Lower Columbia River
      Estuary
                           Rio Puerco
                                            Upper Tennessee River
                                                                             Targeted Watershed Grant Awards  • 200
                        "This Targeted Watershed
                        Grants Program provides
                        shining examples ot the real
                        results we can achieve when
                        government, communities,
                        private landowners, and  busi-
                        nesses all work together
                        towards our shared goals ot
                        a healthy environment and a
                        strong economy."
   • Benjamin H. Grumbles, Acting Assistant
    Administrator tor Water, United States
    Environmental Protection Agency
         The Bottom Line
        Major reductions in pollution of nutrients, sediment,
        and bacteria
        Protected drinking water supply
        Increased aquatic habitat and wildlife
        Return of native fish and endangered species
        Enhanced recreation opportunities
        Reduction in health advisories
        Innovative market solutions
        Stronger community partnerships
        Improved environmental stewardship
        Shared success stories  and methods
        Public education and communication
        Catalyst for additional projects
        Greater awareness of relationship with environment
                                                                          The twenty significant EPA grant awards stretching across the country include both large and relatively
                                                                          small watersheds.  While some are urban, most include rural and agricultural lands. Some are in the
                                                                          desert, several are in forests, and two reach into high alpine rocky mountains. One is in a bayou; sev-
                                                                          eral are coastal. Some are managed by Indian tribes. Although they differ in size and scope, all of the
                                                                          watershed partnerships reflect the unique customs and cultural values of the region.
                                                                                                                                                           Meduxnekeag RjS
                                                                                                                                                                 CharlesiRiMfii;
                                                                                                                                                       Narraganse
                                                                                                                                                      per Susquehan
                                                                                                                                                             H
                                                                                                        m     --       i
                                                                                                 GreatervBlue EartnlRiv.er
                                                                                                                                                                      -.---
                                                                                                                                                             V
                                                                                                                                                           reek   Christina
                                                                                                                                                               J
                                                                                                                          * Alaska not shown.
                                                                                                                          Map Source: USGS data sets for land characteristics, state
                                                                                                                          boundaries, Hydrologic Unit Boundaries, and Digital Elevation
                                                                                                                          Model (www.national.atlas.gov) Major Rivers (ESRI)
                                                                                                                                                                                        Innovative Ideas:
Demonstrations ot local ingenuity:
• Rock "Burritos":  rocks wrapped in fabric placed to slow desert
  runoff.  (Rio Puerco)
• Rain Gardens: specially constructed gardens to reduce runoff
  and promote infiltration (Greater Blue Earth)
• Farming demonstrations & workshops to reduce sediment in the
  drinking water supply (Rathbun)
• River Friendly awards: business certification for voluntary water
  quality improvements (Raritan)
• Creation of new recreational areas that preserve green space,
  filter water quality, and moderate water flow (Great Miami)
• Geographic Information System analysis to prioritize restoration
  lands (Rathbun)
• New ordinances  in 36 municipalities (Raritan)
• Targeted educational programs aimed at homebuilders and other
  key watershed users (Cumberland)
• Flow trading: economic-environmental feasibility study of
  stormwater recharge incentives (Charles River)
• Environmental banking credits (Bayou Bartholomew)
• Partnership with  prison workers for restoration and equipment
  operation training (Upper South Platte)
• Cost sharing for  potato farmers to plant spring grain on
  fields to control erosion (Mednuxnekeag)
• SmartStorm™ rainwater collection systems that reduce roof
  runoff and increase infiltration (Charles River)
• Smartyard landscaping: reduced loadings of fertilizers and
  pesticides through native landscaping projects. (Christina)
                        Greater Blue Earth River
Upper South Platte
                                             Cumberland Basin

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                                                                                              •tfr^'Hi
  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a duty to "restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological
  integrity ot the Nation's water."  National regulations have been effective, but only local efforts can tailor solutions to the
  specific physical and socio-cultural knowledge and challenges of the region. To further the important and ambitious goals of
  the Clean Water Act, the EPA is committed to a watershed approach. Watershed partnerships have been emerging across
  the country to reduce pollution and restore local rivers, lakes, and bogs. As a key component of the EPA's commitment to a
  watershed approach, the Agency supports partnerships at all levels - local, state, and regional.  The Targeted Watershed
  Grant Program is designed to acknowledge local ingenuity in  addressing environmental problems.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1
         Selection Criteria
        Awardees were selected based on their ability to
        demonstrate a holistic approach to water quality
        improvements and the following factors:
        • A focus on environmental results
                 Plan feasibility and readiness to proceed
                • Demonstrated ability to succeed
                 Articulated and reasonable performance
                 measures
        • Broad partnerships
        • Innovation
        • Compatibility with other Federal and State programs
          (for detailed information, see 67 FR 53925-30)
                         The Hanalei River Watershed Project is
                         truly a community-based effort guided
                         by the Hawaiian principals of malama
                         'aina (sustainability and stewardship),
                         pono (integrity and balance), laulima
                         (cooperation), and aloha, especially as it
                         applies to cultural equity and respect.
". . . what's most exciting to me is that my daughter will be able to
swim safely in the river."
- Jan Surface, Hanalei River
                     "I took up kayaking after I
                     retired, and I got sick and
                     tired of smelling sewage
                     every single day that I was
                     out on the river.  Now I
                     know who owns all those
                     pipes, so when I smell the
sewage, I know whom to call."
- Roger Fymire, Charles River citizen activist
 and kayaker
                                                                        Photo Credits
    Front Cover
       • James Mcintyre

    Interior
       • Dennis Demcheck
       • James Jacob!

    Back Cover
       • Bill Smith
       • Larry DeBord
                                   our ancestors; we borrow it from our-
                                                                                          EPA840-F-04-002a ;
                                                                                          May 2004
                                                                                                               EPA's 2003 Targeted Watershed Grants  I

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