April 2, 2012

1) 2012 Draft National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change Open for Public Comment
2) Register for Webcast on Using the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund for Nonpoint Source and National Estuary Projects
3) Success Spotlight: Gravelly Branch, Delaware -- Removing Agricultural and Residential Bacteria Sources Improves Water Quality

1) 2012 Draft National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change Open for Public Comment
EPA has released the draft "National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change," which describes how EPA's water-related programs plan to address the impacts of climate change and provides long-term visions, goals and strategic actions for the management of sustainable water resources for future generations.

The 2012 strategy, which builds upon EPA's first climate change and water strategy released in 2008, focuses on five key areas: infrastructure, watersheds and wetlands, coastal and ocean waters, water quality, and working with Tribes. It also describes geographically-based strategic issues and actions.

EPA will accept public comments on the draft strategy until May 17, 2012. To read or submit a comment on the draft "National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change," visit: http://epa.gov/water/climatechange.

2) Register for Webcast on "Using the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund for Nonpoint Source and National Estuary Projects"
Join EPA for a free Watershed Academy Webcast titled "Using the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund for Nonpoint Source and National Estuary Projects" on April 17, 2012, 1-3 p.m. Eastern. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a large, flexible, and largely untapped source of funding for watershed protection projects. The CWSRF provides funding each year for traditional stormwater and wastewater projects, as well as for nonpoint source projects, such as land conservation, agricultural best management practices, and clean-up of contaminated sites. Join us to hear more about how you can access the CWSRF for nonpoint source and National Estuary projects.

This webcast is part of our series of webcasts in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act www.epa.gov/cleanwater40.  To register for this webcast, please visit www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts.

3) Success Spotlight: Gravelly Branch, Delaware -- Removing Agricultural and Residential Bacteria Sources Improves Water Quality
EPA's Clean Water Act Section 319 Program provides funding for restoration of nonpoint source-impaired water bodies. Success stories are posted at: http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/success319/. This week's success spotlight shines on Gravelly Branch, Delaware.

Southern Delaware's Gravelly Branch subwatershed lies within the Chesapeake Bay Basin. Excessive nutrients from agricultural operations and failing septic systems led to elevated bacteria levels in the Gravelly Branch subwatershed. As a result, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control added a 6.5-mile-long segment of Gravelly Branch to its 1996 impaired waters list for bacteria. Project partners developed nutrient management plans for local farmers, implemented agricultural best management practices, and connected failing septic systems to a central sewer system. These activities significantly reduced bacteria levels in Gravelly Branch. As a result, Delaware removed this segment from the state's 2008 list for bacteria impairment. The success in the Gravelly Branch subwatershed was the result of a partnership involving the county, state and federal partners.

For more information on this story, visit: http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/success319/de_gravelly.cfm