WaterTalk - May 1997
US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
EPA 910/9-92-043
1-800 Access EPA Alaska
EPA’s Alaska Office now offers a toll-free 1-800 number for easier access. With over 200 villages in the state, EPA anticipates this new service will strengthen our outreach to tribes and others in rural Alaska and other parts of the state. The number is 1-800-781-0983, and is accessible only from within Alaska.
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American Heritage Rivers Program
EPA NEWS
Non-Native Species in Puget Sound: Recommendations and A Plan
Non-native or non-indigenous species may be released or "introduced" into the marine, freshwater, or terrestrial environment intentionally or unintentionally. If the species become established and thrive, they may adversely influence native dwellers and their habitat, as well as the local economy. These "invaders" commonly outcompete, prey upon, or bring diseases to economically and ecologically valuable native species, often harming the ecosystem in the process. Such problems have occurred world-wide, and Puget Sound has not been spared. In fact, the need to better protect the Sound from introductions of non-indigenous species has been identified as one of the most pressing issues facing this marine ecosystem.
An independent report sponsored by the Exotics Work Group of the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin International Task Force--Pathways and Management of Marine Nonindigenous Species in the Shared Waters of British Columbia and Washington---outlines the occurrence of non-native species in the Sound, discusses the pathways through which these species are introduced, and evaluates the management of those pathways (94 pages).
The Task Force, of which EPA is a member, recently produced two additional documents that spell out recommendations for dealing with the problem of non-native species introductions to the shared waters of Puget Sound and the Georgia Basin of British Columbia. The documents are calledStrategy to Minimize the Introduction of Non-Indigenous Species to the Shared Waters of Puget Sound and Georgia Basin(3 pages) andMarine Non-Indigenous Species in Washington and British Columbia: Implementation Plan(22 pages). These documents highlight the need for a coordinated effort among all levels of government, focusing on education, monitoring, controls, and many other measures, and lay out a plan for accomplishing those tasks.
For more information on this effort, or to request the reports, call John Armstrong, EPA, at 1-800-424-4EPA
EPA Proposes Idaho Water Standards
Source Water Protection Guidance Out for Review
WATERWORDS
WaterWeeks... Make A Splash!
Small Wastewater Facility Info Sought
SPOTLIGHT
Watershed Awards Afloat
Student Shellfish Club Honored
Million Dollar Salmon
TOOLS
Grant Program Launched for Rural Communities
Wetland Video for Citizen Monitors In the Works
Funds for King Co Water Projects
What’s GREEN and WET?
Websites and Other Good Stuff
ECOSYSTEM
Helping Schools Manage Pests
Video Spotlights City Revitalizations
CALENDAR
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WaterTalk is published quarterly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10. WaterTalk seeks to be a useful tool for those who protect water resources and ecosystems in communities of the Greater Pacific Northwest, by providing practical resources and relevant agency news.
You are invited to contribute items for publication. Submittal deadline is the 15th day of the month preceding publication.
For mailing changes, call Tomi Rutherford at 206/553-0603. To contact the editor, call Andrea Lindsay at 206/553-1896 or 1-800-424-4EPA x1896, or email lindsay.andrea@epamail.epa.gov.
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