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Editor's
Notes:
Multiflora Rose
Photo credit: lynnmwillis on
Flickr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnmwillis/
504752067/in/photostream/
Purple Loosestrife
Photo Credit: Muffet on Flickr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/954457752/
Japanese Knotweed
Photo credit: Muffet on Flickr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/39965006/
in/photostream/
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN from F. X. Browne,
Inc.!
With the Halloween season
almost here, it's time to prepare for mischief night. Whether a
ghost, goblin, or fairy princess, no trick-or-treater scares me more
than an invasive species. Here's why:
Garlic Mustard (Ailiaria petiolata):
This species releases a toxic poison (glucosinolates) into the soil,
killing beneficial fungi and native plants.
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicara japonica): This vine
will choke the life out of it's host. Known to grow up to 30 feet
tall, it twines around the nearest object and has no mercy.
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora): This shrub is a
reproductive nightmare. Each shrub has the ability to produce up
to 1 million seeds, which are viable for up to 20 years.
Purple
Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria): This flower hides
behind it's beautiful purple mask. Beneath, there is no hidden
beauty. They grow near the water, which can distribute the
millions of tiny seeds produced by just one plant.
Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum): This plant
has roots that can rival the success of Frankenstein, and thorns that
will keep you at bay. Each plant has rhizomes that can reach 16-20
feet long. Even a small piece of root can resprout, creating a new
plant.
For more information on invasive
species, visit:
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
http://www.bhwp.org/native/invasive_plants.htm
National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC)
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/
~ Lisen Cummings, Sustainable Environments Editor/Designer
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Topic
of the Month:
Tell us What You Think
We have been providing feature articles on a range of
subjects since 2004. Now it's your chance to tell us what
interests you. If you have any ideas for articles or would like to
contribute an article, you may be featured in future editions of
Sustainable Environments. You can e-mail suggestions or articles
to lcummings@fxbrowne.com.
We appreciate your feedback and look forward to reading your
submissions.
Rainwater Micro Brew
RainHarvest
Systems is working with 5 Seasons Brewery to use on-site captured
rainwater in producing their micro brewed beer. The beer will be
utilized for publicity events to promote rainwater harvesting. All
of the brewerys future beers will be made from rainwater. They
will be the premier US brewery based completely on rain water.
Water Efficiency
Journal, September 1, 2009
http://www.waterefficiency.net/the-latest/rainharvest-rainwater-palooza.aspx
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News Clips:
Pike County Two-Year Water Study
A 2-year study of Pike
County, PA watersheds and ground water shows good quality and quantity.
However, 75% of the testing wells showed radioactive radon exceeding normal
levels.
More...
Climate Change Makes River Restoration More Important Than Ever, Paper Concludes
Restoring rivers and riparian
buffers will be increasingly important as climate change impacts our ecosystems.
More...
Water
Quality Improves After Lawn Fertilizer Ban, Study Shows
Some municipalities are
banning the use of phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers.
More...
Philadelphia
Stormwater Management Improvements
Approximately
$1.6 billion has been set aside for Philadelphia to improve their stormwater
management over the next 20 years.
More...
Chloride Found At Levels That Can Harm
Aquatic Life In Urban Streams Of Northern US
A study
released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shows that levels of Chloride,
a component of salt, are above recommended federal criteria in over 40% of
urban streams that were tested.
More...
Policy
Updates:
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EPA Seeks Public Input on National Enforcement Priorities through Online
Forum
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched an online
discussion forum. The public is invited to comment on the future
priorities for their national enforcement program until December 1,
2009. All ideas will be evaluated and considered. Current priorities
include stormwater runoff pollution, air toxics, concentrated animal
feeding operations, and mineral processing.
To submit suggestions, go to
http://blog.epa.gov/enforcementnationalpriority/
For information on the enforcement priorities go
to
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/data/planning/priorities/index.html
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EPA Proposes Rule to Reduce Impacts on Water Quality by Airport Deicing
Operations
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to control
contaminated wastewater runoff from deicing operations. De-icing
discharges draining to nearby waters can contaminate the water, reduce
oxygen levels, harm wildlife, and effect residential areas and parks.
The rule will include using less polluting substitutes. The reduction
of deicing-related pollutants is expected to be 44.6 million pounds per
year. Public comments will be accepted through December 28, 2009.
http://www.epa.gov/guide/airport/
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Obama Administration Releases Chesapeake Bay Restoration Plans
Seven draft reports have been released focusing on ways to reduce
pollution by increasing government accountability and public
involvement. The Federal Leadership Committee will create a coordinated
strategy for restoration and protection for the Chesapeake Bay, using
the draft reports and public comments. Beginning November 9, 2009, the
draft coordinated strategy and revised report will be available for
public review and comment. The final strategy will be released by May
12, 2010.
Environment News Service, September 12, 2009
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/sep2009/2009-09-10-01.asp
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New Limits on Pesticide Uses Will Protect Salmon
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to place
additional limitations on the use of three organophosphate pesticides in
order to protect salmon and steelhead in California, Idaho, Oregon and
Washington. Changes will likely be made to product labels, creating
buffer zones, limitations on application factors such as wind, moisture,
and weather.
EPA News Release, September 11, 2009
For more information, visit
http://www.epa.gov/espp/
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EPA Expected to Declare Carbon Dioxide as Pollutant
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to include carbon
dioxide as a harmful pollutant, triggering federal regulations on
greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
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EPA Seeks Public Comment on Strategy for Greener
Site Cleanups and Approaches
EPA is
seeking public comment on the Superfund Green Remediation Strategy, a
strategy to make the cleaning of hazardous waste sites greener and to
reduce energy consumption. Public comment will be open for through
November 10.
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/greenremediation
More information on Principles for Greener Cleanups:
http://www.epa.gov/oswer/greencleanups/index.html
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Eyes on the Earth 3D: NASA Satellite
Imagery
This new Earth visualization tool provides
the latest NASA satellite imagery within hours of being photographed. You
can access sea level height, concentration of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere, global temperature, and the extent of sea ice in the Arctic. It
also provides games, videos, and interactive programs.
http://climate.jpl.nasa.gov/Eyes/index.html
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Links of the Month:
National Wetland Plant List (NWPL)
Website
The U.
S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a website for updating the NWPL,
which lists the wetland ratings for plant species. The website allows
users to submit information and assist in updating the NWPL. It
provides information on nearly 10,000 plants, with maps and
photographs.
https://rsgis.crrel.usace.army.mil/apex/f?p=703
Wetland Guides/Resources - ASWM
The
Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) is an excellent source for
information on wetlands. It provides links to many guides, articles, and
websites related to wetlands.
http://www.aswm.org/fwp/consultant/index.htm#guides
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BMP of the Month: Rooftop Disconnection
This non-structural
Best Management Practice (BMP) consists of disconnecting roof downspouts
from storm sewers and directing stormwater to vegetated areas to promote
infiltration and evapotranspiration. Rooftop disconnection
decreases stormwater runoff volumes/peaks and improves water quality.
This technique works well in conjunction with rain barrels and rain
gardens.
Photo credit: Fr.
Antunes
on Flickr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscoantunes/1196848877/
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If you are interested in reducing your stormwater runoff, F. X. Browne, Inc. can help!
We can
utilize rooftop disconnection in your project to meet federal, state, and local
stormwater management requirements and to enhance the aesthetic and ecological
value of your property.
Tools and
Publications:
EPA: Elizabeth River Priority Project
Webpage
This website identifies projects and
objectives to improve the water quality of the Elizabeth River, one of the
most severely polluted rivers in the nation. It provides information on
cleanups, pollution prevention, wildlife habitat restoration, and brownfield
and superfund redevelopment/reuse programs.
http://www.epa.gov/region03/elizabethriver
EPA: TMDL Program Results Analysis Web Site
This new website provides information on
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program results. It provides a Clean Water
Act Impaired Waters Program Pipeline navigation feature, fact sheets,
reports, publications and datasets.
http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/results
Smart Growth for
Coastal and Waterfront Communities
This guide is
focused on coastal and waterfront communities and helping them to implement
smart growth and sustainable development to ultimately protect beneficial
natural resources. It describes tools and techniques (and provides case
studies) for smart growth.
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sg-coastal.html
To view the guide, visit
http://coastalsmartgrowth.noaa.gov/
Protecting Water Resources with Higher-Density Development
The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released this guide focused on how
higher-density development can help to protect water resources. The U.S.
Census Bureau predicts that the U.S. population will increase by 50 million
people between 2000 and 2020. Communities will need to plan for this growth
in order to protect their water resources.
http://www.epa.gov/dced/water_density.htm
Water Research Foundation Climate Change Clearinghouse for Water Community
This
website provides research, publications, and links regarding climate change
and its effects on drinking water, wastewater, and water reuse.
http://www.theclimatechangeclearinghouse.org/ClimateChangeClearinghouse/ForTheWaterCommunity.aspx
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Newsletter Editor/Design and Layout:
Lisen Cummings
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F. X.
Browne, Inc. Environmental Consulting
Engineers Planners Scientists
31 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:
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Office Online.
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