Editor's Notes:

Topic of the Month:

Affordable Renewable Energy

With the suffering economy, we are all looking for ways to cut costs.  Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy are an affordable way to get ahead of the game.  Utilizing solar and wind energy is becoming more practical for the every-day homeowner and/or business-owner.  Though the up-front costs can be greater, the long-term savings are a reality.  The stimulus package has also made renewable energy more economical by offering tax credits.  See the News Clips section below.  More...

Stimulus Package:  Improving Renewable Energy On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  $16.8 billion of the total $787 billion economic stimulus package is set aside for the Energy Department’s Renewable Energy Fund.  This fund will aid state programs to improve energy efficiency and conservation.  Tax credits are also being provided for clean energy systems such as solar energy, geothermal heat, wind turbines, and fuel cell systems. To learn more about the recovery package and to see how the money is being spent, visit Recovery.gov.  More...   Pennsylvania’s Energy Independence: Protecting Consumers, Growing the Economy, Strengthening National Security Pennsylvania has set aside $665.9 million for the development of alternative and renewable energy.  The funds will also aid residents and businesses in conserving energy and utilizing it efficiently. http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/energindependent/site/default.asp   Governor Rendell Announces More Than $21.5 Million Investment in 144 Growing Greener Projects to Improve Water Quality The $21.5 million will be spent on 144 Growing Greener projects to decrease pollution from stormwater runoff, decrease flooding and improve water quality for Pennsylvania streams.  For a list of Growing Greener Projects, visit http://www.ahs2.dep.state.pa.us/newsreleases/default.asp?ID=5433&varQueryType=Detail   Avian Evidence: Global warming driving birds northward The Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has shown that some bird species that spend winter in the United States have ventured further north, some by hundreds of miles.  They speculate that climate change and loss of habitat could be contributing factors.  http://www.riverreporter.com/issues/09-02-26/head3-avian.html   Antarctic Melting Occurring Faster Satellite data and automated weather stations are showing that glaciers in Antarctica are melting faster than what was previously thought.  Research shows that the melting could cause sea levels to increase by 3 to 5 feet. http://www.timesleader.com/news/20090226_26_glacier_melting_nw_ART.html   Poetry, Essay, Photo and Dance Contest The EPA, Generations United, the Dance Exchange, and the Rachel Carson Council, Inc., announce a poetry, essay, photo and dance contest "that best expresses the Sense of Wonder that you feel for the sea, the night sky, forests, birds, wildlife, and all that is beautiful to your eyes." Contestants will work across generations to share through one of these distinct mediums their own interactions with and reflections on the wonders of nature. Entries are due June 10. http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/thesenseofwonder/index.htm

Upcoming Events:

Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure Webcasts

The 2009 schedule of webcasts on Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure is at: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/outreach_files/webcast_flyer_green_infrastructure.pdf Webcasts are free. The flyer provides information on how to register.

March 8, 2009 – Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour

The Banff Film Festival will be held at Parkland High School in Lehigh County.  All proceeds go to the Wildlands Conservancy.  This is a great opportunity to enjoy a night viewing unique films focused on our environment and to support an excellent local organization.  We hope to see you there!

http://wildlandspa.org/news/banff.html

April 18, 2009 – Tree Seedling Sale

The Lehigh County Conservation District will be holding their annual tree seedling sale.  Orders should be placed by March 25 but will be filled on a first come, first serve basis, so don’t wait too long.  They offer trees, shrubs and herbaceous seed mixes.  Proceeds will benefit environmental programs in Lehigh County.

http://lehighconservation.org/uploads/PDF/tree_form.pdf

April 25, 2009 – Native Plant Sale

The Brodhead Watershed Association will be holding a native plant sale.  The Monroe County Conservation District will also be offering four kinds of evergreen seedlings.  The plant sale will be held at the Monroe County Conservation District.

http://www.mcconservation.org/

May 8 through 17, 2009 – Spring Native Plant Sale

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve will be holding a native plant sale.  The sale starts May 8 for members only.  May 9^th through May 17^th is open to the public.  They also have a Native Plant Seed Catalog which offers 53 species.

http://www.bhwp.org/seed_catalog/plantsale.htm

Policy Updates:

	New York State Adopts Clean Air Rules to Limit Pollution The New York State Environmental Board has approved the “new source review” regulation to improve air quality.  If power plants, factories and industrial facilities increase emissions, they must install new pollution control technologies. Environment Dec, February 2009 http://www.dec.ny.gov/environmentdec/50877.html
	New York Joins 11-state Effort to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fuels Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire are working together to create a regional “Low Carbon Fuel Standard” in order to decrease the carbon concentration in fuels.  Environment Dec, February 2009 http://www.dec.ny.gov/environmentdec/50870.html
	MDE Commits to Updating State Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Standards The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is planning to develop proposed modifications to the “Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control” by May 20, 2010.  An 18 month timeline is anticipated for the review and update. http://www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/WaterPrograms/SedimentandStormwater/erosionsedimentcontrol/ESC_Standards_Update.asp

Celebrate the Dark! An international environmental event is being held to raise awareness about energy usage and waste. Earth Hour will take place at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28. To participate, just turn off all nonessential lighting at the designated time and find out how easy it is to save energy.

Stormwater Runoff Calculator
A new website has been set up for a storm water runoff calculator, which can be used as an awareness tool for consideration and design of alternative approaches to storm water management. This calculator can give estimates on how to keep post-development stormwater runoff equal to or less than pre-development stormwater runoff.  The "StormUlator's" web site can be found at http:// www.stormulator.com. 

Native Plant Profile: Sanguinaria canadensis – Bloodroot   One of the first native wildflowers to bloom, Bloodroot is a welcome sight in March when there is little else.  The dainty white flowers open in the morning and close up at night.  If the stem or rhizome is broken, an orange/red sap will flow, which is how it got its name.  Though the flowers do not persist too long, the foliage is a long-term attraction for the garden.  Bloodroot is most commonly found in moist woodland areas, as it prefers partial to full shade.  The Native Americans utilized this plant as a dye and for herbal remedies.  Modern science has also found applications for this plant. It is utilized in some toothpastes to fight plaque.  Also, it has flesh destroying properties which some use to treat ringworm, warts, polyps, and the like.  It is currently being researched as a possible cure for some cancers.  Do not attempt to use this herb without consent from a doctor, as this plant can be toxic.  Bloodroot is native to the eastern United States, and can be found from Canada to Florida.

Photo credit: di vivere on Flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/divivere/2204569917/ Photo credit: Tie Guy II on Flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/versicolor/2458623315/

Tools and Publications:

"Green" Management of Stormwater Runoff Key for Long-Term Water Quality

As communities become environmentally conscious and involved, they modify and reach beyond old development-impact reduction methods to more interlinked, efficient and cost-effective strategies at site, neighborhood and regional levels, writes EPA Development, Community, and Environment Division (DCED) Acting Director Lynn Richards in her "Managing Stormwater Runoff: A Green Infrastructure Approach" paper in the Planning Commissioners Journal (Winter 2009), calling decisions "about where and how our towns, cities and regions grow" the first and perhaps the most important for long-term water quality. Resource: http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=6969&state=52

Picturing Smart Growth

Cities and towns across the country are embracing smart growth as a better solution to meet the needs of their growing populations. Picturing Smart Growth, a feature on the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) website, offers images of how 70 U.S. communities could apply smart growth principles that accommodate growth and development while saving open space, revitalizing neighborhoods and helping cool the planet. These images take locales from throughout the U.S. and overlay smart growth solutions, providing a visual example of how smart growth principles can enhance and help create communities. Cities and towns nationwide are looking for ways to reinvent themselves. Smart growth is a solution that emphasizes neighborhood revitalization over suburban sprawl. See how utilizing smart growth principles could transform these sample communities into vital, thriving places. Read more at the resource link below. Resource: http://www.nrdc.org/smartGrowth/visions/ 

Low Impact Development (LID) Urban Design Tools Website

This website is a great tool for learning about and implementing low impact best management practices for your home or business. It was created through a Cooperative Assistance Agreement under the US EPA Office of Water 104b(3) Program. 

http://www.lid-stormwater.net/

Watershed Forestry Resource Guide Website

The Center for Watershed Protection has launched the Watershed Forestry Resource Guide Website.  It provides resources, tools and links related to forests and watersheds.

http://www.forestsforwatersheds.org/

The Kosmer Solar House Project

This website provides information on building a passive solar house.

http://www.solarhouseproject.com/

Simple Energy Saving Solutions

This guide provided by Mother Earth News gives tips on how to cut energy consumption, lower utility bills, and to utilize renewable energy.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/uploadedFiles/Marketing/ae_HOMEENERGY(3).pdf

The following tools will help you calculate your energy use and provide information on how to utilize renewable energy and cut down on your energy bills. 

Home Energy Saver

This tool was the first Internet-based tool for measuring home energy use and estimating potential savings.

http://hes.lbl.gov/

Carbon Footprint Calculators

This website provides multiple carbon footprint calculators.  Pick the one that provides information specific to your needs. 

http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/carbon-calculators.html

Energy Saver Tools

This website offers multiple tools and resources for improving energy efficiency in your home or business.

http://www.touchstoneenergysavers.com/savertools.php

 

Newsletter Editor/Design and Layout: Lisen Cummings

Subscribe to this newsletter!      An email version of F. X. Browne, Inc.'s Sustainable Environments is now available. To be added to our mailing list, please visit http://www.fxbrowne.com/subscribe.

 

F. X. Browne, Inc.  – Environmental Consulting

Engineers – Planners – Scientists
31 Years of Excellence & Innovation

 

	Low Impact Development and Stormwater Management   Watershed Management Water Quality Monitoring and Modeling Stream Restoration and Corridor Assessment Wastewater Design and Management Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis and Design Constructed Wetlands Open Space, Park, and Recreation Planning Municipal Engineering GIS Systems Environmental Site Assessments Recycling
	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               

For a printer friendly version of the newsletter, click here.              

                
F. X. Browne, Inc. Sustainable Environments by F. X. Browne, Inc. is licensed under a                
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.              
Clipart from Microsoft Office Online.