Does the lure of the open road appeal to you?  The National Scenic Byways Program, administered by the Federal Highway Administration since its creation in 1991, works to promote and maintain America’s history and beauty through her roadways.  The National Scenic Byways Program recognizes certain roads as “National Scenic Byways” based on their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic qualities.  Currently there are 126 designated byways in 44 states.

The National Scenic Byways Program website provides a wealth of information on these designated byways.  This detailed and colorful website is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and maintained by the National Scenic Byways Online Project at Utah State University and Multimedia Data Services Corporation . Among its features are an interactive map, which allows you to view more detail on the byways and their routes.  Additionally, photos, listings of Byway activities, contact information, maps and directions, and state and local links are provided to help you explore these pieces of American history and beauty to their fullest.  

In Indiana, we currently have two designated National Scenic Byways:  the Historic National Road (156 miles of US 40 runs through Indiana from Richmond in the eastern part of the state through Terre Haute in the western part of the state running east to west from Richmond through Terre Haute), and the Ohio River Scenic Byway (943 miles for the entire route, which follows the Ohio River along the southern borders of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois).

If you are looking for a way to enjoy America’s beauty and history this summer, explore the National Scenic Byways Program web site for some great travel ideas. Worried about the price of gas? Explore the Scenic byways by bicycle! Check out this link that provides information on road biking the Scenic Byways, including listings of organized rides. 

National Scenic Byways Program Homepage:  http://www.byways.org/

Explore Byways (Interactive Map):  http://www.byways.org/explore/
Byway Activity Listings:  http://www.byways.org/explore/activities/
Historic National Road
(Indiana):  http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/10423/
Ohio River Scenic Byway (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois):  http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2286/
Road Biking the Scenic Byways:  http://www.byways.org/explore/activities/road-biking

HOOSIER RIVERWATCH

Is there a creek near your library, or in your own backyard? How does its water quality measure up? Any interested Indiana citizen can learn how to assess and protect water quality by attending a Hoosier Riverwatch training workshop sponsored by the Indiana Division of Natural Resources NREC (Natural Resources Education Center). Hoosier Riverwatch is a statewide initiative created in 1994 to share information about Indiana’s rivers and streams. Anyone can become part of the volunteer stream monitoring network. Schools, government agencies, and nonprofits are eligible to request water quality monitoring equipment during the Spring or use it on loan from another location in the state. Once you become a volunteer, sign up for the Hoosier Riverwatch listserv and contribute to the Hoosier Riverwatch Volunteer Stream Monitoring Internet Database, which is open for the public to search.

Check out the Riverwatch webpages by going to the NREC site and clicking “Hoosier Riverwatch” (under Programs, on the left-hand sidebar). A drop-down menu will appear with links to several resources, including workshops, a participant map, Watersheds, and Adopt-A-River. Don’t forget to look at NREC’s other programs while you’re there: Go FishIN, Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, and Project WILD.

NREC Home: http://www.in.gov/dnr/nrec/index.htm Riverwatch Home: http://www.in.gov/dnr/nrec/8561.htm
Hoosier Riverwatch database: http://www.hoosierriverwatch.com/

EPA REQUESTS PUBLIC COMMENT ON GREENHOUSE GAS DOCUMENT

In a recent press release, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is seeking public input on the effects of greenhouse gases on global warming.  In an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR), Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions under the Clean Air Act, released on July 11, 2008, the EPA discusses the problems of pollution and global warming and if the Clean Air Act could ever regulate it.  The ANPR is available for viewing and provides methods for commenting.  You and your patrons can email, call, or send comments through the U.S. Postal Service.  Contact phone numbers and addresses are available on the document.

Read the ANPR http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/anpr.html
Fact Sheet to accompany ANPR http://www.epa.gov/epahome/anprfs.htm Clean Air Act http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/

RECYCLE TODAY!

There’s no better time than now to recycle!  Indiana citizens, your patrons, can help save the planet and reduce processing costs for recycle pickups if more of us recycle.  “Any money earned from the sale of recyclable materials can benefit the individual recycler or help communities and companies offset operating costs.  Recycling even allows some communities to reduce waste disposal costs,“ according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  In 2006, U.S. residents, businesses, and institutions produced more than 251 million tons of waste, which is approximately 4.6 pounds of waste per person per day. We can all do our part to turn this around for the state and our planet if we recycle. Check out the following links to give you ideas and tips on recycling and recycling programs:

Recycle Indianapolis: http://www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DPW/Residential/Recycling/home.htm
Recycle Indiana: http://www.in.gov/recycle/index.htm
EPA, Recycling: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/recycle.htm#overview

OSHA TIPS FOR WORKING IN SUMMER HEAT

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, of the U.S. Department of Labor, recently released several guides to workers looking to prevent overexposure to the heat and sunlight that come with working outside in the summer time. Exhaustion and complications borne from heat stress are linked to several factors, according to the report. In addition to humidity and direct ultraviolet rays, limited air movement, poor physical condition, and limited water intake were all cited in the report “Protecting Workers from the Effect of Heat”.

The Centers for Disease Control has also published information on heat stress through their National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) website. The NIOSH website states specific factors such as heat’s effects on fogging up safety goggles and making the palms of the hands sweaty and thus putting workers at risk of accidents. For more information, visit the links below.

Heat Stress Fact Sheet http://osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/heat_stress.pdf

Heat Stress QuickCard: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3154.html
OSHA Technical Manual, Heat Stress: http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_4.html
Centers for Disease Control, NIOSH, Heat Stress: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/
Heat Stress in the Elderly: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/elderlyheat.asp
Extreme Heat, a prevention guide: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp
Heat Stress training module for emergency procedures: http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001701-d001800/d001702/d001702.html

by Katharine Springer & Elisabeth O’Donnell