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Water Headlines for May 10, 2007Benjamin H. Grumbles Water Headlines is a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water. In This Week’s Water Headlines:
EPA and Utilities to Promote Water Performance Measures for UtilitiesEPA Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles has signed a statement of support with six national associations to promote recommended utility performance measures and encourage the use of these tools and 10 management attributes by utilities around the country. The "10 Attributes of Effectively Managed Water Sector Utilities" provide a reference point for utilities seeking to improve performance. They are:
"This significant agreement advances the Administration’s sustainable infrastructure initiative for America and charts a course, locally and globally, for wise management of water systems," said Grumbles. This statement of support represents an important milestone by enabling EPA and its industry partners to develop a list of measures to help utilities manage progress in daily operations, infrastructure and overall performance. Through a common management framework, this approach will enhance the utilities’ environmental stewardship efforts. Environmental stewardship encourages water efficiency, energy efficiency, and the use of construction materials and processes that minimize impacts on the environment. The statement and supporting strategies formalize a comprehensive effort among EPA, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, the American Public Works Association, the American Water Works Association, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the National Association of Water Companies and Water Environment Federation to encourage effective utility management. These associations, with about 80,000 members, represent some of the largest utilities in the country. For more information: http://www.epa.gov/waterinfrastructure/bettermanagement.html EPA, USDA Sign Partnership Agreement for Chesapeake BayOn Wednesday, May 9, EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced additional measures for coordination and cooperation among the two agencies in prioritizing and implementing nutrient reduction activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. "Environment and agriculture are teaming up to clean up the Chesapeake like never before," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water. "Under this agreement, EPA and USDA will coordinate actions, align resources, tools, and partners, and monitor for results to accelerate clean water progress in the Bay watershed." The Chesapeake Bay watershed is home to nearly 17 million residents and covers more than 64,000 square miles extending over the District of Columbia and parts of six states: Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Crop and pasture use account for 25 percent of the Bay Watershed. USDA and EPA will focus nutrient reduction activities on septic systems, municipal wastewater, storm water runoff from growing urban and suburban areas, and agricultural contributions from livestock, cropping and forestry operations. Major environmental challenges affecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed include landscape change, toxic chemical contaminants, air pollution, sediment, and excess nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorous. To read the Partnership Agreement: http://www.epa.gov/water/ Office of Water Releases Nonpoint Source Outreach ToolboxThe Office of Water has released the Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox, a comprehensive set of Web-based resources, designed to assist communities across the U.S. to conduct locally effective watershed education and outreach activities. The Toolbox, online at http://www.epa.gov/nps/toolbox/, includes a searchable catalog of nearly 800 print, radio, and TV ads and outreach materials in the following categories: lawn and garden care, motor vehicle care, pet care, septic system care, household chemicals and waste, and general stormwater and storm drain awareness. This repository of contemporary, materials is designed to meet the needs of stormwater professionals to develop messages and products for their own communities. The Toolbox also provides EPA's publication "Getting in Step - A Guide to Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns," as well as a comprehensive collection of surveys and evaluations of outreach programs from around the country. Upgraded Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2007 Docks in Baltimore, MarylandWe have made numerous improvements to the OSV Bold, giving EPA Regional scientists a more functional platform for sampling and assessment operations. A new state of the art sidescan sonar unit, used for mapping the ocean bottom, replaced an older model. The ship also received a new water column sampling array. The biggest enhancement was the addition of a stern A-Frame that is used to deploy and retrieve heavy equipment, perform trawls, and perform bottom grabs. So far this year, the ship has supported surveys to determine PCB levels in organisms inhabiting artificial reefs, has assessed the size and severity of the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone, and has monitored ocean dredged material disposal sites to ensure environmental integrity. We invite you to tour the OSV Bold on Sunday, May 20, in Baltimore, Maryland. The ship is open to the public from 9 am to 4 pm. The ship will be docked on the West Pier at the Inner Harbor in the heart of shops, restaurants, and major tourist attractions. It will be an exciting opportunity to become familiar with the OSV Bold and EPA programs. This may be the only port call near Washington in 2007. For more information on the OSV Bold, please visit http://www.epa.gov/owow/osvbold/. May is American Wetlands MonthThis month marks the 17th anniversary of American Wetlands Month, a time when EPA and our partners in federal, state, tribal, local, non-profit, and private sector organizations celebrate the vital importance of wetlands to the nation’s ecological, economic, and social health. It is also a great opportunity to remind others about the important role that wetlands play in our environment and the significant benefits they provide - improved water-quality, increased water storage and supply, reduced flood and storm surge risk, and critical habitat for plants, fish, and wildlife. EPA and a host of other public and private partners have planned a number of events for this year’s celebration. Information on national, regional, and local activities planned for the month of May will be updated and posted on the American Wetlands Month Website (http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/awm/). Also feel free to contact Kathleen Kutschenreuter (202) 566-1383 or Gregg Serenbetz (202) 566-1253. Subscribe to Water HeadlinesPlease forward this message to your friends and colleagues who share an interest in water-related issues and would like to hear from EPA’s Office of Water. To subscribe to the Water Headlines listserve: Send an email message, leave the subject line blank, and address it to: In the body of the message write: Subscribe Water Headlines first name last name (Please leave one blank space between each word, do not include any other message, and use your actual name- i.e. Subscribe Water Headlines Robert Jones)
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