Environmental Stewardship Action Plan
Watershed Protection
Wetland Protection and Restoration
Stormwater Management
Nonpoint Source Pollution Control
Biodiversity and Habitat
Riparian Stream Buffers
Urban Greenways
Agricultural Best Management Practice
Sustainable Agriculture
Water Conservation
Watershed Protection
Watershed protection tools are many and varied. Here are some tools which span the range of goals and objectives you may have for your watershed. A brief description of the tool and a direct link to the website is included.
Policy and Planning Tools
- EPA's Water Voluntary Programs
- Directory of Citizen Volunteer Monitoring Programs
- Water Quality Monitoring (Estuary-Net)
- EPA's Watersheds Web Site
- Surf Your Watershed provides a service to help you locate, use and share environmental information on your watershed or community.
- The "Handbook for developing watershed plans to restore and protect our waters"
is available through Google books: http://books.google.com/books?id=zlkapGLGgV4C&pg=PT329&lpg=PT329&dq=epa+watershed+report+card&source=web&ots=XLX-E57wVo&sig=-Wu42g51lq5TjmBGKHthFqQY8sE&hl=en#PPT339,M1
And the publisher http://www.dianepublishing.net/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=1428904573 - Top 10 Watershed Lessons Learned .
- Watershed Protection: A Statewide Approach .
- Conservation Technology Information Center Know Your Watershed
- New York State's Watershed Agricultural Council.
- The Center for Watershed Protection
- The Stockholm Environment Institute-Boston Center .
- Oxygenates in Water: Critical Information and Research Needs [PDF, 77 pp., 220KB]
- The Living Lakes Partnership, a project of the Global Nature Fund, promotes sustainable development in lake areas around the world.
- EPA's Watershed Tools Directory
- American Heritage Rivers - Homepage
- River Management Society
- Coral Reef Protection - A Watershed Approach from the USEPA
Regulatory Tools
- Section 319 Nonpoint Source Success Stories demonstrates the successful implementation of the section 319 Clean Water Act Nonpoint Source program.
- Section 319(d) of the Clean Water Act: using Total Maximum Daily Loads(TMDLs) in watershed management.
Technical Tools
- Ecological Restoration: A Tool to Manage Stream Quality
- The Watershed Academy teaches several courses, and also provides contact information on many watershed courses taught by others.
- The new Inventory of Watershed Training Courses.
- BASINS: A powerful tool for managing watersheds is a multi- purpose environmental analysis system for use by agencies in performing watershed-water quality- based studies.
- Hamline University's Center for Global Environmental Education: Watershed Action .
- The Center for Chesapeake Communities provides communities with technical support for their environmental protection and restoration efforts.
- WEAP is a pc-based water planning software tool.
- STORET Home Page (Water Quality Database)
- EMPACT - Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking
- EPA's Landscape Atlas allows you to compare your watershed to other watersheds.
Financial Tools
- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has grants available for local watershed AMD projects.
- The Center for Chesapeake Communities provides communities with financial support for their environmental protection and restoration efforts.
- Funding Sources for Watershed Protection from the USEPA
Wetland Protection and Restoration
The future of wetlands is closely linked to land use. Green Communities need to protect and restore existing wetlands. Many tools for you to use are listed below.
Policy and Planning Tools
- EPA's Wetland Protection Hotline (800) 832-7828
- EPA Wetland Protection
- Surf Your Watershed
- The Private Landowner's Wetlands Assistance Guide Call EPA's Wetland Protection Hotline (800) 832-7828
- Save Louisiana Wetlands
- Wetland Ecology and Protection
- American Wetlands Resources
Regulatory Tools
- Clean Water Act
- The Clean Water Act 20 Years Later. By Robert W. Adler, Jessica Landman, Diane Cameron. 1993
- Clean Water Act Section 404
- Clean Water Act Section 401
- Ocean & Coastal Regulatory Program
- Coastal America
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Technical Tools
- Information from the former Terrene Institute
- Water Resources Publications from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20002-4239 (202) 962-3200.
- Wetland Training Institute, Inc.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory provides many products that can be downloaded or reordered from this site, including map data and software, plus GIS digital maps.
Financial Tools
- Clean Water State Revolving Fund
- Wetlands Reserve Program
- The Five Star Restoration Challenge Grant Program
Other Tools
- USGS has an extensive bibliography of resources related to wetland restoration.
- National Watershed Network
- Managing Conflict
- The Anacostia Watershed Society
- United States Code Title 33, Sec. 1251 (01/24/94)
Stormwater Management
To protect the quality of our waters, we must look at how stormwater is managed. The tools you need will depend on many factors: 1) whether your community is urban, rural or suburban, 2) whether the communities' major function is residential, commercial, industrial or agricultural, and 3) the proximity of habitat for sensitive flora and fauna. A great first step in finding out about stormwater is courtesy of the Center for Watershed Protection.
More tools for implementing your communities' stormwater management plan are given below.
Policy and Planning Tools
For information on urban stormwater tools, click here.
- Stormawater Strategies: Community Responses to Runoff Pollution, a Report from Natural Resources Defense Council
- Maryland Department of the Environment Stormwater Publication List (410) 631-3543.
- Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program
-
Stormwater Best Management Practices
- Region 6's Stormwater Page
- Surf Your Watershed State List
- The Stormwater Management Department of Orange County, FL
- The City of Tallahassee Stormwater Utility
- The County of San Diego has developed several Residential Best Management Practices to prevent pollution from runoff.
Regulatory Tools
- Clean Water Act
- Water Quality Act of 1987 -- Section 402(p) (available at p.104)
- NPDES Permiting Program
Financial Tools
- Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program
- SRF Funding Framework -- Policy and Guidance
- Interim Economic Guidance for Water Quality Standards: Workbook
- Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program Funding Programs
- Proposed Funding for State Water Programs Using Voluntary Environmental Management Systems Federal Register: January 21, 1997, Page 3036 - 3038.
Other Tools
- Design of Stormwater Wetland Systems: Guidelines for Creating Diverse and Effective Stormwater Wetlands in the Mid-Atlantic Region is available from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 777 North Capital St., NE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20002-4201 for $25. Make checks payable to MWCOG.
- Storm Drain Stenciling
- Nonpoint Source Control Pointers
Nonpoint Source Pollution Control
Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking water.States report that nonpoint source pollution is the leading remaining cause of water quality problems. The effects of nonpoint source pollutants on specific waters vary and may not always be fully assessed. However, we know that these pollutants have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries, and wildlife.
There are a variety of options for preventing and reducing NPS pollution in your communities. Please check these resources for more information.
Policy and Planning Tools
- Know your Watershed including: National Watershed Network; National Watershed Library; Train the Facilitators for Watershed Management; Watershed Management Guidelines; Watershed Management Starter Kit; Watershed Partnerships; and National Watershed Network Directory.
- Virginia Nonpoint Source Pollution Awareness
- Pennsylvania's Nonpoint Source Management Program
Regulatory Tools
- Section 319 of the Clean Water Act
- Enforceable State Mechanisms for the Control of Nonpoint Source Water Pollution, a report by the Enviornmental Law Institute.
Technical Tools
- NonPoint Source Pollution Control Program
- Techniques for Tracking, Evaluating, and Reporting the Implementation of Nonpoint Source Urban Control Measures
- Watershed protection techniques from the Center for Watershed Protection Silver Springs, Maryland
Financial Tools
- EPA's Office of Water provides a listing of funding sources and other financial tools.
- Growing Greener - Pennsylvania
Other Tools
- California's Information Center for the Environment Lots of great links.
- .Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement .
- NPS Pollution Control pointers and other educational materials.
Biodiversity and Habitat
Biodiversity and habitat protection activities are key to maintaining the species and ecosystem diversity upon which we depend for food, medicine, and recreation, etc. There are many tools which aim to maintain, restore and enhance biological diversity - from planting native plants in our gardens and park areas to restoring streamside riparian areas. This issue is a great one for involving all members of the community, from school children to corporations.
Policy and Planning Tools
- Restore America's Estuaries describes local efforts to restore estuarine habitat.
- The World Resources Institute has published several articles on Biodiversity Strategy.
- Here are several links to Biodiversity Resources compiled by Sustainable Communities Network
- The American Museum of Natural History's Biodiversity Website
- The Biodiversity Conservation Network .
- Tree City USA, sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities that more than 93 million Americans call home.
Technical Tools
- City Green provides information on a desktop GIS-analysis of the value of ecology.
- Looking to restore your Urban Forests?
- National Arbor Day Foundation's home page: Technical assistance for communities that wish to plant and care for trees.
- Workplace Habitat Program National Wildlife Federation
- Backyards are a great place to start encouraging native plant and animal diversity.
- Green Landscaping with Native Plants.
- National Biological Information Infrastructure The NBII is an electronic gateway to biological data and information maintained by federal, state, and local government agencies; private sector organizations; and other partners around the nation and the world..
- The Southeastern Estuarine Research Society
- An Introduction to Estuaries from the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
Financial Tools
- The Environmental Finance Program may have a funding solution for you.
Other Tools
- Beneficial Landscaping.
- The Wildlife Habitat Council is dedicated to the creation, conservation, and enhancement of nesting habitats for songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors. and migratory birds on corporate lands.
Riparian Stream Buffers
Riparian Buffers are used to reduce excess amounts of sediment, organic material, nutrients, pesticides and other pollutants in surface runoff; reduce excess nutrients and other chemicals in shallow groundwater; moderate water temperatures to improve habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms; provide a source of organic material and large woody debris for fish and other aquatic organisms; lessen detrimental impacts to riparian areas including stream channels and adjacent lands caused by high and low water flows; reduce the rate of lateral stream channel movement; provide habitat for cover for numerous species of wildlife during some period of their life cycle; and produce wood products such as lumber, firewood and posts.
Policy and Planning Tools
- Agriculture Network Information Center
- Water quality Improvement by the use of Planted and Riparian Buffers.
- .The Natural Resources Conservation Service has as its goal the installation of 2 million miles (up to 7 million acres) of conservation buffers by the year 2002.
- Stream_Restoration (Interagency, U.S. Government)
- Buffer Strips: Common Sense Conservation
Regulatory Tools
- For laws and policies on environmental restoration, read the EPA's The Environmental Professional, 1991, Volume 13, pp.186-194 written by John J. Berger.
Technical Tools
- Ecological Restoration: A Tool to Manage Stream Quality.
- Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes and Practices, a USDA publication.
- The Blackland Research Center's Water Science Laboratory
- The Agriculture Network Information Center Website also provides links to technical assistance on the design of riparian buffer zones.
- Read how a farming community in the Salmon Creek watershed minimized the effects of future flood damage through stream buffers in this article from the Bodega Land Trust.
- Stewards of the Stream, a comprehensive look at Riparian Buffer Systems.
- Visit the Riparian Resources Homepage.
- The Pennsylvania Bureau of Watershed Conservation has provided a Forest Buffer Toolkit .
- Save Our Streams Program
Financial Tools
Urban Greenways
Urban greenways are islands of green among concrete. They improve quality of life, provide habitat for wildlife, and often provide pedestrian walkways and bike trails. The tools below will help make greenways a reality in your community. A brief description of the tool and a direct link to the web site is included.
Policy and Planning Tools
- The plan to link East Coast cities from Maine to Florida with a 2,500 mile traffic-free path.
- Conservation Fund's Homepage on Greenways.
- Project For Public Spaces.
- The history of Urban Agriculture in Philadelphia.
- The Council on the Environment of New York City's Open Space Greening Program.
- Municipal Ordinances that promote human-scale neighborhoods are highlighted in the Nov.-Dec. 1998 issue of New Urban News, PO Box 6515, Ithaca, NY 14851 (607) 275/3087.
Regulatory Tools
- Local Zoning (refer to local planning commissions).
Technical Tools
- CITYgreen is a Geographic Information System which will help you analyze how urban landscapes affect stormwater, energy usage, and urban wildlife
- Trails and Greenways Clearinghouse provides technical assistance to advocates and developers across the country.
- Community Resources helps public agencies, community groups and nonprofits develop long-term open space and resource management plans.
Financial Tools
- DuPont Awards Program for American Greenways.
- State and Local Open Space Funds (check with state/local planning commissions).
- Local Taxes.
- Private Donations (citizens / businesses).
Agricultural Best Management Practices
Agricultural management practices are an important part of controlling non-point sources of runoff into our streams, lakes and estuaries. There are numerous tools, techniques and resources available to assist with this effort.
Policy and Planning Tools
- The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) at Purdue University is a comprehensive resource of information on agricultural management practices. Under their Farm Resource Management Section they offer some of the following resources. Conservation Tillage; A number of Agricultural Management Practices are offered by CTIC. ; A Best Management Practices Reference Library .
- EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program provides information on nutrient and toxic reduction to the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Trust also provides guidance and methods to clean-up the Bay.
- Spray Drift of Pesticides is a fact sheet providing EPA's position on spray drift issues and a summary of responsibilities and activities of the EPA and others.
Regulatory Tools
- Local Ordinances and Manuals
- American Farmland Trust outlines several regulatory/technical tools to conserve agricultural lands.
Technical Tools
- Check out the Sustainable Agricultural Network's web site for information on managing pests.
- Pesticide and Fertilizer Storage and Handling.
- The use of vegetative strips for reducing sediments and chemical loadings from agricultural runoff.
- Ecosystem Management Tools from the Soil and Water Conservation Society.
- Irrigation BMP's for Groundwater Protection from Pesticides.
- Example Photographs of Best Management Practices.
- BMP's for specific agricultural systems(e.g, row crops, vegetable crops, groves, etc.).
- BMP's for fertilizer use and atrazine usage.
- The Monitoring Tool Box is a practical, easy-to-use guide for farmers
interested in measuring, on an on-going basis, the impact of management
decisions on their land, finances & family. The Tool Box costs $35 and
is available through:
Land Stewardship Project, 2200 4th St., White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (612) 653-0618. - How much do you know about poultry issues (health and safety issues, species information, and husbandry)? The University of Arizona's Department of Animal Care has prepared a self instruction module and an open book quiz.
Financial Tools
- The Sustainable Agriculture Research And Education (SARE) Program has funded hundreds of projects to explore and apply economically profitable, environmentally sound and socially supporting farming systems.
Sustainable Agriculture
Agriculture has changed dramatically, especially since the end of WWII. Food and fiber productivity soared due to new technologies, mechanization, increased chemical use, specialization and government policies that favored maximizing production. Although these changes have had many positive effects and reduced many risks in farming, there have also been significant costs. Prominent among these are topsoil depletion, groundwater contamination, the decline of family farms, continued neglect of the living and working conditions for farm laborers, increasing costs of production, and the disintegration of economic and social conditions in rural communities. A growing movement has emerged during the past two decades to question the role of the agricultural establishment in promoting practices that contribute to these social problems. Today this movement for sustainable agriculture is garnering increasing support and acceptance within mainstream agriculture.- U of C Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.
Policy and Planning Tools
- The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
- Community Supported Agriculture of North America. and Alternative Farming Systems Information Center are two good resources about CSAs.
- The University of California's Award Winning Website lists crop and livestock production information, biologically integrated farming systems, news releases and publications.
- SAN is the communication and outreach arm of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.
- Sustaining Pennsylvania Agriculture .
- Sustainable Farming Connection.
- International Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture .
- Do a search for The New York City Watershed Whole Farm Program at the Water Organizing Web Site
- The Watershed Agricultural Program of New York city's Water Supply Watersheds
Regulatory Tools
- Environmental Laws Affecting State Agriculture listed by State.
- American Farmland Trust outlines several regulatory/technical tools to conserve agricultural lands.
Technical Tools
For technology, news, discussion and information, read the following on-line magazines:
Financial Tools
- SARE's Producer Grant Projects .
- Penn State's Sustaining Pennsylvania Agriculture Website.
Water Conservation
That most precious natural resource, water, is too often taken for granted. "Although considered a renewable resource, water is often in short supply or of poor quality"..A.J.Clemmens.
Policy and Planning Tools
- Irrigation and Water Quality Research Programs.
- What is Learning to be Water Wise and Energy Efficient about? Find out!
- Water Supply Forecasts for the entire country.
Technical Tools
- Water Information Program.
- Visit the Bureau of Reclamation's Water Share site
- Free Educational Software available from the Leopold Center on the water cycle.
- The main focus of the Conservation Fund's Freshwater Institute's programs is the conservation and efficient use of water resources.
Financial Tools
- FEMP: the Federal Energy Management Program's financing team.
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