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F. X. Browne, Inc. |
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Lake and Watershed News |
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March 2006 |
I knew the stars, the
flowers, and the birds,
The grey and wintry sides of many glens,
And did but half remember human words,
In converse with the mountains, moors, and
fens.
from Prelude by J.M.Synge, Irish poet and playwright
Topic of the Month
Watershed Investigations Are a Crucial First Step in Watershed Restoration Planning
When a lake has problems, it is important to look beyond the algae scum and determine the underlying source(s) of the problem. A good first step is to perform watershed investigations, also known as watershed inventories, to identify nonpoint sources of pollution.
Watershed investigations can be used to detect stormwater management opportunities, streambank erosion problems, riparian buffer restoration opportunities, agricultural BMP implementation sites, invasive species infestations, and other potential sources of water quality problems. Inventories are often done by volunteers under the direction and training of a lake manager or other water quality professional. Soliciting input from watershed residents is critical since "the locals" often know about problem areas that exist on private property or that are otherwise not easily discerned in a roadside survey. County Conservation Districts and other local agencies can also be helpful in identifying potential problem areas
Watershed investigations are usually performed by traveling throughout the watershed with a GPS receiver, a camera, a good-quality watershed map, and a set of data forms. Areas of excessive stormwater runoff and soil erosion are documented for all existing land uses including commercial, residential, institutional, public, industrial, and agricultural. Areas to be investigated should include roadway stream crossings, streambanks, shorelines, farms, culverts, ditches, storm drainage outfalls, and parking lots. Once a problem area is identified, the coordinates are marked using the GPS reciever so that the location can be found again and so the sites can be incorporated into a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) map. Photos of the area are helpful, as are measurements of any eroded areas for restoration planning purposes and cost estimates. Typically, a sketch of the problem area is included on the data sheet. Because the usefulness of the watershed inventory data is only as good as the quality of the information gathered, proper training of any volunteers is critical.
In developed areas, stormwater management should primarily focus on retrofitting existing stormwater facilities or adding new stormwater facilities. Therefore, both existing stormwater facilities and large impervious surfaces in need of stormwater management practices should be included in the investigations. In such areas, investigations should be performed by a stormwater management professional due to the more technical nature of the locations.
Once the watershed investigations are complete, the data are entered into a spreadsheet and analyzed. Potential BMPs and restoration alternatives are determined for each site and cost estimates are developed, if possible. Problem areas can then be prioritized based on cost, severity, and likelihood of restoration success. At this point, the watershed group has a plan of action with which to go forward and pursue funding for lake and watershed restoration measures.
For an example of an organization that has performed watershed investigations and used the results to successfully implement watershed BMPs, please visit the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District website at http://www.wallenpaupackwatershed.org/html/descript/bmp-index.html. The site includes GIS maps and a list of both problem areas and BMPs, including photos, descriptions, and costs.
F. X. Browne, Inc. conducts watershed inventories, GIS mapping, and watershed restoration measures for all sizes of watersheds. Please contact us at info@fxbrowne.com or 215-362-3878 for more information.
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Artistic Rainbarrels Educate
and Amaze
For the past two years, the Kentucky nonprofit group Bluegrass PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment) has sponsored the decoration, display, and auction of rain barrels as a way to both educate community members about stormwater runoff and to raise funds to support the organization's work. http://www.kentuckypride.com/campaigns/stormwater/artistic_barrels.htm |
News Clips
Pennsylvania Stream Signage Project a Success
The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) has completed a three-year project to coordinate the placement of signs at 4,088 stream crossings throughout Pennsylvania.
The purpose of the project was to make people aware of streams and their watersheds, which play an essential role in Pennsylvania's environmental, social, and economic vitality. In all, 45 counties and over 1,500 roadways received stream identification signs at road crossings where the public may never have been aware that they were driving over a waterway.
F. X. Browne, Inc. specializes in watershed management planning that includes a public education component. Highly visible educational tools such as watershed and stream signage, kiosks, brochures, and websites can go a long way toward improving public support for watershed protection and restoration efforts. For more information, contact us at info@fxbrowne.com.
http://pressroom.pawatersheds.org/news/item.tcl?news_item_id=102888
Compost as a Stormwater Management Tool
The U.S. EPA's Office of Water recently posted three new compost-based BMPs on its National Menu of BMPs for Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control.
The three new BMPs include compost blankets, compost filter berms, and compost socks. Compost Blankets are a layer of loosely applied composted material that is placed on the soil in disturbed areas to control erosion. It can be used in place of traditional sediment and erosion control tools such as mulch, netting, or chemical stabilization. A Compost Filter Berm is a “dike” of compost placed perpendicular to sheet flow runoff to control erosion in disturbed areas and retain sediment. It can be used in place of a silt fence or straw bale barrier. A Compost Filter Sock is a contained filter berm in a mesh sock that is placed perpendicular to sheet-flow runoff to control erosion and sediment in disturbed areas. The sock provides a three-dimensional filter that retains sediment and other pollutants while allowing clean water to flow through. It can be used in place of silt fences or straw bale barriers and has a greater surface area contact with soil than typical sediment control devices. The compost used in these stormwater BMPs can be made from a variety of feedstocks, including municipal yard trimmings, food residuals, separated municipal solid waste, biosolids and manure. http://www.stormwaterauthority.org/library/view_article.aspx?id=399
A Celebration of New Jersey Rivers
The rivers that helped shape business, transportation, food, and human settlements in the Garden State are featured in a new exhibit at the New Jersey Historical Society.
Visitors to the interactive exhibition can explore four New Jersey rivers – the Delaware, Maurice, Passaic and Raritan -- and discover how New Jerseyans harvested the resources, built transportation networks, made a living, settled along these waterways, set up industries and addressed conflicts over how its rivers are used. For example, industrialists along the banks of the Passaic captured the energy of falling water to power mills and factories, to tan leather, and for transportation of goods. The Maurice River helped create a water-based economy of workers harvesting fish and oysters and building ships, dating back to colonial times. Rivers also played a key role in development of the state's beer industry: over the last two centuries, about 50 breweries operated out of the Newark area. The lore among local residents about why so many breweries located in Newark was the quality of the water, but the concentration of German immigrant families in the Newark area may have had more to do with it. "Ebb and Flow: New Jersey and Its Rivers" opened last month at the New Jersey Historical Society in downtown Newark. Admission is free. http://www.jerseyhistory.org/news_detail.php?recid=89
Report Shows Removal of Dam Has Had Little Effect on Creek
Removing Good Hope Mill Dam in Cumberland County, PA did not harm the environment as some feared, according to a recent report published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The dam, a 6-foot high 220-foot wide concrete structure on Conodoguinet Creek, was removed to mitigate safety concerns and to provide for passage of native fish, most notably American shad. Concerns about the effects of the dam removal included large fish kills, toxic sediment release, and fear over the Creek drying up. Scientists attribute the lack of significant changes in part to the absence of fine sediment, which dams often trap in large quantities along with toxins. The shape of the channel and habitat that supports aquatic life did not change much after removal because of the low supply of sediment. With respect to water quality, the dam removal changed how some constituents vary throughout the day, but it did not affect the daily maximum or minimum concentrations. Scientists noted a short-term (weeks) change in the community of aquatic organisms living in the vicinity of the dam. Within a year, the community composition became similar to other communities outside the influence of the dam. Changes observed in the fish community were within the scope of natural fluctuations and could not be attributed to removal of the dam.
Although the removal of Good Hope Mill Dam had a successful outcome in the eyes of many, the results may not be the same for dam removal projects elsewhere. The report findings are transferable to other dam removals to the extent that the dam and stream characteristics are similar to those of this study. The Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5226, Effects of Removing Good Hope Mill Dam on Selected Physical, Chemical, and Biological Characteristics of Conodoguinet Creek Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, is available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2005/5226/.
For more information about dam removal or natural stream channel design projects, contact F. X. Browne, Inc. at info@fxbrowne.com.
New Low Impact Development Strategies for Big Box Retailers
The Low Impact Development Center, Inc. has developed stormwater management strategies for Big Box Retailers that incorporate Low Impact Development (LID) techniques.
These techniques are intended to reduce runoff volume and peak discharge rates, as well as improve the water quality of stormwater. Typical LID Best Management Practices include techniques such as bioretention rain gardens, vegetated swales, permeable pavement, planter boxes, and green roofs. Most of the techniques can be applied to retrofit projects as well as new development. In a collaborative effort, the Target Corporation provided input on typical industry planning, design and operations considerations. The goal was to present the LID techniques and concepts in a format that fosters a dialogue between corporate developers, local engineers and local government to adapt and integrate LID into the local regulatory and watershed protection programs. More information can be found at http://lowimpactdevelopment.org/bigbox/
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Grant
Programs |
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EPA Five-Star Restoration Matching Grants Program The National Association of Counties, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Wildlife Habitat Council, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other sponsors, are pleased to solicit applications for the Five-Star Restoration Matching Grants Program. The Five-Star Restoration Program provides grants in amounts between $5,000 and $20,000 to support community-based wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration projects. Projects should build diverse partnerships and foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach and training activities. Proposals are due by March 10. http://www.nfwf.org/programs/5star-rfp.cfm
Free Native Trees for Watershed Groups in South Central PA
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is offering free native trees and shrubs to watershed and community groups throughout South Central Pennsylvania through its “Trees for Streams” Program. Applications must be received no later than March 15. In addition to offering free trees and plants, CBF also helps pay for protective tree tubes to improve plant survival. Tree tubes help guard seedlings from damage by deer and small rodents. Groups must order a minimum of 200 trees and shrubs to be picked up at the Octoraro Native Plant Nursery in Lancaster County. Streams must be in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to be eligible for the program. Buffers 35 feet or wider (per side) are preferred. Training is available for inexperienced groups. Supply is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. http://www.cbf.org/site/DocServer/pafreetrees_guidelines.pdf?docID=4904
PA Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences Grants
The PA Department of Education is accepting applications from schools for the “Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences” Grant Program until March 30. The program provides up to $3,000 to schools and other local partners to provide meaningful watershed or habitat educational experiences to students. http://www.pde.state.pa.us/env_eco/lib/env_eco/Meaningful_Watershed_School_Mini_Grants_Application.pdf NY DEC Water Quality Improvement Grants New York DEC announced that funding applications will be accepted until March 31 for Water Quality Improvement Projects (WQIPs). The grants will be available to fund nonpoint source abatement and control projects through a joint program managed by DEC and the Department of Agriculture and Markets. A portion of the non-agricultural nonpoint source funds will be available to assist regulated communities across the state with implementation of Storm Water Phase II requirements through DEC. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/bondact/bamenu.html#wqipapp PA Water Resources Education Grants League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund Water Resources Education Network (WREN) Project Grants are available for educational projects that raise awareness about protecting the community's drinking water source and/or preventing nonpoint source pollution in the watershed. Eligible recipients include partnerships of local or regional organizations in Pennsylvania such as watershed associations, civic groups, community water systems, governmental entities (including municipal authorities), and other public interest organizations. Projects should include local government involvement and encourage behavior change. The grant awards are up to $5,000 per project. Proposals must be postmarked or hand delivered by April 3. http://wren.palwv.org/grants/local.html PA State Wildlife Grants The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission are accepting applications for the State Wildlife Grants Program. These projects will help address conservation needs for high-priority conservation projects for endangered, threatened and at-risk species across Pennsylvania. The project applications are due on April 7. http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/browse.asp?a=496&bc=0&c=70008 Lowe’s Outdoor Classroom Grants Lowe’s, International Paper and National Geographic Explorer! have teamed up to provide grants of up to $2,000 to help schools build outdoor, hands-on science education programs. Grant applications are accepted throughout the year for the Outdoor Classroom Grant Program, but applications received by April 30 will receive award notices in May. All K-12 public schools are welcome to apply. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/outdoor/apply2.html 2006 Compost Infrastructure Development Grant Program
Applications for the 2006 Compost Infrastructure Development Grant Program are now available from the PA DEP. The Department will accept applications for the Program until May 4.Under the program, qualified existing and operating for-profit business entities and nonprofit organizations in this Commonwealth will be awarded grants to increase the quantity of yard and/or food wastes collected and processed in Pennsylvania. The goal of this program is to increase the quantity of organic materials collected and composted to further increase the Commonwealth's recycling rate. Additional consideration will be given to applications that are developed in consultation with the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center. http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/compost_sum/CompostGrantApplication2006.doc
PA Heritage Areas Program Grants
The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will accept applications for the Pennsylvania Heritage Areas Program through May 19. It is the intent of the Program to create a system of State designated Heritage Areas that preserve and interpret the significant contributions that various regions of this Commonwealth have made to the rich heritage of Pennsylvania and the United States. The historic, cultural, natural, scenic and recreational resources within a Heritage Area are inventoried, preserved, enhanced and promoted as a strategy to enhance regional economic development through the attraction of tourists, creation of new jobs, stimulation of small business growth, and the promotion of public and private investment opportunities. There are currently 12 designated State Heritage Areas. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/heritageparks/ PA Green Schools Grants The Pennsylvania Governor’s Green Government Council announced schools can apply for a High-Performance Green Schools Planning Grant to help defray the cost of complying with LEED green building design standards. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible costs include building energy simulations and daylight modeling, green coaches and specialty consultant fees, design fees for additional services beyond those conventionally covered, and help with LEED-NC certification costs. The funds are not available for research, materials, or construction costs. http://www.gggc.state.pa.us/gggc/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=153919 EPA Clean Beaches Grants
The US EPA has made $10 million in beach grants available as part of an effort to help ensure the safety of the nation's favorite recreational spots. This grant money is available for beach monitoring and notification programs to 35 eligible states, territories and tribes to help to improve water quality at beaches and notify the public of beach warnings or closings if bacteria levels are too high. http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/grants/fy06fs.htm Schuylkill River Grants The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is partnering with Exelon Nuclear to oversee a new Schuylkill River Restoration Fund that provides money for watershed projects. The fund is part of Exelon's commitment to improve the Schuylkill River and show that changes in water supplies will not adversely affect the river. The Schuylkill River Heritage Area will oversee the fund, providing the money to organizations seeking to undertake such projects as repairing eroded stream banks or restoring polluted waterways. http://www.schuylkillriver.org/Grant_Information.aspx PA Game Commission Offers Seedlings for Habitat Improvement The PA Game Commission is again offering the "Seedlings for Habitat Program" that provides landowners with 50 or more acres of land open for hunting up to 500 free seedlings to improve habitat for wildlife. Those cooperators with enrolled acreages exceeding 500 acres are eligible for one free seedling per acre enrolled up to a maximum of 10,000 seedlings annually. New this spring, Pennsylvania landowners may purchase seedlings for wildlife food and cover, watershed protection, soil erosion control, and for reclamation of disturbed areas, such as surface mine site and utility right-of-ways. http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?A=480&Q=167303
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| 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 . |
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Events (Click on an event for more information) EPA Watershed Webcasts On March 22, the EPA will hold their ninth watershed webcast, "Sustainable Financing for Watershed Groups" by Wendy Wilson and Pat Munoz of the River Network. The Webcast will explore the keys to effective fundraising, including organization essentials, top fundraising strategies, and a comprehensive fundraising plan. Plan2Fund: A Tool to Organize Your Watershed Funding,
was the previous EPA Watershed webcast. The webcast was
held on February 15. Audio
versions of this and other past Webcasts are available on the
website. Dr. Bill Jarocki, Director of the
Environmental Finance Center at Boise State University, presented
Plan2Fund, a new tool to help watershed organizations
develop long-term funding strategies for watershed plans. PA BMP Tours The Dauphin County Conservation District in PA has installed 16 stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) as part of a tour at the Dauphin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Center. The tour is intended to serve as an educational site for municipal officials, watershed organizations, school groups, consultants, other conservation districts, government agencies, and related groups concerned with stormwater management. http://www.dauphincd.org/articles/BMP%20project%20intro.htm Philadelphia Flower Show Highlights Native Plants The 2006 Philadelphia Flower Show titled "Enchanted Spring…A Tribute to Mother Nature" runs from March 5-12 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center ( 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.). This year's EPA exhibit is "A Sense of Place," showcasing the importance of the proper placement of native plants in the garden. http://www.philaflowershow.com/home/index.html PA Well Owner Training Penn State’s Master Well Owner Network will hold a well owner training course on March 11 in Lewisburg, Union County, PA. Residents that rely on a private water system for their home drinking water supply are encouraged to attend this free training on the proper construction, management, and testing of private water wells. http://mwon.cas.psu.edu/ PA Invasive Species Program “Containing Invasives: Closing Pandora,” is the theme for the March 15 annual environmental conference sponsored by DCNR’s Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center and Shippensburg University. I http://palwv.org/wren/documents/2006ConferencePressRelease.doc PA Environmental Issues Conference The Seventeenth Annual Environmental Issues Conference will be held on March 15 at Shippensburg University, PA. Conference topics include the use of plant pathogens as a control measure, DCNR's invasive species action program, aquatic invasive plants in eastern PA lakes, herbicide use, the Invasive Exotic Plant Management Tutorial, organizing volunteer "strike forces," mechanical and biological controls, and management techniques, tools and equipment. http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/crcwa/home.html PA Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance 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:
http://www.mri.psu.edu/centers/cdgrs/education_training/esm_training/esm_training.html PA Stormwater Retrofit Workshops The Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Stormwater Retrofit Workshops will be held in in the Southeast Region in March. Engineers, contractors, municipal officials, elected officials, as well as citizens interested in learning how to improve stormwater management in developed areas are invited to attend. Each 3-hour workshop will feature design concepts and BMP retrofit recommendations to improve stormwater management at developed sites. Engineers/designers will discuss site-specific design concepts and BMPs. http://www.pecpa.org The workshops will be held on the following dates and locations:
Mid-Atlantic GIS Conference The biennial MAC URISA Regional GIS Conference will be held at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ on March 15-16. The conference provides a forum where GIS professionals from the Mid-Atlantic region gather to exchange ideas and learn from each other. A number of workshops are offered on the first day, followed by a program of formal presentations on the second day. Thesconcurrent sessions include topics of interest to new GIS users as well as seasoned professionals. http://www.macurisa.org/conference.html PA Watersheds Data System Workshops The Pennsylvania Organization of Watershed and Rivers (POWR) will be holding workshops for anyone interested in learning how to use the PA Watersheds Data System. The workshops are free and will be held on the following dates and locations:
POWR asks that attendees RSVP by at least three days before the workshop. http://www.pawatersheds.org PA Rural Water Association Annual Conference The Pennsylvania Rural Water Association will hold its annual conference on March 21-24, at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, State College, PA. PRWA will offer up to 19 Department of Environmental Protection-approved Contact Hours for eligible certified operators in five training tracks: water, wastewater, water/wastewater, management/regulatory and operator certification. http://www.prwa.com/v2/conference/2006/index.asp PA Trail building Workshop The Monroe County Conservation District is sponsoring a workshop at the Environmental Education Center in Stroudsburg on March 23 for professional and volunteer trail planners, builders, and maintainers. The workshop will discuss the design and construction of sustainable, low maintenance trails for non-motorized use. It will also cover working with land managers, using volunteers, and suggested tools of the trade. Discover trail layouts that not only shed water, but provide varied experiences to trail users. http://www.eelink.net/cgi-bin/risee/pcee/showevent?prog=PR6360 PA Tree Tender Workshop TreeVitalize, a partnership to restore tree cover in the five-county region
in Southeastern Pennsylvania, is offering “Tree Tender” classes this Spring on how to plant
and care for trees. During nine hours of Tree Tender training, participants will learn about
tree biology, identification, pruning and root care, as well as how to
fundraise, manage volunteers, and work with local government. Students are expected to volunteer time to community tree planting projects
in exchange for training. Groups also may qualify for free or discounted trees
upon completing the program. http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/phlgreen/tree-training.html.
PA Environmental Educators Conference Start planning now to attend the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators conference March 24-26 in Ligonier, PA. The theme of the conference is "Pennsylvania's Harmony - Celebrate the Wonder of Pennsylvania's Environment." Noted children's author Jean Craighead George will be one of the featured speakers, along with workshops, exhibits and entertainment. http://www.paee.net/2006%20Conference%20Information.html Izaak Walton League Wetland Webcasts The Izaak Walton League is hosting two webcasts: "Wetland-Friendly Lawn and Garden," on March 28, which includes information on how to create rain gardens, install rain barrels, landscape with native plants, and reduce pesticide and fertilizer use; and "Wet Spots into Wonderlands," on April 25, to discuss the benefits of having wetlands on your property, how to protect those wetlands, and how to create vernal pools or bog gardens. http://www.iwla.org/sos/sosweb.htm POWR Organizational Development Workshop The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers will be holding another Organizational Development Workshop on April 4 at the Monroe County Conservation District, Stroudsburg, PA. The workshop topic will be Working With Consultants, and will discuss best practices in hiring and contracting with consultants, how to assess a consultant’s expertise/skill,; the rules of engagement for a successful working relationship once a contract has been signed, and how to assess the consultant’s performance. http://www.pawatersheds.org NJ Water Monitoring Workshop The NJ Water Monitoring Coordinating Council is holding a NJ Water Monitoring & Assessment Technical Workshop, entitled, Integrated Monitoring to Enhance Water Resource Management. The workshop will be held on April 20 at the Rutgers EcoComplex in Columbus, NJ. Topics covered will include Emerging Technologies - Fresh and Coastal Waters, Ecological Monitoring, Stormwater Monitoring, Nutrients/Biocriteria, Microbial Source Trackdown, Pharmaceuticals/Unregulated SOCs, Mercury, and Recreational Beach Monitoring. www.state.nj.us/dep/wmm/wmcchome.html NY Wetlands Forum The 2006 NYS Wetlands Forum, Inc. Annual Meeting and Conference, "From Wetlands to Watersheds: Water Quality to Habitat," will be held at the Marx Hotel, Syracuse, NY, on April 19 & 20. This twelfth annual meeting of the New York State Wetlands Forum is expected to once again examine a variety of wetland-related issues and developments, and how these issues have impacts both state-wide and regionally. http://www.wetlandsforum.org Great Pennsylvania Cleanup The 3rd Annual Great Pennsylvania Cleanup, a statewide effort to remove litter and trash from the state’s roadways, parks, riverbanks and open spaces, will take place April 22. The event is being held in conjunction with Earth Day, although the entire cleanup -- with a special emphasis on important bird areas -- spans from March 1 to May 31. Groups registering to participate in the cleanup also can enter to win a weekend getaway in Pennsylvania, as well as a hybrid-powered vehicle offered as part of a national sweepstakes. To find or register a cleanup, visit http://www.greatpacleanup.org. The site contains safety information, links to other cleanup organizations, a logo that can be downloaded, T-shirt iron-on transfers and posters, and lesson plans for teachers. 2006 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference The 2006 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference will be held April 28-29 in State College. The Conference is Pennsylvania’s annual training, networking and inspirational event for those involved with private and public land conservation. Specialized session tracks include: Conservation Easements, Conservation Planning, Fundraising, Stewardship and Farmland Preservation. http://conserveland.org/conferences/2006/
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Why Do People Wear Shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day? |
| According to Encyclopedia Britannica, a shamrock is "any of several similar-appearing trifoliate plants (plants whose leaves are divided into three leaflets). Common shamrocks include the wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) of the family Oxalidaceae, or any of various plants of the pea family (Fabaceae), including white clover (Trifolium repens) and suckling clover Trifolium dubium." According to Irish legend, St. Patrick chose the shamrock as a symbol of the church's Holy Trinity because of its three leaflets bound by a common stalk. Wood sorrel is shipped in large quantities from Ireland to other countries for St. Patrick's Day. |
Link Of The Month
The Smart WaterWays website, http://www.smartwaterways.org, maintained by Vermont's Chittenden County Regional Stormwater Education Program, provides multimedia educational information about stormwater. The site offers an interactive stormwater game, a mapping feature, a variety of television public service announcements, fact sheets (including one on Rural Homes), a stormwater glossary, and other resources.
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News Reports Getting You Down? Read The Happy Side! "Real News, Compelling Stories, Always Positive," is the credo of this daily news website. HappyNews.com covers many of the national, international, entertainment, and sports stories that the big news services cover. However, the site takes a less negative view of the world than what is commonly seen on TV or in newspapers, guaranteed to lift the spirits! Recent headlines have included "Average Gasoline Prices Drop 25 Cents," and "Post-Hurricane Rita Weather Helps Crops" http://www.happynews.com |
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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
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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.