U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Region 10 Bulletin - EPA 910/9-92-043 May 2009 Towards Sustainable Water Infrastructure Over the next twenty years, demands on water and wastewater systems will grow at unprecedented rates, while resources are likely to shrink. Water and wastewater utilities will face big challenges in their ability to keep pace with infrastructure needs. In response, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 is developing a Sustainable Water Infrastructure Initiative. The initiative will help water and wastewater systems with approaches to meet the gap in infrastructure funding. Given the state of our economy -- and the current focus on energy, climate change, and green jobs - Region 10 believes water and wastewater systems will be looking for sustainable approaches that are cost effective and protect the environment. Utilities and their local communities generally pay directly for most of their infrastructure needs (both for capital costs and for costs of operations and maintenance). More and more of these entities are having a tough time finding those funds. While federal and state monies can help, other strategies may be available to address the challenges in maintaining our nation's water and wastewater infrastructure. In 2008, Region 10 conducted the "Innovative Energy Management" workshop for the water and wastewater utilities sector. The workshop showed how to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The Region also held a "Climate Change and Water Infrastructure Forum," which focused on strategies to adapt to climate change. Those efforts laid the groundwork for this new Sustainable Water Infrastructure Initiative. The initiative will address not only the pressing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure funding gap, but also link sustainable infrastructure to climate change adaptation strategies. EPA Region 10 is committed to working with its partners to support innovation in infrastructure management. Ultimately, the effort will help ensure the continued availability, affordability, and delivery of drinking water and wastewater services into the future. For information, see www.epa.gov/ waterinfrastructure/ or contact Cyndi Grafe (EPA Region 10 Sustainable Water Infrastructure Team Lead) at grafe.cyndi@epa.gov or 208-378-5771. in This Issue.. SPOTLIGHT CALENDAR EPA News to update you on agency activities. pages I-3. Tools to clue you in on resources, publications. opportunities, and ser- vices, pages 4-7. Waterwords covering water related issues, page 8. Spotlight to showcase success stories and envi- ronmental stars, page 9. Ecosystem to provide news that goes beyond water topics, page 10. Calendar to highlight environmental events, page 11. ------- 7-f"1 r" <'!: *,-i ft: - ,7 ] tL^'^ ij J I^A i''i L- Funding for Drinking Water, Wastewater On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Act includes $7.22 billion for projects and programs administered by EPA. These programs will protect and promote both "green" jobs and a healthier environment. As part of the plan, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund have been funded $4 billion nationally to help communities with water quality and wastewater infrastructure needs and $2 billion for drinking water infrastructure needs. Part of the funding is targeted towards green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency, and environmentally innovative projects. Announcements of grants will be posted on the web to ensure transparency. State-by-state distributions are also available on-line. Learn more at www.epa. gov/recovery/. In Region 10, three Northwest States, Alaska, and Tribal governments will receive more than $297 million from EPA for clean water projects to create jobs and protect communities and the environment. The federal funding is the first installment of EPA funding available to support states and tribes under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The individual amounts directed to Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and tribal governments will be delivered via existing programs: the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and the Tribal Clean Water & Drinking Water Set- Aside programs. Alaska will receive $43 million, Idaho will receive $39 million, Oregon will receive $73 million, and Washington will receive $110 million. In addition, Alaska Tribal water infrastructure will receive $27 million. EPA will provide $4.4 million for Tribal water infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest. These funds will supplement existing annual EPA grants to the states. The states use these funds to issue loans for enhancing, upgrading and rebuilding public drinking water systems and public wastewatei systems, as well as funding non-point source project: The new law provides states with additional flexibility in loan terms by requiring that at least fifty percent of the funding be provided in subsidies such as principal forgiveness or negative interest rates. States and watershed planning organizations will also benefit from the new law through the provision of small planning grants to address specific water quality problems. Climate Change: EPA Proposes to Find Greenhouse Gases a Threat On April 17, EPA's Administrator signed a proposed finding indicating that six ireenhouse gases pose a threat to the health and welfare of current and future generations of Americans. This action represents formal recognition by the U.S. government of the threats posed by climate change. This action comes after a thorough scientific review ordered in 2007 by the U.S. Supreme Court. A comment period is under way. A public hearing is set for May 21 in Seattle. Learn more at: http://epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment. html Watertalk Mav 2009 Page 2 ------- Stream Tool Helps Determine Jurij U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, and Oregon Department of State Lands have made available a new tool to help identify waters that may be subject to those agencies' regulatory jurisdiction. The Oregon Streamflow Duration Assessment Method is a scientific tool for quickly analyzing more than twenty factors to distinguish between ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial streams. It provides technical guidance for identifying waters that may be subject to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and the State of Oregon's Removal-Fill statute. Doing work that impacts such streams, such as placing fill in them to prepare a site for construction, often requires a permit from the Corps' Regulatory Branch and DSL's Removal-Fill Permit Division. The method provides a scientifically supported, rapid assessment framework. Use of the method will result in more timely and predictable jurisdictional determinations. The method is the subject of an ongoing two-year verification study. The method will be tested at more than 170 sites in western and eastern Oregon in both the wet and dry seasons. This study will help make the method transferable to other western states. Use of the method is recommended but not required. The agencies have released the method for use as an interim version. It will be tested for one year before it is finalized. The agencies encourage practitioners and the public to provide comments on their experience using it. The agencies held training sessions in Portland and Medford, OR. Another session will be held in LaGrande on June 15-16. Learn more at http:// yosemite.epa.gov/R10/ecocomm.nsf/wetlands/ oregonstreamflow. For information on the Corps' Regulatory program or DSL's Removal-Fill Permit program in Oregon, visit http://www.nwp.usace.army.mii/op/g/home.asp or http://www.oregonstatelands.us/dsl/permits/index. shtml. Contact Tracie Nadeau, EPA, 503-326-3685, or nadeau.tracie@epa.gov. Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon Save trees and limit mailbox clutter! Sign up now for the Watertalk List-Serv. You'll get your Watertalk electronically every quarter. It's quick and easy to sign up. Justgotowww.epa.gov/region10. Click on A to Z Subject Index, then W for Watertalk. There you will find an option to get on the Region 10 Water Issues List-Serv. Every quarter, an e-mail will tell you when the new Watertalk is ready, and link you to its website. Once in a while, you will get other water-related news from EPA. Remember to send an e-mail to lindsay.andrea@epa.gov to be removed from the hard copy mailing list. Puge 3 Watertalk Mav 2009 ------- A Window to Your Environment How do you learn about environmental conditions in your community? A handy online tool may be of help. Window to My Environment gives you a wide range of federal, state, and local information about environmental conditions and features in an area of your choice. This EPA tool helps you make a map of your community. It links to data and information about water quality, water quantity, air quality, drinking water safety, and toxic releases in the area. It combines interactive maps with links to environmental resources, to answer questions about what is being done to protect the environment in your community. Visit the tool at www.epa.gov/enviro/wme/. New Book Resources Available Pond/Wetland Management Guidebook Online Stormwater Wet Pond and Wetland Management Guidebook EPA just released a new resource, Stormwater Wet Pond and Wetland Management Guidebook. The guide describes maintenance and inspection practices for existing wet ponds and wetlands. It includes checklists for use during construction and routine maintenance of ponds/wetlands. It also includes a homeowner pond inspection checklist. Maintenance profile sheets describe how to address eight common maintenance issues. Find it online at www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/ pondmgmtguide.pdf Green Jobs Training Opportunities Catalog Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure EPA has compiled a catalog of Green Jobs Training opportunities. Most opportunities are related to wet weather management and green infrastructure design, installation, operation, and maintenance. National and state programs, universities, apprenticeships, and grant programs are included. The catalog is a work in progress. To provide input on comparable programs in your region or state, contact arazan.nancy@epa. gov. See the catalog online at www.epa.gov/npdes/ pubs/gi_greenjobs_feb09.pdf. Green Jobs Training A Catalog of Training Opportunities for Green Infrastructure Technologies Visit Watertalk online at www.epa.gov/rlOearth/watertalk.htm Watertalk Mav 2009 ------- New Watershed Central Website, Watershed Wiki Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder Contest EPA, Generations United, the Dance Exchange and the Rachel Carson Council, Inc., are hosting a poetry, essay, photo and dance contest: the Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder Contest 2009. The contest encourages entries "that best express the sense of wonder that you feel for the sea, the night sky, forests, birds, wildlife, and all that is beautiful to your eyes." 855* Welcome to Watershed Central. This new EPA website helps watershed organizations and others find information they need to carry out watershed approaches. Watershed Central helps users find environmental data, watershed models, nearby local organizations, and guidance documents -- and other information depending on the task at hand. The site also contains links to technical resources and funding, and mapping applications to help find information specific to named watersheds. One special feature of the site is the Watershed Wiki that can help users collaborate. The Watershed Wiki helps users share tools, scientific findings, expertise, and local approaches to watershed management. The wiki can be edited by any user, with article uploads, comments on watersheds tools, resource information, and so on. Watershed Central not only links to EPA web resources but also links to other valuable funding, guidance and tools on websites of state, tribal, and federal partners, universities, and nonprofit organizations. Check it out at www.epa.gov/ watershedcentral E-Newsletter Covers Climate Change, Water EPA's National Water Program has created a new electronic newsletter or "list-serve" covering news and information related to water programs and climate change. The e-newsletter provides short articles and related links weekly. The e-newsletter is part of an effort to inform clean water and drinking water program managers about climate change topics, issues, and opportunities. To subscribe to the climate change and water e-newsletter, go to www.epa.gov/ow/climatechange/ Click on "Subscribe to the Climate and Water E-Newsletter." Entries will be judged on how the use of intergen- erational teams made the entry special and how the project brought teams in touch with the natural world. Entries are due by June 10, 2009. The winner will be announced in September. Learn more at www.epa. gov/aging/resources/thesenseofwonder/index.htm. Ideas for Working with Watershed Groups Working with Watershed Groups? Take advantage of the ideas in the booklet titled Watershed Planning - from Start to Finish. The booklet is based on a series of articles published by the National Environmental Services Center in "On Tap" magazine. The series covers: • how to start a watershed group to tackle water quality problems, • methods for measuring and assessing watershed conditions, • how to turn data into a strategic plan, and • techniques for putting the plan into action. To order a copy, call 800-624-8301 and request item #DWBLCS04. The booklet costs $1.50 plus shipping. You may also place your order by email at info® mail.nesc.wvu.edu. Page 5 Watertalk May 2009 ------- Bright Ideas 1 To hear Podcasts sharing these green tips and more, go to: www.epa.gov/earthday/ podcasts. The tips are also available in Spanish. Reduce your carbon footprint! Leaving your car at home twice a week can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 1,600 pounds per year. Save up errands and shopping trips so you need to drive fewer times. If you commute to work, ask if you can work from home at least some days, and you'll reduce air pollution and traffic congestion - and save money, www.epa.gov/climatechange/ wycd/road.html Make it a full load! Run your dishwasher only when it's full. Don't pre-rinse dishes - tests show pre-rinsing doesn't improve dishwasher cleaning, and you'll save as much as 20 gallons of water per load. When you buy a new dishwasher, look for one that saves water. Water-efficient models use only about only about 4 gallons per wash. www.epa.gov/watersense/tips/index.htm Be extra aware of environmental conditions where older people live! As we age, our bodies become more sensitive to chemicals and environmental conditions. So you should carefully use products such as pesticides or cleaning solvents near areas where older adults live and sleep. Always follow the directions on the product package or label. www.epa.gov/aging/resources/whatyoucando.htm Be sensible! The Earth might seem like it has abundant water, but in fact only one percent of all water on the planet is available for humans. Buy fixtures and products that are water efficient - you can use less water to get the same job done just as well. When you go shopping, look for the WaterSense label to find water efficient products. www.epa.gov/watersense/tips/cons.htm Shower power! A full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water, but taking a five-minute shower saves water by using 10 to 25 gallons. Put a little timer or clock near your shower so you can see how fast you are. Save even more water, and money on your water bill, by installing a water-efficient showerhead, or ask your landlord to install one if you rent. www.epa.gov/watersense/water/simple.htm Compost it! Compost helps improve soil so it holds more water and plants grow better. Allow grass clippings to stay on the lawn, instead of bagging them. The cut grass will decompose and return to the soil naturally. Food scraps and kitchen waste also make good compost, and you save money on fertilizers or other additives. www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/ composting/index.htm Don't let pet waste run off! You can help reduce polluted storm water runoff by just picking up your pet's poop and disposing of it properly. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria or organic material to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local waterbodies. So remember - scoop the poop! www.epa.gov/weatherchannel/stormwater.html Watertalk Mav 2009 Page 6 ------- Don't be a drip - fix that leak! Leaky faucets can waste thousands of gallons of water each year, like money down the! drain. Repair or replace old or damaged fixtures. If you're not sure you have a leak, check the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak. www.epa.gov/watersense/water/simple.htm During hot weather, don't top off your gas tank. Refuel your car or truck in the early morning or the evening when it's cooler. A small fuel spill may| not seem like much, but every spill evaporates and adds to air| pollution, and fuel pumps with vapor recovery systems can feed a spill back into their tanks - after you paid for it. So, in hot weather - don't top off! www.epa.gov/donttopoff/ eCycle it! Take your old computer, DVD player, or other electronics to an electronics recycling center. Reusing and recycling materials like copper, gold, and others saves natural resources and reduces mining and processing. eCycling also helps avoid land, air, and water pollution by capturing and reusing hazardous substances such as lead or chromium. www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ ecycling/donate.htm Wait for the storm to pass! Don't fertilize before a rain storm. Your fertilizer - along with your money - can just wash off your lawn and down the storm drain. Fertilizer runoff can pollute rivers, lakes, and bays, and cause problems in recreational areas or fishing grounds. Check the weather forecast before you head out, and wait for the storm to pass. www.epa.gov/epawaste/ conserve/rrr/greenscapes/owners.htm Healthy Watersheds Initiative Launched Middle Fork of the Willamette River, Oregon EPA has launched a new initiative called Healthy Watersheds to emphasize protection and conservation of aquatic ecosystems. A new website shares tools to identify and protect healthy watersheds and their components. The website provides critical information for making strategic watershed decisions. State officials can benefit from the initiative since they often make strategic conservation decisions and assess and manage watershed resources. Local governments, watershed practitioners, and regional agencies may also find this initiative useful. The Healthy Watersheds Approach addresses the watershed as a system of biota and habitats. The systems are driven by critical processes such as hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, and natural disturbance regimes. Ecosystem programs are most effective when they recognize and integrate these dynamics and manage watersheds as systems. While significant progress has been made in protecting and restoring water quality under the Clean Water Act, the nation continues to lose healthy aquatic ecosystems. EPA's new initiative recognizes that it is more cost-effective to protect the many benefits provided by healthy watersheds than it is to restore them once they become impaired. Learn more at www. epa.gov/healthywatersheds. Page 7 Watertalk May 2009 ------- Tribes Get Nearly $2 Million for Puget Sound Projects Nineteen Tribes recently received EPA grants totaling nearly $2 million for on-the-ground projects to protect water quality and salmon habitat in the Puget Sound region. The grants support the Puget Sound Partnership's 2020 Action Agenda. "Salmon habitat has suffered centuries of abuse," said Billy Frank Jr., Chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. "With the help of these EPA grants, the tribes are undoing that damage one step at a time. We all have to work together to get Puget Sound healthy again." Puget Sound Chinook and steelhead are listed as "threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act, and Skagit Coho are listed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife as a species of concern. "We are very pleased to award these grants and help these tribes continue to do what they have done for centuries: care for their traditional lands in a sustainable way/'said Michelle Pirzadeh, EPA's Acting Regional Administrator in Seattle. "We've heard the tribes call for action to protect Puget Sound. These grants will directly support the tribes' 'shovel ready' projects that will produce very tangible environmental results." Using the grants, tribes will take on a variety of projects including: taking a systematic inventory of fish-blocking culverts; restoring connectivity to floodplains; returning tidal flow to estuaries; and building engineered logjams to create covered deep pools where Chinook salmon hold before spawning. To learn more, contact Michael Rylko, EPA, 206-553-4014, or rylko.michael@epa.gov. May is American Wetlands Month - Learn! Explore! Take Action! EPA is celebrating American Wetlands Month in May with federal, state, tribal, local, nonprofit, and private sector partners. This annual celebration is a time to highlight the many ways wetlands enrich the environment and human society. EPA encourages ' individuals and groups to plan activities to raise awareness of the critical role wetlands play in our environment and to build support for their protection and restoration. Some ideas include: • Participate in a wetland walk, canoe trip, bird watch, or other outdoor activity • Plan a wetland or stream clean-up • Recognize a wetland hero • Sponsor a talk about wetlands • Start or participate in a volunteer wetland monitoring or restoration group • Organize a wetland festival Individuals or groups that are planning events are encouraged to share event information at www.epa. gov/owow/wetlands/awm/contact.html. For general American Wetlands Month information, visit: http:// www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/awm. To learn more about EPA's wetlands and aquatic resources programs, ^o to www.epa.gov/owQw/wetlands or call the Wetlands Helpline at 1-800-832-7828. National Water Quality Inventory Report Online The National Water Quality Inventory Report is now online. The report summarizes water quality assessments submitted by the states to EPA under section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act. The report finds that the states assessed 16 percent of the nation's 3.5 million river and stream miles, 39 percent of its 41.7 million acres of lakes, ponds, and Water Quality Report reservoirs, and 29 percent of its 87,791 estuary square miles. Forty-four percent of assessed river and stream miles, 64 percent of assessed lake acres, and 30 percent of assessed estuary square miles were found to be impaired for one or more of the uses designated for them by the states. Leading causes of impairment included pathogens, mercury, nutrients, and organic enrichment/low dissolved oxygen. This report is a companion to state water quality information on EPA's ATTAINS website, at www.epa.gov/ waters/ir. In addition to viewing the national summary and information by state, users can find out about conditions at the individual waterbody level. See the inventory report at www.epa.gov/owow/305b/2004report/. Watertalk May 2009 Page 8 ------- GHT Coal Creek Dam Removal Project Praised Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 Stream Project Award. The State Land Board recently recognized the Coal Creek Dam Removal Project for its efforts to promote responsible stewardship of Oregon's natural resources. Partners in the Coal Creek Dam Removal Project receive the 2008 Stream Project Award from the State Land Board Coal Creek, in Tillamook County, supports Coho, Chinook, steelhead and cutthroat, and is one of the biggest chum producers in the Tillamook Bay watershed. The Coal Creek Dam dated back to 1949 when the Tillamook Creamery Association built the 30-foot-high structure to supply water to the cheese factory. In September 2008 the Coal Creek Dam was successfully removed by powder explosives. Coal Creek has now been restored to its historic channel. Already, major improvements to the creek have been observed, including spawning salmon and gravel movement. The many partners who cooperated on the dam removal were led by the Tillamook Estuary Partnership, and included the Tillamook County Creamery Association, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Tillamook County, and Green Diamond Resource Company; and contractors Entrix Environmental, Euchre Mountain Construction, and Northwest Energetic Services. EPA maintains a cooperative agreement with the Tillamook Estuary Partnership, providing partial funding for this project. To learn more, contact Rachel Hoffman, Tillamook Estuaries Partnership, at 503-322-2222. Or, visit http://oregonstatelands.us/DSL/SLB/ awards2008.shtml. Portland Active Senior Programs Earn Recognition The City of Portland has been recognized for its efforts to integrate older adults into community activities, by the EPA Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging award program. To encourage older adults to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle, Portland's Bureaus of Transportation and Parks & Recreation developed the Senior Strolls and Senior Bike programs. The bike program trains seniors on the use of comfortable, stable recumbent tricycles, providing cycles and helmets for all participants. The walking program offers several levels of walking and hiking programs for a wide range of abilities. Portland was selected as a community that is demonstrating the best and most inclusive overall implementation of smart growth and active aging at the neighborhood and municipal levels. EPA's award applicants were evaluated based on the overall effectiveness of their programs, the level of community involvement and outreach, the use of innovative approaches, and the overall environmental health benefits of the project. For details, contact Judy Smith, EPA, at 503-326-6994, or smith.judy@epa.gov. Or, visit www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/about.htm. Latest Information on Toxic Chemical Releases EPA recently released the latest Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data nationally, for reporting year 2007. TRI releases for Region 10 as a whole decreased in 2007. Alaska, Oregon, and Washington facilities all reported decreased total on-site and off-site releases. Idaho total on-site and off-site releases increased by 1.7 percent, while Idaho facility surface water discharges decreased by 6.7 percent. And, although Alaska's Red Dog Mine reported a decrease in total TRI releases compared to 2006, it remains the largest releaser of TRI reportable toxics in the country (primarily zinc and lead compounds in on-site tailings impoundments and waste rock). For details, call Brook Madrone, EPA, at madrone.brook@epa.gov, or 206-553-4016. Or, visit www.epa.gov/tri orwww.epa.gov/tri/tridata/tri07/index.htm. Page 9 Watertalk May 2009 ------- Beneficial Landscaping: Landscaping with Native Water — A Barrel of Rain With climate change upon us, the need to conserve water and control runoff has never been greater -- both our droughts and our storms/wet seasons are becoming more extreme. Call it old fashioned or just plain simple, but one way to adapt to and lessen the problems associated with these extremes is to install a rain barrel. Stored rainwater has many benefits and uses. Rainwater is naturally "soft." That is, it contains no minerals, chlorine, fluoride, or other chemicals. So it is ideal for watering your garden and landscapes. Plants thrive using this natural "native" water supply. Akin to installing a rain garden, having a rain barrel is another way to retain water on the landscape rather than allowing it to run off impervious surfaces, carrying pollutants to local water bodies. If properly filtered, rain water can be used for drinking water and other household uses. This helps to reduce your municipal water bill, or to keep your well from running dry. One of many inconvenient truths is that our groundwater aquifers are being depleted through overwithdrawal and by paving over lands important for aquifer recharge. In designing a collection system, it is best to plan adequate capacity for the expected volume of rainwater, and to determine how you will manage any excess. To calculate the volume of water you can expect to receive, consider that for every one inch of rainfall on a 1,000 square foot roof, you would collect about 600 gallons of rainwater. There are many possible ways to design a rain barrel system - from simple to complex. Costs vary widely as well. As with most purchases, it is wise to do some research and devise a set-up that is practical for your home or workplace. In general, the barrel or cistern should be covered to eliminate leaves, debris, and contaminants, and there should be a filter of some sort to eliminate silt, leaves, etc. Beyond this, visit your library or try exploring the worldwide web for information on where to buy or how to build a rainwater collection system, to find answers to your questions, and/or to join forces with other rain barrel enthusiasts. You might even consider starting up a rain barrel "collective" or initiative in your neighborhood. Then, let it rain! For more information on this and other topics in Beneficial Landscaping, contact Elaine Somers at 206-553-2966, or at somers.elaine@epa.gov. Or, visit our website at www.epa.gov/r10earth/bl.htm. Reference: Watertalk May 2009 ID ------- CALENDAR May American Wetlands Month, www.epa.gov/wetlands/awm/ May 19-22: Creating Thriving Rural and Urban Communities through Ecological Restoration, Society for Ecological Restoration Regional Conference, Lynnwood, WA, www.ser.org/sernw/ conference2009.asp May 21: Public Hearing: Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act, Seattle, WA, http://epa. gov/climatechange/endangerment/hearing_ seattle-may21 .html May 27-28: The Plight of Ecosystems in a Changing Climate, EPA, Seattle, WA, Roseanne Lorenzana, 206-553-8002, www.scgcorp.com/ Ecosystems2009/index.htm June American Rivers Month National Oceans Month June 4-5: Washington Water Law Conference 2009, Seattle, WA, Law Seminars International, 800-854-8009, www.lawseminars.com June 5: World Environment Day, www.unep.org/wed/ June 8: World Oceans Day, www.theoceanproject.org/wod/ June 10-11: Action for a Sustainable America, Seattle, WA, www.asaseries.com/v8-12/Prospectus/lndex. php?sEventCode=AS0906SEATTLE June 23: Wet Weather/Green Infrastructure Webcast: Funding & Incentives, Brownfield Redevelopment, www.epa.gov/npdes/training June 24-25: Summer Seminar for Educators, Liquid Planet: Exploring Global Water Issues, UW Seattle, WA, 206-543-4852, http://jsis.washington.edu/ ellison/events.php#June%202009 July July 22: Model Toxics Control Act, Law Seminars International, Seattle, WA, 800-854-8009, www.lawseminars.com July 28: Wet Weather/Green Infrastructure Webcast: Green Street Retrofits, Operations & Maintenance, www.epa.gov/npdesAraining More—Reduce Stormwater Runoff: TJie online video, "Reduce Runoff: Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In," highlights green techniques you can use, such as rain gardens, green roofs and rain barrels. See the video at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/ ;~irf^__. --- ~*/ --- — «... ">0Q9-1-15_Stormwater_Video Page 11 Watertalk May 2009 ------- Watertalk U.S. EPA 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, ETPA-081 Seattle, Washington 98101-3140 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Pre-Sorted Standard Postage and Fees Paid U.S. EPA Permit No. G-35 For Official Business Use Penalty for Private Use $300 E.P.A. HdasAttn: Library. 3403 T5/P4 401 'm1 St SW Washington, DC 20460-0001 Watertalk May 2009 Watertalk is published quarterly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10. Watertalk seeks to be a useful tool for those who protect water resources and ecosystems in communities of the Greater Pacific Northwest, by providing practical resources and relevant agency news. You are invited to contribute items for publication. Submittal deadline is the 15th day of the month before publication. Watertalk articles can be used in other publications. Please give credit to Watertalk. For mailing list changes, or to contact the editor, call Andrea Lindsay at (206) 553-1896 or 1-800-424-4EPA x!896, or e-mail lindsay.andrea@epa.gov: Mention of trade names, products or services does not convey, and should not be interpreted as conveying, official EPA approval, endorsement or % recommendation. i| 'temative formats available upon request. Please call Andrea Undsay to request reasonable accommodation. TTY: 1-800-877-8339. Please recycle or share with a friend. In This Issue.. Sustainable Water Infrastructure Stimulus and the Environment A Ton of Bright Ideas Healthy Watersheds and Wikis A Barrel of Rain Much More... ------- |