2013

2012 Pennsylvania Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report Released May 21, 2013: 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 Hosts 2013 Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium May 20, 2013: 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.
Webinar to examine environmentally sustainable stormwater management May 13, 2013: 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.
Private Water Supplies in Pennsylvania May 13, 2013: 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.
Pennsylvania’s Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species May 6, 2013: 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.
StormwaterPA Video: Rain Gardens - Saving Streams One Yard at a Time May 6, 2013: 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 H2O Webpage Fills Up With New Water Content May 6, 2013: 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.
House Environmental Committee Held Hearing On Water Well Standards Bill May 2, 2013: 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.
Spring Time is Pond Time! April 29, 2013: 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.
Activity Book: Discover Your Changing World With NOAA April 29, 2013: 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!
USGS – Landscape Consequences of Natural Gas Extraction in Allegheny and Susquehanna Counties, Pennsylvania, 2004–2010 April 24, 2013: 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.
Webinar on New EPA Stormwater Rules – Apr 30 April 22, 2013: 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).
Project Learning Tree Grants Available For Classrooms April 22, 2013: 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
Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Through Water Gardening April 22, 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.
2013 Susquehanna Water Science Forum -October 7-8, 2013 April 15, 2013: 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)
DEP Celebrates Earth Month With Full Calendar Of Environmental Activities April 15, 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.
Penn State Extension Completes Study of Dairy Herd Water Supplies April 15, 2013: 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.
Sixth National Take-Back Initiative April 11, 2013: 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)
Cost-Effectiveness Study of Urban Stormwater BMPs in the James River Basin Released April 8, 2013: 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.
Make Youth Environmental Education Part of Your Priorities April 8, 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.
National Rivers and Streams Assessment (NRSA) 2008-2009 Draft Report released April 1, 2013: EPA and its state, tribal, federal and other partners have completed the report highlighting the work on the first survey of the nation's rivers and streams (National Rivers and Streams Assessment, NRSA 2008-2009). This survey combines an assessment of the nation's rivers with the second national survey of small wadeable streams (Wadeable Streams Assessment (WSA)). Planning is also underway for the next survey of the nation's rivers and streams (NRSA 2013-2014).
Water Infrastructure: Approaches and Issues for Financing Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure April 1, 2013: The nation faces costly upgrades to aging and deteriorating drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Frequent and highly publicized incidents of combined sewer overflows into rivers and streams, as well as water main breaks in the nation's largest cities, are the most visible manifestations of this problem. The Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) J. Alfredo Gomez, Director of Natural Resources and Environment, issued testimony before the House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. In the statement, GAO reviews three approaches to bridging the gap between projected drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs and their current funding.
Ag Producers Learn About Water Quality Effects on Pesticide Spray Applications April 1, 2013: Penn State Extension is delivering an important message to pesticide applicators in Pennsylvania this year on the impact of water quality on pesticide performance.
US EPA - Urban BMPS and the Bay TMDL Webcast – FREE! – Apr 3 March 25, 2013: Join us for a half day of webcast training on April 3, 2013 on “Urban BMPS and the Bay TMDL: A Users Guide”. This is an opportunity for you to learn about the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Expert Panel recommendations for each of the newly approved Urban BMPs that can be used to achieve nutrient and sediment reductions toward the Bay TMDL. Hear from the expert panelists themselves and have the opportunity to ask them questions about each of the recommendations. This training is designed for local stormwater permit managers, design engineers, state TMDL staff, and anyone else involved in getting credit for urban practices in the Bay TMDL and outlines the expert panel recommendations for the four most recent Urban BMP Panels.
Stocking Trout Ponds in Pennsylvania March 25, 2013: If you have a pond and want to stock it with trout there are a few things you need to think about.
Implementing Green Infrastructure at Multiple Scales – Sep 9-12 March 25, 2013: National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV. Application Deadline: August 9th. This course provides participants with applications and techniques for the implementation of green infrastructure at multiple scales. Building off GI 101: Strategic Conservation Planning Using a Green Infrastructure Approach course, this course will examine the next steps for on-the-ground implementation of green infrastructure focusing on how to obtain a maximum return-on-investment so that projects are streamlined and delivered at least cost, while retaining the viability of the network. The four-day course highlights leadership and stakeholder engagement, financing and network management, legal and regulatory issues, and support tools for the optimization of the decision-making process. Hear from expert green infrastructure practitioners as they discuss lessons learned on creating success and overcoming challenges, explore trends in implementation from urban to regional scales, and learn about the latest applications of green infrastructure as related to climate change, water transportation, and ecosystem services.
World Water Day March 19, 2013: World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The first World Water Day was held 22 March 1993.
March 18-24 is Fix A Leak Week! March 19, 2013: Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year. That's why WaterSense reminds Americans to check their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems each year during Fix a Leak Week.
Report Released: "Water Resources Utility of the Future: A Blueprint for Action" March 19, 2013: The clean water paradigm in the United States is changing. The Water Resources Utility of the Future will transform the way traditional wastewater utilities view themselves and manage their operations. They also will transform their relationships with their communities and their contributions to local economies. This report presents the clean water industry's vision for the future as well as a series of actions that will help deliver our vision. It is jointly released by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF). The audience for this report includes federal policy-makers, local utility managers, private sector interests, and state and local governments.
Strategic Conservation Planning Using a Green Infrastructure Approach – May 20-24 March 19, 2013: National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV. Registration Deadline: April 26th. This 4.5 day introductory course provides participants with a strategic approach to prioritizing conservation opportunities and a planning framework for conservation and development - integrating the green and the gray. Through hands-on class projects, lectures, and numerous case studies, participants will experience firsthand how the green infrastructure approach can be used to connect environmental, social, and economic health across urban, suburban, and rural settings. Participants will also learn how green infrastructure planning can serve as a tool to inform land use decisions and build consensus among diverse interests.
Permitting Green Infrastructure: A Guide to Improving Municipal Stormwater Permits and Protecting Water Quality March 13, 2013: American Rivers has released this new guide to permitting approaches that encourage or require low impact development or green infrastructure. The guide combines model permit language with excerpts from comment letters that have helped to drive permit evolution. It is intended to be a resource for community and watershed advocates.
What’s Your Groundwater Awareness?? March 9, 2013: National groundwater awareness week is March 10-16, 2013 and this year’s theme is “Groundwater Awareness is Important to You!” Groundwater is important to every person, and there is something every person can do to be a good groundwater steward.
Penn State's first statewide Private Forest Landowners Conference March 4, 2013: Please join us on May 10-11 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, the event will be hosted by the College of Agricultural Sciences' Center for Private Forests. Focusing on the future of Penn's Woods, the day-and-a-half conference will reach out to owners of all sizes of woodlands, from backyard woodlot owners to those who view their woodlands as business ventures.
New Hands-on Activity, Watershed Decisions, Now Available From Penn State Extension March 4, 2013: A hands-on, inquiry based activity that helps older youth and adults learn about water quality issues surrounding small watersheds and the decision making processes that go into improving those water quality issues.
Sinnemahoning Watershed Ponds to be Studied March 4, 2013: Penn State Extension Educator, Jim Clark, and the Cameron County Conservation District, recently obtained a $6,000 grant from the Headwaters RC&D Sinnemahoning Stakeholders Group. The grant will pay for water tests for 35 rural ponds located throughout the Sinnemahoning Watershed.
Keystone Wells and Water Testing Seminar February 25, 2013: Join us for the Keystone Wells and Water Testing Seminar. The seminar is designed to give attendees a broad overview of water wells, water quality, water testing, interpreting test results and determining water quality solutions for private water systems in Pennsylvania.
Extension Water Team Offers Learn at Home Pond Education Opportunities February 25, 2013: The Penn State Extension Water Resources Team is offering two pond education opportunities where participants learn from home. An Online Pond Home Study Course, and an Aquatic Pesticide Recertification Correspondence Course, allows Pennsylvania Pond Owners to participate, without ever leaving their home.
Reducing Radon in Water February 18, 2013: You can’t see, smell or taste radon. It could, however, be a problem in your home. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. And if you smoke and your home has high radon levels your risk of lung cancer is much higher.
Protecting Your Well February 11, 2013: A couple married for 61 years brought a water test report for clarification into the Extension office. They have tested their well periodically for years and for the first time they had a positive total coliform bacteria test. They had the usual questions, “is that bad? (we haven’t been sick or anything).” And, “what should we do about it?”
Drug Enforcement Agency Announces Upcoming Take-Back Day — Apr 27 February 7, 2013: The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications. In the four previous Take-Back events, DEA in conjunction with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners have collected more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medications were removed from circulation. 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.
Exploring the Environmental Effects of Shale Gas Development in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Report Released February 5, 2013: The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) has just released "Exploring the Environmental Effects of Shale Gas Development in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed." This report has been submitted to CBP Management Board and a response has been requested on its specific recommendations. A copy of the report, and all other STAC reports, can be found on the STAC website at: http://www.chesapeake.org/stac/. Additionally, STAC is developing a Marcellus Shale factsheet that will summarize the key points of interest and concern with shale gas development.
Registration Open for the Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium on May 8, 2013 February 4, 2013: In celebration of National Drinking Water Week, Penn State Extension and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection along with numerous other sponsors invite you to attend the 2013 Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium at Penn State University in University Park, PA.
2013 Round of WREN Grants Now Open January 28, 2013: For 2013, WREN offers two separate funding tracks: a Watershed Protection Education Project track (awards up to $5,000), intended to build awareness and educate residents and municipal officials about their local watershed, their role as environmental stewards, and offer specific actions that citizens can take action within the community to protect, improve, or remediate their watershed from the impact of nonpoint source pollution. The Source Water Protection Collaborative Project track (awards up to $7,000 for a region or County Collaborative) funds formation of a regional or County-wide Collaborative and a Source Water Environmental Education Team (SWEET) that will conduct community education to encourage protection of drinking water source areas in the region or county. SWEET Teams will use educational models and visual tools to conduct community education that will reduce the risk of contamination to aquifers, rivers, streams, lakes, and springs relied upon for public water supply in Pennsylvania.
Storing Water January 28, 2013: Droughts occur periodically over much of the United States. In Pennsylvania, severe droughts have occurred more frequently over the past two decades. During droughts, water supplies often become critically low. In some cases, whole communities are either without water or have very limited supplies. Water use restrictions are often imposed on the residents of these communities.
Snow: Good for Groundwater?? January 22, 2013: It is the middle of winter and most likely water pollution, droughts, and groundwater levels are not things that you are thinking about right now. For most people these things tend to be more “warm weather” topics…but should they be?
Land Use Webinar Series January 18, 2013: Penn State Extension’s Land Use & Decision Making Education Team presents a series of webinars to help planners, elected officials, and concerned citizens come together to make better land use decisions.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week January 18, 2013: Invasive and Exotic Species of North America - any species, including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of propagating that species, that is not native to that ecosystem; and whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
Water Education Resources for Teachers January 18, 2013: StormwaterPA's video case studies are powerful, educational tools. Recently, we have begun efforts on strengthening the educational impact of our videos by incorporating them into EcoExpress.org, which is our organization GreenTrek Network's environmental education program. EcoExpress.org is an online resource center designed specifically for local teachers and students. It features streaming documentaries and lesson plan content associated to Pennsylvania's Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology. Science education expert Anita Brook Dupree develops lesson plans associated with our videos.
Macroinvertebrates as Indicators of Water Quality January 14, 2013: The importance of biological parameters as indications of the health of the river is highlighted in the State of the Susquehanna Report, but the principles are applicable to any stream or river.
EPA Releases National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change January 8, 2013: EPA has released the "National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change," which describes how EPA's water-related programs plan to address the impacts of climate change and provides long-term visions, goals and strategic actions for the management of sustainable water resources for future generations. The strategy, which builds upon EPA's first climate change and water strategy released in 2008, focuses on five key areas: infrastructure, watersheds and wetlands, coastal and ocean waters, water quality, and working with Tribes. It emphasizes working collaboratively with partners and stakeholders, developing information and tools, incorporating adaptation into core programs, and managing risks of impacts including from extreme weather events. The 2012 strategy also includes goals and strategic actions for EPA in 10 geographic climate regions.
Applications Being Accepted for Next Master Well Owner Course January 8, 2013: Pennsylvania is home to over one million private water wells and springs but it is one of the few states that do not provide statewide regulations to protect these rural drinking water supplies. In 2004, Penn State Cooperative Extension and several partner agencies created the Master Well Owner Network (MWON), a group of trained volunteers who are dedicated to promoting the proper construction, testing, and maintenance of private water wells, springs and cisterns throughout Pennsylvania.
Free Online Training For New 4-H Stream Team Volunteers January 4, 2013: Adults throughout Pennsylvania have a new opportunity to become volunteers for the 4-H Stream Teams Program.
Unwanted Medications Disposal Rules Move Forward January 2, 2013: After nearly two years, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released its proposed regulations to implement the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010. DEA has been sponsoring “Unwanted Medication Collection Programs” nationally until these rules were written, commented on, edited, and finally approved. A copy of the 140 page document of the draft regulations can be found at the link below. Jim Clark, Extension Educator

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