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Editor's
Notes:
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
from F. X. Browne,
Inc.!
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Allegheny National Forest
I’ve spent a lot of
time in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF), and it is dear to my
heart. There are countless activities in this beautiful Pennsylvania
treasure, and it would take me a lifetime to become bored of it. If you
share this love or would like to learn more about the ANF, I recommend
you visit the following sites.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/
Friends of Allegheny Wilderness
This organization
is working to have more wilderness area designated within the ANF. Less
than two percent of the ANF is currently protected as wilderness. For
more information and to learn how you can help, visit
http://www.pawild.org/
Proposed Chestnut Ridge Wilderness
A new video is
available about the proposed Chestnut Ridge Wilderness and the
wilderness protection in the ANF.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w0XzXXHNfU
To view a map of
the proposed Chestnut Ridge Wilderness area, visit
http://www.pawild.org/images/maps/chestnut_ridge.jpg
~ Lisen Cummings, Sustainable Environments Editor/Designer
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Topic
of the Month:
Deepwater
Horizon Oil Spill
In addition to
tragically losing the lives of 11 workers, The Deepwater Horizon oil spill
off the coast of Louisiana proved to be one of the largest ecological
disasters of our lives. We started this feature article in the May edition
of Sustainable Environments, and have provided updates in each edition since
then. To view past articles, click on the Previous Newsletters link at the
top of the newsletter on the main page.
As of October 6, 2010, approximately 18,589 personnel are responding to
protect shoreline, wildlife and cleanup coastlines. Approximately 104
miles of shoreline are experiencing moderate to heavy oil impacts (95
miles in Louisiana, 9 miles in Mississippi and 1 mile in Florida).
Approximately 485 miles of shoreline are experiencing light to trace oil
impacts (224 miles in Louisiana, 81 miles in Mississippi, 60 miles in
Alabama, and 114 miles in Florida).
More...
CONTACT INFO
INFORMATION SOURCES
NEWS ARTICLES
PHOTOS
PLANTS AND WILDLIFE
Pennsylvania Weekly Fall Foliage Report
by the Department Of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of
Forestry
Check out the
fall foliage report, updated weekly, to learn when the peak fall
color will be, the percentage of fall colors, the tree species to
look for, and the differences between different regions of
Pennsylvania.
To view the
October 5, 2010 Pennsylvania fall foliage report, visit
http://iconservepa.org/fallreports/10-1005foliagereport.pdf
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News Clips:
Many Urban Streams Harmful to Aquatic Life
Following Winter Pavement Deicing
A new U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) study has show that the use of salt for deicing pavement can
be toxic to aquatic life.
More...
Evidence for a Novel Marine Harmful Algal
Bloom: Cyanotoxin (Microcystin) Transfer from Land to Sea Otters
Toxic Algae (cyanobacteria)
blooms produce persistent biotoxins (microcystins) that are toxic to
freshwater habitats. This research paper shows that contaminated freshwater
is entering marine ecosystems and is causing more harm.
More...
Elevated Nitrogen and Phosphorus Still Widespread in Much of the Nation’s
Streams and Groundwater
The United States
Geological Service (USGS) has released a new national study entitled The
Quality of Our Nation's Waters: Nutrients in the Nation’s Streams and
Groundwater, 1992–2004.
More...
EPA, D.C. Showcase Recovery Act-Funded Green
Roof
A new 27,750 square
foot green roof has been installed on the World Wildlife Fund headquarters
in Washington D.C.
More...
World's Rivers in 'Crisis State', Report
Finds
A report
published in the journal Nature (September 30, 2010) details findings
on the health of the world’s rivers, and the effects of pollution, dams,
agricultural runoff, the conversion of wetlands, and the introduction of
exotic species.
More...
First-of-its-kind study finds alarming
increase in flow of water into oceans: UCI-led team cites global warming,
accelerated cycle of evaporation, precipitation
A new study is showing
that the amount of freshwater flowing into the Earth’s oceans has been
increasing every year.
More...
Policy
Updates:
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President Obama Signs Executive
Order Officially Forming Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force
On October 5,
2010, President Obama signed an executive order creating the task
force, which will implement restoration programs and projects in the
gulf coast. They will also work with the Department of Health and
Human Services on public health issues and will work with other
federal agencies to enhance the economic benefits of ecosystem
restoration. The task force will be made up of five state
representatives, one senior official each from the departments of
Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and
Transportation. Representatives from affected tribes may also be
included.
EPA News Release,
October 5, 2010
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/955A6A00BBCB26FE852577B30068455E
To view the executive order, visit
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/10/05/executive-order-gulf-coast-ecosystem-restoration-task-force
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EPA Issues Clean Water and Drinking Water
Infrastructure
Sustainability Policy
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a
Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy
to increase the sustainability of water and wastewater
infrastructure. Constant upgrades and repairs are a costly
necessity for aging water and wastewater systems. The policy aims
to make communities more environmentally and economically
sustainable by promoting comprehensive planning processes that focus
on creating cost effective and resource efficient projects.
EPA
News Release, October 4, 2010
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/F856039FF7A0D099852577B20064A8B6
For more information, visit
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/sustain/Clean-Water-and-Drinking-Water-Infrastructure-Sustainability-Policy.cfm
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Independent Science Advisory Board Draft Review Supports EPA Science
on Mountaintop Mining Impacts
The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Independent Science Advisory
Board (SAB) released the first draft review of EPA’s draft report “A
Field-Based Aquatic Benchmark for Conductivity in Central
Appalachian Streams,” which provided research on water quality
impacts from mountaintop mining. The SAB supports the EPA’s
research that shows that valley fills from mountaintop mining
increase levels of conductivity (a measure of water pollution) in
downstream waters, which threatens stream life. The benchmark of
EPA’s research is to protect 95% of aquatic species in streams
affected by mountaintop mining and valley fills.
EPA News Release,
September 30, 2010
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/D37FEA38DD600608852577AE006F8CB9
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Chesapeake Bay Updates
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Pennsylvania Submits Draft Chesapeake
Bay Watershed Implementation Plan
The Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) has submitted the
Pennsylvania’s Draft Phase 1 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation
Plan (WIP) to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This plan
outlines Pennsylvania’s plan to address nutrient and sediment loadings
to the Chesapeake Bay. The WIP addresses three core elements: milestone
implementation and tracking, implementation of technologies and nutrient
trading, and enhancing compliance efforts. The public comment period is
open till November 8, 2010.
To view the draft
WIP (Phase 1), visit
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/chesapeake_bay_program/10513
To view the new
release, visit
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=13971&typeid=2
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EPA Says PA Chesapeake Bay Pollution Reduction Plan Has Serious
Deficiencies
PA Environment Digest,
September 27, 2010
http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=16879&SubjectID=&SearchWord=EPA+Says+PA+Chesapeake
+Bay+Pollution+Reduction+Plan+Has+Serious+Deficiencies
EPA Releases More Detailed List Of PA
Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Plan Deficiencies
PA Environment Digest,
October 4, 2010
http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=16957
EPA finds flaws in most states' plans to
clean up waterways: Draft TMDL warns of consequences if problems aren't
addressed
By Karl Blankenship,
Chesapeake Bay Journal, October 2010
http://www.bayjournal.com/article.cfm?article=3929
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EPA Issues Draft Chesapeake Bay ‘Pollution Diet' -
Draft TMDL Contains Strong Federal Measures to Fill in Gaps in State
Pollution Reduction Plans
On September 24,
2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft
Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). This TMDL is designed
to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed by implementing a
mandatory pollution diet. It sets limits on how much nitrogen,
phosphorus and sediment pollution are discharged into the Bay and its
tributaries. The reductions necessary for a healthy watershed include a
25% reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus and a 16% reduction in
sediment. Comments will be accepted for 45 days. For more information
and to view the Draft TMDL, visit
http://www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl.
EPA News Release,
September 24, 2010
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/90829d899627a1d98525735900400c2b/
c54ed5ac7ea35abe852577a80057cc4c!OpenDocument
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Chesapeake Bay Restoration Budget and Action Plan
The fiscal year 2011 action
plan has been released by federal agencies for restoring the Chesapeake
Bay. The action plan provides $491 million for restoration projects and
programs including $72 million for farmers to implement conservation
practices in high priority areas; $20 million to implement stronger
regulatory and accountability for stormwater runoff; and $30 million for
land protection. Projects will also improve fish passage in 67 miles of
streams and 60 acres of oyster reefs. The action plan focuses on four
goal areas of water quality, habitat, fish and wildlife and land and
public access.
September 30, 2010
http://executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net/post/24491-Million-in-Federal-Resources-Targeted-for-Chesapeake-Bay-Restoration-in-FY-2011.aspx
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Grants and Awards:
Click on a grant for more information)
Only currently available grants are listed on the grant page. NEW
refers to grants added since last month's edition of Sustainable
Environments.
Grants:
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Electronic Grants System
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative
Chesapeake Bay Trust Mini Grants
1675 Foundation
Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund
William Penn Foundation Grants
Maryland DNR Grants and Loans
Maryland DNR Tree-Mendous Program - Trees for Schools Project
The Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee (MUCFC) Grants
PennVEST Loans – Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Grants Page
NY DEC Grants
USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal (WWD) Loan and Grant Program
for Rural Areas
USDA Technical Assistance and Training Grants for Rural Areas
USDA Solid Waste Management Grant Program for Rural Areas
PA Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP)
Gannett Foundation - Community Action Grants
H2O PA - High Hazard Unsafe Dam Projects
New Jersey DEP Grants and Loans
EPA Wetland Grants Database (WGD)
USDA Encourages Farmers Within Chesapeake Bay Watershed to Signup for
Conservation Program
USDA – Assistance for Wetland Restoration and Enhancement
SDA – Healthy
Forests Reserve Program (HFRP)
Pennsylvania Conservation Programs
Coldwater Conservation Planning Grants NEW
Coldwater Conservation Implementation Grants
NEW
PA DEP: Advantage Grant Program Opens to Small Businesses Looking to
Increase Profitability by Reducing Energy
Costs and Pollution NEW
PA DEP: Environmental Education Grants NEW
PA Conservation Corps Grant Program NEW
New York State Conservation Partnership Program
NEW
Awards:
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Photo Contest
2010 Share the
Experience Photo Contest
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Most Endangered Freshwater Turtles
This report
details the nine most endangered freshwater turtles on the planet.
There are approximately 350 species of tortoises and freshwater
turtles on the planet. Turtles are important to freshwater
ecosystems as they disperse seeds, manage vegetation, control insect
and snail populations, and keep the water clean by scavenging for
food. Nearly half of all tortoises and freshwater turtles are
threatened with extinction. Unfortunately, our local bog turtle is
featured in this list. To learn more about these turtles, visit
http://www.conservation.org/fmg/pages/
galleryplayer.aspx?galleryitemid=103
Status of the World’s Tortoises and
Freshwater Turtles
To learn more
about the plight of tortoises and freshwater turtles, read this
article.
By Peter Paul van
Dijk, Conservation International and IUCN TFTSG, draft, August 2010
http://www.conservation.org/Documents
/CI_worlds_tortoises_freshwater_turtles_
global_conservation_strategy_2010.pdf
Tour de Turtles
The Tour de
Turtles is underway, with ten sea turtles competing to finish their
migration marathon. The satellite-tracked turtles are making great
progress! This is a fun way to raise awareness for sea turtles and
their threats. To view the race and to learn more about sea
turtles, visit
http://www.tourdeturtles.org/alt-index.html.
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Link of the Month:
Global Census
of Marine Life
A global census of
marine life has been conducted by over 2,700 Census scientists from more
than 80 countries. They have released maps, books, databases, websites,
videos, and photo galleries. The findings have been organized in the global
marine life database of the Census, the Ocean Biogeographic Information
System (OBIS). This directory will provide a reference to monitor and
document 21st century change. They have released the folllowing
information:
v
Discoveries of the Census of
Marine Life: Making Ocean Life Count(Cambridge University Press, 304 pages), by
Paul V.R. Snelgrove, an overview of Census insights and their implications
(http://coml.org/discoveries-census-marine-life)
v
Life in the World's Oceans:
Diversity, Distribution, and Abundance(Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 384 pages),
Alasdair D. McIntyre (editor), a summary of findings and discoveries by the 17
Census projects (http://coml.org/life-worlds-oceans)
v
Citizens of the Sea: Wondrous
Creatures from the Census of Marine Life,(National Geographic, 216 pages), by
Nancy Knowlton, portraits of about 100 species
(http://coml.org/citizens-sea)
v
A National Geographic Society map,
depicting the Census' work showing "Ocean Life: Diversity, Distribution, and
Abundance" on one side and "Ocean Life: Past, Present and Future" on the other;
v
New scientific reports from the
Census of Marine Life added to the new open access Collections and Biodiversity
Hub of the Public Library of Science (http://ploscollections.org/coml)
“First Census of Marine Life Shows Ocean Life Is
Richer, More Connected, More Altered Than Expected”
ScienceDaily, October 5, 2010
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101004101319.htm
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BMP of the Month: Infiltration Berm & Retentive Grading
An Infiltration Berm is a mound of soil
typically located along a contour. It can create a barrier
to stormwater flow, retain flow and allow for infiltration, and direct
flow to other BMPs. This BMP can improve water quality and reduce
stormwater volumes and peak flows.
To view the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best
Management Practices Manual, visit
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/View/Collection-8305
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Tools and
Publications:
NY DEC - Draft “Strategic Plan for State
Forest Management”
This draft
plan focuses on ecosystem health and diversity, economic benefits, forest
conservation, recreation and sustainable management of 786,000 acres of New York
state forest. They have also released a generic environmental impact statement
(GEIS) to guide the management of state forest lands. Public comments will be
accepted until October 29, 2010.
To view the
draft plan, visit
http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/64567.html
http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/68400.html
Pennsylvania MS4 Stormwater Management Tool
The
Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Stormwater PA are providing a new online
system, the PA MS4Web™ Permit Manager Software, to assist municipalities with
improving their stormwater management programs. It is currently being piloted
in 7 municipalities within southeastern Pennsylvania. The software will assist
with the development of the SWMP, schedule and track implementation activities,
and produce annual reports.
For more
information, visit
http://www.stormwaterpa.org/ms4web-permit-manager.html
EPA – Lake Shoreland Protection Resources
Clearinghouse
The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched this website to provide links
to key resources for protecting and restoring fragile lake shorelands. It
provides fact sheets, webcasts, videos, and resources for lakeshore protection.
According to the National Lakes Assessment (NLA), poor lakeshore habitat and
high nutrient pollutants are negatively affecting the biological health of
lakes. The NLA found that only 56% of our lakes are in good biological
condition, over 1/3 of our lakes have poor shoreline conditions, about 20% of
our lakes have high levels of nutrients, and about 1/3 of our lakes contain
microcystin (an algal toxin).
To visit
the Lake Shoreland Protection Resources Clearinghouse, visit
http://water.epa.gov/type/lakes/shoreland.cfm
To read
the National Lakes Assessment report, visit
http://water.epa.gov/type/lakes/lakessurvey_index.cfm
NPDES Permit Writers’
Manual (September 2010 Edition)
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new edition of the NPDES Permit Writer’s
Manual, first released in 1996. The manual proivdes a comprehensive overview of
the National Pollutant Discharge Eliminantion System (NPDES). This edition has
been updated to reflect current policy and guidance and address changes to the
NPDES program.
For more information
and to view the manual, visit
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/writermanual.cfm?program_id=45
Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) –
Sustainable Water Resources Management Volume 3: Case Studies on New Water
Paradigm (DEC6SG06a)
This report
provides a water management paradigm that focuses on sustainability goals,
sustainability operating principles, integrated technological architecture,
institutional capacity, and adaptive management. This report will assist
communities in developing a new approach to water management, and will benefit
the following sectors: public water supply, stormwater management, and
wastewater treatment.
For more
information and to view the report, visit
http://www.werf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=15295
Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) and
Clean & Green Evaluation Reports
The Joint
Legislative Budge and Finance Committee released evaluations on the REAP farm
conservation tax credit program and the Clean & Green farmland preferential
assessment program. The report on the REAP tax credits found that the projects
funded have had a positive environmental impact, providing reductions in over 1
million pounds of nitrogen, 74,238 pounds of phosphorus, and 64,329 tons of
sediment from the tax credits provided through 2009. The report on Clean &
Green found that the program continues to provide financial incentives for
property owners to continue agricultural and forest uses.
To view the
reports, visit
http://lbfc.legis.state.pa.us/
Click on
“Reports Released”, then Select “Pennsylvania’s Tax Credit Programs” in the
Community and Economic Development Section.
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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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