Have you ever wondered how much rainfall you received from a thunderstorm? How about snowfall during a winter storm? If so then a new volunteer weather observing program needs your help! The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow network, or CoCoRaHS, is looking for new volunteers. The grassroots effort is part of a growing national network of home-based and amateur rain spotters with a goal of providing a high density precipitation network that will supplement existing observations.Observations are immediately available on maps and reports for the public to view. For more information, Click Here.

Potomac Watershed Partnership Info Exchange- December 11, 2012

 Frank Rogers, Cacapon Institute

You are invited! Learn what is happening across the Potomac Basin and share what your organization is working on. PWP Information Exchanges are open to the public. Watershed volunteers and public officials are encouraged to attend.

The Chesapeake Bay TMDL Tracking and Accounting System (BayTAS) was developed to inform EPA, the Bay Jurisdictions, and the public on progress in implementing the Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (Bay TMDL). Future versions of BayTAS will include reporting of Best Management Practice (BMP) implementation and verification. Click Here to Check out WV's Progress!

   Greetings! West Virginia's Tributary Strategy Team has shifted its focus towards implementation of positive water quality practices since the acceptance of the Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan by US EPA. This quarterly newsletter will highlight several of the proactive steps landowners, watershed associations, agencies and local entities are taking to make water quality improvements.

One of the most difficult aspects of implementation in these economically challenging times is often convincing stakeholders to spend the dollars necessary to make the improvements. By focusing on local water quality impacts and economic returns, the challenge becomes a bit easier. Farmers in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia have long been good stewards of the land they farm. With the assistance of the local conservation district, they are becoming more receptive to cover cropping in the winter. WVU Extension Service and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service are in the process of a series of educational cover crop meetings throughout the drainage to demonstrate the long term benefits of this practice. Our watershed associations continue to reach out to communities to spread public awareness of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution. It has been exciting to watch the progress and receive updates as the new Moorefield Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant continues construction. The local water quality improvements will be immediate the day this new system goes online.

   We encourage you to stay engaged in the process as West Virginia works to carry out the goals outlined in the final Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) for the Chesapeake Total Maximum Daily Load. If you are interested in becoming involved or learning more about these ongoing activities, or if you are looking for a speaker for your organization, please contact Alana Hartman, WVDEP Potomac Basin Coordinator at 304.822.7266 or alana.c.hartman@wv.gov.

Construction of the Moorefield Wastewater Treatment Plant

   After over a decade of planning, the new Moorefield Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant is well underway with construction and will soon become a reality. Upon completion, it will be a significant nutrient reduction practice for West Virginia in meeting the Chesapeake Bay pollution control mandates. Lucas Gagnon, Town of Moorefield Public Works Director, stated, "Not only will we be making significant strides in meeting WV's TMDL, we will also be improving local water quality.  At start up, this plant will reduce total nitrogen loading by 90,000 pounds per year and total phosphorus by 93,000 pounds per year. This equates to a 32.3% reduction for total nitrogen and a 59.6% reduction for total phosphorus for the 2017 Bay Program goal. It will result in a 21.2% reduction for total nitrogen and a 34.2% reduction for total phosphorus for the 2025 goal. These reductions are based upon both the point and non-point source requirements." This is welcome news for the stakeholders of West Virginia who have been involved in the process of developing a watershed implementation plan to reduce nutrients and sediment from entering local waterways. For the full article and more information click here. 

Poultry Operations may classify as a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation

   In 2001, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to regulate Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) under the Clean Water Act that defines CAFOs as a point source. On November 20, 2008, the EPA signed the CAFO regulation into federal law. In 2009, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) signed West Virginia's CAFO regulation into state law (47 CFR Series 10). On July 1st, 2010, the regulation became effective in West Virginia. 

   During the week of June 13-17, 2011, WVDA staff was involved in CAFO inspection training. Representatives from EPA Region III were in West Virginia conducting inspection training for WVDEP. Five poultry operations were selected for inspection from information gathered during flyovers on November 9-10, 2010. The inspections were performed by the EPA with WVDEP, West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA), WVU Extension, and company integrators in attendance.

   The WVDA staff will continue to work with producers to help them achieve their yield goals while ensuring compliance with WVDEP and EPA's CAFO rules and regulations. For more info, click here. 

The Elks Run Watershed Project will incorporate cost share on septic repair and replacement to reach its reduction goal in fecal coliform.

   Elks Run and its major tributary, Elk Branch, located in Jefferson County, were listed on the 303(d) list as impaired for biological criteria and fecal coliform bacteria. The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Selected Streams in the Potomac Direct Drains Watershed, West Virginia (January 2008) addressed these impairments for Elks Run and Elk Branch. It linked the biological impairment to organic enrichment and sedimentation, and prescribed fecal coliform and sediment load reductions from various sources in each of its 11 subwatersheds.

In 2011, WVCA received 319 funding for an incremental project in the Elks Run watershed in Jefferson County, WV. This project is intended to reduce fecal coliform and sediment loads in Elks Run watershed, Jefferson County, WV. The fecal coliform reduction goal is 7.67x1013 counts/year, through repair or replacement of 12 onsite sewage systems (septic systems). This grant offers cost share opportunities of 50% up to $3,000 to upgrade or repair Class I septic systems, and will cost share 50% up to $4,000 for Class II systems.

For more information, click here. 

Brush Busters Chris Martin, Brittany Callaham, Steven Niethamer & Jack Markham

   Brittany Callaham is not afraid to get her hands dirty. With her team of Brush Busters, she battles invasive plants that are choking out native species on the Sugar Grove Naval Base, located in Pendleton County, where she resides with her husband.

   A skilled entomologist with a passion for fighting weeds, the California native formed a group of hands-on weed warriors. With the help of Navy volunteers and the guidance of Environmental and Natural Resources Programs Director, Steven Niethamer, Brittany's Brush Busters were born.

Callaham's first offensive against the invasive plants took place on the most overgrown location on base. She recruited volunteers at orientation and through the base's POW, or Plan of the Week, which is read by all stationed Navy personnel. Brittany's Brush Busters have received a small, yet dedicated, turnout to her weekly event. She hopes that more people will join her to fight against non-native species, as they come to understand that invasive plants have serious impact on local flora and fauna diversity. For more information Click here.