NEWS

December 2008

Wetlands Grant Database Available Online

The Wetland Grant Database (WGD) houses grant data for Wetland Program Development Grants (created by EPA in 1990 under the Clean Water Act Section 104(b)(3) authority), as well as for a three-year demonstration pilot program (the "Pilot Grants"), for which a portion of the national grant appropriation could be used for program implementation. The WGD also houses grant Case Study narratives, and Model Products created by the grant program. For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/initiative/#financial

October 2008

DNR, Wisconsin REALTORS® Association: Informational tools aim to protect wetlands, help landowners ID wetlands on a property before they buy or build

Contact: Cherie Hagen – Wisconsin Business News – October 28, 2008 New informational tools to protect Wisconsin’s remaining wetlands, as well as current and prospective property owners, were unveiled today by the Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association and the Wisconsin Wetlands Association. “Wetlands are an important part of Wisconsin’s landscape, providing scenic beauty, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreational opportunities and natural flood control,” says DNR Secretary Matt Frank. “I want to thank the Wisconsin Realtors Association and the Wisconsin Wetlands Association for working with DNR to get more information to property buyers at the time of purchase.” State and federal laws prevent building or making other improvements in wetlands unless the property owner can show it’s unavoidable and receives the necessary permits. So it’s important that people know if there are wetlands and understand the constraints as well as the benefits wetlands can bring, like reduced flooding, cleaner runoff to lakes and rivers, fish and wildlife habitat and recreation. For full story, go to: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=140153

September 2008

AL: Wetlands' development debated

By Sasha Heller – Baldwin County News – September 28, 2008 North Winding Brook  residents before the issue was tabled aired views about the Daphne Utilities Board’s plans to develop part of 19 acres of savanna that border the east side of Village Drive. Board President Robert Segalla said at the meeting Wednesday that the plan was to carve out four acres to build three home sites; the remaining 15 acres of wetlands would be preserved in a conservation trust. Originally, the plan was to sell the property to a developer; the proposed contract would stipulate that if the 15 acres were not protected, the property would revert to the board’s ownership. Developing the property at all, however, isn’t an option, according to residents. “I just wanted to let you know that we’re against developing this land,” said Denise Browning, president of the Woodmont Homeowners Association, which is affiliated with the North Winding Brook neighborhood. Residents recognized two major impacts that would result if even a portion of the land is developed. A thriving ecosystem there is filled with wildlife such as barred owls, woodpeckers and mallards. If the land is developed, the ecosystem would be disrupted, according to one concern. Another concern raised was the impact on water levels. For full story, go to: http://www.baldwincountynow.com/articles/2008/09/28/local_news/doc48dd634650de 1774600140.txt

January 16, 2008

Grants Available to Help Coastal Counties NACo in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Community-Based Restoration Program (CRP), is pleased to announce the second year of funding for the Coastal Counties Restoration Initiative (CCRI).  The initiative provides financial assistance on a competitive basis to innovative, high quality county-led or supported projects.  In 2008, CCRI will provide $500,000 in grants to improve stream, river, estuarine and other important marine habitats. A priority area for CCRI is the removal of fish passage barriers in coastal streams and rivers.  Grants will range from $50,000-$100,000, based upon need. The deadline for applications is March 24, 2008.  For more information and to access the full RFP and application instructions, visit www.naco.org/ccri.  For questions call 202-942-4246 or email ccri@naco.org.

Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices Publication Number EPA 841-F-07-006, December 2007. EPA’s recently released report provides information to cities, counties, states, private-sector developers and others on the costs and benefits of using Low Impact Development (LID) strategies and practices to help protect and restore water quality. LID practices are innovative practices that manage stormwater close to its source by mimicing a site's predevelopment hydrology and use design techniques that infiltrate, evapotranspirate, and reuse runoff. LID practices are increasingly being used by communities across the country to help protect and restore water quality. This report provides information on the cost savings and benefits that can be achieved by implementing LID practices versus conventional stormwater practices. For a link to access to the report, go to: http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/costs07/

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PUBLICATIONS-REPORTS-GUIDES

Shifting the Focus of Wetlands Protection to State and Local Governments by Paula Schauwecker, American Bar Association (2008) http://www.bdlaw.com/assets/attachments/197.pdf

New ELI Report: Planner's Guide to Wetland Buffers for Local Governments

March 2008. The upland area surrounding a wetland – the wetland buffer – is essential to its health and survival. Healthy wetlands and buffer areas help to control flooding, protect water flows, conserve native plants and wildlife, and support nature-friendly land use and development. Based on the Environmental Law Institute's detailed examination of more than 50 enacted wetland buffer ordinances around the nation and nine model ordinances, as well as several hundred scientific studies and analyses of buffer performance, the Planner's Guide to Wetland Buffers for Local Governments identifies both the state-of-the-art and the range of current practice in protection of wetland buffers by local governments. The Guide provides to local governments considering enacting or amending a wetland buffer ordinance what they need to know to manage land use and development in these important areas. For a direct link to this guide, visit: http://www.elistore.org/reports_detail.asp?ID=11272

Watershed Planning Handbook is Published

March 2008. EPA's Office of Water has published a guide to watershed management to help various organizations develop and implement watershed plans. The Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters is aimed toward communities, watershed groups, and local, state, tribal, and federal environmental agencies. The 414 page handbook is designed to take the user through each step of the watershed planning process. The handbook is intended to supplement existing watershed planning guides that have been developed by agencies, universities, and other nonprofit organizations. This handbook is more specific than other guides about quantifying existing pollutant loads, developing estimates of the load reductions required to meet water-quality standards, developing effective management measures, and tracking progress once the plan is implemented. The handbook is available online at http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/watershed_handbook  You can order a free copy from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications by calling 800-490-9198 or e-mail ncepimal@one.net. When ordering, please refer to EPA document number: EPA 841-B-05-005.

A Local Ordinance to Protect Wetland Functions

Wetlands and Watersheds Article #4 (in a Six-part Series) Center for Watershed Protection ~ Prepared for the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, EPA – December 2007. Authors: Beth Strommen, Karen Cappiella, David Hirschman, and Julie Tasillo. This article introduces a new type of model ordinance for local protection of wetlands. Existing federal and state wetland permitting programs address some direct impacts to wetlands, such as filling, but are not designed to regulate inputs of stormwater or other pollutants. Local development regulations can fill this gap in wetland protection since local governments typically have control over local land use regulations and decisions. For a link to this document, visit the Center for Watershed Protection website at: http://www.cwp.org/ or go directly to: http://www.cwp.org/wetlands/articles/WetlandsArticle4.pdf

New Fundamentals of Urban Runoff Management Document Now Available

2007. A second edition of a popular publication, Fundamentals of Urban Runoff Management: Technical and Institutional Issues, was recently published by the North American Lake Management Society. This document revises an earlier 1994 edition and was prepared with support from EPA's Office of Wastewater Management and the Nonpoint Source Control Branch in EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds. The update is important because of the tremendous amount of new information available as well as the significant shift in stormwater program direction from the historic mitigation-based approach to a more source-based approach. Copies of the document can be found at: http://www.nalms.org:80/Resources/FundamentalsOfUrbanRunoffManagement.aspx

Center for Watershed Protection Releases Urban Stormwater Retrofit Practices Manual

2007. The key to restoring these watersheds lies in the practice of stormwater retrofitting, which involves subwatershed detective work, storm drain forensics and imaginative design. This manual outlines the basics of retrofits, describes the 13 unique locations where they can be found, and presents rapid methods to find, design and deliver retrofits to meet a wide range of subwatershed objectives. The concepts of retrofitting are illustrated in more than 75 figures, 150 photos, 60 tables and nine appendices. For more information, go to: http://www.cwp.org/Store/usrm.htm#3

Guidebook Released

September 2007. The Climate Impacts Group, King County, Washington, and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability are pleased to announce the release of Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments. The guidebook is designed to facilitate planning for climate impacts at the local level by specifying practical steps and strategies that can be used to build community resilience into the future. These steps include creating a climate change preparedness team; identifying community vulnerabilities to climate change; and identifying, selecting, and implementing adaptation options. An electronic copy of the guidebook is available at http://www.cses.washington.edu/cig/fpt/guidebook.shtml Hard copies of the guidebook will be available in October. To request a hard copy, please send me an email (lwb123@u.washington.edu).

Protecting and Restoring Wetlands: Strengthening the Role of Land Trusts by Jon A. Kusler, Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. (06/15/07) This paper has been written to help strengthen the role of land trusts in protecting and restoring wetlands. First, it provides examples of how land trusts are protecting and restoring wetlands. References are provided of land trust web sites for readers who wish more detailed information. Second, it suggests how federal, state, and local governments could encourage and help land trusts protect and restore wetlands. (PDF)

Protecting and Restoring Wetlands: Strengthening the Role of Local Governments by Jon A. Kusler, Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. (06/15/07) This paper has been written to help strengthen local government wetland protection and restoration efforts. It first considers options for local governments to strengthen their protection and restoration efforts. Many web site references are provided for those wishing more detailed information. It then considers measures federal agencies, states, land trusts and others could take to encourage and help local governments strengthen their efforts. (PDF)

Model Ordinances for Regulating Wetlands and Riparian Habitats/Stream Buffers Draft, by Jon Kusler, Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. (May 2007)

Common Questions: Local Government Wetland Protection Programs by Jon Kusler, Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. (6/26/06)

Common Questions: Establishing Local Government Wetlands and Watershed Management Programs by Jon Kusler, Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. (6/26/06)

A Guide for Local Governments: Wetlands and Watershed Management by Jon Kusler, Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. (10/01/03)

Center for Watershed Protection Launches New Website

Center for Watershed Protection (CWP) has been working with OWOW, via a Wetlands Program Development Grant, to better integrate wetland protection into watershed planning. As part of that project, CWP has recently launched a wetlands component to their website: http://www.cwp.org/wetlands/index.htm.

New Handbook Helps Local Governments Protect Streams

EPA Region 3 Envirobytes, 10/18/02. The University of Virginia's Institute for Environmental Negotiation has produced a new book, “A Stream Corridor Protection Strategy for Local Governments.” The handbook is designed to help implement many facets of the Chesapeake 2000 agreement. In particular, the handbook aims to protect forested stream buffers and development of local watershed plans. It describes how to devise an effective stream protection strategy, provide tools such as the use of zoning to protect local streams, give case studies of successful projects and how to engage the local community. http://www.virginia.edu/ien/publications.htm or view in PDF format at http://www.virginia.edu/ien/stream%20guide_final.pdf%202.

Wetland and Watershed Protection Toolkit: Guidance Materials for Local Governments in New York State”

Available online! The Toolkit is a collection of materials designed to encourage, aid and improve the incorporation of wetland and watershed management into local government comprehensive planning.  Use of the Toolkit should also facilitate increasing development of and use of wetland and watershed management plans, increased understanding of and compliance with wetland regulations, and reducing of point-and nonpoint-source pollution. [1/31/02] Go to: http://www.aswm.org/lwp/nys/index.htm

WI DNR Smart Growth Guide Now Available

January 2002. Madison, WI - People involved in determining the future growth and development of their communities across Wisconsin now have a new guide to turn to when making decisions regarding local wildlife and other natural resources. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin-Extension, has released an 84-page "how-to" manual titled Planning for Natural Resources: A Guide to Including Natural Resources in Local Comprehensive Planning. Additionally, the Department of Natural Resources has created a new Internet web site devoted to land use issues and comprehensive planning. The site will not only provide a direct link to the department's own guide to including natural resources in local land use planning, but links to guides and articles written and produced by other state agencies and organizations on the same topic. The entire DNR comprehensive planning guide is available online at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/science/landuse or go directly to: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/science/landuse/plan/pubs.htm. Paper copies are also available at county UW-Extension offices or by e-mailing Martin Griffin at griffmp@dnr.state.wi.us.

New - “An Introduction and User’s Guide to Wetland Restoration, Creation, and Enhancement”

The pre-print version of “An Introduction and User’s Guide to Wetland Restoration, Creation, and Enhancement,” developed by the Interagency Workgroup on Wetland Restoration, is now available online.  The “document is designed to achieve two goals: introduce non-technical readers to the basics of wetland projects including planning, implementing, and monitoring; and direct interested persons to documents and resources specific to a particular region or wetland type.” It is nicely organized and has lots of good information for the layperson, along with valuable resource and technical appendices and a checklist for going through the process.  Preview your copy online at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/habitatconservation/publications/introfinal.pdf

EPA Launches Local Government Recognition Program "Clean Water Partners . . . "

As part of the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, EPA is launching a major new recognition program for local governments that are taking "extraordinary" steps to protect and enhance the health of the nation's waters. This program, called Clean Water Partners for the 21st Century, will recognize local governments that are moving beyond clean water regulatory requirements to help achieve even greater levels of protection for the nation's water resources. EPA is undertaking this effort in partnership with a number of leading local and state organizations. EPA expects to recognize those entities accepted into the program in fall 2003. For more information, visit www.cleanwaterpartners.org on the Internet.

NACo Publishes Water Resource Protection Booklet for Western States

2001. "Smart Growth Strategies: Protecting Water Resources. Local Government Roles and Options for the Rocky Mountains and Northern Great Plains" is a new document recently developed by the National Association of Counties with assistance from EPA Region 8. It is a primer on smart-growth techniques available to protect water resources, including restoration, zoning, and acquisition. An extensive resource list and numerous case studies are included outlining private-public partnerships and local government initiatives. According to Paul McIver, Public Outreach Coordinator for EPA Region 8, the document has been sent to chief elected officials, clerks, planners and managers and administrators in every western state. In total, 1200 have been sent and more will be distributed on an ongoing basis. For additional information contact NACO at www.naco.org or call 202-393-6226. To order publication see: http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Publications&Template=/ cffiles/pubs/publications.cfm&PubCat=WMWP.

Maine Department of Environmental Protection Wetlands Protection: A Federal, State and Local Partnership (1996) http://www.state.me.us/dep////blwq/docstand/iswetfsl.htm

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LANDOWNERS' GUIDES TO WETLANDS

Wisconsin DNR has added new informational tools to help landowners learn about wetlands on their property. (Oct. 2008) http://dnr.wi.gov/wetlands/locating.html

A Landowners’ Guide to Montana Wetlands Produced by Montana Watercourse (Montana State University) (2008) http://www.mtwatercourse.org/Publications/LandownersGuideWetlands/ StateLandownersGuide_8-27-08.pdf

Managing Wisconsin's Forested Shorelands: A Landowner's Guide Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/forestry/Usesof/bmp/Shoreland%20Forestry%20 Brochure09_01.pdf

Freshwater Wetlands Act & Landowners New York State Department of Environmental Conservation http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5503.html

A Landowner's Guide for the Control of Phragmites Maryland Department of Natural Resources http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/phrag.asp

Wetlands on My Lands (Canada) A Landowners Guide for Restoring and Maintaining Wetlands Ducks Unlimited Canada (March 2007) http://www.ducks.ca/province/ab/how/ground/restore/ http://www.ducks.ca/province/ab/how/ground/restore/pdf/onlands.pdf

Managing Woodlands for Wisconsin’s Coastal Trout Streams Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (2007) http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/forestry/publications/pdf/FR-386.pdf

Wetlands Reserve Program Guide for Delaware [6/2007] http://aswm.org/lwp/wrpguidedelaware[1].pdf

Rural Landowner Stewardship Guide for the Ontario Landscape (Canada) (2007) http://www.stewardshipmanual.ca/ http://www.stewardshipmanual.ca/

The Ohio Agricultural Landowners Guide to Conservation and Sustainability American Farmland Trust (2006) http://www.farmland.org/programs/states/oh/OhioLandownersGuide.asp http://www.farmland.org/programs/states/documents/AFT_OhioLand ownersGuide_2006.pdf

Wetlands Habitat Management: A Guide for Landowners Ducks Unlimited (March 2005) http://www.ducks.org/media/Conservation/GLARO/_documents/_library/_landowner/ Landowner_Guide.pdf

A Guide to Property Tax Assessments on Wetlands and Other Privately Owned Conservation Lands in Wisconsin (A Landowner’s Guide) Wisconsin Wetlands Association (2005) http://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/WWA%20Wetland%20Tax%20Guide.pdf

A Landowner’s Guide to New York’s Forest Land Enhancement Program Cornell University, Forest Land Enhancement Program, August 2003 http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestconnect/ http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestconnect/flep.htm http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestconnect/FLEP/loguide.pdf

Beyond the Suburbs: A Landowner’s Guide to Conservation Management (Minnesota) Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (2001) (includes wetlands) http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/beyond_suburbs.pdf

At Home with Wetlands: A Landowner's Guide Washington Department of Ecology (August 2001) by Joy P. Michaud, for the Washington State Department of Ecology Ecology Publication #90-31 http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/pubs/90031/index.html

Wetlands Assistance Guide for Landowners Texas Parks and Wildlife (2000) http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/habitats/wetland/publications/ wetlands_assistance_guide.phtml

Landowner’s Guide to Creating Grassland Habitat for the Western Meadowlark and Oregon’s Other Grassland Birds Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (2000) http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/diversity/meadowlark_habitat.pdf

A Landowner’s Guide Part I: An Introduction to Wetland Management Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (1999) http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/huntingwildlifehabitat/ Landowners_Guide/Habitat_Mgmt/Wetland/Wetlands_Intro.htm

Landowner’s Guide Part IV: Wetland Restoration Techniques Michigan Department of Environmental Quality(1999) http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/huntingwildlifehabitat/ landowners_guide/Habitat_Mgmt/Wetland/Wetland_Restoration_Techniques.htm

Vermont Wetlands Fact Sheet (1999) http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec//waterq/wetlands/docs/wl_factsheet1.pdf

Living with Michigan Wetlands: A Landowner’s Guide Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (1998) http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3687-10502--,00.html

Landowner's Guide to Managing Streams in the Eastern United States Virginia Cooperative Extension by L.A. Helfrich, Extension specialist and professor, Virginia Tech; D.L. Weigmann, director, Office of Science and Technology, State of Nevada; R.J. Neves, leader, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (1998) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/forestry/420-141/420-141.htm

Wetland and Riparian Stewardship in Pennsylvania: A Guide to Voluntary Options for Landowners, Local Governments and Organizations Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (1997) http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/chesapeake/lib/chesapeake/riparian.pdf

Exploring Wetlands Stewardship: A Reference Guide for Assisting Washington Landowners and Communities Washington State Department of Ecology (January 1996) http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/96120.html http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/96120.pdf

Landowners’ Informational Tools – Idaho, Fish & Wildlife Service webpage http://www.fws.gov/idaho/Landowners.htm

Private Landowners, States, and the Endangered Species Act & Other Tools for Landowners (Fish & Wildlife Service webpage’s) http://www.fws.gov/endangered/landowner/index.html

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LINKS OF INTEREST

Local Land Trust with Wetland Programs http://aswm.org/lwp/land_trusts/index.htm

National Association of Counties (NACO) http://www.naco.org/

Wisconsin Wetlands Association Local Government Decisions, Protecting Wetlands http://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/ protectinglocal.htm

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality State, Federal and Local Wetland Regulations http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3687-10801--,00.html

New York Department of Environmental Conservation Local Government Implementation of Freshwater Wetlands Act http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/4611.html

Internet Law Library. Code of Federal Regulations (searchable database). http://www.lawguru.com/ilawlib/4.htm

The Library of Congress. Thomas legislative information on the Internet. http://thomas.loc.gov/

Center for Watershed Protection http://www.cwp.org/

Smart Growth Online Resources http://www.smartgrowth.org

Eugene Parks and Open Space. West Eugene Wetlands Plan.  Excellent. Lots of detailed information on the plan, wetland links. http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt?space=CommunityPage&cached=true& parentname=CommunityPage&parentid=0&in_hi_userid=2&control=SetCommunity& CommunityID=217&PageID=0

Clinton River Watershed Council. Wetland Stewardship for Local Governments. Contains a model ordinance. http://www.crwc.org/programs/watershedmgmt/scwetlands/scwofficials.html

A Model Wetlands Ordinance for Indiana Communities. However, may be of broader interest. http://www.angelfire.com/in4/earthpages/indianawetlands.html

Cass County Environmental Services. Cass County Wetland Ordinance. Wetland ordinance utilizing wetland functional assessments. http://www.co.cass.mn.us/esd/pdfs/ordinance/WETORD98.pdf

Environmental Law Institute http://www.eli.org

National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) www.noaa.gov

NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service  http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/

Society of Wetland Scientists http://www.sws.org/

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers http://www.usace.army.mil/

Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Maps http://www.esri.com/hazards/

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wetland Science Institute http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/wli/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Model Ordinances to Protect Local Resources http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/ordinance/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Surf Your Watershed, Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds http://www.epa.gov/surf/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds Publications http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/

NOAA Coastal Services Center.  Many helpful links and information. http://www.csc.noaa.gov/

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov/

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wetlands Inventory http://www.fws.gov/nwi/index.html

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program http://www.fws.gov/partners/

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