Administrator Jackson speaks with a response worker at the Incident Command Post in Alabama. June 3, 2010. (by USEPA photo by Eric Vance)

I grew up in New Orleans.  As a chemical engineering student at Tulane University, I worked and studied in the local environment, particularly the wetlands, marshes and swamps.  I saw then that the wetlands were the beating heart of the region.  The coastal waters support a multi-billion-dollar fishing industry that is a way of life for many families and communities.  The rich sediment and marsh grasses help filter pollution and provide the home for a priceless and delicate ecosystem.  And the abundant vegetation growing above the surface helps buffer storm surges during hurricanes – a vital function whose importance was all too apparent after Hurricane Katrina.

My mother was still living in New Orleans when Katrina struck.  I happened to be visiting her at the time, and drove her to safety.  But her house – the house where I grew up – was destroyed by the flooding. After the storm, she and many other Gulf residents learned that the flooding had been made worse because the marshes and wetlands had been destabilized by navigation channels, covered over by levee construction, and most damagingly, cut away for the placement of oil and gas lines.

Today my mother can make as compelling an argument for wetlands protection as any wetlands expert I’ve ever met – and in my line of work, I’ve met quite a few. She can tell you that every year almost 40 miles of wetlands outside New Orleans disappear.  We’re losing them at the rate of an entire football field every 30 minutes.  She can also tell you about the people hit hardest by this environmental degradation. Not just the people whose homes were flooded in the storms, but the local tribes and families whose lands are disappearing.  They are finding it harder and harder to fish, trap, or catch the shrimp and shellfish that make up a major part of the local economy, and many of them are moving away.

In the years since Katrina, the EPA has made it a priority to better protect our nation’s vulnerable wetlands and coastal communities. Through grant programs we’ve helped to strengthen state and tribal restoration efforts and built partnerships between government, local groups and landowners.  From restoring the Gulf’s New Cut Barrier Island and protecting Lake Borgne’s shoreline to creating the Bayou DuPont and Whiskey Island Back Barrier marshes, we’ve helped by investing more than $95 million in restoring and protecting the Gulf’s shores and wetlands.

While a clear priority for the EPA, this issue has also become a top priority for President Obama. In March, the administration released a roadmap for restoring the Gulf – outlining our work to build a better, more sustainable future for the region.  Unfortunately, shortly after the release of the plan, yet another tragedy struck: the Deepwater BP oil spill.

Having learned valuable lessons from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we stepped up to defend the coastal communities and the wetlands that shield them from storms and oil alike.  We mobilized in every way possible, from extensive skimming, booming and burning efforts, to dispersing the oil and speeding its degradation offshore, before it affected fragile wetlands.

Five years after Hurricane Katrina, this administration remains committed to ensuring the vitality of the Gulf Coast, the prosperity of its economy, and the health of its residents.  Our work continues today, and will carry on until the area is back on the path to prosperity.  One of the valuable lessons we’ve learned is that building safe, healthy communities means re-building and revitalizing the wetlands that are at the heart of the Gulf Coast.

Lisa P. Jackson is the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

This is a special new week-long track out day camp for Wake County and Raleigh, Cary, Apex and the Triangle Area, North Carolina parents. It is offered during the school year with emphasis on the Wake County, NC track out calendar as well as Wake County Home School programs.

The Swamp School’s Day Camp introduces the wonders of wetlands and the natural world to your child. Our camp is open throughout the school year to children entering first through sixth grades. For each age-specific camp session, our professional staff plans new and exciting activities such as stream explorations, tracking adventures, insect safaris, nature crafts, journaling and play-oriented activities.

For more info go to: http://SwampKids.org…

Raleigh, NC 27603 – USA

Monday, December 6 at 8:45 AM

Attending: 1

Fee: Price: USD 340.00 per child

Details: http://www.meetup.com/swampschool/calendar/14560803/

This is a special new week-long track out day camp for Wake County and Raleigh, Cary, Apex and the Triangle Area, North Carolina parents. It is offered during the school year with emphasis on the Wake County, NC track out calendar as well as Wake County Home School programs.

The Swamp School’s Day Camp introduces the wonders of wetlands and the natural world to your child. Our camp is open throughout the school year to children entering first through sixth grades. For each age-specific camp session, our professional staff plans new and exciting activities such as stream explorations, tracking adventures, insect safaris, nature crafts, journaling and play-oriented activities.

For more info go to: http://SwampKids.org…

Raleigh, NC 27603 – USA

Monday, November 15 at 8:45 AM

Attending: 1

Fee: Price: USD 310.00 per child

Details: http://www.meetup.com/swampschool/calendar/14560790/

Wetland Delineation Training – Online or Classroom – NEW 2010 Rules

Accurate wetland delineations are a necessity for many types of land use projects. When you need to expand your business capabilities and hone your skills, this intensive combination of classroom and field training will teach you what you need to know and provide valuable hands-on delineation experience. This traditional 38-hour wetlands delineation class covers the current and proposed USACOE wetlands delineation methods as well as the recent Rapanos decision. This online version has been accepted as suitable training for the various States that require wetland delineation certification training.

An intensive combination of online classroom and field training, Swamp School is a hands-on way to learn all the necessary skills to perform wetland delineations.

Course Agenda

* Introduction to wetlands and wetlands history
* Wetland Delineations Methods
o US Army Corps of Engineers
o Regional Supplements
o Federal Manual (NJ)
* Wetland hydrology assessment
* Hydric soils studies
* Wetland vegetation identification
* The Rapanos decision

This class contains approximately 24 hours of lectures and activities. If you are taking this class online, it is highly recommended that you allow 3 to 4 weeks to complete the online material. Once you have finished with the classroom lectures and activities the field component can be started. The Swamp School offers the 2-day field class almost every month and in several States. Pick a date and location that fits your schedule and we will see you in the swamp!

* 24/7 Online access to your class
* 3.8 CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
* Certificate of Training

Field supplies required

* Soil auger
* Munsell soil color chart
* Plant ID guide
* Notebook

Includes room and board for the entire week

Sign Up Here

Columbia, SC 29210 – USA

Monday, November 8 at 7:30 AM

Attending: 1

Fee: Price: USD 950.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/swampschool/calendar/13189629/

This is a special new week-long track out day camp for Wake County and Raleigh, Cary, Apex and the Triangle Area, North Carolina parents. It is offered during the school year with emphasis on the Wake County, NC track out calendar as well as Wake County Home School programs.

The Swamp School’s Day Camp introduces the wonders of wetlands and the natural world to your child. Our camp is open throughout the school year to children entering first through sixth grades. For each age-specific camp session, our professional staff plans new and exciting activities such as stream explorations, tracking adventures, insect safaris, nature crafts, journaling and play-oriented activities.

For more info go to: http://SwampKids.org…

Raleigh, NC 27603 – USA

Monday, October 4 at 8:45 AM

Attending: 1

Fee: Price: USD 290.00 per child

Details: http://www.meetup.com/swampschool/calendar/14560719/

New Jersey School of Conservation
1 Wapalanne Road
Sandyston, NJ 07826

Join us for a one-day workshop at the NJ School of Conservation (NJSOC) in beautiful Stokes State Forest and learn all about wetlands. This field class will introduce you to the many varied types of wetlands found in the NJ Skylands. You will explore secret bogs, marshes, swamps and streams all found on the campus of NJSOC. The Swamp School, a nationally recognized wetland education institution, sponsors the class.

What is Included

The day starts out at 9:00 AM with a casual discussion of what a wetland is and how to identify one in the field. This includes a classroom presentation while snacking and enjoying some coffee. Next, we head out into the field to explore the ecology of the forest. We will investigate a number of wetland sites near the main campus. At noon, you will be treated to a delicious luncheon catered by NJSOC. Afterwards, we will venture out to some of the more secluded wetlands to continue our field workshop. The class will conclude around 4:00 PM.
If you enjoy the outdoors and want to learn a little more about wetlands, then this class is for you. Spend a day with us and jump into the fascinating world of wetlands.

Registration

The class is limited to 25 students, so don’t wait too long. Registration can be completed online or by phone. Please visit our website at http://SwampSchool.or… to register online or call 1-877-479-2673 to register by phone.

Tuition

$100 which includes your workshop materials, snacks and lunch.

Sandyston Township, NJ 07826 – USA

Saturday, September 18 at 9:00 AM

Attending: 1

Fee: Price: USD 100.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/swampschool/calendar/14577996/

Wetland Delineation Training – Online or Classroom – NEW 2010 Rules

Accurate wetland delineations are a necessity for many types of land use projects. When you need to expand your business capabilities and hone your skills, this intensive combination of classroom and field training will teach you what you need to know and provide valuable hands-on delineation experience. This traditional 38-hour wetlands delineation class covers the current and proposed USACOE wetlands delineation methods as well as the recent Rapanos decision. This online version has been accepted as suitable training for the various States that require wetland delineation certification training.

An intensive combination of online classroom and field training, Swamp School is a hands-on way to learn all the necessary skills to perform wetland delineations.

Course Agenda

* Introduction to wetlands and wetlands history
* Wetland Delineations Methods
o US Army Corps of Engineers
o Regional Supplements
o Federal Manual (NJ)
* Wetland hydrology assessment
* Hydric soils studies
* Wetland vegetation identification
* The Rapanos decision

This class contains approximately 24 hours of lectures and activities. If you are taking this class online, it is highly recommended that you allow 3 to 4 weeks to complete the online material. Once you have finished with the classroom lectures and activities the field component can be started. The Swamp School offers the 2-day field class almost every month and in several States. Pick a date and location that fits your schedule and we will see you in the swamp!

* 24/7 Online access to your class
* 3.8 CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
* Certificate of Training

Field supplies required

* Soil auger
* Munsell soil color chart
* Plant ID guide
* Notebook

Includes room and board for the entire week

Sign Up Here

Sandyston Township, NJ 07826 – USA

Monday, September 13 at 7:30 AM

Attending: 1

Fee: Price: USD 1,199.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/swampschool/calendar/13189610/

• Soils
• Wetlands
• Floodplains
• Topo Maps

The links are free to use with Google Earth.

We have also included a short primer on how to install the links and a few tips on how to use them.
There are a number of third party applications that make use of this data. Some of these programs run into the thousands of dollars. We, however are offering this tutorial and links for a bargain price of $4.99.

I hope that you will find this list of links and tips useful to your business. If you would like to order this tutorial, please click this link ==> Using Google Earth for Wetlands

or copy and past this link into your web browser:

https://swampschool.infusionsoft.com/saleform/nathniw

NOAA Release – August 4, 2010
The vast majority of the oil from the BP oil spill has either evaporated or been burned, skimmed, recovered from the wellhead or dispersed much of which is in the process of being degraded. A significant amount of this is the direct result of the robust federal response efforts. A third (33 percent) of the total amount of oil released in the Deepwater Horizon/BP spill was captured or mitigated by the Unified Command recovery operations, including burning, skimming, chemical dispersion and direct recovery from the wellhead, according to a federal science report released last week. For full press release, go to: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100804_oil.html For full report, “What Happened to the Oil?”, go to: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/PDFs/OilBudget_description_
%2083final.pdf

What about the wetlands?   This is from:

Oil spill enters new phase: restoring the Gulf, learning from the disaster
Published: Friday, August 06, 2010, 9:21 AM Updated: Friday, August 06, 2010, 9:23 AM
Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune

How long will cleanup really last?

Another feature of the spill response that may last years is the debate about whether the oil has been cleaned up.

In responding to both the extensive cleanup work expected along Louisiana’s coastline and elsewhere along the Gulf Coast and in the offshore areas of the Gulf, scientists and environmentalists urge the Obama administration and Congress to adopt methods that will be driven by science, rather than expediency.

“I think it’s already become obvious that the level of response to oil in our wetlands is not adequate,” said Natalie Snider, science director for the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, a Louisiana-based environmental organization. “We need response teams that will remove oil coming toward marsh areas and beaches before it arrives. There really needs to be a large push on continuing to keep oil out of our wetlands as much as possible.”

Attacking the oil onshore is likely to require reliance on natural bacteria to break down oil that escapes into the wetlands, said John Pardue, a bioremediation expert at Louisiana State University.

“The components of this oil are long chains of waxes, chains of carbons that are 15 to 30 molecules long,” he said. “The bacteria that are already there have enzymes that break these chains into smaller pieces and use the carbon molecules to make energy and new bacteria.”

But keeping these bacteria happy is a difficult balancing job in the coastal environment that requires just the right amounts of oxygen and nutrients. The oxygen could be supplied by aerators,
machines that pump air into the low-oxygen water or spray water into the air, similar to those used at the ends of the 17th Street and London Avenue canals to increase oxygen in floodwaters pumped into Lake Pontchartrain after Katrina.

Years of recovery

For 87 days, America watched oil gush into the ocean. Despite White House portrayals of the oil having mostly disappeared from the Gulf since the well was capped, state officials continue to warn that it could take 10 years or longer to determine the long-term effects of all that oil on both the environment and the economy of the Gulf and Gulf Coast communities.

“This is a marathon for our state and it’s not done for us until our coast and wetlands are fully restored so our people can get back to their way of life,” Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said.

Research Opportunity Number
Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) HSCG32-10-R-R00019
Amendment 0002

Agency
United States Coast Guard (USCG)
Research and Development Center (RDC)
1 Chelsea Street
New London, CT 06320

Research Opportunity Title
Deepwater Horizon Response

Program Name
Interagency Alternative Technology Assessment Program (IATAP)

Background

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) and applicable Federal legislation and regulations provide the USCG with broad responsibilities and authorities regarding oil spill response oversight on the navigable waters of the United States. Included are responsibilities and authorities to conduct, in coordination with other Federal agencies, research on innovative oil spill technology. In accordance with these responsibilities and authorities and in light of the numerous offers of innovative technology assistance to the response effort associated with the recent Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the United States Coast Guard Research and Development Center (USCG RDC), at the request of the Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) and the National Incident Commander (NIC), has issued this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the purpose of organizing the collection and enhancing the Deepwater Horizon Response Team assessment of the technology assistance offers.

This announcement constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) issued under the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Subparts 6.102(d)(2) and 35.016, to provide for the submission of White Papers (written description of the idea) in support of the Deepwater Horizon Response under the following five technology gap areas:

1. Oil Sensing Improvements to Response and Detection
(For example, tactical oil sensing, surface oil tracking and reporting, submerged oil detection, submerged oil tracking and reporting, etc.)
2. Oil Wellhead Control and Submerged Oil Response
(For example, wellhead spill control, wellhead shutoff measures, submerged oil collection, submerged oil treatment, etc.)
3. Traditional Oil Spill Response Technologies
(For example, booms, skimmers, surface collections techniques, absorbents, near- and on-shore response, innovative applications not commonly used for oil spill response, disposal, etc.)
4. Alternative Oil Spill Response Technologies
(For example, In-situ burn, alternative chemical treatments, innovative applications not commonly used for oil response, etc.)
5. Oil Spill Damage Assessment and Restoration
(For example, damage assessment techniques, tracking surface restoration technologies and submerged restoration technologies, etc.)