Fall/ Winter 2007 Stream of Consciousness a publication of the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring Riparian Buffer Zones: the www.fs.fed.us/.../ habitat/ump_streams.html Next BIG Step in Protecting Pennsylvania Streams...... 1

A New Addition...... 2

To be or Not to Be Sustainable?...... 3

Carlisle’s New Stormwater Project...... 6

How to Reduce Pollution in Stormwater Runoff...... 7

Meet FLAC!...... 8

Who is Middle Spring Watershed Association?...... 9

Improve Stream Quality Riparian Buffer Zones: the Next BIG Step in With Best Management Practices...... 10 Protecting Pennsylvania Streams By Danielle Cioce Pharmaceuticals in Our Streams...... 12 he Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) is cur- rently considering adding requirements for stream buffers to Chapter 102 The Mully Grub T Revisited...... 13 of the Pennsylvania Code which regulates best management practices necessary to control stormwater, erosion, and sediment. The undeveloped area directly The New College Organic adjacent to a water body is known as a riparian buffer zone. These natural or Farm...... 14 planted areas act to protect the stream and preserve its natural habitat. Ripar- Investigating the ian zones reduce excess sediments and nutrients, provide shade that decreas- Huntsdale State Fish es the temperature of the stream, supply detritus and woody debris as habitat Hatchery...... 15 for aquatic organisms (as well as a riparian habitat for other wildlife), increase infiltration and groundwater recharge, and decrease erosion of stream banks. Don’t Let a Good Fish Go Bad...... 17 The Pennsylvania Campaign for Clean Water, a “coalition of nonprofit, conser- vation, environmental, sportsmen’s, civic, and faith organizations” submitted a proposal to the PA DEP in July 2007 that suggests increasing buffer zones to a minimum of 100 feet for all streams in Pennsylvania. While 100 feet may sound like a long distance, it translates to 3-5 mature trees on each side of the stream. It is estimated that 80-90% of contaminants could be removed from a 100 foot buffer. The Campaign suggests additional protection for more vulner- able streams. For example, exceptional value and high quality streams should have a buffer of 300 feet, first or second order streams should have a 150 foot buffer, and streams with a sloped bank should have a wider riparian zone, based on the percent of slope. These widths were decided upon after careful

educate. engage. empower. “Riparian Buffer Zones” Continued on Page 4 Stream of Consciousness 2

A New Addition By Kalyn Campbell

LLARM welcomed Jinnie Woodward as the new assistant director this summer. She is originally from Massachusetts, but spent most of her life in Carlisle, PA. Jinnie earned both a Bachelor and Master ofA Science degree in Geoenvironmental Studies from Shippensburg University. After finishing her Masters program, she went to SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York to study Forest Hydrology and Watershed Management.

Jinnie is drawn to ALLARM because of its close ties with the community and Dickinson College. She is delighted that Dickinson students are given an opportunity to work for ALLARM, getting them out into the community working with watershed groups and providing them with skills they can use for the rest of their lives.

Jinnie has many ideas to bring to ALLARM. She plans to work with the new organic farm at Dickinson College by creating an outdoor field laboratory. This site will provide the ALLARM staff with an area to test field procedures and equipment in order to supply watershed groups with the best possible information. Jinnie also hopes to update the Geographical Information System (GIS) database and the ALLARM Com- munity Aquatic Research Laboratory (CARL).

A primary function of Jinnie’s ALLARM role is to oversee projects relating to the lab, the organic farm and GIS. She also provides capacity-building technical assistance for ALLARM’s community partners and organizes ALLARM’s involvement with the Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds (C-SAW), a team of service providers and scientists who provide technical support for the empowerment watershed groups.

With Jinnie’s knowledge and technical expertise, she is a great addition for ALLARM to continue to pro- vide technical assistance to watershed organizations and provide ALLARM students with enriching experi- ences. Stream of Consciousness 3

To Be or Not to Be Sustainable? By Benson Ansell

he LUCE semester at Dick- inson College is an integrat- edT watershed semester where students look at cultural, politi- cal, and scientific aspects of wa- tersheds, focusing on the Chesa- peake Bay and the Louisiana Bayou regions. A major part of the semester for each student is to complete a research project that is focused on a community defined environmental problem. As part of my research project, I interviewed produce farmers in Cumberland County to gain a better sense of why farmers use Dickinson College Organic Farm crops. certain kinds of farming prac- tices. The overall goal of my a farmer as farming in either a County has and will face a lot project was to determine the im- perfectly sustainable or in a pre- of challenges with regards to pediments to “sustainable” agri- cisely polluting, industrial, and sustainability. Some of these culture in Cumberland County. “conventional” manner. All of include the pressures of devel- “Sustainable” is an ambiguous the farmers that I interviewed opment and the resulting high word and has many meanings use both sustainable and conven- prices of land that gives farmers and interpretations. For my proj- tional practices to some degree. the incentive to sell. Another ect, I define “sustainable agricul- Another interesting finding was main factor was labor, or lack ture” as agriculture that is able that many farmers have differ- thereof. A strong labor force to produce an abundant amount ent perceptions on what “sustain- is integral for the high work in- of food, is profitable, is equita- able” agriculture entails. While tensity of environmental stew- ble to customers and employees, most of them agree that one must ardship, a main component of does not degrade and exploit the incorporate many, if not all of the sustainable agriculture. Others environment, and which food is characteristics that were previ- mentioned that if some chemical sold locally to the community. ously listed, some of them have pesticides and herbicides were different ideas on what should not sprayed, they would not be I interviewed six farmers and be the main focus of being sus- able to be economically profit- one regional horticultural edu- tainable. For example, some able, and therefore not sustain- cator (from Penn State’s agri- farmers see environmental stew- able. However, there was con- cultural extension office) and ardship as being the main factor sensus among farmers that one each interview was a unique of “sustainable” farming, while of the most influential impedi- and intriguing learning experi- others see economic profitabil- ments to sustainable agricul- ence. One of the major conclu- ity as being the determining fac- ture is the knowledge and hab- sions that was reached is that, tor of whether or not a farm is its of the consumer. Until the as it is difficult to define the sustainable. Furthermore, all of “Sustainable” word “sustainable”, it is even the farmers were in agreement Continued On Page 5 more challenging to pinpoint that agriculture in Cumberland Stream of Consciousness 4 “Riparian Buffer Zones” Continued from Page 1

consideration of the literature and Use Suggested width (feet) studies available on buffer zones, Bank stability 25-50 and has been supported by forty groups in the Campaign’s con- Temperature control 20-75 stituency. Nutrient removal 20-75 The most common widths of ri- Sediment removal 20-75 parian buffer zones according to Flood mitigation 75-200 PA DEP are from 35-100 feet. Sometimes however, building Wildlife habitat 30-250 occurs right up to the edge of a stream. This has an extremely While current legislation protects thing we can do to protect our negative impact on Pennsylva- streams to an extent, increasing streams and rivers.” Other states nia’s waterways, as buffers of less the width of riparian buffer zones already have such standards, in- than 35 feet (or no buffer area at would be a valuable measure to cluding New Jersey with a 300 all) are not able to provide long improve the quality of Pennsyl- foot buffer requirement for their term protection from sediment vania’s waterways. There are equivalent of exceptional value and nutrient inputs. The lack of currently 7,200 miles of streams streams, and Wisconsin with a shade also makes a substantial impacted by sediment and 2,500 300 foot buffer requirement for impact, as removal of forest cover miles of streams impacted by a stream or its floodplain. increases the average temperature nutrients in Pennsylvania. Hav- of a stream by 7°F. It also makes ing riparian buffers with greater Given that replanting riparian the area more prone to invasion widths would help to mitigate buffer zones is a priority in re- by nonnative species. negatively impacted streams. storing the Chesapeake Bay, Benefits would include improved increasing the width of buffer The Natural Resources Conser- water quality and habitat, less zones is a logical next step to vation Service of the US Depart- erosion, and greater water quan- provide greater protection from ment of Agriculture states that tity. Drinking water would also pollutants. A part of the Chesa- if riparian buffer zones are used be protected, and flood damage peake Bay Program’s rigorous correctly, they can remove up to would be reduced. Additionally, restoration plan was to develop 50% of nutrients and pesticides, the buffers for exceptional value 2,010 miles of riparian buffer 60% of pathogens, and 75% of and high quality streams would zones in the Bay watershed by sediment. Maximizing the ef- protect not only these streams, 2010. Pennsylvania was re- ficiency of a buffer zone can be but the receiving bodies of wa- sponsible for 600 of those miles. correlated to width, and it is im- ter as well. A 150 foot buffer for The overall goal however was portant to consider the resource low order streams (headwater achieved by 2002, and in 2003 value of the water body, the soil streams) would shield the entire the goal was raised to conserve and hydrogeologic conditions, the watershed from pollutants. or restore buffer zones along intensity of adjacent land use, and 70% of all streams and shore- the desired buffer function. De- Adding these requirements would lines in the Bay watershed, with termining the appropriate width be a sign of Pennsylvania’s com- a focus goal of 10,000 miles of of a riparian buffer zone depends mitment to clean waterways. buffer by 2010. Currently, we most on the function of the buf- As Bob Wendelgass, Campaign are on track to meet this goal, as fer. The PA DEP currently rec- Chair of the Pennsylvania Cam- 5,337 miles of buffer zones were ommends the following: paign for Clean Water has said, restored by August 2006. “We think that requiring 100 foot buffers is perhaps the best PA DEP is in the process of Stream of Consciousness 5 revising Chapter 102 and it is “Sustainable” Continued from Page 3 expected that draft revisions will be available in 2008 (probably Until the consumer starts to demand where food comes from and how it in the spring). A public com- is produced, it is not possible for there to be such a thing as true and gen- ment period will occur after that, uine sustainable agriculture. It is the consumer that ultimately controls likely in the summer or fall. It is the landscape and health of not only Cumberland County, but the world. important to note that the regu- lation will not include agricul- Reference tural practices (such as plowing Ansell, Benson. 2007. Challenges to Sustainable Agriculture in and tilling), but rather construc- Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. tion and other development ac- tivities (for example, building a Ray Snyder, September 22, 2007 at the Old Pomfret Street Farmers’ Market in Carlisle, PA, in person. Duration: 1 hour. new home in the 100 foot buf- fer area) as outlined in Chapter Patrick Barnes, September 22, 2007 at the Old Pomfret Street 102. While adopting this pro- Farmers’ Market in Carlisle, PA, in person. Duration: 50 min- utes. posal would limit development practices somewhat, Wendelgass Patrick Belt, September 29, 2007 at Beltview Farm, Boiling explains that “these restrictions Springs, PA, in person. Duration: 2 hours. are needed to protect the com- Rick Vensel, October 3, 2007 at Pumpkin Point Farm, Carlisle, mon resource, our streams, from PA, in person. Duration: 2 hours. impacts that harm all of us.” Amy Leber, October 21, 2007 at Shared Earth Farm CSA, Me- chanicsburg, PA, in person. Duration: 2 hours.

Mark Toigo, October 22, 2007 at Toigo Orchards, Shippensburg, For more information PA, in person. Duration: 1.5 hours. regarding The Cam- Steven Bogash, November 29, 2007 over the phone. Duration: 1 paign for Clean Water’s hour. proposal, please visit: http://www.pacleanwa- tercampaign.org/. Stream of Consciousness 6

Carlisle’s New Stormwater Project! by Andrea Korman

he Letort Spring Run is a downstream from urban areas Carlisle and ALLARM have re- spring-fed, limestone stream were impacted much more than cently been awarded a $4,000 thatT runs through the town of areas upstream of urban develop- League of Women Voters’ Water Carlisle in south-central Pennsyl- ment. Resource Education Network vania. This stream is known by (WREN) grant to begin the anglers far and wide for its as- In response to continued pollu- Stormwater Education Project. tounding beauty and challenging tion from stormwater, the En- The Borough of Carlisle, Cum- fishing. The Letort is one of a few vironmental Protection Agency berland Valley Trout Unlimited, remaining streams that has a natu- (EPA) now requires permits for the Letort Regional Authority ral reproducing trout population. non-point source pollution (i.e. and ALLARM will all be work- Because of this rare trait, many stormwater runoff). This new ing in conjunction to accom- citizens of Carlisle are adamant requirement is divided into two plish the goals of this project about protecting the stream. The phases, of which Carlisle falls un- which are to raise awareness Letort is vulnerable, especially der Phase II. Phase II addresses of stormwater problems in the with regard to stormwater pollu- regulations on stormwater runoff Carlisle community as well as tion. With widespread impervious from MS4s and requires that mu- promote alternative behaviors surfaces, runoff from substances nicipalities, industrial discharges, encouraging water stewardship. such as fertilizers, pesticides, certain construction sites, and The plan is to address two of and motor oil have the potential large property owners (such as six best management practices to cause major problems for the school districts) have a National (BMPs) that will eventually be stream. In addition, Carlisle has Pollutant Discharge Elimination required by the EPA. This will a municipal separate storm sew- System (NPDES) permit. Within be accomplished through com- er system (MS4) that leads pol- two years, Carlisle will be re- munity outreach as well as dis- luted stormwater directly into the quired to have this NPDES/MS4 tributing educational materials Letort. permit for stormwater. The bor- such as posters, brochures, and ough is attempting to get a head movie theatre ads. Aside from ALLARM has previously ad- start on the program and is cur- public outreach, the Borough dressed the negative impacts of rently working in conjunction and ALLARM want the com- stormwater and other pollution is- with ALLARM along with the munity to be directly involved. sues of streams. After monitoring LRA and the Cumberland Val- This has led to the development the Mully Grub, a small tributary ley Trout Unlimited to begin their of a Letort documentary which of the Letort, ALLARM found work. will include interviews from an- that the stream contributed much glers and many others who feel of the pollution feeding into the they have a close connection Letort. As a result, ALLARM be- with the Letort. The documen- gan working with the Letort Re- tary will be shown at the Letort gional Authority (LRA) to initiate Festival, a community involved restoration on the Mully Grub. In event, which will be held in the 1994, there was an extensive as- spring of 2008 in celebration sessment conducted on the wa- of protecting such an impor- ter quality of urban runoff and tant, beautiful, and rare type of the impact on the Letort Spring stream. Run. The study showed that after Stormwater in Carlisle stormwater runoff events, areas Stream of Consciousness 7

How to Reduce Pollution in Stormwater Runoff by Ashley Whiting

ave you ever wondered This will prevent erosion and ter pollution. Just one ounce of where storm drains lead to? .help absorb more stormwater pet waste contains an average Stormwater,H carrying chemicals of 650 million fecal coliform from lawns, cars, and streets, Vehicles are another major source bacteria. Pick up after your flows directly into storm drains of stormwater pollution. Perform- pets and properly dispose of and into our streams without ing regular maintenance checks on their waste by either flushing it ever being treated. These chem- your vehicle will protect streams or putting it into a trashcan to icals are harmful to aquatic life from harm. Any leaks should be prevent it from going into our and degrade habitat. There are repaired immediately, and dispos- streams. many ways to minimize storm- ing used oil appropriately is very

water pollution, some of which important. Littering is probably the most http://www.somervillema.gov/section.cfm?org=Environ&page=519 can save you time and money. visible form of stormwater pollution. Trash such as ciga- Lawns are a key source of storm- rette butts and plastic wrappers water pollution. Excess fertil- commonly end up in streams. izers can run off your lawn and Also, chemicals like oil, paint, cause algal blooms in streams. and other liquids should be dis- Algal blooms deplete the water posed of properly and never of oxygen and can kill fish and dumped into a storm drain. other aquatic life. A simple way to avoid this is to not apply fer- Road salt is a major source of tilizer before it rains. Another stormwater pollution in the way is to use compost instead winter. When it snows, shovel of chemical fertilizers, or just your driveway instead of apply- leave grass clippings, which are ing salt. Sodium chloride (salt) rich in nitrogen, on the lawn. reacts with stormwater and pro- Also, if you allow your grass to duces chlorine, which is toxic grow longer, you not only save to many aquatic organisms. time and money by not mow- When you wash your car, go to a ing it, but the grass will absorb professional car wash where the Stormwater pollution is a major more rain water and be more water drains into the sewer sys- problem facing our streams to- resistant to pests. This also tem and it is treated at a sewage day. There are many sources of allows you to use fewer pes- treatment plant before entering stormwater pollution, including ticides, which often kill more the environment. However, if you lawns, cars, streets, pets, and species than intended. Further, prefer washing your car at home, litter. There are many ways if you point your rain spouts to- wash it on the lawn, so that the to reduce stormwater pollution wards the lawn rather than the dirty water soaks into the grass that are very simple practices, pavement, the water is more rather than draining into a stream. which may even save us time likely to soak into the ground Most importantly, only wash your and money. We all must do and prevent pollutants from car when it really needs it in order our part to reduce stormwater entering streams. An attractive to reduce the amount of wastewa- pollution if we want to have way to reduce stormwater pol- ter you produce. lution from your yard is to plant native vegetation in bare spots. Pets also contribute to stormwa- Stream of Consciousness 8

Meet FLAC! By Jack Treichler

he volunteer monitoring com- munity has a new member in south-centralT Pennsylvania: the Friends of the Little Aughwick Creek, or FLAC for short. They started meeting about a year ago, in Fall of 2006. Its founding members were concerned with the health of the Little Aughwick Creek, a tributary of the Aughwick Creek and part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed (see map and watershed address). The Little Aughwick watershed encompass- es approximately 61 square miles, spread over Fulton and Hunting- don Counties.

The upper portion of the south branch of the Little Aughwick is classified as exceptional value, and runs through Cowen’s Gap State Park. The north branch originates in Huntingdon County and is largely forested. Portions of both branches are classified as high quality, cold water fisher- ies. The two branches converge between Burnt Cabins and Fort Littleton. The Little Aughwick joins the Sideling Hill Creek near Maddensville to form the Augh- wick Creek.

“When sewer management and Flac Baseline Map citizens’ concerns for water be- came a local issue, I knew it was area. Other concerns are erosion, FLAC’s mission is “to protect and time to get a group started,” says commercial agriculture, acid rain, promote the environment and wa- Derrick Winegardner, one of the and runoff from the Pennsylvania ter quality of the Little Aughwick founding members. The group Turnpike, which runs through a Creek watershed,” and their main is concerned with a wastewater significant portion of the water- programs will be water quality treatment plant that has recently shed. been built in the Fort Littleton “FLAC” Continued on Page 16 Stream of Consciousness 9

Who is Middle Spring Watershed Association? by Courtney Haynes

scientists and service providers in Pennsylvania. ALLARM’s service provider role within C- SAW enables ALLARM to pro- vide free technical assistance to watershed groups. This fall, ALLARM helped MSWA com- plete a ten step monitoring study design that outlined physical, chemical and biological moni- toring procedures. The group has already begun to monitor the stream visually after receiv- ing a visual training workshop provided by ALLARM. In ad- Members of MSWA participating in a Visual Assessment dition, MSWA has established a workshop, lead by Julie Vastine, Director of ALLARM. water monitoring committee in hopes to start chemically moni- his October, Middle Spring development of the treatment toring the stream in January of TWatershed Association facility is still in the beginning 2008. ALLARM is working (MSWA) celebrated its two year stages, however, this is the pri- with MSWA to assist them in anniversary. MSWA is a water- mary, and most imminent con- designing and implementing this shed organization dedicated to cern for MSWA. They fear that chemical monitoring program. restoring and protecting parts of because Middle Spring Creek is the Branch and Middle Spring a low-gradient, limestone, cold- Annually, MSWA holds events Creeks, located near Shippens- water fishery stream, it does not to create awareness about the burg, PA. Every month, mem- have a capacity to support fur- stream and to ask for support bers of MSWA meet in the ther sewage discharge (Heberlig, in their mission. The group basement of the Middle Spring 2007). In addition, the group is celebrates the first day of trout Presbyterian Church to discuss also concerned about the health fishing in the spring, creating the most important threats to the of the stream due to other factors, awareness about trout, sunnies, health of Middle Spring Creek. such as stormwater drainage and bass and other species the group farming, which both degrade the is hoping to protect. MSWA also The group originally formed in quality of a healthy stream. organizes a clean up day, coin- response to the possible con- ciding on Earth Day or Gover- struction of a second sewer Earlier this year, ALLARM be- nor Rendell Day, to help rid the treatment facility along Middle gan working with MSWA to stream of trash. During the sum- Spring Creek. MSWA sec- provide assistance in develop- mer, MSWA displays a booth at retary, Robin Dolbin, men- ing a stream monitoring plan. the Shippensburg Fair to edu- tioned that a concern about MSWA is one of the three new cate community members about the stream’s heath encouraged watershed groups who will be MSWA members to work to assisted by Consortium for Sci- “MSWA” Continued on “preserve, protect and monitor” entific Assistance to Water- Page 11 the health of the stream. The sheds (C-SAW), an assembly of Stream of Consciousness 10

Improve Stream Quality With Best Management Practices By Jenny Bowman

eginning in the 1990’s, acts such as the Pollution PreventionB Act and the Nutri- ent Management Act stressed the importance of reducing non point source pollution (pollu- tion that can not be attributed to a single source) to Pennsyl- vania streams. Agriculture in Pennsylvania is one of the larg- est causes of non point source pollution. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, sediments from ero- sion, and various chemical pes- Dickinson College Organic Farm ticides and herbicides leave ag- ricultural fields as runoff during pollution. Many BMP’s can over- weed control and a possible storm events, entering streams lap uses so that one practice can decrease in soil temperature and degrading their quality. simultaneously control runoff of which decelerates seed germi- Pennsylvania is part of the larg- sediments, chemicals and nutri- nation. er Chesapeake Bay watershed ents. Conservation tillage, veg- and contaminated water from etated filter strips, vegetated field There are many different types PA will eventually end up pol- borders, and strategic planning of filter strips including, grassed luting the Chesapeake Bay. As a are four significant categories waterways, vegetated filter way to help alleviate non point which encompass a wide range strips, contour buffer strips, source pollution from agricul- of practices. and riparian buffer zones. Filter ture, the Environmental Protec- strips use areas of dense veg- tion Agency (EPA), the United Conservation tillage involves not etation to trap chemical runoff, States Department of Agricul- tilling all or a portion of the cover sediment runoff and nutrient ture (USDA), and the National crop back into the ground when it runoff, preventing it from en- Resource Conservation Service is time for planting the next crop. tering streams. The vegetation (NRCS) along with other orga- Instead the “crop residue” is left acts as a sponge absorbing nu- nizations have created a series on the surface of the soil and seeds trients and some chemicals and of practices that can be applied are planted underneath leaving acts as a physical barrier for to farms called Best Manage- the crop residue in place for the sediments. Some advantages of ment Practices (BMP’s). growing season. Some advan- filter strips are nutrient, sedi- tages of conservation tillage are ment, and chemical load re- BMP’s encompass a wide range erosion prevention, conservation ductions, habitat for wildlife. of activities such as methods of soil moisture, improvements Like filter strips, borders have for planting and cultivating in soil quality, and a decrease in disadvantages of occupying an crops, changes in land use, and chemical leaching. Disadvan- area of land that could have more advanced planning of of tages. Disadvantages include been cultivated and could pro- certain practices to minimize increased use of pesticides for vide habitat to harmful pests. Stream of Consciousness 11 Strategic planning is an important tool because it “MSWA” Continued from Page 9 allows farms to customize plans to suit their own needs. By developing a nutrient management plan the importance of the Middle Spring Creek. farmers can keep track of their total nutrient inputs In the fall, the group holds Middle Spring to their fields and through monitoring for nitrogen Stream Awareness Day, a day centered around and phosphorus in their streams can get an estimate celebrating Middle Spring Creek with fel- of how much they are losing through runoff. Nutrient low community members through fun, stream management plans also include parameters for soil based activites. testing so that farmers are not using more fertilizer than necessary on their field thus saving them money Although twenty members actively partici- on materials and labor. Integrated pest management pate in MSWA, the dynamic group has mem- (IPM) is a complicated process which aims to reduce bers who range in ages from ten year olds to the use of pesticides in pest control. Instead, IPM members in their nineties. The majority of the uses biological and physical controls as the main ef- members are active anglers or conservation- forts to remove pests. The disadvantages to strategic ists who live along Middle Spring Creek, al- planning are that it requires an extensive amount of though they welcome anyone who is interested knowledge, can be very time consuming, and hiring in joining the group. Julie Vastine, Director of consultants can be very costly. ALLARM, comments, “MSWA is a very ener- gized organization with a committed group of This article only highlights a few BMP’s that are volunteers and concerned citizens”. MSWA’s available to farmers, there is a very large variety volunteer motivation has gotten them off to a out there and many government organizations (see great start, and the group’s efforts contribute listed above) that can help with BMP guidance. to protecting the health of Pennsylvania wa- There are also new incentives for farmers to incor- terways. porate BMP’s onto their farms such as the Conser- vation Reserve Enhancement Program pays farmers to remove a certain portion of land from cultiva- tion, usually turning it into a riparian buffer zone. For more information The PA nutrient trading program allows farmers to on MSWA, check out implement BMP’s reducing their nutrient load to their website at http:// obtain a certain amount of “credits” (nutrient re- www.middlespringwa- ductions) which they can then sell to other sources tershed.org who might not be able to meet necessary reduc- tions so easily. Information on both of these pro- grams can be found through the EPA, the USDA, and the Department of Environmental Protection. References Heberlig, Dale. “Middle Spring Creek fish surveyed”. The Senti- nel Newspaper [Carlisle, PA] 9/19/07 http://www.cumberlink.com/ articles/2007/09/19/news/ news265.txt Stream of Consciousness 12

Pharmaceuticals in Our Streams By Sunil Baidar

harmaceuticals (medicinal drugs) in surface water is aP recently emerging issue. Pre- liminary studies were carried out in the 1970s but systematic research did not begin until the mid 1990s. As the results of these studies started to surface, concerns of the presence of pharmaceuticals in water have been growing and the issue has

http://www.globalregulatory.com/www/ become a matter of global con- images/objects/pharmaceuticals.jpg cern.

The main source of pharmaceu- tical contamination is from hu- man and animal patients. Manu- Among the different groups bacteria, increased incidences facturing facilities, aquaculture of pharmaceutical compounds of cancer, abnormal physiologi- industries and farm runoffs are namely antibiotics, nonprescrip- cal processes and reproductive other significant contributors. tion drugs, prescription drugs and impairment among aquatic spe- When a patient takes medicine, reproductive hormones; non pre- cies. Endocrine disruption has the drugs do not get complete- scription drugs have been found been reported among biomag- ly broken down by metabolic most frequently. Sulfamethoxa- nifications remains very high. reactions inside the body and zole, ibuprofen, and diltiazem are Trace level and life -long ex- hence are excreted as parent just the few of the drugs frequent- posure impacts of these phar- compounds and/or metabolites ly detected in surface water. maceuticals need to be studied in urine and feces. Unwanted in order gain further insights or expired medications are of- Potential health and environ- into the potential harmful ef- ten improperly disposed of, di- mental health hazards due to fects of these compounds. rectly in waste water. Several these compounds are virtually pharmaceuticals can therefore unknown at this time. The effect Knowledge on these pharma- reach sewage treatment plants of these compounds on human ceutical compounds in water is in substantial amounts and if and aquatic life has scarcely been rapidly growing but at the mo- they escape degradation, which investigated. These compounds ment the problem as well as the in fact is the case with most are present in very low concen- risks and mitigating measures compounds, is released into trations, below any of the health associated with the problem are surface water. or drinking water guidelines. In not fully clear. Keeping in mind most of the cases such guidelines the potential hazards associated Contaminations due to phar- are not even present. Acute toxic- with it, it is definitely a matter maceuticals vary from place to ity tests do not reveal any biolog- of serious concern and further place according to prevalence ical effects because of their low studies need to be carried out of diseases, treatment habits concentrations. Some of the po- in order to come up with solu- and options or even the avail- tential health hazards include de- tions. ability of drugs in the market. velopment of antibiotic resistant Stream of Consciousness 13

The Mully Grub Revisited by Kate Consroe

tarting in 2000, ALLARM was involved with restoration efforts of the Mully Grub in Carlisle, Pennsyl- vania. The Mully Grub is a stream that flows underneath the town of Carlisle and receives the town’s stormwaterS runoff. The Mully Grub eventually flows into Letort Spring Run, a renowned trout stream and part of Pennsylvania’s Scenic River System. Concern about the impact of the Mully Grub on the Letort prompted Professor Candie Wilderman and her aquatics classes to complete research projects in the spring of 1998 and the spring of 1999. Their results showed that the Mully Grub, full of sediment and heavy metal pollution from Carlisle’s stormwater runoff, was indeed having a negative impact on the Letort. A multi- faceted restoration project was implemented by the Letort Regional Authority and ALLARM starting in 2000. One part of the project involved regrading the Mully Grub’s channel as it flows from Bedford Street to the Letort, located between Letort Elementary and the baseball field. In addition, vegetation was planted along the sides to improve bank stability. Another aspect of the restoration project was the construction of a stormwater detention pond, also known as the Mully Grub wetland. The wetland was designed as a place for pollutants, specifically sediments, to settle out in order to minimize the Mully Grub’s effects on the Letort.

As a LUCE student this semester, I am completing an independent research project focusing on the effec- tiveness of the Mully Grub mitigation efforts, specifically the wetland and the restored riparian area. The evaluation of restoration projects is an important step that is often overlooked. This fall marks five years since the completion of the Mully Grub wetland. Waiting five years before evaluation is important as it gives plant communities time to establish. To determine the efficacy of the wetland and restored riparian area in filtering the waters of the Mully Grub before they join the Letort, I am examining plant communities and water chemistry. Terrestrial plant communities in the wetland and riparian zone were surveyed and are being used as an indicator of the general health of the wetland and riparian zone area. In addition, aquatic plants will be analyzed for traces of zinc, lead, and copper, as aquatic plants have the ability to uptake some heavy metals. Water chemistry data was collected a total of four times, two times between storm events and two times during storm events. Dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, total hardness, chloride, nitrates, and phosphates were measured for each water sample. Water was collected at six sites: three in the Mully Grub (one upstream of the wetland intake pipe, one downstream of the wetland outflow pipe, and one in the restored riparian area), one in the Mully Grub wetland, and two in Letort Spring Run (one upstream of its confluence with the Mully Grub, and one downstream of the confluence). My research project will be completed at the end of November, and will provide important feedback on the mitigation efforts. Look for a summary of my results in the next issue of Stream of Consciousness!

For more information: http://alpha.dickinson. edu/storg/allarm/ allarm%20projects/ mully%20grub2.htm

The Mully Grub Wetland Stream of Consciousness 14

The New College Organic Farm by Atandi Anyona he Dickinson College or- ganic farm, located in Boil- ingT Springs, PA, is project aimed towards increasing Dickinson’s sustainability initiatives. The farm is an extension of the Stu- dent Garden which is located at Dickinson Park. When the ma- jor focus shifts to the college farm, the Student Garden will be turned into a community garden. The principle farm operations, which include tillage, planting, harvesting, and selling, began in the summer (2007). At present, the farm is under the manage- ment of Jennifer Halpin (man- ager) and Matthew Steiman (as- sistant manager). Jenn Halpin is also part of the Dickinson Col- 2007 summer interns: (from left to right) Prana Miller, lege teaching staff, and Matt Atandi Anyona, Danielle Hoffman, Stephanie Roberts, Steiman runs the biodiesel plant Kaitlin Harrigan, Jenn Halpin (manager) and Kathleen at the college. Airola (not in picture)

The 80 acre piece of farmland farming production. Beside crop include grants, CSA and farmers was donated to Dickinson Col- production, the farm has sheep, market sales. lege in the 1960s by a Dickin- cows and poultry. son alumnus, under the condi- Besides production, education tion that it should not be used The major purpose of the farm is the other component of the for development purposes. Jenn is to supply Dickinson College Dickinson College farm. Pres- Halpin, in collaboration with the with local fresh produce which ently, two seniors (Art & Biol- Environmental Studies depart- includes cabbage, tomatoes, cu- ogy majors) are conducting re- ment, formulated a proposal to cumbers and lettuce. Addition- search projects on the farm. The the College requesting for part ally, it will be the source of pro- farm also organizes volunteer that land to be converted into an duce for the already existing opportunities which are open organic farm for both produc- CSA (Community Supported to all Dickinson faculty, staff tion and educational purposes. Agriculture) members and the and students. It is also a service Since the 1960s, the land had farm will sell produce at the local site of Alpha Phi Omega, a na- been rented to conventional farmers market during the sum- tional service fraternity. More- large scale farmers. At present, a mer. The College provides most over, it provides an opportunity large portion of it is still under of the capital required to pur- for students to get first hand the management of a conven- chase machinery (tractor imple- tional farmer, and approximate- ments) and run farm operations. “Farm” Continued on ly 1.5 acres is under organic Other major sources of capital Page 18 Stream of Consciousness 15

Investigating the Huntsdale State Fish Hatchery By Maunette Watson

tate fish hatcheries, through their fish cultivation and stocking,S are a known source of economic wealth and recreation- al activity throughout Pennsylva- nia. However, all fish hatcheries discharge pollution into water- ways, sometimes significantly impacting the water quality. Studies have documented both waterways impaired by hatchery effluents, as well as waterways not seriously affected. The range of results is due to differences in the receiving body of water or hatchery discharges. Merging of the Huntsdale Fish Hatchery effluent and the Yellow Breeches Creek. In Cumberland County there is one state fish hatchery, the Hunt- the macroinvertebrate analysis, 500,000 fish per year, of brook, sdale State Fish Hatchery, which I conducted habitat assessments brown, rainbow, and golden rain- is located about 12 miles south- to determine how much habi- bow trout; striped bass; tiger mus- west of Carlisle, PA. The Hunst- tat influences macroinvertebrate kellunge; and fathead minnows dale Hatchery discharges water populations. I also analyzed water (used mostly for tiger musekel- into the Yellow Breeches Creek, chemistry parameters, such as pH, lunge forage). The fish are raised which flows through south-cen- temperature, dissolved oxygen, until stocking size, and then they tral Pennsylvania and into the conductivity, alkalinity, nitrate, and are stocked in rivers and lakes Susquehanna River. The Yellow phosphate, which I will use to de- throughout south-central and Breeches is part of the Pennsyl- termine the water quality upstream south-eastern Pennsylvania. vania Scenic Rivers System and and downstream. is known for its trout fishing. Water for the fish is brought in Another part of my research includ- from springs via electrical pump- As part of a LUCE independent ed interviewing an employee from ing (which also degases and aer- research project this semester, the Huntsdale Hatchery to help ates the water) and aqueducts. I investigated the impact the learn more about the processes at Water then travels into concrete Huntsdale Hatchery effluent fish hatcheries and about the hatch- raceways (where the fish live) has upon the Yellow Breeches ery itself. From that interview, I and into retention ponds. The first Creek. To determine the impact, learned that the Hunstdale Fish retention pond filters fish waste I collected and identified mac- Hatchery was built in 1932 by an coming directly from the race- roinvertebrates to the family- old Youth Conservation Core group, ways, and the second pond al- level, and analyzed them using and was situated in the village of lows remaining waste to settle a Pennsylvania protocol to de- Hunstdale because of the abundant out before releasing the water termine stream health both up- source of limestone springs, which into the Yellow Breeches Creek. stream and downstream from the are good for fish rearing. Currently, “Hatchery” Continued on discharge point. To accompany the hatchery raises approximately Page 18 Stream of Consciousness 16 “FLAC” Continued from Page 8

monitoring, educational outreach and awareness, and stream stewardship.

They hope to perform physical, biological, and chemical monitoring along the Little Aughwick. This will include stream walking, stream bank assessment, flow, specific conductivity, and macroinvertebrates. For chemical monitoring they hope to test nitrates, orthophosphates, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH.

They plan to promote the stream through brochures, placemats in restaurants, and other public outreach events. In these and other ways they hope to encourage stewardship for the watershed and increase their organizational membership.

FLAC has just completed their study design process with ALLARM. This is an important process where groups focus on what they are trying to accomplish, and then establish the most appropriate monitoring strat- egyto meet those goals. It also provides a written document that clearly defines the group’s methodology, which will give credence to their results. A study design process can unify a group and provide an important sense of continuity as membership shifts through the years.

The current members of FLAC have high hopes for the organization over the next couple of years. Dawn Harnish, a business owner use ... reproducing trout and other fish in the stream ... [and] one of the greenest communities in the state.”

Winegardner hopes in five or ten years to have “lots of good factual data to encourage sound land in the wa- tershed, hopes that FLAC will continue “to grow as an organization, educating our children and the general public on the quality of our watershed and ways to maintain it.”

Here at ALLARM, we hope to help FLAC on their mission to a healthier, happier Little Aughwick Creek!

For further information contact:

Derrick Winegardner Phone: 717-987-0111 [email protected] Stream of Consciousness 17

Don’t Let A Good Fish Go Bad By Matt Freedman

rban stormwater runoff contains heavy metals such as lead, copper, zinc, cadmium, arsenic, and chromium. These heavy metals are listed as priority pollutants under the Clean Water Act. They can beU directly toxic to aquatic life, accumulate in stream sediments, and bioaccumulate through the food chain—ending up in the fish on our dinner plates. Heavy metals in urban runoff comes from our automo- biles, motor oil, paints, pesticides, and many other sources:

Lead: Mainly car exhausts and engines Copper: Vehicle brake pads, pesticides Zinc: Vehicle tires, motor oils, corrosion from galvanized iron Cadmium: Burning of fossil fuels (gasoline and diesel), paint, batteries Arsenic: Brake linings, fluid leaks, vehicle emissions Chromium: Air-conditioning coolants

References

Pollutants Commonly Found in Stormwater Runoff http://www.stormwate- rauthority.org/pollutants/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1983. “Results of the Nationwide Urban Runoff Program. Executive Summary.” Water Planning Division. Washington, D.C.

Drawn by Matt Freedman Stream of Consciousness 18 “Farm” Continued from “Hatchery” Continued from Page 15 Page 14 The effluent is tested at the outfall by the hatchery, and currently includes monitoring for flow, pH, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, total farming experience through phosphorus, total nitrogen, formaldehyde, biological oxygen demand, and summer internships. The interns particulate organic carbon, among others, under NPDES (The National benefit from educational field Pollutant Discharge Elimination System: a point source discharge permit trips that broaden their knowl- system under the Clean Water Act aimed towards reducing water pollution edge on farming practices in and regulated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in Pennsylvania and all over the PA). The hatchery recently had its NPDES permit renewed, and the stricter country. When interviewing two regulations from the new permit were enacted on April 1, 2006. According of the summer interns, I received to the hatchery, it has been meeting all of the NPDES requirements. the following responses: Aside from the discharge, the hatchery has been having some problems “It was an excellent learning with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination. Through routine test- experience as a result of the ing, high levels of PCBs were found at the hatchery a number of years ago. close connection with the land This led to further testing of water, fish tissue, and the encompassing area and working alongside amazing to determine the source. One section of the hatchery was found to contain people.” – Prana Miller higher levels of PCBs in the fish and was shut down to fish production in 2002. Since the closing of that section, all fish at the hatchery are tested “You get to meet people who for PCBs and are determined safe for consumption prior to stocking. The live off the land. You gain knowl- Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is also currently using semi-per- edge and experience on farming meable membrane devices (devices that measure PCBs) to investigate the practices not done on the farm source of contamination. In the near future, the hatchery has plans for a through the field trips.”- Dani- large renovation project that focuses on improving the quality of the efflu- elle Hoffman ent from the hatchery. These renovations include state-of-the-art technolo-

gies such as microscreen filtration, and installations of a new settling pond In the course of the next five and a newly lined retention pond. years, the farm plans to under- take key modifications, namely The results from my research on the impact of the Huntsdale State Fish the construction of a greenhouse Hatchery effluent upon the Yellow Breeches Creek will be summarized in and pond, renovation of the farm the next issue of Stream of Consciousness. barns, installation of solar pan- els, increasing farming acreage from 1.5 acres to 11 acres, using biodiesel fuel for all farm equip- ment, provide half-year intern- References ships to graduating seniors, ex- The Huntsdale State Fish Hatchery Employee Interview pand the CSA membership, and host international interns. PA Fish and Boat Commission Website at: http://www.fish. state.pa.us

Watson, Maunette. 2007. An assessment of the impact of the Huntsdale Fish Hatchery on the Yellow Breeches Creek, Cumberland County, PA. 2007. Stream of Consciousness 19

Fall Staff 2007

Back Row: (Left to Right) Assistant Director Jinnie Woodward, Kalyn Campbell, Andrea Korman, Ashley Whiting, Danielle Cioce, Matt Freedman, Courtney Haynes, Maunette Watson Middle Row: Sunil Baidar, Kate Consroe, Adrian Broderick, Jack Treichler, Director Julie Vastine Front Row: Atandi Anyona, Science Director Candie Wilderman, Benson Ansell

Welcome to the ALLARM family: Jinnie Woodward, Atandi Anyona, Benson Ansell, Kalyn Campbell, and Maunette Watson The Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring Dickinson College Environmental Studies Dept. Non-Profit Organization PO Box 1773 U.S. Postage College & Louther Streets PAID Carlisle, PA 17013-2896 Carlisle, PA 717-245-1565 Permit No. 173

[email protected] www.dickinson.edu/allarm

ALLARM, founded in 1986, is a project of the Dickinson College Environmental Studies Department. Our team of students, professional staff and faculty provides community groups with comprehensive technical support for locally-driven watershed assessments, protection and restoration. For more information visit our website: www.dickinson. edu/allarm. “Stream of Conciousness is published thanks to the generous support of the Charles Merrill Kurtz Fund, established by Betty Puzak in memory of her father Charles M. Kurtz, Dickinson Class of 1907.”