Evil Invaders Investigated

It sounds like the makings of an ecological disaster: an epidemic of invasive species that wipes out the delicate native species in its path. But a paper published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences points out that not all invasions have led to mass extinctions. 

Dov Sax, an ecologist at Brown University, and Steven D. Gaines, a marine biologist at the University of California Santa Barbara, are at odds with many other experts on invasive species. Their critics argue that the speed with which species are being moved around the planet, combined with other kinds of stress on the environment, is having a major impact. There is little doubt that some invasive species have driven native species extinct. But Dr. Sax argues that they are far more likely to be predators than competitors. While some invasions are indeed devastating, they often do not set off extinctions. They can even spur the evolution of new diversity.

September 9, 2008 New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/science/09inva.html

North American Freshwater Fish Slowly Disappearing

Nearly 40 percent of fish species in North American streams, rivers and lakes are now in jeopardy, according to the most detailed evaluation of the conservation status of freshwater fishes in the last 20 years.

The 700 fishes now listed represent a staggering 92 percent increase over the 364 listed as "imperiled" in the previous 1989 study published by the American Fisheries Society. Researchers classified each of the 700 fishes listed as either vulnerable (230), threatened (190), or endangered (280). In addition, 61 fishes are presumed extinct. The new report, published in Fisheries, was conducted by a U.S. Geological Survey-led team of scientists from the United States, Canada and Mexico, who examined the status of continental freshwater and diadromous (those that migrate between rivers and oceans) fish.

The groups of fish most at risk are the highly valuable salmon and trout of the Pacific Coast and western mountain regions; minnows, suckers and catfishes throughout the continent; darters in the Southeastern United States; and pupfish, livebearers, and goodeids, a large, native fish family in Mexico and the Southwestern United States. Nearly half of the carp and minnow family and the Percidae (family of darters, perches and their relatives) are in jeopardy. Fish families important for sport or commercial fisheries also had many populations at risk. More than 60 percent of the salmon and trout had at least one population or subspecies in trouble, while 22 percent of sunfishes — which includes the well-known species such as black bass, bluegill and rock bass — were listed. Even one of the most popular game species in the United States, striped bass, has populations on the list.

ScienceDaily. September 10, 2008: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909205412.htm

The 'Killer' Wasps Are Back

Summertime hasn't been the same in Upper Macungie Township since the invasion of the killer wasps.

The little dirt mounds that mysteriously piled up on the lawn were the first hints of trouble. Then came the onslaught of frightening large-winged killers dive-bombing his property and turning lawns into a birthing suite for bugs. The culprit? Eastern cicada killers, super-sized wasps that show up annually to mate, lay eggs and prey on cicadas. Once they show up, they're nearly impossible to eradicate. They may look scary -- they can grow to be 2 inches long -- but there's no reason to panic when you come across one, experts say. They're not out to sting humans, preferring to save their ammunition for cicadas. Many scientists recommend against killing them, saying they serve a valuable purpose: killing off cicadas, the insects known for their annoying buzzing sound and plant-damaging tendencies. 

The Morning Call, August 31, 2008, http://mobile.mcall.com/news.jsp?key=168186

Beware! Giant Land Trout Invade the Poconos! 

All around Stroudsburg, the fish were seen out of water! Giant trout, each one approximately 5 feet tall and weighing at least 75 pounds were skulking around Pocono area businesses, just biding their time...

The fiberglass trout statues were part of the Trout Trails and Tales auction, a community awareness project that is a part of a study of the Pocono Creek Watershed called the Framework for Sustainable Watershed Management. The study showed that if the Pocono Creek watershed is continued to be developed using current zoning regulations, the amount of water in the stream will drop by 31 percent by the time the watershed is fully developed. This iwill result in fewer trout. Each trout was designed and created by different people or teams of people and artists, and then auctioned to the highest bidder. Most of the bidding started at $100, with the highest final bid at $1,250.

Pocono Record, August 31, 2008 http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080831/NEWS/808310340 

New Biosolids Facility May Help Reduce FRIGHTENING Sewage Costs

A small Pennsylvania business is constructing a biosolids operations that will allow it to avoid a FRIGHTFUL doubling of the rate charged to customers due to a need to comply with Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction standards. 

The cost of hauling waste to treatment plants has increased in the Bay watershed, because the plants are required to upgrade their facilities in order to meet the Chesapeake Bay cleanup initiative. These extra costs are passed on to haulers and therefore consumers. Foresman Septic Services in Elimsport is launching a biosolids operation that will turn septic waste into usable fertilizers for local farmers. The biosolids facility will reduce the amount of septage being hauled to the treatment plants, and therefore reduce the amount of nitrates entering the Chesapeake Bay. http://www.dailyitem.com/0100_news/local_story_257025309.html 

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:

• November 17 for the January 26, 2009 board meeting
• February 16, 2009 for the April 20, 2009 board meeting

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

CWP Technical Capacity Mini-Grants

With funding from an EPA Targeted Watershed Initiative Grant, the Center for Watershed Protection (CWP) is currently inviting proposals to its Technical Capacity Mini-Grant program, awarding direct assistance and financial support to a wide range of small watershed organizations. Up to ten $5,000-15,000 grants will be awarded to strengthen the technical capacity of these groups in the area of stormwater and watershed management. These grants may be awarded in the form of direct assistance from CWP staff. Alternatively, mini-grant recipients may also receive cash assistance and tailored information where necessary. Proposals are being accepted on a rolling basis. http://www.cwp.org/Calendar/CWPMinigrantsRFP.pdf 

PPL Educational Grants Program

PPL is accepting applications for its 2008 Environmental Education Grant Program which focuses on renewable energy and energy conservation projects. Applications are due October 15. Through these competitive grants, schools can receive from $500 up to $5,000 in funding for projects that focus on energy and environmental issues like renewable energy demonstrations, energy conservation and the greening of schools. All qualifying public, private and parochial schools near major PPL facilities are eligible to apply. Schools are strongly encouraged to partner with an organization, association or business that shares their interest in the environment, but the school must submit the application, receive the grant money and have primary responsibility for the project. http://www.pplweb.com/community+partners/our+education+programs/environmental+education+grants.htm

Tulpehocken and Quittapahilla Watersheds Restoration Grants

The Fish and Boat Commission is now accepting applications for $113,900 in grants to support stream restoration, habitat enhancement and recreational enhancement activities on streams located in the Tulpehocken Creek and Quittapahilla Creek watersheds. Applications are due October 15. The grants can be used for stand-alone projects or to supplement other funding for larger projects that are designed to improve aquatic habitat, water quality, or recreational use. http://www.fish.state.pa.us/promo/grants/tulpe_quitta/application.doc 

PA Coastal Zone Management Grants

Pennsylvania DEP is offering grants help to improve public access to Pennsylvania's two coastal zone areas, protect natural resources, expand strategies to improve local economies, promote proper planning and conserve coastal resources. The grant proposals must support the DEP Coastal Zone Management Program’s mission to protect and enhance the commonwealth’s coastal resources. Pennsylvania has two coastal areas: along the Delaware Estuary and along Lake Erie. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions, authorities, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions located within Pennsylvania's coastal zones. Applications must be postmarked no later than October 20. http://www.dep.state.pa.us/river/czm_projs.htm 

Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund

The Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund is accepting pre-proposals for grants between $200,000 and $1 million to support the demonstration of innovative approaches to expand the collective knowledge about the most cost effective and sustainable approaches to dramatically reduce or eliminate nutrient and sediment pollution to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Eligible applicants include non-profit groups, universities, and local or state governments. Online applications must be completed by October 31. http://www.nfwf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Chesapeake_Bay_Stewardship_Fund&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=46&ContentID=10324 

PAFBC Boating Facilities Grants

The PA Fish and Boat Commission has announced that non-profit land trusts, conservancies, and watershed associations may now apply for grants through the agency’s Boating Facilities Grant Program. The program previously allowed only local government entities to apply for the grants. Applications are due October 31. The grant program, administered by the PFBC, will reimburse recipients for up to 75 percent of the costs for land acquisition, project design and engineering, development, expansion, and major rehabilitation of public recreational boat access facilities in Pennsylvania. http://www.fish.state.pa.us/promo/grants/boat_fac/00boatfac.htm

PADEP Recycling Infrastructure Development Grants

The PADEP is now accepting applications for the 2008 Recycling Markets Infrastructure Development Grant Program. Applications are due November 3. This program provides reimbursement for equipment costs associated with increasing the use of recycled content in products by for-profit business entities or incorporated nonprofit organizations located and operating in PA as a result of a grant award under this program. The Department will award grants of up to $500,000 to any one project. 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/market/market.htm

PPL Green Building Certification Grants

PPL is offering grants of up to $5,000 to pay registration, design and construction reviews needed to achieve Gold certification under LEED green building standards. PPL is accepting applications from non-profit economic development organizations plus architectural and design firms and developers/owners in communities in Central Eastern Pennsylvania through November 30. http://www.pplelectric.com/NR/rdonlyres/93446100-48BD-4FF6-94B8-2CA2B4D6C95A/0/PPLEconomic_Development_Partnership_Program.pdf

Sinnemahoning and Portage Creek Watershed Grants

Applications are being accepted through November 30 for $200,000 in the first round of the Sinnemahoning Watershed Grants. Settlement monies from the June 30, 2006 Norfolk Southern train derailment that caused a serious fish kill in Big Fill Run, Sinnemahoning Portage Creek and the Driftwood Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek are being administered by the Headwaters RC&D Sinnemahoning Stakeholders Committee to fund successful applications. This program offers funding for projects that further the protection, enhancement, conservation, preservation or enjoyment of environmental, conservation, recreation or similar resources within the Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed. http://mckeancountypa.org

Coldwater Heritage Partnership Watershed Grants

The Coldwater Heritage Partnership is now accepting applications for the Coldwater Conservation Grant Program to protect and conserve the health of Pennsylvania’s coldwater ecosystems. Applications are due December 15. The grants are designed to help develop conservation plans that identify the values and threats to the health of our coldwater ecosystems that have naturally reproducing trout. The partnership will award grants averaging around $5,000 to organizations to outline strategies that best conserve and protect our coldwater fisheries. http://www.coldwaterheritage.org/grant_application.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. The October 7 Webcast will focus on on "Gulf Hypoxia." Past Webcast topics include Climate Change, 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 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: October 14-15 - Clearfield County November 5-6 - Greene County  http://www.mri.psu.edu/centers/cdgrs/calendar/calendar.html PA Westmoreland Conservation District Events  The Westmoreland Conservation District’s upcoming slate of programs offers a variety of informative and fun ways to learn more about conservation. While some are geared to specific audiences or an advanced level of technical expertise, anyone is welcome to attend. Upcoming events include: October 16 - Sustainable Energy Field Day – Homeowners’ How-To January 6-7 - Geographic Information Systems Workshop January 23 - Contractors’ Workshop http://www.wcdpa.com/documents/EdCalendarDr2.pdf  Walk for the Wissahickon Walkathon On October 5, the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association's Walk for the Wissahickon gives people the opportunity to discover the beauty of their watershed while raising money for a good cause. Hikers can choose to hike 5, 8, 13 or all 21-miles of the Green Ribbon Trail, a 21-mile hiking trail that follows the Wissahickon Creek through ten townships in southeastern PA. Moderate hikers can choose the 2.5-mile "Historical Walk" which ends with a tour of WVWA's Watershed Association's efforts to preserve open space. http://www.wvwa.org/walkathon.htm  WEFTEC.08 Conference The 81st Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) will be held on October 18-22 in Chicago, IL. It is the largest conference of its kind in North America and offers water quality professionals water quality education and training, as well as technical sessions, workshops, and facility tours. http://www.weftec.org/home.htm NJ Stream Restoration Course The NJ Section of the American Water Resources Association is sponsoring a short course in River & Stream Restoration: Geomorphic & Ecological Processes at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ. Participants can attend the first two days only (October 20-21) to learn about restoration approaches and how to determine the technique most suitable for a given stream, or attend the entire five days (October 20-24) and benefit from training in field techniques and integration of geomorphology into restoration planning and design. http://streamrestorationnj.com/  MD Watersheds & Wetlands Workshop The Wetlands & Watersheds Workgroup is holding the eleventh annual Watersheds and Wetlands Workshop in Ocean City, MD on October 27-31, in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists annual meeting. http://wetlandsworkgroup.org/wetreg11/11th%20Workshop.htm  PA Creating Sustainable Community Parks Conference The Creating Sustainable Community Parks Conference will be held at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA on October 29. Conference attendees will learn about the benefits of protecting natural resources and how they can save time and money by implementing sustainable practices into their parks. While anyone may attend the conference, the target audience includes the following counties: Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, and Schuylkill. Additional conferences will take place in different parts of the state in the coming years. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cscp08  NALMS 2008 NALMS 2008 will be held at Château Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, on November 11-14 with the theme "Lake Management in a Changing Environment." The symposium will focus on lake management during unprecedented development, water scarcity, and climate change. Expect an excellent and wide-ranging technical program. More than 30 special sessions and several pre-conference workshops are proposed. http://www.nalms.org/Conferences/2008LakeLouise/Default.aspx APA Regional Conference The 2008 American Planning Association (APA) Regional Planning Conference, "Growing Greener - Planning Healthy Communities for a Healthy Planet," will be held on November 19-21 in Annapolis, MD. http://www.delawareapa.org/2008%20MD-DE%20Conference.html

Link Of The Month

New ASWM Wetland Mapping Site

The Association of State Wetland Managers has a new webpage on wetland mapping that will serve as a jumping-off point for people involved with mapping projects around the country. The site includes helpful wetland mapping program links, publications, news articles, and other resources. Future plans for the site include an online forum for those involved with wetland mapping projects to find out what other folks are doing in their programs.  http://www.aswm.org/swp/mapping/index.htm 

Podcast Introduces EPA's New Problem-Solving Tool

EPA's latest audio podcast "Magic MIRA Tells All" introduces EPA Region 3's new Multi-criteria Integrated Resource Assessment (MIRA) problem-solving tool devised to assist in the environmental decision making process. MIRA's analytical toolbox takes a hard look at environmental problems and seeks improvements using the right mix of programs. http://www.epa.gov/region3/multimedia/

CWP Releases Street Sweeping/Stormdrain Cleanout Study

In 2005, the Center for Watershed Protection collaborated with a number of agencies to quantify the pollutant reduction that can be achieved by street sweeping and storm drain cleanouts. This research study had three phases: a literature review, a survey, and a monitoring program. All of the information was used to provide locally-derived pollutant removal reductions for street sweeping and storm drain cleanout practices for Chesapeake Bay communities. The final report, entitled Deriving Reliable Pollutant Removal Rates for Municipal Street Sweeping and Storm Drain Cleanout Programs in the Chesapeake Bay Basin, as well as GIS field forms, are available now on the Center's website. http://www.cwp.org/#sweeping 

Stormwater BMP Maintenance Report Available

A report on the Survey of Post-Construction Stormwater BMP Maintenance and Enforcement in North Carolina, which Triangle J Council of Governments and the UNC Environmental Finance Center jointly conducted with funding assistance from NCDENR, is now available online. The survey asked stormwater program managers about basic program components, BMP review and approval, tracking BMPs and inspections, performance guarantees, enforcement mechanisms, and lessons learned. http://www.efc.unc.edu/projects/stormwater.htm#research