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For
winter's rains and ruins are over, ~ Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909) ~ |
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View some of our Previous Newsletters
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For
winter's rains and ruins are over, ~ Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909) ~ |
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| Editors
Note:
Editor’s Note: We welcome Earth Day again on April 22, and as usual there are many ways to celebrate the things we love most about our planet. The PA DEP will be celebrating this year with the Great PA Cleanup, the most significant and ambitious one-day community cleanup program in Pennsylvania history. Visit Earth Day Central at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/earthdaycentral/04/ for more information on the cleanup, lesson plans related to Earth Day, and other tips on organizing an event or celebrating Earth Day. Visit the F. X. Browne, Inc. website at http://www.fxbrowne.com for a list of local Earth Day events. Feature Article Safety in the Field: Keep Your Eye on the Sky and Be Prepared March 21 through 27 was weather hazards awareness week across New York. Weather conditions such as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and floods can happen quickly and with little warning, so for individuals who spend significant amounts of time working in the field, doing volunteer monitoring, or enjoying the outdoors, it pays to keep an eye on the sky. More… Next Month’s Newsletter: Aquatic Invasive Species
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Many consumers have probably noticed that they are paying more at the pump for a gallon of gasoline. The nationwide average price of a gallon of gasoline has risen from $1.49 in December to $1.72 in March. These figures are taken from AAA's weekly report on statewide gasoline prices. Prices in some places like California (and Saranac Lake) are experiencing prices in excess of $2 per gallon. The Energy Information Agency (EIA) will release its "Summer Fuels Outlook" on April 8. The Outlook is EIA's best projection on gasoline prices and supplies for the summer driving season. In the meantime, consumers can follow some easy tips to save at the pump, including: |
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Maintain properly inflated tires |
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Avoid quick stops and starts (this can save up to two miles per gallon) |
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Limit engine idling (idling consumes between one half and one gallon of gas per hour and wastes more gas than restarting the engine) |
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Follow posted speed limits (each 5 mph you drive over 60 is like paying an extra 10 cents at the gas pump) |
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Bundle errands to reduce vehicle miles traveled |
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Whenever possible, take public transportation or carpool |
| To learn more about energy prices, visit the Energy Information Agency's website at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/. To learn more about improving fuel economy visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/. | |
News Clips
NJ Smart Growth Pilot Program Goes Statewide
Towns in New Jersey soon will be able to join Burlington County in a land-use trading experiment. More…
PA Continues Growing Greener Program
Building on the success in demonstrating that a clean environment and robust economy go hand in hand, PA Governor Rendell recently unveiled an initiative, Growing Greener II, that will pave the way for the next generation of brownfield redevelopment projects; improve the health of Pennsylvania’s waterways; address serious environmental problems at some 5,000 mine sites; and enhance other programs that have been a resounding success in cleaning up the environment and revitalizing communities. More…
Microbial Fuel Cell Research Shows Promise
Environmental engineers at Penn State have shown for the first time that electricity can be generated from wastewater by microbial fuel cells (MFCs) while simultaneously removing pollutants. More…
Study Indicates Another Mass Extinction
British researchers have recently released a study suggesting that the world may be undergoing another major extinction, this one caused by humans. More…
New Jersey DEP to Study Economic Value of Ecosystems
The NJ DEP has been awarded $200,000 in grants to assess the economic value of services provided by New Jersey’s natural ecosystems. More…
The Science of Spring |
Policy Update
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The PA DEP is strengthening its permit review process to promote smart growth by ensuring that proposed infrastructure and facility developments are in sync with a community’s land-use plans and zoning ordinances. State law directs all state agencies to consider local land-use regulations when reviewing permits. Under the new policy, DEP can suspend the technical review of permits for infrastructure and facility construction if the municipality or county demonstrate the proposed development violates land-use plans and zoning the community has put in place. The policy only kicks in where municipal and county land-use plans and municipal zoning ordinances are in place, and where these plans and ordinances are in general agreement on land use. Suspension of the technical review may last until the situation is resolved at the local level. |
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The US EPA is seeking comment on the draft National Program Guidance For FY 2005. The draft guidance is designed to implement the water elements of the new EPA Strategic Plan. The new draft National Water Program Guidance for FY 2005 is now available on the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/npmguidance/index.htm. |
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EPA is continuing to add features to its electronic stormwater permit system. Last September, EPA launched the first part of this application -- the Notice of Intent form -- that must be filed for construction sites that disturb one or more acres of land. Recently, EPA launched the second part of this application -- the Notice of Termination form – that is filed to terminate permit coverage when construction is complete. To download the forms, visit http://www.epa.gov/npdes/enoi. |
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After a decade of mounting pressures on Massachusetts' coastal waters, the state's 23-member Ocean Management Task Force is expected to call for a sweeping new state law to revamp and better oversee coastal water uses, in effect zoning the ocean much like private land. The proposal would set rules governing competing uses of the sea, such as wind farming and fishing, and identify critical areas such as fish spawning regions that may need outright protection. Although short on specifics, the report is one of the first attempts by any state to coordinate the often jumbled management of state waters, which generally extend 3 miles from the US shoreline. |
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EPA’s Administrator signed a Federal Register notice on Tuesday, March 16, announcing proposed changes to sampling and analysis procedures under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act compliance monitoring programs. The changes would approve new and improved analytical methods for compliance monitoring and withdraw older EPA methods, including CFC-113 based oil and grease methods and methods with technical deficiencies. EPA is also proposing new sample collection procedures, general analytical requirements for multi-analyte methods, and additional method flexibility requirements for its Clean Water Act programs. EPA is soliciting comment on the Agency's microbiological alternate test procedure guidance document, and the deadline for comments is 60 days after publication of the FR notice. |
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Pennsylvania recently extended the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program into western Pennsylvania, allowing the state to add 65,000 acres of farmland to the water-quality improvement program. Farmers who enroll land in the new program, known as the Ohio River Basin CREP, will receive incentive payments and cost-share assistance for adopting approved conservation practices. The new funding will help the state enroll an additional 65,000 acres of farmland in 16 counties -- Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Green, Lawrence, Mercer, Warren, Washington, Westmoreland and Venango. The Pennsylvania CREP sign-up will run from April 19, 2004, through Dec. 31, 2007, or until enrollment goals are met. Land enrolled in the program will remain under contract for a period of 10 to 15 years, as specified in the contract. For more information on CREP, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/default.htm. |
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New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey recently established a New Jersey Invasive Species Council charged to develop comprehensive measures to combat these dangerous invaders and protect the state’s biological diversity. The responsibilities of the new Invasive Species Council, co-chaired by DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell and Department of Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus, include the development of a comprehensive New Jersey Invasive Species Management Plan to be submitted to the Governor by June 2005. The establishment of the Invasive Species Council is intended to ensure that a comprehensive approach by all affected state agencies, as well as the horticultural, conservation and academic communities, is taken to address the serious economic and ecological threat. |
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The United States Senate passed the federal transportation bill in February, retaining a provision that will reduce water pollution caused by federal roads. The stormwater provision of the transportation bill earmarks a portion of federal highway spending -- $958 million over the next six years -- to retrofit federally funded roads to reduce the amount of polluted stormwater rushing into nearby streams, rivers, and lakes. Visit http://www.americanrivers.org/index.php?module=HyperContent&func=display&cid=2655 for more information. |
Watch Out Santa, Here Comes the Easter Bunny!
Peter Cottontail is taking over Santa's turf with Easter becoming the second largest gift-giving holiday, says James Lowry, Ball State University retail industry analyst. Easter generated $1.82 billion in candy sales in 2002, and is second only to Halloween as the biggest candy-selling occasion, according to the National Retail Federation. Easter decorations and seasonal items generated sales of $620 million in 1999, a 25 percent increase over 1998. Easter is the third largest seasonal decorations category, behind Christmas and Halloween. |
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Why Do Children Leave Baskets for the Easter Bunny?
The Easter bunny has its origin in ancient fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season. The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs. The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests. The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread throughout the country. |
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The Washington Post Style Invitational Contest asks readers to submit “instructions” for something written in the style of a famous person. This winning entry by Jeff Brechlin was the Hokey Pokey, as if penned by William Shakespeare:
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Link Of The Month
Now that spring is upon us, thoughts may be turning to gardening and yardwork. Audubon At Home, a new program made possible in part by the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is bringing conservation home through an interactive website designed to give guests useful information on making their backyards more bird-friendly, and their homes healthier and safer for their families. It accomplishes this by helping users identify the natural characteristics of their property and its role in local ecology. As the centerpiece of this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), the new Audubon At Home website gives users the tools they need to create backyards that will attract birds and safeguard them as well. Information organized under the Five Simple Actions outlined on the website (reduce pesticide use, conserve water, protect water quality, remove exotic plant pests, and plant native species) will not only help birds, but will also improve habitat for other wildlife and help protect local water resources as well. Visit the site at http://www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/index.html.
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Income tax has made liars out of more Americans than golf --Will Rogers |
New Publications
USGS Report: America's Water Use
Despite growing population and increasing electricity production, water use in the United States remains fairly stable, according to a new report released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS report shows that in 2000, Americans used 408 billion gallons of water per day, a number that has remained fairly stable since 1985 and a sign that conservation is working. In the report, Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2000, USGS researchers found that the chief water users for the Nation are power generation, agriculture and public water supply. The USGS report also finds that the personal use of water is rising, but not faster than population change. The full report is available online at http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/circ1268/.
Canada Goose Management Fact Sheets
A series of six fact sheets are available online from Rutgers University on Canada Goose Management. The fact sheets are authored by Dr. David Drake, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Specialist in Wildlife, and Joseph B. Paulin, Program Associate in Wildlife with Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Topics include human behavior modification, capture and euthanasia, nest and egg destruction, repellents, harassment, and regulated hunting. The fact sheets are now available on the web at http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/pubs.
Watershed Outreach Guides
EPA just announced a set of valuable new resources designed to assist local governments, watershed groups, State watershed management agencies, and others to design and conduct effective watershed outreach campaigns: Getting in Step-A Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns (Publication # EPA 841-B-03-002), and Getting in Step-A Video Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns (Publication # EPA 841-V-03-001). These two companion guides offer advice on how to effectively educate people about more water-friendly habits and practices that will reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. The book expands upon a 1998 publication by the Council of State Governments and includes new information from the growing field of community-based social marketing. The video reinforces the six-step process outlined in the book, and it showcases four successful outreach programs from around the United States. For copies of this guide and the companion video, please contact the National Service Center for Environmental Publications via phone at 1-800-490-9198 or via the Web at http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom. The book is also available as a PDF download at http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/outreach/documents.
Regional Open Space Priorities Report
The GreenSpace Alliance, a project of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, recently released the Regional Open Space Priorities Report to the public. The report marks the culmination of two years of work identifying the areas that are most vital for open space conservation in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The report identifies, prioritizes and recommends protection strategies for natural resources, agricultural and recreational lands in the five-county area. It encourages partnerships among state, federal, local and private conservation groups and others to protect critical open spaces in the region while sustaining economic growth. The report acknowledges the critical role of a network of protected open space in issues involving the supply and quality of water; flood control; natural diversity; farm products; quality economic development; preservation of scenic, historic and rural landscapes; recreational amenities; and use of financial resources. For more information on the Alliance or a downloadable PDF copy of the Regional Open Space Priority Report, visit http://www.greenspacealliance.info.
PA Rural Access Guide Update
The
Center for Rural Pennsylvania has updated and added programs to its
Pennsylvania Rural Access Guide, an extensive database that includes more than
360 resources of information on state, federal, and nonprofit grants, loans
and other assistance. The guide is available on the Center’s website at http://www.ruralpa.org.
While the Rural Access Guide includes an extensive listing of information, it
is intended as a starting point from which rural and small town residents
might more successfully begin their journey through the maze of financial and
informational sources that are available at both the state and national
levels.
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