MAY IS WATERSHED AWARENESS MONTH
‘Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities’ Marks Theme for Third Annual Celebration

HARRISBURG: For the third consecutive year, May is being celebrated as Watershed Awareness Month to encourage Pennsylvanians to learn more about their local watersheds and participate in environmental activities to enhance their natural surroundings and communities. The theme this year, “Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities,” highlights the important connection between environment and quality of life in Pennsylvania.

“Throughout the month of May, volunteer community organizations, educators and other groups are encouraged to promote the importance of watersheds at the grassroots and community levels by organizing and conducting watershed awareness activities,” Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said.

To celebrate Watershed Awareness Month, participants can take part in watershed walks, water quality monitoring, streamside cleanups and other activities already taking place in their watersheds, or they can organize an event of their own.

To find out what activities are planned in a community or to network with others interested in planning an event, an online journal, hosted by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watershed and Rivers, offers easy access to an event calendar, watershed news and stories, and more relating to Watershed Awareness Month. Visit the online journal at www.pawatersheds.org throughout May for the latest updates.

Watershed groups across the state as well as the Pennsylvania legislature have shown tremendous interest in making Watershed Awareness Month a success. Senator Mary Jo White and Representative William Adolph have shown support for Watershed Awareness Month by introducing resolutions to recognize the importance of watersheds. Both legislators serve as majority chairs of the Environmental Resources and Energy committees in the Senate and House, respectively.

A committee of six organizations representing watershed partners—including DEP, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, and the Resource Conservation and Development Council—have been working in partnership to make Watershed Awareness Month a unique opportunity for every Pennsylvanian to expand their awareness and appreciation for water resources through educational activities, watershed hikes and tours.

Under Governor Rendell’s proposed 2004-05 budget, funds from a bond issue would be used to stabilize and expand two key programs: Growing Greener, an initiative begun under Governor Tom Ridge that improves the environment; and the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund, signed into law by Governor Robert P. Casey to clean up the worst hazardous sites.

The $800 million bond would be distributed among three areas over four years:
· $330 million for parks, open space and farmland.
· $300 million for environmental cleanup.
· $170 million to revitalize older communities.

Highlighting the strategic importance that clean and healthy water resources have in protecting public health and ensuring Pennsylvania remains economically competitive, the plan more specifically proposes to use $80 million over four years to enhance the health of waterways by limiting nutrient loading and preventing nonpoint source pollution, and redirects an additional $21 million a year to the Environmental Stewardship Fund to invest in groups that successfully have revitalized communities, improved watersheds and protected the environment.

- posted by frank cetera @ 7:27 AM

 
EVENT SHOWCASE - Spring Wildflower Walk
SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK
Enlow Fork, Greene Co. Pa.

Enlow Fork Spring Extravaganza 2004
SUNDAY MAY 2 (Note the New Date!!!)

Near Wind Ridge on Gamelands 302
Directional Signs - Waynesburg 18/21 to Enlow

8 a.m. Bird Walk with Ralph Bell and Marge Howard

10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Guided Wildflower Walks with W. PA. Botanical
Society with Mary Joy Haywood, PhD

Noon Macroinvertebrate Stream Study with Professor Ben Stout,
Wheeling Jesuit College

Sponsored by Wheeling Creek Watershed Conservancy
For more information call 724-627-7871 or e-mail cnelson@greenepa.net
See Enlow online! http://pzapadka.tripod.com
- posted by frank cetera @ 7:20 AM

 
Passing A Resolution for Abandoned Mine Land Funding
Has your watershed group ever taken the opportunity to advocate politically for a water resource related cause? If not, POWR has a good opportunity to expand your groups base of activity and help ensure future funding for on-the-ground watershed projects that most groups really want to spend time on. Why not get together at your next meeting in May, or get together at any other event that your group may be involved with in May, and pass the resolution for the Abandoned Mine Land Fund 2004 Reauthorization?

PLEASE ACT TO SECURE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE FEDERAL ABANDONED MINE LANDS FUND

September 2004 marks a critical time for watershed protection in Pennsylvania. This is when the federal authorization of the Abandoned Mine Land Trust Fund will expire, leaving Pennsylvania without the nearly $24 Million annually received from the fund. Threats to human health and the environment will increase as thousands of abandoned coal mines go unabated and untreated in Pennsylvania due to a lack of monies for these efforts.

Additional focus for the need of reauthorizing the fund has been provided by American Rivers, which has named the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, headwaters to the Ohio River, as it’s 5th Most Endangered Rivers (http://amriversaction.ctsg.com/action/). The Pennsylvania portions of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers together comprise 31,945 stream miles and cover 15,614 square miles, or approximately one-third of the state. These rivers and aquifers provide drinking water for 3.5 million Pennsylvania residents.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW. Have your Watershed Organization support Congress in reauthorizing this historic environmental cleanup effort. Pass the sample resolution in support of the reauthorization (available at http://www.pawatersheds.org/aml2004.asp , and send to POWR at Abandoned Mine Land Resolution 2004, 610 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-1113. We will coordinate with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to provide these to government officials and leaders in congress. Thank You.



- posted by frank cetera @ 10:25 AM

 
Earth Day
HAPPY EARTH DAY ! ! !
- posted by frank cetera @ 1:28 PM

 
Insurance Conference Update
Good timing that I just posted on this Monday, because now this update can follow directly. There has been a change to the agenda for the SRBC/POWR sponsored watershed group insurance needs conference on May 13th. The starting and adjourning times (10 am - 4 pm) have not changed, so noone's schedule will be affected. But a few speakers have been added/or moved around to accomodate an announcement at the end of the conference about POWR's new Insurance for Watershed Groups service. Executive Director Judy Jordan, and Roy Klauber of Marsh Advantage America will present the details.

The times of the other sessions through the day have been altered slightly to accomodate this as well. Check the updated agenda for full details. And be sure to be aware of changes to the breaks and lunch times, don't want to miss out on the eatin' do ya?
- posted by frank cetera @ 1:31 PM

 
Insurance Coverage for Watershed Groups
Here's an event during "May is Watershed Awareness Month" that won't appeal to everyone in the family or the group as fun, but will indeed affect them all. This very important and free one-day conference is entitled "Getting the Insurance Coverage Your Watershed Group Needs" and is being sponsored by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers. This conference is open to watershed groups in the Pennsylvania portion of the Susquehanna and Potomac River basins only. The conference will be held at the Sheraton Four Points in Harrisburg PA on May 13th from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm. Lunch is included.

Professionals in the insurance field will discuss liability and legal protection issues, as well as directors' and officers' insurance. In addition, watershed group representatives will share real life examples and experiences as learning opportunities.


Here's the conference announcement.
Here's the registration form.

- posted by frank cetera @ 1:12 PM

 
EVENT SHOWCASE
"GVA Walk For Your Watershed Helps Connect With Nature"

Come celebrate Green Valleys Association’s 40th Anniversary in protecting the lands and waters of Northern Chester County at our Annual “Walk for Your Watershed” on May 1st at the Association’s headquarters at Welkinweir, just off Route 100 on Prizer Road south of Pottstown, PA. The Association’s property of 197 acres abuts the Horse Shoe Trail that features beautiful naturetrails, natural waterways, stately trees and opportunities to view nature in the quietude of thegently rolling hills of Chester County.

“Walk For Your Watershed” is open to individuals and groups, young and old, with trails ranging from a casual stroll along a 1 to 2 mile path to a 4-mile walk or a 9 mile jaunt that connects with the historic Horse Shoe Trail. Registration fees are $10 for team members, $15 for students and $35 for adults. The first 150 registrants will receive a commemorative t-shirt and groups representing 501 (c ) 3 organizations that receive pledges can earn 50 percent of the pledges back for their organizations. Proceeds for the walk go to support GVA’s mission to protect the lands and waters of Northern Chester County.

To register for the “Walk For Your Watershed”, learn more about the activities that are scheduled for May 1st or to become a member of Green Valleys Association, call (610) 469-4900 or visit GVA’s website at: WWW.GREENVALLEYS.ORG.
- posted by frank cetera @ 12:20 PM

 
EVENT SHOWCASE
"McKean Community Watershed Awareness Day - We All Live Downstream” – Erie Streams Association of Volunteer Monitors (ESAVM) is hosting a public
community event on Saturday, May 1 at the McKean Township Municipal Building from 11 to 3 P. M. Conservation and environmental organizations are sharing displays, demonstrations, and information pertaining to watersheds, drinking water protection, waste water handling, storm water runoff, best management practices, and water quality monitoring. A watershed attitudes study is being conducted among stakeholders of Elk Creek. Refreshments will be available.

The mission of Erie Streams Association of Volunteer Monitors (ESAVM) is to
provide opportunities for Erie County, PA citizens to practice stewardship
of the resources of our streams and watersheds. Citizen volunteer activity can be as simple as a quiet walk through the country to observe the stream and its habitat, or collecting and testing stream water samples, or measuring the diversity of aquatic life living in the stream.

ESAVM monitors nine (9) sites in the Elk Creek Watershed, five (5) on the
main stream and four (4) on tributaries. Data is collected on an additional 20
stream sites in the Lake Erie Basin across Erie County. These include
Sixteen Mile, Walnut, Crooked, and Raccoon Creeks; also LeBouef,
Conneauttee, and South Branch of French Creek in the French Creek Watershed.

For more info contact Diane Stump at (814) 476-1645 or ESAVM2003@hotmail.com
- posted by frank cetera @ 8:57 AM

 
PA RIVER SOJOURNS IN MAY
POWR and DCNR co-sponsor the PA River Sojourn program which offers 12 educational and paddling trips on Pennsylvania's waterways. Three of these trips fall during May and would make wonderful ways for you to celebrate Watershed Awareness Month.

The Swatara Creek Sojourn just east of Harrisburg takes place on May 1 and 2. This years trip will begin at the Union Canal Canoe Rentals site (where you can get a rental canoe if needed for the trip) and end at the Susquehanna River.

The Allegheny-Kiskiminetas-Conemaugh Rivers Sojourn takes place on May 20th through the 23rd. This sojourn is a unique opportunity to sample three rivers located in close proximity to each other during one trip.

The Clarion River Sojourn is on May 21st and May 22nd, so you'll have to choose between this one and the Alle-Kiski-Conni which has overlapping dates, but either would be a good choice. The Clarion takes you through and near the Allegheny National Forest region of northern PA, and if you haven't been before, do yourself a favor and visit the only national forest in Pennsylvania, by canoe.

Visit the PA River Sojourn page for more information.
- posted by frank cetera @ 2:01 PM

 
OUR PLANNING COMMITTEE
Happy April showers. Let them keep our watershed full and clean. We are within 1 month of Pennsylvania's May Watershed Awareness Month, but it's far from being too late to get involved. If you don't find something from the on-line calendar to participate in, and if you'd like help in planning something special, contact your local watershed group if you haven't as of yet. You can search for which group that may be through POWR's Watershed Directory at http://www.pawatersheds.org/WatershedDirectory/index.asp (you may search by county, watershed, or project).

It's also time to recognize our 2004 Planning Committee Members. Thanks go to Susan Parry of the Capitol Resource Conservation and Development Council, Ed Wytovich from the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Kerry Chippo and Kristen Wolf from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Tim Schaeffer from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Frank Raymond Cetera from the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, and Ann Devine and Gil Hirschel from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission. And a special thanks to John Coutts of POWR for his assistance in getting these webpages up and running.
- posted by frank cetera @ 12:57 PM