United Slates
Environmental Protection
Agency
The Watershed Academy
Information Transfer Series <
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EPA841-B-06-001
February 2006
The Watershed Academy
« Information Transfer Series *
EPA Watershed
Training
Opportunities
Assessment and Watershed Protection Division
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (4503T)
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
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Acknowledgments
This booklet was prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Wetlands, Oceans,
and Watersheds under EPA Contract 68-C-02-108.
Anne Weinberg, the EPA project manager, appreciates the many EPA staff, particularly those in the
Office of Science and Technology, the Office of Wastewater Management, the Office of Ground Water
and Drinking Water, and the Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, and others who contributed
information about their watershed-related training activities and participated in document review.
Special thanks to Ansujohn, TetraTech, Inc.. for her excellent work on this document.
This booklet should be cited as:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2006. EPA Watershed Training Opportunities.
EPA 841-B-06-001. Office of Water (4503T), United States Environmental Protection Agency,
Washington, DC. 32 pp.
To obtain a copy of this and
other Watershed Academy documents free of charge, contact:
National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP)
Phone: (513) 489-8190, (800) 490-9198
Fax: (513) 489-8695
E-mail: ncepiinal@one.nel
Internet: www.epa.gov/ncepiliom/ordering.lilm
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Introduction 1
What is the Watershed Academy? 1
Training Courses 2
Watershed Academy Training Courses
Watersheds 101: The Clean Water Act: A Key Tool for Watershed Protection 2
Watersheds 102: Office of Water "Statutes Courses" 2
Watersheds 103: TMDL Training for Practitioners 3
Watersheds 104: The ABCs of TMDLs for Stakeholders 3
Watersheds 105: Watershed Management Tools Primer 3
Watersheds 106: Watershed Partnership Seminar 4
Watersheds 107: Watershed Planning: Developing Effective Watershed-Based Plans That
Solve Water Quality Problems 4
Watersheds 108: Watershed Academy Webcast Seminars 5
Other Epa Office Of Water Training Courses........................................... 5
BASINS: A Powerful Tool for Managing Watersheds 5
Clean Water Act Section 404 Regulatory Issues Training Course 5
Community Culture and the Environment: A Guide to Understanding a Sense of Place 6
Community Growth Readiness Workshop Series (Southeast Watershed Forum) 6
Drinking Water Academy Training Courses 7
Getting in Step: A Pathway to Effective Outreach in Your Watershed 7
Getting in Step: Engaging and Involving Stakeholders in Your Watershed 8
Getting in Step with Phase II: A Workshop for Stormwater Program Managers 8
Monitoring Workshops for the National Estuary Program 8
National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities 9
Nonpoiut Education for Municipal Officials Training 9
NPDES Permit Writers' Training Course 9
NPDES Permits Program Overview Course for Permitees: Including New and Emerging
Issues 10
Pretreatment Training: Introduction and Intermediate Topics 10
Prelreatment Training: Intermediate and Advanced Topics 11
Smart Growth Leadership Program 11
Clean Water SRF101 12
STORET 12
Stream Corridor and Floodplain Restoration 12
Tribal Nonpoint Source Program Workshop 13
Volunteer Monitoring for Estuaries 13
Water Quality Standards Academy 13
Water Quality Standards Academy for Indian Tribes 14
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Water Resource Management: A System-Wide Approach to Integrating Watersheds and
Reservoir Systems 14
Watershed Leadership Institutes 15
Watershed Leadership Train-the-Trainer Academy (Southeast Watershed Forum) 15
Watershed and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Planning 15
Watershed Workshops 16
Workshops for Development of Indicators for the National Estuary Programs 16
Internet-based Training Opportunities [[[ 16
Watershed Academy Webcast Seminars 16
Watershed Academy Web-Based Training and Certificate (Watershed Academy Web) 17
Drinking Water Academy Electronic Workshop 18
Training Materials 18
Information Transfer Series Publications 18
Software 20
Videos 21
EPA's Watershed-related Web Sites 23
Adopt Your Watershed 23
Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection 23
Enviromappe 23
EPA Online Discussion List-Servers 23
EPA Watershed Patch Project 24
Ground Water and Drinking Water 24
Local Drinking Water Information Web Site 24
National Small Flows Clearinghouse 24
The National Drinking Water Clearinghouse 24
Office of Water 24
Office of Wetlands. Oceans, and Watersheds 24
STORET 24
Surf Your Watershed 25
The 305(b) Water Quality Report 25
Total Maximum Daily Loads 25
WATERS-Watershed Assessment, Tracking and Environmental Results 25
Watershed Academy 25
Watershed Academy Web 26
Watershed Discussion Forum 26
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Watershed Academy is a focal point in the Office of
Water for providing training and information on implementing watershed approaches. This training
is provided to federal, state, tribal, and local officials, as well as private practitioners of watershed
management. The Watershed Academy has a Web-based training program, sponsors its own training
courses, and develops training materials. It also publicizes watershed-related training materials and
Web sites developed by others, including other offices in EPA's Office of Water.
Tliis booklet describes the watershed training opportunities sponsored by EPA's Office of Water and
the Watershed Academy.
The information provided in this booklet does not constitute an endorsement by the EPA of any non-
federal entity, or its products, nor does it recommend for or against the purchase of specific training
courses offered in this booklet.
is
Academy?
EPA's Watershed \caderay provides (raining and information on
how lo implement watershed approaches1 to local, slate, Iribal,
and lederal olfiaals and private practitioners of watershed management.
The Watershed Academy consists of three key components;
1. Training Courses on topics ranging from basic watershed manage-
ment principles to the application of more complex technical tools.
A summary of these courses is provided in this booklet.
2. Training Materials, which include an information transfer series with numerous docu-
ments that highlight institutional/organizational/technical aspects of implementing watershed
approaches. These documents, plus videos, CD-ROMs, and software, are listed in this booklet.
3. Web-Based Training at Watershed Academy Web (www.epa.gov/watertrain/), through which
EPA offers more than 50 free, self-paced training modules and a watershed management training
certificate. Occasional live Webcast training is also offered, where participants simultaneously log
on to a Web site and/or phone conference lines so that they may participate in a group-learning
setting, from remote locations. More information on Watershed Academy Webcast seminars is at
www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts.
'A watershed approach is a coordinating framework (hat focuses community efforts on priority problems within a watershed.
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The Watershed Academy oil asses a al tunning touises (hat suppoil \\atei-
shed approaches and also publicizes watershed courses sponsored by others,
including EPA's Office of Water, other federal agencies, and nongovernmental organizations. The
watershed-related training courses sponsored by EPA's Watershed Academy and Office of Water
are summarized below. To obtain the latest schedule and training information, go to the Watershed
Academy Web site at'www.epa.gov/owow/watersliedAvacademy/corsclied.htm. The course schedule
includes contact information for course registration. Many courses are free, but fees apply in some
instances.
WATERSHED ACADEMY TRAINING COURSES
Watersheds 101: The Clean Water Act: A Key Tool for Watershed Protection
This 2-day course provides a fundamental understanding of each of the major programs in the federal
Clean Water Act (CWA) including water quality7 standards, waterbody assessment and reporting under
sections 305(b) and 303(d), Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, the section 319 nonpoint source program, section 404
regulation of placement of dredge and fill material in U.S. waters, and the State Revolving Loan Fund
(SRF). Emphasis is placed on the linkages between and across CWA program elements. The goal of
the course is to provide trainees with broad knowledge that will enable them to answer most of the
basic questions about regulatory tools, funding mechanisms, and other key elements of the CWA, as
well as enhance their ability to develop and implement holistic, integrated strategies for watershed
protection and restoration. The format includes slideshow presentations, question and answer ses-
sions, informal quizzes, and group exercises.
The Watershed Academy also offers an expanded version of Ihis course entitled "The Clean Water Act
and Other Tools for Watershed Protection." This 3-day version of the course includes the information
mentioned above, along with information about other key federal statutes relevant to protection and
restoration of the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of surface waters (e.g., the Safe Drink-
ing Water Act, Farm Bill, Transportation Equity Act of 2005) and selected innovative state and local
tools (such as land acquisition and economic incentives).
These courses are sponsored by EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, and are intended
for watershed managers, staff, and program leaders from states, tribes, and territories; local govern-
ments; EPA regional and headquarters staff; watershed associations; and other interested watershed
practitioners.
f^> For more information, contact Bill Painter, USEPA (4503T). 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue.
NW. Washington. DC20460. Phone: (202) 566-1218: E-mail:painter.william@epa.gov or
waca4emy@epa.gov
Watersheds 102: Office of Water "Statutes Courses"
This 4-day course covers the key elements of the federal Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act
along with an overview of other statutes administered by EPA's Office of Water that deal with coastal
and marine waters. The course emphasizes the similarities and differences among the various statutes
and the EPA regulations that implement them.
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O For more information, contact Bill Painter. USEPA (4503'F). 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue.
NW, Washington, DC20460. Phone: (202) 566-1218; E-mail: pmnter.wiUiam^epa.gO'V or
wacademy d?iepa.gov
Watersheds 103: TMDL Training for Practitioners
This 1-day course reviews the programmatic and technical components of developing a Total
Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Section 303(d)
requires that states, territories, and authorized tribes (hereafter referred to as "states") develop lists
of waters that do not meet state water quality standards, even after the application of technology-
based and other required controls. Stales must establish priority rankings for the waters on the list
and develop TMDLs for the waters. A TMDL is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant
that a walerbody can contain and still meet water quality standards and an allocation of that amount
to the pollutant's sources. This training provides critical information on how the technical basis for a
TMDL can be developed. The TMDL information is presented through lectures and relevant case study
examples tailored to regional needs.
This course is sponsored by EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. The course is intended
for people who develop TMDLs, including technical water resources staff and watershed managers
from states, tribes, and territories; local governments; EPA regional and headquarters stall; and other
watershed practitioners.
<> For more information, contact Bill Painter, USEPA (4503T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue.
NW, Washington. DC20460. Phone: (202) 566-1218; E-mail: painter.wilttam@epa.gov or
wacademy@epa.gov
Watersheds 104: The ABCs of TMDLs for Stakeholders
This 1-day course is designed for people who engage in the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) list-
ing, development, and scheduling process but are not directly responsible for developing TMDLs. The
course materials will review the Clean Water Act, TMDL provisions. TMDL listing process, and TMDL
development, and will discuss how interested individuals can become involved in the TMDL process.
EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds sponsors this course, which is intended for stake-
holder groups such as agricultural and environmental communities, local government officials, and
others from the public and private sectors.
EV For more information, contact Anne Weinherg, USEPA (4503T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW, Washington. DC20460. Phone: (202) 566-1217: E-mail: weinherg.anm@epa.gov or
•wacademy@epa.gov
Watersheds 105: Watershed Management Tools Primer
This 1- or 2-day course introduces a number of tools that practitioners will find useful in water-
shed management. The format of the course lends itself well to customization for various audi-
ences according to their special focus or particular interest. The tools explained include watershed
assessment methods, modeling, risk assessment, issue prioritization, methods for targeting actions.
strategic monitoring, evaluation techniques, and information management. Each session covers two
or three tools selected from this list,
This course is sponsored by EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, and is intended for
watershed managers, staff, and program leaders from states, tribes, and territories; local govern-
ments; EPA regional and headquarters staff; and other watershed practitioners.
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C> For more information, contact Anne Weinberg, USEPA (4503T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC20460. Phone: (202) 566-1217; E-mail: weinberg.anne@epa.gov or
wacademy@epa.gov
Watersheds 106: Watershed Partnership Seminar
This 2-week residential course emphasizes the establishment and maintenance of watershed-based
partnerships necessaiy to build healthy and sustainable watersheds. It is designed to provide train-
ing in the natural and human aspects of the watershed management process so that participants
understand their importance and have the confidence to go back to their watershed and participate
in developing and implementing an ecologically sustaining watershed strategy The seminar includes
an overview of the ecological principles related to watershed planning, the governmental programs
designed to support watershed protection goals, and the benefits of watershed management. The
course, taught by people involved in cooperative watershed projects and technical experts, blends the
human and scientific elements of watershed protection through state-of-the-art case study examples
and practical skilis and tools, including organizational development and team building skills and
frameworks for building sustainable watershed plans. The techniques taught will help participants
develop plans and strategies to meet the goals and priorities of several federal, state, and tribal water-
shed efforts, including the section 319 Clean Water Act Nonpoint Source program.
This course is sponsored by EPA Office of Water's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. It is
intended for community representatives and environmental managers and staff using watershed- or
community-based approaches for environmental protection. The course is recommended for EPA
regional and headquarters staff; staff from other federal agencies; state, tribal, and local agencies;
environmental organizations; corporations; and other parties interested in building or participating in
community-based environmental planning and decision making. The course is limited to 40 people
and costs approximately $3,000, which covers tuition, lodging, and meals.
*$> For more information, contact Theresa Trainor, USEPA (4504T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue.
NW. Washington DC 20460: Phone: (202) 566-1250; E-mail: trainor.tberesa@epa.gov or
waca4emy@epa.gov
Watersheds 107: Watershed Planning: Developing Effective Watershed-Based
Plans That Solve Water Quality Problems
EPA and state water resource agencies are moving toward a more quantitative approach for water-
shed-based noupoint source pollution projects. Over the past few years, EPA has listed nine key
elements for watershed-based nonpoint source pollution control plans that focus on quantifying
existing pollutant loads, estimating the reductions needed, and calculating how much can be achieved
through best management practice (BMP) implementation. The planning approach recommended
is also useful for implementing BMPs designed to achieve load reductions outlined in a TMDL or for
protecting water resources threatened by increasing development, land use changes, or other stress-
ors. This training course provides an overview of the nine plan elements and how watershed plans
can be developed to address these elements.
C- For more information, contact Barry Tanning at Tetra Tech, Inc., 10306Eaton Place, Suite
340, Fairfax. YA22020. Phone (703) 385-6000ext. 160;E-mail: 'hanj.lonning@lelmlech-
ffx.com; or Stuart Lehman USEPA (4503T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
20460. Phone: (202) 566-1205: E-mail: khtmn.sluart@efM.gov
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Watersheds 108: Watershed Academy Webcast Seminars
The Watershed Academy offers Webcast seminars where trainees log in by Web and/or phone to
participate in live training conducted by expert instructors, EPA plans to conduct monthly Webcast
seminars. Pre-registration for these seminars will be publicized over electronic discussion list-serv-
ers and on EPA's Watershed Academy Web site. While the Internet-based training will be available to
a limited number of registered participants, a streaming audio version of the training will be made
available after the live seminar for the public to listen to and view.
cj> More information on Webcast seminars including descriptions and schedules can be found
on the Web at: www.epa.gov/waterstvdnvhrasts. If you have additional questions, you may
contact Anne Weinberg, VSEPA (450311. 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue. .\!W, \\ashinglon. DC.
20160; Phone: (202) 566-1217; E-mail: uvin'vi'i>tti!!UJ<>''i/wi>or or iri!Ciitiemr<>< t/hif-nr
OTHER ERA OFFICE OF WATER TRAINING COURSES
BASINS: A Powerful Tool for Managing Watersheds
This weeklong course is designed to provide technical training and guidance to states, territories,
and tribes using Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS) to
perform integrated water quality and watershed analyses. The course covers an introduction to basic
geographic information system (GIS) operations. BASINS environmental data layers, nonpoint source
modeling, and in-stream water quality assessments. The course includes extensive hands-on training
in computer applications.
EPA's Office of Science and Technology sponsors this course. Persons interested in watershed man-
agement, development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), coastal zone management, nonpoint
source programs, water quality modeling, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permitting, and other related programs are urged to attend. Participants should have a background in
water quality modeling, a basic understanding of GIS applications, and familiarity with the Windows
environment. Familiarity with ArcView (Ver. 3.x) basic operations is helpful.
In addition to the BASINS course, a number of courses are offered on modeling applications that
integrate and work with BASINS. To see the availability of courses such as AQUAFOX, HSPF, SWAT,
CORMIX, and others, please visit this Web site: ww.epa.gov/waterecience/basins/trainlng.htm.
<> For more information, contact fuss Kinerson, USEPA 0305T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC20460. Phone: (202) 566-0392;E-mail: kiiwson.russeUQepa.gov
Clean Water Act Section 404 Regulatory Issues Training Course
This 3- to 4-day course provides an introduction to issues associated with implementation of the
Clean Water Act section 404 regulatory program. The course presents information on the require-
ments of the section 404(b) (1) Guidelines, the scope of regulated activities; section 404(f) exemp-
tions, mitigation requirements; and procedures for elevating cases under sections 404 (q) and (c).
This course is sponsored by EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Wetlands Division,
and is intended for EPA regional and headquarters staff and staff from other federal, state, and tribal
agencies seeking greater familiarity with the section 404 program requirements. EPA regional and
headquarters staff with expertise in the subject areas teach the course. Although there is no tuition for
the course, enrollment is limited, with priority given to EPA wetlands staff.
O For more information, contact Christopher Hunter, (JSEPA 0502'f), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC20460. Phone: (202) 566-1454; E-mail: hunter.chmtopher@epa.goi'
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Community Culture and the Environment: A Guide to Understanding a Sense
of Place
This 1- or 2-day course discusses the concepts of community and culture and offers tools for assess-
ing and understanding the social dynamics and local values involved in watershed protection. Using a
dynamic, hands-on approach, the course provides a suggested community cultural assessment pro-
cess and shows participants how they can use the results of the assessment for, among other things.
defining their community; building consensus/coalitions; communicating across cultures, visioning,
planning, and developing social indicators. The course includes 16 community characteristics and
related questions to help focus the assessment process. These characteristics range from community
capacity, information flow, and local identity to demographics, property ownership, and governance.
Seventeen tools and methods guide the collection of information. These tools include census and eco-
nomic data, maps and geographic research, social mapping, interviewing, focus groups, surveys, and
visual methods. The course features easy-to-use worksheets, case studies from around the county
presentations, and highly interactive exercises.
The course is sponsored and taught by EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. It is
intended for leaders of and academicians in watershed protection, as well as federal, tribal, state, and
local agencies seeking technical skills for improving stakeholder involvement processes.
C- For more information, contact Theresa Trainor, USEPA (4504T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW. Washington. DC20460. Phone: (202) 566-1250; E-mail: trat-nor.tberesa@epa.gov
Community Growth Readiness Workshop Series (Southeast Watershed
Forum)
A series of four distinct workshops are available for the southeast region that address different tools
and strategies that local jurisdictions and community/watershed groups can employ to ensure sustain-
able growth in their communities.
Introduction to Community Growth Readiness (4 hours)
This workshop introduces elected officials, planning and public works officials, and other community
leaders to the tools to design economically viable and watershed-friendly development practices.
They learn about the economic impact of poor land use practices on water resources, as well as the
economic, quality of life, and regulator)7 incentives for developing a different approach. Participants
are invited to use a community-based process to evaluate and change their codes and ordinances.
Community Growth Readiness (7 hours)
The day-long workshop expands on economically viable development practices that are also
watershed-friendly Attendees assess their current practices, measure their ability to maintain water
quality in the face of growth pressures, and learn about a community consensus-building process to
implement change in their communities. The timing of this program makes it particularly relevant as
communities—facing challenging Stormwater Phase II requirements—look for inexpensive, non-
structural approaches to managing polluted runoff. The training helps to overcome the disconnect
between smart growth planning and watershed planning.
Multiple Jurisdiction Codes and Ordinances Review (4 hours)
In this workshop, planning and public works officials in different jurisdictions use a Codes and Ordi-
nance Worksheet to evaluate their development rules. The results from all jurisdictions are recorded
on a master worksheet. Officials have a structured opportunity to compare results and identify areas
of common interest for improvement. This workshop provides a unique opportunity for city or county
jurisdictions to develop consistency among their codes and ordinances to discourage development
from going to communities with the least-formed land use guidelines.
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Community Site-Planning Roundtable (5 hours)
Tliis workshop enables a core team of key leaders and planning officials to reach agreement on
the scope, process, participants, and logistics of conducting a watershed site planning roundtable
process. A Leadership Team from a local "lead agency" and other key partners and planning officials
develop a work plan with assigned responsibilities for conducting the roundtable workshop series.
The team will define what it wants to accomplish; identify available resources and obstacles; decide
upon a process and timeline; and consider who else needs to be involved. They will continue to meet
periodically as needed throughout the 6-month to 1-year roundtable process to ensure the process
reflects the priorities of the participating communities.
O For more information, contact Christine Olsenius, Executive Director, Southeast Watershed
Forum, 1 Vantage Way, Suite D-105, Nashville, TN 37228. Phone: (866) 902-7300; E-mail:
co@soulheasiwalerfomm.org; Internet: uwiv.sMtlbeastu'alerforum.org/training/default.asp
Drinking Water Academy Training Courses
Established by EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, the Drinking Water Academy (DWA)
is a long-term training initiative whose primary goal is to expand EPA, state, and tribal capabilities to
implement the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. To help address drinking water at
the watershed level, the DW\. offers three source water protection courses: (1) Delineation of Source
Water Areas for Water Supply (2) Introduction to EPA's Drinking Water Source Protection Programs,
and (3) Source Water Contamination Prevention Measures. The DWA also offers a series of other
drinking water-related courses in the following topic areas:
• Safe Drinking Water Act Overview (3 courses)
• National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (10 courses)
• Public Water System Operation (13 courses)
• Public Water System Supervision Implementation (5 courses)
• Sanitary Survey (3 courses)
• Source Water Protection (3 courses)
« Underground Injection Control (5 courses)
* Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) (17 courses)
« Laboratory Certification (2 courses)
* General Interest (5 courses)
For the latest information on course schedules, see the DWA Web site at: www.epa.gov/safewaler/dwa/
course.html.
<> For more information, contact James Bourne, USEPA (4606M), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC20460. Phone: (202) 564-4095; E-mail: boitrne.james@epa.gov
Getting in Step: A Pathway to Effective Outreach in Your Watershed
This course provides participants with a framework for developing and implementing successful out-
reach programs in their watersheds. Through a combination of presentations, group exercises, and
panel discussions, participants learn the process for developing an outreach strategy, discover tips
and tools to produce eye-catching materiais, and learn ways to effectively distribute their message.
This course is taught by Tetra Tech, Inc., with funding support from EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans,
and Watersheds and other organizations. The course is intended for audiences responsible for imple-
menting watershed protection efforts at the federal, state, tribal, or local level.
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C> For more information, contact Melissa DeSantis or Barry '[mining at 'Mm Tech. Inc..
10306Eaton Place, Suite 340, Fairfax, VA 22030. Phone: (703) 385-6000; E-mail:
melissa. desantis @leiraie ch-ffx. com or harry, tanning @leiratech-ffx. com: Internet:
www. waters hedlraining. net
Getting in Step: Engaging and Involving Stakeholders in Your Watershed
This course provides participants with a framework for developing and implementing successful
stakeholder involvement strategies for watershed management programs. Through a combination
of presentations, group exercises, and panel discussions, participants learn how to identify driving
forces, identify appropriate stakeholder involvement levels, manage cooperative group processes, and
move from awareness to action,
This course is taught by Tetra Tech, Inc.. with funding support from EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans.
and Watersheds and other organizations. The course is intended for audiences responsible for imple-
menting watershed protection efforts at the federal, state, tribal, or local level.
C> For more information, contact Melissa DeSantis or Barry Tanning at Tetra Tech, 10306 Eaton
Place, Suite 340, Fairfax, YA 22030. Phone: (703) 385-6000: E-mail: melissa.desaniis®
tetratecb~ffx.com or bany.tonning @tetratecb-ffx.com; Internet: www.watersbedtraining.net
Getting in Step with Phase II: A Workshop for Stormwater Program
Managers
This workshop is designed for small communities and olher entities that must comply with the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Stormwaler Permit Program. The
workshop covers basic program requirements and options for developing and implementing EPA's
six minimum measures that small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) must incorporate,
including: public education and outreach, public participation/involvement, illicit discharge detection
and elimination, construction site runoff control, post-construction runoff, and pollution prevention/
good housekeeping.
This course is taught by Tetra Tech. Inc., with funding support from EPA's Office of Wastewater
Management and other agencies. This course is intended for state, regional, and local officials and
program managers responsible for developing Stormwater Phase II programs.
C- For more information, contact Melissa DeSantis or Barry Tanning at Tetra Tech, Inc.. 10306
Eaton Place. Suite 340, Fairfax. VA 22030. Phone: (703) 385-6000 ext. 434; E-mail: melissa.
desantis@tetratecb-ffx. com or harry. tonning@tetratecb-ffx. com; Internet: www. watershed-
training, net
Monitoring Workshops for the National Estuary Program
These 2-day workshops help participants in the National Estuary Program (NEP) review and revise
their existing Regional Integrated Monitoring Plan, a requirement of each NEP's Comprehensive Con-
servation and Management Plan. Specific topics include environmental and programmatic indicators,
funding issues, quality assurance, key management issues, and data management
These workshops are sponsored by EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Oceans and
Coastal Protection Division. The workshops are offered in NEP study areas and are intended for local,
state, and federal monitoring management and staff.
*$> For more information, contact Joe Hall, USEPA (4504T). 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue. NW,
Washington. DC 20460. Phone: (202) 566-1241, E-mail: hatt.joe@epa.got!
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National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities
The National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities, along with the National Drink-
ing Water Clearinghouse and the National Small Flows Clearinghouse, is a program of The National
Environmental Services Center (NESC). NESC assists small and rural communities and systems
with their drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, and infrastructure security needs, NESC's staff of
environmental specialists, engineers, technical writers, and environmental training specialists provide
information, assistance, products, and training to help small systems and communities find solutions
to the problems they face.
NESC offers several environmental training curricula and courses for small communities including
Managing a Small Drinking Water System: A Short Course for Local Officials; Preparing for the
Unexpected: Security for Small Water Systems; Assessing Wastewater Options for Small Com-
munities; and Solid Waste Management Options. Environmental training courses are also offered at
NESC's annual Environmental Training Institute for Small Communities, and through tailored environ-
mental training for specific audiences.
NESC experts offer free information through a toff free number; regular publications such as the Small
Flows Journal, On Tap, E-Train, and Pipeline; and through the NESC website (www.nesc.wvu.edu).
NESC's commitment to address small community environmental needs is accomplished through
cooperative partnerships with technical experts, environmental trainers, and other assistance provid-
ers. NESC receives funding from the U.S. EPA Office of Water, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and
other sources to provide training and technical assistance to small and rural communities.
EV For more information, contact Sandra Fatton, NESC, P.O. Box 6064, West Virginia University,
Morgantown. WV26505-6064; Toll-free (800) 624-8301: E-mail: sfallon@mail.mn.edu:
Internet: www. nesc. wvu. edu
Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials Training
The University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System offers training through its Nonpoint
Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) Project, NEMO is an educational program that addresses
the relationship between land use and natural resource protection, with a focus on water resources.
To help create effective presentations, NEMO relies on advanced technologies like geographic
information systems, remote sensing, and the Internet. In Connecticut, NEMO offers many different
workshops under four main topics: (1) linking land use to water quality, (2) natural resource-based
planning, (3) preservation, and (4) development. Most workshops are approximately 1 hour in
length and are often followed up by individual consultation and materials to help communities get
started on natural resource-based planning. Member projects of the National NEMO Network conduct
similar workshops in more than 30 states and can be contacted through the Connecticut project.
NEMO is funded in part by EPA's Office of Water, The workshops are intended for local land use deci-
sion makers such as planning commissions and local government staff.
cj> For more information, contact David Dickson, NEMO, University of Connecticut Cooperative
Extension, I'066Say brook Road, Box 70, Haddam. CT 06438-0070; Phone: (860) 3-15-5228;
E-mail: nemouconn.edu; Internet: http://nemo.uconn.edu or hlip://cleai:uconn.edu
NPDES Permit Writers' Training Course
Tliis 5-day training course provides the basic regulatory framework and technical considerations
that support the development of wastewater discharge permits required under the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). A multidisciplinary faculty presents the course using a com-
bination of lectures, case examples, and practical exercises. The course begins with an introduction
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to the history of the NPDES program and its relationship to other Clean Water Act programs. Attention
is given to the role of NPDES permitting within a watershed management approach. Participants
then become acquainted with the regulatory requirements of the NPDES program and the tools and
resources available to assist them in writing NPDES permits.
The course, presented by EPA's Office of Wastewater Management, is designed for NPDES permit writ-
ers with 6 months to 2 years of experience. Veteran permit writers and other water program staff also
find the course useful and enjoyable and make up a growing percentage of course participants.
C1 For information on course scheduling, contact Betty Peterson. TetraTech. Inc., 10306Eaton
Place, Suite340, Fairfax, VA 22030. Phone: (703) 385-6000 ext. 181; E-mail: betty.peterson®
tetratech-ffx.com. For information on course content, contact Pravin Rana, VSEPA (4203M).
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460. Phone: (202) 564-1909: E-mail:
rana.pravinf&epa.gov; Internet: tvtvtv.epa.gov/npdes (Click on Training & Meetings on the
right-hand side)
NPDES Permits Program Overview Course for Permitees: Including New and
Emerging Issues
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit development and issuance pro-
cess requires a significant investment of resources for both the permitting authority and the permit
holder. This course will provide training on the basic requirements and methods for issuing NPDES
permits for the permit holder and permit writer. Its objective is to increase understanding by both
parties to help reduce permit issuance time and lead to increased permit compliance.
The program, which includes lecture and discussion, provides attendees with a strong understanding
of the purpose of the NPDES program, as well as the mechanics for developing, issuing, and imple-
menting an N PDES permit. The course covers legal issues that a permit holder would have to consider
and provides a synopsis and review of new innovative tools that may be used in the NPDES permit
process, such as electronic tools for data organization and data analysis needed for permit issuance.
There will also be discussions on new water quality approaches such as watershed-based permitting
and water quality trading.
The course is taught by a team of instructors with varied experience including senior EPA headquar-
ters and EPA regional staff as well as non-EPA experts. The course is generally offered two to four
times a year in various locations around the country.
^> For more information, contact Lara Hughes, Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe
Street, Alexandria, VA22314-1994. Phone: (703) 684-2442; E-mail: lbughes@iimf.org: or
Pat Bradley, USEPA (4203M), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460. Phone:
(202) 564-0729; E-mail: bra4ley.patrick@epa.gov; Internet: www.wef.orgor www.epa.
gov/npdes (Click on Training & Meetings on the right hand side)
Pretreatment Training: Introduction and Intermediate Topics
This training comprises two sections: The Introduction section provides the basic regulator)' and techni-
cal framework that supports the development and implementation of pretreatment programs under the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and the Clean Water Act (CWA). The Interme-
diate section focuses on permit development and issuance for industrial dischargers. The objective of
this section of the training course is to provide the framework for collecting, managing, and applying
the information necessary to develop and issue individual control mechanisms (permits) to industrial
dischargers. The course includes extensive discussion of the process for reviewing industrial information
to determine appropriate categorization of the industry and subsequent effluent limit derivation.
10
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Tliis course is designed and recommended for environmental professionals responsible for develop-
ing and implementing the pretreatment program at the local level, industrial dischargers, consultants,
and especially individuals with less than 2 years in a pretreatment program. It is generally held two to
four times per year in various locations around the country.
O For more information, contact Lara Hughes, Water Environment Federation. 601 Wythe
Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1994. Phone: (703) 684-2442; E-mail: lhugbes@wef.org;
orJanPickrel, USEPA, (4203M) 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue. NW. Washington, DC. Phone:
(202) 564-7904; E-mail: pickfel.jan@epa.gov; Internet: tmvw.wef.org or www.epa.gov/npdes
(Click on Training & Meetings on the right-hand side)
Pretreatment Training: Intermediate and Advanced Topics
In the Intermediate section of the course, information is provided on the control of industrial
discharges by focusing on permit development and issuance. There is extensive discussion of the
process for reviewing industrial information to determine appropriate categorization of the industry'
and subsequent effluent limit derivation.
The Advanced section focuses on the development and application of pretreatment standards with
a focus on local limits. The advanced course is designed and recommended for environmental
professionals responsible for developing and implementing the pretreatment program at the local
level, industrial dischargers, and consultants. The Advanced course assumes an intermediate level
of familiarity with pretrealmenl program requirements and is nol recommended for individuals who
have nol taken an introductory level course. This course is generally offered two to four times per
year in various locations around the country.
f^> For more information, contact Lara Hughes, Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe.
Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1994. Phone: (703) 684-2442; E-mail: lbugbes@wef.org;
or/anPickrel, USEPA, (4203M) 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Phone:
(202) 564-7904; E-mail: pickrel.jan@epa.gov; Internet: www.wef.org orwww.epa.gov/npdes
(Click on Training & Meetings on the right-band side)
Smart Growth Leadership Program
The University of Maryland's National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education focuses on
how governments can coordinate to build sustainable communities by channeling economic and resi-
dential development in a more environmentally conscious, cost-effective manner. They offer a pilot
course in Maryland and in surrounding states that can serve as the first step to help local govern-
ments work with relevant state and federal agencies to define the goals and scope of a coordination
strategy for smart growth. Local governments can, at their option, plan for or develop such a strategy
in an intergovernmental workshop, which could include the following:
• Sessions on issues (environment, transportation, and community development) and on leader-
ship/negotiation skilLs for participants to better understand each others' work, and how their
fragmented authorities can together form a big picture mosaic of smart growth
» Working groups (local, state, and federal officials for each participating locality) to draft a
potential action strategy of procedures to coordinate authorities and programs relevant to local
issues
» Scoping creative deals to help frame the potential action strategy
EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) provided initial support for the develop-
ment of this course. It is intended for staff members from special interest organizations and federal,
11
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state, and local governments to enable them to lead coordination efforts that will advance smart
growth by reducing bureaucratic territorialism, unnecessary conflict, and wasteful fragmentation.
C1 For more information, contact Molly Martin, University of Maryland Center for Smart
Growth Research and Education, 1112KPreinkert Field House, College Park, MI) 20742-1821.
Phone: (301) 405-6788;E-mail: mbmartin@uind.edu; Internet: www.smartgrowth.umd.
edu/index.htm
Clean Water SRF 101
This course provides a basic understanding of how the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) pro-
gram works and how it can provide funding for an extensive array of water quality-related activities
to support watershed protection. With assets exceeding $52 billion, the Clean Water SRF has become
the primary affordable source for communities to finance wastewater treatment projects as well as
critical watershed activities, including wetlands protection, agricultural and animal best management
practices, estuaries, brownfields remediation, ground water protection, septic and decentralized
systems, and other nonpoint source activities.
Participants will learn about applying for assistance, setting state funding priorities, developing cre-
ative funding mechanisms to address critical needs, designing innovative ways to solve water quality
problems, using the Clean Water SRF to supplement other available funding sources, and applying
case studies of successful approaches to watershed protection.
This course, sponsored by EPA's Office of Wastewater Management, is intended for watershed and
Clean Water SRF managers and staff, state and local program managers. EPA regional and headquar-
ters staff, and other interested watershed practitioners. The course may be tailored to meet particular
region or state needs.
C> For more information, contact Sbeila Plait, USEPA. Office of Wastewater Management, State
Revolving Fund Branch (4204M), 1201 Constitution Avenue. NW, Washington, DC, 20460.
Phone: (202) 564-0686; E-mail:plail.sMla@epa.gnv
STORE!
This 2- to 2>/2 -day course explains how to install, operate, and maintain EPA's modernized STORET
(STOrage and RETrieval) environmental data system. STORET is a repository for water quality, bio-
logical, habitat, and physical data and is used by state environmental agencies, EPA and other federal
agencies, universities, private citizens, and others. This course also covers accessing STORET data
from the STORET Warehouse using a Web browser and incorporating the data into commonly used
software applications such as spreadsheets. This course is intended for STORET clients and can be
customized to meet specific interests and needs.
O for more information, contact STORET User Assistance. Phone: (800) 424-9067; E-mail:
STOK/iT@el>a.gov. Additional information, including the names and phone numbers of EPA
regional office STORET coordinators, is available through the STORET Web page: www.epa.
gov/storet
Stream Corridor and Floodplain Restoration
This 2-day workshop emphasizes the practical aspects of stream and floodplain restoration and is
designed for professionals concerned about flooding, habitat, water quality, and erosion associated
with rivers and streams. The workshop focuses on in-the-field application of restoration concepts,
and it includes classroom instruction covering the principles and concepts of river restoration proj-
ects, planning and funding, project design, project construction, and monitoring.
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EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Wetlands Division, provided support for the initial
development of this workshop, which continues to be conducted periodically by the Association of
State Floodplain Managers and various partners. It is designed specifically for practicing professionals
looking for a forum to learn about current restoration practices and to discuss their application to
specific landscapes and conditions. The course is adapted to the landscape of each host location, but
the topics offered are relevant for anyone.
O For more information, contact Diane Brown, Association of Floodplain Managers, 2809
Fish Hatchery Road, Suite 204, Madison, WI53713- Phone: (608) 274-0123; E-mail:
diane@ftoods. org; Internet: tmvw.ft.iods. org
Tribal Nonpoint Source Program Workshop
Tliis 2-day course provides information to tribes about the procedures of the Clean Water Act section
319 Program (Noupoint Source Program), explains what is required to become eligible for section
319 funds, and demonstrates how to prepare section 319 proposals. Other topics include applying
for treatment as a state status, preparing Nonpoint Source (NFS) Assessment Reports, developing NFS
management programs, and preparing watershed plans. Tribes are invited to share their experiences
so that others can learn from them.
This course is sponsored by EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Assessment and Water-
shed Protection Division. EPA's objective is to hold four workshops every year around the country.
<> For more information, contact Stacie Craddock, USEPA (4503'T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC20460. Phone: (202) 566-'1204; E-mail: craddock.stacie@epa.gov
Volunteer Monitoring for Estuaries
EPA sponsors 2- to 3-day volunteer estuary monitoring workshops nationwide to encourage volunteer
monitoring in estuaries, enhance networking among programs, and improve the quality of volunteer
data. In addition, the workshops help encourage and assist volunteer monitoring coordinators to be
more effective in all aspects of planning and implementation of volunteer monitoring. Specific topics
include methods, quality assurance, working with the news media, networking, creative funding,
data management, and use of the Internet. The Volunteer Estuary Monitoring Manual is a useful
resource for the volunteer.
The Ocean Conservancy conducts these workshops, with funding support provided by EPA's Office
of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Oceans and Coastal Protection Division. The workshops are
concluded in coastal areas nationwide, particularly in areas where National Estuary Programs are
localed. The intended audience includes volunteer monitoring coordinators who manage a group of
volunteers in monitoring estuarine areas and is limited to 50 participants.
i^> For more information, contact Joe Hall, VtiKPA (4504V). 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue. NW,
Washington, DC20460. Phone: (202) 566-1241, E-mail: ball.joe@e/xi.gov; or Seba Shevely,
The Ocean Conservancy, 1432 North Great Neck Road, Suite 103, Virginia Beach, VA 23454.
Phone: (757) 496-0920
Water Quality Standards Academy
This comprehensive and highly structured basic course introduces participants to all aspects of the
water quality standards program, including the interpretation and application of the water quality
standards regulation; policies and program guidance; development of water quality criteria (includ-
ing human health, aquatic life, bacteria, biological, and nutrient); and other aspects of the program,
including designated uses, antidegradation policies, mixing zone policies, and use attainability
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analyses (UAAs). States and tribes adopt water quality standards as laws or regulations. Water quality
standards are the backbone of the watershed protection approach to pollution control.
EPA's Office of Science and Technology sponsors this course, which is a basic introductory course
designed for those with fewer than 6 months of experience with the water quality standards program,
Others can also benefit from the course, including veterans of the water quality standards program
who want a refresher course.
C1 For more information, go to the Web site: www.epa.gov/waterscience/and click on the link
for "Standards Academy" under "Training and Financial Assistance" or contact Tanarra
Brewster, USEPA (4503'f), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue. NW, Washington. DC 20460. Phone:
(202) 566-1071; E-mail: brewsler.lamarra@epa.gov
Water Quality Standards Academy for Indian Tribes
This comprehensive and highly structured basic course introduces tribal participants to all aspects of
the water quality standards program, including the interpretation and application of the water quality
standards regulation; policies and program guidance; development of water quality criteria (human
health, aquatic life, bacteria, biological, and nutrient); and other aspects of the program. States and
tribes adopt water quality standards as laws or regulations. Water quality standards are the backbone
of the watershed protection approach to pollution control.
EPA's Office of Science and Technology sponsors this course, which is designed for tribal staff with fewer
than 6 months of experience with the water quality standards program. Others can also benefit from the
course, including veterans of the water quality standards program who want a refresher course.
In addition to this basic introductory course, EPA frequently offers training courses and workshops
specifically designed for tribes.
C> For more information, contact Tamarra Brewster, USEPA (4305-T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20460. Phone: (202) 260-7301; E-mail: hreu>sler.lamatra@e/)a.gov
Water Resource Management: A System-Wide Approach to Integrating
Watersheds and Reservoir Systems
Tliis 2 {4-day workshop covers reservoir Jimnological processes and water quality management oppor-
tunities, sampling methodologies and data collection, watershed management and in-reservoir and
tailwater engineering technologies, and post-project operations and assessment. Participants acquire
classroom knowledge, the workshop manual, and computer codes to aid in assessment and design.
The workshop was developed under a grant from the EPA Office of Water's Nonpoint Source Control
Branch. The Environmental Laboratory and the Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory of the U.S. Army-
Engineer Research and Development Center, Waterways Experiment Station, conduct the workshop,
using an interdisciplinary team of engineers and scientists. The target audience for this course
includes Corps of Engineers planners, engineers, hydrologists and project personnel; local and
regional EPA officials; federal and state soil conservation agencies; state water pollution control agen-
cies; state and federal fish and wildlife agencies; hydropower producers and power administrators;
local lake associations and lake and reservoir managers; and municipal water associations.
C> for more information, contact Laurin Kites, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer
Research and Development Center. Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199. Phone: (601) 634-3792;
E-mail: yatesl@wes.anny.inil
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Watershed Leadership Institutes
The Watershed Leadership Institutes empower local watershed leaders with the skills, tools, and
confidence to assess, design, and implement effective programs in their home watersheds. The train-
ing combines classroom time, design exercises, and field visits to provide a comprehensive learning
experience. The institutes also provide caucuses, networking, extensive online support materials, and
6 hours of consulting with Center for Watershed Protection staff once participants return home.
The Watershed Leadership Institutes include the Watershed Protection Institute (WPI) and the
Watershed Restoration Institute (WRI). WPI trains watershed leaders on how to conduct local
site planning roundtables and prepare small watershed plans to protect the health of less devel-
oped watersheds, particularly those with rural and newly urbanizing communities. WRI focuses on
watershed restoration techniques that include stream and upland assessments to identify restoration
opportunities; stormwater retrofitting; and stream restoration.
cj> For more information, contact Rebecca Winer, Center for Watershed Protection. 8390 Main
Street, 2nd Floor. Etticott City. MI) 21043. Phone: (410) 461-8323 ext. 213; E-mail: mv@cmp.
org: Internet: www.cwp.org
Watershed Leadership Train-the-Trainer Academy (Southeast Watershed
Forum)
This intensive 3-day training workshop focuses on providing the information, resources, and tools to
local "leaders" who agree to train others to develop land and water quality protection strategies for
their communities. Attendees commit to conducting the training in at least four other organizations
in their community over the next year. Attendees include watershed organizations, local government.
state watershed/319 program coordinators, and stormwater managers primarily from the southeast
region. Through lectures, field trips, small work-group sessions, and "lessons learned" from past
graduates, attendees are immersed in the practical aspects of topics such as the following:
« Basic tools needed for land and water quality protection
* Best management practices (BMPs) that reduce the impacts of development
« Economic incentives for smarter growth
* Assistance to communities in meeting stormwater regulations
« Facilitation of local partnerships for land and water protection
* Consensus-based process for changing development rules
• Public negotiation and conflict resolution
f^/ For more information, contact Christine Olsenius, Executive Director, Southeast Watershed
Forum, 1 Vantage Way Suite D-105, Nashville, TN37228. Phone: (866) 902-7300; E-mail:
co@southeastwatetforum.org; Internet: tvtvw.soutbeastwaterfomm.org/training/defaiilt.asp
Watershed and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Planning
Watershed planning is required by various agencies, especially programs within EPA. FEMA admin-
isters several hazard mitigation grant programs and requires communities to have hazard mitigation
plans in place in order to be eligible for hazard mitigation grant funds. Watershed and Hazard Mitiga-
tion Plans are all too often stand-alone documents that fail to address common issues and efforts.
This 1-day workshop identifies linkages among EPA, FEMA and NRCS programs and offers guidance
to state and community officials on how to link the goals and objectives and best combine watershed
and pre-disaster mitigation planning efforts. Case studies of community planning successes that inte-
grate watershed and hazard mitigation concerns are presented, along with cutting-edge community
approaches such as No Adverse Impact and Green Infrastructure.
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EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Wetlands Division, provided support for the initial
development of this workshop, which continues to be conducted periodically by the Association of State
Floodplain Managers and various partners. The workshop is designed to attract local government and
state agency staff involved in watershed and floodplain management and disaster mitigation planning,
C1 For more information, contact Alan Lulloff. Association of Floodplain Managers, 2809 Fish
Hatchery Road, Suite 204, Madison, WI53713, Phone; (608) 274-0123; E-mail: alan%floods.
ot'g; Internet: www.floods.org
Watershed Workshops
This course is designed to train watershed managers around the country to protect, manage, and
restore streams, lakes, and rivers. The course format offers single and multiday workshops, with both
classroom and field time, to provide communities with specific guidance on the types and combina-
tions of watershed protection and restoration tools available, leading to more effective local water-
shed protection and restoration efforts. The Center for Watershed Protection's base curriculum covers
more than 60 training modules in several topic areas, including: watershed assessment, watershed
planning, watershed restoration, better site design, stormwater program development, and stormwa-
ter practice design. When planning a watershed workshop, the Center for Watershed Protection works
closely with a local partner to tailor the agenda to meet the needs of the local target audience, which
may include watershed groups, engineers, government personnel, stormwater managers, developers,
watershed planners, public officials, environmental organizations, and others interested in watershed
protection or restoration.
O for more information, contact Jennifer Zielinski, RE., Center for Watershed Protection. 8390
Main Street, 2nd Floor, Etticoti City, MI) 21043. Phone: (410) 461-8323 exl. 218: E-mail:
jaz@cwf>. org; Internet: www. cwp. org
Workshops for Development of Indicators for the National Estuary Programs
These 2- to 3-day workshops are designed to assist participants in the National Estuary Programs in
developing indicators targeted for specific goals and objectives of their Comprehensive Conserva-
tion and Management Plans. Identification of and consensus on effective and sustainable indicators
are essential to assess both the validity and effectiveness of management actions and environmental
progress. Working from a list of possible indicators, participants then evaluate and prioritize the
indicators for suitability for their program.
The workshops are sponsored by EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. Oceans and
Coastal Protection Division. They are offered in NEP study areas and are intended for local, state, and
federal monitoring management and staff in partnership with the NEPs,
C> for more information, contact Joe Hall, USEPA (4504T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue. NW,
Washington. DC 20460. Phone: (202) 566-1241, E-mail: h
Opportunities
Watershed Academy Webcast Seminars
The Watershed Academy offers live Webcast seminars on a series of watershed-related topics to citi-
zens groups, municipal leaders, and other watershed practitioners. Expert instructors are especially
invited to conduct the training, and trainees participate by logging onto the Web or by calling into a
16
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toll-free conference phone line. EPA anticipates that the Webcast seminars will be conducted approxi-
mately once a month. Preregistration notices for these seminars are publicized over electronic dis-
cussion list-servers and on EPA's Watershed Academy Web site. Although the live training is available
only to a limited number of registered participants, an audio-visual file of the training will be made
available after the live seminar for downloading or streaming over the Internet. Recent topics have
included "Eight Tools for Watershed Protection in Developing Areas" and "Getting In Step: Developing
Your Message and Publicizing It Effectively."
O More information on Webcast seminars, including descriptions and schedules, can be found
on the Web at: www.epa.gov/waterslyedwebcasts
Watershed Academy Web-Based Training and Certificate (Watershed
Academy Web)
The Watershed Academy's Web-based distance learning program, "Watershed Academy Web"
(www.epa.gov/watertrain), is an educational resource for people that cannot attend live training
courses. Watershed Academy Web is a set of self-paced training modules that provide a basic but broad
introduction to the many facets of watershed management organized under the following themes:
I. Introduction/Overview. These modules introduce the principles of the watershed approach
and explain the value of working at a watershed level.
II. Watershed Ecology. These modules show that watersheds are natural systems whose structure
and functions provide substantial benefits to people and the environment.
III. Watershed Change. These modules describe both natural and human-induced changes in
watersheds and compare normal changes with changes of concern.
IV. Analysis and. Planning. These modules address how watershed groups can analyze problems.
assess oplions and priorities, and develop planning solutions.
V. Management Practices. These modules show how watershed management challenges such as
urban runoff, farmland management, forestry, and other issues are addressed by techniques
that reduce environmental impacts.
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Watewfied^tattayement^Tmtttlny Certificate
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VI, Community/Social Context. These modules concentrate on the organizational, legal, and
community elements of watershed management, recognizing that an organization's effective-
ness and local people's support often determine success.
The goal of Watershed Academy Web's Web-based training is to provide a broad-based introduction
to the watershed approach in a format available to anyone who has Internet access. The time and
complexity of the modules vary, but most are at the college freshman level of instruction. Watershed
Academy Web uses a variety of Web-based formats, including slide show presentations, interactive
exercises, online downloadable documents, hot links to related sites, and interactive self-tests.
More than 50 modules are now on-line and more are under development. Students who complete a
series of 15 modules and pass their self-tests earn the Watershed Academy Web Watershed Training
Certificate, For more information, see the flyer Watershed Academy Web-Based Training (EPA841-F-
04-001) available at mw.epa.gov/owoWwaterslied/wacadeniy/wacadwebflyer.pdf.
For those with limited Internet access, a set of 44 training modules from Watershed Academy Web
is available on a free CD. The CD may be used as a stand-alone product in lieu of the Internet-based
courses. Single copies of the CD are available by requesting "Watershed Academy Web on CD" (EPA
841-C-03-001) from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP). Phone:
(800) 490-9198 or (513) 489-8190; Fax: (513) 489-8695; Internet: www.epa.gov/iicepifaoin/,
Drinking Water Academy Electronic Workshop
EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water offers the "Drinking Water Academy's Electronic
Workshop," designed to provide self-paced training modules that give a broad introduction to the
many facets of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The training modules in the Electronic Workshop are
organized in four sections: introductory modules, regulatory modules, technical modules, and other
modules. The training materials are currently available in a slide show format as PowerPoint or
Adobe Portable Document Format files. Eventually the Electronic Workshop will include modules
with interactive exercises and self-tests. For more information, visit
•www.epa.gov/safewater/dwa/electronic.litml.
Through its Information Transfer Series, the Watershed Academy offers a number of technical refer-
ence materials on different aspects of implementing watershed approaches. All the publications listed
below, are available at no charge from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications
(NSCEP) (Phone: (800) 490-9198 or (513) 489-8190; Fax: (513) 489-8695; Internet: wwwepa.
gov/ucepihom/). Please include the document name and number when requesting publications. You
may also download these publications from the Watershed Academy web site at www.epa.gov/owow/
walershed/wacademy/ils.hlml.
1. U.S. EPA. 2004. After the Storm (VHStape) (EPA840-V-04-001) is a half hour television special
about watersheds that highlights three case studies—Santa Monica Bay, the Mississippi River
Basin/Gulf of Mexico, and New York City—where polluted runoff threatens watersheds highly
valued for recreation, commercial fisheries and navigation, and drinking water. This video was
co-produced by EPA and The Weather Channel.
2. U.S. EPA. 2003. Getting in Step: A Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns
(document) (EPA841-B-03-002) provides some of the tools that watershed practitioners need
18
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to develop and implement an effective watershed outreach plan. More information is available
online at: www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/outreacfa/docuiiients/.
3. U.S. EPA. 2003. Getting in Step: A Video Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Cam-
paigns (VHStape) (EPA841-V-03-001) is the 35-minute companion video designed to
strengthen watershed outreach campaigns at all levels.
4. U.S. EPA. 2003. Watershed Academy Web: Online Watershed Management Training (2-page
leaflet) (EPA 841-F-04-001) describes the self-paced watershed management courses available
both online and as a self-contained CD product.
5. U.S. EPA. 2003. Watershed Analysis ami Management (WAM) Guide for States and Communi-
ties, (EPA 841-B-03-007) provides the methods and tools for implementing the WAM process
and includes eight detailed technical modules.
6. U.S. EPA 2002. Community Culture and the Environment: A Guide to Understanding a Sense
of Place (EPA 842-B-01-003) offers a process and set of tools for defining and understanding
the human dimension of environmental issues.
7. U.S. EPA. 2005. EPA Watershed Training Opportunities (EPA 841-B-05-002), features descrip-
tions of watershed-related training opportunities conducted by both US EPA and others. It also
includes information on Web-based training, publications, Web sites, and Web-based tools.
8. Pacific Watershed Institute, Seattle, WL 2000. Watershed Analysis and Management (WAM)
Guide for Tribes (HTML or ZIP format) (EPA 841-B-00-008) is a methodology document that
addresses tribal and state watershed management issues.
9. FISRWG, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC. 1998. Stream Corridor Restoration:
Principles, Processes and Practices (EPA 841-R-98-900) developed by a multi-agency task
force, is a reference manual targeted at technical practitioners and others responsible for plan-
ning, designing, and implementing stream corridor restoration initiatives.
10. U. S. EPA. 1997. Top 10 Watershed Lessons Learned, (EPA840-F-97-001), is a compilation of
notable watershed management experiences across the country that offers lessons learned in
what works well and offers resources and contacts.
11. U. S. EPA. 1996. Watershed Approach Framework (EPA840-S-96-001) explains EPA's vision for
watershed approaches emphasizing the state and tribal approaches that actively involve public
and private interests at all levels to achieve environmental protection.
12. U. S. EPA. 1997. Monitoring Consortiums: A Cost-Effective Means to Enhancing Watershed
Data Collection and Analysis (EPA 841-R-97-006) addresses coordination in watershed moni-
toring and contains case studies on effective ways to share monitoring costs and data.
13. U. S. EPA. 1995. Watershed Protection: A Project Focus (KPA841-R-95-003) provides a blue-
print for designing and implementing local watershed protection programs.
14. U. S. EPA. 1995. Watershed Protection: A Statewide Approach (EPA 841-R-95-004) provides
guidance for reorienting statewide water programs to a watershed approach.
Please note that older Watershed Academy documents can be accessed via the Watershed Academy
Archives Web site: ww.epa.gov/owowAraterehed/wacadmy/arcluves.htm.
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Software
BASINS: Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS) is a system that
can be used to perform integrated water quality and watershed analyses. It combines a geographic
information system (GIS), national GIS data layers, and state-of-the-art environmental assessment
and modeling tools into one convenient package. The BASINS software allows a user to quickly
assess large amounts of point source and nonpoint source data in a format that is easy to understand.
Installed on a personal computer, BASINS allows a user to assess water quality at selected stream sites
or throughout an entire watershed,
BASINS is available for download at www.epa.gov/OST/BASINS. The BASINS Web site also provides
technical support and instructions for ordering BASINS on a CD.
Software Available for Environmental Awareness: EPA Region 5 and Purdue University have
published at least 44 software programs that provide information on various environmental topics.
Sample topics include environmental assessments, public health, wetlands, water education, wellhead
protection, best management practices for soil erosion, and many others (the full list of topics is
found at: www.epa.gov/sealiome/topics.html). The software is available on CD-ROM from Purdue
University or can be downloaded from the SEAIIOME Web site.
The complete listing of software and the latest information about upcoming releases can be obtained
from the SEAIIOME Web site at www.epa.gov/glnpo/seahome/. You may order the CD online through
Purdue University at this Web site: www.epa.gov/seahome/cdrom.hlnil. For more information, contact
Kathy Lester at the Agricultural Communication - Media Distribution Center, 231 South University Street.
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2094; Phone (888) 398-4636 (ask for the Media Distribu-
tion Center) or direct: (765) 494-6794; Fax: (765) 496-1540; E-mail: media.order@purdue.edu.
For information about the software itself, contact Carol Sikler, Farm Building Plan Service. Purdue
University, 1146 ABE Building, Room 208, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1146. Phone: (765) 494-1174;
Fax: (765) 494-1356; E-mail: fbps@ecn.purdue.edu.
Environmental Statute Review Course: EPA offers a computer-based training course (e.g., a
CD-ROM) that uses animation, video, narration, and graphics to cover the general provisions of seven
major environmental statutes, including RCRA, EPCRA, CAA, CWA, CERCLA, TSCA, and FIFRA. Each
module contains interactive exercises and quizzes. The course is available free of charge from EPA's
National Enforcement Training Institute (www.epa.gov/compliance/training/neti) for federal, state.
local, and tribal environmental enforcement personnel, including attorneys, inspectors, technical
staff, and investigators.
For more information, contact Alice Minis at (202) 564-6069 or e-mail nilms.alice@epa.gov. The
CD-ROM (NTIS Order Number: PB2001-500036) is also available for $79 plus handling from
the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. Phone:
(800) 553-NTIS (6847) or (703) 605-6000; Fax: (703) 605-6900; E-mail: orders@utis.fedworld.gov;
Internet: www.iitis.gov.
Midwest Spatial Decision Support System Partnership Tools: (www. epa.gov/waterspace/toolpage.
html) This Web site is designed to help disseminate information on watershed management data-
and decision support- tools. The aim is to make Web-based spatial decision support systems freely
available via the Internet to local officials, natural resource managers, and the general public to help
manage watersheds in the Midwest and beyond. The site offers links to CIS-based decision making
software tools with which users can perform an initial screening of watershed-based environmental
problems, collate existing information, develop preliminary analyses, and develop informed screening
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and selection of alternatives. Case-studies highlighting the application of these tools in specific con-
texts are also offered. These tools are designed to help communities develop a cost-effective approach
to watershed management planning. The software tools on this site have been developed by universi-
ties, federal agencies, and partnerships between the two, with particular geographical emphasis on
the Midwest, such as Performance and Results Management System, Digital Watershed Mapping, the
Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment (L-THIA), and others.
¥Ideos
EPA has developed a series of videos on various subjects related to watershed protection and water
quality standards and criteria. The video titles and a short description of each appear below, followed
by ordering information,
After the Storm (EPA 841-V-04-001, specify broadcast quality Beta SP tape or VIIS) highlights three
case studies—Santa Monica Bay, the Mississippi River Basin/Gulf of Mexico, and New York City—
where polluted runoff threatens watersheds highly valued for recreation, commercial fisheries and
navigation, and drinking water. Key scientists, water quality experts, and citizens involved in local and
national watershed protection efforts provide insight into the problems as well as solutions to today's
water quality crisis. This co-production by The Weather Channel and EPA is intended for educational
and communication purposes in classrooms, conferences, and the likes. It may also be aired on
cable or other TV stations, as EPA has the full rights to the program. More information is available at:
www.epa.gov/weatliefcfaamiel/.
Antidegradation Policy: A Means to Maintain and Protect Existing Uses and Water Quality (EPA
823-V-90-003) discusses the three tiers in EPA's antidegradation poliq7.
Development of Biological Criteria for Use in Water Qualify Standards (EPA 823-V-92-003) dis-
cusses biological criteria as they relate to the water quality standards and criteria programs. Biologi-
cal criteria are based on direct measures of the biological integrity of surface waters and thus provide
a valuable assessment tool for evaluating the quality of the nation's waters.
Development of Water Qualify Criteria and Its Relationship to Water Qualify Standards (EPA 82 3-
V-90-002) provides an overview of water quality criteria, including how they are developed.
Developing Site-Specific Criteria (EPA823-V-95-001) discusses the development of site-specific
numeric criteria for aquatic life and the role they play in the water quality standards and criteria
process. It focuses on the use of indicator species criteria to develop numeric site-specific criteria.
Economic Considerations in Water Quality Standards (EPA823-V-90-001) discusses why econom-
ics may be considered, describes where in the water quality standards process economics are consid-
ered, and discusses how economic considerations are used in the water quality standards process.
Enumeration Methods for Escberichia coli and Enterococci (EPA 82 3-V-86-001) explains how to
sample for bacteria.
Getting in Step: A Video Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns (VHS tape)
(EPA 841-V-03-001) is the 35-minute companion video to the guidebook of the same name
(EPA 841-B-03-002, see page 18). The video reinforces the steps of strengthening watershed out-
reach campaigns and includes four very different examples of watershed outreach campaigns from
different parts of the U.S. It is suitable for viewing by watershed stakeholders, educators, local govern-
ment officials and others interested in generating watershed outreach campaigns. More information
is available online at: www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/outreach/documeuts/.
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Introduction to Water Quality Standards (EPA 823-V-92-001) provides an overview of the water
quality standards and criteria programs. It discusses the three component parts of state and tribal
water quality standards: uses, criteria, and the antidegradation policy.
The Problem with Shallow Disposal Systems (EPA 816-V-97-001) explains how chemical waste dis-
charged to ground water through shallow disposal systems (Class V injection wells) can contaminate
water resources. It offers simple, preventive steps that a community can take to reduce this threat to
its water supply,
Sampling Ambient and Effluent Waters for Trace Metals (EPA821-V-97-001) explains how to
sample for trace metals.
TMDLs and Water Quality Standards (EPA 823-V-99-001) presents information about Total Maxi-
mum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and the role TMDLs play in implementing a state's water quality standards,
including how TMDLs are authorized, their importance in the water quality-based approach to pollu-
tion control, and how they are developed. The video also discusses the important role played by states
and tribes, EPA, and the public in TMDL development.
Water Quality-Based Approach to Pollution Control (EPA 823-V-91-002) provides an overview of
the eight interrelated stages in the water quality-based approach to pollution control.
Water Quality Standards and 401 Certification (EPA823-V-91-001) discusses water quality stan-
dards and the 401 certification process.
Water Quality Standards on Indian Lands (EPA 82 3-V-92-002) discusses the role that water quality
standards play in efforts to clean up and protect the quality of the nation's waters. It discusses the
criteria that must be met for a tribe to conduct the water quality standards program on reservation
lands and discusses the issue dispute resolution mechanism used to resolve any unreasonable conse-
quences that might arise when an Indian tribe and a state adopt differing water quality standards for a
common body of water.
Wetlands Water Quality Standards (EPA 840-V-96-001) provides an overview on how states and
Indian tribes can develop water quality standards for wetlands.
Our Water, Our Future: Saving Our Tribal Life Force Together (EPA 823-V-03-001) tells the story of
two Indian tribes—the Pueblo of Acoma (New Mexico) and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis
Reservation (Washington)—and their successful efforts to develop water quality standards for their
reservations.
How to order the videos:
Selected videos are available from the Office of Water Resource Center, free of charge for loan for a
period of 30 days. When ordering, use the EPA order numbers referenced next the video title. Tapes
can be ordered online at www.epa.gov/ogwdw/resource/. For more information, contact the Office of
Water Resource Center (RC-4100), USEPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460.
For more information, call (202) 566-1729 or e-mail cenler.waler-resource@epa.gov.
These videos are also available through the National Service Center for Environmental Publications
(NSCEP) (Phone; (800) 490-9198 or (513) 489-8190; Fax: (513) 489-8695; Internet; www.epa.
gov/ncepihom/). Please include the video title, format if applicable, and number, when requesting
publications.
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Adopt Your Watershed
(www.epa.gov/adopt)
This Web site offers users the opportunity to learn about citizen-based watershed restoration and
protection efforts in their local area. Through an online catalog, users can find watershed alliances,
volunteer monitoring groups, school groups, and others working on watershed stewardship. Through
the Web site, groups can submit information to be included in the online catalog of registered groups,
and can also receive a certificate of appreciation for their efforts. Additionally the site oilers educa-
tional resources for students and teachers such as activity units designed for schools, science clubs,
and camps. The Web site is designed to support citizen stewardship of the nation's water resources.
Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection
(www.epa.gov/watershedfynding)
This is a searchable catalog of more than 80 funding programs from federal agencies that can be
used in watershed protection and restoration efforts. Users can browse a complete list of funding pro-
grams organized by federal agency or keyword, or they can search for programs according to their
type of organization, the type of grant required, requirements for matching contribution, and selected
keywords. A suite of details about each funding program is offered, including application deadlines,
annual budget, contact address, and more.
Enviromapper
(www.epa.gov/waters/enviromapper/index.html)
EnviroMapper for Water is a Web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) application that
dynamically displays information about bodies of water in the United States. This interactive tool
allows the user to create customized maps that portray the nation's surface waters along with a col-
lection of environmental data. The application can be used to view environmental information from
the national level down to the community level (within one mile), and provides the ability to pan,
zoom, label, and print maps. Users can also link to text reports after identifying a specific waterbody
of interest. By creating a map using EnviroMapper for Water, the user can find out the health of their
waterbodies.
EPA Online Discussion List-Servers
(https://lists.epa.gov/read/all_forums)
EPA supports online discussion forums on a wide variety of topics including water related topics.
Online discussion forums are valuable sources of information on topics including training opportuni-
ties, recent updates and developments, clarification of issues, and practical experience shared by
working professionals in the field and other interested parties. An e-mail subscription is necessary
to participate in a discussion forum, A discussion forum allows a subscriber to e-mail questions to,
receive news from, and discuss topics in detail with others who are interested in the same topic.
This Web site is a portal to the full list of EPA forums and includes both a brief description of the
forum and a link to subscribe to the forum. Some forums have more than 1000 members. Of particu-
lar interest to those in the water resources field might be "basinsinfo," "decentralized." "news-
notes." "npsinfo," "volmonitor," "waternews," "watershed-news," and "wqs-news."
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EPA Watershed Patch Project
(www.epa.gov/adopt/patch)
This project is designed to encourage young people (grades 3-8) to learn about their local
watershed and to motivate them to get involved in local watershed protection efforts. As the young
people complete a series of activities that relate to watersheds, such as completing a stream walk with
a detailed report on the stream or evaluating yard practices that contribute to runoff pollution, they
become eligible for reward certificates, such as the River Rookie, Conservation Captain. Aquifer Ace,
or Watershed Wizard.
Ground Water and Drinking Water
(www.epa.gov/safewater)
This site is the launch pad for a wealth of resources on drinking water resources, such as rules,
databases, management information and source water protection across the nation.
Local Drinking Water Information Web Site
(www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo.htm)
This EPA Web site offers information about drinking water across Ihe country. Web site users can
locate information such as state drinking water and source water home pages, Drinking Water State
Revolving Loan Fund Intended Use Plans, local drinking water quality reports (Consumer Confidence
Reports), water system violations data, and information about ways to protect drinking water sources.
National Small Flows Clearinghouse
(www.nesc.wvu.edu/nsfc/nsf c_index.htm)
This Web site provides information about innovative, low-cost wastewater treatments for small com-
munities (those with populations less than 1 (),()()()).
The National Drinking Water Clearinghouse
(www.nesc.wvu.edu/ndwc/ndwcjndex. htm)
This clearinghouse offers information services about small community drinking water issues.
Office of Water
(www.epa.gov/water)
This site is a gateway to all EPA Office of Water programs including the Office of Science and Tech-
nology, Office of Wastewater Management, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Office of
Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, and the American Indian Office.
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
(www.epa.go¥/owow)
This site is the heart of EPA's watershed program and a hub for links to such EPA programs as oceans
and coastal protection, wetlands, estuaries, monitoring, and nonpoint pollution control.
STORE!
(www.epa.gov/storet)
STORET is a data management system containing water quality information for the nation's waters.
Information includes raw biological, chemical, and physical data on surface water and ground water
collected by federal, state, and local agencies; Indian tribes; volunteer groups; academics; and others.
All 50 states, lerritories, and jurisdictions of Ihe United States are represented. The Web site offers
access lo both historical data in the Legacy Dala Center, and STORET, which is an operational system
actively populated with water quality data. Users can browse both systems interactively or create files
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to be downloaded. The site also offers support for monitoring organizations that want to submit data,
meta-information about the data, and other resources.
Surf Your Watershed
(www.epa.go¥/surf)
This EPA Web site offers an interactive map- or place-based search to locate a watershed, and
provides a host of environmental and watershed information at both the state and watershed scales.
The site offers opportunities for participation by allowing the public to submit information on local
environmental groups, provide feedback on environmental programs, and participate in electronic
discussions on water resource and management topics. Examples of information provided on the site
include environmental program Web sites, citizen environmental groups, information from EPA's Envi-
rofacls—a suite of databases that store ongoing and historical environmental data collection such as
monitoring of effluent by permitted facilities, information on public water supply systems and others,
information on river and wetlands restoration projects, and watershed health assessments such as
statutorily mandated states' lists of impaired waterbodies. Access is also provided to the Watershed
Information Network (a network of three agencies' Web sites, see below) and U.S. Geological Survey
sites on streamflow, other hydrologic data in the watershed, and scientific papers related to the
watershed.
The 305(b) Water Quality Report
(www.epa.go¥/305b)
The NaMonal Water Quality Inventory Report to Congress (305(b) Report) is (he primary vehicle
for informing Congress and the public about general water quality conditions in the United Stales.
This documenl characterizes our water quality, identifies widespread water quality problems of
national significance, and describes various programs implemented to restore and protect the
nation's waters.
Total Maximum Daily Loads
(www.epa.gov/owow/tmd!)
This Web site offers information about the TMDL program, including an overview of TMDLs, current
rules, policy and technical documents, example TMDLs, a searchable archive of TMDL studies, and
information from the assessment of impaired waters across the country.
WATERS -Watershed Assessment, Tracking and Environmental Results
(www.epa.gov/waters)
Tills Web site is a portal to an integrated information system for the nation's surface waters. WATERS
accesses water quality information that was previously available only from several independent and
unconnected databases, such as those on water quality standards, water monitoring, assessment
of different pollutants, fish consumption advisories, public water systems, discharge reports from
permitted facilities, and others. WATERS connects the databases, and allows the user to display the
information by generating maps and reports.
Watershed Academy
(www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/wacademy.htm)
This site parallels the Academy's three key activities—live training courses, Web-based training
including live Webcast seminars, and publications—and contains frequently updated program and
schedule information.
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Watershed Academy Web
(www.epa.gov/watertrain)
This distance learning site enables any PC with Internet access to become a watershed training
classroom—on any schedule, at no cost. This multidisciplinary training and certificate program was
designed to cover the most important watershed management topics—those subjects about which
watershed managers, local officials, involved citizens, decision makers, and others should have some
basic knowledge. Fifty different modules are offered on watershed related topics,
Watershed Discussion Forum
(www.epa.gov/watershedforum)
The Watershed Discussion Forum is a Web-based utility that offers watershed practitioners a platform
to exchange ideas, so that innovative solutions and ideas can be easily shared in (near) real-time
cyberspace. This utility allows users from around the country to post electronic messages to a discus-
sion board, on a variety of topics that include Smart Growth/Low Impact Development, Source Water
Protection, Storrawater Best Management Practices, Sustainable Financing, and Watershed Planning
Tools. Through the utility users can engage in "discussion threads" by posting messages or respond-
ing lo messages thai may be read by all registered users of the forum. Other utilities in this forum
include the ability lo receive customized emails when new messages are posted in a user's area(s) of
interest.
Watershed Information Network
(www.epa.gov/win)
The Watershed Information Network (WIN) is a repository of information related to watersheds,
includes three Web sites, each with a slightly different focus, all of which provide information on a
selected watershed. Know Your Watershed is maintained by the Conservation Technology Information
Center at Purdue University. It focuses on a registry of watershed partnerships working to meet local
goals. Surf Your Watershed is maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It provides a
service to help locate, use, and share environmental information about a selected watershed. Science
in Your Watershed is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey and focuses on scientific information
such as stream flow, and other geographic and hydrologic data, organized by watershed.
Windows to My Environment
(www.epa.gov/enviro/wme)
This is a powerful new Web-based tool that provides a wide range of federal, state, and local informa-
tion about environmental conditions and features in the user's area of choice.
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