education Award Nominations 

The National Environmental Education Foundation is now accepting nominations for the Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award. Nominations and letters of support are due June 30. The Award will be awarded to an outstanding educator who has successfully integrated environmental education into his or her daily education programs. A $5,000 cash award will be provided to this outstanding educator for his or her continued work in environmental education. http://www.neefusa.org/bartlett/nominate.htm 

EPA Targeted Brownfields Assessment Grants- Upper Schuylkill River

Targeted Brownfield Assessments (TBAs) funding is available for qualified Upper Schuylkill River Watershed acid mine drainage impacted mine-scarred lands having redevelopment potential. This source of direct funding can be used by a municipality or redevelopment authority to facilitate the cleanup and reuse of formerly contaminated (brownfields) properties. http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/facts/tba_0403.pdf

PA DCNR Grants for Protecting Non-Game Species

People and organizations who work to protect Pennsylvania’s non-game animals, native plants and their habitat are invited to apply for a share of $1 million in grants from the Wild Resource Conservation Program. Applications are due June 30 for work to be performed between January 2008 and June 2009. The program supports research and protection efforts to conserve Pennsylvania’s diverse native wildlife resources, including bird and mammal species, amphibians and reptiles, insects and wild plants. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcf/2007grant/welcome.aspx

Delaware Estuary Watershed Grants Program

The Delaware Estuary Watershed Grants Program (DEWGP) provides support to organizations working on a local level to protect and improve watersheds in the estuary, while building citizen-based resource stewardship. Under the 2007 DEWGP, grants of $20,000 to $75,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that provide for physical restoration of habitat and/or demonstrate innovative or regional approaches for improving the Delaware Estuary Watersheds. Public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations, educational institutions, and local and state government are eligible to apply. A remote workshop for prospective applicants will be held June 27, and applications must be postmarked by July 27.  http://www.nfwf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Browse_All_Programs&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=3796

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. On June 21, the Academy will host a Webcast on EPA’s water quality data STOrage and RETrieval (STORET) system. Past Webcast topics include TMDLs and trading through the National Estuary Program, the Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) Program, Brownfields Redevelopment, Watershed-based NPDES Permitting, Integrating Wetlands into Watershed Protection; Sustainable Financing for Watershed Groups; Phase II Stormwater; Low Impact Development Strategies, Tools, and Techniques for Sustainable Watersheds; and Eight Tools for Watershed Protection in Developing Areas.  http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts U.S. EPA’s Stormwater Webcast Series The US EPA will be holding the following stormwater webcasts: July 11 - Jennifer Zielinski, P.E. will follow-up last year’s IDDE webcast with Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) 201  September 5 - Dave Hirschman will sponsor the Post-Construction 201 webcast  http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/outreach.cfm?program_id=0&otype=1 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: June 26-27 - Clarion / Armstrong Counties July - TBD August 21-22 - Lackawanna County September 10-12 - 2007 Dirt and Gravel Roads Workshop  http://www.mri.psu.edu/centers/cdgrs/calendar/calendar.html PA Protecting Public Drinking Water Workshop PA DEP's Southeast Regional Office invites interested citizens to a workshop on June 13 to learn how they can better protect their communities' water supplies from contamination. Titled, “Protecting Public Drinking Water: Source Water Protection Solutions,” the workshop will be held at the Peace Valley Nature Center, Doylestown, Bucks County. The workshop will explore how communities can prevent contamination by reviewing and updating their source water assessments, making informed decisions about land use and open space preservation, and involving the public as a partner in protection. Pre-registration is required at http://www.drinkingwaterwise.org.  PA Tax Incentives for Preserving Land Workshop The Wildlands Conservancy will host another in its series of Tax Incentive Workshops on June 14 on the limited-time tax incentives now available to landowners who preserve their property during 2007. The workshop will be held at the Upper Saucon Township Municipal Building, Lehigh County, PA. WEF Watershed Management Webcast The Water Environment Federation (WEF) will host a free webcast entitled Case Studies: Innovative Approaches to Watershed Management on June 14. Learn from your peers how watershed-based approaches can promote sustainability in your utility, your municipality and the environment; increase your return on dollars spent, and address more regulatory issues with more efficient actions. An interactive panel discussion with the speakers will include time for audience questions.  http://www.wef.org/ConferencesTraining/TrainingProfessionalDevelopment/Webcasts/WatershedMgmtCaseStudies  Tri-State Best Practices in Brownfield Redevelopment Conference On June 15, the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut Chapters of the National Brownfield Associations (NBA) will be hosting their second annual Tri-State Conference at the New York Law School. The conference includes two plenary sessions, roundtables, and panel discussions covering topics such as the evolution of brownfield programs, myths and realities of engineering and institutional controls, municipal brownfield issues, brownfields to green development, challenges for the future, measuring success, and the myths and realities of getting deals done. http://www.brownfieldassociation.org/events/NY_061507.html  Great Green America Fest On July 13-15 the First Annual Great Green America Fest is scheduled to take place at Mount Hope Winery, in Lancaster County, PA. The festival is designed to promote sustainable living, healthy outdoor recreation, and reserving our native wildlife and plants. http://www.greatgreenamericafest.com/  PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference Pennsylvania’s premier conference on abandoned mine reclamation and acid mine drainage cleanup will be held in State College on July 20-21. This year's conference focuses on the following topics:  highlights of the federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund reauthorization, draft regulations and roundtable discussions; operation, maintenance and replacement for AMD treatment systems specifics; permitting considerations for AML/AMD projects; and presentations from the makers of new and proven treatment technologies. http://2007.treatminewater.com/  EPA 2007 Fish Forum EPA and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention are co-sponsoring the 2007 Fish Forum on July 23-26 in Portland, ME. Health and environmental officials will join other participants to talk about issues related to assessing and managing health risks associated with the consumption of contaminants in fish. Topics will include sampling and analysis of contaminants of emerging concern; risk assessment, toxicology, and chemical profiles; risk management and communication; health benefits; and biomonitoring. http://fishforum.rti.org/ 2007 Northeast Water Science Forum The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) is sponsoring the 2007 Northeast Water Science Forum - Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products: State of the Science on August 8-9 in Portland, ME. The primary goal of this conference is to bring together scientists, regulators, water and wastewater professionals, and other technical experts to disseminate and evaluate the latest research findings and technical data on pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the water environment. http://www.neiwpcc.org/ppcpconference  Wetlands 2007 The Wetlands 2007 National Symposium, "Watershed-Wide Strategies to Maximize Wetland Ecological and Social Services: Conserving Wetlands to Reduce Natural Hazards, Improve Water Quality, Protect Critical Headwaters, Maintain Biodiversity, and Protect and Restore Coastal Resources," will be held on August 28-30 at the Colonial Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center, Williamsburg, Virginia. This national symposium will examine scientific, legal and management tools available to assess, sustain and improve the ecological and social services provided by wetlands and related water resources. http://www.aswm.org/calendar/wetlands2007/wetlands2007.htm

Link Of The Month

Wetlands and Global Climate Change

The American Society of Wetland Managers (ASWM) has established a webpage to help wetland managers address the questions around how to reevaluate wetland management practices in consideration of global climate change. Sea level rise, carbon sequestration, global warming effects on wetland management, and invasive species are among the many topics represented on the website with respect to wetlands and climate change. The site includes links to scientific articles, researchers' websites, events, and other publications, as well as links to the various state climate change action plans. http://www.aswm.org/science/climate_change/climate_change.htm#top 

EPA Office of Water Releases Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox 

The EPA Office of Water has released the Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox, a comprehensive set of Web-based resources, designed to assist communities across the U.S. to conduct locally effective watershed education and outreach activities. The Toolbox includes a searchable catalog of nearly 800 print, radio, and TV ads and outreach materials. This repository of contemporary materials is designed to meet the needs of stormwater professionals to develop messages and products for their own communities. The Toolbox also includes EPA's publication "Getting in Step - A Guide to Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns," as well as a comprehensive collection of surveys and evaluations of outreach programs from around the country. http://www.epa.gov/nps/toolbox/

Rapanos Essays Published by Vermont Law School’s Land Use Institute

The Vermont Law School's Land Use Institute has published online a series of essays entitled, "The Supreme Court and the Clean Water Act: Five Essays." The essays, by distinguished environmental law scholars Jonathan Adler, Kim Connolly, Roy Gardner, Steve Johnson, and Mark Latham, review the decision of the Supreme Court in Rapanos v. United States and offer suggestions as to its impact on the continuing regulatory roles of the Corps of Engineers and EPA. http://www.vjel.org/books/PUBS10004.html 

WEF Third-Party TMDL Toolkit Released

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has released a new Tool Kit for the development of third-party TMDLs. A third-party TMDL is a TMDL in which an organization or group other than the lead water quality agency takes responsibility for developing the TMDL document and supporting analysis. Third parties such as watershed management groups, industries, municipalities, utilities, local and state environmental regulators, planning agencies, universities, and other stakeholders are often very familiar with local watershed issues. They can provide valuable insights to the TMDL process and may be able to help leverage state funds, as well as the resources and expertise of other agencies and non-governmental organizations. http://www.wef.org/ThirdPartyTMDL 

F. X. Browne, Inc. is experienced in TMDL development. For more information, contact us at info@fxbrowne.com.

New EPA Environmental Stewards Website Launched

The U.S. EPA recently launched a new Environmental Stewardship website to help business, government and private citizens make intelligent choices on sustainable environmental benefits. The website will enable users to find EPA partnership programs, such as the Energy Star energy saving program, which best align with their needs and interests. Businesses can search for EPA programs based on their industrial category, environmental issue of interest, and geographic area. The website also provides information links individuals can use to protect the environment in different settings, such as home, work, school and shopping.  http://www.epa.gov/stewardship/