B e r k s C o u n

B e r k s C o u n t y C o n s e r va t i o n D i s t r i c t V o lu m e 5 , Is su e 2 June 2004 ELEMENTS NEWSLETTER OF THE BERKS COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT “Dedicated to the encouragement and instruction of the wise stewardship of the soils and waters of Berks County so that present and future generations may have healthy land to live and work on and clean water for drinking and recreation” INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Earth Day Activities Staff Updates Annual Banquet Senior Envirothon Junior Envirothon Chocolate Milk, Anyone? Nutrient Management Grant for Farmers Kids Korner Food Process Residuals Mushroom Composting New Stormwater Workshop Offered 1& 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 Conservation District Employees—Spread Across the County for Earth Day! The Berks County Conservation District had a full plate for this year’s Earth Day. Requests were made from all over the County for the Conservation District’s assistance in projects. Nearly half of the district employees were out and about educating the public about our natural resources and the importance of remembering that everyday is Earth Day. Daniel Boone Middle School Investigates Hay Creek! On April 22, 2004, a bus load of energetic middle school students pulled into the Birdsboro Rustic Picnic Area to examine the water quality of the Hay Creek. Being careful not to disturb the trout fishermen, the students split into two groups. With the assistance of Chip Karasin (Hay Creek Watershed Association), Kristie Reccek (Berks County Conservancy), and Pamela Spayd (Berks County Conservation District) one group examined macroinvertebrates while the other collected chemical water quality data. Daniel Boone Students taking water Calendar of Upcoming Events: • Schuylkill Action Network’s Ag /AMD Conservation Tour—June 11 • West Nile Virus Presentation - June 15 • Schoolyard Habitat Teacher Workshop—June 17 • WOW! - Wonders of Wetlands Teacher Workshop— June 22-23 • Conservation Tour—June 25 • Don Hartman Camp June 28-July 2 • Stormwater Workshop—July 29-30 • Healthy Water, Healthy People Teacher Workshop— August 5-6 • Reading Fair—August 9-13 • Kutztown Fair—August 16-20 During their monitoring, samples the student’s were visited by, Lori Reynolds and Richard Paiste, from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region III Office. The students explained their activities and the benefits of water quality monitoring to the EPA Officials. After the monitoring, the group picked up trash along the streambanks. It was a great day for the students to be outside and learn about their local stream! - Submitted by Pam Spayd Watershed Specialist, Pam Spayd, with Daniel Boone Middle Schoolers Oley Valley Hosts First Earth Day Celebration Aaron Clauser and Ryan Zerbe took part in the first Earth Day Celebration for the Oley Valley Middle School students held behind the Oley Valley High School. In participation were: David Brockmeier and Dan Lynch, PA Game Commission, and Pat Rettstadt, Jeremy Deysher, and Dr. Jim Howe, Oley Valley teachers. Among the stations were Water Quality and Stream Monitoring, Bird calls, Mammals, Forestry, and the station Aaron and Ryan presented, “West Nile Virus and Wetlands.” It was a beautiful day enjoyed by all and the students showed great enthusiasm in partaking of the hands-on outdoor experiences that were offered. (Continued on page 2) Page 2 V o lu m e 5 , Is s u e 2 (Earth Day Activities—Continued from page 1) BERKS COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT 1238 County Welfare Road Leesport, PA 19533-0520 www.bccd.org 610-372-4657 Fax: 610-478-7058 Cumru Elementary Celebrates Earth Day with Agriculture Assistant Manager Lyn O’Hare and all 600 students in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade spent Earth day exploring the in depth world of Agriculture. Dressed in their “grubbies” the students improved the school’s environmental “Courtyard”, which includes a pond that is home to 2 families of ducks by weeding flower beds, picking up trash, and mulching trees. After each class spent a half hour gardening, they rotated through various other agriculture-related activities, including a movie called “Tractors, Combines, and Things That Grow”, computer sessions on a virtual farm, and a presentation on Future Farmers of America, conducted by students from Twin Valley High School. Topics covered included Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Agriculture crops, and the many “hats” a farmer wears in everyday life. All of the participating parent volunteers and faculty members agreed that this year’s Earth Day celebration was a great success! - Submitted by Lyn O’Hare To round out the day, Brent Cammauf manned the District Display at the Kutztown University Earth Day. Staff John T. Ravert, District Manager Lyn O’Hare, Assistant Manager Traci Rhoads, Office Support III Sheila Nolan, Office Support II Vacant Ag. Conservation Technician Robert Hopkins Megan Feeser Kimberly Fies Brian Herber Entomological Suppression/Erosion Control Technician Erosion Control Specialist Conservation Specialist Erosion Control Technician Chesapeake Bay Technician Erosion Control Specialist Nutrient Management Specialist Environmental Technician Watershed Specialist Environmental Educator Board of Directors Larry Kehl, Chairman Glenn Seidel, Vice Chairman Mark Wolfskill, Treasurer Piper Sherburne, Public Member John T. Bicksler, Farmer Member John Smith, Public Member Judith Schwank, County Commissioner Member Curtis Bashore, Director Emeritus Associate Directors Jerry Berk Henry Bohn, Jr. Brian Boyer Leonard Good Donald Lacy Nick Lopata Joe Sebzda Herbert Wetzel William Zollers Ryan Zerbe Pamela Spayd Judith Smet-Weiss Don Reinert Bryon Ruhl Dane Huntzinger S TA F F U P D A T E S – O N T H E M O V E There will be many transitions in the weeks to come at the Conservation District. Several new faces will be around and some familiar ones may be hard to find. The following staff changes have been announced: • • • • Aaron Clauser, Entomological Suppression Technician, resigned in April taking the Conservation Program Coordinator position at the Schuylkill County Conservation District. Brent Cammauf, Agricultural Conservation Technician has resigned and taken the Soil Conservationist Position with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Although he’s moved on….It’s just across the hall. Robert Hopkins has been hired as the new Entomological Suppression/Erosion & Sediment Control Technician. Robert comes to us after helping create a West Nile Virus surveillance program at the University of Penn. Donald Reinert, Nutrient Management Specialist, announced he will retire in 2004. 2 0 0 4 A N N UA L B A N Q U E T — F O O D & F U N The Berks County Conservation District and the Farm Service Agency cosponsored their Annual Conservation Banquet on April 5, 2004 at the Agricultural Center in Bern Township. This year’s theme was “The Living Soil”, also the topic for the 2004 Soil and Water Stewardship Week this past May. At the banquet, the Conservation District honored Outstanding Conservation efforts in the agriculture and business communities. This year’s program also featured a presentation highlighting these conservation accomplishments in 2003, and a cooking program Chairman of the Board, Larry Kehl with conducted by Master of Ceremonies Roger Mallon. Addi- Steve Miller, Conservation Educator Winner tional entertainment was provided by Betty Naftsinger. The Conservation District is proud to announce this year’s award recipients: Conservation Farmer of the Year Conservation Educator of the Year Conservation Organization of the Year Urban Conservation Award Erosion & Sediment Control Award Conservation Media/Public Outreach Donald E. Burkholder, Pleasant Acre Farm Steve Miller, Conrad Weiser High School Tulpehocken Chapter of Trout Unlimited Berks Urban Greening Hunt Engineering Channel 69 – WFMZ Berks Edition These Berks County students also received scholarship assistance from the Conservation District: Board meetings are held on the last Wednesday of every month at 1:00 PM in the Agricultural Center. Amber Hallowell, Boyertown Area High School, $1000.00 Conservation Scholarship Jessica Bross, Tulpehocken High School, $1000.00 Conservation Scholarship Adam Serfass, Conrad Weiser High School, $250.00 Solon Phillips Memorial Fund Cynthia Wasser, Kutztown High School, $250.00 Solon Phillips Memorial Fund E l e m en ts Page 3 CONRAD WEISER WINS 7TH STRAIGHT ENVIROTHON!; ATTEMPTS TO BRING HOME B E R K S ’ F I R S T S TA T E T I T L E . On April 20th, nearly 100 Berks County students flooded the forests at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center. Sponsored by the Berks Conservation District, The 18th annual Berks County Envirothon was very successful with Conrad Weiser retaining the trophy for the 7th straight year. Nearly capturing the elusive trophy , Oley Valley’s team showed their strength and nipped at Conrad Weiser’s heels all day but came up 20 points short of a victory. Rounding out the top five respectively were Boyertown , Kutztown and Fleetwood High School. Congratulations to all the students, teams, advisors, resource professionals, and volunteers that participated. After Conrad Weiser’s win at the County level, they prepared for the State Envirothon competition held at the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown on May 24th & May 25th. After a difficult competition, Conrad Weiser represented Berks County very well by securing 5th place out of 64 teams. This was Berks County’s best placing at the State Competition. Great job CW! Had they won the State competition these students would have competed in West Virginia for the National Title and a chance at scholarships and prizes worth up to $3,000 towards college. The Conservation District wishes these astute seniors well in their future endeavors and as they enter the community as strong environmental stewards. Penn Crest High School from Delaware County won this year’s state competition. Pennsylvania has won 9 of the 17 National Envirothon competitions since the Envirothon was started in Pennsylvania in 1979. For Information about next year’s Envirothon, or how to get your school involved, contact Ryan Zerbe at 610-372-4657 x. 214 or by email at rzerbe@countyofberks.com JUNIOR ENVIROTHON—MAY 18TH 2004 The weather held off for another action packed day for students participating in the Junior Envirothon. Approximately 100 students came to Nolde Forest to test their skills and knowledge in the areas of Forestry, Soils & Land Use, Aquatics, and Wildlife. The Junior event prepares students for the original Senior High version and it doesn’t look like Conrad Weiser will have a problem replacing the strong group of seniors graduating from this year’s event. Conrad Weiser’s three teams placed 1st, 2nd, and 4th this past spring. The 2004 event was very close and proved a little more exciting as there were several ties. Conrad Weiser nearly swept the competition, if it were not for Kutztown Middle School’s team winning the tie-breaker “speed quiz” round. Lunch was provided for the students and everyone seems to enjoy this event in its 6th year of existence. Congratulations and thank you to all students & teams, volunteers, and advisors for participating and making the event happen. For Information about next year’s Junior Envirothon, or how to get your school involved, contact Ryan Zerbe at 610372-4657 x. 214 or by email at rzerbe@countyofberks.com Conrad Weiser’s Senior Winning Team: Brandon Stolz, Keith Lutz, Richard Hartlieb, Jennifer Huseman, Adam Serfass Conrad Weiser’s Junior Winning Team (L-R): Scott James, Erica Dreibelbis, Ryan Moraski, Alexandria Luzier, Cody Bechtel Page 4 V o l u m e 5 , Is s ue 2 CHOCOLATE MILK, ANYONE? Chocolate milk: Two words a construction contractor never wants to hear on the job, unless he's looking in his refrigerator. A project manager in Pennsylvania was plagued with chocolate milk, and it wasn't the kind your children ask for at dinner. He had sedimentation basins full of the rich, brown-colored water–runoff water containing large amounts of ultra-fine clay soil particles from a 100-ac.-plus construction site. Under scrutiny of both the county conservation district and state regulatory agency, it seemed that nothing the company tried caused the fine particles to settle from the water before it discharged from the sedimentation basins. The company had repeat violations for failing to— “prevent sediment or other pollutant discharge into waters of the Commonwealth." —“Got Milk?” What do you do when: A review of the soils information available for the project area reveals no obvious characteristics leading to problems with solids settling. A review of the E&S plan indicates that all erosion control structures were sized properly and located in accordance with existing standards. Most frustrating of all, site visits confirm that the structures were constructed per their approved design, yet there are still sediment-laden discharges from the construction site. The Districts E&S staff has learned of the use of polyacrylamides (flocculants) at a conference that was recently attended, suggesting the use of a chemical treatment to augment settling solids in the basins. Solid forms of polyacrylamides can be placed in drainage ditches to treat water as it flows into sediment traps and basins to improve solids settling. The water picks up small amounts of the chemical as it flows over the solid form of polyacrylamides, and by the time it reaches the basin, the chemical causes soil particles to begin to “flocculate”, or congregate and drop out, increasing the rate of settling in the basins. Polyacrylamides also come in a liquid form that is dispensed from a “drum” directly into the water above the basin. This process can be set up to dispense automatically when there is flow in a channel or pipe. Polyacrylamides can also be used as an in-situ soil stabilization – a very diluted solution of a flocculant can be sprayed onto areas of disturbed soil to help hold it in place. The water washing off of the treated area is noticeably clearer than the untreated area, having picked up fewer solids from the bare soil. With nature being unpredictable and site conditions frequently changing because of both the weather and ongoing construction activities, chemical addition to aid solids settling is not a cure-all for every E&S nightmare but this is just one more tool that can be used to protect our valuable water resources. Each site must be specifically evaluated to see if polyacrylamides can work and which type of application is best. Most suppliers will come out to the work site to take soil samples and work with the contractor to come up with the most cost-effective combination for the site. It has been documented that the use of polyacrylamides can reduce cost and better protect the environment. If you would like more information about polyacrylamides, contact the District for a list of suppliers in the area. - Submitted by Bryon Ruhl, as modified from July-August 2002 Edition of Erosion Control Magazine “ON TARGET FOR MANURE APPLICATION”— NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT SPREADER CALIBRATION PROGRAM Berks County Conservation District has been awarded a $5,000 Nutrient Management Grant to purchase portable scales that can be used to weigh manure spreader loads in the process of calibrating spreaders to apply the rate of manure that is specified in their nutrient management plans. The Conservation District in cooperation with Penn State Cooperative Extension, Berks County wrote a proposal for a grant entitled “On Target For Manure Application”. The grant has been received and requires the Conservation District to work with at least 10 farmers who produce solid manure and have nutrient management plans to develop a better understanding of the rate of application and the nutrient content of the manure being applied to their fields. In addition to the spreader calibration, manure samples will be taken and analyzed. There is also an option available to determine crop yields utilizing the portable scales. In September, letters were sent to sixty-three qualified farmers inviting them to volunteer to participate in this project. The goal was to have 10 farms selected by mid-September 2003. Fall and spring applications are weighed and sampled on each farm. While this project will conclude June 30, 2004, the calibration process will continue to be made available to interested parties after the project concludes. -Submitted by Don Reinert —“..So What’s Wrong with my Nutrients?” E l e m en ts Page 5 KID’S KO RNER NONPOINT POLLUTION Conservation Word Search See if you can find the following words in the word search to the right. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • NONPOINT SOURCE WATERSHED CONSERVATION WATER BMP SEDIMENT FERTILIZER RIPARIAN RUNOFF MONITORING ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION NUTRIENTS PESTICIDE XERISCAPE EROSION A N L O N O I T A V R E S N O C N P T W A T E R S H E D E E D T O U O A F E R T I L I Z E R I N N A T T D W Y P E S T I C I D E P I N R U O L O M K C P M A V M O R E N I T P L S B T L F N O N I D M B Y E M L T W U V H N C O N E I K F R N U D K A O I K M R T G D C F B R T W J S T R G D V S H E M O W G I S U O A E P J I O F S L N T C O R R I W D R T N U A W E U N D N I S M Z L H J E R I P A R I A N F L R H M P E T C O A G B C G A S N O I S O R E E P A C S I R E X C M F A J B W Insect Trivia 1) 2) What is the name of this insect? (hint: it was sleeping for a long time until this year) How many are on this tree? Which of the following below are/is a mosquito? 1) 2) 3) a b c Answers on page 8. Page 6 V o l u m e 5 , Is s ue 2 APPLYING F OOD PROCESSING R E S I D UA L S T O Y O U R C R O P L A N D . . . The use of Food Processing Residuals on cropland and hay ground has been taking place in Berks County for decades. Food processing residuals can be recycled as a soil conditioner or plant fertilizer. Soil conditioners are substances that produce chemical or physical changes in the soil to promote and support plant growth. Fertilizers contain essential plant nutrients. Agricultural utilization involves spreading FPRs at a rate that will improve soil properties for crop growth. The types of crops may range from agricultural fields crops to turf grass or event silvicultural crops. Benefits may include added nutrients, soil conditioning or pH adjustment. You can apply these materials annually as long as the cumulative loading of key parameters is below the maximum cutoff values established for pollutants and nutrients are applied in accordance with a nutrient management plan. Title 25, Chapter 91, Water Resources Regulations The use of food processing waste or food processing sludge in the course of normal farming operations does not require a permit form PADEP as certain operating requirements in the regulations are met and no pollution is caused by the activity (287.101(b)(2) of the Residual Waste Regulations Additional Technical Guidance “The Food Processing Residual Management Manual” SITE PREPARATION Site preparation includes accurately mapping the farms, establishing a conservation plan, soil sampling, and preparing a nutrient management plan. Maps should be a known scale with a north arrow and show the locations of streams, roads buildings and field boarders. The area of suitable application should also be identified on the maps. All application must be operated within the context of an implemented farm conservation plan. The conservation plan outlines the acceptable farming practices that minimize soil loss from the application site. A nutrient plan is a dynamic crop fertility management tool specially designed for the unique circumstances found in each field on the farm. The nutrient plan considers field fertility, the history of organic nutrients applied, the planned crop and all of the nutrient sources used to supply crop needs for the entire farm. SITE SELECTION General site criteria for agricultural utilization of FPRs Site Characteristic Slope 15%-20% with well established cover crop or adequate crop residue 20%-25% with subsurface injection Soil depth to bedrock Soil drainage Soil pH Depth to regional groundwater Suitable <15%(a) >20% >25% <20 inches to bedrock [ >12 inches](b) >20 inches to mottling [ >12 inches](b) Consistent with recommended crop requirement(b) >4 feet to regional groundwater <20 inches [ <12 inches](b) <20 inches [ <12 _inches](b) 15%(a) Unsuitable • • REGULATORY AUTHORITY Source: Based on PA DEP agricultural utilization guidelines and regulations contained in Title 25, Chapter 291. WEATHER CONDITIONS Land application when the field is frozen can occur when no storage capacity or other means of storage or disposal exists at the generation facility. During these conditions, the slopes at the land application area cannot exceed 3% and sufficient vegetation must exist to prevent runoff. E l e m en ts FPR—Continued from page 6. Page 7 RECORD KEEPING An annual report which compiles laboratory reports, daily operation logs, complaints, and any other management data collected throughout the year should be prepared. This document compiles annual information into one concise source. The annual report is your documentation that your land application program is conducted within the guidelines of this manual. This report, in addition to your current ongoing program files, contains all the information a regulator is likely to request if your facility is inspected. The annual report does not have to be submitted to PADEP, but it must be available for review upon request. A suggested outline for annual report preparation is shown. ANNUAL REPORT OUTLINE Report Body __Land application site general information (ID number, location, owners, operators, etc.) __Summary operational narrative (describing period of use, general land application goals, and accomplishments for year including crop yields if available). __Summary of FPR quantity applied (by field and totals). __Site map (indicating application field and dry tons applied). __Summary of FPR quality analyses (covering ranges and averages). __Summary of soil chemistry and/or fertility analyses. __Nutrient loading analysis summary (including estimated amounts of primary FPR nutrients supplied through the land application program by field and total) __Summary narrative of any complaints or special difficulties and how they were resolved. Appendices A. Daily FPR land application reports B. FPR analysis laboratory reports C. Soil analysis laboratory reports - Submitted by Kim Fies Required Isolation Distances for Agricultural Utilization of FPRs (ft) Site Feature Minimum Isolation Distance 50⊗ 300⊗ 300⊗ 1000 100 100 100 25 25 Property Line Occupied buildings Individual/Public water supply well Up gradient of a surface water source Intermittent/ Perennial streams Exceptional value wetlands Sinkhole or area draining to sink hole Perimeter of an undrained depression Bedrock outcrop Source: Based on PADEP Residual Waste Regulations, Title 25, Chapter 291. ⊗The listed isolation distances may be reduced with written permission of the site feature owner (i.e., adjacent property owner) INFORMATION CONCERNING MUSHROOM COMPOST Background:: All mushroom operations must now have an Environmental Management Plan. The documentation and record keeping of all “waste material” generated by the operation is a requirement of the plan. The date, volume, identity of the person taking the waste, and a brief description of the proposed use must be documented. There are two kinds of waste produced: Wastewater and Spent Substrate (Mushroom Soil) Mushroom Soil—must be stored and used in a manner that prevents groundwater degradation and surface water pollution. The guidelines below and on the table to the right explain the activities that are considered ‘Normal Farming Operations’. Normal Farming Operations allow for land application of compost if accounted for in a nutrient management plan and/or farm conservation plan • Amount: can only store amount that can be applied to the farm in a single year. • Time: must be spread within 180 days. • Application: At the agronomic rate according to a Nutrient Management Plan. (Most mushroom operations can give an estimated analysis for the material.) If compost is being stored for any reason other that land application on a farm, an entirely different set of rules applies. The application of wastewater also has limitations and requirements. Those can be obtained from the Berks County Conservation District. - Submitted by Kim Fies Information source: DEP document – Best Practices for Environmental Protection in the Mushroom Farm Community Chapter 5 – Management of Wastes from Mushroom Growing Operations Normal Farming Operations— Location: • • • • • • • Minimum 20” of high water table Minimum 300’ from Drinking Supply Minimum 300’ from Occupied Dwelling Minimum 100’ from Sinkhole, Wetland, Spring or Stream Slope of area must be considered. Vegetative cover must be considered. Maximum slope of 3% in winter – 12% in spring, summer and fall. Page 8 Berks County Conservation District 1238 County Welfare Road P. O. Box 520 Leesport, PA 19533 Visit Us on the Web: http://www.bccd.org “Dedicated to the encour agement and instr uctionof the w ise stewar dship of the soils and water s ofBerk s County so th present and futur e g ener ati ns may have healthy land to li e and work on and clean water for dr i k in andr ecr eation” at o v n g BERKS CO UNTY TO H OST INNOVATIVE STORMWATER WORKSHOP The Berks County Conservation District in cooperation with the Berks County Planning Commission have scheduled a free Innovative Stormwater Workshop partially funded through a grant from the Water Resources Education Network. This is a two-day workshop targeting engineering professionals and municipal officials in Berks County. The workshop dates are July 29th and 30th beginning at 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM in the auditorium of the Berks County Agricultural Center. Resource leaders in the subjects of infiltration and stormwater management practices will be presenting at the workshop. Day one is designed for the Engineering community and will cover the design and construction aspects of stormwater management. Villanova University ‘s Dr. Robert Traver will give an overview of the design process and describe some of the structures that are working on the campus—many have been functioning perfectly for over ten years. Engineers from F. X. Browne and Cahill Associates will be on hand to discuss design elements to reduce impervious areas and structures that infiltrate runoff generated from impervious areas already in place. Representatives from PA DEP will also be on hand to offer insight into the regulations and the MS4 process. Day two is designed specifically for the Municipal officials of Berks County’s 74 municipalities. F.X. Browne will explain how local ordinances can effect storm water management practices and offer suggestions to achieve a common ground foundation for ordinances while easing the process. DEP will explain requirements for stormwater management plans. DEP will also explain how local municipalities can assist in the common goals of protecting our environment and providing recharge for our groundwater systems. Borton-Lawson will update the group on the MS4 requirements and what the future of the program holds. The Green Valley Association will close the program by discussing how watershed-based planning can benefit all when municipalities work together rather than on an individual basis. The goal of the workshop is to educate both parties as to the options that are available in stormwater management planning and have them work together to solve current issues. After all, “We All Live Downstream”. For further information about the workshop contact Bryon Ruhl at 610372-4657 ext. 203 or check the District website for a brochure and registration information. - Submitted by Bryon Ruhl MS-4 Answers from page 5. 1.Cicadas 2. Alot 3. Only A is a mosquito. B is a cranefly and C is a midge. Midges & Craneflies do not have the mouthparts capable of biting humans.