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WREN November
Feature
| Hydro Hubs
by Ben Grumbles, President, U.S. Water Alliance |
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Grants
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Due: December 13, 2013
Due: December 20, 2013
Due: January 6, 2014
Due: January 10, 2014
Due: January 14, 2014
Inland rivers and green infrastructure projects are eligible!
Due: January 31, 2014
Due February 29, 2014
Due: April 30, 2014
Other Funding:
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Resources
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Book: Cows Save the Planet And Other Improbable Ways of Restoring Soil to Heal the Earth
Counting Cover Crops
New National Wildlife Federation report provides overview, success stories of cover crop use in the United States today
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Save the Date
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Washington Crossing, PA
December 4, 2013
Washington Crossing, PA
December 9, 2013
East Earl, PA
Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference
Dec 9-11, 2013
King of Prussia, PA
Susquehanna River Basin Commission Meeting
December 12, 2013
Annapolis, MD
In-depth Training on Private Water Systems in PA
December 14, 2013
9am-3:30pm
Neshaminy Manor Center, Doylestown, PA
Public Hearing on CAFO Permit for Columbia County Hog Farm
December 16, 2013
2014 Keystone Coldwater Conference
Feb. 21 - 22, 2014
State College, PA
2014 PA Rural Water Association Annual Conference
March 25-28, 2014
State College, PA
7th West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium
Apr 10 - 11, 2014
State College, PA
9th National Water Quality Monitoring Conference
Aprril 28 - May 2, 2014
Cincinnati, OH
River Rally
Pittsburgh, PA
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Join Our List
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Subscribe to WREN's free E-Newsletter
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November Feature: Hydro Hubs by Ben Grumbles, President, U.S. Water Alliance
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A look at the "emerging clusters of innovation and imagination" in the U.S.called "Hydro-Hubs" (including one in Pittsburgh) that are helping to boost collective efforts to embrace and protect two most precious resources: water and the talent pool of future water leaders. Read more...
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Image courtesy of U.S. Water Alliance.
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EPA Report: Water is Vital to U.S. Economy
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 From
By Nancy Stoner
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), released a report on the Importance of Water to the U.S. Economy. This report is intended to help raise the awareness of water's importance to our national economic welfare and to summarize information that public and private decision-makers can use to sustainably manage the nation's water resources.
The report's main findings:
- Water is absolutely fundamental to the U.S. economy
- Water value and competition will rise
- Decision-makers in the private and public sectors need more information
EPA hopes this report will be a catalyst for a broader discussion about water's critical role in the U.S. economy. Click here to view the report.
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Want to Change Behavior? Use Foolproof Photos!
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 | | DO take photos of people enjoying and exhibiting the behavior you want. Photo courtesy of Paul Overbeck, Co-project Leader of Garrett Hill Coalition, Radnor Township, Delaware County, a 2012-2013 WREN Grantee. |
Photos are a powerful communication tool. The trick is to take the right kind of pictures. The goal is to show "people like me" doing the desired environmental behavior. You don't need to be a professional photographer to take great pictures, but if your budget allows, it is worth it! Many high schools and colleges have communication classes filled with budding photographers that may enjoy putting their skills to work and adding to their portfolios. Judging by the beautiful photos that have been submitted to Schuylkill Shots and the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, there is no shortage of talented amateur and professional shutterbugs! Put out a call for help now to line up photo coverage for your spring events.
By building your own collection of great local conservation action pictures, you can attract attention and volunteers, help increase the impact of conservation news stories, and you'll have a wealth of material for public awareness campaigns. When you are carrying out a project with a group of volunteers, stop the action briefly and ask people to look up and smile. Take lots of photos. If you take twenty photos, chances are one or two will be usable.
Do's:
- Faces: people respond to faces
- Action: show the behavior you want people to copy
- Before and After: show before and after photos side by side of planting a rain garden, for example
Don'ts:
- Rear-ends: don't take picture of people's backsides! Unfortunately, these are often the typical shots we receive from projects of groups of people bent over at work planting rain gardens. Instead, ask the volunteers to stop for a moment, turn around, and smile. Then take more great shots that show individuals close up and the group working together enjoying themselves planting the rain garden.
- Feet: you don't need to include people's feet in photos. Try zooming in on faces (see do's above)
- Pose: posed photos are okay but capturing volunteers in action planting a tree is better than a group photo standing in front of the tree
Don't forget to get permission to use the photo from the subjects. Be sure to write down their names to include in a caption for the photo in newsletters.
The importance of great photos cannot be stressed enough. They should be a priority for all of our outreach efforts. Read more on foolproof photos here. |
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Policy Updates and Public Comments Requested
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PA Legislative Session Schedule
- Click here for calendars and committee meeting schedules.
The legislature is currently on a holiday break. They will reconvene in early December.
Action by Environmental Quality Board on Proposed Oil & Gas Regulations
On August 27, 2013, the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) adopted DEP's proposed rulemaking updating 25 Pa Code Chapter 78 Subchapter C to strengthen environmental protection measures related to surface activities at oil and gas sites. The rulemaking includes measures to implement Act 13 of 2012, and provisions that modify and update existing requirements, including those for the containment of regulated substances, waste disposal, site restoration and reporting releases.
The proposed regulations also establish new provisions for borrow pits, oil and gas gathering pipelines, identification of abandoned wells and the road-spreading of brine. The proposed regulations add new provisions for unconventional gas wells regarding the identification of impacts to public resources, standards for freshwater and wastewater impoundments, well site containment systems, wastewater processing and water management plans.
For more information about next steps in the rulemaking process, and a link to the proposed Oil & Gas regulations, click here.
 Public Comments Requested PA DEP Comment Requested - On Nov. 1, 2013, PA DEP released the results of the fourth, and final, quarterly report detailing progress under its new Permit Review Process and Permit Decision Guarantee Policy. According to DEP, since implementing the permit improvement policies, the agency now makes 95 percent of permit decisions within the guaranteed timeframes outlined in the Permit Decision Guarantee policy. Click here for the PA Bulletin announcement. A public comment period is open through December 4, 2013, to allow feedback about the effectiveness of the new policy.
- PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has created an all-new, online Public Participation Center, which is a clearinghouse for all information related to DEP meetings, webinars and events, as well as proposals posted for public comment. Visit www.dep.state.pa.us, and click on the Public Participation Center button to check it out! Click here to read a press release on this initiative.
EPA Public Comment Requested - Over the past decade, a number of Supreme Court decisions interpreting the definition of "navigable waters" have removed some waters from federal protection, and caused confusion about which waters and wetlands remain protected under the Clean Water Act. The EPA draft science report released in October 2013, titled: Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters will serve as scientific support for an upcoming EPA rulemaking to clarify the jurisdictional waters of the Clean Water Act (CWA).
EPA and the Army Corps are focusing on clarifying protection of the network of smaller waters that feed into larger ones, to keep downstream water safe from upstream pollutants. The agencies are also clarifying protection for wetlands that filter and trap pollution, store water, and help keep communities safe from floods. The draft report presents a review and synthesis of more than 1,000 pieces of relevant peer reviewed scientific literature. EPA's independent Science Advisory Board is soliciting public comment and stated it will hold a public peer review meeting December 16, 17 and 18, 2013 in Washington, DC. Click here for more information. Coast Guard Public Comment Requested - Deadline Nov. 29, 2013 Transportation of shale gas extraction waste water in bulk via barge on waterways - Docket number USCG-2013-0915. "We encourage you to submit comments and related material on the proposed policy letter concerning the carriage of conditionally permitted shale gas extraction waste water in bulk. In particular, we specifically request public comment regarding the disclosure of proprietary information to the Coast Guard, and regarding the applicability of testing requirements for radioactive materials to all regions where shale gas extraction waste water may be transported by barge."
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Foundation Aims to Focus on Entire Delaware River Watershed
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 | | Map courtesy of the Delaware River Basin Commission. |
In late October, the William Penn Foundation held a two day event called "Accelerating Action - The Forum for the Delaware River Watershed." Held at the the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, the forum brought together two hundred stakeholders representing over 60 non-profits (including WREN), eight federal agencies, state and local regulators, academia, and foundations to discuss challenges facing the Delaware River Watershed and potential solutions.
Julie Slavet, Executive Director of the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership (and project leader of a 2013-2014 WREN Watershed Education Grant), observed about the event:
"The William Penn Foundation is directing significant funding toward impacting the entire watershed and will create a 'Vision for the Watershed.'" The Foundation plans to impact the Delaware basin by addressing watershed-wide issues; protecting and restoring places of ecological significance; and building the constituency for the watershed by engaging people. We were delighted to be an active participant in learning from watershed experts and leaders from other organizations at the Accelerating Action two day forum, which provided valuable information and perspectives on a range of topics."
Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, gave the keynote address referencing Superstorm Sandy one year ago and outlined the significant impact that climate change will have, stating, "We are moving the planet outside the human experience to a time of climate consequence."
Click here for the agenda.
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"No Wipes in the Pipes" Campaigns Gain Attention
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 Plumbing companies are getting calls every day from people complaining that their pipes are clogged and backing up. The culprit? Flushable wipes. Those bathroom wipes may be flushable, but that doesn't mean they are degradable. What's good for the plumbing business is not good for water quality. Clogs and backups are happening in sewer systems across the country due to the increasing popularity of wipes. The problem is costing municipalities millions of dollars to correct sewer system backups.
Marian Keegan, Director of Community Conservation at Hemlock Farms Community Association (HFCA), a community of approximately 4,000 homes located in Pike County, stated that they plan to launch a "No Wipes in the Pipes" campaign to educate homeowners about the hazards of flushing these products. Materials are being produced on the initiative. Marian is also the co-project leader of a 2013-2014 WREN Source Water Protection Collaborative Education Grant for $5,000, and recently developed the Pocono Source Water Protection Collaborative's new website featuring the group's new logo and Fact Sheet.
Take a look at two videos that illustrate why flushing wipes is bad for public sewers and septics systems.
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This Will it Flush? video was created by the City of Spokane Department of Wastewater Management. |
Another video resource is "What Not to Flush," by the City of Portland Environmental Services. This video shows what happens when people flush things that were not meant to be flushed.
Use these videos to spread the "No Wipes in the Pipes" message in your community!
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Beware of Roadside Springs!
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There is a good chance for bacteria and possibly other contaminants to be in any roadside spring water source.
 | | Photo of roadside spring from Penn State webinar. |
Penn State Extension released results from a survey of roadside springs. Extension Water Resource Educators Jim Clark and Diane Oleson presented a webinar on October 30, 2013, which included water quality results from a recent survey of 35 heavily used roadside springs across Pennsylvania. The objective of the survey was to determine the drinking water safety of these springs and to increase awareness about the risk of using roadside springs for drinking water supplies.
What they found:
- 97% of the roadside springs failed at least one drinking water standard.
- The most common health-related pollutants were coliform bacteria (91%), E. colibacteria (34%), and lead (3%).
Recommendations:
- Caution should be used by people considering drinking water from a roadside spring, as most contain pollutants.
- Homeowners should have the roadside spring tested for safety by a state accredited water testing laboratory or utilize other sources of drinking water.
Click here to view the 38 minute recorded webinar and click here for more information on the study of roadside springs.
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Nominate an Excellent Environmental Steward for Statewide Award
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The Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging environmental stewards to apply for the 2014 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards.
The awards are open to all Pennsylvania businesses, farms, government agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations and individuals that have developed innovative environmental programs or have implemented projects that balance environmental stewardship and economic development.
Examples of eligible projects include wastewater recycling technology innovation, resource development, renewable and alternative energy innovation, watershed restoration strategies and environmental education outreach, among others.
Recipients of the awards will be honored during an evening reception on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, and the winning projects will also be listed on DEP's website.
Projects should be submitted via email to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Jan. 17, 2014. Faxed or mailed submissions will not be considered.
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Township Supervisor Receives Watershed Stewardship Award
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Adapted From Centre County Conservation District's Conservation Update
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Ann Dovovan, Centre County Conservation District Watershed Specialist presents the 2013 Watershed Stewardship Award to Mike Savage. Photo provided by Centre County Conservation District.
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Rush Township Supervisor Mike Savage received the 2013 Centre County Conservation District Annual Watershed Stewardship Award at the Farm/City dinner held on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, in Penns Valley.
Mike has been the driving force behind the newly formed group that launched in 2012 with WREN support and funding known as the Central PA Source Water Alliance for Protection. The new organization has worked to gather interested stakeholders and encourage water systems in Centre and Clearfield Counties to create Source Water Protection Plans through DEP. These plans provide essential information that includes recharge maps of the source water areas that feed the water systems, a list of potential contaminants in their watershed, contingency plans, and a customized set of risk reduction measures that will reduce possible threats and help ensure safe drinking water for years to come.
 To help educate the community about the need to protect drinking water sources, Mike and his team developed an educational brochure and guided over 575 fifth graders from area school districts through 6 different water stations during Clean Water Days this past April. They are hopeful to line up funding that would enable them to repeat the educational event that was highly popular with students and teachers next spring at Black Moshannon State Park.
Central Pa SWAP members worked to strengthen emergency spill response coordination and are in the process of erecting official blue and white water supply signs to identify water supply areas and enlist motorist support to immediately report spills along area roadways. Central PA SWAP received $6,000 in funding from WREN to promote these important education activities, and is planning to launch a new website to continue their efforts.
Congratulations Mike!
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Facebook Fans Vote for Projects to Receive Funding
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 | | Screenshot of Pennsylvania American Water's voting page. |
Pennsylvania American Water is holding a "Community Investment Challenge" contest. Facebook users will determine the grant awards. Voting is now open!
Visit the Pennsylvania American Water Facebook Contest Page, like Pennsylvania American Water, click on the "Community Investment Challenge" tab, and vote for your favorite entry. You may vote once every 24 hours. The deadline for voting is December 8, 2013. Awards will be announced in early December.
The top three projects receiving the most votes on the company's Facebook contest page will receive awards of $1,000 (first-place), $700 (second-place) and $300 (third place).
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| Water Policy News is published monthly by the Water Resources Education Network, a project of the League of Women Voters of PA - Citizen Education Fund. Please send your water education related programs and activities to WREN Project Director. Visit www.sourcewaterpa.org to learn more about drinking water protection. Visit wren.palwv.org to learn more about WREN and local projects in PA. For more events, check the
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