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Envirobytes - Archive
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending April 25, 2008
PROGRAM HELPS OPERATORS PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATER TO CUSTOMERS
EPA has announced the availability of the Check Up Program for Small Systems (CUPSS), a user-friendly computer-based program to help owners and operators of small drinking water and wastewater utility systems develop asset management plans to improve the efficiency of utility operations. The program acts as a guide to help repair, and replace the utility systems’ infrastructure in a cost-effective way, and provide safe and clean drinking water to customers. For more information on CUPSS, including program downloads and ordering information, visit https://www.epa.gov/cupss . EPA’s newly updated web site for small public water systems is available at https://www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsystems .
RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE SEEKS TO IMPROVE MARYLAND'S DRINKING WATER QUALITY
EPA staff attended the Maryland Rural Water Association’s 18th Annual Conference from April 20-22 in Ocean City, Md. The association provides free services to small rural drinking water and wastewater systems and is funded by EPA grants. EPA distributed information to attendees and responded to questions on the microbial and disinfection byproducts rules which when applied, improve drinking water quality and provide public protection from potentially harmful levels of chlorine-derived disinfection byproducts. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/disinfection/stage2/compliance.html
WEBCAST ON DRAFT NATIONAL WATER PROGRAM STRATEGY: RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IS UPCOMING
On Thursday, May 8, EPA will host a Webcast from 2:30 to 4:30 pm EDT for a public forum on the draft document titled National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change to discuss, and receive feedback on the draft strategy. The webcast will highlight the impacts of climate change on clean water and drinking water programs, and how water resources and water programs can respond and adapt to these impacts. To submit comments by May 27 and for more information about the draft strategy, please visit www.epa.gov/water/climatechange/index.html. Click here To Register 
for this Webcast.
REGION 3'S LAND REVITALIZATION UPDATE SPRING EDITION NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE
For those interested in the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties in the mid-Atlantic region, the spring issue of EPA's Land Revitalization newsletter is now available. Highlights include: "Mid-Atlantic area gets $3.7 million in brownfields cleanup and assessment grants;" "More than 60 percent of Targeted Brownfield Assessment sites are being reused or have a plan for reuse;" "Bulk Oil Storage site becomes a Walgreens in Abingdon, Va.," and other success stories. To visit the Web site, go to https://www.epa.gov/region03/revitalization. The edition is available at https://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/revitalization/newsletter/spring08/newsletter.pdf.
W. VA. HOSTS MEETING OF MID-ATLANTIC AQUATIC BIOLOGISTS
EPA biologists joined more than 160 biologists in Cacapon State Park in Berkeley Springs, W. Va. for a meeting of the Association of Mid-Atlantic Aquatic Biologists to discuss aquatic ecosystems biological assessments. The meetings on April 1 and 3, featured each a full day of technical presentations, and several mini-workshops including a poster session, developing taxonomy identification skills for freshwater snails, freshwater mussels, invasive aquatic plants, and technical training on (CADDIS), a web-based tool developed by EPA scientists to help determine the cause of contamination in impaired rivers, streams and estuaries.
EPA RULE GETS CLOSER IN QUEST TO ELIMINATE CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING
On April 22, EPA published its Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule which was signed on March 31 by the EPA Administrator. Publication of this rule moves the Agency closer to its goal of protecting children’s health and eliminating childhood lead poisoning by requiring lead-safe work practices on the numerous renovation jobs in pre-1978 housing nationwide. This rule will require professionals in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities to be properly trained, certified, and to follow lead safe work practices. The requirements of the rule will become fully effective on April 22, 2010.
GRANT AWARDED TO WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ENFORCE ASBESTOS PROGRAM
EPA awarded a $118,100 (Toxic Substances Control Act) Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act (AHERA) grant to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to develop a comprehensive toxic substances enforcement program for asbestos regulation compliance in the state. The primary objectives are to conduct asbestos inspections at public and non-profit private schools in West Virginia to ensure asbestos regulations compliance; conduct Worker Protection Rule compliance inspections; implement procedures for the adoption of asbestos regulations; and provide quarterly reports.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA VEHICLE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE (I/M) PROGRAM UPGRADED
EPA has approved major revisions to Virginia's vehicle emissions inspection and repair program according to a notice in the April 22, Federal Register. Changes include the incorporation in the emission inspection process of on-board diagnostic computer checks of 1996 and newer subject vehicles (including passenger diesel vehicles). I/M programs ensure that vehicles pass emissions inspections to reduce ground level ozone pollution in the air. For more information on EPA's I/M programs, go to https://www.epa.gov/reg3artd/vehicletran/vehicles/vehicle_emissions_testing.htm
EARTH DAY CELEBRATED
CITY OF WILMINGTON AND DELAWARE ESTUARY ORGANIZATION HOST ANNUAL EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
The city of Wilmington, Del. and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary invited EPA staff to participate in an Earth Day Celebration on April 18 in Wilmington's Rodney Square. The event featured live music, native plants and educational displays by "green" vendors. EPA's booth provided information about the Delaware Estuary and its protection. Attendees were quizzed on their water use and conservation practices and told about the environmental advantages of choosing water-efficient products marked with EPA's new WaterSense label. For more information on WaterSense, go to https://www.epa.gov/watersense/
EPA REGION 3 EMPLOYEES AND STAFF TAKE PART IN CENTER CITY EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES
Hundreds of Philadelphia Center City commuters and Region 3 EPA employees participated in the 2008 Earth Day celebration held at the SEPTA Suburban Station Concourse below the EPA regional headquarters building (1650 Arch Street). A wide variety of environmental information was handed out to visitors. Live music, frolicking mascots and giant roaches entertained onlookers and photos of the event were preserved on the regional Earth Day websites: https://www.epa.gov/region03/earthday/index.htm
GREENSCAPING CONCEPT INTRODUCED AT EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
The EPA GreenScapes program's message: "Save Time and Money and Have a Greener, Healthier Yard," was delivered at the SEPTA Concourse during the EPA Region 3 Earth Day event, by EPA staff. GreenScaping principles advocate that substituting or reducing the use of high maintenance plants (requiring more watering, fertilizing, and pruning), in favor of low maintenance native plants and grasses; and converting excess lawn area into a natural habitat can help prevent pollution, conserve natural resources, maximize ecological function, and save time and money. For more information, go https://www.epa.gov/greenscapes/
EPA LECTURER TEACHES ABOUT THE STATUS OF WATERSHEDS AT EARTH DAY EVENT
As part of an Earth Day event at St. Francis of Assisi school in Springfield Pa., a member of the EPA Water Protection Division used a Geographic Information System (GIS) map of the Darby Creek/Lower Delaware River Basin watershed to teach about watersheds, to 3rd grade elementary students and their teachers. The poster size map helped simplify the lecture by allowing the audience to visualize the importance of a watershed's environment and its fragility as an ecosystem.
EARTH DAY OUTREACH TO YOUNG CHILDREN IN SCRANTON
The KinderCare Learning Center in Scranton, Pa, benefited from an EPA employee's Earth Day presentations to three of its classes. Approximately 40 pre-school students (ages 3,4, and 5) heard about protecting the earth's environment in story form for better comprehension, and how they all can do their part to protect the planet by simply turning off lights, recycling and planting trees.
