NRDC Nov. 2011 update to its 2006 Rooftops to Rivers Report (134 pgs).

Report shows how communities across the country are using innovative green infrastructure techniques to stop water pollution. These cities have determined that green infrastructure is a more cost effective approach than investing in "gray," or conventional, infrastructure, such as underground storage systems and pipes. At the same time, each dollar of investment in green infrastructure delivers other benefits that conventional infrastructure cannot, including more flood resilience and, where needed, augmented local water supply. Chapter 3 offers cost/benefit information about the economics of green infrastructure as a more cost-effective approach to manage polluted runoff, reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and stormwater runoff at a lower cost than conventional infrastructure alternatives alone. Includes case studies for 14 cities considered green infrastructure leaders, using a six-point “Emerald City Scale” that identified the six key actions that cities should take to become cleaner and greener. (Philadelphia was ranked #1, and Pittsburgh was included among the 14 case studies).

Updated (10/29/11)
Manure Management Manual Available From DEP
Offers information on Water Quality Regulations for Agricultural Operations

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the PA Bulletin that it has made the final, updated version of the Manure Management Manual available. A copy of the revised guidance Manual, the Rate Charts/Instructions as well as a copy of a fill-in-the-blank Manure Management Workbook are available on DEP's Manure Management webpage. The webpage has information on CAFO’s (concentrated animal feeding operations), manure storage facilities, and field application of manure. Questions regarding this final guidance document can be directed to Kenn Pattison, 717-787-5267 or send email to: kpattison@pa.gov.

The Value of Green Infrastructure (American Rivers & Center for Neighborhood Technology, 2011, 80 pp)

Link to http://www.americanrivers.org/library/reports-publications/the-value-of-green-infrastructure.html

Green infrastructure (GI) is a network of decentralized stormwater management practices, such as green roofs, trees, rain gardens and permeable pavement, that can capture and infiltrate rain where it falls, thus reducing stormwater runoff and improving the health of surrounding waterways. Communities are recognizing the multiple benefits of using green infrastructure to take the stress off the aging, crumbling and overloaded conventional or “gray” infrastructure that is often the case with their water and wastewater treatment facilities. With this guidebook, the Center for Neighborhood Technology and American Rivers have, for the first time, pulled together the existing research on green infrastructure benefit valuation and developed a framework that will allow local communities to assess the local benefits of green infrastructure. The guide allows communities to make more educated investments in green infrastructure for the future by helping them evaluate the full range of benefits from sustainable approaches to water management.

2010 State of the Bay Report

(Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 2010, 20 pp)

" ... There are some encouraging signs of improvement. ....But make no mistake, the Bay is still a system dangerously out of balance—"

How to Dispose of Medicines Properly

(US EPA - EPA 816-F-11-003, 2011, 2 pp,)

Do's and Dont's for proper disposal. First choice: drug takeback events.

The Marcellus Shale: Resources for Stakeholders in the Upper Delaware Watershed Region

(Pinchot Institute for Conservation, 2010, 100 pp.)

Despite the range of potential impacts, there is only disjointed and inconsistent information available to the general public. Many organizations and entities are active in developing and/or disseminating information to landowners in the Delaware River Basin. This project will not reinvent all of this previous work.  It will draw information together into a single, objective, user-friendly resource to meet the needs of landowners and local governments.

Citizen's Guide to Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania

(National Sea Grant Law Center and PA Sea Grant, 2010, 25 pp)

The guide provides a brief overview of potential impacts, the regulatory process in Pennsylvania, how residents may participate in the process, and where to go for more information.

Large Landscape Conservation: A Strategic Framework for Policy and Action

(Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2010, 56 pp)

The most important land and water issues facing North America—including land use patterns, water management, biodiversity protection, and climate adaptation—require new approaches.

This Report summarizes discussion held in 2009 to synthesize what we know about large landscape conservation and to identify the most important needs as we move forward.

Read about on-going large landscape initiatives in the Northeast

Residential Runoff -- Slow It Down, Keep It Clean

(National Environmental Services Center, 2010, 8 pp)

Winter 2010 issue of Pipeline newsletter with coverage of runoff issues and links to other publications.

Evaluating Sustainability of Projected Water Demands in 2050 under Climate Change Scenarios

( Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), prepared by TetraTech, 2010, 40 pp)

Eight PA counties are among those facing water shortages by 2050 under this report's projections.

Read a summary. (4 pp, 2010)

Visit the NRDC Climate Change website

The Economic Value of Open Space in Southeastern Pennsylvania

(Green Space Alliance and DVRPC, 2010, 70 pp)

 Among the findings: - Southeastern Pennsylvania realizes nearly $61 million in annual cost savings from protected open spaces’ ability to naturally filter out pollutants and replenish water supply. The total annual benefit generated by natural flood mitigation services is more than $37 million.

This report is the first to quantify the economic value of protected open space in the five-county area-- Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Putting Green to Work: Economic Recovery Investments for Clean and Reliable Water

(American Rivers, 2010, 24 pp)

evaluates the groundbreaking water infrastructure investment in green infrastructure pioneered under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) that provided $1.2 billion for green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency, and environmental innovation.

Read more about Green Infrastructure Funding.