USVI Public Records

Document text

VI NPS UPDATE Nonpoint Source Pollution Committee Newsletter Vol. 7, No. 3 October 2005 The V.I. Celebrates Coastweeks! The V.I. is again participating in the largest beach cleanup in the world. Locally known as Coastweeks, the cleanup is a three-week event where hundreds of volunteers work to clean beaches and collect data on marine debris. “In addition to getting the beaches clean and collecting data on marine debris, Coastweeks increases public awareness about the problem of marine debris” reports Marcia Taylor, Coastweeks Coordinator on St. Croix. “Half-way through Coastweeks, I have already given presentations about the problem of marine debris to about 200 children who are participating in cleanups.” During the cleanups each piece of trash is recorded on a data card. This data is summarized locally and globally. Trends on marine debris are presented to policy makers and managers so that they can implement marine debris control measures. This year, 24 cleanups have taken place or will take place on St. Croix with the help of over 600 volunteers. Many groups are from St. Croix schools, such as St. Mary’s School, Country Day School, Good Hope School, St. Croix Educational Complex, Ricardo Richards Elementary School, AZ Academy, Alexander Henderson Elementary School, UVI, Juanita Gardine Elementary School, and Elena Christian Jr. High School. However, many non- profits, community groups and businesses, such as Ameri- corps volunteers, the Girl Scouts, the Hiking Association, VI PACE runners, Dive Experience, The Nature Conser- vancy, St. Croix Environmental Association, and the V.I. Waste Management Authority have also participated. The St. Thomas/St. John Coordinator, Elizabeth Ban, reported that there are about 20 beach cleanups happening in that district. The Friends of the National Park has been instrumental in organizing several cleanups around St. John. The Jr. ROTC at Eudora Kean High School has been doing cleanups for several years and has a class project to analyze and identify trends at their site. The volunteers participating in Coast- weeks are helping to solve the global marine debris problem. Marine debris affects our economy, our health and our marine life. This event is sponsored by The Ocean Conservancy and orga- nized locally by the UVI Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service, in conjunc- tion with the V.I. Waste Management Authority and the DPNR Coastal Zone Management Program. If you have any questions about Coastweeks, or want to get involved, contact Marcia Taylor, UVI St. Croix, at 340-692-4046 or mtaylor@uvi.edu, Elizabeth Ban, UVI St. Thomas, at 340-693-1392 or eban@uvi.edu, or Lillian Moolenaar, DPNR-CZM, at 340-774-3320 or lillian.moolenaar@viczmp.com. Register Now for the 9th V.I. NPS Conference The V.I. Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference Planning Committee in- vites the Virgin Islands community to register to attend the 9th V.I. Non- point Source Pollution Conference: “Preventing Pollution in the Carib- bean: Reshaping Our Communities for the Future.” The conference will be held November 28-30, 2005, at the Westin St. John Resort & Villas. The Conference will feature presenta- tions that focus on implementing or adapting new or proven practices to reduce or prevent pollution of terrestrial and marine environments in the Carib- bean. Technical presentation sessions include Coastal Management, Land Use /Island Planning, Low-Impact Develop- ment, Nonpoint Source Education & Outreach, and Watershed Manage- ment. There will also be a Youth Session & T-Shirt Design Contest and Tours of Coral Bay and the V.I. Environmental Resource Station (VIERS). Afternoon Technical Training Seminars on GIS and Remote Sensing and Septic System Compliance will be conducted as well. The early registration deadline is Octo- ber 26, 2005. The Conference Regi- stration form; lists of oral & poster presentations, seminars & exhibits; and details on hotel registration and hotel & local amenities can be found at www.usvircd.org/NPSconf.html. For registration details, contact Vanessa Peter, DPNR-DEP, at (340) 773-1082 or peter.vanessa@vidpnr-dep.org. What is a TMDL? The DPNR Division of Environmental Protection is implementing a new pro- gram called TMDLs. TMDL stands for Total Maximum Daily Load. A TMDL is the highest, total amount of a pollutant that a waterbody (bay, estuary, coastal water) can receive and still meet its “Water Quality Stan- dards.” It is also the study necessary to establish an acceptable level of pollu- tion for a waterbody, and to allocate the “allowable” amount of pollution among contributing sources. TMDLs are developed by: conducting quarterly water quality monitoring of Virgin Islands’ bays and coastal waters; using the monitoring data to identify impaired waterbodies; developing limits or TMDLs for pollutants of concern in those impaired waters; and implemen- ting practices to reduce the pollutants of concern in those impaired waterbodies to ensure that water quality is restored. Table of Contents The VI Celebrates Coastweeks! . . . . . 1 Register Now for the 9th V.I. NPS Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What is a TMDL? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 USDA Regional Water Quality Program 2 EPA Cites Christiansted Cleaner for Hazardous Waste Violations . . . . . . . 2 EPA & VIWMA Agree to Anguilla Landfill Scrap Area Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Web Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Available Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Ricardo Richards students clean up St. Croix’s Ha’Penny Beach on September 17, 2005. TMDLs that Have Been Approved in the V.I. TMDL Waterbody TMDL Impairment TMDL Established Benner Bay Dissolved Oxygen Sept 30, 2003 Benner Bay Lagoon Marina Dissolved Oxygen Sept 30, 2003 Mangrove Lagoon BOD Sept 30, 2003 Salt River Bay Dissolved Oxygen Sept 24, 2004 Salt River Lagoon, Marina Dissolved Oxygen Sept 24, 2004 Salt River Lagoon, Sugar Bay Dissolved Oxygen Sept 24, 2004 The public should expect the following results from the DPNR TMDL Program: • Increased monitoring in TMDL-impaired watersheds and adjoining waterbodies. • TMDL implementation, including 319- funded projects in impaired watersheds and adjoining waterbodies. • Increased and more stringent enforcement actions in TMDL watersheds and adjoining waterbodies. For more information about DPNR’s TMDL program, contact Anita Nibbs, TMDL Coordi- nator, at 340-773-1082 or nibbs.anita@vidpnr- dep.org, or Amanda Sackey, Environmental Specialist, at 340-773-1082 or sackey.amanda@vidpnr-dep.org. USDA Regional Water Quality Program Nonpoint source pollution control and preven- tion in the US Virgin Islands is supported by the USDA Regional Water Quality Program (Regional Program). The Regional Program is a partnership between the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the three other Land Grant Universities within EPA Region 2 (Cornell University, Rutgers University and the University of Puerto Rico). The Regional Program supports the UVI Cooperative Extension Service (CES) Water Quality Program, and facilitates partnerships between UVI faculty and staff and other program participants to address critical water quality issues facing the Virgin Islands and the entire region. Surprisingly, many of the water quality issues in the Virgin Islands are also concerns in other parts of Region 2, and nationally. These prob- lems may manifest differently in a coastal com- munity on St. Thomas than in suburban New Jersey or in the Adirondack Park of upstate New York. However, the lessons learned, techniques applied and skills developed can be shared among professionals from all of these areas, strengthening our collective abilities. For example, collaboration on onsite waste- water treatment system (septic system) man- agement has resulted in information sharing on innovative management approaches and tech- nologies, participation in local demonstration projects in New Jersey, and training sessions for governmental officials and industry repre- sentatives in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Similar results have been achieved in animal waste management to reduce the impact of runoff on surface and ground water in farming communities. This year, the Regional Program will be coor- dinated through Rutgers University, with funding from USDA-CSREES, supplemented by EPA to support the Interagency Liaison in the EPA Region 2 offices in New York City. The priority will be to develop work groups for four regional initiatives to address key water resource issues facing the region: 1. Animal waste management for small farms; 2. Onsite wastewater treatment system management; 3. Nutrient management; and 4. Watershed management, including water conservation and agricultural water management. For further information about the Regional Water Quality Program, contact Kofi Boateng, UVI-CES Water Quality Coordinator, at 340- 692-4066 or kboaten@uvi.edu; Chris Obropta, Regional Program Coordinator, at 732-932-4917 obropta@envsci.rutgers.edu; or Jeff Potent, Interagency Liaison, at 212-637- 3857 or potent.jeffrey@epa.gov. EPA Cites Christiansted Cleaner for Hazardous Waste Violations The U.S. EPA has cited Tropical Cleaners and Launderers, Inc. on King Cross Street in Christiansted, USVI, and its owner/ operator Krisendat Bhola, for violating federal rules governing the identification, handling and dis- posal of hazardous waste. EPA is seeking a $30,329 penalty for the violations. “Dry-cleaners provide a valuable service to the public, although the hazardous materials they use in their processing pose potential risks to people and the environment,” said Acting EPA Regional Admin- istrator Kathleen C. Callahan. “It is essential that they be vigilant in complying with regulations that protect people and the environment from exposure.” On September 10, 2004, EPA inspected the facility for compliance with Resource Conser- vation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations. The Agency determined that the facility and its operator/owner failed to properly designate its solvent wastes as hazardous wastes; treated, stored and disposed of its hazardous wastes without a permit; and failed to minimize the possibility of a fire or hazardous waste release into the environment by mishandling these materials. Leaks of these materials can also contaminate ground water and cause respira- tory problems for workers. In addition, the facility improperly handled and disposed of fluorescent light bulbs, which contain the known neurotoxin, mercury, as municipal waste. Mercury can be released into the environment when fluorescent bulbs are crushed during disposal. However, fluorescent light bulbs can be recycled, which is preferred. Tropical Cleaners and its owner/operator can request a hearing to contest the allegations in the complaint, enter settlement discussions, and present documented proof of compliance with RCRA and all other applicable federal environmental regulations. For more information on the proper disposal of mercury-containing bulbs in the USVI, contact John Green, Director of Environmental Pro- grams, V.I. Waste Management Authority, at 340-773-4489. For information on hazardous waste handling requirements, visit www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/hazwaste.htm. EPA & VIWMA Agree to Anguilla Landfill Scrap Area Cleanup EPA, the Virgin Islands government, and the V.I. Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) have reached an agreement that will improve conditions at a scrap area open dump alongside the Anguilla Municipal Solid Waste Landfill in St. Croix. The agreement, in the form of an Administrative Order on Consent, will not be finalized until the public has the opportunity to review and provide comment on it. The agree- ment calls for the Virgin Islands to remove all scrap metal and other waste materials at the site, clean up any contaminated soil that may be discovered and restore the area. “This open dump poses a potential threat to people’s health and the environment,” EPA Regional Administrator Alan J. Steinberg said. “The solu- tion is a comprehensive cleanup conducted in an expeditious manner with EPA oversight, which this proposed order will provide.” Under the agreement, in addition to the clean- up of materials and soil, the V.I. government must develop a territory-wide plan for the future management of scrap metal and other waste materials. If either the government or VIWMA fails to carry out the requirements of the final agreement, they will be liable for penalties. For more information, contact Jim Casey, US EPA Virgin Islands Field Office, at 340-714-2333 or casey.jim@epa.gov. Web Resources EPA has unveiled a new Nonpoint Source Success Stories website. The website features projects receiving grant funds from the section 319 program that have achieved documented water quality improvements. Stories also demonstrate innovative strategies used to reduce non-point source pollution, the growth of partnerships, and diversity of funding sources. Access this website through a link at the top of the Nonpoint Source homepage at www.epa.gov/owow/nps. EPA has released Community-Based Watershed Management: Lessons from the National Estuary Program to address questions about managing pollution runoff, increasing wildlife habitat and controlling invasive species in the nation’s estuaries. The document’s principles and examples are relevant to any organization involved in watershed management. For details, visit www.epa.gov/owow/estuaries/nepprimer/. EPA has published the National Management Measures to Protect and Restore Wetlands and Riparian Areas for the Abatement of Nonpoint Source Pollution. The guidance provides back- ground information about NPS pollution, including where it comes from and how it enters the nation’s waters; discusses the broad concept of assessing and addressing water quality problems on a watershed level; and presents recent technical information about how certain types of NPS pollution can be reduced effectively through the implementation of these management measures. For details, visit www.epa.gov/owow/nps/wetmeasures/. Managing Your Environmental Responsibil- ities: A Planning Guide for Construction and Development is designed to help construction industry professionals understand, plan for and comply with environmental regulations. The two- part Guide includes a planning guide and case studies and self-audit checklists on topics from asbestos to storm water. To download it, visit www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publicati ons/assistance/sectors/constructmyer.html. FREE printed copies are available from EPA’s National Service Center for Environmental Publications (EPA document number 305) at http://yosemite.epa.gov/ncepihom/nsCatalog. nsf/SearchPubs?OpenForm&CartID=9657- 113711. NOAA has released their national study of U.S. coral reef ecosystems “The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2005.” The nation’s coral reef ecosystems continue to face numerous stressors from both natural and human sources, including over-fishing, disease, pollution and cli- mate change according to a new national assess- ment of the condition of U.S. shallow coral reef ecosystems. The report details coral reef conditions in the USVI, Puerto Rico, Florida, Hawaii, American Samoa, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, the Northern Marianas, Guam and P a l a u . F o r d e t a i l s , v i s i t http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coralree f/coral_report_2005/. Smart Growth America has released “Choosing Our Community’s Future,” a guidebook devel- oped to assist communities in shaping the growth and development of their neighborhoods, towns and regions. For details, visit http://sgusa.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagen ame=guidebook. The Trust for Public Land, in cooperation with the Land Trust Alliance, has produced a revised and expanded version of The Conservation Easement Handbook, a resource for land conservation professionals developing a conservation easement program to meet local acquisition needs. To order, visit www.lta.org/publications/CEHorder.htm. Growing Smarter at the Edge, a new publication from the Sonoran Institute, reviews and evaluates urban edge development associated with large-scale planned communities, or master-planned commu- nities. The report details lessons learned from successful, master-planned communities throughout the West. The publication is available online at www.sonoran.org/programs/growingsmarter.ht ml. Available Grants The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation provides support to nonprofit, grassroots organizations throughout the United States to facilitate progressive social change by addressing the underlying conditions of societal and environmental problems. Grant appli- cants should demonstrate that their projects will: lead to societal, institutional, and/or environ- mental change; address the root causes of social or environmental problems; and lead to new ways of thinking and acting. Applications are accepted throughout the year. For application guidelines, visit www.benjerry.com/foundation. Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program. EPA, states, territories, and tribes are collaborating to develop a nationwide Environmental Information Exchange Network. This grant program includes the standardization, exchange and integration of geospatial information to address environmental, natural resource, and related human-health issues. The application deadline is November 21, 2005. For details, visit www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/grants/FY200 6.pdf. Environmental Marketing Grants. Temper of The Times Foundation promotes the use of standard marketing concepts to increase environmental awareness. The Foundation provides funds to underwrite advertising designed to promote the conservation and restoration of native wildlife, plants, and ecosystems in the United States. Grants may be used to produce print, radio, or television ads, to pay for advertising space or airtime, or to produce or distribute pamphlets, books, videos, or press packets. The annual application deadline is October 15. Visit www.temperfund.org for details. Green Communities Initiative Grants. The Green Communities Initiative seeks to transform the way communities think about, design, and build affordable homes. The Initiative offers grants to help cover the costs of planning and implemen- ting green components of affordable housing pro- jects, as well as tracking their costs and benefits. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Visit www.greencommunitiesonline.org/about-essen tials-grants.asp for details. The Fund for Wild Nature provides grants to grassroots organizations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for campaigns to save and restore native species and wild ecosystems, inclu- ding actions to defend wilderness and biological diversity. Small grassroots groups that may not be able to get funding from other more mainstream foundations are a priority. Grants are available for advocacy, litigation, public policy work, develop- ment of citizen science, and similar endeavors. The next application deadline is November 4, 2005. For application guidelines and forms, visit www.fundwildnature.org. Neotropical Migratory Bird Grants. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is soliciting project pro- posals from conservation partnerships for activities that will foster sustainable, effective, long-term programs to conserve neotropical migratory birds. Conservation is defined as: protection and manage- ment of neotropical migratory bird populations; maintenance, management, protection, and restoration of habitats of these birds; research and monitoring; law enforcement; and community outreach and education. The grant application deadline is December 1, 2005. For details, visit www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Nmbca/eng_neo.htm. NOAA Community-based Marine Debris Pre- vention and Removal Project Grants. NOAA is soliciting project applications to implement locally driven, community-based marine debris preven- tion and removal projects that will benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and NOAA trust resources, including anadromous fish. Projects funded should have strong on-the-ground habitat components involving the removal of marine debris and derelict fishing gear that will provide educational and social benefits for people and their communities in addition to long-term ecological habitat improve- ments for NOAA trust resources. The grant appli- cation deadline is December 12, 2005. Visit www.fedgrants.gov/EPSData/DOC/Synopses/ 1250/NMFS-HCPO-2006-2000351/Revise%2 6%23032%3BFFO%26%23032%3BMarine%2 6%23032%3BDebris.pdf for details. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grants. NOAA is offering grants to provide financial assistance for international coral reef conservation projects. The Program is soliciting proposals under four funding categories: 1) Promote watershed management in Printed on Recycled Paper with Soy Ink. To have your article, announcement or activity included in VI NPS Update, please mail, fax or email your submission to the Editor at: VI NPS Update, c/o VI Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., 5030 Anchor Way, Suite 2, Gallows Bay, Christiansted, VI 00820, fax (340) 692-9607, email: vircd@usvircd.org. VI NPS Update mail-in coupon. G YES, please add me to the VI NPS Update mailing list. G Please change my address. Name: Organization: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone/Fax: Email/Website: Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution results from rain water flowing over and through the ground, picking up pollutants and depositing them into guts, salt ponds, beaches, coastal waters, and ground water. Editor & Designer: Julie Wright, USDA-NRCS Reviewers: Rudy G. O’Reilly, Jr., USDA-NRCS, Bill Rohring, DPNR-CZM, Dr. Robin Sterns, UVI, Syed Syedali, DPNR-DEP, Marcia Taylor, UVI-VIMAS, Toni Thomas, UVI-CES the Wider Caribbean, etc.; 2) Regional enhance- ment of marine protected area management effec- tiveness; 3) Encourage development of national systems of marine protected areas in the Wider Caribbean, etc.; and 4) Promote regional socio- economic training and monitoring in coral reef management in the Wider Caribbean, etc. Pre- applications must be received by NOAA November 15, 2005. Visit http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/ for details. Toyota TAPESTRY Grants, administered by the National Science Teachers Association, support K-12 science teachers in the United States and U.S. Territories. Grants will be awarded in three categories: Environmental Science Education; Physical Science Applications; and Literacy and Science Education. Elementary, middle and high school science teachers are eligible. The applica- tion deadline is January 19, 2006. For details, visit www.nsta.org/programs/tapestry/program.htm. Upcoming Events Local October 16-21, 2005. 24th Annual International Submerged Lands Management Conference, Westin Resort & Villas, St. John. Contact DPNR- CZM at 340-774-3320 for details. November 19-20, 2005. St. Thomas - St. John Agri- culture & Food Fair, UVI Reichhold Center grounds. Contact Carlos Robles at 340-693-1083 or crobles@uvi.edu for details. November 28-30, 2005. 9th V.I. Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference, Westin St. John Resort & Villas, USVI. For details, visit www.usvircd.org/NPSconf.html. December 1, 2005. V.I. RC&D Annual Business Meeting, Westin St. John Resort & Villas, USVI. Contact the V.I. RC&D office at 340-692-9632 x. 5 for details. National October 17-20, 2005. NPS/Stormwater Outreach and Education Conference, Chicago, IL. For details, visit www.epa.gov/npdes/training. October 29 - November 2, 2005. WEFTEC 05: Water Environment Federation’s 78th Annual Technical Exhibition & Conference, Washington, DC. For details, visit www.weftec.org. November 17-18, 2005. 2005 National Urban Forest Conference, Charlotte, NC. For details, visit www.americanforests.org/conference. January 26-28, 2006. Fifth Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference, Denver, CO. Visit www.outreach.psu.edu/programs/smartgrowth/ CFP.html for details. February 20-24, 2006. International Erosion Control Association Conference: Environmental Connection 2006, Long Beach, CA. For details, visit www.ieca.org. VI NPS Update is a quarterly newsletter published by the Virgin Islands Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. for the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service, Kwame Garcia, State Director, and produced by the Virgin Islands Nonpoint Source Pollution Committee to inform the public about projects funded by U.S. EPA Nonpoint Source Pollution Management (§319) grants and other NPS pollution control/prevention projects in the territory, and to provide information and material regarding the control/prevention of NPS pollution. No endorsement of products or firms is intended, nor is criticism implied of those not mentioned. Issued by the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in furtherance of the acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension programs and policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on non- discrimination regarding race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability or gender preference. Funding for VI NPS Update provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program through the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Dean C. Plaskett, Esq., Commissioner.