WaterNews for March 11, 2003

WaterNews is a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water.

Inside this week’s WaterNews

• March Is Nonpoint Source Month
• EPA Represented at National Conference in Japan
• National Environmental Law Conference March 13-16
• Request for Public Comment on the National Agenda for the Environment and the Aging
• Subscribe to WaterNews

March Is Nonpoint Source Month

In commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the landmark Clean Water Act last October, President Bush noted both dramatic improvements in the overall health of our Nation’s waters and "the challenges ahead." With these words, the President proclaimed the next 12 months to be the "Year of Clean Water."

As part of President Bush’s "Year of Clean Water" celebration, March has been designated as Nonpoint Source Pollution Awareness Month. NPS pollution is "people pollution" because it is caused by the collective impacts of individuals interacting with the land. New nonpoint source materials have been designed to educate citizens on what they can do to help stop water pollution.

The materials are available electronically and can be found at www.epa.gov/water/yearofcleanwater or you can order the nonpoint source materials from Don Waye at Waye.Don@epa.gov

Here are a few of the New materials available:

"Preventing Polluted Runoff: Everybody’s Business," a poster depicting three major sources of polluted runoff with tips on how to keep runoff clean

"Take the Stormwater Runoff Challenge!," a crossword puzzle on a paper placemat that can be distributed to restaurants or at community events

"10 Things You Can Do," a bookmark with tips on preventing polluted runoff "Let it Soak!," a pop-up sponge promoting Low Impact Development (LID)

"Protecting Water Quality from Agricultural Runoff," a fact sheet describing agricultural polluted runoff and measures for prevention

"Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff," a fact sheet describing urban sources of polluted runoff and measures for prevention

"Make Your Home the Solution to Stormwater Pollution: A Homeowner’s Guide to Healthy Habits for Clean Water"

"After the Storm: A Citizen’s Guide to Understanding Stormwater"

"Let it Soak!," a pop-up sponge promoting Low Impact Development (LID)

EPA Represented at National Conference in Japan

Benjamin Grumbles, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water, will speak at the 3rd World Water Forum. The forum will be held from March 16-23 in Kyoto, Shiga, and Osaka, Japan. He will give a presentation on EPA's State Revolving Funds as part of a session on Mobilizing Local Capital: "Creating and Accessing Local Public Capital Markets for Urban Infrastructure." The goal of the forum is to highlight actions being taken to implement solutions to key global water problems. Approximately 10,000 government officials, representatives of international organizations, such as the World Bank and United Nations organizations, along with water experts, nongovernmental groups and the media will attend. One of the many themes that will be covered is "Financing Water Infrastructure." For further information on the forum please visit http://www.world.water-forum3.com/

National Environmental Law Conference In Keystone, Colorado March 13-16

The American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources will host its 32nd Annual Conference on Environmental Law from March 13-16 in Keystone, Colorado. David Batchelor, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Water, will be a guest speaker on Thursday, March 13. Dave will discuss "Water Quality Trading-The Next Wave In Water Quality Regulation?"

Request for Public Comment on the National Agenda for the Environment and the Aging

In October 2002 EPA launched an Aging Initiative to study the effects of environmental health hazards on older persons and examine the impact that a rapidly aging population will have on the environment. The Initiative will also identify model programs that will provide opportunities for older persons to volunteer in their communities to reduce environmental hazards and protect the environment for future generations. The public comment period is open now through Friday, May 16, 2003 to assure that the final agenda includes input from the broadest base of expertise including Federal, State, local and tribal governments, public and private organizations, professional health, aging and environmental associations, academia, business and volunteer organizations, and others including older Americans and their families. EPA encourages comments from all those interested in addressing environmental health hazards that affect the health of older persons.

In addition, six public listening sessions will be held this Spring to gather input for the National Agenda. The meetings are open to the public. Pre-registration is required due to the limited seating capacity at each location. For further information visit the website at www.epa.gov/aging

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