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F. X. Browne, Inc.'s
Sustainable Environments
May 2011
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"Spring, the sweet
spring,
is the year's pleasant king;
Then blooms each
thing,
then maids dance in a ring,
Cold doth not
sting,
the pretty birds do sing,
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we,
to-witta-woo!"
~An
excerpt from
Spring, the sweet Spring
By Thomas Nash
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Photo credit: Galileo55 on
Flickr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arrighi/4656185562/ |
“O, wind, if winter
comes, can spring be far behind?”
~Percy Bysshe
Shelley
Skunk Cabbage
(Symplocarpus foetidus) |
May is American Wetlands Month!
Celebrate the 21st
anniversary of American Wetlands Month by learning about wetlands, exploring
a wetland near you, and taking action to protect and restore wetlands.
Wetlands are important to our environment as they improve water quality,
increase water storage and supply, reduce flooding, and provide critical
habitat for plants, fish and wildlife. The U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) website has information and links to sites where you can learn
about the importance of wetlands.
http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/outreach/
Photo credit (left): Muffet on
Flickr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/5653911484/
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News Clips:
Biologically Diverse Streams Best at Nitrate
Removal: Study found niche partitioning resulted in better nitrate uptake by
algae
Biologically diverse streams are able to remove larger amount of nitrate due
to niche partitioning.
More...
Green Roof Industry Grows 28.5 Per Cent in
2010
The Green
Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) released its 2011 Annual Industry Survey of
corporate members and found that the green roof industry grew by 28.5
percent during 2010.
More...
North Carolina Wetland and Stream Mitigation
The North
Carolina Division of Water Quality released a report entitled “Compensatory
Stream and Wetland Mitigation in North Carolina – An Evaluation of
Regulatory Success.” The study evaluated 82 wetland mitigation sites and 79
stream mitigation sites, and found that 75% of the mitigation projects were
successful in meeting their regulatory requirements.
More...
Igloo-shaped Devices Eat Sewage
A new
study shows that inexpensive igloo-shaped devices nicknamed “Poo-Gloos” can
clean sewage as effectively as municipal wastewater treatment facilities
outgrowing their waste-treatment lagoons.
More...
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“Spring has
returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems.”
~Rainer Maria
Rilke |
Policy
Updates:
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Clean Water Act Definition of "Waters of
the United States"
The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (ACOE) have developed draft guidance on determining which
waterways, water bodies or wetlands are protected by the Clean Water
Act. This draft guidance will strengthen protections for small streams
and wetlands by providing clarification that small streams and
intermittent streams are protected under the Clean Water Act if they
have a physical, chemical or biological connection to larger bodies of
water and could affect their integrity. The draft guidance also states
that a water body that has a physical, chemical or biological connection
to an interstate water or a traditional navigable water will be
protected. The definition of “traditional navigable waters” has also
been changed to include a wider range of circumstances. Also,
interstate waters crossing state borders will be protected. Public
comment will be accepted for 60 days from publication in the Federal
Register.
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/guidance/wetlands/CWAwaters.cfm
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EPA Seeks Comments on Draft Document About Identifying and Protecting
Healthy Watersheds
The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting comments on a draft
technical document entitled "Identifying and Protecting Healthy
Watersheds: Concepts, Assessments, and Management Approaches." This
document explains the Agency’s Healthy Watersheds Initiative, which will
protect healthy watersheds, prevent them from becoming impaired, and
improve restoration successes. The document provides information on
identifying healthy watersheds, management approaches, sources of
national data and key assessment tools. Commends will be accepted until
June 3, 2011.
EPA Healthy Watersheds, April 12, 2011
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/watershed/hw_techdocument.cfm
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EPA Solicits Public Comment on Permit to
Reduce Stormwater Discharges from Construction Sites
The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting comments on a draft
permit to improve waterways by regulating the discharge of stormwater
from construction sites. The proposed Construction General Permit (CGP)
includes enhanced protections. Significant modifications include new
requirements for sediment and erosion controls, natural buffers, soil
stabilization, pollution prevention, site inspections, and Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plans. This permit will be effective in areas
where EPA is the permitting authority (Idaho, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Mexico, Washington, D.C., most territories, and most
Indian country lands). Comments will be accepted for 60 days from
publication. The final CGP is expected by January 31, 2012
EPA News Release, April
15, 2011
http://www.epa.gov/aging/press/epanews/2011/2011_0415_1.htm
For more
information on the proposed construction general permit, visit
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/cgp.cfm
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“My favorite
weather is bird-chirping weather."
~Loire Hartwould
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Renew Growing Greener!
Renew Growing
Greener is a coalition focused on renewing the Growing Greener
program, which has made huge improvements in Pennsylvania. Over the
past four years, the program has protected over 33,700 acres
farmland, conserved over 42,300 acres of threatened open space,
improved public recreation through 234 community park projects, and
restored over 1,600 acres of abandoned mine land. A large list of
organizations, government entities, and private individuals has
shown support by signing the Statement of Support, including F. X.
Browne, Inc. Visit the Renew Growing Greener website to learn more
about the coalition and sign their Statement of Support.
http://renewgrowinggreener.org/statement-of-support/
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Photo credit (above): Kristine Paulus on
Flickr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kpaulus/4627220357/
Link of the Month:
BMP
and LID Whole Life Cost Models: Version 2.0
The Water Environment
Research Foundation has provided spreadsheet tools and a user’s guide
for calculating capital costs and ongoing maintenance costs to estimate
the whole life costs for stormwater management best management practices
(BMPs) and low impact development (LID) techniques. Models are provided
for retention ponds, extended detention basins, swales, permeable
pavement, green roofs, large commercial cisterns, residential rain
gardens, curb-contained bioretention, and in-curb planter vaults.
http://www.werf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Research_Profile&Template=/CustomSource/Research/PublicationProfile.cfm&id=SW2R08
“Spring is when
you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. “
~Doug Larson
How to
Make a Rain Barrel
Rain barrels
capture stormwater that runs off your roof and would otherwise be
wasted. That water can then be reused to irrigate your lawn or
flowerbeds. There are many rain barrels available for sale and many
sources of information to build your own. Your local conservation
district is a great place to start. Often though of being an
eyesore, rain barrels can add charm to your landscape if you’re
creative with material choices. Here’s an article that details how
to make your own rain barrel.
“Conserve Water
by Harvesting Rainwater: How to Make a Rain Barrel”
By Carol Steinfeld,
Natural Home & Garden, March/April 2007
http://www.naturalhomeandgarden.com/article.aspx?id=936&utm_content=
NH+eNews+04.07.11&utm_campaign=NH_ENEWS&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email
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Tools and
Publications:
Wetlands-At-Risk Protection Tool (WARPT) Website
This tool
provides a process for local governments to develop a plan for protecting
at-risk wetlands, which are vulnerable to impacts from development or other land
uses. The WARPT process outlines the process of protecting at-risk wetlands by
updating wetland maps, estimating wetland loss, identifying priority wetlands,
estimating wetland values, and protecting wetlands. This tool was developed by
the Center for Watershed Protection under a cooperative agreement from the U.S.
EPA, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds and was reviewed by an advisory
committee of local governments and wetland scientists.
http://www.wetlandprotection.org/
The Value of Green Infrastructure: A Guide to
Recognizing Its Economic, Environmental and Social Benefits
This guide was
published by the Center for Neighborhood Technology, with assistance from the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Rivers. It explains the
multiple benefits of using green infrastructure within the urban context,
including green roofs, trees, rain gardens and permeable pavement to reduce
stormwater runoff and improve water quality.
http://www.cnt.org/repository/gi-values-guide.pdf
THROUGH A FISH’S EYE: The Status of Fish
Habitats in the United States 2010
The National
Fish Habitat Board released a report of the status of fish habitats in the
United States. This report explains the challenges and opportunities facing
fish habitat conservation efforts. Major sources of habitat degradation include
urbanization, agriculture, dams, culverts, pollution and other human impacts.
Restoration of these critical habitats can be attained through best management
practices, land use planning, and engaging the public in the effort. The report
rates habitat degradation from very low to very high across the nation. The
report states that 27% of the miles of stream are at high or very high risk of
habitat degradation, 29% are at moderate risk, and 44% are at low or very low
risk. A National Fish Habitat Action Plan map and data web tool are also
provided to allow users to see multiple views of stream conditions and coastal
habitats across the country and provide more detailed information.
To view the
report, visit
http://fishhabitat.org/images/documents/fishhabitatreport_012611.pdf
To view the
map, visit
http://www.nbii.gov/far/nfhap/
ADA Update
The U.S.
Department of Justice released new regulations for the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) effective March 15, 2011. The PA DCNR has updated their
reference materials to comply with these new regulations. The reference
materials include information for recreation and park facilities including
Accessible Parking and Accessible Routes, Accessible Play Areas, Accessible
Sports Facilities, Accessible Swimming Pools & Spas, Accessible Boating
Facilities, Accessible Fishing Piers & Platforms, Accessible Golf Courses and
Accessible Miniature Golf Courses. To view the information, visit
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd2/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003446.pdf
“In the Spring, I have
counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.”
~Mark Twain
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PA Falcon Cam
The first falcon egg
hatched on April 20, 2011. The cute fledgling is doing well and has the
nest all to itself. Unfortunately, the young female is very young and is
expected to lay infertile eggs, which explains why the other eggs have not
hatched. This will allow her to put all her energy into this young
nestling. Visit the falcon cam to watch these beautiful birds on the live
cam.
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/falcon/
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Newsletter Editor/Design and Layout:
Lisen Cummings
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of F. X. Browne, Inc.'s Sustainable Environments is now available. To be added to our mailing list, please visit
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F. X.
Browne, Inc. – Environmental Consulting
Engineers – Planners – Scientists
34 Years of Excellence & Innovation
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.
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