Watershed Winds Newsletter
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Adults throughout Pennsylvania have a new opportunity to become volunteers for the 4-H Stream Teams Program.
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
For most people living in rural areas, collection, treatment, and disposal of sewage must be accomplished on site. Here are some tips to prevent problems with your system.
The Delaware River Basin Commission this week released its Annual Report highlighting its accomplishments and challenges from 2011 and celebrating the Commission’s 50th Anniversary.
The Pennsylvania Lake Management Society commonly known as “PALMS” or “PA Lakes” is a non-profit organization dedicated to the management, restoration and protection of Pennsylvania’s lakes and surrounding watersheds. PALMS is comprised of lake and watershed associations, concerned citizens and watershed management professionals from the private and public sector with the common interest of protecting Pennsylvania lakes for future generations. 23rd Annual PALMS Conference; February 20 - 21, 2013; Ramada Hotel & Conference Center; State College, PA
Learn how communities are using their natural assets to drive local conservation, planning and community economic revitalization efforts. January 14-15, 2013 in Harrisburg, PA (NOTE: Due to Superstorm Sandy, event was re-scheduled from Oct. 29-30th to January 14-15, 2013)
WaterSense has developed WaterSense at Work, a compilation of water-efficiency best management practices, to help commercial and institutional facilities understand and better manage their water use, help facilities establish an effective water management program and identify projects and practices that can reduce facility water use.
Do you have an old well on your property that isn’t used anymore? Pennsylvania has one of the largest rural populations of any state in the country, and most rural populations depend on private water systems for drinking water. So it is common to find old, unused wells throughout the state.
