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Watershed News
June 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) National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program
2) CARE Program (Community Action for a Renewed Environment) RFP expected in late 2008 or early 2009
3) EPA's Watershed Academy to Sponsor June 18th Webcast on EPA's New Database for Water Quality Assessment and TMDL information (ATTAINS)
4) OWOW Posts First Podcast about Green Streets-- From Gray Funnels to Green Sponges Podcast
5) US FWS National Wetlands Maps Available on Google Earth
6) 2008 Farm Bill
7) Public Comment Period Open for EPA Proposed Construction General Permit
8) EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds 2007 Annual Report Released
9) Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing Video Series
10) FY 2009 EPA's National Water Program Guidance Released
11) Water Quality Standards Academy: New On-line Training Course
12) The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) releases Synthesis and Assessment
13) U.S. Botanic Garden's Summer Exhibit, One Planet - Ours!, Focuses on Sustainability for the 22nd Century
14) University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center 2007 Annual Report available online
15) Connecticut LID Regulations Web site
16) New Sustainable Stormwater Best Management Practices Web site
17) Water Quality Standards Academy: Basic Course in DC area
18) Wetlands 2008: Wetlands and Global Climate Change
19) FLOW 2008: Interdisciplinary Solutions to Instream Flow Problems
20) SAVE THE DATE: Southeast Stormwater Institute
21) WEFTEC.08 Conference
Funding Opportunities
National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program provides funding to states for protecting and restoring coastal wetlands. Approximately 30 grants will be available, totaling of $19,000,000. Closing date for applications is June 27, 2008.
CARE Program (Community Action for a Renewed Environment) RFP expected in late 2008 or early 2009
CARE, a competitive EPA grant program, offers communities an innovative way to address risks from multiple sources of toxic pollution. Through CARE, various organizations, including non-profits, businesses, schools and governments create partnerships to implement local solutions to reduce toxic pollutants and minimize exposure. Check out last year's CARE Request for Proposals and past grant recipients for examples of how the program works. Even though there is not an open RFP at this time, now is a great time to start building and solidifying partnerships before the next round of grants opens.
Webcasts and Podcasts
EPA's Watershed Academy to Sponsor June 18th Webcast on EPA's New Database for Water Quality Assessment and TMDL information (ATTAINS)
EPA's Watershed Academy sponsors free Webcasts for watershed practitioners from around the globe. On Wednesday, June 18, 2008, EPA experts will explain the new ATTAINS database, which combines the National Assessment Database and the National TMDL Tracking System. ATTAINS includes state-reported data on designated uses; identified causes and sources of impairment; and status of actions (TMDLs). Registration opens June 6th. Archived audio versions of past webcasts are also available.
OWOW Posts First Podcast about Green Streets-- From Gray Funnels to Green Sponges Podcast
EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds posted its inaugural Podcast about Green Streets. Hosted by EPA smart growth expert, Jamal Kadri ,the Podcast features a discussion on how to manage rainwater and snow melt where it falls; in ways that can make great places, preserve water quality and restore our nation's waterways.
News
US FWS National Wetlands Maps Available on Google Earth
The National Wetlands Inventory includes data for about 60% of the conterminous U.S., as well as portions of Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (US FWS) National Wetlands Inventory Office is to provide current geospatially referenced information on wetland, riparian, deepwater, and related aquatic habitats. The National Inventory Maps are now available for viewing via Google Earth. For more information visit the FWS homepage or follow the link to the News Release. Contact: Joshua Winchell 703-385-2279
2008 Farm Bill 
Overall spending on conservation programs increased by $7.9 billion in the new Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. The new law authorizes 32 million acres for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program from 2010-2012; increases the maximum enrollment in the Wetlands Reserve Program to 3,041,000 acres and reestablishes a baseline of $1.3 billion; increases funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program by $3.4 billion; provides $1.1 billion in new funding for the Conservation Security Program to enroll nearly 13 million acres per year; provides $438 million in new funding to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay region, and reauthorizes the Small Watershed Rehabilitation Program at $100 million through 2012.
Public Comment Period Open for EPA Proposed Construction General Permit
EPA issued a proposed 2008 Construction General Permit (CGP) for public comment. Because EPA is also in the process of developing a national regulation (called an Effluent Limitation Guideline) for the construction and development industry, the Agency proposes to issue this 2008 CGP for a period of two years and use the same terms and conditions as the 2003 CGP (which expires on July 1, 2008). Upon completion of the Effluent Guideline, the Agency will develop and issue a new (and improved) CGP that incorporates the provisions of the Effluent Guideline as soon as possible and not later than July 2010. The public comment period closes on June 16, 2008.
EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds 2007 Annual Report Released (PDF) (24pp., 1.3MB, About PDF)
The Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds (OWOW) 2007 Annual Report provides a snapshot of OWOW's notable accomplishments in calendar year 2007. Accomplishments include: more than 4,000 watershed cleanup plans completed in 2007 and the release of the Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox, an on-line repository of watershed outreach materials, including nearly 800 public service announcements, radio, TV and print ads.
Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing Video Series
EPA updated and re-released its Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) training videos and manuals. The fresh water series, focusing on Ceriodaphnia and Fathead Minnows, is now available. These videos were updated to incorporate the 2002 WET test methods technical updates. Contact the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) at (800) 490-9198 or nscep@bps-lmit.com for free copies of the videos and technical manual. Reference publication number EPA-833-C-06-001 in your inquiry.
FY 2009 EPA's National Water Program Guidance Released
The National Water Program released the final Fiscal Year 2009 National Water Program Guidance. This is the second annual water program guidance to implement the EPA 2006-2011 Strategic Plan. This guidance describes water program priorities and strategies, including the suite of water performance measures and their targets, for the coming fiscal year.
Water Quality Standards Academy: New On-line Training Course
EPA developed a multi-media, web-based training course for state and tribal employees and the general public on key aspects of the water quality standards program and other related Clean Water Act programs. This Internet-based training program is an abbreviated version of the week-long, in-class Water Quality Standards Academy course, and includes the following modules: (1) Introduction to EPA and the Clean Water Act, (2) Waterbody Uses, (3) Water Quality Criteria, (4) Antidegradation, (5) Standards Submittal and Approval, and (6) Variances, Using Attainability Analyses, Mixing Zones and Other Flexibility Options.
The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) releases "Synthesis and Assessment: The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity in the United States."
The CCSP integrates the federal research efforts of 13 agencies on climate and global change and presents one of the most extensive examinations of climate impacts on U.S. ecosystems. USDA is the lead agency for this report and coordinated its production as part of its commitment to CCSP. The report, written by 38 authors from the universities, national laboratories, non-governmental organizations, and federal service, underwent expert peer review by 14 scientists through a Federal Advisory Committee formed by the USDA. The National Center for Atmospheric Research also coordinated in its production.
U.S. Botanic Garden's Summer Exhibit, One Planet - Ours!, Focuses on Sustainability for the 22nd Century
Now open and running through Columbus Day on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the United States Botanic Garden's summer exhibition, One Planet - Ours!, focuses on "sustainability" and demonstrates ways that each of us and our communities can live for tomorrow, as well as for today. EPA helped develop display panels on Green Infrastructure/Low Impact Development that are inside the Conservatory building as well as displays in the adjacent gardens. EPA's Greenscaping Program display includes a rain barrel, composting bin, pervious pavement and other green practices. EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds collaborated with Penn State University's Department to build a demonstration green roof at eye-level. More than 40 exhibits on different aspects of sustainability are on display. The U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory is located at 100 Maryland Ave., SW on the west side of the U.S. Capitol. The closest Metrorail stop is Capitol South.
University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center 2007 Annual Report available online
Produced in partnership with the Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology, this publication contains performance data on the ability of stormwater treatment systems to treat water quality and manage water quantity.
Connecticut LID Regulations Web site
The Connecticut NEMO Program has put together a web-based, searchable database that allows viewers to access Connecticut town and city ordinances that pertain specifically to low impact development and innovative stormwater management.
New Sustainable Stormwater Best Management Practices Web site
Upcoming Conferences and Workshops
Water Quality Standards Academy: Basic Course in DC area
July 21-25, 2008, Arlington, VA. Are you relatively new to the Water Quality Standards Program, or do you work in a related program that requires basic knowledge of water quality standards? The Office of Science and Technology's Water Quality Standards Academy - Basic Course is an introductory training course on water quality standards designed for those with fewer than six months of experience with standards. Others may also benefit from the course, including veterans of the water quality standards program who seek a refresher on aspects of standards.
Wetlands 2008: Wetlands and Global Climate Change
September 15-19, 2008, Portland, OR. The overall goal of this conference is to help wetland professionals in the public and private sectors 1) gain a better understanding of the challenges created by climate change and 2) identify discrete activities and actions to take to reduce and mitigate impacts on wetlands and water resources as well as communities. The conference will also address ongoing changes and challenges in wetlands and water resources management.
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.
SAVE THE DATE: Southeast Stormwater Institute
October 14-16, 2008, Savannah, GA. The Southeast Stormwater Institute at the Coastal Georgia Center offers an intensive three-day learning experience to help public and private sector stormwater professionals develop or improve municipal stormwater programs, particularly NPDES Phase II permit programs; strengthen stormwater design, construction, and maintenance skills for innovative practices; and understand and apply volume reduction criteria, green infrastructure credits, and the new Georgia Coastal Stormwater Supplement.
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 water quality education and training. Participants can learn from their peers about the latest practices, technologies, solutions and regulations and earn Continuing Education Units by participating in workshops and Professional Development Hours by attending technical sessions.