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Watershed News
February 2008
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Watershed News is a publication of EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds. It is designed to provide timely information to groups working at the watershed level.
In this month's newsletter
1) Water Quality Cooperative Agreements
2) Wetland Program Development Grants
3) Grants Available to Help Coastal Counties
4) EPA Money and Support Help Make Beach Visits Safe
5) Urban BMP Performance Tool
6) Pigeon Creek, Indiana- Agricultural BMPs Reduce Chlordane and Sediment in Creek
7) EPA’s Watershed Academy to sponsor free February 20th Webcast on Wastewater Utilities Using Sustainable Watershed Approaches
8) Request for Applications: Smart Growth Implementation Assistance
9) Reduce Costs by Using Low Impact Development Practices
10) Final EPA Release of the Water Quality Standards Database
11) EPA, National and Environmental Groups Launch "Green Infrastructure" Plan to Benefit Communities and the Environment
12) EPA Reports on Clean Water Infrastructure Needs
13) Water and Energy Reuse at Research Center
14) Strategic Conservation Planning Using a Green Infrastructure Approach
15) GIS Tools for Strategic Conservation Planning
16) River Rally 2008
17) Enhancing the States’ Lake Management Programs
18) FLOW 2008: Interdisciplinary Solutions to Instream Flow Problems
19) WEFTEC.08 Conference
Funding Opportunities
Water Quality Cooperative Agreements
Region 3 is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants interested in applying for Federal assistance for Water Quality Cooperative Agreements (WQCA) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 104(b)(3) for unique and innovative projects to be conducted within the states of Delaware (DE), District of Columbia (DC), Maryland (MD), Pennsylvania (PA), Virginia (VA), and West Virginia (WV) that address the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program. Specifically, the Region is requesting projects that will advance NPDES program strategies to implement watershed-based efforts, reduce impacts of wet weatherflows, demonstrate collaborative innovative approaches to control or reduce pollution to protect and restore water quality on a watershed basis, etc. From the proposals received, EPA estimates up to 2 projects may be selected to submit full applications. The deadline for applications is February 19, 2008. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/npdes/pdf/rfp12_07.pdf (18 pp, 93K, About PDF).
Wetland Program Development Grants
EPA’s Wetland Development Grant Program provides financial assistance for wetland protection and enhancement to state, tribal and local government entities. Grants may be used to develop or enhance programs for the protection, management, or restoration of wetlands. The goals of the program include increasing the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving wetland condition. In pursuing these goals, EPA seeks to build the capacity of all levels of government to develop and refine effective, comprehensive programs for wetland protection and management. Region 10 is currently soliciting proposals.
Approximately 25 grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 are anticipated to be awarded to City or township governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), County governments, and State governments in EPA Region 10. The deadline for applicants is March 14, 2008. For more information about Region 10’s awards, visit http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/ECOCOMM.NSF/webpage/wetland+grants. For more general information and a list of regional contacts, visit http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/grantguidelines/.
Grants Available to Help Coastal Counties
NACo in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Community-Based Restoration Program (CRP), is soliciting proposals for the second year of funding for the Coastal Counties Restoration Initiative (CCRI). The initiative provides financial assistance on a competitive basis to innovative, high quality county-led or supported projects. In 2008, CCRI will provide $500,000 in grants to improve stream, river, estuarine and other important marine habitats. A priority area for CCRI is the removal of fish passage barriers in coastal streams and rivers. Grants will range from $50,000-$100,000, based upon need. The deadline for applications is March 24, 2008. For more information and to access the full RFP and application instructions, visit www.naco.org/ccri. 
EPA Money and Support Help Make Beach Visits Safe
EPA is providing states an additional $9.75 million in beach grants in 2008 to help them continue to monitor water quality at beaches and notify the public of beach warnings and closings when bacteria levels rise too high. The funds are available to 35 eligible states, territories and tribes as grant money. This is the eighth year grants are being made available since Congress passed the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act in October 2000, bringing the total to more than $71 million awarded to states. A decade ago, state and local monitoring and notification programs differed across the country. These grants are designed to consistently protect and inform the public before swimming at beach waters. In addition to supporting stronger beach programs nationwide, EPA is also focusing on developing new technologies to more quickly identify possible bacteria contamination at beaches. The science is evolving, and EPA’s research program involves epidemiological studies at a variety of beaches to assess new analytical approaches. More information about grant awards: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches.
Watershed Tool of the Month
Urban BMP Performance Tool
EPA has created this new web-based tool to provide stormwater professionals with easy access to approximately 220 studies assessing the performance of over 275 stormwater BMPs. The Tool provides access to studies covering a variety of traditional and low impact BMP types, including retention and detention ponds, biofilters, grassed filter strips, porous pavement, wetlands, and others. Users will also find a series of essays aimed at improving understanding of BMP performance and the importance of volume reduction/infiltration in these assessments. EPA plans to add more studies to this Tool over the coming year, focusing on expanding the collection of studies of low impact development or green infrastructure BMPs. The Urban BMP Performance Tool can be accessed at http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/urbanbmp/bmpeffectiveness.cfm.
Spotlight: Watersheds at Work
Pigeon Creek, Indiana- Agricultural BMPs Reduce Chlordane and Sediment in Creek
Pigeon Creek, in southwestern Indiana, was impaired for chlordane and other priority pollutants from use of these chemicals on agricultural lands with poor stream buffers and high historic soil loss. Indiana placed 32 miles of this waterbody on its 303(d) list in 1996 and again in 1998 based on fish tissue data collected. Installing best management practices (BMPs) such as vegetated buffers and conservation tillage, combined with landowner education, produced a measurable improvement in water quality. As a result, Indiana removed Pigeon Creek from the 303(d) list in 2002. For more information about this success story, visit http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/Success319/state/in_pigeon.htm.
Webcasts
EPA’s Watershed Academy to sponsor free February 20th Webcast on Wastewater Utilities Using Sustainable Watershed Approaches
EPA’s Watershed Academy sponsors free monthly Webcasts for watershed practitioners from around the globe. On Wed., February 20, 2008, presenters will discuss how sustainable watershed approaches are being used to help utilities identify the best practices to address a variety of management challenges. This Webcast will provide a brief introduction to EPA’s Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative and will highlight the work of two utilities to use sustainable watershed management approaches.
To register or to access archived audio versions of past Webcasts, please visit www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts.
News
Request for Applications: Smart Growth Implementation Assistance
Free technical assistance available!
Are you trying to encourage specific smart growth techniques like transit-oriented development? Or direct your state department of transportation investments to better support smart growth? Are you looking to use smart growth to reach greenhouse gas reduction goals? Do you need help analyzing guidelines for school investments that best fit your state or community? Do you need to retrofit a commercial corridor? Or coordinate your community's smart growth design with an active aging program?
The Development, Community, and Environment Division in U.S. EPA’s Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation is responding to this need by issuing a request for applications for the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance program. Through this program, a team of multidisciplinary experts will provide free technical assistance to communities, regions, or states that want to develop in ways that meet environmental and other local or regional goals. Communities, regions, and states around the country are interested in building stronger neighborhoods, protecting their environmental resources, enhancing public health, and planning for development, but they may lack the tools, resources, or information to achieve these goals. EPA can help applicants overcome these roadblocks by providing evaluation tools and expert analysis.
EPA is soliciting applications from communities that want help with either policy analysis or public participatory processes. Selected communities will receive assistance in the form of a multi-day visit from a team of experts organized by EPA and other national partners to work with local leaders. Applications will be accepted until May 8, 2009.
For more information and application materials, please go to www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm.
*****************************Applications are now being accepted for the 7th annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. The deadline is April 7, 2008. For applications and more information, please go to www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/awards.htm.
Reduce Costs by Using Low Impact Development Practices
EPA has released a new report "Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices," which contains 17 case studies from across North America that show the economic viability of LID practices. Using these practices in construction projects can lower costs while improving environmental results. LID practices are innovative stormwater management practices to manage urban stormwater runoff at its source. The goal is to mimic the way water moved through an area before it was developed by using design techniques that infiltrate, evapotranspirate, and reuse runoff close to its source. Some common LID practices include rain gardens, grassed swales, cisterns, rain barrels, permeable pavements and green roofs. LID practices increasingly are used by communities across the country to help protect and restore water quality.
The report highlights examples that, in most cases, reduce project costs while improving environmental performance. Total capital savings ranged from 15 to 80 percent, with a few exceptions in which LID project costs were higher than conventional stormwater management costs. As LID practices become more common, it is likely that they will become cheaper to use. For a copy of the report visit http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/costs07/
Final EPA Release of the Water Quality Standards Database
In December 2007, EPA posted the ninth and last release of the Water Quality Standards Database (WQSDB). Direct access to water quality standards (WQS) information has many benefits, including enabling more informed public participation in establishing and revising state WQS, as envisioned by the Clean Water Act. As part of EPA’s efforts to enhance access to WQS information, EPA is assisting states in establishing state-level WQS databases on their own Web sites, so that the information can be kept current as states revise their standards. More information on this initiative is provided in the WQSDB Release 9.0 fact sheet.
The WQSDB organizes and displays WQS information in tables and maps, waterbody by waterbody. This information has been verified and approved by 54 states, tribes, and territories. EPA and the states are transitioning into a new way of providing public access to WQS information in which states can use either their own database or a copy of the WQSDB to manage and share their WQS information. This final version of the WQSDB is scheduled to be removed from the EPA Web site in February 2008. Thereafter, members of the public can access their state’s WQS program Web page at: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/wqslibrary/links.html and can view the WQS documents upon which the WQSDB information is based at http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/wqslibrary/.
EPA, National and Environmental Groups Launch "Green Infrastructure" Plan to Benefit Communities and the Environment
On January 17, 2008, EPA, with state and national partners, released a comprehensive plan to reduce runoff and increase environmental and economic benefits for communities. The strategy will help reduce stormwater runoff and sewer overflows by promoting "green infrastructure" approaches, such as green roofs, trees and tree boxes, rain gardens, and porous pavements. Green infrastructure techniques, technologies, and practices reduce the amount of water and pollutants that run off a site. These tools have many other benefits, including cost savings, improved air quality, urban heat island reductions, energy savings, water conservation, and urban habitat creation.
The plan explains how states, municipalities, permitting authorities, and non-governmental organizations can use green infrastructure practices to meet water quality goals while sustaining their water infrastructure. The document, "Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure Action Strategy 2008," outlines ways to bring green infrastructure technologies and approaches into mainstream use for runoff and sewer overflow management.
This plan follows an April 19, 2007, agreement to promote green infrastructure as an environmentally preferable approach to wet weather management. It also represents a key set of actions that EPA and its partners are taking to reduce projected impacts of climate change. The plan, which includes 7 major implementation areas: Research, Outreach and Communication, Tools, Clean Water Act Regulatory Support, Economic Viability and Funding, Demonstrations and Recognition, and Partnerships and Promotion was developed by EPA, American Rivers, the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Low Impact Development Center. More information on green infrastructure visit www.epa.gov/npdes/greeninfrastructure/general
EPA Reports on Clean Water Infrastructure Needs
A new report from the EPA estimates $202.5 billion is the nationwide capital investment needed to control wastewater pollution for up to a 20-year period. Delivered to Congress last week, the 2004 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey summarizes the results of the agency's 14th national survey on the needs of publicly owned wastewater treatment works. The estimate includes $134.4 billion for wastewater treatment and collection systems, $54.8 billion for combined sewer overflow corrections, and $9.0 billion for stormwater management.
The report provides information to help the nation make informed decisions about pollution control needs necessary to meet the environmental and human health objectives of the Clean Water Act. The figures represent documented wastewater investment needs, but do not account for expected investment and revenues. Wastewater treatment utilities pay for infrastructure using revenue from rates charged to customers and may finance large projects using loans or bonds. State and federal funding programs, such as EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, are also available to help communities meet their wastewater pollution control needs. The needs in this survey represent a $16.1 billion (8.6%) increase (in constant 2004 dollars) over the 2000 report. The increase in overall national needs is due to a combination of population growth, more protective water quality standards, and aging infrastructure. More information on the needs survey: http://www.epa.gov/cwns/.
Water and Energy Reuse at Research Center
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington reuses water and saves energy to help lower its overall operating costs. Due to the high need for washing glassware and other research equipment, they have identified washing processes where water can be used to pre-wash other areas, thus reducing overall water consumption. For washing processes that require high temperature water, the heat from the water is captured and used to pre-heat other processes, thus reducing overall energy consumption. The research center looks inward for innovation, and relies upon internal staff to identify and implement both the water and energy efficiency improvements. For more information, visit http://www.fhcrc.org/.
Upcoming Conferences and Workshops
Strategic Conservation Planning Using a Green Infrastructure Approach
A new Green Infrastructure course, Strategic Conservation Planning Using a Green Infrastructure Approach, is being offered April 14 - 18, 2008 at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV. There is a lot of interest in this course, so please register by March 12, 2008 to secure your spot! More information about this course can be found on the attached course announcement and online at http://www.conservationfund.org/node/239
GIS Tools for Strategic Conservation Planning
A new course, GIS Tools for Strategic Conservation Planning, is being offered June 16-19, 2008 at the National Conservation Training Center is Shepherdstown, WV. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Services Center and The Conservation Fund offer this course to teach students how to apply GIS tools, methodologies, and analyses to strategic conservation planning using a "Green Infrastructure" approach. The registration deadline is May 1, 2008. More information about this course can be found attached here and online at http://www.conservationfund.org/node/670.
Save the Date
River Rally 2008
Sawmill Creek Resort, Huron, Ohio
May 2-6, 2008
http://www.rivernetwork.org/rn/rally/
Enhancing the States’ Lake Management Programs
Building Partnerships for Improved Fisheries and Lake Water Quality
April 29 - May 2, 2008, Chicago, IL. This 21st Annual National Conference is cosponsored by the Chicago Botanic Garden, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Headquarters Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds and Region 5 - Water Division) and North American Lake Management Society, in cooperation with:Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, and American Fisheries Society. Join us at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza to discuss successes, evaluate obstacles, and explore new approaches for improving the States’ lake management programs.
For full Conference Program and Registration information, visit the conference Web site at http://nalms.org/Conferences/2008Chicago
FLOW 2008: Interdisciplinary Solutions to Instream Flow Problems
October 7-9, 2008, San Antonio, TX. Sponsored by the Instream Flow Council, the conference will provide opportunities to learn about creative, interdisciplinary tools and approaches to instream flow problem-solving, explore the latest developments in instream flow science, policy and public dialogue and build collaborative decision-making skills through an interactive session with Professor Larry Susskind of Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation. For more information, visit www.instreamflowcouncil.org/.
WEFTEC.08 Conference
October 18-22, 2008, Chicago, IL. The 81st Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference is the largest conference of its kind in North America and offers water quality professionals from around the world water quality education and training. Learn from your peers about the latest practices, technologies, solutions and regulations in the water quality field. Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by participating in workshops and earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs) by attending technical sessions. For more information, visit www.weftec.org.
Be sure to check EPA and Watershed Funding Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/funding.html
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