Green pets

The Plains Animal Hospital and the Northeast Veterinary Referral and Emergency Hospital, located at 242 South River Street in Plains Township, Pa., were founded by Dr. Douglas Ayers, VMD. Together, these two veterinary hospitals provide services to roughly 35,000 pets across Northeastern Pennsylvania.

In 2008, the construction of their new green facility was completed, totaling 7,000 square feet, and the upgraded building opened to serve its animal clientele. After touring the building and interviewing Dr. Ayers -- eight years after he embarked on an unpredictable renovation -- it's apparent that the sustainable features and efficiency of the facility are something special.

Upon arriving at the Plains Animal Hospital, visitors take note of a large area of low-lying plants, bushes, and trees grouped together, which sometime seem to be flooded. What people may not know is that this seemingly random grouping of plants is actually a pothole wetland that was created to absorb storm water, reduce flooding, and provide habitat. Smaller wetland plants such as grasses can be found around the building and in the employee parking lot, which is designed as a green parking lot.

The green parking lot is not paved, rather, graveled and it was designed to be slightly angled so stormwater would run into the areas that contain the plants. By doing so, rainwater is absorbed instead of being dumped into the adjacent Susquehanna River, which would create more flooding and pollution issues. Another green feature of the facility that helps reduce flooding is its underground water containment system. These large holding tanks are located underneath the visitors parking lot so that when it rains, the tanks collect and hold the water and then slowly drain it.

Look for more blogs about northeastern Pennsylvania's green infrastructure and sustainable buildings in the months ahead.

Brittany Czerniakowski is an intern in PennFuture's Wilkes-Barre office. She is entering her senior year toward a B.A. in Environmental Studies at King's College, Wilkes-Barre.

Dedicated to protecting a unique place on earth

It's been named one of the last great places worldwide by the Nature Conservancy and, last week, nearly 100 citizens came out to support protections for the unique Pocono Plateau of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Community groups and residents attended the April 23 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) public hearing in Thornhurst Twp. to provide input on how to protect pristine waterways, wetlands, and habitats impacted by a planned electric transmission line. The hearing addressed the proposed PPL West Pocono-North Pocono 230kV line in Buck Township, Luzerne County and Thornhurst, Clifton and Covington townships, Lackawanna County as detailed in March 2015 in this blog space.

The proposed right-of-way for this project is twenty miles long and covers an area of approximately 296 acres in an area with at least thirty-four (34) perennial or intermittent streams and thirty-three (33) wetlands, the latter covering more than twenty-four (24) acres. A theme echoed by many of the sixteen speakers was the at-risk special features of these Exceptional Value (EV) streams and wetlands, and the importance of their habitat for native wildlife like otters, wild trout, deer, foxes, and an entire interdependent ecosystem enjoyed by countless Pennsylvanians. Among the potential negative impacts are loss of nesting and spawning sites, introduction of invasive species, toxic herbicide use, and water pollution during construction as well as in the permanent right-of-way clearing.

Area township elected officials, land trusts, conservation and angler organizations, and community residents were among presenters who provided thoughtful testimony asking DEP for specific improvements to conditions set in three environmental permit applications. North Pocono CARE's president and members, along with PennFuture staff attorney Mike Helbing, also testified. PennFuture and many speakers strongly urged DEP to set permit conditions that would give the highest level of protection to the region -- and limit the damage for humans and habitat in this special place.

If you have input on the environmental impact of the plans, please add your voice: DEP will accept written comments up until Thursday, May 7, 2015. Comments should be limited to the West Pocono-North Pocono 230 kV Transmission Line Permits #E40-761, E35-456 and PAI023514002. Please visit our page on this topic for the full permit applications.

Comments can be sent to: coconnolly@pa.gov or: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Wetlands and Waterways Program, 2 Public Square Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-1915 attn.: Colleen Connolly re: West Pocono-North Pocono 230 kV Transmission Line Permits #E40-761, E35-456 and PAI023514002

Kate Gibbons is northeast Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Wilkes-Barre.

Small but mighty: Streams and wetlands that matter

This guest post was written by Tori Leach. Tori is the online membership and marketing coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation, for which PennFuture is the Pennsylvania state affiliate.

Marshes, wetlands, intermittent streams, and even some lakes fill from rainwater or snowmelt then empty through evaporation—coming and going throughout the year. These small but mighty habitats filter out pollution, ease the effects of flooding, and provide water for wildlife in dry climates.

These habitats, called ephemeral bodies of water, are critical for many species, but small streams and wetlands are at risk and need our help.

Here are a few examples of wildlife that need these on-again, off-again waters!

Three river otters. By James "Newt" Perdue, USFWS

River otters are playful semi-aquatic mammals who spend a lot of time in the water – they can even hold their breath for up to eight minutes! They make their homes near many types of water, including marshes and wetlands. However, they are extremely sensitive to water pollution, which in tandem with unregulated trapping and hunting, had diminished their numbers in the past. Their numbers are coming back strong, but clean water is key to their survival.

Pronghorn are the fastest land animal in North America, and can reach a peak speed of 60 miles an hour. So while they won’t beat a cheetah in a sprint, they can maintain their speed for much longer. In Wyoming, around 400 pronghorn migrate from the Grand Teton National Park to the Upper Green Basin for the winter. During the 150 mile journey, they rely on bodies of water like terminal basins, which are closed, standing bodies of water. These are important for both the water they provide and the food from the ecosystem of terminal basins.

Pronghorn running. Photo by Kathy Gervais

Bighorn Sheep. Courtesy of the National Park Service

Bighorn sheep are known for -- you guessed it -- their big horns! The male horns can weigh up to 30 pounds, and some can grow to over three feet long. In California, federally-listed bighorn sheep rely on pools of standing water called tenajas as a key source of water in an otherwise arid and hot climate. Desert bighorn sheep tend to live within 2-3 miles of water, so the disappearance of any of these tenajas would threaten the species’ survival.

A few species of salamanders have adapted to the changing life of living in a vernal pool, a temporary pool that usually fills in the spring and evaporates depending upon the weather, but often contains water well into the summer. While adult salamanders live on dry land, during the spring they will go to a vernal pool to lay their eggs, which will develop and hatch during the summer. If the pool lasts long enough, the young salamanders will grow and emerge to become terrestrial animals. One cool thing about these salamander eggs is that they contain green algae, so that when the embryonic salamander produces carbon dioxide, it turns it into oxygen that the embryo can use.

Spotted salamander. Courtesy of the National Park Service

American avocets are migratory birds that use ephemeral waters as their pit stops along their migratory path. Prairie pothole wetlands are often frequented by avocets. These “potholes” provide a shallow habitat for avocets to search for food as well as to nest in the spring. Their chicks are quick learners – within 24 hours after hatching, they can already walk, swim, and dive to avoid predators!

American avocet and chicks. Photo by: Andrew Lee

In its 2008 Ephemeral Streams report, the U.S. EPA estimates that these types of waters make up about 59 percent of all streams in the United States (except Alaska). For more than a decade, Clean Water Act protections for these waters have been uncertain, putting them at increased risk of pollution and destruction.

But you have a chance to change that. A bill that would allow polluters free rein in these bodies of water is coming to a vote this week. You can do your part to protect these and hundreds more species by urging members of Congress to oppose this attack on the Clean Water Act.

Be a voice for the wildlife that depend on water—urge your members of Congress to oppose attacks to the Clean WaterAct.

Guest post: Speak out on protecting exceptional streams in NE PA

Note: This week, we have a guest blog post from Barbara "Bonnie" Smith, president of the watershed protection group North Pocono CARE (Citizens Alert Regarding the Environment) and member of PennFuture's board of directors. NP CARE is working to protect over 20 Exceptional Value (EV) streams in the Lehigh River headwaters affected by a planned transmission line. PennFuture recently submitted technical comments on this project.

Thanks to the efforts of many local citizens and the Thornhurst Township Board of Supervisors, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has scheduled a public hearing as part of DEP's review of the PPL permit applications. The hearing is on the proposed PPL West Pocono-North Pocono 230kV electric transmission line in Buck Township, Luzerne County and Thornhurst, Clifton and Covington townships, Lackawanna County. This section of the line has an extraordinary number of exceptional value (EV) stream crossings and EV wetland crossings in its 21-mile length, all of which are highly sensitive to pollution. These permits -- NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit (PAI023514002) and Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permits (E40-761and E35-456) -- address water and wetland protection issues that are so important to maintaining the health of our Lehigh River and its tributaries. This is our opportunity to provide comments.

Sand Spring Creek

We encourage all those who hike, fish, live alongside, and enjoy these streams and forests to attend and pre-register to speak at the hearing.

Details: DEP public hearing, Thursday, April 23, 2015, 6:00 p.m.
Thornhurst Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, 351 Old River Road (formerly 125 River Rd.), Thornhurst, Lackawanna County

Keep in mind that the parameters of DEP's review are limited to environmental issues, and comments will be most actionable in setting permit conditions if they fall under the following areas:
•    Impacts on water quality - polluting streams, wetlands and the Lehigh River
•    Concern about forest destruction and fragmentation
•    Vehicles and equipment introducing invasive species into our woodlands and waters
•    Herbicide use that would be harmful to streams and wetlands

Please save the date and make plans to add your voice. Many thanks, Bonnie Smith, President, North Pocono CARE (Citizens Alert Regarding the Environment).

A much needed federal victory for water conservation

A word of introduction to this post from PennFuture President and CEO Cindy Dunn....

PennFuture is proud to be the Pennsylvania state affiliate of National Wildlife Federation. We work closely with NWF on a number of initiatives: slowing climate change, pressing for cleaner waterways, as well as preserving and protecting wild places and the wildlife that lives there.

We're delighted to share a big success that NWF helped secure in Washington recently — and some of the back story of what a duck stamp is, and why it matters to Pennsylvanians.
 
NWF CEO Collin O'Mara shared this piece with us, and I'd like to share it with all of you:

"The Senate recently passed H.R. 5069, the Federal Duck Stamp Act, which is a huge win for wildlife conservation. The bill increases the price of duck stamps from $15 to $25 and will generate additional dedicated funding for wetland conservation.

The National Wildlife Federation and our fantastic state affiliates strongly supported the price increase, as did the hunting community at large. The bill already passed the House so it is on to President Obama’s desk to be signed.

Duck stamps are licenses required for hunting migratory waterfowl and also serve as an entrance pass for national wildlife refuges and are bought by hunters and birders alike. More importantly, these stamps are one of the most critical tools for the conservation of wetlands, wildlife, and natural resources—ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated goes directly to purchase or lease wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System. (Pennsylvania has three national refuges: John Heinz, Cherry Valley, and Erie.)

National Wildlife Federation’s founder J.N. “Ding” Darling conceived of the idea of using Duck Stamps to raise money for the purchase of wetlands and he also illustrated the very first stamp. It's a great example of conservationists coming together to fund critical conservation (the North American conservation model in action). Since 1934, over $800 million has been generated to preserve over 6 million acres of critical wetlands habitat in the United States as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Wildlife refuges not only serve as habitat for ducks and geese, but they provide countless benefits such as flood mitigation, water filtration, and habitat for more than 700 bird species, 220 mammals, 250 reptiles and amphibians, more than 1,000 fish species, and one-third of endangered or threatened species. Refuge visitor spending also generates billions of dollars every year for local communities.

As the Duck Stamp celebrates its 80th anniversary, its buying power has never been lower. The price of the Duck Stamp was last increased 23 years ago in 1991, and since then the price of land has tripled. Even though this bill does restrict the revenue generated from the $10 increase from being direct to fee-title land acquisition, the base price of $15 can still be used for land acquisition and the extra revenue can be used for conservation easements.

At a difficult political time in Washington, we're delighted to see this renewed source of funding for wetlands across the country."

Collin O'Mara is the President and CEO of National Wildlife Federation, and is based in Reston, VA. Follow him @Collin_OMara.

Proposal will protect water (yours and mine) nationwide

Clean water is important.  If you agree, click here.  End of post.

Just kidding! Our communications director would never let me get away with a two-sentence blog post so I’ll elaborate. Keep in mind, however, that my message today is painfully simple: Clean water is important and if you agree, you need to speak up.

Water is important to everyone, every day -- for drinking, bathing, fishing, and swimming.  Businesses and agriculture need it, too. So it might surprise you that over half of all streams and millions of acres of wetlands across the country are lacking clear federal protections from pollution (the reasons why have been discussed on this blog previously). This lack of protection puts the drinking water of 117 million Americans, including 8 million Pennsylvanians, at risk.

Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have a proposal that will clarify and strengthen protections for vital upstream headwaters that provide clean water to all of us downstream. EPA’s proposal is important so if you agree, please let them know. Now. And thanks!

Jennifer Quinn is central Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Harrisburg. She tweets @QuinnJen1.

Nature by the numbers

Spring is finally here and, for a lot of us, that means spending time outdoors -- fishing, hiking, hunting, paddling, birding, or simply enjoying nature. Here at PennFuture, we work hard to safeguard the natural world, not just because we enjoy spending time in Penn’s Woods but because the natural world provides us with valuable economic activity and ecosystem services.

Almost 50 percent of American adults participated in some type of outdoor recreation in 2011, spending $645.6 billion and generating $1.6 trillion of economic activity. These monies are spent on gear, equipment, trips, and travel-related expenses. Outdoor recreation, on a national scale, also generates 6.1 million direct jobs and $39.9 billion in federal tax revenue.  In Pennsylvania, the numbers are just as impressive, with at least 53 percent of the state's residents participating in outdoor activities, spending $21.5 billion and generating 219,000 direct jobs, $7.2 billion in wages and salaries, and $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue. And this is just the value of fun!

The natural world also supplies manufacturing companies with 9 trillion gallons of fresh water every year, and the beverage industry uses more than 12 billion gallons of water annually to produce $58 billion worth of products. Equally impressive is the fact that the wetlands on which we recreate have the ability to reduce flooding, filter pollution, provide habitat for wildlife, and recharge groundwater. It's worth noting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) values the average per acre benefit of wetlands to be $193,000. 

So, next time the weather’s nice, lace up that new pair of boots and take a hike, or head down to the river for some fishing, and do your part to bolster economic activity.

Jennifer Quinn is the central Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture. She specializes in water quality issues.

EPA rule will protect water resources nationwide

On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers jointly released a proposed rule that would clarify the muddied jurisdictional waters of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and restore Clean Water Act protections to countless streams and wetlands throughout the Commonwealth and the nation.

The scope of the Clean Water Act was intended to be as broad as its purpose: “To restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters” with a national goal of all waters being fishable and swimmable. Over the past decade, however, two Supreme Court decisions have reduced protections and caused confusion about which waters and wetlands are protected by the Clean Water Act.

Specifically, the proposed rule clarifies that under the Clean Water Act and based on the science:

•              Most seasonal and rain dependent streams are protected.

•              Wetlands near rivers and streams are protected.

•              Other types of waters may have more uncertain connections with downstream water, and protection will be evaluated through a case specific analysis.

Streams and wetlands provide numerous benefits to communities, including reduced flooding, recharge of groundwater, removal of pollution, and habitat for fish and wildlife. Roughly 58 percent of stream miles in Pennsylvania only flow seasonally or after rainfall, and over 8 million Pennsylvanians get their drinking water from systems that rely, at least in part, on these streams.

This rule does not broaden the reach of the EPA or expand the scope of waters historically protected under the CWA. Instead, the proposed rule clarifies protections for about two million miles of streams and 20 million acres of wetlands based on sound science. Once finalized, this rule will provide greater long-term certainty for landowners and protect the streams, wetlands and other waters that feed our nation’s rivers, lakes, and bays. Visit www2.epa.gov/uswaters to learn more about the rule and how you can provide comments.

Jen Quinn is central Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Harrisburg.