Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

*University** of Kentucky Designated as Center of Excellence for Watershed Management *

Contact Information: James Pinkney, (404) 562-9183, pinkney.james@epa.gov **

(ATLANTA - Sept. 24, 2010) Today, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated the University of Kentucky (UK) as a Center of Excellence for Watershed Management. UK is the managing entity of the Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) for the entire University of Kentucky system. This is the first Center of Excellence to be designated in Kentucky and the seventh in the Southeast.

EPA Deputy Regional Administrator Stanley A. Meiburg, UK Executive Vice President for Research, Jim Tracy, WRRI Director, Lindell Ormsbee and Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection Commissioner, R. Bruce Scott signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to help communities identify watershed based problems and develop and implement locally sustainable solutions.

To become a recognized Center of Excellence, the institution must demonstrate technical expertise in identifying and addressing watershed needs; involvement of students, staff and faculty in watershed research; capability to involve the full suite of disciplines needed for all aspects of watershed management; financial ability to become self-sustaining; ability to deliver and account for results; willingness to partner with other institutions; and support from the highest levels of the organization.

Some of the benefits of being a recognized Center of Excellence include receipt of EPA technical assistance where needed (instructors, speakers, etc); promotion of the Center of Excellence to stakeholders; EPA letters of support for grant opportunities; and identification of opportunities for Center of Excellence involvement in local and regional watershed issues.
For decades, EPA and KDEP have protected Kentucky’s lakes, rivers and wetlands by regulating specific points of pollution; the most common of these being sewage treatment plants and factories. Although this approach led to the successful cleanup of many waterways, others still remain polluted from sources not as easily regulated. These more subtle sources include farms, streets, parking lots, lawns, rooftops or any other surfaces that come in contact with rainwater. Today, EPA and KDEP take a broader approach to water protection, looking at both the individual waterway and the watershed in which it is located.
Started in 2007, the EPA Region 4 Centers of Excellence for Watershed Management Program works with colleges and universities from across the Southeast to provide hands-on, practical products and services for communities to identify watershed problems and solve them. Each EPA designated Center actively seeks out watershed-based stakeholder groups and local governments that need cost effective tools for watershed scientific studies, engineering designs and computer mapping, as well as assistance with legal issues, project management, public education and planning.
More information about priority watersheds in the Southeast is available online at: http://www.epa.gov/region4/water/watersheds/index.html

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*St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in **Monroe**, Georgia** **Improves Energy Efficiency and Fights Climate Change*

Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov

(ATLANTA - Sept. 24, 2010) - On Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Regional Administrator Stan Meiburg will recognize St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Monroe, Georgia for its achievements in the fight against climate change. St. Alban’s, one of nine small businesses and congregations recognized nationally, has shown that with effective energy management practices and innovative efficiency solutions, it is possible to save money and use significantly less energy to power buildings and facilities.

“I commend St. Alban’s for demonstrating that a commitment to environmental stewardship can lower energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said EPA Deputy Regional Administrator Stan Meiburg. “Energy efficiency can save money, reduce air pollution and help fight climate change.”

Like many congregations, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church is housed in a facility that has been expanded, renovated, and changed over time. The church was founded in 1953, built its first 800-square-foot building in 1954, and today occupies 14,703 square feet. The additional square footage is comprised of two separate expansion efforts, the last taking place in 2000. Energy had not been a large concern when the building was first built. But a changing world and a growing membership have moved energy stewardship as one of the most prominent positions on the church’s list of goals in the last three years.

The first steps in increasing efficiency were improvements to the older building’s envelope, adding insulation, and changing lighting from incandescent to CFL. Smaller, but significant, improvements included timers on water fountains, weather stripping, and caulk. Landscaping was upgraded to include large areas of mulch to reduce mowing and water. One office was relocated to substantially reduce HVAC expenses in the newest building. The parish has also signed up for the ENERGY STAR (R) Challenge, committing to reducing energy usage by 10 percent a year. Signing the GIPL Covenant is another commitment made by the parish to help it remain on track.

Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church estimates that they are saving more than $1,500 annually in energy costs for the operation of their worship space. The savings of nearly 70,000 kWh per year represents a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the CO2 emissions from the annual electricity use of over five homes. Efforts have not stopped with improved energy efficiency. Recycling cardboard, bulletins, newsletters, and office waste saves a ton of paper, saving 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, 4,000 kilowatts of energy and 7,000 gallons of water.
The 2010 Energy Star Small Business and Congregations Award winners used tools and resources provided by EPA’s Energy Star (R) program to develop their plans and measure and track their accomplishments. By strategically managing the energy performance of their facilities, these small businesses and congregations cut utility costs without sacrificing features, convenience, style, or comfort while making significant contributions to a cleaner environment.
More about the 2010 Energy Star Small Business Award winners: http://www.energystar.gov/SmallBizAwards
More about the 2010 Energy Star Congregation Award winners: http://www.energystar.gov/CongregationAwards

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DNR South Central Region - MONROE - A Monroe firm will forfeit up to $10,000 for violating its liquid waste land spreading permit, the Department of Natural Resources announced today.
Bytec Resource Management Inc., 1037 …

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By: Wisconsin DNR News Releases

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DNR West Central Region - BLACK RIVER FALLS - The rain flushed Black River has washed away the steel cable and marker floats that warn boaters on Lake Arbutus of the proximity of the Hatfield Dam, the state Department of …

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 24, 2010
Contact: Laura Rauwerda, 616-356-0034 or Mary Dettloff, 517-335-3014
DNRE, EPA Celebrate Michigan’s Pollution Prevention Progress and Sustainable Manufacturing Successes at Sept. 29 Event
On Wednesday, Sept. 29, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) will join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to mark three milestones: the 20th anniversary of Pollution Prevention Week; the success of the Green Suppliers Network Program (a local manufacturing collaborative in west Michigan); and the kick-off of a new sustainable manufacturing initiative. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Steelcase University Learning Center, 901 44th St., in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Representatives from the EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., including Jim Jones, principal deputy assistant administrator, and Tom Murray, senior scientist and chief of the Prevention Analysis Branch, will serve as keynote speakers. In addition, the event will showcase other successes demonstrated by manufacturers in the west Michigan region.
“By committing to more sustainable, environmentally friendly practices, Michigan businesses and manufacturers help to set a strong example for pollution prevention,” said DNRE Director Rebecca Humphries. “We are proud to join with the EPA to celebrate the progress of our state’s pollution prevention efforts, demonstrating that environmental protection and sound business practices can, and do, go hand-in-hand.”
The Green Suppliers Network Program began in 2004 to demonstrate west Michigan’s capacity for collaboration between government and industry, as well as the ability of customers and their suppliers to integrate pollution-prevention practices into the production process and supply chain.
Between 2004 and 2006, the DNRE and the EPA leveraged $142,257 in grant funds to provide local support to focus on measured environmental performance improvements for participating suppliers. Additional partners in the program included the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Institute for Standards and Technology, and the Right Place, Inc., Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West. Realized environmental cost savings from the Green Suppliers Network Program in 2009 resulted in nearly $62,000 in annual savings to suppliers and a 20-percent reduction in chemical use, 16 million gallons of process water reduced, and 131,300 Kwh of electric energy reduced.
This past August, the DNRE received a grant from the EPA’s 2010 Pollution Prevention Grant Program in the amount of $276,594 to support the E3 Sustainable Supply Chain Alliance Project in Southeast Michigan, in conjunction with the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center in Plymouth. The EPA’s Economy, Energy, and Environment (E3) Program is intended to expand upon the success of the Green Suppliers Network Program and to promote additional partnerships and collaboration with manufacturers and major utility providers throughout Michigan.
“Collaborating with E3 provides MMTC with a unique opportunity to increase the knowledge base of Michigan companies regarding sustainability and green practices. Many manufacturers have already embraced and implemented lean principles to dramatically impact their production efficiencies,” said Mike Coast, president of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. “This funding allows companies an opportunity to learn about those value-added practices while highlighting efforts to minimize environmental impacts.”
For more information about E3 in Michigan, contact Laura Rauwerda at rauwerdal@michigan.gov or (616) 356-0034. Learn more about the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center at www.mmtc.org.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/dnre.
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This release can be found in the USGS Newsroom at: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2599.
News Release

September 23, 2010
Neil Dubrovsky (916) 278-3078 nmdubrov@usgs.gov Kara Capelli (571) 420-9408 kcapelli@usgs.gov

Elevated Nitrogen and Phosphorus Still Widespread in Much of the Nation?s Streams and Groundwater
Complete findings, as well as a USGS fact sheet, podcast, and graphics are available online. Elevated concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, nutrients that can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems and human health, have remained the same or increased in many streams and aquifers across the Nation since the early 1990?s, according to a new national study by the U.S. Geological Survey. ?This USGS report provides the most comprehensive national-scale assessment to date of nitrogen and phosphorus in our streams and groundwater,? said Marcia McNutt, USGS Director. ?For years we have known that these same nutrients in high concentrations have resulted in ?dead zones? when they reach our estuaries, such as during the spring at the mouth of the Mississippi, and now we have improved science-based explanations of when, where, and how elevated concentrations reach our streams and aquifers and affect aquatic life and the quality of our drinking water.? ?Despite major Federal, State and local efforts and expenditures to control sources and movement of nutrients within our Nation?s watersheds, national-scale progress was not evident in this assessment, which is based on thousands of measurements and hundreds of studies across the country from the 1990?s and early 2000?s,? said Matthew C. Larsen, USGS Associate Director for Water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nutrient pollution has consistently ranked as one of the top three causes of degradation in U.S. streams and rivers for decades. USGS findings show that widespread concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus remain two to ten times greater than levels recommended by the EPA to protect aquatic life. Most often, these elevated levels were found in agricultural and urban streams. These findings show that continued reductions in nutrient sources and implementation of land-management strategies for reducing nutrient delivery to streams are needed to meet EPA recommended levels in most regions. Nutrients occur naturally in water and are needed for plant growth and productive aquatic ecosystems; however, in high concentrations nutrients often result in the growth of large amounts of algae and other nuisance plants in streams, lakes and estuaries. The decay of these plants and algae can cause areas of low dissolved oxygen, known as hypoxic, or ?dead,? zones that stress or kill aquatic life. Some forms of algae release toxins that can result in health concerns. The study also found that nitrate is a continuing human-health concern in many shallow aquifers across the Nation that are sources of drinking water. In agricultural areas, more than one in five shallow, private wells contained nitrate at levels above the EPA drinking water standard. The quality and safety of water from private wells?which are a source of drinking water for about 40 million people?are not regulated by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and are the responsibility of the homeowner. Because nitrate can persist in groundwater for years and even decades, nitrate concentrations are likely to increase in aquifers used for public drinking-water supplies during at least the next decade, as shallow groundwater with high nutrient concentrations moves downward into deeper aquifers. ?Strategies designed to reduce nutrient inputs on the land will improve the quality of water in near-surface parts of aquifers; however, decades may pass before quality improves in deeper parts of the aquifer, which serve as major sources for public-supply wells,? said Neil Dubrovsky, USGS hydrologist and lead scientist on this study. ?Unfortunately, similar time delays for improvements are expected for streams that receive substantial inputs of groundwater? A variety of sources can contribute nutrients to surface and groundwater, such as wastewater and industrial discharges, fertilizer and manure applications to agricultural land, runoff from urban areas, and atmospheric sources. USGS findings show that nutrient sources and resulting concentrations vary across the Nation. For example, concentrations of nitrogen generally are highest in agricultural streams in the Northeast, Midwest, and the Northwest, which have some of the most intense applications of fertilizer and manure in the Nation. Differences in concentrations across the Nation also are due to natural features and human activities. For example, concentrations of nitrogen in streams draining parts of the agricultural Midwest are increased by contributions from artificial subsurface tile drains that are used to promote rapid dewatering of poorly drained soils. Conversely, concentrations of nitrate in streams draining parts of the Southeast appear to dissipate faster as a result of enhanced natural removal processes in soils and streams. ?This nationwide assessment of sources and natural and human factors that control how nutrients enter our streams and groundwater helps decision-makers anticipate where watersheds are most vulnerable to contamination and set priorities and management actions in different geographic regions of the country,? said Dubrovsky. For more than 125 years, the USGS has served as the Nation?s water monitoring agency, including flow and (or) quality in selected streams and rivers across the U.S. USGS continues to work closely with the EPA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the States, and local watersheds to assure that USGS monitoring and assessments provide useful information for managing nutrients throughout the Nation. Water-quality data from more than 1,300 locations, much of it in real-time, is available through USGS Water Quality Watch. Additional information about surface water, groundwater and water quality is available at National Water Information System Web Interface. You can also receive instant, customized updates about water conditions by subscribing to WaterAlert, a new service from the USGS.
USGS provides science for a changing world. Visit USGS.gov, and follow us on Twitter @USGS and our other social media channels. Subscribe to our news releases via e-mail, RSS or Twitter. Links and contacts within this release are valid at the time of publication. ###

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DNR Central Office - MUSKEGO - The alligator captured in Waukesha County’s Big Muskego Lake earlier this week is a toothy reminder that people should not release exotic pets or plants to the wild, say state wildlife, …

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DNR West Central Region - EAU CLAIRE - In an effort to reduce algae blooms and improve water quality in Half Moon Lake, the City of Eau Claire has requested $200,000 from Wisconsin’s Lake Protection Grant program to treat …

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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued $24,800 in penalties to First Student Inc., a school bus fleet operator, for polluting state waters by discharging diesel fuel into the Columbia Slough in northeast Portland this past April, and for failing to immediately clean up the spill.

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Weather permitting; the Mosquito Control Section is planning the following insecticide application during the evening hours on Thursday, September 23, 2010 and during the morning hours on Friday, September 24, 2010.
Application of Permanone (permethrin/PBO) with truck-mounted sprayer to control adult mosquitoes in the following areas:
In and near Frederica and near Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Seaford, and Milford.
All insecticides to be used are registered with the USEPA for mosquito control and will be applied according to USEPA approved label instructions. The USEPA has determined that the insecticides to be used do not pose unreasonable risks to human health, wildlife, or the environment.

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