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Envirobytes - Archive
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Weeks Ending January 2, 2009 and January 9, 2009
EPA SIGNS WATER PROTECTION INITIATIVE WITH PERDUE FARMS
On Jan. 6, EPA regions 3 and 4 announced an agreement with Perdue Farms to reduce pollution in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern region waterways. Under the agreement, EPA will provide training and assistance to poultry farmers to control runoff, manage litter disposal and increase operating efficiency. "Runoff from improperly managed poultry farms can harm water quality, as well as plant and fish life. This agreement will ensure that Perdue contract growers are in compliance with regulatory requirements and have reduced their impact on our waterways," said Donald S. Welsh, EPA regional administrator. For more information, go to http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/90829d899627a1d98525735900400c2b/
dd3402125070de8f85257536006daf50!OpenDocument
EPA AWARDS GRANT TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY OF FRENCH CREEK WATERSHED
EPA awarded a $191,000 grant to Cochranton Borough, Pa. to construct a new 175,000 gallon per day wastewater treatment plant and sewage collection system to eliminate the Borough's malfunctioning on-lot septic disposal systems and centralize its sewage collection and treatment system. The project will improve public health as well as the water quality of French Creek, a tributary of the Allegheny River. The estimated $10 million project will be paid for by a loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority under the EPA funded State Revolving Loan Fund program, a $191,000 grant from EPA, and local funding.
EPA PARTNERS WITH GROUPS ON WATER EFFICIENCY RESEARCH
Five national organizations with expertise in water efficiency and plumbing are joining forces with EPA to further research towards the development and use of water efficient plumbing utilizing efficient and sustainable products, systems and practices. Sample projects may include drainline carry research for high efficiency toilets, non-water-using urinals, sizing of water efficient plumbing systems, and safe applications for re-use of water. The five groups are: the Alliance for Water Efficiency, International Code Council, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors Association , Plumbing Manufacturers Institute. For more information, go to http://www.a4we.org/AWE_Signs_Historic_MOU.aspx 
EPA JOINS YEAR OF SCIENCE CELEBRATION
EPA joined the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) -- a grassroots network of universities, scientific societies, and organizations to celebrate The Year of Science 2009. The network promotes science by showcasing how science works, who scientists are, and why science matters in communities and everyday lives. EPA will participate by blogging, hosting activities, inviting public participation and providing special content on its new Web site. The EPA Web site will complement the COPUS Web site, by providing information on science events, and scientific resources and educational materials. For information on the EPA Year of Science, go to https://www.epa.gov/yearofscience For information on COPUS and The Year of Science 2009, go to http://www.yearofscience2009.org
EPA DEVELOPS PLAN TO IMPROVE PEST CONTROL IN SCHOOLS
A new integrated pest management plan released by the Environmental Protection Agency and others: "School IPM 2015: a Strategic Plan for Integrated Pest Management in Schools in the United States," is expected to bring about a 70 percent reduction in both pest complaints and pesticide use in the nation's schools by 2015. EPA developed the plan in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, the Regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Centers, and the IPM Institute of North America. Through a better understanding of pest biology, inspection, monitoring, and prevention, the plan will help reduce schools' pesticide residues, pest problems, pest-related allergens and improve student health and attendance.
EPA PARTNERS WITH MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS TO BOOST CONSUMER ELECTRONICS RECYCLING
Plug-In To eCycling is a partnership between EPA and leading consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers to give consumers the opportunity to donate or recycle their used electronics and conserve resources needed in new manufacture. The partners expanded their electronics recycling programs and collected and recycled more than 66.5 million pounds of used electronics in 2008, a nearly 30 percent increase from 2007. In 2008, partners prevented the release of greenhouse gases equal to the annual emissions from approximately 15,500 cars and since the program's inception in 2003, recycled more than 200 million pounds of electronics. For more information about the Plug-In to eCycling program and a list of partners, go to: https://www.epa.gov/plugin/
