Studying Water Quality for Better Watershed Management

From the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):

In more than half of Chesapeake Bay’s non-tidal rivers and creeks, levels of polluting nitrogen and phosphorus are falling, but the Bay’s recovery will take more work and time. To better inform watershed management, the USGS studied four small areas where intensive pollution-fighting steps have been taken: Smith Creek and Difficult Run, VA; the Upper Chester River, MD; and Conewago Creek, PA. 

The sites range from mountainous to coastal, from pasture and crop land to suburban. In the first phase of a planned long term study, the USGS described patterns in nitrogen sources and nutrient concentrations, existing conservation practices, and the relationships between land use, geology, water flows, and water quality. The researchers plan to continue examining links between conservation practices and changes in water quality in these watersheds. Because of factors ranging from slow groundwater flows to changing land use, it will likely take years or decades before the Bay reaps the full pollution-cutting benefits of the conservation work. Find the report at http://chesapeake.usgs.gov/sciencesummary-smallwatershedreport.html Photo: Smith Creek, VA, USGS


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Holiday Wish: Less Polluted Storm Water Runoff

From NOAA Digital Coast:

We wish for reduced polluted runoff. Our Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program is working w/ states #HolidayWish
http://go.usa.gov/x8nwV




dec0516

EPA Provides $149,000 for Environmental Improvements in San Juan Community

From EPA:

EPA Provides $149,000 for Environmental Improvements

in San Juan Community

            Contact: Brenda Reyes, reyes.brenda@epa.gov, 787-977-5869

(San Juan, P.R.  – November 29, 2016) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Judith Enck was joined today by a representative of San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, representatives of the Resident Commissioner Elect Jennifer Gonzalez, and ENLACE Executive Director Lyvia Rodriguez to announce new funding for the Caño Martín Peña community. EPA will provide a total of $149,000 for green infrastructure projects. $80,000 will be used to work on green infrastructure design plans within the Caño Martín Peña community and $69,000 will be used to build a rain garden within the Caño Martín Peña community and study its effectiveness. Both projects seek to reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality in the San Juan Bay Estuary’s urban community.

Green infrastructure mimics natural processes to address flooding issues and to manage rainwater and use it as a resource. Green infrastructure replaces paved areas with permeable surfaces, allowing the rain to soak through the surface rather than running off it. Innovative green infrastructure designs benefit the environment and the community by naturally filtering water, by keeping pollutants from entering waterbodies, and by preventing wastewater systems from being overloaded.

“EPA is pleased to provide much needed funding to this community in San Juan,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck. “This vibrant, densely populated community of 35,000 residents who live along the polluted canal will be able to use these resources to improve the economic and environmental conditions of where they live.”

The Smart Growth funding was awarded to the design firm Spackman Mossop Michaels to work on green infrastructure designs within the Caño Martín Peña community. Over the next year, green infrastructure design options will be developed for five types of locations: residential water plazas; community parks or open green spaces; walking trails; a water plaza for existing vacant lands; and entryway water plazas. The project’s final report will identify how the design options can be implemented throughout Puerto Rico.

Cedarville Engineering Group, LLC will work with Marvel & Marchand Architects LLP of San Juan to design, build, and evaluate a green infrastructure project within the Caño Martín Peña community. This project will begin construction in December 2016 at Albert Einstein High School, Calle Haydee Rexach, Esquina Borinquen, in San Juan and run through 2017. The study will monitor effectiveness of the green infrastructure designs, determine maintenance needs, and provide general assistance for the development and installation of green infrastructure practices for treating polluted runoff.

EPA developed the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program to help communities develop green building and green infrastructure systems and to provide equitable development and housing options for residents. EPA’s Regional Applied Research Effort Program provides research on high-priority environmental science issues.

For more information on EPA’s Smart Growth strategies, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth.  For more information on EPA’s Regional Applied Research Effort Program, visit: https://www.cfda.gov/programs/66.517.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/eparegion2.

            16-118

EPA Fines Total Petroleum for Industrial Stormwater Discharge Violations

From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

EPA Fines Total Petroleum for Industrial Stormwater Discharge Violations

Company to Support Artificial Reefs in Condado Lagoon in San Juan

Contact: John Martin, (212) 637-3662, martin.johnj@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y. – September 13, 2016) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it has reached an agreement with Total Petroleum Puerto Rico Corporation (“Total Petroleum”) to settle the company’s alleged violations of requirements to control pollution from stormwater discharges at its Guaynabo Bulk Fuels Terminal. Under the agreement, Total Petroleum is required to comply with the Clean Water Act’s stormwater discharge requirements associated with industrial activities and will pay a $345,000 penalty. The company will also invest $40,000 to construct and install approximately 30 artificial reef modules in the Condado Lagoon, which was recently designated as a nature reserve.

“Puerto Rico has extraordinary natural resources, including amazing water bodies and coastal ecosystems that are important places of recreation and tourist attractions,” said Carmen Guerrero Pérez, the Director of the EPA’s Caribbean Environmental Protection Division. “Every company operating in Puerto Rico has an obligation to comply with the Clean Water Act so these water resources are not damaged and degraded.”

The Clean Water Act requires that certain industrial facilities apply for and obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits to control the discharge of pollutants carried out by stormwater runoff into nearby water bodies. These facilities must develop and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan that details the best management practices that the company will follow to prevent stormwater runoff from washing harmful pollutants into local water bodies.

Without adequate on-site controls, stormwater runoff can flow directly to the nearest water body and can cause water quality damage such as siltation of rivers, beach closings, fishing restrictions, and habitat degradation. As stormwater flows over these facilities, it can pick up pollutants, including dirt or sediments, nutrients, trash, chemicals, and oils. Of particular concern is the uncontrolled runoff that can harm or kill fish and wildlife due to changes in water quality, hydrology, and other factors.

The EPA complaint alleges that Total Petroleum violated numerous stormwater requirements at its Guaynabo Bulk Fuels Terminal, such as failing to: implement best management practices; implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan; monitor and report discharge data of the facility’s discharges of pollutants; and obtain the appropriate stormwater discharge permit associated with industrial activity.

In addition to agreeing to come into compliance with the Clean Water Act and paying a penalty, Total Petroleum has also agreed to construct a new stormwater collection and discharge system at the Guaynabo Terminal, as well as submit an updated stormwater permit application for the facility. The company will also construct the third and final phase of the Condado Lagoon Taíno Coral Trail and Reef Enhancement Project, which is built in the northeastern reach of the Condado Lagoon’s outlet to the Atlantic Ocean.

Total Petroleum will install approximately 30 artificial reef modules to provide artificial habitats for reef species in the San Juan Bay Estuary. The purpose of this project is to enhance, protect, and promote marine life diversity in the Estuary System, which is designated as an estuary of national importance and is part of the EPA’s National Estuaries Program. Total Petroleum will invest a minimum of $40,000 for this project. The project, which benefits the environment and the community, is not required to bring the company into compliance.

The proposed consent decree has been lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. A copy is available on the Department of Justice website at: http://justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.

For more information about the requirements of the Clean Water Act and how the EPA protects the nation's water, visit http://water.epa.gov.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and Facebook at http://facebook.com/eparegion.

            16-080

Middle Rio Grande Urban Waters Federal Partnership

EPA News Release:

Middle Rio Grande Urban Waters Federal Partnership

(DALLAS – May 14, 2013) Today, the Middle Rio Grande, Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge and the city of Albuquerque received national attention from a multi-federal agency partnership addressing urban waters.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will co-lead a team of federal partners towards a conservation initiative, a restoration project, and a pilot program for storm water permits in the Middle Rio Grande Region.

The partnership also includes a sustainability project with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Transportation that has put resources towards the Bridge Boulevard Corridor Redevelopment Plan. This project identifies areas for redevelopment to transform Bridge Boulevard into a mixed-use, pedestrian and transit friendly corridor that honors and maintains the unique history and character of the community.

Additionally, EPA is announcing the Urban Waters Small Grant award for $60,000 to the Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District. Educating communities affected by drought about green infrastructure is valuable. In partnership with Albuquerque area schools, the grant will focus on environmental education and community outreachabout storm water management and green infrastructure practices in the Middle Rio Grande Region to promote groundwater infiltration and storage.

“What better place to begin a new partnership for urban waters than the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, the first of its kind in an urban area,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “We are looking forward to working with our federal partners to bolster the Albuquerque metropolitan area with a variety of projects aimed at restoring urban waters in the region.”

"The Urban Waters Federal Partnership continues a joint effort started with the local community and our sister agencies to establish an urban refuge - the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge," said Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Southwest Regional Director.  "The Urban Waters designation will enable us to continue to move forward with our vision to enhance the quality of life here, while providing greater conservation to our natural resources."

"The protection and revitalization of rivers and watersheds in urban areas not only demonstrates this administration's commitment to improving public health and restoring natural resources in urban communities, but also helps beautify and increase property values in neighborhoods that are being developed or revitalized close to urban rivers," said HUD Deputy Secretary Maurice Jones.

"The Corps is excited to be a part of this partnership that will raise awareness of the river ecosystem here in Albuquerque,” said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, Lieutenant Colonel Antoinette R. Gant. “This partnership could allow connections between agency efforts that may not have developed otherwise."

Nationwide, the EPA, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of the Interior, HUD and other federal partners are announcing 11 new locations for the Urban Waters Federal Partnership to restore waterways, help local economies, create jobs and protect Americans’ health. Through the partnership, agencies are working to revitalize urban waterways and communities that surround them, transforming overlooked assets and driving urban revival.

For more information on Urban Waters: http://www.urbanwaters.gov

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