Watershed Winds Newsletter
This report is entitled the "2012 Pennsylvania Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report" (Integrated Report) and satisfies the requirements of both sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. The narrative report contains summaries of various water quality management programs including water quality standards, point source control and nonpoint source control. It also includes descriptions of programs to protect lakes, wetlands and groundwater quality. A summary of the use support status of streams and lakes is also presented in the narrative.
Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently hosted the 2013 Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium on May 8, 2013. The symposium was held during National Drinking Water Week in recognition of the importance of groundwater to both public and private drinking water supplies across Pennsylvania.
Penn State Extension will offer a Web-based seminar focusing on low-impact development, a stormwater-management strategy designed to mitigate the impacts of increased runoff and resulting pollution at noon and 7 p.m. May 15, "Low Impact Development and Smart Growth: How Are They Best Integrated and Utilized in Our Communities?" will give participants a look at how green infrastructure strategies make a difference.
Do you have a private water well, spring or cistern? If you do, you are one of the more than one million households in Pennsylvania that rely on them! And what may surprise you is that more than 20,000 new water wells are drilled each year in this state.
Finding new infestations of aquatic invasive species (AIS) early, before they have a chance to become established and spread, is extremely important for AIS control and management in Pennsylvania. Therefore, Pennsylvania Sea Grant developed Pennsylvania’s Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species to help agency field biologists, water conservation officers and others working in Pennsylvania’s waters to quickly and accurately identify potential new AIS infestations.
Do you like gardening? Do you love seeing birds and butterflies at flight in your yard? Creating a rain garden offers therapeutic exercise, attracts wildlife, and helps keep stormwater runoff from overburdening sewer systems--or entering local streams. Find out more by viewing this video from StormwaterPA about the value of rain gardens in the watershed and what some communities are doing about it.
iConservePA’s website is turning its focus to water. We’ve added new content to help you use water wisely in all aspects of your life. At home, we can make simple choices inside and outside the home that help save money and water. Managing storm water, providing access to water-based recreation, and protecting water supplies are vital to citizens’ health and well-being. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you know our lakes, rivers and streams provide natural beauty and countless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Log on today to find daily tips and new ways to conserve.
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a hearing on House Bill 343 (Miller-R-York) setting standards for drinking water wells on Wednesday. The bill authorizes the Environmental Quality Board to establish water well construction standards through the adoption of rules and regulations of the DEP that are generally consistent with the National Groundwater Association construction standards. Specifically, the legislation would establish construction standards, including the decommissioning of abandoned wells, to be followed by water well drillers and owners. Nothing in this legislation requires the metering of homeowner wells.
If you are a pond owner, it is a good idea to take a walk around your pond in early spring and check to see if any maintenance is needed. Follow up with another inspection in early fall. If you don’t inspect your pond regularly and make any necessary repairs promptly, more costly or even irreparable damage may occur.
Are you ready to discover your changing world? This free activity book will introduce you to The Essential Principles of Climate Science, help you learn about Earth's climate system, the factors that drive and change it, the impacts of those changes, and what you can do to explore, understand, and protect our Earth. Download the full activity book or individual activities below. Have Fun!
This new report from the United States Geological Survey examines the landscape impacts from both conventional and Marcellus natural gas development in Allegheny and Susquehanna Counties between 2004 and 2010.
The Clean Water for Healthy Communities Coalition, together with the Efficiency Cities Network, Mayors Innovation Project and U.S. Water Alliance, invite you to join in an informative and interactive webinar about EPA’s highly anticipated national stormwater rulemaking. The webinar will feature U.S. EPA, local government, water utility and stormwater design professional perspectives, and will provide an opportunity for participants to engage in a dialogue about the content and likely effects of this rulemaking. Date: Tuesday, April 30; Time: 1 pm Eastern (call will last for 1.5 hours).
Do you have an idea for a school/community native plant garden, a forest improvement project, a streamside restoration plan, a recycling program, or energy conservation project for your students? Need funds to implement it? Apply for a Project Learning Tree GreenWorks! grant! Deadline: June 30, 2013
New curriculum materials designed to educate water gardening enthusiasts about aquatic invasive species are available for use on the Penn State Water Resources website.
The 2013 Susquehanna Water Science Forum will address the need to encourage, publicize and disseminate research to ensure that the best available scientific information is used to establish priorities and support sustainable water resource management in the Susquehanna River Basin. The Forum will bring together researchers and water resource managers to share current water resource research, prioritize research needs and better coordinate research activities in the Susquehanna River Basin. Public and private interests will focus on applied research in aquatic ecosystem management, providing a catalyst for continued coordination and development. Abstracts are being accepted (Deadline is June 1, 2013)
The Department of Environmental Protection kicked off Earth Month Monday with the launch of its Earth Day Central webpage and the announcement that the agency will display its interactive “DEP at Home” exhibit in the East Wing Rotunda of the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, from April 22-26.
Dairy farms rely on good quality water to ensure maximum milk production and herd health. While most dairy farms routinely conduct bacteria testing of their water supplies, additional testing for salts, metals, and other parameters that can affect herd performance are less frequently tested.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications. Upcoming Take-Back Day — April 27, 2013 (10:00AM - 2:00PM)
The James River Association and the Center for Watershed Protection conducted a study that provides local governments in the James River watershed with cost-effective solutions for meeting their stormwater pollution obligations under the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup. Read more in this report, released March, 2013.
During National EE Week, and throughout the year, help youth receive the benefits of environmental education experiences with the help of Penn State Extension programs and resources.
