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Envirobytes - Archive
ENVIROBYTES, A SUMMARY OF ISSUES AND EVENTS FOR WEEKS ENDING AUGUST 12, 2011 AND AUGUST 19, 2011
EPA PARTNERS WITH PHILABUNDANCE THROUGH FEDS FEED FAMILIES CAMPAIGN
On August 10, EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin presented Philabundance with the first in a series of voluntary food donations from EPA employees in Philadelphia to help fill the nutritional needs of children during the summer months. EPA's goal is to collect 100,000 pounds nationally. Philabundance provides food to approximately 65,000 people per week through direct services and a network of 500 member agencies including Feds Feed Families, a government-wide effort. For more information, go to www.fedsfeedfamilies.gov For information on Philabundance, go to www.philabundance.org 
EPA/USDA PARTNERSHIP TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH
On August 8, EPA and USDA announced a partnership in support of communities needing to upgrade their rural drinking water/wastewater systems to protect public health, and water quality. The nationwide effort will also help implement sustainable, safe, well-managed water/wastewater systems and provide jobs in the industry. For more information, go to http://water.epa.gov/type/drink/pws/smallsystems/partners.cfm#moa
More about EPA's programs and tools for small water systems: http://water.epa.gov/type/drink/pws/smallsystems/index.cfm
More about USDA's Water and Environmental Programs for rural communities:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWEP_HomePage.html
WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES FIRST FUEL EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, BUSES
On August 9, President Obama announced the first fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas pollution standards for heavy-duty vehicles that will help reduce toxic emissions that cause asthma, heart attacks and premature deaths. The program will save businesses approximately $50 billion in fuel costs, reduce transportation costs and promote cleaner energy through use of renewable fuel that is cleaner than the petroleum fuel it replaces. More information is available on EPA's website: https://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm
and on NHTSA's website: http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy
EPA ORDERS HALT TO SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF IMPRELIS HERBICIDE
On August 11, EPA issued an order directing E.I. DuPont de Nemours to halt the sale, use or distribution of DuPont's Imprelis herbicide which was marketed to control weeds but reported to be harming trees such as Norway spruce and white pine. This requirement ensures the safe production, handling, and application of the pesticide and prevents mislabeling. For information on the order, go to www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/fifra/dupontimprelis.html
EPA's investigation into Imprelis and damage to trees: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/imprelis.html
EPA SEEKS INPUT TO DEVELOP A REGULATION FOR PERCHLORATE IN DRINKING WATER
On August 12, EPA invited small businesses, governments, and not-for-profit organizations to participate as representatives to help a small business panel develop a rule to regulate the safe amount of perchlorate in drinking water. Perchlorate is used to produce rocket fuel, fireworks, flares and explosives and may pollute public water systems and affect public health. Self-nominations must be received by August 26 at https://www.epa.gov/sbrefa/perchlorate.html For more information on perchlorate: http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/unregulated/perchlorate.cfm
FORMER EPA ADMINISTRATOR JACKSON LEADS DELEGATION TO BRAZIL; PROMOTES INITIATIVE TO BUILD GREENER ECONOMIES AND HEALTHIER CITIES
From August 15-19, former EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (site of the 2016 Olympics) with Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter and representatives from industry, government, academia to establish a joint initiative on urban sustainability. The initiative will demonstrate the economic, environmental, and health benefits of greener and cleaner cities as exemplified by Brazil's and Philadelphia's successful efforts to bring about green urban development. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/international/jius.html
EPA AFFIRMS CURRENT NATIONAL AIR QUALITY STANDARDS FOR CARBON MONOXIDE AS PROTECTIVE OF PUBLIC HEALTH / WILL MONITOR URBAN COMMUNITIES LOCATED NEAR ROADWAYS
On August 15, EPA affirmed that although levels of carbon monoxide (CO) in the air have fallen mostly as a result of motor vehicle emissions controls and current national air quality standards for CO are protective of public health and the environment, there are still unhealthy concentrations in neighborhoods located near busy roadways. EPA is consequently revising the air monitoring requirements with the advice and recommendations from the agency's scientific advisory committee. CO can reduce oxygen delivery to the body's organs and tissues. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/airquality/carbonmonoxide
HEALTHY WATERS BLOG CURRENT HIGHLIGHTS
Invasion of the European Water Chestnut! - The prolific, invasive European water chestnut has invaded the Chesapeake Bay watershed and is now impacting smaller, local watersheds such as the Perkiomen Creek Watershed in Montgomery County, Pa. The floating foliage is disrupting aquatic systems by limiting passage of light into the water, reducing oxygen levels and the growth of native aquatic species. Help stop the spread and damage! Share your ideas at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/
Sensing Water's Worth - WaterSense is an EPA partnership program to protect the future of the nation's water supply by promoting water efficiency and showing people simple ways to use less water with water efficient products, new homes, and services, but something this complex can not be done alone! Please tell us something you're doing to save water. We'd love to know about it. Share your ideas at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/
