Greenversations

Each week we write about the science behind environmental protection. Previous Science Wednesdays.

By Dayna Gibbons

As far as I’m concerned, daylight savings time could not have come at a better time. Last week, EPA released its final study plan to research the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources. As a member of the science communications team, part of my job was to help ensure the study plan and a host of supporting material—from a press release to web site updates to @EPAresearch “tweets”—were ready so we could share the news. There was a lot to do, and by the weekend I was grateful to have an extra hour of sleep!

Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” as it’s more commonly called, is a stimulus technique that gas producers use to extract natural gas out of sources such as coalbeds and shale formations. (It’s also used for other applications, including oil recovery.) Many are hopeful that fracking will play a key role in unlocking natural gas from reserves across large areas of the U.S. Yet, concerns have been raised about the impact such practices might have on drinking water resources.

Toward the end of 2010, Congress directed EPA to conduct research to examine the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources. Since then, EPA has engaged with the public, the scientific community, and interested stakeholders to ensure public input into the study’s design where appropriate. The draft plan went through a public comment period and was peer-reviewed by EPA’s Science Advisory Board to ensure a scientifically sound approach.

EPA’s study will answer questions across the full hydraulic fracturing water lifecycle. This means that the data our scientists collect will help us understand the potential impacts on water resources from the beginning to end of the fracking process—from using large amounts of ground and surface waters, to drilling activities and the use of chemicals and, finally, the management, disposal, and treatment of used water.

The first study results will be released in 2012, and the final report will be released in 2014. In addition, EPA will regularly host webinars—including today at 3:30pm and tomorrow at 2:30pm—and provide updates throughout the study in order to keep the public informed of the progress. I’m sure that will continue to keep me busy, but at least I have an extra hour of sleep under my belt.

About the author: Dayna Gibbons has worked in communications at EPA since 2002.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

By Terry Ippolito

OK, I admit it: although I cannot do it often enough, I need to get away from my desk and computer in New York City and get out there to see what is happening in the real world. And, more specifically, experience the real world of environmental education.

Recently, I went to Port Monmouth, New Jersey to see what some 5th graders were going to be doing on a field trip. This was not a run-around-and-do whatever field trip. Through the efforts of the Monmouth County Park System, this day had a purpose: to teach students about the estuary at Sandy Hook Bay. And I had one too: I wanted to see firsthand what a project EPA is partly supporting really looked like.

An estuary, in case you wondered, is an ecosystem created where fresh water meets salt water. It is a special place. The students learned that as they went through four “stations” or activities: seining, shell talk & beachcombing, stewardship activity & plankton study and a boat ride.

From the vantage points of being on shore and then off shore, the students learned about the plants and animals that depend on the estuary, were amazed at the variety of creatures the seining net brought up, and proudly named the different ones when I asked what they were. They found out how to stop trash from getting into the estuary’s waters: don’t litter because that stuff on the street ends up being swept into the estuary during rainstorms. They took a look at the New York – New Jersey Harbor Estuary from the deck of the boat and get a sense of how many different communities share that ecosystem.

I am pretty sure that the things the kids learned that day will stay with them. The field trip was part of a series of classes that preceded and followed the field work so they could connect their classroom learning with their real world outdoor experiences.

It was definitely worth the trip, even if I did have to get back to my office for the afternoon.

About the author: Terry Ippolito, the Environmental Education Coordinator in EPA’s New York City office, lives in Brooklyn, about a mile from Jamaica Bay. She takes that street-to-beach litter connection seriously and picks up litter each morning on her way to the train.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

By Nancy Stoner

One of the best parts of my job is when I get outside of Washington, D.C. to travel to see water issues firsthand and meet the wide spectrum of people involved in protecting waterways.

During a recent trip to New Mexico, I saw the incredible progress in improving the lower Santa Fe River over the past 10 years. Previously, grazing cattle prevented plants from growing along the river to filter pollution and provide wildlife habitat. An upstream wastewater treatment plant contributed to water quality problems. The result was a barren, erosion-prone stretch of the river with an unhealthy pH, too much sediment, and not enough dissolved oxygen.

Enter a diverse array of stakeholders: the New Mexico Environment Department, the County and City of Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Soil and Water Conservation District, the WildEarth Guardians and private landowners, as well as community volunteers and school groups. They all met me that day to celebrate the restoration.

And enter EPA’s 319 program under the Clean Water Act, which provides grant money to tackle water pollution problems through activities such as projects, training, technical assistance, education and monitoring. EPA made $175 million in grants available in 2011. I am sure that most readers aren’t in New Mexico, but here is a list of 355 similar success stories from 319 grants around the country.

For the lower Santa Fe River, about $257,000 in 319 grants from EPA led to about $320,000 in matching funds for projects. Fencing was installed to keep livestock out of the area. Native vegetation — more than 5,000 cottonwood trees and 15,000 willow trees – were planted to filter pollution and provide wildlife habitat. Levees were removed to allow water to reach the floodplain, wetlands were created, and outreach and education activities occurred. The result is a lush corridor and cleaner water, along with the return of waterfowl and beavers to the area.

The State of New Mexico has removed the pH and sediment impairments and is proposing to remove the dissolved oxygen impairment in 2012. You can read more here .

While the improvements to water quality and the natural environment are critical, what truly inspired me – and everyone standing along the river that day – is the story of partnership. The federal, state and local government, along with environmental groups and private citizens, all worked together. It shows that water is vital to all of us and success in stewardship is a collective effort.

About the author: Nancy Stoner is the Acting Assistant Administrator for the EPA’s Office of Water and grew up in the flood plain of the South River, a tributary of the Shenandoah River.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

By Cameron Davis

If Earth Day should be celebrated every day, then Great Lakes Week should be every week. To the relief of the conference organizers, I’m not talking about a conference every week. However, I am talking about keeping alive the themes and energy that came from the first-ever Great Lakes Week.

This mega event was hosted in Detroit, October 11-14, through the innovative partnership of several organizations including the U.S. EPA, the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, Environment Canada, the International Joint Commission, the Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition, the Great Lakes Commission and Wayne State University. These organizations all work separately on Great Lakes Restoration, but Great Lakes Week gave us an opportunity to take action together, set priorities for the coming years, and, most importantly show results.

Speaker after speaker echoed that the region needs to keep its focus on results – that is, work that shows direct ecological benefit to the health of the Great Lakes. Administrator Lisa Jackson highlighted work under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative that is already beginning to show results:

·    Some 140 acres of wetlands restored at the Shiawassee Flats Wetland restoration area in Michigan’s Saginaw River basin is bringing back fish and wildlife habitat, improving water quality and reducing flooding.

·    Swimming bans and advisories at Chicago’s beaches are at a five-year low; other beaches are seeing decreases in beach closures.

·    Cleaning up toxic hotspot Areas of Concern, with dramatic progress at White Lake and River Raisin in Michigan, the Sheboygan River in Wisconsin, and the Ashtabula River in Ohio.

Missed the conference and want to see highlights? Go to greatlakesnow.org to watch on-demand video footage of the week’s events. After all, it’s not that Great Lakes Weeks should be held every week, but we should make sure that we are achieving results every week of the year.

Find out more about our Great Lakes restoration efforts at www.glri.us, or follow me on Twitter (@CameronDavisEPA). If you missed out on Great Lakes Week and still have questions, feel free to ask them in the comment box or send me a tweet.

About the author: Cameron Davis is Senior Advisor to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. He provides counsel on Great Lakes matters, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

By Karen Mark

Entering my senior year of college, I had the amazing opportunity to intern in the beautifully forested and rolling hills in Brown County State Park in Nashville, Indiana. Turns out my summer internship did more than improve my resume. While I had studied environmental sciences, it was working out in the field that I truly understood the complexity and interconnectedness of ecosystems. I gained in-depth knowledge not found in textbooks as well as the importance of connecting people back to their natural surroundings.

I was enthused to learn about the River Revitalization Foundation’s (RRF) summer youth restoration crew for high school students. RRF is nonprofit land trust in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that establishes parkways for the public to use and enjoy along the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers. It also works to protect, preserve and improve the environmental health of the Milwaukee River Valley.

Similar to my internship, many of the summer youth crew members were urban youth and had not worked in the “great outdoors.” Over the eight weeks of the program, the students learned how to identify native and invasive species, removed invasive species such as burdock, planted native species, and built benches along the river for the public. Additionally, the summer youth crew educates visitors and youth about the history of the river and plant identification by leading hikes along the Beer Line Trail using the “Take-a-Hike” publication. Check out the summer crew’s video on RRF’s website called “A Day in the Life of the RFF Summer Crew” that they created to showcase the various projects and activities they completed.

Kimberly Gleffe, Executive Director of RRF, could not boast enough about the students to me, “This year’s summer crew was a fabulous group! They had a real sense of pride and cared about making a difference in the valley.” By educating the students with conservation knowledge and skills, I am certain that the Milwaukee River Valley will be cared for and maintained for future generations to enjoy.

If you live in the Milwaukee area, to get your hiking shoes on, get a copy of the “Take-a-Hike” publication for a guided tour around the Beer Line Trail and experience the Milwaukee River Valley. While enjoying the beautiful landscape and waterways, be sure to thank RRF and the summer youth crew for all their great work to preserve, protect and improve Milwaukee’s natural areas.

About the author: Karen Mark is a Student Temporary Employment Program intern in the Air and Radiation Division in Region 5. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Management and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Public Service Management.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

By Nancy Stoner

Population growth, aging infrastructure, urbanization and climate change are placing increasing pressure on our water infrastructure all across the country, and over the next 20 years, EPA estimates that more than $600 billion will be needed to address water infrastructure problems.

Modernizing the systems that bring us the clean water we depend on every day provides a clear benefit to the environment and public health, but more and more, we’re seeing how upgrading our water infrastructure is a driver for economic growth and job creation. A new report from the non-profit Green for All estimates that a $188.4 billion investment in water infrastructure over the next five years would add $265 billion to the economy and create 1.9 million jobs. And, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee said in a recent report that for every job added by water and wastewater industries, three jobs in other industries must be added to support that work in the water industries.

On a recent trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota’s drinking water plant, which is undergoing a $25 million facelift, I got to see how an investment in water infrastructure is already paying dividends and will continue to do so for years to come.

The plant’s upgrade, to which EPA contributed $6.5 million through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, includes a new machine to process residuals that uses far less electricity – about $100,000 worth per year – than its predecessor, according to the plant manager. The machine produces a type of residual that’s easier to ship and will save Minneapolis about $1 million each year in trucking costs, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 150,000 pounds annually. Add that up over the 30 year expected lifetime of the new machinery and you’re talking about huge economic and environmental benefits.

And, the new machine, a filter press, was made in Michigan. Another newly-installed piece of machinery came from Pennsylvania, and new pipes are from Ohio and Alabama. In addition to buying homemade goods and supporting jobs in several American communities, the plant upgrade created the equivalent of 25 full-time jobs over the last two years, and 47 jobs for almost a year when work was at its peak.

The work to modernize the Minneapolis plant – installing new equipment that will cut operating costs and reduce air pollution while creating jobs – is a recipe for success, and it’s all in the name of improving our drinking water.

About the author: Nancy Stoner is the Acting Assistant Administrator for the EPA’s Office of Water and grew up in the flood plain of the South River, a tributary of the Shenandoah River.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

By Joshua Brown

Millions of single-use bags are used in Boulder, Colorado each year. The Fairview Net Zero Environmental Club has a goal: reduce the use of single-use shopping bags in Boulder. We are working with the City Council to pass an ordinance to put a fee or a ban on single-use shopping bags.

While the City Council has the ultimate decision, more than two thousand Boulder citizens have signed petitions to reduce the consumption of single-use shopping bags in Boulder. Several months ago, we asked the City Council to have staff look into the issue. After that success, we went back to the City Council and requested that the issue be addressed in the city’s five year update of the Master Plan for Waste Reduction.

To increase our effectiveness, we formed alliances with New ERA Colorado, Boulder High Net Zero and Summit Net Zero. We speak about the issue at City Council meetings twice a month addressing different concerns and giving information on the negative impacts of paper and plastic single use bags. We have been told the issue will be addressed in the five year plan so now we are asking City Council to put the issue top of the 2012 agenda at the City Council retreat in January.

We are also raising awareness in the community. The Fairview Net Zero and Summit Net Zero Clubs, and New ERA had a booth and brought the issue to the well-attended Boulder Creekfest and collected petition signatures. We also have written letters to the editor of our local paper.

Our efforts have not gone unnoticed. An article in the local paper about us was picked up and published throughout the country and a Denver news station, 9News, did a story on our club’s efforts. We have gained more and more supporters. Keep an eye on Boulder and don’t be surprised if you see an ordinance with fee or ban on single-use bags go into effect in Boulder in 2012!

UPDATE: The City of Boulder included 10 pages in the Master Plan for Waste Reduction about putting bans or fees on plastic and paper bags! This was a direct result of the students’efforts. It should lead to an ordinance reducing the use of single use bags in the near future. What an outstanding accomplishment for these students!

About the author: Josh is a senior at Fairview High School. He is active in the Net Zero Environmental Club and is a link leader helping freshmen adjust to high school. Josh is also active in the local Jewish youth organization where he is vice president. He owns his own lawn service company. He plans to study Arts and Humanities in college.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

By Denise Owens

After the departure of Hurricane Irene, I was left with tons of damage and cleanup. My basement was my first concern. I couldn’t believe the amount of water I was seeing, but with the electricity off, I had to wait until the morning to actually see what was damaged.

I knew my first priority was to get the water out as quickly as possible because of the danger of mold . The electricity being out for a week made it harder, but I just had to get it done.

With the water gone, the next step was to remove the carpet to get the basement dry. Then I realized the walls were damaged. Since my home is older, I had paneling instead of drywall; it also had to be removed. Proper clean-up was necessary to avoid mold showing up later.

After I cleaned the basement, I just didn’t feel safe or comfortable with my results, so I hired a professional company to come out and do a thorough cleaning. After the company cleaned for hours, they assured me that I wouldn’t have any further problems and my basement was mold-free.

I didn’t realize it would take me so long to get things back to normal, but I’m so happy that my basement is mold free!

About the author: Denise Owens has worked with the Environmental Protection Agency for over 20 years.

By Karen Mark

I am usually known as the “environmentalist” in many of my graduate classes. Recently, a classmate invited me to attend an informational meeting about becoming a “C3.” My immediate reaction was “Sure, but what does C3 mean?” Turns out this is a group of dedicated Chicago volunteers tackling the city’s environmental issues.

The Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) is an environmental volunteer program of Chicago’s Department of Environment. It recruits, trains and supports a network of volunteers who work together to conduct environmental service projects that improve local surroundings and the quality of life.

I attended an informational meeting about the Environmental Leadership Training program and was incredibly impressed by the comprehensiveness of the program and the knowledgeable staff. Any resident of the city can apply for the training. Those accepted attend five courses that cover conservation principles and skills in water, land, air and energy, community organizing and project development. The word is out about this opportunity! Residents from many Chicago neighborhoods come to C3 meetings with ideas, environmental questions, or simply to look for ways to make a difference in their communities.

To complete the training program, participants carry out an environmental service project with support from C3 that includes project development guidance, mentoring on community outreach, and up to $400 worth of materials and supplies for the project. Graduates of the training program can continue environmental service projects with guidance from C3 leaders and funding. The opportunities to give back are endless!

Trainees gain a wealth of knowledge and skills but even those with an in-depth knowledge of environmental issues learn community organizing skills and build connections within the city. Additionally, the C3 Student Club program enables teachers and students in grades 8-12 to become involved in C3 efforts.

True to their motto, “You Care. Do Something. We’ll Help!” C3 gives the knowledge, skills and resources for Chicago residents to make a direct impact in local communities.

Are you interested in doing an environmental or community project? Your first step is to find similar organizations in your community. Try contacting your local (town, city, county or state) environmental agency.

I am really into this program and I know I will be applying this October for the next training series. I encourage you to find a similar opportunity wherever you live!

About the author: Karen Mark is a Student Temporary Employment Program intern in the Air and Radiation Division in Region 5. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Management and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Public Service Management.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

By David Sarokin

The theme of this year’s Pollution Prevention Week is P2: The Cornerstone of Sustainability.

Is it? Can P2 really take us to a future we can honestly say is more sustainable?

Becoming sustainable is about much more than just environmental improvement. When I was working on Agenda 21 – the sustainable development action plan that grew out of the 1992 U.N. Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro – we had the habit of talking about sustainability as a three-legged stool: environmental, economic and social progress, simultaneously, without improvements in one area interfering with progress in the others. I find that old image still aptly sums up what sustainability is about.

P2’s contribution to environmental progress is pretty straightforward. Use fewer material and energy resources and substitute safer chemicals and processes, and there’s less pollution, less toxic exposure, less mess across the board.

But P2 is also about — and has always been about — greater efficiency too, which is a boon to economic sustainability. Another phrase I’ve used innumerable times over the years (well…decades!) is pollution prevention pays, a message still worth repeating. Less waste means more material goes into finished products instead of into the air, water and landfills, resulting in lower costs for production, waste management and environmental compliance. Energy efficiency not only reduces greenhouse gases, but saves oodles of money during manufacture as well during the useful life of our cars, computers and other energy-consuming products. Energy Star led to $18 billion in savings last year (and I suspect that’s a conservative estimate). Commercial estimates have pegged the market in green chemistry at close to $100 billion!

Lastly, P2 builds more sustainable communities in ways both obvious and subtle. This, too, was part of our Agenda 21 focus, as we worked to add tools for community engagement into the sustainability toolbox. There are very few P2 programs that operate with a you-have-to-do-this-or-else mentality. Most of the accomplishments of P2 are built from a cooperative framework with government bureaucrats (and I use that word proudly) working with industry managers, workers on the plant floor, community representatives and environmental organizations to identify concerns, set goals, find at-the-source P2 solutions and monitor progress. The results improve local environmental and economic circumstances, to be sure. But pollution prevention also builds community relations (PDF) that didn’t exist previously, in an air of trust that, over time, becomes self-evidently effective.

This is sustainability at its best. Pollution prevention is at its foundation. The cornerstone, if you will.

About the author: David Sarokin is a proud EPA bureaucrat with a l-o-o-o-n-g history of working in pollution prevention and sustainability, beginning with his 1986 book, Cutting Chemical Wastes.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.