Constructed Wetland Slideshow Added

We recently added some new content to our blog site. Check out the Constructed Wetland Slideshow on the lower right hand side of the page. It shows before, during, and post-construction photos of the F. X. Browne, Inc. constructed wetland at our Lansdale, PA headquarters.

Dr. Frank Browne Keynote Speaker on Low Impact Development

Dr. Frank Browne, President of F. X. Browne, Inc., was the Keynote Speaker at Southeast New York’s 8th Annual Stormwater Conference in Orange County, New York. Dr. Browne presented on low impact development and sustainable design. F. X. Browne, Inc., a nationwide expert in low impact development and stormwater management, was selected by DEP to be a Qualified Stormwater Consultant to assist developers with meeting the mandates of new smart-growth and stormwater regulations in land development design.

Happy Birthday, Clean Water Act!

The Clean Water Act turns 36 years old this week. In the past 36 years, enormous amounts of change have occurred with respect to policy and environment in the US. Constantly spreading impervious surfaces, diminishing wetlands, and alterations of natural watercourses have led to increased flooding and millions of dollars of damage to populated areas. However, improvements in natural channel design and wetland and stream restoration techniques as well as the NPDES Phase I and Phase II stormwater regulations are helping to reduce flooding and restore habitat. F. X. Browne, Inc. is proud to be on the forefront of environmental restoration consulting and engineering design.

Cincinati wants to lead green roof movement in US

The Cincinati City Council recently became the first in Ohio with a plan to channel grants and loans to residents and businesses to replace tar and shingle roofs with vegetation. Supporters of the idea say the greenery not only is pleasing aesthetically but reduces stormwater runoff, filters pollutants and cuts heating and cooling costs.

In Ohio, green roofs grace the tops of the Toledo public library, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency building in Columbus and the Cleveland Environmental Center, home of the Greater Cleveland Green Building Coalition. In Cinicinati, the grant program is specifically aimed at commercial buildings.

AP Article, October 2, 2008

Western WA Requires Low-Impact Development Techniques

In a landmark ruling, a state appeals board ordered use of low-impact building techniques to reduce stormwater runoff, which is considered the biggest pollution threat to the health of Puget Sound. The quasi-judicial Pollution Control Hearings Board handed down the ruling, which will be implemented by the state Ecology Department.

In established cities such as Seattle, the impact is likely to be felt mostly in redevelopment projects. In the fast-growing countryside, it's likely to mean larger-scale LID projects that might, for instance, eliminate curbs and gutters and create street-side green spaces instead. The ruling affects only the largest local governments in Western Washington: Seattle, Tacoma, and King, Snohomish, Pierce and Clark counties. Another case pending before the board could extend the logic to numerous smaller local governments.

Source: Seattlepi.com, August 9, 2008

Stormwater Video Webcasts Monday

The California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) is making available two of its pre-conference workshops on Monday, September 22 from 8:30-5:00 PDT as video webcasts at no charge to stormwater quality professionals across the country. The workshops being offered are:
I - Planning Practices and Tools to Address Emerging Water Quality Issues
III - Assessing and Managing Trash in Stormwater

These workshops are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Webcast registration closes at 3:00 PM Pacific Time today. Please register as soon as possible at https://www.casqa.org/casqastore/entitiy/tabid/169/c-13-webcast-registrations.aspx.

Sinking With the Fishes

From Daily Grist, 10 Sep 2008
Over 700 freshwater fish species in North America, nearly 40 percent of the total, are considered vulnerable to extinction or worse, according to a new study led by the U.S. Geological Survey. The study, published in the journal Fisheries, is the most comprehensive assessment of North American freshwater fish species since 1989, but the results show little reason for celebration. Of the assessed species, only 11 percent were better off than in 1989, while the list of imperiled species nearly doubled since then and suspected extinctions grew by over 50 percent to a total of 61. Researchers said that pollution, drought, invasive species, the effects of development, and demand for water all contributed to the decline and that climate change may have also played a role. "Fish are indicators of how good the water quality is," said Howard Jelks of the USGS. "As long as you're losing fish, you're also likely losing crayfish, mussels, and other things of that nature. They're kind of the canary in the coal mine."