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Restoring &
Protecting
America's Waters
CLEAN WATER
ACTION PLAN
-------
February 1999
The Clean Water Action Plan is a far-reaching and innovative plan that unites the efforts of citizens, local, state, tribal, and
federal governments and a wide array of other stakeholders in the business of protecting and restoring our water resources.
The Clean Water Action Plan is about action —• cutting red tape, getting the right people with the right tools to the right place,
stopping pollution that continues to degrade almost half of our waters. The Action Plan sets an ambitious agenda and we are
pleased to share the highlights of the many first year accomplishments.
One of the most significant achievements of the Clean Water Action Plan is the way it has brought peopk together in a true
spirit of cooperation to help restore and protect our nation's rivers, lakes, coastal waters, and wetlands. During this first year, an
unprecedented commitment to cooperation has developed among federal agencies as they unite the missions of many departments
and programs in the pursuit of clean water. There has also been a resurgence of local leadership that is guiding all of our
efforts to protect our water resources. Undoubtedly, this will be the greatest legacy of the Clean Water Action Plan.
We are committed to continuing the work of the Clean Water Action Plan so that, as we approach the 2ist century, we leave a
legacy of environmental stewardship that is worthy of future generations.
US Army Corps
of Engineers
V,
USDA
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The first year. T fa, 6 / U t U T €
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of
the Clean Water Act, the Vice President asked
the federal agencies to develop and implement a
comprehensive plan that would help revitalize
the nation's commitment to our valuable water
resources. The result was the Clean Water
Action Plan, which was released on February 19,
1998. Since that time the federal agencies have
been working with tribal, state, and local part-
ners to implement the more than 100 key actions
in the Action Plan and build a new framework
for watershed protection in the 21st century.
This report marks the first anniversary of
the Clean Water Action Plan. It highlights the
progress that has been made toward implement-
ing this ambitious plan and outlines the agenda
for the coming year.
The Clean Water Action Plan is about each
of us working to protect the waters we love - the
river that runs through town, the lake or beach
we vacation at year after year, or the wetland we
visit to enjoy the wide variety of birds, plants,
and wildlife it supports. The goal of the Action
Plan is to reinvigorate our efforts to protect
these waters by strengthening leadership for
those efforts at the local level.
Introduction
Department of Agriculture
Department of the Interior
Department of the Army
Department of Commerce
Environmental
Protection Agency
and
Tennessee Valley Authority
Department of Energy
Department of Transportation
Department of Justice
The Action Plan itself contains 111 key
actions designed to further this goal. More
specifically, the Action Plan seeks to organize the
efforts of citizens, business, and government, so
that we more effectively respond to the unique
needs of individual watersheds around the coun-
try. (An index of each action and its page num-
ber in the original Action Plan is on page 20.)
"We're not only improving water
quality in the Guest River; we're
changing people's attitudes and
behaviors. A lot of different
government agencies are involved—
and their support is important—but
I'm convinced that our success is
due to one key factor: dedicated
local leadership."
Carol Green
Coordinator, Wise County Virginia Clean Team
The organizing principle behind the Clean Water
Action Plan is:
• The Watershed Approach
The Action Plan has four major objectives:
• Improve Information and Citizens' Right to Know
• Address Polluted Runoff
• Enhance Natural Resources Stewardship
• Protect Public Health
**"" ' ' ACTIONS "~
Throughout this document you will find boxes like this one
highlighting major accomplishments under the Clean Water
Action Plan. Key actions are numbered in the order they
appeared in the Action Plan and as they are listed on the web
site. You can find out more about the Clean Water Action
Plan at www.cleanwater.gov or by contacting one of the part-
ner agencies listed on the inside back cover. To find out more
about a particular key action or program, look up the Action
Plan on the internet and click on the internet symbol. |
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The first year. The /UtMTfi
Protecting
Our Nation's
Watersheds
The Watershed Approach
is the Key
•
The heart of the Clean Water Action Plan is
the "watershed approach." The watershed
approach represents a new paradigm for protect-
ing and restoring our water resources (rivers,
lakes, coastal waters, and wetlands) for future
generations. The key to this approach is tailoring
efforts to the particular needs of individual
watersheds. Because the problems affecting our
waters vary greatly from watershed to watershed
and from region to region, a "one-size-fits-all"
approach will not effectively address today's
water resource problems.
.-: iv LEavS'1} f" i1' 3 9ii ««K»*"* <«" m
National WatershM Characterizafion
Watershed Classification
iFI Better Water Quatty- Low Vulnerability
HI B«ler Water Quality - High Vulnerability
C""l Less Serious Water Quality
— Probteros - Low VulneraoiMy
•El Lets Serious Water QuaHy
Problems - High Vulnerability
|—JMore Serious Water Quality
Problems - Low Vulnerability
m More Serious Water QuaSty
Problems - High Vulnerability
HI Data Sufficiency Threshold Not Met
Source: Index of Watershed Indicators. This map is a composite illustration
based on many sources of water quality information and is the best overall
characterization of the condition of the 2000 watersheds in the U.S. It
shows that approximately 50% or 1000 of these watersheds are experiencing
a significant level of degradation.
State
Programs
Environmental
Groups
Agricultural
Interests
Federal Agency
Assistance
Tribal
Programs
Local
Organizations
What is the Condition
of our Watersheds?
•
Before the Clean Water Act of 1972, Lake
Erie was dying. The Potomac River was clogged
with blue-green algae blooms that were both a
nuisance and a threat to public health. Many of
our rivers were overwhelmed with discharges of
sewage and industrial waste. The Clean Water
Act brought strong regulatory and financial tools
to bear to clean up discharges from municipal
sewage systems and industries. By 1987, signifi-
cant progress had been made in curbing the
WATERSHED HEALTH
KEY ACTION #94
The Index of Watershed Indicators is a collec-
tion of information on many aspects of water-
shed health. You can use the index and many
other sources of information on the internet to
find out more about your watershed. ffj
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The first year. T fl 6 f U t U T €
impacts from these sources and awareness was
growing regarding the threats posed by polluted
runoff, especially from urban, agricultural, and
forested lands. The 1987 Amendments to the
Clean Water Act included new financial and
technical tools to help address these emerging
and complex sources of water pollution. The
Clean Water Action Plan represents another
major step forward as we strive to address these
challenges.
There are many methods of measuring the
health of our nation's watersheds. Typically, these
different systems tell us that approximately 40% to
50% of our watersheds are in need of restoration.
What Kind of Problems are
Affecting Our Watersheds?
©
Today, the overwhelming majority of water
quality problems are caused by literally millions of
diffuse sources of polluted runoff' from agricul-
tural lands, residential areas, city streets, forests,
and even from pollutants settling out of the air.
States report that agricultural sources
account for approximately 70% of the identified
water quality problems in assessed rivers, 49% in
lakes, and 27% in estuaries. In addition, sewage
treatment systems, urban storm water, and atmos-
pheric sources are significant contributors of
nutrients and other pollutants.
£jbUj^f.^^
Source: Adapted from 1996 National Water
Quality Inventory
1 The Clean Water Act refers to sources of polluted runoff
as "nonpoint sources." Point sources include industries and
sewage treatment facilities where pollution is discharged at a
discrete point, usually through a pipe. Nonpoint sources
contribute pollutants to waters via surface runoff, movement
of water through the ground, or air deposition. In this docu-
ment, we use the term polluted runoff to mean all nonpoint
sources.
| .Five Leadiog-S0.urcie$,QfvWa^^^
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
Rivers
Agriculture
Munical Point
Sources
Hydrologic
Modification
Habit
Modification
Resource
Extraction
Lakes
Agriculture
Unspecified
Nonpoint Sources
Atmospheric
Deposition
Urban Runoff/
Storm Sewers
Municipal Point
Sources
Estuaries
Industrial Discharges
Urban Runoff/
Storm Sewers
Municipal Point
Sources
Upstream Sources
Agriculture
Source: 1996 National Water Quality Inventory
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The first year. The f U t U T 6 .
Source: Adapted from Index of Watershed
Indicators (for illustrative purposes only)
^UNIFIED WATERSHED ASSESSMENTS
KEY ACTION #94
Unified Watershed Assessments represent the
first coordinated statement of water quality pri-
orities in the history of our clean water pro-
grams. You can find out more about the
I Unified Watershed Assessments on the internet
I as part of the Index of Watershed Indicators. A
While we can make some generalizations
about the nature of the problems facing our
watersheds today, we need to keep in mind that
each watershed faces a unique set of threats. The
map above illustrates the geographic distribution
of three different water quality problems. To
find out about the water quality problems in
your watershed, visit the internet site for the
Index of Watershed Indicators.
The goal of the Action Plan is to use the
watershed approach to guide all of our restoration
and protection efforts. To do this we must adapt
our programs, tools, and efforts to the unique
challenges facing our watersheds.
Taking the Watershed Approach
©
In order to bring together different perspec-
tives and different sets of information, states and
tribes were asked to take the lead in developing
Unified Watershed Assessments.
All 50 states, the District of Columbia, 5 ter-
ritories, and 18 tribes completed these assessments
in a very short period of time — just 7 months
after the release of the Action Plan.2
States and tribes were asked to coordinate
with stakeholders at all levels and develop an
overall statement of water quality. Specifically,
Unified Watershed Assessments identify:
• Watersheds not meeting, or facing imminent
threat of not meeting, clean water or other nat-
ural resource goals (Category I);
• Watersheds meeting goals but needing action to
sustain water quality (Category II);
• Watersheds with pristine/sensitive aquatic sys-
tem conditions on federal, state, or tribal lands
(Category III); and
• Watersheds where more information is needed
to assess conditions (Category IV).
2 The timef rame for tribes to complete Unified Watershed
Assessments has been extended. Federal partners continue to
provide assistance to several hundred tribes around the country.
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The first year. T K C f U t U T
Identifying Priorities
3
States and tribes identified those watersheds they
believe are most in need of restoration efforts
during 1999 and 2000. The map to the right
shows these watersheds. This information will be
used in two ways. First, additional federal funds
received in 1999 and 2000 will be directed to
these watersheds. Second, this information can
help target the broader efforts, programs, and
resources of all stakeholders including local, trib-
al, state, and federal governments, citizens, inter-
est groups, and businesses.
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The first year. T h C f U t U f &
Improving
Information
and Citizens'
Right to Know
Today, the dramatic advances in information
technology have created a new opportunity to pro-
vide people with significantly improved informa-
tion about the quality of waters where they live.
Getting Involved
©
Public involvement is essential to the success-
ful protection and restoration of our valuable
water resources. In fact, watershed management
works best when local citizens and organizations
help guide and enhance public sector programs.
WATER INFORMATION NETWORJC^ 4 „
KEY ACTIONS #92j 93 ' * _ ":
The internet-based Watershed information
Network (WIN) is a roadmap to consolidated
watershed information and services to help
communities protect and restore water quality.
It is now operational and accessible to the pub-
lic as a prototype. Full implementation of this
project is expected over the next few years. |fj|
#104
ORGANIZATIONS— KEY ACTION
"Adopt Your Watershed" campaign chal-
lenges thousands of citizens and organizations
to join federal agencies and others who are
working to protect and restore our valuable
rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes, ground water,
estuaries. To encourage stewardship of
the nation's water resources, EPA is building a
voluntary, national catalog of organizations
involved in protecting local water bodies,
including formal watershed alliances, local
groups, and schools that conduct activities such
as volunteer monitoring, cleanups, and restora-
tion projects. The 4,300 groups are listed
watershed-by-watershed to make it easy for
anyone to find out how to get involved. ^
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The first year. T fl 6 / U t U T C
Assisting Local
Watershed Groups
•
The Clean Water Action Plan supports com-
munity involvement through the creation of a
new Watershed Assistance Grants program. In
September 1998, the River Network, with fund-
ing from EPA, began the process of making funds
available to local watershed partnerships to sup-
port their organizational development and long-
term effectiveness. Through this grant program,
local watershed groups can receive up to $30,000.
Grants will be distributed to applicants which
are diverse in terms of geography, watershed
issues, the type of partnership, and approaches.
WATERSHED FORUM
KEY ACTION #108
The Watershed Forum was established to
enhance interaction, coordination, and infor-
mation exchange among stakeholders at all
levels. Regional fora will meet periodically over
the next two years and, in 2001, representa-
tives from these groups will convene in a
national watershed forum. The Southeast
Watershed Forum and Northeast Watershed
Roundtable are already up and running.
Federal agencies plan to help sponsor or col-
laborate with up to 12 regional fora around the
country. m
WATERSHED ASSISTANCE GRANTS
~ ~~* KEY ACTION #103
L" Action Plan funding has supported the River
L ^Network's new Watershed Assistance Grants
I- program that will help local organizations build
I the capacity to protect their local watersheds. £
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The first year. The f U t U T C
Addressing
Polluted Runoff
=_NUTRIENT STANDARDS STRATEGY
|U_ KEY_JACTION #74_ „
EPA has developed a multi-year strategy for
the development and implementation of nutri-
ent criteria and standards tailored to specific
needs of different types of water bodies and
different natural conditions found around the
country. The Action Plan sets an ambitious
goal that would have standards in place across
the country by 2003.
Polluted runoff from a wide variety of
sources is today's leading cause of water pollu-
tion. Addressing the impacts of polluted runoff
is a major goal of the Clean Water Action Plan.
Polluted runoff comes from many sources,
including urban streets and lawns, highways,
forests, and agricultural lands. The Clean Water
Action Plan contains a number of key actions to
address many of these important sources over
the next several years. This section highlights
key actions that focus primarily on agriculture.
Other sections of this report discuss polluted
runoff from federal lands, mining operations,
and urban sources.
Nutrients
@
Nutrients (particularly nitrogen and phos-
phorous) are among the most common and most
difficult pollutants to address. In excessive
amounts, nutrients cause algal blooms which can
quickly rob oxygen from the surrounding waters.
These algal blooms themselves can also be toxic
to aquatic and marine life and pose health risks
to humans, as in the case of Pfiesteria (see page
16). Nutrients react in a wide variety of ways
depending on the type of water body and the
local characteristics.
Rank Rivers
Lakes
Estuaries
1
2
3
Siltation
Nutrients
Bacteria
Nutrients
Metals
Siltation
Nutrients
Bacteria
Priority Toxic
Organic Chemicals
Oxygen-Depleting Oxygen-Depleting Oxygen-Depleting
Substances Substances Substances
Pesticides
Noxious Aquatic
Plants
Oil and Grease
Source: 1996 National Water Quality Inventory
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The first year. T ft 6 f U t U T € .
Source: Adapted from 1996 National Water
Quality Inventory
Agriculture
*
Agriculture is recognized as a significant
source of nutrient pollution. Addressing prob-
lems caused by various agricultural activities
while maintaining the overall, long-term sustain-
ability of the industry presents special challenges.
Key actions under the Clean Water Action Plan
were designed to address these challenges by
combining voluntary, incentive- based approach-
es (such as financial and technical assistance) with
back-up regulatory approaches where needed.
CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT
:~, PRO0RAM—KEY ACTIONS #65,66
Approximately $976,000,000 in federal funds have been
committed to 6 states that have signed up to participate in
the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
This program uses financial incentives to encourage farmers
and ranchers to voluntarily remove sensitive land from
agricultural use. The CREP program will continue to
expand to other states in 1999 and beyond. |fi|
One of the key features of the Unified
Watershed Assessment process is the identifica-
tion of high priority watersheds in need of
restoration in 1999 and 2000 (see page 5). States
and tribes are now developing Watershed
Restoration Action Strategies to guide restora-
tion activities. In the 1999 budget, the
Administration requested and received an addi-
tional $100 million to fund polluted runoff proj-
ects in these high priority waters. Additionally,
these assessments and strategies are intended to
serve as a guide for targeting a much broader array
of efforts, programs, and financial resources at the
local, state, tribal, and federal levels.
/Jj
£r "•-
f~ •-21
|j Conservation buffers are relatively small areas of land plant-
JL ed with permanent vegetation; they include filter strips,
|- field borders, and forest buffers. Buffers are designed to
t3" intercept pollutants before they reach rivers, lakes, and
^_ streams. The National Conservation Buffer Initiative is a
jr cooperative venture that relies heavily on the active partici-
F pation of major agribusiness firms and most of the nation's
P; conservation and agricultural organizations.
I
*:•• Since the initiative was started in 1997, conservation pro-
| grams have resulted in the installation of nearly 800,000
|.- acres or about 220,000 miles of buffers along rivers,
t streams, and field borders.
O
Clean Water Action Plan Goal
Establish 2 million miles of conservation buffers by 2002.
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10
The first year. The f U t U T 6
Watershed Success Stories : The S
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
The Northwest Forest Plan, initiated by.
President Clinton, was established to
manage federal forest land, help people"
and communities, and improve ecosys-:
tcm health. The Plan sets out to manage"
25 million acres and improve water qual-
ity on public lands in Oregon,
Washington, and Northern California.
The holistic nature of the tasks laid out
In the Plan is leading to more effective
interagency work and decision-making
that brings federal, state, and local part-
ners together. The Plan gave $1.2 billion
In economic assistance to communities
during its first five years.
WASHINGTON 1
The Spencer Island Wetland Restoration t
Project and Nature Pajk in SnphomisfT~~
County recently restored a 50 acre tidal
h and mudflats to provide food and
ge_for juvenile salmon and other
,lfjsh species as well as habitat foFshore-
birds with Clean Water Act funding.
FEDERAL LANDS AND NATIONAL PARKS
Federal landjnanagers are working fo protect Watersheds in
our national parks and other valuabje federal*lands Under
the Action Plan, more than $30 million has been targeted
toward improving water quality in watersheds on federal
lands andjittional parks.
CALIFORNIA T —; _
The San Francisco Bay/Sacramento San Joaquin DeTta estuary provides
drinking water to 20 million people irrigation water for^seven million acres
of farm land, and critical habitat for "more than 120 fish an3 wildlife
species. Due to these sometimes conflicting demands, habitats ^re in,
decline and fish populations are decreasing. Key. state and federal agencies
formed CALFED to reduce conflicts'in the Bay-Delta system by solving
problems in ecosystem quality, water:o,ualify, water supply reliability, arid
levee and channel integrity. In 1998, CALFED proposed a long-term plan
to address all these problems and directed'approximately $.100 million^. "
towards ecosystem restoration activities. %»;.>:
^^ -BJU.
NORTH DAKOTA
£ The Bowman/Hayley Watershed Project
has become a model for improving the
quality of North Dakota s watgrs Project
efforts have focused" on controlling the
flow of nutrients and sediments jrom agn
cultural lands.^ Work with "local "farmers"
and other slakeholdersjp increase, awagf „
ness ofthe impacts of polluted runoftdn
- water quality has ted to conservation plans
for over 50 percent of the watershed
KANSAS
Some of the best bass_ fishing in Kansas™
can be found along HillsdaifTCake So t
local residents formed the Hillsdale Lake
Water Quality Protection* Project to reduce"
the runoff from farms and wastewater
treatment plajjts entering the lake,, Today
$1 016 423 in pollution control practices
have been installed in the watershed alorig
113 acres of waterways 33% 240 linear
feet of terraces 10acresjS grassed buffer
strips five livestock waste systems, and"
*®' -« ^ Ze&egssy ' -ffifi-
three constructed wetlands^ _ c
- _ te -^ _^ - ,
w £* » » «i.-1t* '
COLORADO _.' * lj
The^Animas River Stakeholders Grofipjleveloped a
wiodel to i^prove^ aquatic habitat in sou£jjy/estern_^ __ I
Colorado Local citizens have joined with federal sq **"
entists state and university biologists students and1 f
land managers to^evajuate fiow to improve water qual
ity while preserving the historical heritage of Ihis area
Clean Water Action Plan funding and private compa
nies and citizens have dedicated over $1 Sjpilhon in"
reclamation and water treatment efforts ^^
"**
jar
-#?
*
PROTECTING WATERSHEDS ON TRIBAL LANDS
The lands of the 556 tribal nations encompass large portions of key watersheds in the U S Inadequate wastewater treat-
ment and polluted runoff from tribal lands continue to impact watersheds on tribal lands and their downstream neighbors
Clean water and healthy watersheds are vital to the creation and maintenance of vibrant and stable tribal communities.
The Clean Water Action Plan seeks to provide assistance to tribal nations to begin the process of addressing these problems
• Watershed restoration activities are underway in a number of tribal watersheds, including the Confederated Salish and
Kootenai Tribes In Montana, the Umatilla in Oregon, the Seminole in Florida, and the Colville Confederated Tribes in
Washington.
• Approximately $18 million in Clean Water Action Plan funds are being provided to tribes to assist them in two ways—to
complete Unified Watershed Assessments and build expertise in water quality management and to address high priority
sources of polluted runoff. (Additional funds are provided to address high priority wastewater treatment projects)
• 32 tribes submitted draft Unified Watershed Assessments and 18 have completed the process.
• Federal agencies have sponsored 5 workshops on the Clean Water Action Plan, Unified Watershed Assessments,
Watershed Restoration Action Plans and will conduct additional workshops in February and March, 1999
• Approximately 200 Tribes are expected to complete Unified Watershed Assessments in 1999.
ir]
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The first year. T K 6 f U t U T 6
11
t of the Clean Water Action Plan
OHIO
Thanks to the Indian Cake Watershed Project, "the lake.
is 400,percent clearer than it was in 1990 One
observer attributes'rts success to the Project's ability to
bring together_ all possible private and public interests
to develop and implement the watershed manage-
ment plan." In a watershed that .is. 79 percent crop-
land, the1ake"Fiad Iost35 ^percent of its"briginal capac-
ity-j-filling with almost 80 tons of sediment annually
As a result of the Project no tilffarming in the area
increased from 6 percent to 79 percent_and 264 acres
of filtet,strips have been,established and 1,600feet.of
eroding streambank stabilized ,
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
There are fnanjTefforts to clean up"pollution in the
Mississippi Ritfer watershed to restore it to its historic'
".grandeur The Mississippi River Initiative is a coordinated™ _
federal effortto T t *.
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it «• "%
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— *T» * -* - l' *«*lPNi
..., i* -_*., * j, ^.ipr^i
-** * twiv5 I^MPSH i RE * ^
* Jn July 1998 Vice, PresiderTt fiore annOT^^fl 6
ss= ^million in federal resources to help speed the _^
"restoration of Ne*w Hampshire's SeacoasfTEsluaries*
4g j-^andljebperfshellfish beds four years earlier than
WEST VIRGINIA
Acid Mine Drainage was polluting the Lower
Cheat River in WesE Virgima'untjJ a working
group of local state and federal partners stepped
in to coordmate mitigation activities The Fnends_
of the Cheat, Trout Unlimited,,and Anker Energy
worked together with state and federal govern
ments to share information and resources in the
region The group called Ihe River of Pron^se^"*
has coordinated eight major mteragency water
shed improvement projects with a valufTbf $30
million in the last three years. - ~~
CHESAPEAKE BAY
On November 5 1998 the new Federal Agencies
Chesapeake Ecosystem Unified Plan was announced
htexpands current restoration efforts by adding 50
—new commitments aimed at protecting the
Chesapeake Bay region. The Chesapeake Plan .will
help the living resources of trie Bay by targeting
specific habitat restoration projects on federal lands
and assisting state and local governments and pn
vate landowners in similar efforts The Action Plan
also addressed a number_of other issues such as
nutrient and toxic pollution prevention and reduc
tion smart growth policies for federal projects pro
tecting priority watersheds and increasing public
access to federal lands _ """"
'GULF OF ^
The Gulf of Mexico Program activities*focus on reducing *•
excessive nutrient enrichment, protecting public health,
restoring habitat, and reducing risks associated with
harmful nonindigenous species Local, federal, and state
stakeholders have focused more than $2 millionVon
these issues.. In particular, excess nutrients has gamed
national focus because.'the "Dead Zone", an annually
recurring area of hypoxia (oxygen-deficient water) off
the coast of Louisiana, has doubled over t0n years.
«§"•
NORTH CAROLINA
In August 1998, the Clinton Administration announced
that North Caro(Tna?eceived $221jriillion in federal aid
to_help farmers reduce water pollution and the threat of_
fish kills in the Neuse River The package—spread over.
10 STB years—pays for 100,000 acres m agricultural
"rJirfrer strips and olher measures to reduce runoff and
vent outbreaks of harmful marine organisms J*
1PS.
„ ^EVERGLADES
Py^Numeroujactlvities^are underwa^y to
restore the Everglades watershed system
Among these, the purchase of additional
lands to expand the Everglades National
^ PanX the creation of 30,000 acres of ~
" j/vetlands and theT-emovai of canals will
*5?help to restore the healthy functioning of
TjEnTs national treasure
AMERICAN HERITAGE
RIVERS INITIATIVE
; This new program to assist com-
munities as they restore and revi-
talize their waters and water-
fronts, was announced by the
President last February Since
that time, 14 rivers of national
significance have been nominated.
and chosen. This program seeks
to cut red, tape and focus federal
programs to support community-
based plans whjch integrate eco-
nomic, environmental, and^hisr^
tone preservation goals
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12
The first year. The f U t U
There are two main categories of agricultur-
al pollution.
• Crop production can contribute significant
amounts of nutrients due to the runoff of fer-
tilizers. Soil erosion and contamination from
pesticides and herbicides are also of concern.
• Animal production can contribute bacteriologi-
cal contamination to our waters as well as high
levels of nutrient pollution, especially where
animals are raised in strictly confined areas. As
of 1992, there were approximately 450,000 ani-
mal feeding operations in the U.S.
Resources
&
The Clean Water Action Plan and federal agen-
cies provide a number of financial incentives to
assist farmers, local governments, citizens groups,
environmental groups, and others as they work
to address water quality problems in local water-
sheds. A detailed listing of funding sources for
clean water projects is available on the Clean
Water Action Plan home page.
STATE REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS
KEY ACTION #73
Billions of dollars are available each year to fund virtually any important
water quality project. EPA has completed a nation-wide training program
to expand the use of these funds for important polluted runoff and habi-
tat projects. Currently, 27 states are collaborating with state conservation
offices, other state organizations, and local soil and water conservation
districts to target SRF funds to high priority polluted runoff and habitat
projects. As of June 1998, these states had funded over 4000 projects
worth nearly $900 million. gn
KEROMOTING CONSERVATION
JN~SURANCE—KIY:
J USDA is working with private insurance compa-
jr^jiies and foundations to develop insurance pro-
|Tr grams that will enable farmers and ranchers to
r offset risks associated with new practices and
^technologies aimed at reducing or preventing
I* pollution, two insurance products are already
r available to help farmers reduce fertilizer appli-
£ cations and pesticide usage. Other policies are
pjn the final stages of development and are
^"designed to reduce the use of fungicides and
j, promote the use of no-till farming methods, fp
—
REDUCE POLLUTION^ FROM ANIMAL
""*""" ''
SSKEY ACTIONS #81, 82 _
> •*<> t -f <^-tjiwyu- *«jjift,* 'juMfrgmg^ftysHy.-^^
p_ USDA and EPA have cooperated in the devel- j
|-ppment of a national strategy aimed at '_
|^ addressing these impacts while ensuring the
I long-term sustainability of livestock production.
|h this strategy's primary goal is to implement
1. comprehensive nutrient management plans at
fc^ all animal feeding operations by 2008. |p|
• Established Programs
• New Programs in
1998 & 1999
_
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The first year.
/ U t U T €
13
This section discusses three major aspects of
protecting natural resources: wetlands, federal
lands, and coasts.
What are Wetlands?
Why Are They Important?
Q
Wetlands are the link between the land and
the water. They are areas where the flow of
water, the cycling of nutrients, and the energy of
the sun produce a rich variety of plant and ani-
mal life. Over 50% of the wetlands in the con-
tiguous United States have been lost since the
time of European settlement. Wetlands provide
values that no other ecosystem can. These bene-
fits include natural water quality improvement,
flood protection, shoreline erosion control, and
habitat for unique plants and animals. Thus,
protecting wetlands can, in turn, provide a range
of benefits from safety to sustenance.
Source: Index of Watershed Indicators
Enhancing
Natural
Resource
Stewardship
Wetlands Provide Critical
Habitat for Healthy Ecosystems
®
Wetlands can be thought of as "biological
supermarkets." They are among the most pro-
ductive ecosystems in the world, comparable to
rain forests and coral reefs. The combination of
shallow water and high levels of nutrients is ideal
for the development of organisms that form the
base of the food web and feed many species of
fish, amphibians, shellfish, and insects. Many
species of birds and mammals rely on wetlands
for food, water, and shelter, especially during
migration and breeding.
EXPAND THE WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM
i #38,',
The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program
which offers financial support to landowners for wetlands
restoration projects. During 1998, roughly 212,000 acres
were enrolled in this program. The Administration is
requesting additional authority so that as many as 250,000
acres can be enrolled each year. «j»
m\
Clean Water Action Plan Goal
Reverse historic pattern of Wetland losses in the U.S. and
achieve a net increase of 100,000 acres of wetlands each
year by 2005.
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e-
14
The first year. The f U t U T C .
What Does the
Clean Water Action Plan Do
to Address Wetland Loss?
o
The Action Plan contains a large number of
key actions aimed at halting wetlands loss and
beginning the difficult process of gaining acres
of wetlands each year. There are a number of
regulatory, financial incentive, and voluntary
programs to protect and improve wetlands. The
Action Plan seeks to strengthen and improve each
of these programs as we work toward the goal of
gaining 100,000 acres of wetlands each year.
L
SUPPORT WETLAND PROJECTS IN 500 WATERSHEDS
KEY ACTION #41
Achieving a net increase in wetlands will require working cooperatively with
landowners and communities to encourage and support the restoration and
enhancement of wetlands while ensuring that regulatory programs result in
no overall net losses. Announced in 1998, the Five-Star Restoration
Challenge Grant is open to any public or private entity and provides modest
financial assistance to support community-based wetland/riparian restora-
tion projects and locally-based, natural resource stewardship. lit
I
50% NET INCREASE OF HIGHWAY WETLANDS
KEY ACTION #44
Highways are a key part of America's transportation system, but they can
have negative impacts on wetlands through draining, filling, and runoff of
contaminants and eroded soil. Through the Clean Water Action Plan, the
Department of Transportation will continue to monitor wetland losses and
gains and minimize negative impacts with the goal of replacing 1.5 acres
for every 1 acre affected within 10 years. The federal highway program
has already achieved a 120% gain in wetlands acres restored in 1998. J
L STREAM CORRIDOR RESTORATION
KEY ACTION #61
p
; 15 agencies collaborated on the Stream
j' Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes, and
; Practices (October 1998). The manual pro-
t vides a sound basis for restoring the natural
I ecology of streams and rivers.
PROTECTING FEDERAL LANDS
_ KEY ACTION #19 ' *
The Action Plan asks the federal community, in
cooperation with states, tribes, and other
-stakeholders, to develop a Unified Federal
Policy to improve watershed management on
:. federal lands. Federal land and resource man-
agement agencies will release a draft "starting
point" in early 1999 to initiate public dialogue.
Federal agencies will sponsor "listening sessions"
around the country to facilitate this dialogue. «[§
Federal Lands
•
There are 800 million acres of land, includ-
ing some of our most valued water resources,
being managed by the federal government.
Preserving and protecting these natural
resources in a sustainable manner is a key chal-
lenge for the 21st century. The Clean Water
Action Plan seeks to build connections between
federal land and resource managers and the
greater water quality community, especially state,
tribal, and local partners. Federal land and
resource mangers have already utilized the water-
shed approach and built partnerships to protect
valuable land and water resources in several
major watersheds across the country: these
include the Northwest Forest Plan, Columbia
River Ecosystem Assessment, Puget Sound, San
Francisco Bay-Delta, Florida Everglades, Tennessee
Valley, and Lake Tahoe protection efforts.
CLEAN UP ABANDONED HARDROCK
MINESJrrKJY A°CTtONJt.29_
-.,., - uA—UBSi
t The Action Plan calls for the addition of 3-5
£. abandoned hardrock mines to the clean up
| program each year beginning in 1999. Federal
aL»i.. . .
F land managers have worked with state, tribal,
i and local partners to initiate clean ups ahead of
f_ schedule. In 1998, 3 cooperative projects were
*-- initiated in Colorado, Montana, and Utah.
12 watersheds in need of restoration will be
chosen to demonstrate these techniques in
1999.
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The first year. T fl 6 f U t U T €
COAL MINING POLLUTION
KEY ACTION #31
The Clean Streams Initiative is a cooperative
venture between states, local watershed
groups, environmental groups, and the coal
mining industry that has resulted in 4 clean up
projects in Indiana and Alabama. Under the
Action Plan, an additional $7 million in federal
funds has been appropriated and will allow a
significant expansion to occur in 1999. m
ASSESS RESERVOIRS AND STREAMS
T KEY ACTION #35
The Action Plan asks the Bureau of
Reclamation and U.S. Geological Survey to
assess the quality of reservoirs and streams
affected by the Bureau's operations.
Assessments have begun in 3 areas, Upper
Klamath Lake, OR; Rio Grande/Elephant Butte
and Caballo Reservoirs, NM & TX; and Grand
Coullee Dam, WA. A
ERESTORING WATERSHEDS ON FEDERAL
K- LANDS—KEY ACTIONS #20, 23
L Federal land managers have restored over 3200
L miles of stream corridors, 68,000 acres of wet-
s' lands, 38,000 acres of forests, and decomis-
t. sioned 2099 miles of forest roads and restored
c 1400 additional miles. A
Coastal Waters
®
Americans are deeply connected to the coasts.
In fact, over 50% of the population lives in coastal
watersheds. Travel and tourism is the nation's
largest industry, employer, and foreign revenue
earner and 85% of all U.S. tourist revenues are
earned by coastal states. In addition, coastal areas
support major commercial arid recreational fish-
eries, ports, and a wide variety of industries.
From an ecological perspective, coastal areas,
particularly estuaries and coastal wetlands, are nec-
essary to the healthy functioning of most of our
ecosystems. The Clean Water Action Plan seeks to
address two important factors affecting our
coastal waters. First, polluted runoff and nutrient
enrichment affect nearly all of our coastal waters.
•.
YEAR OF THE OCEAN
KEY ACTION #58
8
.J
1998 was the "International Year of the
Ocean." The year provided many opportuni-
ties to increase the public's awareness of issues
affecting our marine environment. Federal
agencies sponsored numerous events, confer-
ences, and developed many educational mate-
rials. The President and Vice President hosted
an international oceans conference in
Monterey, CA last June. |y|
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o-
16
The first year. The f U t U T 6 .
The second major area concerns outbreaks
of harmful algal blooms such as red tides and
toxic Pfiesteria which affect many of our coastal
and estuarine waters. Harmful algal blooms con-
tribute to or cause thousands of fish kills involv-
ing millions of fish each year, and some harmful
algal blooms can cause health problems in people.
Because of the increasing pressure we place
on our coastal waters and ecosystems, we need to
place special emphasis on building partnerships
among governments, citizens, businesses, and
other stakeholders. Programs like the National
Estuary Program (29 estuaries currently enrolled)
and the National Estuarine Research Reserve
Program (22 estuaries designated) provide oppor-
tunities to organize efforts on a watershed basis.
REDUCING POLLUTED RUNOFF IN COASTAL AREAS
KEY ACTION #56
Under the Coastal Zone Management Act, coastal states and territories are
called upon to develop programs to preserve and protect their coastal
resources. The Act specifically asks states and territories to develop pro-
grams to reduce the impacts of polluted runoff. All 29 participating state
and territorial programs have been conditionally approved. EPA and
NOAA are working with the states and territories to fully approve these
important programs. &m
EMERGENCY R E SJf OJIS E JS:?!
TFOR PFJESTE^AJ
^I^TBLOOMS—KE
r Recent attention to outbreaks of Pfiesteria
L along the east coast has highlighted the need
I. for a coordinated federal response system to
S--assist state and local governments during major
fc outbreaks. This interagency Emergency
p Response plan was distributed on August 18,
I; 19^8 and will continue to be refined and
jL expanded. |Q|
'-TT7:
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The first year. T K 6 f U t U T € «
17
Protecting Our Drinking Water
The United States enjoys one of the best
supplies of drinking water in the world.
Nevertheless, many of us who once gave little or
no thought to the water that comes from our
taps are increasingly asking the question: "Is my
water safe to drink?" While tap water that meets
federal and state standards generally is safe to
drink, threats to drinking water quality and
quantity are increasing.
The water that we drink comes from
streams, rivers, lakes, or from ground water wells
that tap underground aquifers. The costs of
treatment can be reduced or avoided by ensuring
that the sources of drinking water are safe from
contamination.
The 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act
Amendments placed a new focus on protecting
the sources of drinking water (rivers, lakes, and
ground water). States and tribes, in cooperation
with local governments, are to develop assess-
ments and protection plans for the sources that
communities use for drinking water. These
assessments will become available over the next
four years.
Ensuring that Fish
are Safe to Eat
Americans are also increasingly concerned about
the quality of the fish and shellfish we eat. This
is an issue that affects us all, and poses increased
risk to the health of women of child- bearing age,
children, and people who for economic or cultur-
al reasons rely on locally caught fish. The issues
are complex - mercury and other long-lasting
pollutants such as dioxin and PCBs stay in the
environment and accumulate in the flesh and
organs of fish and shellfish. Bacteria and other
microbiological contaminants caused the closing
of 31% of the nation's shell-
fish beds, accord-
ing to the 1995
National Shellfish
Register.
Protecting
Public Health
en federal agencies signed an agreement to provide assis-
tance to state, tribal, and local governments as they work
to assess and protect the nation's sources of drinking
water. Regional meetings are now being conducted to
define the needs of states, tribes and local governments as
.they complete these assessments and protection programs
and to specifically define how federal agencies can support
their efforts. ft
„;:;
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Brochures highlighting the risks associated with consuming
large amounts of fish were developed in English, Spanish
and Asian languages and distributed in areas where locally
caught fish pose health risks. More detailed information
has been developed and distributed to health care profes-
sionals. The National Shellfish Register has been released
outlining the health of the nation's shellfisheries. «fe
Ensuring that Beaches are
Safe for Swimming
•
Americans want better information on the safe-
ty of the rivers, lakes, and coastal waters where
they swim. In the past information was relatively
difficult to find. Further, the standards and pro-
cedures used to monitor water quality and make
decisions on closings and warnings varied from
place to place.
The Beach Watch Web Site came online in May 1998 and
£;: provides the first national listing of water quality conditions
P at beaches and other popular swimming locations (where
f that information is available). EPA has developed and will
h soon release a Beach Action Plan to help guide local, state,
I;; tribal, and federal efforts to improve beach monitoring and
j& notification programs. $j&
*~
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18
The first year. The f U t U T 6
Next Steps—
1999 and Beyond
The Clean Water Action Plan is a multi-year
effort with major actions continuing through
2008. During the first year, we made important
progress in laying the foundation for future
implementation activities and in implementing
solutions in many watersheds around the country.
The second year, 1999, is an important year
for everyone involved as we make the transition
toward full, on-the-ground implementation.
Below are highlights of activities scheduled to
occur in 1999.
Protecting Watersheds
©
• Watershed Restoration Action Strategies - Key
Action *98. States and tribes will be developing
Watershed Restoration Action Strategies in
1999. Action Strategies are intended to guide
restoration efforts in those watersheds that
were identified by the states and tribes as most
in need of restoration during 1999 and 2000.
Action Strategies will be used to target the addi-
tional funding, including $100 million appropri-
ated for polluted runoff controls. Additionally,
these Action Strategies are intended to help
guide the efforts, programs, and financial
resources of all levels of government in cooper-
ation with other stakeholders including agricul-
ture, citizen watershed groups, businesses, and
environmental interests.
• Financial Assistance for Watersheds - Key
Actions * 73,95,98,99. Financial assistance
programs play a major role in addressing today's
water quality problems. The federal partners
will expand and improve information available
on federal financial assistance programs avail-
able to help restore and protect watersheds.
• Watershed Assistance Grants - Key Action
*103. Additional funding will be provided to
expand the Watershed Assistance Grants pro-
gram. This program makes financial assistance
available to local communities to build capacity
for watershed improvement.
• Assistance to Tribal Nations - Key Action #101.
The federal partners will continue to work
together to provide tribal nations with technical
and financial assistance to improve water quali-
ty on tribal lands. Tribes will continue to devel-
op Unified Watershed Assessments, Watershed
Restoration Action Strategies, and will begin
implementing solutions to water quality prob-
lems. The President's FY 2000 Budget proposal
asks Congress to remove limits on the amount
of Clean Water Act polluted runoff funding
available to tribes.
Improving information and
Citizens' Right-to-Know
•
• Water Information Network - Key Actions *92,
93. During 1999, the first version of the Water
Information Network will be released to the
public. Cooperating agencies and other stake-
holders will continue this multi-year project to
make a comprehensive set of information avail-
able to the public on the condition of each
watershed in the U.S.
• The National Watershed Forum - Key Action
*108. To support and help develop community-
based watershed efforts, up to 12 regional water-
shed fora will be sponsored across the country.
These regional fora will provide a mechanism
for information exchange and collaboration on
watershed protection and restoration issues
among diverse stakeholders such as local water-
shed interests, tribes, and local, state and federal
government agencies.
• Blue Water Labeling - Key Action *69. A task
force, including agricultural producers, business-
es, and interested constituencies, will make rec-
ommendations on a Blue Water marketing
recognition program for agricultural products
produced under sound environmental manage-
ment guidelines.
• Tax Incentives for Clean Water - Key Action
*86. The federal partners will report on tax
proposals that would foster water pollution pre-
vention and natural resource enhancement.
• Smart Growth - Key Actions *83,84,85. An
Interagency Work Group on Sustainable
Communities will conclude efforts to develop
federal policies to strengthen America's commu-
nities in conjunction with efforts to protect
watersheds.
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The first year. The f U t U T 6
19
Addressing Polluted Runoff
a
* Agriculture - Multiple Key Actions. Work will
continue in 1999 to address polluted runoff
from agricultural sources. Conservation pro-
grams, the National Buffer Initiative, and vari-
ous funding programs (Environmental Quality
Incentives Program, Nonpoint Source Grants
Program, the State Revolving Fund Program,
etc.) will address more sources of polluted
runoff from agricultural lands.
• State Polluted Runoff Programs - Key Action
*70. EPA, with the support of other federal
agencies, will assist states, territories, and tribes
to upgrade polluted runoff programs (nonpoint
source management programs).
• Air-borne Sources of Water Pollution - Key
Actions *75-76, The federal partners will com-
plete an assessment of the risks associated with
atmospheric deposition of nitrogen to water-
sheds and work with appropriate stakeholders to
address major sources of this type of pollution.
• Address Pollution from Septic Systems - Key
Actions *77- 78. Septic systems and other
decentralized systems serve approximately 25%
of the U.S. population and are responsible for
significant water quality problems around the
country. EPA, in cooperation with other part-
ners, will develop information on onsite sewage
disposal technologies, performance standards,
and innovative technologies and management
solutions.
• Storm water Regulations - Key Action *79. EPA
will publish final regulations (stormwater phase
II) and work with states, tribes, municipalities,
and the regulated community to make sure that
storm water control measures are implemented.
Enhancing Natural
Resources Stewardship
9
' Natural Resources - Multiple Key Actions.
Building on the successes of 1998, a wide variety
of stakeholders will continue to restore wetlands,
address the impacts of forest roads and mining
operations, and improve coastal water quality.
• Federal Lands - Key Action *19. The federal
partners will complete the Unified Federal
Policy to improve watershed health on federal
lands and begin implementation.
• Stream Corridor Restoration Projects - Key
Action *61, Utilizing techniques contained in
the new Stream Corridor Restoration document,
the federal partners and other stakeholders will
initiate stream restoration demonstration proj-
ects in 12 areas.
• Identification of Essential Fish Habitat - Key
Action *54. AH 39 Fisheries Management Plans
will be updated and approved in 1999. Updated
plans will include identification of habitat that is
essential to fish and will include recommendations
for conservation and enhancement measures.
Protecting Public Health
•
• Public Health - Multiple Key Actions. All of
the public and private sector partners in the
Clean Water Action Plan will continue to
implement key actions to protect the sources of
drinking water (rivers, lakes, and ground water),
address sources of pollution that affect the qual-
ity of the fish and shellfish we eat, and protect
our beaches from pollution.
• Mercury Contamination - Key Action #2, EPA
and other partners will complete a multi-media
strategy for addressing mercury and other
bioaccumulative pollutants.
• Contaminants in Fish - Key Action *5.
Guidelines will be completed to improve moni-
toring of fish tissues and improve decision mak-
ing on fish consumption advisories.
• Safety of Recreational Waters - Key Action
*13. EPA will initiate a multi-year effort with
states and tribes to strengthen standards for
microbiological contaminants to ensure that
waters are safer for swimming.
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20
The first year. The f U t U T
Directory of Key Actions
Act
No. Description
Page No.
1 Fish survey - mercury/contaminants 25
2 Multimedia strategy for mercury/other toxic pollutants 25
3 Contaminated sediment strategy 25
4 Sediment recovery demonstrations 25
5 Consistent fish monitoring/advisories 25
6 Great Lakes fish epidemiology study 26
7 Spanish/Asian seafood risk brochures 26
8 Contaminated seafood outreach to health care professionals 26
9 Shellfish bed condition report 26
10 Compliance/enforcement for sources of shellfish closures 26
11 Beach Action Plan 27
12 Internet information of beach closures 27
13 Microbiological standards for beaches 27
14 Compliance/enforcement for sources of beach closures 28
15 Drinking water source water assessments 29
16 Compliance/enforcement for drinking water contamination 29
17 Endocrine disrupter evaluation study 29
18 National Academy of Sciences - endocrine disruption 30
19 Unified Federal Policy on federal lands 33
20 Maintain/relocate/decommission forest roads 34
21 Forest transportation regulations 34
22 Clean Water Act regulations/pilot on forest roads 34
23 "Restore 25,000 miles of stream corridors" 34
24 Forest health strategy (disease/wildfire) 35
25 Assist states/tribes - forest health/water quality assessments 35
26 Forest health survey/monitoring - 50 States 35
27 Rangeland allotment/monitoring/management 35
28 Rangeland vegetation classification 35
29 Cleanup of hard rock mines 36
30 Active mining operations watershed partnerships 36
31 Cooperative coal mine clean up 37
32 Coal mining effluent guidelines 37
33 Watershed assessments on federal lands 38
34 Test watershed analysis process 39
35 Assessment of Bureau of Reclamation impact on water quality 39
36 Review of federal licensing and use authorization 39
37 Avoidance/no net loss of wetlands in regulatory program 42
38 "Expand wetlands reserve to 250,000 acres" 42
39 Increase Corps restoration by 50% 42
40 Wetlands mitigation banking review 42
41 Wetlands restoration in 500 watersheds 42
42 Coastal wetlands restoration 42
43 Restoration through enforcement 42
44 50% increase in highway wetlands mitigation 43
45 Single wetlands status and trends report 43
46 "Guidance on restoration, creation, enhancement of wetlands" 43
47 Tracking system for wetland gains 43
48 Access to information for wetland planning 45
49 Watershed Assistance Grants for wetlands 45
50 Assistance to states and tribes for habitat planning 45
51 Response to outbreaks of algae/pfiesteria 46
52 Technical/financial assistance to reduce coastal polluted runoff 46
53 Algal bloom strategy 46
54 Identification of essential fish habitat 47
55 Beneficial use of dredged material 47
56 Approved polluted runoff programs in coastal areas 47
Act
No. Description Page No.
57 Build coastal partnerships 47
58 Year of the Ocean 48
59 Develop multi-agency Coastal Research Strategy 48
60 Coastal monitoring coordination/report 49
61 Twelve stream restoration demonstrations 49
62 Two million miles of conservation buffers 50
63 Four million buffer acres in Conservation Reserve 50
64 Partnerships for buffers 50
65 Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program notice/guidance 50
66 CREP assistance to states 51
67 Marketing and promotion orders for pollution objectives 52
68 Insurance for innovation risks 53
69 "Blue Water"marketing 53
70 Upgrade polluted runoff programs 55
71 Anti-degradation guidance for polluted runoff 56
72 Enforceable state/tribal authority for non-point sources 57
73 Use of State Revolving Fund for polluted runoff 57
74 Numeric criteria for nutrients in water bodies 59
75 Better quantify atmospheric deposition 59
76 Link Total Maximum Daily Loads to air emissions 59
77 On site system management guidance 60
78 Centralized management of decentralized systems 60
79 Phase II Storm water regulations 61
80 Target stormwater compliance/enforcement 61
81 EPA draft Animal Feeding Operation Strategy 62
82 EPA/USDA Unified National Animal Feeding
Operation Strategy 64
83 Support local smart growth initiatives 64
84 Total Maximum Daily Load credits for smart growth 64
85 Smart growth and National Environmental Policy Act 64
86 Tax incentive proposals 65
87 Develop monitoring standards and protocols 67
88 Report on polluted runoff monitoring/assessment 67
89 Nutrient input and transport model/estimates 67
90 Nutrient reduction tracking system 68
91 Point source monitoring/reporting 68
92 Internet-based Water Information Network 70
93 Internet watershed health system 71
94 Unified Watershed Assessments 77
95 Federal support for unified assessments 77
96 Identification of watershed restoration priorities "78
97 Upgrade Index of Watershed Indicators 79
98 Develop Watershed Restoration Action Strategies 80
99 Guidance on Fiscal Year 1999 resources 81
100 Total Maximum Daily Loads on federal lands 81
101 Bureau of Indian Affairs assists tribes on water quality 81
102 Watershed Restoration Progress Report 81
103 Watershed partnership grants 84
104 Assistance to watershed groups 84
105 National watershed awards 85
106 Inventory of watershed training programs 86
107 Compliance/enforcement on watershed basis 86
108 National Watershed Forum 87
109 Support watershed program coordinators 87
110 Increase collaboration among federal agencies 88
111 Government Performance Results Act goals coordination 88
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CiSDA
US Army Corps
of Engineers
'h
Lead Agencies
U.S. Department of Agriculture
(301) 504-2198
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(301)713-3086
U.S. Department of Defense
Army Corps of Engineers
(202) 761-1980
U.S. Department of Interior
(202) 208-6416
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(202) 260-5700
US Department
(^Transportation
Supporting Agencies
Tennessee Valley Authority
(423) 751-8455
U.S. Department of Energy
(202) 586-8505
U.S. Department of Transportation
(202) 366-5004
U.S. Department of Justice
(202) 514-2701
www.cleanwater.gov
The federal goverment is an equal opportunity employer
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pi!:!;! ,|ti.i '• • •;::
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11
I !«i:-;!:l
I -- :,
ice President Gore
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