Using Rainwater to Grow Livable Communities

A recently completed Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) project has developed a new website to facilitate the integration of stormwater BMPs into development projects. The website is public-friendly and can be used by municipalities and others to educate and inform constituents and stakeholders about sustainable stormwater practices. Learn about Kansas City’s “10,000 rain gardens” initiative, Chicago’s green roofs program, or how Philadelphia is converting vacant land covered with trash and debris into valuable assets that offer stormwater management benefits. Information from these and other case studies, as well as tools that can be used for effective communication on sustainable stormwater BMPs, is available at www.werf.org/livablecommunities.

Click on Title link to view entire article. Thanks to Jeff C. Moeller, P.E., Senior Program Director, WERF for the submission.

Hydrologic and Erosion Responses of Burned Watersheds

Jane Dauffenbach has provided this link to the USGS web page on the topic of the hydrology and erosion response of burned watersheds. . . of particular interest to the US west coast, I would imagine.

Click on Title link to view entire article. Thanks to Jane Dauffenbach of Aquarius Systems for the submission.

EPA Guidance & Poster to Help Implement Drinking Water Regulations

EPA is releasing draft guidance to support revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule which were issued in October 2007. The revisions to the rule will enhance the implementation in the areas of monitoring, treatment, customer awareness, public education, and lead service line replacement. The agency is requesting input on six draft documents that will assist states and public water systems with understanding the revisions, including State Implementation Guidance, Guides and Fact Sheets to understand the new Public Education and other Public Information requirements, and a Quick Reference Guide. The documents, which are available for comment through January 31, 2008, are available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lcrmr/compliancehelp_draftguidance.html

EPA is also releasing a poster, Removing Multiple Contaminants from Drinking Water: Issues to Consider, to help regulators and water organizations better assist small water systems with drinking water treatment. Public water systems that need to add treatment for one contaminant, such as arsenic, may find that they need to consider other water quality issues. Choosing a treatment technology that can remove several co-occurring contaminants may be more efficient and cost effective. This poster describes treatment technologies that can remove multiple contaminants, identifies the contaminants that can be removed, and summarizes related operational and waste disposal issues. The poster is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsys/ssinfo.htm

Thanks to EPA's Water Headlines for the submission.

DEC Announces $2.75 Million to Help Vulnerable Wildlife

Turtles in the Hudson Valley, caddisflies in the Adirondacks, paddlefish in Western New York and whales in New York Harbor are among the species that will benefit under $2.75 million in wildlife and biodiversity grants awarded to 20 research and planning projects throughout the state, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced recently. The funding is available through the New York State Wildlife Grants Program, which is the core state program to conserve biodiversity and protect potentially threatened and endangered species. Funding was awarded to projects sponsored by universities, non-profit groups, and research centers

Click on Title link to view entire article. Thanks to Environment DEC for the submission.

NYS DEC Acquires Junius Ponds and Gathercole Properties

The state has completed the purchase of two parcels of land that will serve to protect natural and cultural resources in Ontario and Seneca counties, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced recently. The 95-acre Gathercole property, located immediately east of Canandaigua Lake in the town of Gorham, Ontario County, and the 77-acre Junius Ponds Complex, in Junius, Seneca County, will provide open space and public recreation access for a range of activities.

Priority Projects in Open Space Plan

Both projects were identified in the New York State 2006 Open Space Conservation Plan as priority projects. They will provide access for a variety of activities including hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, camping and more. The Gathercole property will provide additional protection for an important Finger Lakes' watershed. The Junius Pond Complex will help protect threatened and endangered species.

"These recent successful acquisitions demonstrate the state's continued support and commitment to preserve and conserve regional open space, as highlighted in the 2006 New York State Open Space Plan," stated Regional Director Paul D'Amato.

About Gathercole

The Gathercole parcel is a steep-sloped tract in an area of high development pressure. It provides exceptional views of Canandaigua Lake and is an important component of the lake's viewshed. The plot is highly visible from Canandaigua Lake and its western shoreline. It contains a forested hillside that includes mature hardwoods and a portion of Fisher's Gully. Protection of this property will help maintain Canandaigua Lake's water quality while also securing intact forest habitat that is particularly important for nesting songbirds.

About Junius Ponds

The Village of Lyons, in Wayne County, once used the Junius Ponds Complex as a public water supply and accepted an offer by DEC ($104,500) to purchase the complex. The roughly 77-acre parcel features bogs, fens, ponds and other wetland features. Threats to the complex include peat mining, sand and gravel mining, illegal specimen collections, runoff from the New York State Thruway and agriculture, and commercial development pressures on adjacent lands. DEC is also under contract to purchase an additional 30 acres contiguous to the Junius Ponds Complex.

Click on Title link to view entire article. Thanks to Environment DEC for the submission.

New Online Resource for Anglers Available on DEC's Website

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC's) website now features a brand new fishing report and hotline that will enable anglers to find fishing conditions and information for western Lake Ontario and its tributaries online. The web page, called Western Lake Ontario Fishing Report, was prompted by the popularity of the Lake Erie Weekly Fishing Report and Hotline. The new page, updated weekly, aims to provide anglers with pertinent fishing information for western Lake Ontario and its tributaries, including the lower Niagara River, Eighteen Mile Creek, Twelve Mile Creek, and smaller seasonal tributaries such as Keg Creek, Six Mile Creek and Four Mile Creek.

Click on Title link to view entire article. Thanks to Environment DEC for the submission.

Migratory Bird Die-off in Great Lakes Region Prompts DEC Investigation

More than 100 dead loons and other migratory birds washed up on Great Lakes shores in mid-November, prompting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to suspect another botulism-poisoning episode linked to the spread of invasive species.

DEC is investigating the die-off and, although results are not complete, preliminary evidence closely matches die-offs related to type E botulism that have occurred during fall migration every year since 2000 on Lake Erie, and since 2002 on Lake Ontario, according to state Wildlife Pathologist Ward Stone.

. . .

To Report Ill or Dead Fish and Birds

If you must handle dead or dying birds or fish, use rubber or plastic protective gloves or a plastic bag. Any discovery of dead or distressed fish or wildlife, such as waterbirds showing a condition known as "limberneck" that results from paralysis of the neck muscles, should be reported to DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife office in Buffalo at 716-851-7010, Allegany at 716-372-0645, Avon at 585-226-2466, Syracuse at 315-426-7400, Cortland at 607-753-3095, Watertown at 315-785-2261 or Cape Vincent at 315-654-2147. Also, see Type E Botulism Questions and Answers for more information.

Click on Title link to view entire article. Thanks to Environment DEC for the submission.

State-City Agree to Major Expansion of Recreational Access to Catskill Watershed Lands

About 11,000 acres of New York City-owned land adjacent to State Forest Preserve land in the Catskills will be open to hiking, hunting, fishing and trapping without the need for a city permit under a cooperative agreement between the city and the state. State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis and City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) Commissioner Emily Lloyd announced that DEC will patrol the city watershed property to enforce regulations, help protect the environment, and further assist in the management of these lands. The change will be in effect for the 2008-2009 hunting season.

More Information

See the Catskill Forest Preserve web page for more information about the preserve. See Related Links below for more information about NYCDEP's Watershed Recreation Access Permit.

Click on Title link to view entire article. Thanks to Environment DEC for the submission.

Integrating Water and Waste Programs to Restore Watersheds: A Guide for Federal and State Project Managers

EPA has released a manual entitled "Integrating Water and Waste Programs to Restore Watersheds: A Guide for Federal and State Project Managers." This manual is targeted primarily to project managers in water and waste programs who are working on assessment or cleanup projects in watersheds contaminated by hazardous materials or waste. The manual is also a helpful reference document for stakeholders involved in watershed cleanup efforts. The goal of the manual is to enhance coordination across EPA and state waste and water programs by identifying opportunities for streamlining requirements, leveraging resources, and implementing restoration activities more efficiently. This manual provides valuable guidance and information to enable effective use of water and waste program authorities and resources to restore and protect watersheds.

The manual is available at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/resources/integrating.htm

Click on Title link to view entire article. Thanks to EPA's Water Headlines for the submission.

Every Drop Counts - EPA Recognizes Water Efficiency Leaders

Today EPA is recognizing six winners of the 2007 Water Efficiency Leader (WEL) awards for their efforts in reducing, reusing and recycling water. Winners were chosen by a panel of national water experts and based on three criteria: leadership, innovation and water saved.

"We applaud these winners for saving water, energy and money for America's families and communities," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA's assistant administrator for water. "They're proving innovative technology and environmental stewardship can help conserve our country's greatest liquid asset."

The WEL Awards help foster a nationwide ethic of water efficiency, which is critical to the growing U.S. economy and quality of life. Due to demographic shifts, increased demand, and aging water infrastructure, there is a national need for more efficient use of our water resources. EPA recognizes this need and has developed the WEL Awards in addition to other initiatives such as a product labeling under the WaterSense program and a national organization to foster water efficiency.

Winners of the 2007 WEL Awards are:

• Intel Corporation, Ocotillo Campus (Chandler, Ariz.) - Corporate - This company's three initiatives focused on the collective recycling of 75 percent of the water used during manufacturing thereby reducing their net demand for city water; the take-back of 825 million gallons of treated wastewater from the city?s wastewater plant; the internal re-use of 530 million gallons of water; and treatment of 575 million gallons of water to drinking water standards that is then returned to the local underwater aquifer.
• Santa Clara Valley Water District (San Jose, Calif.) - Government - This water management agency helped the community reduce water demand by 55,000 acre-feet, or 12 percent of present demand, through conservation and water recycling with plans to further reduce demand for water.
• Frito-Lay (Plano, TX) - Industry - Frito-Lay's efforts at its 33 facilities resulted in the 39 percent reduction of water consumption per pound of product since 1999.
• Lackland Air Force Base (Lackland, TX) - Military - This military base uses comprehensive water conservation measures and purchases recycled wastewater for reuse on the base.
• The Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center (KPPC), at the University of Louisville (Louisville, Ky.) - Nongovernmental Organization - The Center finds profitable pollution prevention solutions for the metal industry to reduce the need for, and cost associated with, end-of-pipe controls. One example includes KPPC's assistance that resulted in a 30 percent net water savings, valued at $50,000 annually, while production at the metal finishing plant increased 50 percent.
• Allan Dietemann, Seattle Public Utilities (Seattle, Wash.) - Individual - Mr. Dietemann has promoted water conservation for 20 years, resulting in reduced water consumption for businesses, government, and homeowners alike.
  

Learn more about the winners: http://www.epa.gov/water/wel

Click on Title link to view entire article. Thanks to EPA's Water Headlines for the submission.

Presenters Wanted: 64th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference

Sunday, April 27 - Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Marriott Seaview Resort
Galloway, NJ

You are invited to share your projects and presentations with the audience at the 64th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference.

Presentations will be made in the following subject areas:

* Wildlife
* Inland Fisheries (Freshwater, Diadromous, Fish Culture Health)
* Marine Fisheries
* Conservation Law Enforcement
* Outreach


You may submit one of the following formats:

* 20 minute presentation to be combined with other like topics
* Panel presentation for 1.5 hours that you develop and coordinate
* 1.5 hour workshop or symposium on a specific topic
* Poster display

Abstracts will only be accepted online.
Applications and criteria are available at the NEAFWA website.
The deadline for submissions is January 1, 2008.

Click on Title link to view entire article.

Adk Park Invasive Plant Program Wins Award

The Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy was honored to accept DEC's Environmental Excellence Award on Friday, December 7 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany. The award was handed out by DEC Commissioner Grannis, and Steven Flint and I were pleased to accept it on behalf of APIPP's principal partners, 30+ cooperating organizations, and hundreds of volunteers. The award's ceremony recognized six organizations that have demonstrated commitments to the protection and stewardship of natural resouces.

Click on Title link to view entire article. Thanks to Hilary Oles for the submission.