Pennsylvania Lake Management Handbook Completed

The Pennsylvania Lake Management Society (PALMS) has released a comprehensive resource for lake and watershed best management practices (BMPs) geared toward Pennsylvania lake associations, lake managers, municipal officials, and interested citizens.

F. X. Browne, Inc., along with partners EcoSolutions, and Aqua-Link, Inc., created the handbook for PALMS using Growing Greener grant funds. The handbook provides a comprehensive list of available and proven BMPs for both in-lake management and watershed management. Topics include lake algae controls, macrophyte controls, dredging, stormwater BMPs, agricultural BMPs, and stream restoration. Each BMP is thoroughly explained and illustrated, providing information on function, applicability, design criteria, maintenance recommendations, and respective costs. An introductory segment and several appendices include a lake ecology primer, a glossary of terms, a list of useful conversions, and a list of Internet links to state and federal agencies and other organizations that are involved in lake and watershed management. To view or download the handbook, visit http://www.palakes.org/publications.htm.

EPA Develops LID Design for Headquarters

In 2004, EPA Office of Water staff teamed with EPA's Facilities Management Division to develop a long-range plan to use the EPA's Federal Triangle complex in Washington, D.C. as a Low Impact Development demonstration site.

By developing this LID site design for its national headquarters, EPA hopes to serve as a leader in LID and a role model for other federal agencies, states and local agencies, and visitors. Moreover, EPA's efforts fulfill Executive Order 13101, which requires federal facilities to conserve water and employ stormwater management and LID techniques for all new significant landscaping. http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/stormwater_hq/.

For information on incorporating LID into a site design, please contact F. X. Browne, Inc. at info@fxbrowne.com.

Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance Launched

The Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance (DVSGA) is a new initiative of various government, private sector and non-profit organizations in the Greater Philadelphia tri-state region to assist developers with incorporating Smart Growth into their development plans.

The Alliance provides quarterly reviews of development plans on a confidential basis so that site plans that do not meet DVSGA’s smart growth criteria will not be publicly announced and will have the opportunity to refine their plans. Each project that is recognized as being in compliance with the DVSGA's smart growth criteria receives a letter of endorsement and an offer of testimony before local approval authorities. By highlighting the potential of smart growth projects to add value to the region, the DVSGA hopes to encourage developers, business organizations, citizen groups and elected officials to strive for smart growth solutions. 

Projects are reviewed on a quarterly basis by an independent, regionally diverse jury, of which F. X. Browne, Inc. is a member. Applications are due March 1 for the spring round of projects. http://www.delawarevalleysmartgrowth.org/

Study Shows Even Small Developments Near Wetlands Affect Wildlife

When lawns, roads and buildings begin moving closer to tidal marshes, it means many of the birds living in those areas will soon be moving out.

New research, which examined marshes from the mouth of the Chesapeake to the head of the Bay, revealed a clear link between even small levels of development in areas surrounding tidal wetlands and the loss of many marsh-dwelling birds.  The study found that when as little as 14 percent of the land within a 500-meter buffer around a marsh was developed—with anything from a lawn to a parking lot—the index significantly dropped. The same was true if 25 percent of the land was developed within 1,000 meters of the marsh.

Chesapeake Bay Journal, December 2004 http://www.bayjournal.com/article.cfm?article=2429

PA Gov. Rendell Unveils Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy

PA Governor Rendell recently unveiled a wide-ranging water quality initiative designed to clean up the state’s rivers and streams, enhance the health of families and preserve the rural character and farming economy of Pennsylvania.

The initiative is the state’s official plan to meet the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement goals for nutrient and sediment reduction in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The Strategy includes: limiting wastewater and industrial discharges; upgrading water and sewer infrastructure; enhancing stormwater management; preserving agriculture, communities, and the rural environment; accelerating dam removals and building fish passageways; expanding the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP); increasing forested buffers and wetlands; promoting manure-to-energy programs; leading the way in nutrient trading; securing conservation easements for riparian buffers; and supporting Growing Greener II.

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/hosting/pawatersheds/chesapeakebay/docs/Press%20Release.pdf

The U.S. EPA has reached agreement with six states and the District of Columbia to set permit limits on nutrients being discharged from more than 350 municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities throughout the 64,000-square-mile Chesapeake Bay watershed. http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/npdes/pdf/CB_Permitting_Approach_12_29_04.pdf

The New Jersey DEP has outlined an 18-month project to evaluate water supply infrastructure throughout the state. The study will investigate ways to mitigate and avoid drought emergencies and address what measures are needed to prevent a catastrophic loss of water due to natural disasters or terrorism. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/newsrel/2005/05_0002.htm

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water and the U.S. Army’s Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works have entered into an agreement to establish a collaborative watershed partnership.   http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/watersheds/partnership.html

New rules from the Interior Department's Fish and Wildlife Service will let federal agencies give assurances to home builders, timber and mining companies and other developers that they won't have unforeseen requirements to protect rare species once a project has begun. http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=586

EPA and eight partner organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to address environmental problems resulting from failures of decentralized wastewater treatment systems (septic systems). The agreement focuses on better planning, septic system design, and long-term operation and maintenance of septic systems. http://www.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/septic_mou.pdf

Chesapeake Bay region government leaders met recently to set the stage for the development of an innovative regional financing strategy for the multi-billion dollar restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. The Council also adopted new measures that will improve migratory fish habitat, restore native oyster populations, and reduce nutrient pollution from agriculture. http://www.chesapeakebay.net/2005exec.htm

The US EPA announced the first of two proposed rules intended to reduce the time and resources needed to submit annual reports to EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). http://epa.gov/tri/tridata/tier3/formsmodrule.html

The US Congress recently passed the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research Amendments Act (S. 3014), which provides $197 million over four years to study harmful algal blooms and improve the government’s response to them.

http://www.aswm.org/wbn/current.htm#20

Grant Programs 
(Click on a grant for more information)

PA 2005 Growing Greener Grants

The PA DEP is accepting applications for watershed restoration and protection grants for the seventh year of Growing Greener. The deadline to apply is March 4. For the upcoming grant round, DEP will invest in projects that seek to address nonpoint source pollution, such as abandoned mine drainage, urban and agricultural runoff, atmospheric deposition, on-lot sewage systems and earth-moving activities. http://www.dep.state.pa.us/growgreen/defaultdep.htm

F. X. Browne, Inc. has a solid history and success rate in assisting municipalities and nonprofit organizations apply for and implement Growing Greener grant projects. For more information on Growing Greener, or assistance with a grant project, please contact info@fxbrowne.com. Visit our website at http://www.fxbrowne.com for case studies of Growing Greener projects that F. X. Browne, Inc. has implemented in the past.

NJ DEP Green Acres Grants

NJ DEP has announced the start of the DEP Green Acres program's Spring 2005 funding round.  The DEP Green Acres program offers funds for land acquisition and park development. Municipalities, counties and nonprofit organizations seeking funding for land acquisition projects should submit applications by February 15, 2004.  Eligible projects include the purchase of natural areas, historic sites, conservation areas, water bodies, and open space for active or passive recreation purposes.  Funding is also available for the development of outdoor park and recreation facilities. http://www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres.

US EPA Assessment and Watershed Protection Grants

US EPA Assessment and Watershed Protection Program Grants (AWPPGs) are available for projects that promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare effects),extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution. The goals of this program include supporting a watershed approach to better address water quality problems in the U.S. and building the capacity of all levels of government to develop and implement effective, comprehensive programs for watershed protection, restoration, and management.  Proposals are due on February 16. http://www.epa.gov/owow/AWPPG_RFIP_2005-1.pdf  

EPA Region 2 Wetland Program Development Grants

Government entities and nonprofit organizations in EPA Region 2 (NY, NJ, PR, VI) are invited to submit proposals for several grant programs due in the upcoming months, including Wetland Program Development Grants (due February 14), Conservation Challenge Grants (due March 15), Pollution Prevention Grants (Initial Proposals due March 15), and Wetland Protection Project Grants (due April 11).

http://www.epa.gov/region02/grants/index.html

PA Environmental Professionals Karl Mason Award

Nominations are due February 25 for the 2005 Karl Mason Award. Nominees should include organizations or individuals that exhibit excellence in environmental management. The Award is given to a person, organization, or project that has made a significant contribution to the betterment of Pennsylvania's environment, exemplifying Karl Mason's vision. http://www.paep.org/mason_award.htm

Federal Five-Star Restoration Matching Grants

The National Association of Counties, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Wildlife Habitat Council, in cooperation with other sponsors, are pleased to solicit applications for the Five-Star Restoration Matching Grants Program. The Program provides modest financial assistance to support community-based wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration projects that build diverse partnerships and foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach and training activities. The stars in "Five-Star" are the partners, funders, and/or participants necessary to complete the project. Awards are between $5,000 and $20,000; the average grant is $10,000. Applications must be postmarked by March 1. http://nfwf.org/programs/5star-rfp.htm

PA DEP Recycling Grants

PA DEP is now accepting applications for 2005 Recycling Markets Infrastructure Development and Compost Infrastructure Development grants. Recycling Markets Infrastructure Development Grants can be used to purchase machinery or equipment that will result in increased consumption of recyclable materials recovered in the Commonwealth. The goal of the Compost Infrastructure Development grant program is to increase the quantity of organic materials collected and composted to further increase Pennsylvania’s recycling rate. Existing for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations are eligible for each of these programs. Both grant applications are due on March 4.

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/market/market.htm

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/compost_sum/grant05.htm

For assistance with developing a recycling program, please contact F. X. Browne, Inc. at info@fxbrowne.com.

Western PA Watershed Protection Project Grants

The Western Pennsylvania Watershed Protection Program is seeking applications for the next round of grants by March 15. Projects should target a priority protection or restoration watershed area, engage local leadership and promote community collaboration, develop and communicate best management practices and technologies for replication, and work from a DCNR Rivers Conservation Plan.

http://www.wpawp.org/html/applying_for_a_grant.htm

PA Water Resources Education Network Grants

The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund is accepting applications for its Water Resources Education Network (WREN) Projects. Educational projects must raise awareness about protecting the community’s drinking water source waters and/or preventing nonpoint source pollution in the watershed.  Projects should include local government involvement and encourage behavior change. Grant awards are for up to $5,000 per project. Applications are due on April 1. http://www.pa.lwv.org/wren

PA DEP Resource Recovery Demonstration Grants

PA DEP is currently accepting applications for Resource Recovery Demonstration Grants from counties, municipalities and municipal authorities within Pennsylvania. Projects must be capable of demonstrating, for a minimum of two years, the production of energy or the recovery of materials from solid waste, except sewage sludge.

The deadline for submission of grant applications is April 7. http://www.dep.state.pa.us/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=9785&SubjectID=

PA Solar Grant Program

Residential, business and institutional customers in the PECO Energy service territory can now take advantage of a grant program to help with the costs of installing solar energy systems. The Sustainable Energy Fund is offering grants up to $25,000 for qualifying photovoltaic electric generating system installations. http://www.trfund.com/sdf/solarpv/

NJ Water Festival Grants

The NJ Project WET Program is offering grants to public or private schools and non-profit organizations interested in sponsoring a Water Festival. A Water Festival is a one- or two-day event that engages students in structured learning stations and exhibits that explore the wonders of water. Festivals can be held on any day in May 2005 to celebrate NJ’s Watershed Awareness Month, the first week in May to celebrate Clean Water Week, or the last Thursday or Friday in September to celebrate National Water Education Day, which falls on September 23. Grants range from $300 to $800 based on the number of students. The festival coordinator(s) must have attended a Project WET Workshop prior to March 2005. Proposals are due by May 20. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/seeds/docs/wfg05.pdf

American Rivers-NOAA Community-Based Restoration Program River Grants

American Rivers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Community-based Restoration Program provides financial and technical assistance for dam removal and fish passage projects in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and California.  Application deadlines are on April 1 and November 12 of each calendar year. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact American Rivers to discuss potential projects prior to submitting an application. http://www.amrivers.org/index.php?module=HyperContent&func=display&cid=771

NJ Land Conservation Rally

F. X. Browne, Inc. scientist Shandor Szalay will be speaking at NJ’s 9th Annual Land Conservation Rally on March 12 in Trenton, New Jersey. The Rally is a daylong educational event offering nearly 30 workshops, plenary sessions, and

networking opportunities. Mr. Szalay’s workshop centers on ways to evaluate and prioritize land conservation targets that result in water quality protection and/or restoration targets that result in Nonpoint Source pollution reduction. The workshop will cover determining assessment objectives, data requirements, funding availability, and assessment tools and methods. Several case studies will be outlined. http://www.njconservation.org/html/conservationrally.htm

Rutgers Environmental Stewardship Program

Space is still available to join the Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension's (RCR&E) environmental steward training, which will be offered this February through May in Essex and Gloucester counties in New Jersey. Trainees will learn about the techniques and tools, including instrumentation, statistical sampling, GIS, and risk analysis, used to monitor and assess the health of the environment. A community service project is required for certification in the program.

http://www.cooknjaes.rutgers.edu/news/release.asp?n=290

National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture Annual Meeting

The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture's annual meeting will be held on February 20-22 in Washington, DC. The meeting brings together a diverse group of farmers, activists and policy wonks of all shapes and sizes. http://www.sustainableagriculture.net/conf2005.php

Schuylkill Watershed Conference

The Delaware Riverkeeper Network announces the 2005 Schuylkill Watershed Congress on March 5 at the Montgomery County Community College in Pottstown, PA. Field Trips will be held on March 6. Topics include progressive watershed planning, model projects, and innovative watershed protection strategies. F. X. Browne, Inc. Senior Project Scientist Shandor Szalay will be presenting a lecture on, “Planning for and Implementing Dam Removal” at the Congress. http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/2005SchuylkillWatershedCongress.htm

PA Invasive Plants Lecture

The Delaware County Institute of Science will present a public lecture on March 14 in Media PA, entitled, Introduced, Non-Native, and Invasive Plants in Mid Atlantic Woods and  Wetlands: Is There A Problem in Our Human Habitat? http://www.delcohistory.org/dcis/

Watershed Protection Institute

Please plan on joining the Center for Watershed Protection and River Network for the Watershed Protection Institute (WPI) on March 28 - April 1 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The WPI will train watershed leaders on practical watershed and site planning techniques to protect the health of less developed watersheds. http://www.cwp.org/wpi_wvabout.htm.

PA Rural Water Association Trainings

The PA Rural Water Association recently announced its training schedule through April 1. Workshops include water and wastewater management and certification courses. http://www.prwa.com/v1/training_schedule.htm

PRWA 2005 Annual Conference

The 2005 Annual Pennsylvania Rural Watershed Association (PRWA) Conference will be held on March 29 - April 1, at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College, PA. The conference features six tracks: Drinking Water, Source Water, Wastewater, Water/Wastewater, Business, and Regulatory.

http://www.prwa.com/v1/index_conference.htm.

Association of State Wetland Managers Winter Meeting

The Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) will be holding their annual winter meeting on State/Federal Coordination, entitled From Net Loss to Net Gain: Measuring Wetland Quality and Quantity—Opportunities and Challenges, on  March 22-24 in  Washington, DC.  The meeting will focus on the President’s Earth Day goal of restoring, protecting and enhancing three million wetland acres over the next five years.  http://www.aswm.org/calendar/index.htm

PA No-Till Farming Alliance Organizational Meeting

A coalition of eight public, industry and academic organizations is forming a Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance and inviting producers, agri-buiness, consultants, conservation districts and other interest groups to become members. An informational meeting will be held on March 4 in Spring Mills, PA from 9:30-5:00. Please sign up by February 25.

http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/docs
/3/01-21-2005_959210.pdf.

New Publications