Drinking Water Sources in the Potomac Basin

Join the PWP’s

Summer Information Exchange

Tuesday, June 11, 2013 (It is on your PWP Calendar already!)

9 am– 3 pm

Hood College

401 Rosemont Ave.

Frederick, Maryland 21701

About the Potomac Watershed Partnership

The PWP is a collaborative effort among federal, state, and local partners to restore the health of the lands and waters of the Potomac River Basin thereby enhancing the quality of life in the watershed and overall health of the Chesapeake Bay.

RSVP at www.potomacpartnership.org or contact

Molly Barkman:  pwp@cacaponinstitute.org / phone 304-856-1385

PWP is free and open to the public.  All are welcome.

Do you struggle with how to identify the source of bacteria contamination flowing from your storm sewer pipes or streams within your watershed?  Would you like to learn about ways to locate these bacteria sources using service dogs and other innovative approaches? 

Join us at:

 Microbial Source Tracking Workshop:  From Dogs to DNA, Methods to Locate the Source of Bacteria Polluting Your Watershed

 Piney Creek Watershed Association, a Beckley based watershed group, will be hosting a bacteria source tracking workshop on May 30, 2013.  This workshop will provide an overview of methods that can be used to locate the source of bacteria contamination within streams and storm sewer systems.   Featured presenters will include Environmental Canine services, an environmental consultant that has developed the ability to utilize trained service dogs to source track human bacteria sources.  Dr. Charles Hagedorn from Virginia Tech will present on DNA and other methods.   Beckley Sanitary Board will discuss field techniques including camera inspection, GPS mapping and dye tracing.  The workshop will include demonstrations using canines. 

 Many WV watershed organizations and MS4 communities are facing the challenge of bacteria impairments in their watersheds.  To fix the bacteria problems, we have to become more effective at finding the source of the problem.  This workshop is aimed at improving your knowledgebase and presents new tools that may be used to help solve your problems.

 When:  May 30, 2013, 8:30 AM to Noon

Where:  Erma Byrd Higher Education Center

 300 University Drive, Beaver,  WV

 The workshop is approved for 3.00 WV wastewater operator continuing education hours.

 Registration fee applies

 To register or for questions call Jim Fedders, Executive Director, Piney Creek Watershed Association – 304-228-1680

 on tracking the source of bacterial contamination of our streams.

Jim Fedders

Executive Director
Piney Creek Watershed Association
P.O. Box 672
Beckley, WV 25802-0672
304.228.1680
pineycreekwatershedassociation@gmail.com

~We All Live Downstream~

The Greenbrier Valley Conservation District will be sponsoring a Pasture Walk and Farm Tour on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 10:00 am,  at the Stone Meadow Cattle Company in Asbury WV, owned and operated by Dr. John Tomlinson.  This farm was a finalist in the 2012 WV Conservation Farm of the Year Contest.  The presentations will include demonstrations of various forages, fencing, and livestock watering systems, as well as information about weed management and the importance of clean water for livestock.   Speakers will include staff from the West Virginia University Extension Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the West Virginia Conservation Agency, as well as Dr. Tomlinson.  Lunch will be provided following the presentations.

Directions to Farm:

Take Alta Exit off of I64 toward Alderson to 3.5 miles to Old Asbury Road, then follow signs for GVCD Field Day.

West Virginia Watershed Network
Photo Contest / Entry Form

The West Virginia Watershed Network (WVWN) is sponsoring a “People’s Choice” Photo Contest for 2013. The purpose of the contest is to give volunteers the opportunity to showcase the outstanding water quality work that is taking place within their watershed. A picture can be worth a thousand words. Good photographs can lend a helping hand to numerous projects; they strengthen publicity, make a newsletter more appealing, and reveal the beauty of a watershed. The top three winning photographs will be voted on by attendees and announced at the 15^th Annual Watershed Celebration Day. All entries will be showcased on the WVWN web page photo gallery. Put those digital cameras to work and send in your jpg file entries by: August 15, 2013 to wrc@wvca.us.

Winning photographs will be posted in the 2013 Winter Water Net, scheduled for release on

December 15, 2013 and announced on the WVWN web page.

Eligibility:

Þ Any non-profit watershed organization or volunteer

For additional information, guidelines and entry form, please see attachment.

2013 Watershed Celebration Day Nomination

Plan to join us for the 15^th Annual Watershed Celebration Day on Saturday, November 2^nd at Cacapon Resort State Park in Berkeley Springs, WV.  Tours will be offered on Sunday, November 3^rd and more detailed information will be included in the registration materials. The registration form will be coming in the mail in June and will include program details and information on how to register.

The West Virginia Watershed Network is continuing its recognition of the efforts of volunteers working to create and build watershed associations throughout the state. Help us recognize your volunteers by submitting a synopsis of the year’s activities and projects in glowing, yet truthful words. Presentation of the awards will take place during Watershed Celebration Day in Berkeley Springs, WV.

If your nomination is selected as a winner, a representative from the Watershed Association is REQUIRED to attend Watershed Celebration Day on Saturday, November 2^nd to accept the award. Those who cannot attend will forfeit their award (some exceptions apply).

SUBMISSION TIPS:

  IT IS UP TO YOU! – You must submit a nomination to be considered for an award!

  The WV Watershed Network WCD Committee will take into consideration nominations to recognize organizations at all levels of development.  

  Eligible activities from June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2013.

  Nominations shall be submitted by the watershed association president or designee.

  Multiple responses from the same group will not be honored.

  Entries must include contact information and watershed association name.

  Guiding Light nominations are to be submitted on a separate sheet and must show promotion of the grassroots approach outside of their watershed. Only one nomination per group will be considered.

  E-mail confirmation will be sent when nominations are received. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail, please contact Jami Thompson (contact information listed on  above).

  Nomination Deadline is June 15, 2013.

  Guiding Light - Describe how the individual being nominated has promoted the grassroots approach to problem solving outside their watershed.

Nominations being submitted by fax, mail or e-mail should be sent to:
WVCA Watershed Resource Center
Attention: Jami R. Thompson
1900 Kanawha Blvd., East
Charleston, WV 25305-0193
304-558-0382
FAX: 304-558-1635
wrc@wvca.us
To submit your nomination electronically online, visit: http://www.wvca.us/wvwn/wcdn_Nominate.cfm

* Additional information for registration and agenda will be sent out in June.

Rain Barrel Workshops

Cost is $40.00 per person and registration is limited to 25 people.

Please see attachment for additional Information.

May 19, 2013                     Capitol Market                                3:00pm – 5:00pm

May 29, 2013                     Kanawha City Elementary            5:30pm – 7:30pm

Please contact Tomi Bergstrom to register:

Tomi M. Bergstrom

WVDEP, Western Watershed Basin Coordinator

P:  304-926-0499 Ext. 1098

F:  304-926-0496

Email: Tomi.M.Bergstrom@wv.gov

Website: http://www.dep.wv.gov/

Accepting Applications NOW!

Jefferson County Watershed Water Quality Improvement Project

The EPCD is renaming the Elks Run Watershed Quality Improvement Program to the Jefferson County Water Quality Improvement Project. All funds for the Elks Run Program will be opened up to all of the landowners in Jefferson County, WV.

All of the watersheds in Jefferson County ultimately drain to the Potomac River, which is one of the largest tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Due to the proximity of Jefferson County to the Bay, BMP implementation in Jefferson County will have a greater benefit to the Bay than in other counties.

The Eastern Panhandle Conservation District will concentrate on three areas that will be greater achieved with help from the landowners. 

The following practices will be offered to every landowner in Jefferson County, WV:

Agriculture:  We plan to offer technical and financial assistance to practices which also may improve on-farm efficiency, productivity and profitability. EPCD will cost share 90%, up to $10,000 per producer on the following practices:

·         Livestock Exclusion

§  Streambank fencing (High-Tensile Wire only)

§  Stream Crossing

§  Alternative Watering System

§  Riparian Tree Planting     

Residential/septic systems: We plan to offer technical and financial assistance to property owners with septic systems located within Jefferson County. Applicants for assistance will be placed on a waiting list, first come, first serve and will be reimbursed up to 50% of the cost for pumping the septic system not to exceed $150.00 per property owner. 

Education: We plan to continue education and outreach throughout Jefferson County by supplying middle schools and high schools with supplies and materials for stream monitoring. Each school must submit a proposal to the district outlining materials needed and their monitoring plan.

To receive applications please contact the following:

                Agriculture: Barbie Elliott at 304-263-4376 ext. 3 or belliott@wvca.us

                Septic: Suzy Lucas at 304-263-4376 ext.2 or rlucas@wvca.us

                Education: Heather Ishman at 304-263-4376 ext.4 or hishman@epcd.us

The WV Stormwater Management and Design Guidance Manual is now available for download on WVDEP’s website.  You can access the manual here:

http://www.dep.wv.gov/WWE/Programs/stormwater/MS4/Pages/StormwaterManagementDesignandGuidanceManual.aspx

The manual focuses on the runoff reduction method of managing stormwater on-site to mimic natural hydrology.

State issuing new stormwater management guide

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has a new tool to help communities reduce the impacts of polluted stormwater on the state’s streams and rivers.

Produced for the WVDEP by the Center for Watershed Protection, the 500-page West Virginia Stormwater Management and Design Guidance Manual is the first of its kind in the state. Both state and federal funds were used for the $150,000 project, which took two and a half years to complete and is based on up-to-date research in the science of stormwater management.

The manual outlines innovative ways to use plants and soils to reduce runoff volumes and pollutants at development and redevelopment sites. The guide can be used as a design resource by any West Virginia community interested in more effectively dealing with the harmful effects of polluted stormwater to the state’s waterways.

The manual’s chief function, however, is to provide design instruction and guidance on implementing stormwater practices in accordance with West Virginia’s small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit. Forty-seven West Virginia communities are regulated under the MS4 permit.

“This is a resource tool for state stormwater officials, engineers and designers who are required to implement the provisions of the MS4 permit,” said the WVDEP’s Sherry Wilkins, project manager for the Guidance Manual. “By meeting these performance standards outlined in the permit, the MS4 communities will effectively improve the water quality of our streams and rivers and that benefits everybody.”

Water Festival Planning Guide on the DEP webpage.

Water Festivals are a great way to reach a large number of students with a variety of water education lessons in a single fun day.

This guide is designed to provide some of the basic information and details that anyone interested in organizing this type of event might need. 

Feel free to contact me with any comments or questions that you might have.

Water Festival Planning Guide link: http://www.dep.wv.gov/WWE/getinvolved/WET/Pages/WaterFestivalGuide.aspx

You can also get there from Project WET’s Water Festival page.

Cover Crop Demonstration and Educational Program begins in Eastern West Virginia

Transferring cover crop and roller/crimper technology to farmers in the Chesapeake Bay drainage of eastern West Virginia is the aim of several partnering conservation agencies under a new demonstration and educational project.  Six demonstration farms will be selected within the 8 county area during the spring of 2012 and cover crops of small grain and legume mixtures will be planted in late summer of the same year.

Cover crops provide soil erosion control while utilizing soil nutrients that may run off into streams over the winter months.  Significant improvements to the health of the soil have been measured after such cover crops have been grown.  Increases in soil organic matter, biological activity, and water holding capacity have been shown. 

The Eastern Panhandle and Potomac Valley Conservation Districts are sponsoring this effort in partnership with the West Virginia Conservation Agency, the West Virginia University Cooperative Extension Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Materials Program through the Appalachian Plant Materials Center in Alderson, West Virginia.

Established cover crops on these six demonstration farms will be rolled, crimped, and pressed onto the soil surface in the spring of 2013 at the time of crop planting with the use of a no-till planter.  Such treatment preserves the soil structure while protecting the soil surface from erosion.  This technology is being studied at the Appalachian Plant Materials Center and the demonstration farms offer an opportunity to evaluate the process on working farms.

For more information on this cover crop project please contact Steve Ritz, Plant Materials Specialist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1550 Earl Core Road, Suite 200, Morgantown, WV  26505, telephone 304-284-7597.

Environmental Education Grants from the EPA

Description

Under this solicitation EPA is seeking grant proposals from eligible applicants to support environmental education projects that promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers, and citizens. This grant program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques, as described in this notice, and that will serve as models that can be replicated in a variety of settings. Under this solicitation EPA expects to award environmental education grants from the 10 EPA Regional offices. Follow the link to get all the details (http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=195033).

New “Farm Finances” Webinar Now Online

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), along with funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) have recently posted a new webinar video online entitled “Farm Finances: Organizing and Understanding Your Numbers.”

This webinar is for anyone who is beginning their journey in agriculture and wants to get comfortable with handling the finances associated with it. Starting a farm, like any other small business, requires basic accounting and business-management skills.  The “Farm Finances” webinar is designed to assist beginning farmers in becoming comfortable with necessary basic accounting techniques and gives tips on organizing and understanding their numbers.

The topics in the webinar include: Clarifying your goals and attaining them; Determining which resources are necessary for farming: do you have them?; Organizing your data; What can your numbers teach you?; Financial goal setting; Understanding financial statements; Assessing profitability and financial viability; Record keeping; Examining and minimizing costs; and Seeking a loan.

To access the webinar for free, visit the website https://attra.ncat.org/webinars/.

Project WET WASH Education Materials Available for Free Download

Children's WASH education activity booklet,
customized for Mexico

The Project WET Foundation's award-winning water, sanitation and hygiene materials have been collected on a single, easy-to-access page and are available as free downloads for educators worldwide. Project WET's WASH-related Educator Guides, Kids in Discovery series activity booklets, posters and reports cover multiple aspects of water, sanitation and hygiene, from proper hand washing to water source protection. The materials also promote basic literacy.

Many of Project WET's WASH education materials have been customized and translated in cooperation with local educators in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Materials are available in English, French, Spanish, Kiswahili and Chichewa; the Spanish-language materials have been further customized to reflect cultural and linguistic differences for five countries in Latin America.

To learn more, visit Project WET's WASH page.

Free Online Diagnosis for Watershed Groups

Working hard to protect rivers, but are the gears not quite meshing? Lacking talent, resources or financial stability?

You can now engage your staff and board in a free organizational self-assessment, courtesy of a new tool developed by River Network with support from the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

The two-part process includes an initial survey of key metrics of your organization’s health, followed by an opportunity for your board and staff to weigh in with more qualitative (and anonymous and confidential) feedback. Once everyone from the organization has responded, you receive a composite report that can help you and River Network’s capacity building staff determine your organization’s greatest needs and its future priorities.

EPA Releases Recovery Potential Screening Website to Assist Restoration Planners

EPA announced the release of a new technical assistance tool for surface water quality protection and restoration programs: the Recovery Potential Screening website (www.epa.gov/recoverypotential/).  Recovery Potential Screening is a user-driven, flexible approach for comparing relative differences in restorability among impaired waters.  The website provides step-by-step screening directions, time-saving tools for calculating indices and displaying results, summaries of over 120 ecological, stressor and social indicators, a recovery literature database, and several case studies.
Practical applications include: assisting watershed-level programs that need to focus on priority places due to limited resources; developing a 303(d) impaired waters list prioritized schedule; prioritizing implementation among many TMDLs; planning statewide nonpoint source control projects and restoration initiatives; helping develop strategies to meet performance tracking measures; identifying opportunities for synergy between healthy watersheds protection and impaired watersheds restoration; and revealing underlying factors that influence restoration success to improve programs.  EPA developed this technical method and website to assist states and others in complex planning and prioritizing activities, provide a systematic and transparent comparison approach, and help improve program results.  For additional information, please contact Doug Norton (norton.douglas@epa.gov).

New EPA PCB TMDL Handbook Released (PDF) (33 pp, 262K, About PDF)

EPA has issued a technical document titled Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Handbook, which provides EPA regions, states, and other stakeholders with updated information for addressing Clean Water Act (CWA) section 303(d) waters impaired by PCBs.  PCBs rank sixth among the national causes of water quality impairment in the country, and of the 71,000 waterbody-pollutant combinations listed nationally, over 5,000 (eight percent) are PCB-related.  This handbook identifies various approaches to developing PCB TMDLs and provides examples of TMDLs from around the country, complete with online references.  It aims to help states complete more PCB TMDLs and ultimately restore those waters impaired by PCBs.

ARE YOU A FARMER OR LANDOWNER IN THE

MUDDY CREEK WATERSHED?

FREE COST-SHARE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE!

· Do you need financial assistance with replacing a failing septic system or pumping your septic system?

· Would you like to provide a clean and dependable water source for your livestock?

The Muddy Creek Watershed includes the communities of Alderson, Blue Sulphur Springs, Asbury, Alta, and Williamsburg. If you live in these areas and are interested in alternative water facilities for livestock (pond, well, spring development, stream fencing) or are a landowner that needs help paying for replacement of a failing septic system, we have funds available to help with these issues. We can also help to pay for half the cost to pump an existing septic system.

For more information contact:

West Virginia Conservation Agency

Mike McMunigal 304.645.6172 ext. 117

Dennis Burns 304.645.6172 ext. 109 –or-

Friends of the Lower Greenbrier River

Renee Hemmelgarn 304.445.2005