LandStudies

PLNA Annual Green Industry Forum and Member Recognition Event
2018-03-08 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Hershey Country Club, 1000 E. Derry Road, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
LandStudies President, Kelly Gutshall, will be facilitating a round table discussion on sustainable landscapes and PLNA’s Sustainable Landscape Certification program as part of their Green Industry Forum on March 8th. To learn more about PLNA and this year’s Forum please visit http://www.plna.com/page/GreenIndustryForum

Pennsylvania MS4s: Elements of a Stormwater Management Program
2018-02-15 08:00 - 16:30 | PA
LandStudies’ MS4 Specialist, Mike LaSala, will be presenting at the Pennsylvania MS4 workshop presented by HalfMoon Education in State College, PA on February 15, 2018. This training will cover understanding stormwater permit requirements and procedures for small MS4s; obtaining general and individual permits for Phase II (small) systems; development and implementation of a stormwater management program (SWMP); elements of a SWMP; and sample programs and goals. This training offers CEUs for PEs, Architects, Landscape Architects, and Floodplain Managers. For more details and registration information, click here.

Public Hearing - PA DEP Nutrient Credit Trading Program
2018-02-05 09:00 | PA State Capitol Building, Room 8-EA, Capitol East Wing, Harrisburg, PA, 17120, United States
The PA Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee is holding a public hearing on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Nutrient Credit Trading program. This hearing is free and open to the general public.
Federal requirements limit the state of Pennsylvania to a maximum amount of phosphorous and nitrogen that is discharged into the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. This program provides a cost-effective way for wastewater treatment plants and industries to meet their pollution control requirements for nitrogen and phosphorous by purchasing “credits” from other facilities or non-point sources that are doing more than required.
This hearing will provide an overview of the Nutrient Credit Trading program and how it is affecting the sewage treatment industry, local governments, and agricultural non-point source stakeholders. Recommendations on how to improve the program will be presented in front of the Committee.
For questions about this public hearing contact Tony Guerrieri at tguerrieri@jcc.legis.state.pa.us or call the Committee office at (717) 787-7570.

Healthy Watershed Tour
2017-10-06 13:00 - 16:30 | Lititz, Lititz, PA, United States
LandStudies’ President, Kelly Gutshall, will be giving a Stormwater Management Best Management Practices (BMPs) tour of various project sites around the Lititz area. Anyone interested in attending or wanting more details should email laurel@landstudies.com. If your organization would like to schedule a tour of your own on another day, please email Laurel about that as well. Details about previous Healthy Watershed Tours can be found at https://landstudies.com/tours.

2017 Taste of the Chesapeake Celebration & Silent Auction
2017-09-14 18:00 - 21:30 | Anne Arundel Medical Center, 2000 Medical Pkwy, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Join LandStudies at the 2017 Taste of the Chesapeake Celebration & Silent Auction. The event take places September 14, 2017 from 6:00 to 9:30 pm at the Rooftop Conference Center in the Belcher Pavilion of the Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, MD.
At our Taste of the Chesapeake, the Alliance recognizes our environmental leadership award winners and showcases our programs and our progress toward Bay restoration. The Taste also helps raise critical funds to support our vital mission to restore and protect the Chesapeake and increase the impact of our work across the Chesapeake watershed.
Join us at the Taste for an evening of unique Chesapeake-inspired food and drink, live music, raffles, and a silent auction! Items from last year’s silent auction included a weeklong Vermont vacation, Chesapeake waterway trips, sports event tickets, themed baskets, gift certificates, and much more!
Photo by Preservation Maryland – Westward View of Annapolis from the Navy Chapel Dome, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47619824

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Level 1 Training Class
2017-07-24 09:30 - 2017-07-25 15:30 | Lancaster City Hall, 120 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA, 17602, United States
LandStudies’ staff member, Nick Myers, is attending this new certification program to become a certified Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional. The program is for those landscape professionals who design, install, and maintain conservation landscapes and stormwater practices. The program provides expert trainers, hands-on experiences, and networking and collaborative practice opportunities.
The cost of the two-day training is $425, which also allows for unlimited access to 17 webinars and includes the fall examination fee. Registration is required and can be done at https://cblpro.org/get-certified. Other training opportunities exist in Maryland and Virginia as well.
CBLP Flyer Lancaster

Pennsylvania MS4s: Elements of a Stormwater Management Program
2017-07-12 08:00 - 16:30 | Holiday Inn Allentown Center City, 904 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA, 18101, United States
LandStudies’ Mike LaSala will present a variety of topics related to Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) at this all-day workshop. Subject matter includes defining MS4s, understanding state and federal MS4 regulatory requirements, how to apply for an MS4 permit, how to develop a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP), and examples from within Pennsylvania.
The cost of the all-day workshop is $279. Continuing education credits are available for professional engineers (6.5 PDHs), architects (6.5 HSW CE hours and 6.5 AIA HSW Learning Units), landscape architects (6.5 HSW Contact Hours and 6.5 LA CES HSW PDHs) and floodplain managers (6.5 ASFPM CECs). To learn more and register for the workshop, go to https://www.halfmoonseminars.org/seminars/130598/pennsylvania-ms4s-elements-of-a-stormwater-management-program-swmp/allentown-pa.

Summer Kickoff Networking Event
2017-06-28 17:00 - 19:00 | Cafe 1500 American Bistro, 1500 North Sixth Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17102, United States
The Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP), the PA Association of Environmental Professionals (PAEP), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) are having their summer kickoff networking event. Members of one or more of the groups are invited to attend at no cost. Appetizers will be provided. LandStudies’ President, Kelly Gutshall, plans to attend. Register by June 23 here: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ee6dp5qic0161c54&llr=4mm7nzhab.

Lancaster County Conservancy – Climbers Run Picnic on the Preserve
2017-06-10 15:00 - 20:00 | Climbers Run nature Preserve, 226 Frogtown Road, Pequea, PA, 17565, United States
Lancaster County Conservancy is hosting an afternoon of family friendly activities followed by their annual meeting and picnic at Climbers Run Nature Preserve. This event is free and open to the public; however, if you plan on staying for the picnic (food and drinks) you must register and purchase tickets by June 2nd.
Registration details and a full schedule of events can be found here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/picnic-on-the-preserve-tickets-33624033389

Field Trip - Chestnut Grove: Habitat Restoration
2017-06-10 08:00 - 12:00 | Millersville University, 121 N. George St., Millersville, PA, 17551, United States
LandStudies, Inc. provided professional services for native ecological habitat restoration relative to the development of the Chestnut Grove Natural Area. The site includes two parcels owned by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, which are being used for soil borrow activities for the future expansion of the Frey Farm Landfill. The project involves restoring native habitats and will ultimately result in a preserved natural area that provides both passive recreation and environmental education opportunities. This field trip will occur rain or shine, be prepared to be outside and dress accordingly. Attendees will learn about designing, installing, and maintaining a variety of native habitat types, learn about design and implementation of a recreational trail system and enhancing/expanding wetlands, and learn about the associated permitting requirements for this type of project.
Approved for 4 LACES (landscape architect) credits.
Cost $60 per person.
Folks can register for this session as a stand alone and/or sign up for the main conference (Thursday/Friday) here https://NPILC.regfox.com/npilc-registration.

Chiques Creek Watershed Expo
2017-06-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Manheim Farm Show, 502 East Adele Ave, Manheim, PA, 17545, United States
LandStudies will be exhibiting at this year’s Chiques Creek Watershed Expo, which is a featured event in the Lancaster County Conservancy’s Water Week. This is a family friendly, educational event that is free to the public. Some highlights of this expo will include rain barrel painting, home composting workshop, a model rain garden, native plant display, beekeeping display, and more. There will also be live music and free ice cream!
To see the full list of activities, click here http://chiquescreekwatershed.org/2017-expo/
To learn more about the Lancaster County Conservancy’s Water Week, click here https://www.lancasterwaterweek.org/
To learn more about the Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance, click here http://chiquescreekwatershed.org/

2017 Native Plants in the Landscape Conference
2017-06-07 08:00 - 2017-06-10 17:00 | Millersville University, 121 N. George St., Millersville, PA, 17551, United States
LandStudies’ President Kelly Gutshall will be presenting on “Economic Ecology – Floodplain Restoration: Maximizing Economic and Environmental Returns” on June 8th at this year’s Native Plants in the Landscape Conference at 10:35 am. She will discuss how Economic Ecology is used as an innovative, regional approach to solving water issues that can maximize both economic and environmental returns on investment.
LandStudies’ Andy Korzon will be giving a tour of one of our Habitat Restoration projects at Chestnut Grove, which is a joint effort with the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority who is utilizing soil borrow activities for the future expansion of the Frey Farm Landfill.
To see the full conference schedule and details for registration, click here http://www.millersvillenativeplants.org/

Lancaster Water Week
2017-06-03 08:00 - 2017-06-10 17:00 | Lancaster County, Lancaster, PA, United States
LandStudies is proud to be a sponsor of Lancaster Water Week that will celebrate our unique waterways in Lancaster County, and strengthen the sense of stewardship through family friendly tours, educational outreach, volunteer opportunities, outdoor recreation, films, and more.
The award winning floodplain restoration project, Big Spring Run, will be showcased on Friday, June 9th as part of the series of kick off events. LandStudies provided the design, construction, and landscaping services for this project. You can sign up for a tour here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-of-big-spring-run-restoration-project-tickets-33396669337
For more information on events happening this week visit the Lancaster Water Week website https://www.lancasterwaterweek.org/

Lititz recCenter 24th Annual Golf Tournament
2017-05-31 13:00 - 17:00 | Iron Valley Golf Club,, 201 Iron Valley Drive, Lebanon, PA, 17042, United States
LandStudies is a proud sponsor of this year’s Lititz recCenter Golf Tournament. Sponsorship money helps support the Lititz recCenter. For information on how to register or become a sponsor, click here https://operations.daxko.com/Online/Programs/ProgramDetails.aspx?id=34a413c9-fd0d-4b95-98d9-6de85d931c80&pid=1842998&cid=3045

Ephrata Kids Day
2017-05-23 10:00 - 2017-05-24 13:00 | Ephrata Borough, 124 S. State St., Ephrata, PA, 17522, United States
Part of any municipality’s stormwater management program (SWMP) involves public outreach and education. It is important to teach citizens what stormwater is, how it can affect our waterways, and what they can do to help. That’s why our friends at Ephrata Borough are celebrating National Public Works Week with the event, “Borough Operation Kid Day”. Group tours of the borough’s Public Works Complex will run from 10 am to 1 pm on May 23 and 24. Come learn how the borough’s Public Works works, in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

Stormwater Management: Compliance, Coordination & Cost! Workshop
2017-05-18 08:00 - 15:30 | Giant Food Store Community Center, Harrisburg, PA, 17110, United States
LandStudies’ Kelly Gutshall, Mark Gutshall, and Mike LaSala will each present at this day-long workshop for planners, elected officials, planning commission members, solicitors, and residents interested in stormwater management. Other presenters include staff from the Department of Environmental Protection, Derry Township, HRG, and Lititz Borough.
Cost is $35 for members of the PA Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-PA) or $40 for non-members. The cost includes the workshop, lunch, and break refreshments. 5.5 CM credits are pending approval for AICP members. To register, fill out the form that can be found here and mail in with check by May 10. Questions? Contact Pam at 717-0771-9870 or pshellenberger@ycpc.org.
Agenda:
8:00 am: Registration
8:15 am: Welcome
8:20 am: Stormwater Management: Big Picture, Lee McDonnell, PA DEP, Bureau of Clean Water
9:20 am: Stormwater Management: Regional Initiative, Felicia Dell, York County Planning Commission
10:20 am: Break
10:30 am: Economic Ecology-Pollution Removal & Flood Reduction at a Regional Scale, Mark & Kelly Gutshall, LandStudies
12:00 pm: Lunch
12:45 pm: Planning in the Fast Lane
1:00 pm: Creating a Stormwater Authority, Mike Callahan, Derry Township & Adrienne Vicari, HRG
2:00 pm: EPA Audit Experience, Sue Barry, Elijah Yearick & Scott Hain, Lititz Borough & Mike LaSala, LandStudies
3:00 pm: Wrap-Up

Hometown Habitat: Stories of Bringing Nature Home
2017-05-17 18:00 - 21:00 | Penn State Southeast Ag Research Extension Farm, 1446 Auction Road, Manheim, PA, 17545, United States
LandStudies is proud to be a sponsor of this one-day film showing. Come join fellow nature lovers to view this beautiful, environmental documentary about how communities and individuals can play a role in protecting our ecosystem by “bringing nature home.” The event includes time to explore the Idea Garden as well as a panel discussion following the film.

The 12th Annual Vista School PTO Golf Classic
2017-05-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Dauphin Highlands Golf Course, Harrisburg, PA, 17113, United States
LandStudies is a proud Silver sponsor of this year’s Vista School PTO Golf Classic. Sponsorship money helps support the Vista School in their effort to bring hope to children and their families living with autism in Central Pennsylvania.
To find out more about the event, about the Vista School, and registration, volunteer, donation, and sponsorship opportunities please click here https://www.golfinvite.com/events/Default.aspx?pageName=vista

PA State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) Annual Conference and Exhibition
2017-05-07 08:00 - 2017-05-10 17:00 | Hershey Lodge, 325 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
LandStudies’ Mike LaSala along with DCNR Central PA Regional Supervisor, Lori Yeich, will be presenting on “Integrating P3s Into Stormwater Compliance”, at this year’s PSAB conference on May 9th, from 2-3pm. Their presentation will provide a proven, solution based public-private partnership (P3) in addressing stormwater (MS4) regulatory compliance in a cost-effective way. Topics of emphasis include community parks, infrastructure, audits, and required documentation.
See the full schedule and details for registration here http://boroughs.org/subpage.php?link=2017%20Annual%20Conference

2017 PA Land Conservation Conference
2017-05-04 08:00 - 2017-05-06 17:00 | Double Tree Resort by Hilton, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster, PA, 17602, United States
“Where Land Meets Water. Protecting Our Farmland, Natural Lands, and Waterways”
The PA Land Conservation Conference is Pennsylvania’s annual training, networking, and inspirational event for private and public land conservation groups and individuals. The event will host seminars and workshops, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities.
See the full schedule and details for registration here http://conserveland.org/2017-conference/

P3 Bootcamp
2017-05-02 14:00 - 2017-05-03 15:00 | Ballard Spaar LLP, 1735 Market Street, 48th Floor , Philadelphia, PA, 19103-7599, United States
Agenda
Philadelphia | May 2-3, 2017 | Host: Ballard Spahr LLP
Day 1 — Tuesday, May 2 (2:00 to 5:00 p.m.)
Welcome Remarks and P3Bootcamp Overview (2:00 to 2:10 p.m.)
Speakers: Steve Park, Partner, Ballard Spahr LLP Paul Kalomiris, Deputy Director, NCPPP The Framework of Public-Private Partnerships (2:10 to 3:10 p.m.)

What is a P3?
How do P3s differ from traditional privatization and procurement processes?
What are the different structures for P3 transactions (mid-term to long-term O&M contracts;design, build, operate and maintain (DBOM) contracts; design, build, finance, operate and maintain (DBFOM) transactions; concession, lease and franchise transactions)?

First Steps in the Process (3:10 to 4:10 p.m.)
Speakers: John Smolen, Partner, Nossaman LLP Tim Weston, Partner, K&L Gates LLP P3

Preparing the agency. Identifying a P3 champion.
Identifying and marshaling the resources required to implement a successful P3.
Evaluating whether the agency has sufficient legal authority for a P3, and what procurement procedures apply.
Bringing and keeping stakeholders on board.
Implementing an active communications plan.

Market Trends (4:10 to 5:00 p.m.)
Speakers: Mike Schutt, Vice President, Plenary Group, Thomas Dooney, Managing Director, Bostonia Partners LLC

Where is the P3 market headed?
What sectors are primed for P3 growth?
How will the market trends affect your approach to projects?

Networking Reception (5:00 to 6:00 p.m.)
Day 2 — Wednesday, May 3 (8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
Identifying and Developing a P3 Project (8:00 to 9:30 a.m.)
Speakers: Mike Schutt, Vice President, Plenary Group Arthur Smith, President, Management Analysis, Incorporated John Smolen, Partner, Nossaman LLP

What attracts the private sector to P3 projects?
Evaluating whether a project is a suitable candidate for a P3.
Considering options for P3 approaches.
Formulating the project based on the agency’s needs.
Identifying and allocating risk.

Break (9:30 to 9:45 a.m.)
P3 Financing (9:45 to 11:00 a.m.)
Speakers: Thomas Dooney, Managing Director, Bostonia Partners LLC Steve Park, Partner, Ballard Spahr LLP

What tools are available, and how to evaluate which tools are most appropriate to a particular project.
What are the key elements/issues/structures involved in financing a P3?
What do equity investors and lenders look for in a project?
What do practitioners need to see in a structure to make a deal work?

The Procurement Process (11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
Speakers: Kimberly Magrini, Associate, Ballard Spahr LLP John Smolen, Partner, Nossaman

Overview of the procurement process.
Running a transparent procurement while maintaining the confidentiality of bidders.
Timing of the procurement and the status of the environmental/permitting process.
Encouraging competition and engaging the industry.
The RFI, RFQ and RFP processes.
Negotiating the P3 agreement.

LLP Lunch (12:30 to 1:30 p.m.)
Speaker: Dominique Lueckenhoff, Acting Director, Water Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3
Contract Administration during the Construction and O&M Periods (1:30 to 2:30 p.m.)
Speakers: Arthur Smith, President, Management Analysis, Incorporated Ali Zaidi, Senior Advisor, Morrison & Foerster LLP

What to expect.
Roles and responsibilities.
The implementation process.
Takeaways.

Wrap Up / Final Q&A Period (2:30 to 3:00 p.m.)
Speakers: All Faculty

2017 Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors Annual Conference
2017-04-25 13:00 - 14:30 | Hershey Lodge, 325 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
LandStudies’ President, Kelly Gutshall will present as part of a panel session with Sara Gibson (Manager of Rapho Township), Andy Mears (Senior Associate with Johnson Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc.) and Lori Yeich (Recreation and Conservation Manager with PA DCNR). Their session is titled, “How Parks and Trails Can Address Stormwater Issues.” Those in attendance will learn from Kelly and several other presenters how townships in the state are using green infrastructure to turn their parks, trails, and waterways from things that are “nice to have” into multi-functional necessities for their community. Along the way they are lowering their park maintenance costs, expanding their recreational opportunities, obtaining grant funding, and mitigating stormwater permitting requirements. Real world examples will include the Cocalico Creek Watershed Restoration Planning project, the Jackson Township Golf Park, and the Warwick Township School District, among others.
To learn more about the conference and register, visit http://conference.psats.org

PSATS 2017 Conference Workshop
2017-04-25 13:00 - 14:30 | Hershey Lodge, 325 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
We are pleased to announce that LandStudies’ Mike LaSala has been selected to present at the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) 2017 Conference!
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) communities are required to know where pollutants in streams and rivers come from so they can address them accordingly. In order to do so, they need to monitor dry and wet weather discharges from their storm sewer outfalls.
LandStudies’ certified MS4 professional, Mike LaSala, will explain the ins and outs of “MS4 Outfall Screening and Monitoring: Dry Weather vs. Wet Weather” at the annual conference, Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at the Hershey Lodge.
Speaker: Michael LaSala, CPMSM (CMS4S), CSI
Topic: MS4 Outfall Screen Monitoring: Dry Weather vs. Wet Weather
Event: PSATS 2017 Conference Workshop
Sponsor: Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS)
Location: Hershey Lodge 325 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033

Legacy Sediment, Riparian Corridors, and Total Maximum Daily Loads
2017-04-24 09:30 - 2017-04-25 15:30 | Westin Annapolis, 100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis, MD, 21401
This STAC workshop will be structured around panel discussions on each of three themes: legacy sediment, riparian corridors, and total maximum daily loads, with three-four experts on the panel who will be asked to address specific questions and cite key evidence. These will be followed by group discussion and individuals designated as “synthesizers” will come up with discussion points to summarize or respond to the panel. Panelists and discussants will be asked to prepare notes with reference citations that can be used by the steering committee in preparing the workshop proceedings.
DAY 1:
9:30 – 10:00 am Sign-In and Coffee (provided)
10:00 am Welcome, Introductions, Overview of workshop Objectives and Outcomes – Andy Miller
Theme A:
10:30 – 12:00 pm A1 Panelists: Allan James, Sean Smith, Dorothy Merritts, Greg Noe
(~10 minutes per speaker, plus additional Q&A)

How should legacy sediment be defined in the context of the Chesapeake Bay management effort?
What is the importance of legacy sediments compared to other sediment sources affecting Bay conditions?
To what extent do legacy sediments provide an important source of nutrient contributions by comparison with other sources?

12:00 – 12:45 pm Lunch (provided)
12:45 – 2:15 pm A2 Panelists: Jim Pizzuto, Cliff Hupp, Allen Gellis, Karl Wegmann

How do the distribution, characteristics and relative magnitude of legacy sediment vary with watershed scale or geographic location?
To what extent are lag times for sediment delivery and intermediate floodplain storage processes relevant to our assessment of the problem?

2:15 pm Break
Theme B:
2:30 – 3:45 pm B1 Panelists: Art Parola, Solange Filoso, Drew Altland, Tess Thompson

What do we know about the engineering reliability and water-quality effectiveness of practices designed to mitigate the potential downstream impacts of legacy sediment at the watershed scale?

3:45 pm Break
4:00 – 5:15 pm B2 Panelists: Don Weller, Bern Sweeney, Peter Kleinman, Kathy Boomer

What do we know about the relative effectiveness at the watershed scale of practices designed to retain or prevent mobilization of sediment and associated nutrients from sources other than legacy sediment?

5:30 pm Adjourn Day
DAY 2:
8:30 – 9:00 am Light breakfast (provided)
9:00 – 9:30 am Recap Day 1
Theme C:
9:30 – 12:00 pm Panelists: Kevin Smith, Stu Schwartz, Erik Michelson, Gary Shenk, Ryan Cole

How do we decide on the appropriate combination of controls from Theme B (both in design and number) to reduce impacts on Chesapeake Bay?
What are costs and constraints that influence ability to implement practices?
What additional information do managers need to inform their choices?

12:00 – 12:45 pm Lunch (provided)
Panel Synthesis
12:45 – 1:30 pm Theme A Panel Response and Discussion –
A1 Synthesizers: Mike Langland, Andy Miller, Bob Walter
A2 Synthesizers: John Brakebill, Katie Skalak, Dorothy Merritts
1:30 – 2:15 pm Theme B Panel Response and Discussion –
B1 Synthesizers: Scott Lowe, Mike Trumbauer, Sean Smith, Ken Murin
B2 Synthesizers: Karen Prestegaard, Matt Baker, Tom Schueler
2:15 – 3:00 pm Theme C Panel Response and Discussion –
C Synthesizers: Ann Swanson, Lisa Wainger, Denise Clearwater
3:00 – 3:30 pm Concluding Thoughts and Next Steps
3:30 pm Adjourn

Brubaker Run Floodplain Restoration Commencement Ceremony
2017-04-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Oak Tree Development Group, 2450 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA, 17601, United States
Oak Tree Development Group, a Lancaster-based real estate development company, is partnering with East Hempfield Township on an expansive water quality initiative located within the proposed 98-acre Lime Spring Square commercial development project. This major floodplain restoration project will help the Township meet its EPA directed Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction goals at no cost to taxpayers. The restoration efforts will remove an estimated 35,000 cubic yards (38,500 tons) of legacy sediment from the floodplain during construction.
Efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay have intensified in recent years, resulting in an increased level of regulation for governments and private industries. In January 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) started requiring municipalities and the state government to expend considerable resources to address pollution reduction requirements for MS4s as part of its “reboot” to the Chesapeake Bay efforts. At the same time, many companies, municipalities, and business operations have less money available to address these issues due to the economy, associated government spending cuts, and smaller operating and capital expenditure budgets.
East Hempfield Township is required by its MS4 permit to reduce sediment pollution by at least 10 percent, or approximately 346 tons of sediment in the Little Conestoga Creek Watershed. Once constructed, the Lime Spring Square project, using the PADEP-approved floodplain restoration Best Management Practice (BMP), will have an estimated annual sediment load reduction of 250 tons (115 lb/ft/yr per PADEP PRP Instructions 3/2017). The amount of sediment pollution removed each year by the project will equal that of approximately 64 miles of buffers installed on both sides of the stream, which would have cost the public as much as $5.6 million. Both the Oak Tree Development Group and the Township will benefit from using floodplain restoration. Furthermore, Oak Tree expects to gain as much as 100,000 square feet of additional leasable space on the project site. The Township will gain an 11-acre recreational park in addition to the MS4 pollution reduction credits beyond Oak Tree’s permit obligations.
Update (5/31/18): Since completion of the project, we were able to update our calculations based on site measurements and monitoring which results in a sediment load reduction of 400 tons per year.
Implementing the floodplain restoration BMP is a unique opportunity for local and state governments in Pennsylvania to join forces with the private sector to maximize funding sources and create substantive rather than symbolic water quality benefits that can be applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated water quality improvements for the commonwealth. The restored and functioning stream system results in two synergistic benefits that are of significant interest to the public and private sector: (1) pollutant load reductions and (2) stormwater management. The multiple and overlapping benefits require that floodplain restoration projects be looked at holistically within the context of the development site rather than the traditional “each side of the creek” approach to stormwater management. Significant hurdles exist currently to optimizing benefits of this BMP and a public/private partnership to its full potential because floodplain restoration does not “fit” within traditional stormwater BMP thinking within the various state agencies.
By looking beyond traditional ways of developing and permitting stormwater BMPs, land development provides a significant opportunity for both economic and environmental gains for the private and public sectors. The private sector may have the financial resources to fund the implementation of floodplain restoration as part of the land development planning, permitting, and construction process, while benefitting from the additional developable space that would otherwise be required to implement traditional stormwater BMPs. Local and state governments benefit from the pollution reductions and the community benefits from cleaner water, additional wildlife habitat, and enhanced aesthetics.

2017 Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS) Annual Conference
2017-03-27 13:00 - 14:30 | Hershey Lodge, 325 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
LandStudies’ President, Kelly Gutshall will present as part of a panel session with Ruth Ann Hocker (Stormwater Program Manager with the City of Lancaster), Claire Maulhardt, P.L.A. (City Beautiful H20 Manager for Capital Region Water), and Lori Yeich (Recreation and Conservation Manager, PA DCNR). Their session is titled, “How Parks and Trails Can Address Stormwater Issues.” Those in attendance will learn from Kelly and several other presenters how townships in the state are using green infrastructure to turn their parks, trails, and waterways from things that are “nice to have” into multi-functional necessities for their community. Along the way they are lowering their park maintenance costs, expanding their recreational opportunities, obtaining grant funding, and mitigating stormwater permitting requirements. Real world examples will include the Cocalico Creek Watershed Restoration Planning project, the Jackson Township Golf Park, and the Warwick Township School District, among others.
To learn more about the conference and register, visit http://www.prps.org/training/training-conference.html

Penn State Extension Professional Pest Managers School
2017-03-13 08:00 - 15:30 | Eden Resort & Suites, 222 Eden Rd , Lancaster, PA, 17601-4216, United States
LandStudies’ Jimmy Kreider will present at the upcoming Professional Pest Managers School. This training is designed to give licensed pesticide applicators a cost-effective way of obtaining pesticide applicator recertification credits. The program includes pesticide safety, pesticide application focused classes in turf, landscape, pond maintenance, pool maintenance, right-of-way, nursery, indoor pest control, and invertebrate pest management. Kreider’s presentation will be on “Maintenance of Green Infrastructure: Rain Gardens, Basins and Wetlands”.
Pre-registration is $95 and interested individuals must register by March 9th. “Day of” registration is $125. Click here to register and to learn about the Pesticide Credits being offered (pending approval by the PA Department of Agriculture).

Chesapeake Business Forum – Businesses for the Bay
2016-12-07 10:00 - 15:00 | Climber’s Run Preserve, 226 Frogtown Road, Pequea, PA, 17565, United States
The Chesapeake Bay faces many environmental challenges, but there are many committed individuals and organizations working together to help make a difference. Are you one of them? If so, please join LandStudies’ President Kelly Gutshall, RLA, ASLA, and others at the Chesapeake Business Forum on December 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Climbers Run Preserve, 226 Frogtown Road, Pequea, PA. At the forum you will get the chance to network with PA business, non-profit, and government leaders to develop sustainable solutions for the Bay. For more information and to register, visit http://businesses.allianceforthebay.org/event/chesapeake-business-forum-12-7-16.
Speaker: Kelly Gutshall, RLA, ASLA, President/Landscape Architect, LandStudies
Topic: Doing More to Improve the Bay
Event: Chesapeake Business Forum
Sponsor: Businesses for the Bay
Location: Climber’s Run Preserve, 226 Frogtown Road, Pequea, PA 17565
Time: 10:00AM to 3:00PM

Professional Pest Managers School - Rain Gardens
2016-12-05 08:00 - 16:00 | Holiday Inn – Grantville, 604 Station Rd, Grantville, PA, 17028, United States
Interested in learning how to maintain rain gardens, wetlands, or other green infrastructure, in addition to learning more about managing pests in landscaping? Then join LandStudies’ Jimmy Kreider, PCH-SLC, at the PSU Professional Pest Managers School on December 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Grantville. Walk-ins are welcome: the cost is $125. Pesticide credits may be available from the PA Dept. of Agriculture. For more information, visit extension.psu.edu.
Speaker: James Kreider, PCH-SLC, Director of Field Operations, LandStudies
Topic: Maintenance of Green Infrastructure: Rain Gardens, Basins and Wetlands
Event: Penn State University’s Professional Pest Managers School
Sponsor: Penn State Extension
Location: Holiday Inn – Grantville
Time: 8:00AM to 4:00PM

11th Annual Susquehanna River Symposium
2016-11-11 19:00 - 2016-11-12 17:00 | Bucknell University, One Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, United States
LandStudies will be exhibiting selected watershed projects at this year’s Susquehanna River Symposium at Bucknell University.
Bucknell University will host the 11th Annual Susquehanna River Symposium, “A Tale of Two Rivers: The Susquehanna and the Delaware,” on Nov. 11 & 12 in the Elaine Langone Center. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required only for exhibitors and those giving oral or poster presentations. General symposium attendees are not required to register.
The symposium is offered by the Watershed Sciences & Engineering Program of the Bucknell Center for Sustainability & the Environment to connect scientists and engineers from throughout the mid-Atlantic region to focus on issues regarding the Susquehanna and Delaware watersheds.
“This event brings together academics, watershed managers, consulting scientists and engineers, and the public to discuss ongoing scientific research and innovative projects, to share ideas, and to increase awareness of watershed health, policy, and sustainability issues facing the Susquehanna and Delaware watersheds,” said Program Director Benjamin Hayes.
“After focusing solely on the Susquehanna for the past ten symposia , we are excited to expand this year’s event to include the Delaware watershed. There are similarities and yet distinct differences between the two river basins, not only in hydrology, geology, and ecology, but also in land use and natural resource extraction, infrastructure, their estuaries, and water law and policy. We are very excited about broadening the scope of this symposium and look forward to the conversations and discussions that will take place.”
For more information: http://www.eg.bucknell.edu/wse/river_symposiums/2016/index.html
