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April
1996 In this Issue
Representatives of eleven local coalitions involved with groundwater and wellhead protection education in their communities will gather in State College on May 17 to share experiences and learn about opportunities for further action. The coalitions have received funding for their educational projects from the PA Groundwater Policy Education Project under a grant to the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund from US EPA. Keynote speaker will be Susan Seacrest, president of the Groundwater Foundation and originator of the Children's Groundwater Festival. Susan will speak on involving citizens in developing policy to protect groundwater. The group will also hear from Dr. Hugh Archer, Deputy Secretary for Water Resources Management at the Department of Environmental Protection. Representatives of state and federal agencies involved with water resource protection will share experiences with the group. Other groups interested in water education activities are welcome to attend the meeting; some scholarship funding may be available. Call Beth Marshall at 412-465-4687 for more information. WELLHEAD PROTECTION SEMINARS PLANNED Planning commissions in both Lehigh/ Northampton and Bucks counties are planning seminars on how to protect water supplies for future generations. In the Lehigh Valley, Geoffrey Reese of the Lehigh/ Northampton Joint Planning Commission is working with the Lehigh Valley Water Suppliers and a citizen planning committee to develop a program to be held on May 9. The workshop, one of a number of activities planned for Water Awareness Week, will include an overview of groundwater and its use in Lehigh and Northampton counties, issues that impact water suppliers and groundwater protection strategies. Small groups will brainstorm potential strategies for protecting water sources. For information contact Reese at 610-264-4544. In Bucks County, the Planning Commission has completed a County Water Supply and Wellhead Protection study and is preparing a "user friendly" summary of the study and its recommendations. The Commission plans to take the study to municipal officials, water suppliers and the public in a seminar later this year to get their help in implementing needed policies to protect drinking water sources. For more information contact Denis Livrone at 215-345-3400. SUSQUEHANNA, LEBANON COUNTIES TARGET LOCAL OFFICIALS Some 100 township supervisors in Susquehanna County heard Dr. Walter Ebaugh of Nittany Geoscience, Inc. discuss "Protecting Water Quality in Susquehanna County," courtesy of the Susquehanna Water Coalition, which sponsored his presentation to the annual countywide meeting of municipal officials in September. Dr. Ebaugh's primary message is that municipal officials can help protect water quality by making sure that new wells are properly installed and that zoning regulations take water quality into consideration. Attendees also received a packet of information on water quality. The Coalition has published two issues of a newsletter, Waterwise, which is mailed to all municipal officials, water suppliers, service groups, environmental groups and others on request. For information contact Ruth Wilmarth, 717-289-4226. In Lebanon County, the Conservation District took the lead in forming a Wellhead Protection Education committee which hosted a workshop in Schaefferstown in November. Those attending heard about how to get help in developing a protection plan, the experiences of Kutztown in developing their wellhead protection plans and the Lebanon County Small Water systems Study. The geology of Lebanon County's water systems was also discussed as was a Conservation District project to map areas with high pollution potential, based on soils and geology. REGIONAL WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT MEETINGS As a follow-up to the September 1995 Common Ground Conference, Water Resource Management for Pennsylvania's Future, the LWVPA is sponsoring a series of regional roundtable meetings to identify regional water resource management needs. Participants will review the main topics of the conference and policy recommendations for moving toward a comprehensive state water law. The first meeting is planned for April 22 at the Lancaster Farm and Home Center. Roundtables in other regions will be held in May and June. For more information contact Betty Conner at 717-274-3826 or the LWVPA at 1-800-692-7281. FATE OF RAINFALL UNDER NATURAL CONDITIONS AND MEDIUM DENSITY DEVELOPMENT Sustaining groundwater reservoirs, stream flows and surface reservoirs depends on well-planned use of land. This diagram shows what happens to rainfall under natural conditions and in conventional, medium density development (2-3 units /acre), which results in 35-50% paved surfaces. As groundwater infiltration is reduced, run-off increases and less storage is available to supply wells and base flow in streams. The principle challenge is to manage stormwater to maintain or improve recharge of groundwater. This will also provide successful flood protection and erosion and sedimentation control. WATER QUALITY REG-NEG ISSUES INTERIM REPORT A DEP sponsored regulatory-negotiation process to make recommendations for improving the state's program to protect surface water quality has reached a first milestone and issued an interim report. The report is contingent upon the group's reaching agreement on several remaining key points. It proposes changes in the definition of High Quality waters and includes, for the first time, biological criteria in that definition. If agreement is reached on the remaining issues, DEP will use the report to draft proposed changes to PA's water quality regulations. Changes in the program were required as the result of EPA's disapproval of parts of the state's regulations. The Federal Clean Water Act provides the basis for PA's program for protecting water quality and thus EPA provides oversight on how the program is administered in the states. For more information contact DEP Bureau of Water Quality at 717-787-9637. PENNSYLVANIA'S GREAT LAKES STRATEGY DEP has proposed a strategy to implement the Great Lakes Initiative developed by EPA to protect water quality in the Great Lakes. In developing the strategy DEP tried to include two major objectives - statewide consistency and adequate protection of all waters. The Department also developed a Nonpoint Source (NPS) Component of the strategy for implementation in the Pennsylvania portion of the Great Lakes Basin, the area that drains to Lake Erie. For more information or a copy of the Strategy, write the Bureau of Water Quality Management, 10th Floor RCSOB, P.O. Box 8465, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8465. 717-787-9637. REVISED PA NUTRIENT STRATEGY AVAILABLE Pennsylvania has revised its strategy for reducing nutrient input to the Chesapeake Bay from PA streams and rivers. The most significant change is consideration of additional wastewater treatment controls pending analysis of costs and effectiveness of new technologies - particularly methods of controlling nitrogen. Copies of the revised strategy are available from the PA Bay Education Office, 1-800-949-6344 or the DEP Bureau of Land and Water Conservation, 717-787-5259. It is also available on DEP's homepage, http://www.dep.state.pa.us; look under Pollution Prevention. PESTICIDES AND GROUNDWATER IN AGRICULTURE The PA Dept. of Agriculture is developing a strategy to implement the DEP Groundwater Principles as they relate to groundwater and agricultural pesticides. The strategy proposed use of Best Management Practices to protect groundwater supplies and chemical specific management plans. A draft of the strategy was released on March 22 and comments will be received until May 20. For more information contact John Pari, 717-787-4843. REMINDER: Need basic groundwater information for your group or meeting? Copies of Groundwater: A Primer for Pennsylvanians are still available. Call 1-800-692-7281. ZONING FOR FARMING: A GUIDEBOOK FOR PA MUNICIPALITIES ON HOW TO PROTECT VALUABLE AGRICULTURAL LANDS (Center for Rural PA, 1995, 76 pp.) Contains practical information on effective programs for protecting farmland including examples of programs which can be tailored to your community. Available free from the Center, 212 Locust St., Suite 504, Harrisburg, 17101. 717-787-9555. PA WATER RESOURCES DIRECTORY: A COMPILATION OF CHESAPEAKE BAY AND OTHER RELATED EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION (The Chesapeake Bay Education Office, 1996) lists publications, films, videos and slide shows available from a variety of sources. Available free from the Bay Education Office, 225 Pine St., Harrisburg, 17101. 717-236-1006. PA'S SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING NETWORK (Dept. of Environmental Protection, 1996, 141 pp.) Describes DEP's fixed station water quality monitoring program, lists stations and summarizes monitoring methods. Available from DEP Bureau of Water Quality Management. 717-787-9637. GEOLOGICAL STORY OF PENNSYLVANIA (DCNR, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey, 1996, 44 pp.) describes the geology of PA and how billions of years of geologic events shaped the present day landscape. Available free from the Bureau, PO Box 6453, Harrisburg, 17105-8453. 717-787-2169. E-mail: smith.jody@a1.dcnr.state.pa.us. A GUIDE TO MULTI-MUNICIPAL LOCAL AGENCIES (Dept. of Environmental Protection, 1996, 72 pp.) a handbook to assist municipalities interested in forming a MMLA to administer their on-lot sewage disposal programs. Increased state funding is available to those municipalities who do so. Available from DEP, 717-787-3481. SAVING WETLANDS: A CITIZEN'S GUIDE FOR ACTION IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION (Mid-Atlantic Region of the National Audubon Society, 1995) A notebook format guide with information on history and current trends, definitions, regulations, and protection steps. Available for $15 from National Audubon Society, 1104 Fernwood Ave., #300, Camp Hill, PA 17011. 717-763-4985. CHESAPEAKE BAY COMMUNITIES: MAKING THE CONNECTION (Chesapeake Bay Program, 1995, 190 pp.) Provides case studies of local actions to protect the Chesapeake Bay water resources. Available free from the Bay Program Office. 1-800-968-7229. WATER QUALITY FUNCTIONS OF RIPARIAN FOREST BUFFER SYSTEMS IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED (Chesapeake Bay Program, 1995, 67 pp.) reviews scientific research about riparian buffer effectiveness at reducing pollution and suggests designs for the Bay watershed. Available from the Bay Program office at 1-800-968-7229. AQUATIC RESOURCES AND NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION SELF-STUDY GUIDE (Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, 1995) a training guide to help property owners learn about ways to reduce nonpoint source pollution. Available free from the VA DC&R, Attn: Jane Wells, 203 Governor St., Suite 206, Richmond, VA 23219. URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARIES: MANAGING MARYLAND'S GROWTH (MD Office of Planning, 1995) describes how Maryland and other states have used urban growth boundaries to manage growth and reduce urban sprawl. Available for $2 from the MD Office of Planning, 301 W.Preston St, Baltimore, MD 21201. 410-225-4562. WATERSHED PROTECTION: A STATEWIDE APPROACH (EPA, Office of Water, 841-R-95-004, 1995, 60 pp.) a guide for state water quality managers and others on how to integrate programs on a watershed basis; includes information on how groundwater protection fits into the watershed approach. Available free from EPA at 513-489-8190. NATIONAL WATER QUALITY INVENTORY: 1994 REPORT TO CONGRESS (US EPA, 1996) a compilation of state reports on the status of their water resources, including state specific fact sheets. Available from EPA's Water Resources Center, 202-260-7786. WATERSHED PROTECTION TECHNIQUES (Center for Watershed Protection) A quarterly bulletin that describes the latest tools for protecting watersheds. Four issue subscription are $48 ($28 for students) from the Center, 8737 Colesville Road, Suite 300, Silver Spring MD 20910. 301-589-1890. WHAT IS A WATERSHED? (America's Clean Water Foundation, 1994, 27 pp.) Describes a watershed and its pieces with simple text and illustrations for children. Available from the Foundation, 750 First Street N.E., Suite 911, Washington, DC 20002. 202-898-0902. A CITIZEN'S GUIDE TO CONSERVING RIPARIAN FORESTS (River Network and Appalachian Mountain Club, 1995, 82 pp.) A handbook for identifying, protecting and restoring riverside forests and riparian buffers. Available for $7 from the River Network, PO Box 8787, Portland, OR 97207. WATER SENSE WHEEL (Environmental Hazards Management Institute, 1995) Provides information on common drinking water contaminants, including their federal standard, health effects and treatment options in an interactive wheel format. Available from EHMI, P Box 932, Durham, NH 03824. 603-868-1496. GROUNDWATER PROGRAMS OFFERED AT WRIGHT STATE May 1-2 --- Harrisburg May 9-10 --- Seattle, Washington May 17-18 --- State College June 7-8 --- Wilkes-Barre May-Sept. --- Chesapeake Watershed June 8-12 --- Baltimore, MD July 10-12 --- Ann Arbor, MI July 13-17 --- Syracuse, NY COMPLETE THE CIRCLE: HOW TO BUY RECYCLED (Environmental Defense Fund, 30 min) Joanne Woodward shows shoppers how to find recycled goods in their supermarkets and distinguish true environmental benefits from misleading claims. (Call 1-800-692-7281 for borrowing information.) Water Policy News is created and published quarterly by the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund for the Water Resources Education Network (WREN) project, and is funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. The goal of the WREN project is to provide a communications link between local and state groups and individuals interested in improving local policy making for water resource protection. Local and statewide projects and activities that focus on water resource education will be highlighted in each issue of Water Policy News. Articles about water education activities are solicited from the readers of Water Policy News. Send newsletter items to Editor: Edith Stevens, RD 1, BOX 444, Cresco, PA 18326. To receive this free newsletter or inquire about the resources available from the WREN Project, call the LWVPA at 1-800-692-7281 or write 226 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102. Please send address changes to the LWVPA office. This newsletter is a project of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund - WREN. Funded by a grant from the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection
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