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Envirobytes - An Environmental Newsletter
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending April 11, 2008
$3.75 MILLION IN BROWNFIELDS GRANTS AWARDED TO REGION 3 COMMUNITIES
EPA awarded $74 Million in Brownfields grants nationwide to rehabilitate formerly contaminated or abandoned properties into productive reuse. As part of this award, Region 3 organizations received $3.75 million to restore 14 formerly contaminated industrial and commercial sites in the region. These grants will fund projects that will bring about the environmental and economic improvement of many communities. For detailed information on the regional awardees, go to http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/08arc/regional.htm#reg3 (A choice of HTML or Pdf formats is provided.)
EPA REQUESTS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED RULE FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER IN AIRPLANES
EPA proposed the Aircraft Drinking Water Rule on April 9, and is seeking comments to specifically address aircraft drinking water safety. Factors determining the safety of aircraft drinking water include: the quality of the boarded water from multiple sources, the operation and maintenance of the aircraft's water system and transfer equipment, and a coliform sampling plan. For the proposed rule and comments which must be submitted before July 8, go to http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2008/April/Day-09/w7035.htm.
NEW ECOTOURISM SITE PROMOTES KNOWLEDGE OF DELAWARE ECOLOGY
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary has unveiled its new ecoDelaware.com Web site, promoting ecotourism events and destinations throughout Delaware. The Web site will increase people’s awareness, appreciation and environmental stewardship for Delaware’s creeks, rivers, and estuaries, and especially for the Delaware Estuary which is Delaware’s most vital ecosystem in terms of both human and wildlife populations. The new Web site is available at http://www.ecodelaware.com/estuary.php 
RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION HOLDS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
EPA representatives attended the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association Annual Conference from April 1-4, at the Penn State Conference Center in State College, Pa. Pennsylvania water and wastewater professionals networked and participated in a variety of classes, including certification courses to improve compliance and protect drinking water quality. Information related to source water protection and pharmaceutical disposal methods were made available at an EPA display booth.
REGISTER FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE FORUM (MAY 20-MAY 22)
The Environmental Finance Center's Sustainable Infrastructure for Water and Wastewater Forum for Regions 3 and 4 will take place at EPA region 3 regional offices in Philadelphia (1650 Arch St.) from May 20-May 22. EFC (affiliated with the U. of Maryland) is a company whose primary function is to educate communities on the role of finance and economic development in the protection of the environment and watersheds. For information on workshop registration, agenda, accommodations, directions and parking information, go to http://www.efc.umd.edu/SustInfrasForum.html
EPA RELEASES REPORT ON PARTICULATE MATTER EMISSIONS FROM GASOLINE VEHICLES
EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) has released a report entitled "Analysis of Particulate Matter (PM) Emissions from Gasoline Vehicles in Kansas City" covering data analysis collected during 2004 and 2005. EPA believes there may be substantial state and local stakeholder interest in this report because it offers a first look at how PM emissions from one particular segment of the onroad vehicle fleet may change compared to the currently approved mobile emissions factor model. More information on the report can be found at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/emission-factors-research/index.htm.
EPA STAFF RECEIVE ASTHMA TRAINING TO CONTROL ASTHMA TRIGGERS IN CHILD CARE CENTERS
The mid-Atlantic region American Lung Association (ALA) invited EPA regional staff on April 3 to an asthma training session titled "Policies and Practices for Asthma Friendly Child Care" as part of a 2006 pilot program to reach child care center directors and child care providers. The session taught participants how to use the asthma training kit to recognize the conditions that trigger asthma attacks and identify policies that will reduce children’s exposure to these triggers. EPA regional staff will provide asthma training to child care centers in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. To learn about indoor environmental asthma triggers, go to http://www.epa.gov/asthma/triggers.html
COMMUNITY-BASED EARTH DAY AND EARTH DAY-INSPIRED EVENTS
NARBERTH, PA CELEBRATES NARBEARTH DAY
The Narberth Civic Association will celebrate its annual NarbEarth Day on Saturday, April 19, from noon to 3 pm next to the Narberth Community Library at 80 Windsor Ave. Learn about the environment from the EPA, the Lower Merion Conservancy and the local schools' environmental clubs. There will be a plant swap, expert advice from a master gardener and members of the Narberth Garden Club, toy recycling and a used book sale at the library. Rain date is on the 20th.
THE FORT MEADE (MD) ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER EARTH DAY
Earth Day activities will be coordinated with a focus on renewable energy, on Tuesday, April 22 from 9am to noon at the Ft. Meade Environmental Science Center, Ft. Meade, Md. At least three vendors representing geothermal, solar and wind energy, will give presentations during the morning. There will be a book exchange, a demonstration of hybrid vehicles that everyone can drive, and a free automotive tire service check to help promote ways to increase car mileage. For more information, contact Robin Costas at 410-305-2659.
THE CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP EARTHDAY FESTIVAL IS A MAMMOTH EVENT
EPA staff will be in charge of a booth at the Cheltenham Township Earth Day festival on Saturday, April 26, providing participants with environmental information. The rain or shine event will cap off a week of Earth Day activities in the township. For more information, go to http://www.cheltenhamtownship.org/earthday/index.htm. In addition, there will be many Earth Day activities conducted the week of April 21 at the Cheltenham School District Schools (including a Tookany Creek water monitoring event). For information, go to: Cheltenham School District
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