PA DEP, DCNR Release Letter Comparing Growing Greener II and Green PA Proposals

The Pennsylvania departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) have received numerous requests for detailed analysis of the House Republicans' recently released Green PA plan, as well as a comparison of that plan to Governor Rendell's Growing Greener II initiative.

DEP and DCNR are releasing, with permission, a Feb. 11 letter sent to several environmental groups and conservation organizations that requested assistance in understanding more clearly the details of the two proposals. Enacting a measure to put the $800 million Growing Greener II initiative on the spring ballot remains a top priority of the administration to enhance the economic and environmental health of Pennsylvania.

http://www.depesf.state.pa.us/news/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=453148 More 20 democratic representatives are calling for the dismissal of the Republican proposed Green PA Plan.

Colorado Scientists Find Chemicals in Waters

Scientists have discovered that the byproducts of such everyday compounds as anti-bacterial hand soap or bug spray are winding up in streams and groundwater in remote spots in the Colorado mountains.

The study was intended as a starting point for more study of how dozens of chemicals are entering waterways and the potential impacts on people and the environment. The scientists expected to find chemicals associated with detergents, disinfectants and pesticides in urban waterways, but were surprised to find some of them in more remote areas. Some of the chemicals included fire retardants, caffeine, steroids, prescription drugs, insecticides and pesticides. Possible sources include feed lots, industrial sites, wastewater treatment plants, septic systems and water runoff. http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/10684652.htm

January 19, 2005, Associated Press

River Erosion Lowering Water Levels on Lake Michigan, Lake Huron

Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are losing vast amounts of water because of erosion from a decades-old dredging project, according to a new study.

The lakes, connected geologically, saw levels drop when a commercial navigation channel was dug at the bottom of the St. Clair River in 1962, boosting the flow south toward Lake Erie. But, according to a recent report, previously undetected erosion has made the channel more than 60 feet deep in some places - twice as deep as needed for shipping. Since the first channels were dredged on the St. Clair River in 1860, levels on the lakes have fallen a total of 32 inches, the report said, and the problem only will worsen unless corrected. Government officials said they need more time to study the report but noted Great Lakes levels have fluctuated constantly for a variety of reasons since the mid-1800s.

http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=6992

January 25, 2005, Associated Press

Ping Pong Ball Saves NY Wetland

A floating ping pong ball and the threat of a lawsuit convinced the Army Corps of Engineers that a small wetland in New York State qualifies for federal protection.

New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer threatened to sue in November after the corps said a proposed housing project near the 19-acre wetland in Lysander was not subject to the Clean Water Act since the swamp did not drain into a large body of water covered by the law. On Thursday, the corps reversed its stance, after a ping pong ball that Spitzer's staff placed in the wetland floated to the Seneca River. http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2005/jan/jan20b_05.html

January 21, 2005, Associated Press

The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, the US EPA and the PA DEP recently signed an agreement to voluntarily disclose violations found through environmental compliance audits conducted by member schools. http://www.dep.state.pa.us/newsreleases/default.asp?ID=3253&varQueryType=Detail

The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) recently announced their list of top priorities for 2005, including support for legislation allowing a real estate transfer fee to be used to purchase agriculture easements and open space lands.

http://www.pacounties.org/commissioners/cwp/view.asp?Q=496856&A=1155

The US EPA and NOAA have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that creates a formal partnership. The two agencies agreed to work together to help coastal communities grow in ways that benefit the economy, public health, and the environment. http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/noaamoa.html

Between August 2003 and August 2004, 753 miles of streambank and shoreline in the Chesapeake Bay watershed were planted with riparian forest buffers bringing the cumulative total to 3,791 miles restored since 1996. http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status.cfm?sid=83 

The NJ DEP announced $35 million for water reuse projects. The projects will allow treated wastewater to be used to water lawns at Atlantic City casinos and flush toilets in two state parks. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/newsrel/2005/05_0006.htm

California's state EPA (Cal/EPA) was recently the first in the nation to agree to assess cumulative impacts of multiple pollutants, and to adopt the precautionary principle to guide all its work. http://www.calepa.ca.gov/EnvJustice/

The National Weather Service has revised 40-year-old rainfall estimates for the Doylestown, Quakertown and Willow Grove region of Pennsylvania. The new data say that a 100-year storm lasting 24 hours could bring as much as a half-inch more rain than previously thought. http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-02172005-451733.html#top

 Grant Programs 
(Click on a grant for more information)

PA Emergency Watershed Protection Grants

The USDA announced that Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) funding would be available in Pennsylvania for locally-sponsored watershed protection projects resulting from recent floods and other natural disasters such as tornadoes, fires, drought and hurricanes.  EWP funds can address public safety and restoration efforts on private lands and are used to remove debris, restore eroded streambanks, re-seed burned areas, and take related steps to mitigate threats to people and property from impaired watersheds.  Contact your local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service for more information or go to the EWP webpage.

F. X. Browne, Inc. can assist with the application and implementation process for streambank restoration and other watershed protection projects.  Please contact info@fxbrowne.com for more information.

NJ OFFERS COMPUTER MAPPING TO NON-PROFITS AND TOWNS

The New Jersey Office of Information Technology has announced the addition of the Initiative for Community Access to Technology (ICAT) to the state's existing GIS assistance program. Eligible nonprofit organizations and environmental commissions are supplied with ESRI software, training, and literature as well as instructor-led OGIS metadata training and ongoing state support through a two-year assessment process.

https://njgin.state.nj.us/oit/gis/NJ_NJGINExplorer/docs/Application.pdf

PA Streambank Restoration Funding

The Stroud Water Research Center, in conjunction with the NRCS, has initiated a new Riparian Buffer Program in Berks and Lebanon counties of Pennsylvania. The Program provides free technical assistance as well as a cost share for purchasing plants and trees. Funding is also available for fencing to exclude livestock, stream crossings, and streambank restoration. Eligible applicants include property owners on residential, commercial, or industrial lands that include creeks or streams which are not completely forested. http://www.stroudcenter.org/research/riparianbuffer.htm

Western PA Watershed Protection Project Grants

The Western Pennsylvania Watershed Protection Program is seeking applications for the next round of grants by March 15. Projects should target a priority protection or restoration watershed area; engage local leadership and promote community collaboration; develop and communicate best management practices and technologies for replication; and work from a DCNR Rivers Conservation Plan.

http://www.wpawp.org/html/applying_for_a_grant.htm

USFWS Private Stewardship Grants Program

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking proposals for private lands conservation funding through its Private Stewardship Grants Program.  This program provides Federal grants to individuals and groups engaged in voluntary conservation efforts on private lands that benefit imperiled species. This includes federally listed endangered or threatened species as well as proposed, candidate, and other at-risk species. Grant applications are due on March 21.  http://endangered.fws.gov/grants/private_stewardship.html

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Riparian Buffer Plant Give-Away

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is offering free riparian buffer plants for qualifying groups and projects in the Pennsylvania portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Applications will be accepted through March 28. Applications received after that date will be filled as plant availability allows. Certain restrictions apply. 

http://www.depesf.state.pa.us/news/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=452686

EPA Region 2 Wetland Program Development Grants

Government entities and nonprofit organizations in EPA Region 2 (NY, NJ, PR, VI) are invited to submit proposals for several grant programs due in the upcoming months, including Conservation Challenge Grants (due March 15), Pollution Prevention Grants (Initial Proposals due March 15), and Wetland Protection Project Grants (due April 11).

http://www.epa.gov/region02/grants/index.html

EPA Region 3 Solid Waste Management Assistance Grants

EPA Region 3 (DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV) is soliciting pre-proposals for grants or cooperative agreements that address solid waste generation and management issues at the local, state, regional and/or national levels. These innovative projects should focus on reducing the generation and disposal of municipal solid waste, especially paper and food waste, through reuse, recycling, composting, market development or product stewardship. Most awards are for less than $15,000 and approximately $40,000 is available. Pre-proposals are due March 25. http://www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/solidwastegrants.htm .

NJ Watershed Action Grants

With generous support from the William Penn Foundation, The Conservation Fund will award Watershed Action Grants this spring to nonprofit organizations and their partners in targeted watersheds in New Jersey. Projects should implement recommendations from conservation plans to protect watersheds, improve water quality, and promote watershed stewardship. Grant awards will range from $2,000 -- $20,000, with the majority of grants around $5,000. Grant applications must be postmarked by March 28.

http://www.conservationfund.org/?article=2829

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Innovation Grants

The US Department of Agriculture announced that up to $5 million is available in fiscal year 2005 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Potential applicants include state and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, tribes and individuals. Grants will fund projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations to help develop, test, implement and transfer innovative environmental solutions. Applications are due on March 28. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/  

State-Fish Art Contest

The 7th Annual Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest, sponsored by Wildlife Forever, is open to all students in grades 4 through 12. To enter, young artists nationwide create an illustration of their state-fish. A written composition on its behavior, habitat, and efforts to conserve it is also required. Entries are due March 31. The winning artwork will be reproduced as a conservation stamp, and proceeds from the stamp will be used to fund conservation projects across America. The winners will also be invited to join Wildlife Forever at the State-Fish Art Expo July 2 and 3 at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. http://www.statefishart.com

Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund Grants

The Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund (GLAHNF) grant program provides financial support for advocacy activities that strengthen the role of individuals and community groups working locally to protect and restore shorelines, inland lakes, rivers, wetlands, and other aquatic habitats in the Great Lakes Basin. The grant deadline is March 31. http://www.glhabitat.org/grants.html

PA American Water Grants

PA American Water is offering grants to organizations within their service areas in eastern Pennsylvania. The program will award grants up to $10,000 for innovative, community based environmental projects that improve, restore, or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies in the communities that PA American Water serves. The application deadline is April 1. 

http://www.amwater.com/awpr/paaw/news/news4115.html

PA Water Resources Education Network Grants

The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, Citizen Education Fund is accepting applications for its Water Resources Education Network (WREN) Grants. Educational projects must raise awareness about protecting the community’s drinking water source waters and/or preventing nonpoint source pollution in the watershed. Projects should include local government involvement and encourage behavior change. Grant awards are for up to $5,000 per project. Applications are due on April 1. http://www.pa.lwv.org/wren

PA DEP Resource Recovery Demonstration Grants

PA DEP is currently accepting applications for Resource Recovery Demonstration Grants from counties, municipalities and municipal authorities within Pennsylvania. Projects must be capable of demonstrating, for a minimum of two years, the production of energy or the recovery of materials from solid waste, except sewage sludge.

The application deadline is April 7. http://www.dep.state.pa.us/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=9785&SubjectID=

American Rivers-NOAA Community-Based Restoration Program River Grants

American Rivers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Community-based Restoration Program provides financial and technical assistance for dam removal and fish passage projects in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and California.  Application deadlines are on April 1 and November 12 of each calendar year. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact American Rivers to discuss potential projects prior to submitting an application. http://www.amrivers.org/index.php?module=HyperContent&func=display&cid=771

PA Boating Facilities Grant Program

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is offering a new grants program for county and municipal governments interested in the planning, acquisition, development, expansion, or rehabilitation of public boating facilities. Schools, non-profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations and service clubs are not eligible for direct funding but can apply through their local government for funding. Successful applicants must provide a 25% grant match and be willing to enter into a long-term agreement to keep the facility open to free public use for its useful life. The deadline for applications is April 30. http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/newsreleases/2005/grant_boat_fac.htm

NY Bond Act Grants

Grant applications are now being accepted for Bond Act projects throughout New York. Three different programs are accepting applications: Water Quality Improvement Projects (WQIP), the New York City Watershed Protection Program, and the New York State Clean Vessel Act Program. The deadline for all three programs is April 29. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/bondact/bamenu.html  F. X. Browne, Inc. can provide technical assistance to your community or organization in writing grant applications, and consulting or implementing the project once funding is granted. Contact F. X. Browne, Inc. at info@fxbrowne.com. 

Why is Easter on a Different Day Each Year and How Do They Figure That Out?

Easter has been celebrated without interruption since New Testament times. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica:

...western Christians celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after the full moon (the paschal moon) that occurs on or next after the vernal equinox on March 21. If the paschal moon (which is calculated from a system of golden numbers and epacts and does not necessarily coincide with the astronomical full moon) occurs on a Sunday, Easter is the following Sunday.

Using this method, Easter can only occur between March 22 and April 25.

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