Rain, Rain, Infiltrate Away

Who doesn’t love the gentle pitter-patter sound of a summer rain on the roof? In the West this summer, it would be a most welcome sound. However, many parts of the mid-Atlantic region have seen more than their share of rain. Whether it’s been feast or famine in terms of summer rains, every homeowner can take steps on their own property to deal with whatever Mother Nature bestows. More….

Next Newsletter: Hydroseeding: the most bang for your buck

NJ Reinstates Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has jump-started a statewide lakes water quality monitoring program that had been discontinued in 1992 due to lack of funding. More…

USDA Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program Gets Underway 

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the first nationally approved Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) partnership.  More…

NJ DEP Launches Email Compliance Advisory System

As part of a sweeping effort to increase public access to information, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Division of Compliance and Enforcement recently launched an email advisory system to directly notify the public of upcoming compliance initiatives. More…

Ephemeroptera (Mayflies)

Plecoptera (Stoneflies)

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/
dow/stream/orderpageone.htm

Despite an opposition campaign from state environmental groups and concerns from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NJ Governor James E. McGreevey signed the controversial “Permit Streamlining in Smart Growth Areas“ bill into law last month. The legislation allows automatic approval of permit applications in the departments of Environmental Protection, Community Affairs, and Transportation if they are not reviewed and acted upon within 45 days of being deemed complete. It also grants a governor-appointed ombudsman the power to push through certain permit applications and veto the decisions of other permitting departments. The law applies to 43 percent of New Jersey's developable land, home to 85 percent of New Jersey’s population. To read a news article covering the story, visit http://www.nj.com/news/bridgeton/local/index.ssf?/base/news-8/108945120771000.xml. For a map of the “Fast Track” smart growth areas, visit http://www.giscenter.org/downloads/fast_track.pdf.

NJ Green Acres Grants and Loans

PA Small Business Grant Programs

Make a Difference with Free Trees In NJ

Chesapeake Bay Program Grants

EPA Region 2 Wetland Grants

Coleoptera (Water Beetles)

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/
dow/stream/orderpageone.htm

Ecological Riverfront Design Report

Published by the American Planning Association (APA) as one of its signature Planning Advisory Service reports, Ecological Riverfront Design presents a comprehensive set of recommendations for integrating pollution prevention and habitat improvements into riverfront redevelopment efforts. Ecological Riverfront Design is written for planners, mayors, developers, investors, government officials, river advocates, and others who are planning or evaluating redevelopment efforts.  The report draws lessons from more than 30 riverfront revitalization and restoration efforts across the country. It provides a set of essential ideas, case studies, and best management practices that can help communities achieve their waterfront goals. Copies of Ecological Riverfront Design may be ordered at http://www.planning.org.

ASIWPCA Releases Historical Reference on Nation’s Clean Water Programs

The Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators (ASIWPCA) has released a never-before-published historical reference on the Clean Water Act and State/Interstate efforts to control water pollution. Entitled Clean Water Act Thirty-Year Retrospective: History and Documents Related to the Federal Statute, this publication is an unprecedented collection of history and historical documents that are of use for those with an interest in the nation’s clean water programs. The Retrospective documents federal, state, and interstate programs, with historical overviews as well as collections of some of the most notable Federal and State/Interstate documents. ASIWPCA invited former and current Members of Congress; heads of Federal, State, and Interstate agencies; and Congressional staff to comment on the development, enactment, and implementation of the Clean Water Act thirty years after its passage, and the letters from those individuals shed tremendous light on the challenges and obstacles related to the development of the nation’s clean water programs. Among the documents included in the Retrospective are Presidential veto statements; House and Senate debates on overriding vetoes; State/Interstate recommendations for improving national clean water programs from past and current decades; and State/Interstate evaluations of progress in water programs. The Retrospective can be downloaded at http://www.asiwpca.org, ordered by faxing a form available on the web site, or ordered via phone at 202-898-0905.  The Retrospective can be downloaded at http://www.asiwpca.org.

Pennsylvania Field Guild to Invasive Plants and Forest Buffer Toolkit

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announce the release of two publications: Pennsylvania Field Guide -Common Invasive Plants in Riparian Areas and two additional chapters for the Stream ReLeaf Forest Buffer Toolkit – Buffer Preservation and Buffer Maintenance and Monitoring.

The Pennsylvania Field Guide - Common Invasive Plants in Riparian Areas describes 24 of the most significant invasive plants, vines, shrubs and trees in Pennsylvania. The waterproof guide was written and designed for use by volunteers in the field to positively identify invasive plants targeted for removal. Each plant listing includes a color photo for easy identification, plus a black and white drawing. Leaf, flower and seed information is offered in an easy to read format, allowing for quick identification. Control options specific to each plant are included. Look-alike plant information is given to avoid volunteers pulling desirable plants that closely resemble the invasives.

The additional chapter updates added to the Stream ReLeaf Forest Buffer Toolkit, developed by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay in September 2000 under a grant from the PA Nonpoint Source Management Program, DEP, are Buffer Maintenance and Monitoring and Buffer Preservation. The updated chapters provide the newest information to citizens, environmental organizations, volunteers and government agencies on the methods of preserving and maintaining buffers.

Printed copies of the field guide and chapters may be ordered by contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Watershed Conservation at 717-772-5807. They can also be downloaded from the DEP web site at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/watermgt/WC/Subjects/StreamReLeaf/default.htm.

Watershed Stewardship Action Kit

The Izaak Walton League has issued its revised and updated Watershed Stewardship Action Kit for clean water advocates and activists. The toolkit is a central element to the League's longstanding Save Our Streams program, which has pioneered stream and wetland education for citizens since 1969. SOS has educated and motivated citizens to clean-up stream corridors, monitor stream health, restore degraded stream banks and protect dwindling wetland acreage. The toolkit includes a number of fact sheets on wetlands, the Clean Water Act, and watershed action plans. It also provides background on how to develop, fund, conduct, and get publicity for watershed protection projects in local communities. It includes a list of relevant publications from the Environmental Protection Agency with directions on they can be acquired. For more information, visit http://www.iwla.org/pressrel/release.asp?p_releaseid=120.

EPA Tool For Smart Growth And Water Quality Goals

EPA has released a new report, Protecting Water Resources with Smart Growth, that will help communities protect water resources and achieve smart growth. Some of the adverse effects of growth and development include: loss of woodlands, meadowlands, and wetlands, and increased polluted runoff. The report documents 75 innovative approaches – including redeveloping abandoned properties, encouraging rooftop gardens, creating shared parking, and promoting tree planting - that state and local governments and water quality professionals can use to achieve their smart growth and water quality goals. To receive a free copy of the report, send an email to: ncepimal@one.net or call 1-800-490-9198 and request EPA publication 231-R-04-002. The report and more information about smart growth are also available at: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth.

Great Lakes Stormwater Management Report

Catching the Rain: a Great Lakes Resource Guide For Natural Stormwater Management is a report by American Rivers offers an easy reference to a variety of natural stormwater management approaches suitable for the Great Lakes region.  It is not meant to be a technical design tool, but rather a foundation for education and research on alternative stormwater management techniques, particularly for public works staff, developers, and citizens. This handbook provides basic information on use, space requirements, cold weather considerations, and costs. Additionally, it lists a variety of sources that can provide further information on technical requirements design, supporting ordinances, and other information. To download the report in .pdf format, click here.