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Envirobytes - Archive
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending January 15, 2010
RECOVERY ACT FUNDS JUMPSTART WORK AT GAS STATION SITE IN BUCKS COUNTY
The 2009 Recovery Act distributed $6.2 million to Pennsylvania to assess and cleanup leaking underground storage tanks which can contaminate groundwater and drinking water. The cleanup of the abandoned Malcolm's gas station in Warrington, Pa. will benefit from part of this funding. The property will be assessed for possible soil and groundwater contamination from abandoned leaking tanks containing petroleum. "This project is a prime example of how Recovery Act funds help local communities address environmental threats," said regional administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "For a small amount of money, we can make a significant, positive impact on improving the environment. This work also paves the way for redevelopment and future job creation." For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/RecoveryAct-LUST.html
PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL HONORED AT SYMPOSIUM FOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY
EPA honored school districts at its 10th Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools National Symposium in Washington, D.C., from Jan. 14-16. This year's award winners included Region 3's North Penn School District in Lansdale, Pa. which used EPA's indoor air quality Tools for Schools program to solve its indoor air quality problems and prevent respiratory problems, headaches, nausea, asthma and allergies faced by schoolchildren in school buildings. The symposium featured sessions on radon, mold, integrated pest management, green cleaning products/practices, and asthma management. For information on EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools program: https://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/.
EPA STRENGTHENS STORMWATER/CAFO RULES TO REDUCE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATER POLLUTION
Former EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced new rules to reduce stormwater and concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) pollution that enters the Chesapeake Bay watershed consistent with EPA's commitment to implement the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load program's objectives of placing limits on the amount of pollution that can flow into the bay, its tidal creeks and rivers. EPA will provide an additional $11.2 million to the bay states and the District of Columbia for 2010, more than doubling 2009 funding levels. These new requirements will be developed in collaboration with the states, local governments, the public and the regulated community. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl/
POTOMAC PARTNERSHIP RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT IN SUPPORT OF CLEAN AND SAFE WATER
The Potomac River Basin Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership's 2009 Annual Report details the partnership's efforts to protect the region's sources of drinking water. Topics include the stemming of environmental threats to Potomac drinking water from roadway deicing chemicals, water disinfection byproducts, bacterial contamination from agricultural sources and improving agency coordination in the event of a spill on the Potomac. The Potomac Partnership is comprised of about 20 drinking water utilities and government agencies in support of Clean and Safe Water. To view the 2009 Annual Report, visit the link below.
http://www.potomacdwspp.org/aboutdocs/DWSPP_AnnualReport_2009.pdf 
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS DUE BY FEB. 4 FOR POLLUTION PREVENTION (P2) GRANTS
EPA annually awards P2 Source Reduction Assistance Grants to support pollution prevention and/or resource conservation projects that reduce or eliminate pollution at the source through efficient use of raw materials, energy, water, or other natural resources, or protecting natural resources through conservation activities. The EPA's Request for Proposals (RFP) announces that the agency will accept proposals on or before Feb. 4 and that each regional office can award up to $130,000 in Source Reduction Assistance Grants. The Fiscal Year 2010 RFP can be found at www.epa.gov/p2/pubs/grants/srap10.pdf and may be submitted by mail or e-mail. This particular grant does not require the Grants.gov submittal process.
EPA ANNOUNCES ITS 4TH ANNUAL RACHEL CARSON CONTEST
EPA is inviting the public to enter its 4th annual Rachel Carson intergenerational "Sense of Wonder" contest and to submit creative projects that instill a sense of wonder and stewardship for the environment in the categories of poetry, photography, essays and dance. Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring reversed the nation's lax pesticide policy with her findings on DDT's effects on the environment and spearheaded the modern environmental movement. The deadline for team entries (of at least two people) is June 16. After final selections, the public can vote for the winners to be posted and announced in October. More information: https://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/thesenseofwonder/index.htm .
WINTER 2010 LAND REVITALIZATION E-NEWSLETTER IS NOW AVAILABLE
The winter issue of EPA Region 3's redesigned Land Revitalization E-newsletter is now available online. The current quarterly e-newsletter covers success stories of revitalization work in cities such as Philadelphia and Williamsport, Pa., and Charles Town and Ranson in West Virginia, as well as upcoming events including the Green Symposium at Drexel University in February. Read the e-newsletter. Join the more than 1,000 subscribers interested in the cleanup, redevelopment and reuse of contaminated properties. Check out the latest edition, go to https://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/bf-lr/lr_newsletters.html. Learn what EPA Region 3 can do to assist communities, local governments, property owners and developers in their reuse of contaminated properties.
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