New Runoff Reduction Method Announced for Innovative Stormwater Design

The Center for Watershed Protection and Tom Schueler of the Chesapeake Stormwater Network have recently completed a technical memo that outlines an innovative system for stormwater design called the Runoff Reduction Method. More...
The design is part of CWP's "Extreme BMP Makeover" project, funded by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation. They have been working closely with the VA Department of Conservation & Recreation to integrate the Runoff Reduction Method into proposed stormwater regulations and an updated handbook. While the technical memo provides extensive background research on BMP performance, the focus is on BMP capacity to reduce overall runoff volume as well as pollutant removal. These BMPs include both conventional and innovative practices (e.g., pervious parking, sheetflow to open space, green roofs, downspout disconnection). The method also incorporates built-in incentives for environmental site design, such as preserving forests and reducing soil disturbance and impervious cover. The memo includes a draft spreadsheet that can be used as a stormwater site planning tool to assess how well certain combinations of practices reduce post-development runoff volumes and total phosphorus loads. VA DCR and the VA Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers are currently using this spreadsheet and the Runoff Reduction Method in site design charrettes around the state. The spreadsheet will be revised based on feedback from these stakeholder involvement workshops. http://www.cwp.org/Downloads/ExtremeBMP/RRTechMemo.pdf

From CWP Runoff Rundown Spring 2008

PA Water Infrastructure Task Force Plans Public Meetings

With aging and deteriorating water systems across Pennsylvania in need of critical investments, members of Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force are setting out to gather the public’s ideas on how to address the challenge. The task force recently announced a series of eight public meetings to be held throughout the state this month.

From the PADEP press release: The 30-member task force, made up of business leaders, legislators, government officials and industry experts, will host eight public meetings during May, the first kicking off today in Harrisburg. The other meetings will take place in Allegheny, Clearfield, Luzerne, Montgomery, Northampton, Venango and York counties. Members want to hear recommendations from the public about what issues the task force should consider; what existing statutory, regulatory or public policy barriers prevent the long-term sustainability of Pennsylvania’s water infrastructure; and possible new revenue streams that could help meet the state’s infrastructure needs.According to a federal Clean Water Needs Survey, Pennsylvania is facing nearly $11 billion in unmet drinking water infrastructure needs and at least $7.2 billion in unmet wastewater infrastructure needs. The task force convened for the first time last month and formed five work groups to address the most pressing issues: needs assessment, innovative measures, financial resources, financial sustainability and legislative and regulatory needs.

For meeting dates and locations, click here and scroll down.

Forum-Global Warming in the Delaware Valley

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia will host a large public forum on May 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., where a panel of scientists and policy experts will discuss the impacts of "Global Warming in the Delaware Valley." This free, town hall-style meeting is one installment in the Academy's "Town Square" series, which is taking place at the museum's headquarters.

Sustainable Community Workshop - PA

Green Village Philadelphia is bringing Paolo Lugari to Philadelphia for a public talk and a unique three day workshop on sustainable community development. Paolo Lugari founded Gaviotas, a sustainable village in rural Colombia that battled the constant threat of Colombia's political turbulence and the country's barren landscape. The event will consist of:

Public Talk: May 1st
Weekend Workshop: May 2 - 4th
Intimate Brunch with Paulo: May 4th

For more information on this event, click here. The event is co-sponsored by the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia.

PADEP Offers Growing Greener Workshop

PA DEP will hold an informational session at 1 p.m. on April 22 in Harrisburg to help watershed groups, municipal officials, and community planners apply for 2008 Growing Greener I and II grants. The session will be held at DEP’s Southcentral Regional Office Building and will last until 3 p.m. The session will include a brief overview of the 2008 Growing Greener application package followed by a question and answer session.

F. X. Browne, Inc. can assist with the application and implementation of Growing Greener grant projects. Growing Greener applications must be postmarked or hand delivered by May 16.
For more information on how F. X. Browne, Inc. can help, please contact us.

PA 2008 Integrated List Released

Pennsylvania's 2008 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report and impaired streams listing has been released. The 2008 Report (also known as the 303(d) List or Integrated List) 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 designed to protect lakes, wetlands and groundwater quality.

The 2008 Integrated List shows that nearly 16,000 miles out of the 85,399 miles assessed and 38,357 acres of the 74,616 acres of lakes assessed do not meet Pennsylvania water quality standards. To see which lakes and streams are listed as impaired, and for which parameters, check out the report.

Stormwater Webcast Features Urban Retrofit Practices

EPA is presenting a new Stormwater Webcast- The Art and Science of Stormwater Retrofitting, on April 9- 12 - 2 pm EDT. EPA has provided funding to the Center for Watershed Protection to develop a detailed manual to help communities identify, plan, and implement stormwater retrofit practices that will result in water quality improvements. The new "Urban Stormwater Retrofit Practices" manual addresses retrofitting existing urban lands, such as parking lots, residential streets, conveyance systems, and landscaped areas. This webcast will feature presentations from noted experts in the field, including a case study from the City of Charlottesville, VA, which has implemented an effective retrofit planning process. To register for this webcast, please visit www.epa.gov/npdes/training