Watershed News: February 2010

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) Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Program
2) EPA Announces More Than $9 Million in Beach Grants to Help Protect Swimmers
3) Water Sustainability and Climate
4) National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program
5) New Deputy Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Water
6) National Lakes Assessment
7) EPA Makes Announcement on Two Proposed West Virginia Mountaintop Coal Mines
8) Proposed Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida's Lakes and Flowing Waters
9) Stakeholder Input on Proposed Rulemaking
10) Watershed Tool of the Month — Web 2.0
11) Webcast — Managing Nutrients in the National Estuary Program
12) Watershed Spotlight: Local Leaders — Western Michigan Environmental Action Council

Funding/Technical Assistance

Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Program

CARE is a unique community-based, community-driven, multimedia demonstration program designed to help communities understand and reduce risks due to toxic pollutants and environmental concerns from all sources. The CARE grant program works with the eligible entities to help their communities form collaborative partnerships, develop an understanding of the many local sources of risk from toxic pollutants and environmental concerns, set priorities, and identify and carry out projects to reduce risks through collaborative action at the local level. CARE’s long-term goal is to help communities build self-sustaining, community-based partnerships that will continue to improve human health and local environments into the future. The objective of the CARE grant program is to work collaboratively within the community to investigate the effectiveness of the CARE process--whether this cross-Agency, multi-media program provides greater environmental benefits than either non-collaborative or single media approaches. An estimated $2 million is available. Applications are due by March 9, 2010.

EPA Announces More Than $9 Million in Beach Grants to Help Protect Swimmers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making almost $10 million in grants available to 37 eligible coastal and Great Lakes states, territories and tribes to monitor beach water quality and notify the public of conditions that may be unsafe for swimming. The funds are made available under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act of 2000. Applications are due by March 12, 2010.

Water Sustainability and Climate

The goal of the Water Sustainability and Climate (WSC) solicitation is to understand and predict the interactions between the water system and climate change, land use, the built environment, and ecosystem function and services through place-based research and integrative models. Successful proposals are expected to study water systems in their entirety and to introduce a new interdisciplinary paradigm in water research. Those eligible to apply include non-profit organizations, non-academic organizations, universities and colleges. Approximately 8 to 14 awards are expected to be distributed. Letters of intent are due by March 15, 2010.

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering approximately 20 awards to coastal States that will invest in projects to protect and restore valuable coastal wetlands. All projects must ensure long-term conservation efforts such as restoring wetland hydrology, breaking tile drainage systems, installing water control structures, planting native vegetation, and removing invasive species. Eligible applicants include any coastal State agency. Applications are due by June 25, 2010.

News

New Deputy Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office ofWater

Nancy Stoner joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on February 1st as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water. This will be Ms. Stoner’s second tenure with EPA, as she directed the Office of Planning and Policy Analysis in the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance from 1997 to 1999. More recently, she was the co-director for the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Water Program. Prior to that, she served as project director and attorney for the Clean Water Project for nearly ten years. Ms. Stoner’s law background, knowledge of EPA, and experience with a wide range of water issues will be a great asset for the Agency’s water program. The EPA's Office of Water welcomes Deputy Assistant Administrator Nancy Stoner.

National Lakes Assessment

EPA and its state and tribal partners have conducted a survey of the nation's lakes, ponds and reservoirs. This National Lakes Assessment is designed to provide statistically valid regional and national estimates of the condition of lakes. It uses a probability-based sampling design to represent the condition of all lakes in similar regions sharing similar ecological characteristics. Consistent sampling and analytical procedures ensure that the results can be compared across the country. The National Lakes Assessment helps build state and tribal capacity for monitoring and assessment and promotes collaboration across jurisdictional boundaries in the assessment of water quality. Key findings from the National Lakes Assessment include:

• 56% of lakes support healthy biological communities, 21% are in fair condition, and 22% are in poor condition when compared to least disturbed sites. These ratings are based on phytoplankton and zooplankton taxa loss.
• Degraded lakeshore habitat, rated “poor” in 36% of lakes, is the most significant of the problems assessed. Poor biological health is three times more likely in lakes with poor lakeshore habitat relative to lakes with good habitat.
• The nutrients nitrogen and phosphorous are at high levels in about 20% of lakes. Poor biological health is 2.5 times more likely in lakes with high nutrient levels. Excess levels of nutrients contribute to algal blooms, weed growth, reduced water clarity, and other lake problems.
  

EPA Makes Announcement on Two Proposed West Virginia Mountaintop Coal Mines

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on January 5, 2010 a path forward on two coal mining operations in West Virginia. EPA is informing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that it supports issuing a Clean Water Act permit for the Hobet 45 mine in Lincoln County, operated by Hobet Mining, LLC. EPA made this decision after extensive discussions between EPA and the company resulted in additional significant protections against environmental impacts.

In a second action, the Federal District Court in Southern West Virginia will extend the court-established deadline to respond to the company's earlier request to end the litigation on the proposed Spruce No. 1 mine in Logan County. EPA and the mining operator, Mingo Logan Mining Company, a subsidiary of Arch Coal, agreed to ask for the extension in order to continue discussions to determine if a revised mining plan can be developed that will comply with the Clean Water Act. After close study, EPA determined that the proposed mine raised significant environmental and water quality concerns.

Proposed Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida's Lakes and Flowing Waters

EPA has proposed numeric nutrient water quality standards for lakes and flowing waters, including canals, within the State of Florida and has proposed regulations to establish a framework for Florida to develop “restoration standards” for impaired waters. EPA issued this proposed rule pursuant to a determination that EPA made on January 14, 2009, under section 303(c)(4)(B) of the Clean Water Act. The determination states that numeric nutrient water quality standards for lakes and flowing waters and for estuaries and coastal waters are necessary for the State of Florida to meet the requirements of Clean Water Act section 303(c). EPA signed the proposed rule addressing lakes and flowing waters on January 14, 2010, per the terms of a consent decree. This proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register shortly.

Stakeholder Input on Proposed Rulemaking

EPA has issued a Federal Register Notice seeking stakeholder input to help EPA shape a program to reduce stormwater impacts. As described in the FR Notice, EPA seeks input on the following preliminary regulatory considerations:

• Expand the area subject to federal stormwater regulations
• Establish specific requirements to control stormwater discharges from new development and redevelopment
• Develop a single set of consistent stormwater requirements for all MS4s
• Require MS4s to address stormwater discharges in areas of existing development through retrofitting the sewer system or drainage area with improved stormwater control measures
• Explore specific stormwater provisions to protect sensitive areas

Written comments must be submitted on or before February 26, 2010 to the address specified in the Federal Register notice.

Watershed Tool of the Month: Web 2.0

The term “Web 2.0” refers to Web sites that people use to share information and ideas. These sites enable the EPA to connect and collaborate with individuals around the country or around the world. Two of the Office of Water’s popular Web 2.0 pages are our Twitter page and our Facebook page. Twitter lets users subscribe to receive brief updates or "tweets" from others whom they choose to "follow." EPA “tweets” include various announcements and links to important issues. Follow us on Twitter  (http://twitter.com/EPAowow). Facebook allows users create their own sets of "friends" among whom they share brief updates, photos, links, or other information. Similarly, EPA's Facebook page offers users a place to follow EPA updates and share information.

Webcast: Managing Nutrients in the National Estuary Program

Join us on March 1st for a Webcast to learn about different approaches to nutrient management that are being used by several projects in the National Estuary Program (NEP). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s NEP includes 28 estuary projects, most of which are experiencing serious nutrient enrichment issues. This Webcast will highlight how three NEP projects – Tampa Bay in Florida, Delaware Inland Bays in Delaware, and Peconic Bay in New York State—are addressing nutrient issues. Webcast participants are eligible to receive a certificate for their attendance. San Diego Coastkeeper launches new interactive wiki site

Watershed Spotlight: Local Leaders

Western Michigan Environmental Action Council 

In a State that is surrounded by the Great Lakes, it is good to know that the Western Michigan Environmental Action Council of Grand Rapids, MI is playing a key role in protecting our precious water resources. WMEAC has been advocating for the environment for over 40 years. The organization’s success can be greatly attributed to tactical community involvement in which stormwater education is a hands-on learning experience. As part of their Community Based Stormwater Plan, WMEAC has hosted a large-scale rain barrel workshop for community volunteers to participate in the production and distribution of rain barrels. Furthermore, the group provides training opportunities for community members interested in hosting their own neighborhood workshops.

Perhaps another reason for the success of WMEAC is their ability to maximize their potential. Besides relying on already-enthused community members to protect the watersheds of Grand Rapids, WMEAC is building upon existing relationships to reach out to more stakeholders. Calvin College is one of WMEAC’s active partners. With the assistance of this Christian affiliated college, WMEAC engaged local churches in the protection of Michigan’s Plaster Creek Watershed. Furthermore, the Hispanic community within these local churches translated outreach material into Spanish, thus allowing another audience to be reached.

Form more information on WMEAC, contact Rachel Hood (rhood@wmeac.org).

To nominate a watershed group for our Spotlight feature, please contact Alison Keener (keener.alison@epa.gov).

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops

2010 International Low Impact Development Conference

April 11-14, 2010. San Francisco, CA. The 2010 International LID Conference, hosted by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) will highlight new and continuing work including research, developments, and community adoption of LID throughout the United States and internationally. The Conference will open with workshops on Sunday afternoon. The three-day technical program, Monday-Wednesday, will include four technical tracks. Social events are planned for Monday and Tuesday evenings. Field trips to sites that demonstrate successful applications of LID will also be scheduled. The deadline for Early Bird registration is February 16 and the deadline for Advance registration is March 25.

Seventh National Monitoring Conference

April 25-29, 2010. Denver, CO. The National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC) will host its Seventh National Monitoring Conference — "Monitoring from the Summit to the Sea." The conference will focus on the many facets of water quality and water quantity monitoring for improved understanding, protection, and restoration of our natural resources and communities. It will also provide a unique forum for water practitioners from all backgrounds — including governmental organizations, volunteers, academia, watershed and environmental groups and the private sector — to exchange information, develop skills, and foster collaboration and coordination.

2010 National River Rally

May 21-24, 2010. Snowbird, UT. The River Rally is River Network's annual event that brings together over 500 river conservationists for 3 consecutive days of education, inspiration and celebration. Highlights of this year's River Rally will include a series of intensive workshops, interaction with funders and exhibitors, the River Heroes Banquet, unsurpassed networking opportunities and organized field trips. Participants of the River Rally typically include staff, board members, volunteers, agencies, tribal representatives, and individuals interested in watershed conservation. Register online.