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.
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CharlesiRiMfii;
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reek Christina
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* 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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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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