Even though it seems like winter will never end, it's time to think positively and start looking forward to the 2006 PA River Sojourns! A river sojourn is a paddling getaway involving several temporary stops along a creek, river, or stream. Participants engage in educational presentations while participating in these multi-day paddling adventures. Participants are invited to paddle the entire event (3-9 days) or just a day or two. As the summer season gets closer, be sure to monitor the official POWR sojourn web page for continuous updates at http://www.pawatersheds.org/sojourn/index.asp . For a list of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay 2006 Soujorns, visit http://www.acb-online.org/project.cfm?vid=259 .

New Tools and Publications

New Tool for Determining Cause of Ecological Harm to Rivers and Streams 

The U.S. EPA released a new web-based tool, the Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS), which simplifies determining the cause of contamination in impaired rivers, streams and estuaries. CADDIS provides a standardized and easily accessible system to help scientists find, use and share information to determine the causes of aquatic impairment. Causal analyses look at stressor-response relationships. Typical water stressors include excess fine sediments, nutrients, or toxic substances. Future versions of CADDIS will include modules to quantify stressor-response relationships, and databases and syntheses of relevant literature on sediments and toxic metals. http://cfpub.epa.gov/caddis/

LID Educational Film Available on DVD

Reining in the Storm-One Building at a Time, a 30-minute educational film, defines in simple terms the basic principles of low impact development (LID), the need for LID, and LID's environmental and economic benefits. The film features elected officials, developers, local government staff, homeowners, and others who successfully adopted LID practices. Although made for Virginia, the film can be modified or supplemented to make it more directly relevant to other states (for example, Massachusetts modified the film for their state by adding 15 minutes of local LID information). For state contacts who may be interested in developing and replicating a large supply of the DVD for distribution throughout their state, contact Sarah King, VA Department of Conservation and Recreation, at 804-225-3785 or by e-mail at sarah.king@dcr.virginia.gov .

EPA Nonpoint Source Abatement Guidance Published

EPA recently published National Management Measures to Protect and Restore Wetlands and Riparian Areas for the Abatement of Nonpoint Source Pollution, a technical guidance and reference document for use in the implementation of nonpoint source pollution management programs. The new guidance contains information on the best available, economically achievable means of reducing nonpoint source pollution through the protection and restoration of wetlands and riparian areas, as well as the implementation of vegetated treatment systems. http://www.epa.gov/nps/wetmeasures . You may request a free hardcopy of this guidance by contacting the National Service Center for Environmental Publications via phone at 800-490-9198 or via the Web at www.epa.gov/ncepihom and specifying publication # EPA 841-B-05-003.

EPA Releases Four New Smart Growth Publications

The US EPA recently released four new publications regarding Smart Growth. Protecting Water Resources with Higher-Density Development (EPA publication 231-R-06-001) describes a study intended to help communities better understand the impacts of higher and lower density developments on water resources. Using Smart Growth Techniques as Stormwater Best Management Practices (EPA publication 231-B-05-00) reviews nine common smart growth techniques and examines how they can be used to prevent or manage stormwater runoff. Growing Toward More Efficient Water Use: Linking Development, Infrastructure, and Drinking Water Policies (EPA publication 230-R-06-001) focuses on the relationship between development patterns, water use, and the cost of water delivery. It concludes with policy options for states, localities, and utilities that directly reduce the cost and demand for water, while indirectly promoting smart growth. Parking Spaces / Community Places: Finding the Balance through Smart Growth Solutions (EPA publication 231-K-06-001) highlights proven approaches that balance parking with broader community goals. http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/ 

New USGS Web-Based Tool Calculates Groundwater Recharge in Pennsylvania 

The U. S. Geological Survey has made available a new web-based tool that helps users estimate groundwater recharge rates for areas throughout Pennsylvania where streamflow data are available.The recharge estimates were computed based on two automated streamflow hydrograph methods, which are explained in the recently published report, "Estimates of Groundwater Recharge Based on Streamflow-Hydrograph Methods: Pennsylvania." The Estimates of Ground-Water Recharge website allows users to select watersheds by clicking on a map or from a list and provides recharge rates from both estimation methods in tabular and graphic form. The site also includes information on land use and geology. http://pa.water.usgs.gov/recharge/index.html