See Upcoming PCWEA Events... in our current newsletter

March 19: Annual Meeting

Where else can you get an evening of music, food, a puppet show, and only a little business in a single place? Indeed, on Friday, March 19 members of Paxton Creek Watershed and Education Association (PCWEA) will gather at the new Giant Superstore community center, Blue Mountain Room, located in Blue Mountain Commons, 2300 Linglestown Road. The 2-hour gathering begins at 6:30 pm in the store's upstairs Blue Mountain Room. Besides the puppet show and music, the main activities include: a brief summary of achievements in the past year, review of current activities, and selection of candidates for election to the PCWEA Board of Directors.

Music, Puppets, Food & Frolic

Attendees can participate in both the puppet show, and music choices. The puppet show, entitled Wildwood -- Wonderful, Wondrous Wetlands! features a boy and girl learning about themselves, and the uses of wetlands from Mother Nature, a skunk, a fish, and an Alligator visitor from Lake Tobias. The music will be fabulous retro tunes of the last half-century, from international folksongs to rock, Gilbert & Sullivan, country, & Broadway show albums. Picnic food (deli fixings, special breads, salads, dessert) will be the dining fare. An RSVP to 717-545-1336 is requested for the logistical planning. 

Agenda

6:30 – 6:35    Welcome

6:35 – 6:45    Introduction of Participants

6:45 – 7:30    Dinner Begins (& Continues)

                        Sounds of Yesteryears: Popular Tunes

7:30 – 7: 40   Association Status and Achievements Review

7:40 – 8: 00   Puppet Show: Wildwood -- Wonderful, Wondrous Wetlands!

8:00 – 8:15    Board of Directors Candidates Slate      

8:15 – 8:25    Our Partners Speak, and Closing Remarks

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EPA Releases TMDLs for Paxton Creek

Determinations of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) have been a long time coming to Paxton Creek for some of its main pollutants -- sediment, and nutrients (e.g., phosphorus). TMDLs are the total amounts of pollutants allocated (allowed, assigned) from groundwater or surface water sources to a body of water (Paxton Creek). In practice, TMDLs are quantitative goals of pollution management that apply to watersheds; they are the pollutant levels that municipalities are expected to reach. They are mainly associated with excessive urban stormwater runoff from roads, roofs, and parking areas in Paxton Creek watershed, that wash nutrients from yards & grounds, swell inadequate sewers, and erode creek banks.   The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released draft reports with TMDL figures on March 3, followed by a meeting in Lower Paxton Township 2 weeks later. According to these EPA reports, sediment loads in the creek need reducing by  84.2% to meet the sediment TMDL endpoint (expectation); the phosphorus load, an 26% reduction -- numbers meaning that municipalities and land users/pollution generators will have to spend $ millions, and drastically alter their land use, development, and operational practices in the future.

An additional public input meeting has been scheduled for municipal officials, and a written comments period has been extended until April 18, during which time public comments on the TMDL reports will be accepted. PCWEA filed comments on April 11. More information about the TMDLs from the EPA. including a copy of a Power Point presentation at the March meeting, reportedly will be on http://epa.gov/reg3wapd/tmdl/pa.tmdl/PaxtonCreek3-4-08/index.html Comments on the TMDLs are to be sent to berlin.lenka@epa.gov electronically, or via post to: Ms. Lenka Berlin (3WP30), USEPA Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA  19103.  Her telephone number is 215-814-5259.

  

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HACC Events for Earth Day

Earth Day 2008 at the Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC, Wildwood Campus) and neighbors extends several weeks this year. Tools, water and snacks will be at the outdoor activities. Several activities and events at HACC celebrate the Earth Day observance. An additional event, Linglestown Middle School Rain Garden, was scheduled after the last website posting.

Grow Out Center assistance on Saturday, April 5, in Shutt Mill Park, Susquehanna Township was cancelled. (It may be rescheduled in  the fall.)

Linglestown Middle School Rain Garden Rehabilitation on April 19 or 26 (rain date), 9 am-noon (and 1-4 pm, if necessary). The variable dates are for rain events (surely, 2 weekends in a row wonÕt be washed out). The event will feature vegetation plantings of over 100 trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials for beauty (butterfly area for children) and stormwater management. Gloves, tools, etc. will be provided, but participants can bring their own. The school is off N. Mountain Road via exit 72 from I-81, and S. of the junction of Mountain Road with Route 39 at Linglestown.

Energy Talk with Joseph Wojtysiak, Executive Director of HACC College Service Center, whose people build and take care of the HACC physical plant at the 5 HACC campuses and centers. On April 17, 9:45-10:45 am, in Blocker Hall room 212, Joe W. (Wojtysiak) will discuss with environmental instructor E. Drannon Buskirk, Jr., Why Energy Management at HACC Is Among the Best in the Nation.   Energy coordination, control, efficiency, and alternatives have saved the community college $ millions over the years, and will do even better in the coming future. It is one of the college's best-kept secrets.

Litter collecting along Industrial Road (Wildwood Park Drive) on Sunday, April 20, 1-4 pm; HACC and partner PCWEA will furnish the necessary tools (e.g., gloves, bags, Grab-its), but participants may bring their own. This event may be an adventure!

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Watershed Stakeholders To Make Garden and Landscaping Designs At Workshop: April 23 

Arranged by Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), home owners at creek headwaters, Paxton Creek stakeholders, and others will discuss prospects for beautifying yards and grounds, while using conservation practices at a workshop in Lower Paxton Township Municipal Building on April 23, from 6:30-9:00 pm. At the evening workshop participants will learn principles (e.g., role of gardens in infiltrating stormwater runoff, and in removing pollutants; a special set of 3Rs used in conservation landscaping), and environmental considerations in gardening decisions. Workshop participants will receive vegetation discounts, chances at a rain barrel raffle, opportunity for membership in PCWEA, vegetation and vendor lists, sources of additional information, and other assistance. Registration has now closed. Additional workshop background is at here .

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HACC Students, PCWEA, & Others Will Build Rain Garden At Koons Park, Linglestown*    

The partnership between HACC, PCWEA, and the Department of Public Works of Lower Paxton, Koons Park, Linglestown. HACC students, PCWEAers, and others will come together at Koons Park for installation of the rain garden. Activities will mainly involve a sign installation, soils work, vegetation plantings, and mulch applications. This facility is located off Mountain Road leading into Linglestown from Rt. 22 and I-81 (off at exit 72, onto Mountain Road N. towards Blue Mountain). 

*This project will be rescheduled. High levels of salt were found in the soil. The source must be identified and dealt with, and suitable plants must be found. Watch for updates.

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Potential Future Awareness Activities and Projects

Watch for other happenings in upcoming months. The PCWEA has developed a flyer showing a partial list of potential awareness activities and partners, as described below.