Fish and Boat Commission State Wildlife Grants Due May 5

The Fish and Boat Commission announced it will accept applications for the State Wildlife Grant Program until May 5. The projects funded through the grant program will address high-priority conservation needs for endangered, threatened and at-risk reptile, amphibian, fish and aquatic invertebrate species across Pennsylvania. Priority topics include: reintroduction of native mussels, at-risk herptile species surveys and status assessments, mussel community assessment in the Lower Susquehanna Basin, and biodiversity of fish assemblages of the Middle and Upper Allegheny River, as well as projects that supply multiple benefits to multiple species.

April Sustainable Environments Launched

The April 2008 edition of our e-newsletter, Sustainable Environments, has been launched. This month's newsletter features an article by F. X. Browne, Inc. Senior Scientist/Fluvial Geomorphologist Deborah Slawson, Ph.D. about natural stream channel design methods used in one of our recent dam removal projects.

WARNING: Killer Mermaids Invade Storm Sewers

We have breaking news to report at this hour.

A client from Cape May, NJ was out walking her dog when suddenly, out of the storm sewer came a tendril of blonde hair that wrapped around her dog's tail and tried to drag the beast down! Fortunately, the woman carries pinking shears in her purse and was able to cut the animal loose to save it, but not before she caught a glimpse of the hideous monster retreating into the depths of the storm grate. A hideous thing, with day-glo scales, an oddly disproportunately shaped body, and excessive amounts of eye makeup. A passerby was able to capture a video clip of this disturbing monster. Beware, the Killer Mermaids are lurking, biding their time, growing ever stronger consuming the nutrients that trickle into their lair with the stormwater runoff.....beware.....

They grow stronger on their diet of spring meltwater....

Only filtration measures and stormwater management practices can save us now!



Oh yeah, and APRIL FOOL!

Celebrate World Water Day in PA

The The Nature Conservancy, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Paxton Creek Watershed Association, Blue Mountain Outfitters and others will be holding a World Water Day event on March 22 at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, PA. The goal of the event is to help draw attention to the issue of clean water.

Activities offered at the event include:

• Pose for photos in authentic whitewater kayaking gear
• Take the Water Conservation Challenge
• Children's craft activities
• A new 3D Imax film dedicated to the theme of water and conservation—the Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk. The film tells the story of the worldwide water crisis and the great drought now plaguing the American Southwest. Audiences will join a team of explorers on an exhilarating Colorado River whitewater adventure as they seek important answers about water conservation.
  

EPA Launches New Web Multimedia Portal

The U.S. EPA recently launched its new web multimedia portal: www.epa.gov/multimedia. The multimedia portal is EPA’s one-stop location for environmental video, audio/podcasts, and photography. The portal also includes interactive features such as “Ask EPA” and the Deputy Administrator's blog, “Flow of the River”. Another feature called "EPA in Action" goes behind-the-scenes; following the diverse jobs performed by the EPA workforce and examines some of the most pressing environmental issues facing our nation today. Viewing video is integrated into the site using flash player, while photos of events and EPA work will be posted in a series of online galleries. Users may subscribe to several podcast series or select from a number of individual podcasts featuring EPA experts and senior officials. This new multimedia portal is an important resource for the public, journalists, academia, local governments and the environmental community.

Pennsylvania Stormwater Funding Deadline Approaches

The PA Department of Environemental Protection is now accepting applications from local governments eligible to receive reimbursement for their stormwater management administrative costs under Act 167 of 1978. Applications are due March 31. Eligible local governments must be in watersheds that have a stormwater management plan prepared and adopted by the count and approved by DEP. The grants cover up to 75 percent of the costs to adopt or revise their ordinances or regulations and comply with the state Stormwater Management Act.

F. X. Browne, Inc. can assist municipalities with preparing Act 167 Stormwater Management Plans. Please contact us at info@fxbrowne.com for more information.

Growing Greener Grants Announced

The Pennsylvania DEP has announced the winners of the 2007 round of the Growing Greener grants. DEP is providing $22 million in grants for more than 120 projects to support acid mine drainage treatment facilities, stream bank stabilization efforts to reduce erosion and protect against flooding, riparian buffers to filter pollutants before reaching streams, aquatic habitat improvements, and comprehensive watershed protection planning. The grants will also be used to implement innovative agricultural and stormwater management techniques that reduce nonpoint source pollution in streams.

Growing Greener Watershed Applications for the 2008 round of funding are now available on the DEP website. The application deadline is MAY 16. F. X. Browne, Inc. has an excellent track record of obtaining Growing Greener grant funds for our clients. Our past projects have included streambank stabilization, watershed assessments, stormwater planning, stormwater demonstration projects, watershed modeling, and best management practices design. For more information, please contact us at info@fxbrowne.com.