Watershed News

April 2009

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) Upper Mississippi River Watershed Fund
2) Region 1 Wetland Program Development Grants
3) Region 10 Wetland Program Development Grants
4) Smart Growth Implementation Assistance 2009 Request for Applications
5) EPA seeks proposals to support state ground water programs
6) Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program
7) EPA Issues New Guidance on the Award of Water Quality Management Planning Grants Funded Under the Recovery Act
8) EPA OWOW Water Quality Video Contest
9) Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder Contest 2009
10) The EPA's Gulf of Mexico Program (GMP) Announces the Gulf Guardian Awards
11) Call for Entries - National Award for Smart Growth Achievement
12) Year of Science Celebration
13) EPA Releases "Watershed Central" Web Site and a "Watershed Wiki"
14) Watershed Central: A New Gateway to Watershed Information
15) Semiconon Run, Pennsylvania
16) 5th National Conference for Nonpoint Source and Stormwater Outreach: "Achieving Results with Tight Budgets"
17) World Environmental & Water Resources Congress
18) Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference
19) River Network's National River Rally
20) StormCon '09

Funding/Technical Assistance

Upper Mississippi River Watershed Fund

The Upper Mississippi River Watershed Fund is a partnership between the USDA Forest Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. This partnership provides grants that benefit the stewardship of the forests and the restoration of watersheds in the Upper Mississippi River drainage basin. Eligible applicants include non-profit 501 (c) organizations and local and state units of government. Pre-proposals are due April 15, 2009.

Region 1 Wetland Program Development Grants

Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) provide eligible applicants an opportunity to conduct projects that promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction and elimination of water pollution. States, tribes, local government agencies, interstate agencies and intertribal consortia are eligible to apply. Projects for awards under this RFP must occur within the states and other areas of EPA Region I. Applications are due by April 13, 2009.

Region 10 Wetland Program Development Grants

Applications are due by April 16, 2009. See Region-specific requirements.

Smart Growth Implementation Assistance 2009 Request for Applications

The Development, Community, and Environment Division in EPA's Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation is seeking applications for technical assistance from communities that want to incorporate smart growth in their future development to meet environmental and other community goals. Eligible entities are tribal, local, regional, and state governments, and nonprofit organizations that have a demonstrated partnership with a governmental entity. EPA has identified some key areas in which communities are likely to benefit from technical assistance: climate change (both mitigation of and adaptation to), green job development, corridor redevelopment, green building development, suburban retrofitting and disaster resiliency. Applications are due by April 23, 2009.

EPA seeks proposals to support state ground water programs

EPA is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants for technical assistance and support that will enhance communication and coordination between EPA and the states to protect ground water; and that will develop and expand the capability of state Underground Injection Control (UIC) programs (Class I-V and proposed Class VI), tribes with UIC primary enforcement authority (primacy), and source water protection (with an emphasis on ground water protection) programs. EPA anticipates funding one award under this announcement. It is anticipated that the award will be incrementally funded at approximately $300,000 per year and will have a three-year project period. Applications are due by April 27, 2009.

Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program

The purpose of the grants program is to support protection and restoration actions that contribute to restoring healthy waters, habitat and living resources of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Eligible applicants are either non-profit 501 (c) organizations or local governments in the Chesapeake Bay region. Projects must have the goal of watershed restoration, watershed conservation watershed planning. Grants will be awarded in a competitive grant process to project planning and design or implementation. Applications are due by May 1, 2009.

News

EPA Issues New Guidance on the Award of Water Quality Management Planning Grants Funded Under the Recovery Act

On March 12, 2009, EPA issued new guidance for the administration of Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP) Grants funded under the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" (ARRA). The ARRA provides $4 billion to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and according to Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act, 1% of each State's CWSRF allotment is reserved for WQMP activities. This means that nearly $40 million will be available nationally to support a broad range of planning activities. Examples of these activities might include: addressing nutrient pollution from cities and agriculture on a watershed basis, protecting undeveloped areas through "green infrastructure" techniques, creating low impact development programs that will protect water quality in developing areas, developing watershed plans and total maximum daily loads, analyzing trends in water availability and use, and developing response plans to adapt to climate change.

For a copy of this guidance, please visit Memorandum (PDF) (32 pp, 628K, About PDF), and for other information on the ARRA, please visit Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.

EPA OWOW Water Quality Video Contest

EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds is hosting a video contest to engage the public on water quality issues and inspire stewardship for the nation's waters. Videos should help educate the public about water quality issues and simple steps that individuals and communities can take to improve and protect water quality. Two winners will be chosen: one for a short, 30 or 60 second video that is useable as a public service announcement, and another for a longer 1 to 3 minute video. Each winner will receive a $2,500 cash award, and their videos will be featured on EPA's Web site. Entries must be received by Earth Day, April 22, 2009.

Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder Contest 2009

The EPA, Generations United, the Dance Exchange and the Rachel Carson Council, Inc., are hosting a poetry, essay, photo and dance contest "that best expresses the sense of wonder that you feel for the sea, the night sky, forests, birds, wildlife, and all that is beautiful to your eyes." Entries will be judged on how the use of intergenerational teams made the entry special and how the project brought teams in touch with the natural world. Entries are due by June 10, 2009 and the winner will be announced in September.

The EPA's Gulf of Mexico Program (GMP) Announces the Gulf Guardian Awards

The award is a way to recognize the businesses, community groups, individuals and agencies that are taking steps to keeping the Gulf of Mexico healthy, beautiful and productive. A first, second and third place award will be given in each of the seven categories: Business, Civic/Non-profit Organization, Partnerships, Youth/Education, Individual, Government, and Bi-national. All 21 winners will receive an impressive marble and glass memento, press coverage on their project and recognition by their peers. The Gulf Guardian Awards is an important way in which we can recognize those whose stewardship for the environment has benefited us all. Application deadline is May 15, 2009.

Call for Entries - National Award for Smart Growth Achievement

EPA is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the eighth annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. This competition is open to public-sector or private sector applicants that have used the principles of smart growth to create better places. Private-sector applicants are encouraged to submit applications for projects that demonstrate a significant public-private partnership. Interested parties are encouraged to submit applications for smart growth activities that have shown significant activity between April 23, 2004, and April 23, 2009. Applications are due on April 23, 2009.

Year of Science Celebration

The Year of Science 2009, sponsored by the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS), is national, year-long celebration of science and its value fo society. The COPUS network includes more than 430 universities, scientific societies, government agencies, science centers and museums, educators, schools and others. The goal is to improve the public's understanding of how science works, who scientists are, and why science matters. The year-long month celebration includes monthly themes, including a focus on Sustainability and the Environment in May. June will be dedicated to Oceans and Water.

Watershed Tool of the Month

EPA Releases "Watershed Central" Web Site and a "Watershed Wiki"

Diagram of Water cycle - vertically sliced land image

EPA recently posted a new Web site, "Watershed Central," to help watershed organizations and others find key information to implement watershed management projects. Watershed Central helps users find environmental data, watershed models, nearby local organizations, and guidance documents -- and other information depending on the task at hand. Watershed Central also contains links to watershed technical resources, funding sources, mapping applications and information specific to named watersheds. The site includes a "Watershed Central Wiki" that users may use to collaborate and share information. Watershed Central not only links to EPA Web resources but also links to other valuable Web sites of state, tribal, and federal partners, universities and nonprofit organizations.

Webcast

Watershed Central: A New Gateway to Watershed Information

EPA's Watershed Academy sponsors free monthly Webcasts for watershed practitioners from around the globe. On Wed., April 15, 2009, Stuart Lehman from EPA's Nonpoint Source Control Branch, Kim Balassiano from EPA's Office of Environmental Information and Joe Williams from EPA's Office of Research and Development will discuss EPA's Watershed Central, a Web-based system for organizing EPA's information and tools using an integrated watershed management framework. Registration is now open at epa.gov/watershedwebcasts.

Spotlight: Watersheds at Work

Semiconon Run, Pennsylvania

The discharge of metals, primarily iron, from an abandoned mine into Pennsylvania's Semiconon Run, prompted the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to add it to the state's 2002 Clean Water Act section 303(d) list of impaired waters for metals. Construction of a passive treatment system collected and directed the acid mine drainage (AMD) to a settling pond, then to a wetland where it is treated by vegetation and organic matter. The treated flow is then discharged through a limestone spillway before entering Semiconon Run. As a result, iron levels declined. PADEP removed Semiconon Run from the state's 2008 303(d) list for metals.

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops

5th National Conference for Nonpoint Source and Stormwater Outreach: "Achieving Results with Tight Budgets"

Registration is now open for the Fifth National Conference on Nonpoint Source and Stormwater Outreach May 11-14 in Portland, Oregon. Learn more about the conference, jointly sponsored by EPA and USDA CSREES, at: About the Conference.

The first 150 registrants will receive a $100 discount. The registration page is online at:Conference Registration.

Monday, May 11, is reserved for pre-conference workshops. There are 3 full-day workshops:

Changing Public Behavior Workshop - Learn to Apply Social Assessment to Water Management Strategies
Getting in Step - A Workshop on Conducting Effective Stormwater/NPS Outreach Campaigns
Eyes on the Prize - Morning Session: An Evaluation Primer for NPS and Stormwater Programs. Afternoon Session: Overview of Social Indicators Evaluation System & Applied Survey Development Skills and 1 half-day workshop: Onsite Wastewater Education - Research-based Outreach Strategies to Help Minimize NPS Pollution Risks

On Wednesday evening, May 13, the conference will host the People's Choice Awards to spotlight the best new radio and TV public service announcements. The deadline for submitting PSAs has been extended from March 2 to March 13. More information on the People's Choice Awards is available at:People's Choice Awards at Meriwether's Restaurant.

World Environmental & Water Resources Congress

May 17-21, 2009. Kansas City, MO. Organized by EWRI and ASCE, this Congress' central theme is the great rivers of the world and the engineering challenges of balancing environmental and development issues while achieving a sustainable future. It is imperative that those working on the front lines - at the environmental/water engineering nexus - share insights from research and practical experience in the field to generate best practices for the future on issues such as river system management, environmental issues, watershed management and restoration, dam safety, hydraulic structures, and so much more.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference

May 18-20, 2009. Portland, ME. Organized by New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. The three-day conference brings together all those in New England and New York State involved in NPS pollution management, including participants from state, federal, and municipal governments, private sector, academia, and watershed organizations.

River Network's National River Rally

May 29-June 1, 2009. Baltimore, MD. Baltimore, Maryland will play host to the 10th National River Rally. And, like the nine River Rallies preceding it, River Rally 2009 is sure to be an event you won't want to miss. Highlights include:

A series of intensive, 4-hour workshops on Friday afternoon
Over 70 additional workshops covering topics of interest to staff, volunteers and board members of river conservation organizations
Office hours, mentoring sessions and real life, in-person conversations with funders and exhibitors
The River Heroes Banquet: a memorable and inspirational night of celebrating our own leaders
Unsurpassed networking opportunities

StormCon '09

August 16-20, 2009. Anaheim, CA. In addition to serving municipal and government professionals, StormCon offers sessions on sediment and erosion control practices for contractors, and techniques for special sites, such as airports and ports. StormCon offers non-technical stormwater sessions that will benefit those completely new to stormwater, as well as advanced sessions for seasoned professionals.

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