EPA, National and Environmental Groups Launch "Green Infrastructure" Plan

U.S. EPA, with state and national partners, recently released a comprehensive plan to reduce runoff and increase environmental and economic benefits for communities. 

The strategy will help reduce stormwater runoff and sewer overflows by promoting "green infrastructure" approaches, such as green roofs, trees and tree boxes, rain gardens, and porous pavements. The document, "Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure Action Strategy 2008," outlines ways to bring green infrastructure technologies and approaches into mainstream use for runoff and sewer overflow management. The plan explains how states, municipalities, permitting authorities, and non-governmental organizations can use green infrastructure practices to meet water quality goals while sustaining their water infrastructure. This plan follows an April 19, 2007, agreement to promote green infrastructure as an environmentally preferable approach to wet weather management. http://www.epa.gov/npdes/greeninfrastructure/general 

PA's Rebuild Pennsylvania Initiative Aims to Protect Flood Prone Communities

Pennsylvania Governor Rendell's "Rebuild Pennsylvania" initiative provides resources to repair aging infrastructure and enhance flood protection strategies.

The Governor’s proposal will invest $100 million for flood-control projects over the next three years. Of that total, approximately $91 million would be available for capital flood protection projects, while the balance would be available to increase the number of flood-protection grants awarded to municipalities each year, boost support for stream improvement projects, and complete emergency closure work and rehabilitation projects. Under the enhanced flood-protection program, the state will have additional resources to help communities rehabilitate existing flood-protection structures and construct new ones, like waterway channels, floodwalls, levees and stream bank stabilization.

Rebuild Pennsylvania also includes a plan to address unsafe high-hazard dams in the commonwealth, along with outdated aviation and rail facilities. In addition to the $16 million for capital and municipal flood control projects and $12 million for repairs to state-owned dams in the first year of the plan, the initiative will accelerate the availability of $200 million for bridge repairs, $10 million for new rail freight projects, and $5 million for aviation projects in fiscal year 2008-09. http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/news/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=533893 

F. X. Browne, Inc. can assist your community with designing dam removals, dam repairs, streambank stabilization measures, and flood control projects. For more information, contact info@fxbrowne.com. 

NJ Municipalities are Meeting Stormwater Pollution Control Requirements

A new NJDEP report demonstrates that New Jersey's municipalities are making good progress toward implementing programs that will reduce the impact of pollutants that are carried into the Garden State's waterways through stormwater runoff. 

The report shows that 532 of New Jersey's 559 regulated municipalities, or 95 percent, have adopted stormwater management plans that detail how they will address polluted runoff. A total of 512 municipalities, or 92 percent, have adopted the required stormwater control ordinances that implement the management plans. In addition to municipalities, New Jersey's municipal stormwater control program regulates all counties as well as many federal, state, and interstate agencies.

The three-year-old program has generated significant benefits, the report shows. More than 83,000 tons of street sweepings have been collected. Nearly 508,000 sewer catch basins have been inspected and more than 39,000 stormwater outfall pipes have been mapped and inspected. In addition, more than 291,000 tons of sediments, trash and debris have been retrieved from storm sewers, preventing these materials from entering the state's waterways.The report shows that most municipalities have adopted pet waste, litter, wildlife-feeding and yard waste ordinances. Moreover, 91 percent of municipalities have distributed educational brochures to their residents, and most municipalities have held community outreach programs.

Since the DEP launched the municipal stormwater regulation program in April 2004, the department has conducted 1,347 compliance inspections designed to assist the regulated entities. The DEP has also issued a total of $669,000 in penalties for various breaches of municipal permit conditions, including 48 penalty assessments totaling $524,000 in 2007. The DEP assesses penalties when municipalities or other entities fail to meet certain conditions such as cleaning of catch basins and sweeping of streets, submission of required reports, and adoption of specific ordinances that carry out the aims of the program. http://www.njstormwater.org 

China Develops Plan to Clean Up Its Polluted Lakes 

The Chinese government unveiled a detailed plan to limit pollution in China’s lakes by 2010 and return them to their original state by 2030.

The State Council, China’s cabinet, ordered strict regulation of the release of wastewater, the closing of heavily polluting factories near lakes, the improvement of sewage treatment facilities and strict limits on fish farms. The council also banned the use of pesticides with highly toxic residue near large lakes as well as detergents containing phosphorus.

China’s three main lakes, Tai, Chaohu and Dianchi, have all had algae blooms in recent years. Stimulated by high levels of phosphorus and other chemicals, algae has blanketed large areas of water, killing fish and making the water undrinkable for large numbers of people living nearby. An algae bloom that covered a large area of Lake Tai last spring was particularly severe and received national attention. The toxic cyanobacteria produced a choking odor up to a mile from the lake’s shores and prevented two million people nearby from drinking or cooking with the water. 

NYTimes January 23, 2008 

If you would like more information on addressing algae problems in lakes, contact F. X. Browne, Inc. at info@fxbrowne.com.

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:

• May 20 for the next board meeting (TBA)

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

Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Dominion invite groups, individuals, companies, or organizations to apply for the Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards. Nominations due by March 12. The Awards recognizes and honors outstanding achievements of organizations, businesses, and individuals in a wide range of environmental initiatives throughout the 29 county region and pays tribute to those that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence, leadership, and accomplishment in their respective fields. http://www.pecpa.org/wpea 

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 

Greater Philadelphia Society of Women Environmental Professionals Grants

The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Society of Women Environmental Professionals is now accepting applications for its 2008 Environmental Grant Program. Applications are due March 21. Grants between $1,000 and $2,000 will be awarded to groups addressing locally defined needs to create, enhance, restore, or protect the natural environment or to provide environmental awareness through educational sessions. Applicants and projects must be located within southeast Pennsylvania or northern Delaware. Eligible applicants may include non-profit organizations, education centers, youth groups, and individuals. Preference will be given to projects related to local environmental issues, projects involving women's and/or girl's organizations, and projects fostering the involvement of women and/or girls in environmental issues, the sciences, or engineering. http://www.swepweb.com/index.jsp 

Coastal Counties Restoration Grants

NACo in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Community-Based Restoration Program (CRP), has announced the second year of funding for the Coastal Counties Restoration Initiative (CCRI). The initiative provides financial assistance on a competitive basis to innovative, high quality county-led or supported projects. In 2008, CCRI will provide grants to improve stream, river, estuarine and other important marine habitats. A priority area for CCRI is the removal of fish passage barriers in coastal streams and rivers. Grants will range from $50,000-$100,000, based upon need. The deadline for applications is March 24. http://www.naco.org/ccri 

NJ Municipal Smart Growth Grants

New Jersey municipalities are encouraged to apply to the 2008 Smart Growth Planning Grant Program from the Association for New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC). ANJEC will award 1-to-1 matching reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 each to municipalities or counties for local or regional plans, ordinances, studies or document reviews that protect natural resources and establish the land use patterns envisioned in the State Plan. The grant and matching funds may be used to hire a consultant to carry out project tasks. Applications are due March 31. Suitable projects include, but are not limited to: 

• Natural/environmental resource inventories (NRI/ERI)

• Open space and farmland preservation plans 

• Master plan conservation elements 

• Capacity studies, such as build-out analysis, or septic capacity and groundwater supply analysis 

• Land use ordinances for LEED/green building, renewable energy or energy efficiency 

• Brownfields or revitalization plans that include new open space 

• Bicycle/pedestrian network or trails plans 

• Master plan and zoning ordinance revisions that incorporate smart growth concepts and open space preservation such as cluster development, conservation design or downzoning (the grants are not intended to fund routine master plan tasks required by state law) 

• Ordinances that protect critical areas, including steep slopes, stream corridors and wellhead areas 

• Intermunicipal or regional plans to protect common or connected resources (greenways, open space, etc.) http://www.anjec.org/pdfs/Dodge2008Application.pdf

NJ Brownfield Development Area Designations

The New Jersey DEP is accepting applications until March 31 from municipalities interested in being included in the 2008 round of Brownfield Development Area designations. Applications must be submitted by a steering committee representing the community and must include the boundaries of the proposed Brownfield Development Area, a clear identification of the sites to be addressed, and a description of current activities within the area. Applicants must demonstrate a likelihood of fulfilling their vision for the Brownfield Development Area. Municipalities that have been designated as Brownfield Development Areas are eligible for up to $5 million each year from the NJDEP's Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund for site investigation and remediation. The NJDEP also assigns a case manager to assist the communities in obtaining financial assistance and to coordinate revitalization efforts with other state agencies. http://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/brownfields/bda/ 

PA Karl Mason Award

The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals are accepting nominations for the 2008 Karl Mason Award until March 31. Each year, at the PAEP Annual Meeting and Conference, the Karl Mason Award is presented to meritorious nominees selected by the Board from two general categories: an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the field of environmental management and an organization, project or program that has made a significant contribution toward maintenance or restoration of Pennsylvania’s environmental quality. http://www.paep.org/mason_award.htm 

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 April 1. http://www.americanrivers.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AMR_content_63c9&JServSessionIdr009=jn1vg0e142.app6b

American Wetlands Month with the Write On! Wetland Challenge 2008

Science, reading and the arts collide in this annual competition that first asks middle schoolers to compose a children's book about wetlands and then asks elementary students to illustrate the winning manuscript. The theme for 2008 is "Marshy Migrations: Journey's of Lifetime." Each year, animals of all kinds (not just birds!) depend on wetlands for food and protection as they prepare for and complete their seasonal migration routes. Students should select one of these animals and write a story about their journey. Call for Authors: Deadline for entries April 1, Grades 7-9. Call for Illustrators: Begins May 1, Grades K-6. http://www.wetland.org/education_writeon.htm 

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

Schuylkill River Heritage Area Mini-Grants

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is now accepting applications for mini-grants of $1,000 that promote conservation in the group’s service area. Mini-grant applications are due April 4. Mini-grants are available for developing publications, educational programs or special events. Projects to be funded must be completed between July 1 and December 31. The service area includes parts of Berks, Chester, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Schuylkill counties. http://www.schuylkillriver.org/Grant_Information.aspx

PA Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants

The PA DCNR has $50 million in grants available to Pennsylvania communities and non-profit organizations to help fund community recreation, open space, land trust, rails-to-trails, rivers, and conservation projects under the Community Conservation Partnerships Program. Applications are due April 25. DCNR is also sponsoring a series of grant writing workshops in February. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/

PA Recycling Development and Implemental Grants

Municipal recycling programs that boost Pennsylvania’s economy and protect its environment are invited to apply for the latest round of recycling development and implementation grants. To be eligible for recycling development and implementation grants, applicants must submit a plan that includes actions and strategies for optimizing a program’s self-sufficiency. The plan should include strategies for reducing costs and generating revenues, provisions for establishing waste reduction and recycling incentives, mechanisms for public outreach and stakeholder input, and methods to document progress. Grants of up to $500,000 are available, and applications must be postmarked by June 20.  http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/document/grants.htm 

Trees Available for Wildlife Habitat-PA

Landowners who have land open to public hunting and are enrolled in one of the Commission's public access programs are eligible to receive up to 500 free seedlings annually through the Howard Nursery Seedling Program, as available. In addition, all 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. The nursery provides landowners the ability to purchase seedlings for 15 to 50 cents each in bundles of 25 (plus sales tax). The following species remain available for this spring: Eastern white pine; mugo pine; red pine; Norway spruce; white spruce; Colorado blue spruce; arborvitae (northern white cedar); silky dogwood; black locust; Northern red oak; pin oak; Chinese chestnut; buttonbush; American sweet crabapple; assorted crabapple; Washington Hawthorne; American mountain ash; common elderberry; common alder; and trembling aspen. http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=480&q=167303

EPA Offers Smart Growth Technical Assistance

U.S. EPA’s Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation is issuing a request for applications for the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance program. Through this program, a team of multidisciplinary experts will provide free technical assistance to communities, regions, or states that want to develop in ways that meet environmental and other local or regional goals. EPA is soliciting applications from communities that want help with either policy analysis or public participatory processes. Selected communities will receive assistance in the form of a multi-day visit from a team of experts organized by EPA and other national partners to work with local leaders. Applications will be accepted until May 8, 2009. http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm

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. 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 EPA Stormwater Webcasts EPA's popular webcast series for municipal stormwater professionals will resume on April 9 with a webcast on the Art and Science of Stormwater Retrofitting. The series will feature additional webcasts on a variety of topics, including Finding and Fixing Illicit Discharges, and MS4 Program Performance. Archived webcasts are also available. http://www.epa.gov/npdes/outreach_files/sw_webcasts_2008.pdf 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: March 18-19 - McKean/Potter County April 23-24 - Dundee, Michigan May 21-22 - Erie County June 17-18 - Susquehanna County July 15-16 - York County August 13-14 - Wayne County  http://www.mri.psu.edu/centers/cdgrs/calendar/calendar.html Schuylkill Watershed Congress The 2008 Schuylkill Watershed Congress will be held on March 2 at Montgomery County Community College, Pottstown, PA. This annual gathering of citizens interested in understanding, protecting and restoring local watersheds and streams features a diverse program with concurrent and poster sessions covering a broad range of watershed topics.  http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/aboutus/events.asp  NJ Precautionary Principle Conference Reversing Environmental Damage and Improving Public Health with the Precautionary Principle will be held on March 3 at Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ. In spite of New Jersey's reputation of leadership in environmental protection, rates of cancer and chronic lung diseases are among the highest in the nation. Our regulations have not effectively managed the explosion of development that has created water shortages, flooding, and erosion. This conference will focus on making the Precautionary Principle the foundation for producing healthier environments and sustainable economies. http://www.njenvironment.org/precautionary.htm  Northeast PA Regional Contractors/Engineers Workshop The 14th annual Northeast Regional Contractors/Engineers Workshop will be held on March 5 at Keystone College in LaPlume, Lackawanna County. The workshop will feature sessions on underground safety laws and PA One Call, commercial vehicle safety, land clearing, demolition waste handling procedures, alternative best management practices for soil disturbance, timber harvesting planning, and flood control. http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/news/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=534453  PA Society of Women Environmental Professionals Conference The Pennsylvania Society of Women Environmental Professional’s “Making Environmental Connections” conference will be held on March 6 at Harrisburg Area Community College. The theme of this year’s conference is “Understanding Your Carbon Footprint: Global, National, and Local Perspectives”. The conference will include educational panel presentations by top industry professionals on how transportation choices, waste generation, electricity consumption, and consumer preferences have an impact on our carbon footprint. Environmental practitioners from the public and private sectors will share their experiences with local college students during a special one-on-one career mentoring session. http://www.swephbgpa.us/LunchLearnMarch2008.htm NJ Environmental Commission Training to Protect Natural Resources The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) is holding a series of workshops that will present an overview of environmental commission responsibilities and powers, and discuss the basic tools and techniques – master planning, ordinance development, site plan review, and environmental resource inventories – used by commissions as they work at the local level to promote sustainable land use and protect quality of life. Learn how to work effectively within local government and with your community, and find out about current grant opportunities to fund projects. Workshops will be held on the following dates and locations: March 10, Galloway March 15, Clifton March 29, Bordentown City http://www.anjec.org/html/workshops.htm#eccourse  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= PennFuture's Annual Watershed Workshop PennFuture's acclaimed Annual Watershed Workshop, "Making Watershed Issues Matter to your Neighbors," is set for March 29 at the Brandywine River Museum in Chadd's Ford, PA. Topics include stormwater management, stream buffers, source water protection, and woodland management. http://www.pennfuture.org/calendarevents_detail.aspx?EventID=95  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 Environmental Regulations & Technologies Conference The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry will hold its annual Environmental Regulations & Technologies Conference in Lancaster, PA on April 1-2. Seventy-five percent of the topics covered at this conference will be new with more than 20 breakout sessions to help companies not only understand environmental laws and regulations, but also learn about the latest technologies and processes to stay ahead of the curve. http://www.pachamber.org/www/conferences/conference.php?ID=0805  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 NJ Environmental Federation Conference The Heat Is On: New Jersey Environmental Federation 22nd Annual Conference will be held at Rutgers University School of Law in Newark, NJ on April 5. NJ Governor Corzine is the invited keynote speaker. Workshops will be held on topics such as children's health, clean water, healthy towns/healthy schools, environmental justice, green jobs/green economy/ site remediation, and keeping drugs out of drinking water. http://www.cleanwateraction.org/njef/conference08.html  Green Infrastructure Course-WV A new Green Infrastructure course, Strategic Conservation Planning Using a Green Infrastructure Approach, is being offered April 14 - 18 at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV. There is a lot of interest in this course, so please register by March 12.  http://www.conservationfund.org/node/239  Delaware River Watershed Education Youth Eco-Leadership Summit The 15th Annual Delaware River Watershed Education Youth Eco-Leadership Summit will be held April 20-22 at the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, PA. The Watershed Education Summit is a basin-wide gathering of students, teachers, and resource personnel, designed to be a educational and networking experience for all students studying the Delaware Watershed and participants in the Bureau of State Parks’ Watershed Education Program. Students participate in a field trip with both educational and interpretative sections. A selection of workshops and forums designed to enhance field technique as well as knowledge base are offered. Students are also given a venue to share their Watershed Education projects. The registration deadline is April 7. http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/edweb/summit.htm  Enhancing the States’ Lake Management Programs Conference Enhancing the States’ Lake Management Programs Building Partnerships for Improved Fisheries and Lake Water Quality will be held on April 29 - May 2 in Chicago, IL. This 21st Annual National Conference is cosponsored by the Chicago Botanic Garden, U.S. EPA and North American Lake Management Society. Conference attendees will discuss successes, evaluate obstacles, and explore new approaches for improving the States’ lake management programs. http://nalms.org/Conferences/2008Chicago National River Rally River Rally 2008 will be held May 2-5 in Huron, OH. The River Rally will bring together hundreds of friends of rivers, water keepers, monitors, watchdogs, stewards, guardians and others involved in watershed protection and restoration. http://www.rivernetwork.org/rally/index.php ME River Management Symposium  The River Management Society (RMS) is hosting Branching Out from the Mainestream: a River Management Symposium on May 12-15 in Portland, Maine. RMS's first national symposium in the Northeast will be more intimate and interactive, offering new ideas and ways of learning, including field trips to local rivers and estuaries for onsite examples of management successes and challenges. http://www.river-management.org/symposium.asp  World Environmental & Water Resources Congress 2008  The Environmental & Water Resources Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers will be holding the 2008 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress on May 12-16 in Honolulu, HI. Come learn about the Ancient Hawaiian ahupua'a system of sustainable land management, which evolved to protect the upland water resources that were a life-sustaining gift to be used wisely and conserved by all Hawaiians. http://content.asce.org/conferences/ewri2008/index.html  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. http://www.wef.org/ConferencesTraining/ConferencesEvents/NatlWaterQualityMonitoringConference/ 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

Low Impact Urban Design and Development (LIUDD) Policy Website

From New Zealand comes a report that provides an overview of a variety of policy mechanisms to promote Low Impact Urban Design and Development (LIUDD). It is intended to act as a starting point for discussion for Councils across New Zealand (and around the world) who are starting to think more creatively about their policies in an aim to achieve more innovative approaches to urban development and stormwater design. http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/built/liudd/policy.asp

Urban BMP Performance Tool 

EPA has created a new web-based tool to provide stormwater professionals with easy access to approximately 220 studies assessing the performance of over 275 stormwater BMPs. The Tool provides access to studies covering a variety of traditional and low impact BMP types, including retention and detention ponds, biofilters, grassed filter strips, porous pavement, wetlands, and others. Users will also find a series of essays aimed at improving understanding of BMP performance and the importance of volume reduction/infiltration in these assessments. EPA plans to add more studies to this Tool over the coming year, focusing on expanding the collection of studies of low impact development or green infrastructure BMPs. http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/urbanbmp/bmpeffectiveness.cfm 

Rain Gardens: The Mini-Series

For anyone considering planting a rain garden, a new series of short videos provide tips on designing and siting a backyard rain garden. Gary Belan (Director of Healthy Waters Campaign), and Patricia Pennell (West Michigan Environmental Council) have posted the how-to videos on the American Rivers blog. Topics such as rain garden soils and winter rain gardens are included. http://blog.americanrivers.org/wordpress/index.php/2008/01/25/rain-garden-how-to-video-series/ 

Municipal Wastewater Technology Fact Sheets

EPA has developed four new fact sheets for innovative municipal wastewater technologies. The new fact sheets are entitled: "Denitrifying Filters" (EPA 832-F-07-014), "Side Stream Nutrient Removal" (EPA 832-F-07-017), "In-Plant Wet Weather Peak Flow Management" (EPA 832-F-07016), and "Membrane Bioreactors" (EPA 832-F-07-015). These fact sheets, along with other previous municipal wastewater technology fact sheets on Combined Sewer Overflow Treatment, Biosolids Management, Wastewater Treatment, Storm Water Management, Decentralized Wastewater Systems, Collection Systems Rehabilitation and Replacement, and Energy Conservation and Green Power Generation can be viewed on the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/mtbfact.htm

Guidebook to PA Environmental Laws and Regulations 

The 2008-09 Guidebook to Pennsylvania Environmental Laws and Regulations is now available from the PA Chamber of Business and Industry. Written by leading experts in the field, the guidebook is a step-by-step comprehensive working resource designed to help easily determine which environmental regulations apply at your facility, and find and implement the compliance strategies that work.  It combines practical strategies and detailed compliance information on the major environmental compliance areas: residual and hazardous waste; clean air; water; SPCC plans; underground and aboveground storage tanks; and surviving DEP and EPA inspections. http://www.pachamber.org/www/products/publications/details.asp?ID=158 

CWP Urban Stream Repair Manual

The Center for Watershed Protection is now making Manual 4: Urban Stream Repair Practices of the Urban Subwatershed Restoration Manual Series available permanently for free download. Released in 2004, this manual focuses on practices used to enhance the appearance, stability, structure, or function of urban streams. It includes guidance on how to set appropriate restoration goals for your stream, and how to choose the best combination of stream repair practices to meet them. http://www.cwp.org/PublicationStore/USRM.htm