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Envirobytes - Archive
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending February 6, 2009
EPA GRANT HELPS CHRISTINA BASIN CLEAN WATER PARTNERSHIP REDUCE THE BASIN'S NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION
EPA reported that the Christina River Basin Clean Water Partnership in Delaware and Pennsylvania exceeded its goals in reducing the basin's storm water runoff pollution. Assisted by a $1 million EPA targeted watershed grant, the partnership implemented watershed restoration projects that measurably reduced the effects of non-point source pollution on the basin's drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries, and wildlife.
PATRIOT COAL AGREES TO PAY $6.5 MILLION TO SETTLE CLEAN WATER ACT VIOLATIONS
On Feb. 5, the Patriot Coal Company agreed to settle a $6.5 million civil penalty for Clean Water Act violations, considered the third largest discharge violation penalty ever paid in a federal Clean Water Act case. Patriot also agreed to take measures to ensure Clean Water Act compliance at its mines in West Virginia, to implement high innovative operating standards, perform environmental projects, and prevent future violations, as a model to the Central Appalachia coal mining industry. The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. A copy is available at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html
EPA OFFICE OF WATER RELEASES ITS 2008 REPORT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
The EPA Office of Water released its 2008 progress report describing its strategy to respond to climate change. The report is divided into three major sections: a description of activities to implement the National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change; a review of water-related climate change activities in EPA regions; and a summary of EPA climate and water-related activities not specifically addressed in the Strategy. For more information, go to the Office of Water Climate Change Website at: https://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange
EPA STAFF TEACH UPWARD BOUND STUDENTS HOW TO PREVENT FLOODING THROUGH LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT
EPA led a session on low impact development practices on Jan. 24 to 20 to low income minority high school students enrolled at the University of Maryland's Eastern Shore Upward Bound program. Students used the Stop Disasters program, an online computer simulation game programmed to protect cities and villages under flood prone conditions using green infrastructure and building improvement principles. Students were shown examples of low impact development practice principles the university itself has used to prevent flood damage to its infrastructure and to apply these principles to their communities. For information on low impact development, go to https://www.epa.gov/nps/lid/
TESTING FOR LEAKS - A WATERSENSE PROGRAM TIP
Leaking water accounts for large amounts of water waste in U.S. homes, averaging more than 11,000 gallons per home per year, or enough to fill a backyard swimming pool. Winter is the best time to check the water meter for leaks since it is a time when little or no water is used outdoors, making it easier to pinpoint the indoor water waste. Leaks decrease by approximately 70 percent after retrofitting a household with new WaterSense labeled fixtures and other high-efficiency appliances. For leak identification tips from EPA's WaterSense program, go to www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak
