May 2016 the RT Review
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Vol. 24, No. 2, May 2016 The RT Review RTENV.COM Providing Timely, Practical and Effective Environmental and Energy Services Since 1988 NEW RESEARCH COULD USHER IN AGE OF ’SMART’ BUFFERS In the Delaware River Basin, degraded water is often associated amounts of nitrogen entering streams (nitrogen loads) in the eastern with farming activities that contribute excess nutrients to waterways. United States. One management approach to intercept This is particularly the case in the Brandywine-Christina River Basin nitrogen before it enters streams is to restore riparian (riverside) of Chester and New Castle counties, which has one of the highest forest buffers. But one size does not fit all. Deciding where to restore buffers is 30-meter, Fixed-width Buffer 10-meter, Fixed-width Buffer & Variable-width Buffer challenging, partly because of large spatial variability in nitrogen removal. The effectiveness of buffers is largely con- trolled by the width of the buffer combined with the hydrology, or how water flows across the landscape. However, current restoration strategies typically do not consider hydrology, and they generally use fixed-width buffers. To guide restoration and conservation, we have developed a decision-support computer model. This model identifies the optimal locations for riparian forest buffers by considering hydrology. We have tested the model on the Brandywine-Christina River Basin. We are using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and we developed custom GIS routines. These model the flow of water and nitrogen across the landscape, and estimate the These maps show part of the West Branch of the Red Clay Creek in Pennsylvania. potential removal of nitrogen in riparian Together they illustrate how combining fixed-width and variable-fixed buffers requires less buffer areas to achieve the same reduction in nitrogen beds. forest buffers. Our GIS model can simulate different conservation scenarios, and we can calculate the amount of buffering needed to achieve desired reductions in nitrogen loads. The exciting aspect of our GIS model is that it allows us to compare different conservation strategies. This is important because riparian forest buffers have other benefits besides nitrogen removal. Planners may desire to have a minimum buffer width for these other ecosystem services, like stream temper- ature regulation and wildlife habitat. Using our model we can simulate alternative conservation strategies by combining a minimum fixed-width buffer with variable-width buffers. Our results show that using a variable-width buffer reduces the amount of area needed by 50%. This would be a major cost savings. The other exciting (continued on page 3 aspect of our model is TABLE OF CONTENTS that we can identify Staff and Project News . 2 optimal locations for Federal Updates . 4-7 innovative nutrient The West Branch of the White Clay Creek flows through a livestock pasture PA Updates . 8 outside New London, Pennsylvaia. Current recommendations call for forested reduction practices. We NJ Updates . 9 buffers no less than 100 feet wide. However, new research shows the benefits of are currently refining Technology Updates . 10 varying the width of thesebuffers, while lowering costs. our model and will RT Energy News . 4 & 6 Page 1 Vol. 24, No. 2, May 2016 RT STAFF AND PROJECT NEWS DIRECTORY Spring is turning out to be very busy for RT in In New Jersey, RT continues work at a signifi- Corporate Headquarters all three of our offices. We have a large increase cant number of LSRP sites, with an average of of projects in North Jersey, including the major three to four new LSRP sites coming in each 215 West Church Road Phillipsburg project which is getting underway as month. A number of the sites involve solar ener- King of Prussia, PA 19406 approvals are received to proceed with site gy facilities, most of which are being constructed Phone: (610) 265-1510 redevelopment. 2,000 construction jobs and in Central New Jersey. FAX: (610) 265-0687 2,000 permanent jobs are projected to develop in Gary Brown and James Sieracki are continuing the I-78 Logistics Center, which will allow work on three projects involving stormwater E-mail: [email protected] next day delivery of internet-ordered goods issues, involving municipal storm sewer systems. World Wide Web: HTTP://RTENV.COM throughout North Jersey, New York City, Western Stormwater concerns and issues from stormwater Long Island and Western Connecticut. systems are one of our biggest areas where we 24 HOUR RT Environmental Services has been working on evaluate the existing systems, determine exactly URGENT LINE SERVICE the site since 2004. Tony Alessandrini is what the complaints are and determine what the 800-725-0593 completing asbestos work on the site, and Gary appropriate action is, given the potential Brown is LSRP for the redevelopment. plaintiff’s complaints. Gary Brown spoke on this Gary Brown, P.E., President In the Kearny and Bayonne area, Chris Ward and related expert topics at the Pennsylvania Bar Phone: (610) 768-0232 and Gary Brown are LSRPs working on redevel- Institute Environmental Law Forum held at the E-mail: [email protected] opment projects involving former industrial sites, Harrisburg Hilton in April. and a number of smaller sites which were used For the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business Craig Herr, P.G. for manufacturing or petroleum production in the and Industry, RT was the exclusive Diamond Phone: (610) 265-1510 Ext. 215 Bayonne area. Sponsor at the annual Environmental Conference Hydrogeology Group Manager Jen Berg is continuing work on the completion held in April in Lancaster. Attending the E-mail: [email protected] of the Bellmawr Waterfront Development Phase I Conference were Walter Hungarter and John area, which is expected to reach a point of Solid Lydzinski, and Gary Brown was Moderator for Walter Hungarter, P.E., Vice President Waste Closure Certification in the next several conferences on air emissions regulations and Phone: (610) 265-1510 Ext. 238 months. Bellmawr Waterfront Development con- residual waste. General Manager tinues to receive materials in the Phase II and III RT continues to sponsor key environmental redevelopment areas for soil reuse. events in Pennsylvania, including events in E-mail: [email protected] Chris Blosenski is working with Gary Brown Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia for the on a central New Jersey expert case, where Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC). New Jersey arsenic impacted soils were moved to another site Gary Brown is Treasurer of PEC, who is very Chris Ward which later resulted in claims and litigation. influential when controversies arise over envi- Phone: (856) 467-2276 Ext. 122 Gary Brown is working on a second West ronmental laws and regulations. PEC provides Virginia expert project involving damages from a well-respected input on policy issues as well. E-mail: [email protected] water line leak. Gary previously testified in PEC is led by President Davitt Woodwell and Suite 306, Pureland Complex another case in West Virginia involving long term lead Vice President in Philadelphia is 510 Heron Drive, P.O. Box 521 wastewater line leakage impacting residential Patrick Starr. John Walliser stays on top of Bridgeport, NJ 08014 properties. policy and legislative issues as they emerge, in Phone: (856) 467-2276 Justin Lauterbach is undertaking work at a Harrisburg and elsewhere. You can reach PEC’s number of pharmacy retail and donut retail sites, Webpage at http://pecpa.org/. FAX: (856) 467-3476 both in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. A A number of new projects are arising at a significant percentage of the sites were former western PA former steel site as redevelopment of Southwest Pennsylvania petroleum retail service stations, and involve several areas gets underway, with Mining and remediation being closely coordinated with new Waste Program issues being coordinated. The Justin Lauterbach, Q.E.P., Vice President development to hold down costs. operations RT supports from a consulting and E-mail: [email protected] Walter Hungarter is working on a number of permitting standpoint involve a former steel 591 East Maiden Street large redevelopment projects, some of which facility in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Washington, PA 15301 involve commercial space and a significant RT appreciates the opportunity to be of service Phone: (724) 206-0348 number of which involve residential redevelop- to its clients, and we are looking forward to more ment in the northern and western suburbs of the projects in 2016 and beyond. FAX: (724) 206-0380 Greater Philadelphia area. Gary R. Brown, P.E., President Regional Partners LOUISE MANCUSO WOLF JOINS RT company working under the supervision of Louise Mancuso Wolf serves as the Justin Lauterbach. Massachusetts Louise holds a Bachelors of Science in Andy Irwin Director of Business Development for RT Environmental Services, Inc. in Pittsburgh. Business Administration majoring in Finance Phone: (508) 653-8007 from Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, FAX: (508) 653-8194 She brings 25 years of diverse experience in real estate and energy related industries PA. Louise is joining RT at an important time specializing in business management and – as our Southwestern Pennsylvania business Michigan expands, we want to get proposals quickly to Michael Carlson customer relationship development. Prior to joining RT, Louise spent most of our clients to meet their needs. Please join us Phone: (248) 585-3800 in welcoming Louise to the RT team of FAX: (248) 585-8404 her career overseeing the business activities, financial controls, expansion and progression professionals. of profitable new business for both the - Justin R. Lauterbach, Q.E.P., Vice President North Carolina Ph: 215-909-0056 Phil Rahn commercial real estate and natural gas industries. Her key role with RT is to assess Email: [email protected] Phone: (336) 852-5003 You can reach Louise at: the current markets, network, and find oppor- Ph: 412-266-8334 tunities for the growth and development of our Email: [email protected] Page 2 The RT Review New Research Could Usher in Age in ‘Smart’ Buffers (continued from page1) apply it to other areas.