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Water Headlines for March 30, 2006Benjamin 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, Corps of Engineers Move to Improve Wetlands Restoration and ConservationSwamps, bogs, fens, and marshes - in short, wetlands - are as vital to our environment as coral reefs and rain forests. On March 28, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) proposed a new rule to ensure more effective wetlands restoration and preservation nationwide. The agencies' rule, being published for public comment, proposes improved science and results-oriented standards to increase the quality and effectiveness of wetlands conservation practices under the Clean Water Act (CWA).
Partners Agree on Gulf of Mexico Action PlanOn March 28, Administrator Steve Johnson along with other top environmental officials from the 13 federal agencies and five Gulf Coast states unveiled a plan to strengthen environmental protection for the Gulf of Mexico and further the ongoing recovery and rebuilding effort after the devastating effects of the 2005 hurricane season. Administrator Johnson gave remarks during the summit and also toured EPA's new ocean survey vessel, the Bold, a 224 foot long floating laboratory providing monitoring, research, and education for ocean and coastal protection in the Gulf and other regions. "This historic collaboration, called for in the President's Ocean Action Plan, will accelerate our mutual efforts to protect and sustain the Gulf of Mexico," said Assistant Administrator Benjamin H.Grumbles. "EPA will continue our strong partnership with the governors to advance their five priorities through best available science and an ethic of cooperative conservation." For more information on the Bold visit www.epa.gov/bold. For additional information on the Gulf of Mexico Alliance visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gulf/plan.htm. Water Quality Standards Academy Gets High MarksAbout 45 people from states, tribes, environmental groups, and the regulated community attended the recent Water Quality Standards Academy at EPA's National Enforcement Training Center in mid-March. EPA staff also attended the four-day course in developing and implementing water quality standards. Attendees reported that the Academy was "...one of the most useful trainings I've attended." To learn more about the Water Quality Standards Academy and to sign up to receive notification of future course offerings, go to www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/academy.html or contact Tom Gardner at 202-566-0386 or Ibrahima Goodwin at 202-566-0762. CNMP Watch Website LaunchedComprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP) Watch is a web source for manure and nutrient management planning
information. It is designed to assist the agriculture livestock industry and others with information and guidance
related to nutrient management plans and CNMPs. The site is made possible by the National Association of State Departments
of Agriculture Research Foundation through funding from EPA's Office of Wastewater Management. The site also provides
state-by-state information on specific requirements. The site is intended for the agricultural livestock industry, federal
and state government agencies, and agricultural service providers, but can be a valuable for agriculture as a whole, the
environmental community as well as the general public. For more information click here:
http://www.cnmpwatch.com/. 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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