EPA 908-R-06-025
Spring 2006
A Publication of The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8 Ecosystem Protection Program
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In this Issue:
Targeted Watershed
Grants
CARE Grant
Proposals Due
Innovative Stream
Stabilization
The Energy Policy Act
and Stormwater
Regulations
Review of
"Environmental
Literacy in America"
"Friend of EPA"
Award to Karen Baltz
Webcast-Mania: EPA
Offers Free Seminars
Conferences and
Training
Publications and Web
Resources
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2
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3
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Upper Sevier River, South-Central Utah -Photo by Jim Harris, UDEQ
Targeted Watershed Grants
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for
the 2006 Targeted Watershed Grants
(TWO) is expected to be published in
March, 2006. In 2005, EPA awarded
over $9 million to 12 of the nation's
most outstanding watershed coalitions
as part of the Agency's third round of
Targeted Watersheds Grants. The
Targeted Watersheds Grant Program is
a relatively new EPA program
designed to encourage successful
community-based approaches and
management techniques to protect and
restore the nation's waters. For more
information on this grant program and
to read the RFP, see:
www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/
initiative
Within EPA Region 8, The Upper
Sevier River Watershed received a
2005 grant for approximately $600,000.
Encompassing 2,031 square miles in
south-central Utah, the Upper Sevier
River Watershed is predominantly
public lands with 15 % private
agricultural land concentrated in the
lower elevation valleys. The goal of
this project is to establish a coldwater
fishery by restoring impacted stream
reaches and correct habitat alteration,
and by reducing phosphorus loading
and sediment levels through improved
irrigation practices. The project will
also provide landowners with tools and
training for the conservation of water
resources and maintenance of a
(Continued on page 2)
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sustainable fishery through proper grazing management.
Water quality, biological and physical habitat parameters
will be monitored. In addition, UDEQ's Division of
Water Quality will monitor changes in fish populations
under its current surveying program.
For more information on the TWG program, contact
Gary Kleeman at (303) 312-6246 or
kleeman.gary@epa.gov
CARE Grant Proposals Due April 10, 2006
The new Community Action for a Renewed Environment
(CARE) program sponsored by EPA is a competitive
grant program that offers an innovative way for
communities to take action to reduce toxic pollution.
CARE educates and supports communities by helping
them assess the pollution risks they face while also
providing funding and access to EPA and other voluntary
programs to address local environmental priorities.
Funding ranges from $75,000 — $300,000 per
community. Find out more at:
http://www.epa.gov/care or contact Nancy Reish of
EPA Region 8 at (303) 312-6040.
Innovative Stream Stabilization
~ Jim Wulliman, Muller Engineering Company
The Cottonwood Creek Project in southeast Denver
provides an innovative example of restoring a degraded
urban stream. The project was recently constructed by
the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority to help
reduce the amount of sediment and phosphorus entering
Cherry Creek Reservoir from a tributary with typical
Prior to the project, Cottonwood Creek was deeply incised
and actively eroding, conveying phosphorus-laden sediment
to Cherry Creek Reservoir.
-Photo by Muller Engineering Company
Grade-control structures designed to emulate natural
stream riffles using a mix of rock observed in a
tributary to Cottonwood Creek.
~ Photo by Muller Engineering Company
urban stream erosion issues. The project involved
filling in a deep, actively-eroding channel to create a
shallow, stable base flow channel meandering
through riffles and pools. The rock riffles,
constructed to replicate similar natural grade control
formations observed in a nearby creek, provide grade
control, energy dissipation, and aquatic habitat. The
riffles are less than one-foot high and gently sloped
at a ratio of 15 (horizontal) to one (vertical) to
provide for fish passage. The raised base flow
channel is less than two feet below the surrounding
overbanks, keeping the water table close to the
ground surface to encourage the growth of riparian
and upland vegetation, and allowing flood flows to
spill into the wide overbank areas.
The goal was to create a healthy natural stream
channel - one that is stable, well-vegetated, and able
to relieve energy during high-water events by
allowing runoff to spread into the overbanks. Under
the right conditions this slows the water down,
reduces erosional forces, increases the storage and
infiltration of runoff, and enhances water quality.
For further information please contact Jim
Wulliman at iwulliman@mullereng.com or (303)
988-4939.
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The 2005 Energy Policy Act and Stormwater
Regulations
~ Greg Davis, EPA Region 8
The last issue of Natural News discussed revisions to the
Clean Water Act as they pertain to oil and gas
construction activities. These revisions affect oil and gas
construction activities such that any construction
associated with oil and gas exploration, production,
processing, treatment, or transmission is no longer
required to be permitted under the Clean Water Act.
During a January 10, 2006, Colorado Water Quality
Control Commission hearing, the State of Colorado
questioned whether these revisions affected the State's
authority. Some representatives of the oil and gas
industry argued that the Energy Bill preempts Colorado's
ability to regulate stormwater discharges from oil and gas
construction activities. However, based on advice from
the State Attorney General's Office and the analysis of
other parties to the proceeding, the Commission
disagreed. It was determined that, although Congress
eliminated most federal regulation of stormwater
discharges from oil and gas construction activities,
Congress did not state that such activities cannot be
regulated by state governments.
In the proceeding, the Commission considered whether, in
view of the provisions of the 2005 federal Energy Policy
Act of 2005 (the Energy Bill), any revisions should be
adopted to current Colorado requirements regarding
stormwater discharge permits for oil and gas construction
activities. The Commission decided to leave unchanged
the current stormwater discharge permit requirements for
oil and gas construction activities. Therefore, the State of
Colorado will continue to regulate construction associated
with oil and gas activities, so long as the construction
disturbs equal to or greater than one acre of land.
The final actions of the Commission were codified in
Colorado's Control Regulation #61 (5 CCR 1002-61).
The regulation, details from the hearing, and further
background on permitting oil and gas construction
activities can be obtained from the Commission's web
site: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/op/wqcc
For more information, contact Greg Davis at
davis.gregory@epa.gov
"There are no
passengers on
spaceship Earth.
We are all crew."
Marshall McLuhan
Review of "Environmental Literacy in
America" Report
~ Darcy Campbell, EPA Region 8
If you are in the business of educating the public on
environmental issues, read this report titled
"Environmental Literacy in America: What Ten
Years ofNEETF/Roper Research and Related Studies
Say about Environmental Literacy in the U.S." It was
published by the National Environmental Education
and Training Foundation in Sept. 2005.
Quoting from the preface, it"... provides a loud
wake-up call to the environmental education
community, to community leaders, and to influential
specialists ranging from physicians to weathercasters.
At a time when Americans are confronted with
increasingly challenging environmental choices, we
learn that our citizenry is by and large both
uniformed and misinformed."
Here are some interesting tidbits from the report:
• About 80 % of Americans are heavily influenced
by incorrect or outdated environmental myths.
• Just 12 % of Americans can pass a basic quiz on
awareness of energy topics.
• Most adults get environmental information from
TV and the internet.
• Kids get their environmental information from
the following sources:
- 72 % from TV
- 51 % from school
- 49 % from parents
- 40 % from friends
(Continued on page 4)
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• 80 % of all students decide before high school to opt
out of advanced math and professional scientific
pursuits.
• The environment is the number one subject of choice
for community service projects for youth.
• The "Influentials", "True Blue Greens", and
"Environmental Information Seekers" together make
up about 25% of the population of the U.S, and are
the people to target for implementing environmental
change. Check out the report to find out who these
people are at: http://www.neetf.org
Don't forget to take the quiz and see how you score!
"Friend of EPA" Award to Karen Baltz,
Majestic View Nature Center, Arvada, CO
~ Paul Melver, EPA Region 8
EPA Presents Majestic View Nature Center with the
"Friend of EPA Award." From left to right are Paul
Mdver,(EPA wetlands educator), Kathy Okon,
(Evironmental Education Specialist for Majestic View Na-
ture Center), Dr. Gene Reetz (EPA Wetlands Team
Leader), and Karen Baltz (Majestic View Nature Center.
Director). -Photo by Pern Mclver
A "Friend of EPA" Award for outstanding
environmental achievement went to Karen Baltz,
Director of the City of Arvada's Majestic View Nature
Center. The Center conducts many programs for
educating the public about the environment, including
aquatic resources and wetlands. Many school groups
benefit from these programs in a unique setting that is
completely urbanized. The center has a deep valley
lined with wetlands that empty into a pond. The hills
surrounding the pond and wetlands have some native
prairie vegetation. The Director, Karen Baltz, does an
outstanding job of developing programs, administering
the site and working with schools and others
organizations to ensure high quality environmental
education. The award was presented to her on
February 6, at the Arvada City Hall during the weekly
City Council meeting. The mayor was presented a
certificate of recognition and Karen was awarded a
trophy for her efforts.
Webcast-Mania: EPA Offers Free
Seminars
~ Darcy Campbell, EPA Region 8
Have you noticed the explosion in Web-based
training? This is a great way to get training at very
minimal cost. I've summarized many of EPA's
offerings below. You can view past webcasts to catch
up on what you've missed.
Watershed Academy Webcast Seminars
EPA sponsors monthly Webcasts to offer free training
and information for watershed practitioners from
around the globe.
Wednesday, March 22nd Sustainable Funding for
Watershed Groups
Wendy Wilson and Pat Munoz, River Network
Explore the keys to effective fundraising, including
organization essentials, top fundraising strategies, and
a comprehensive fundraising plan.
Wednesday, April 19th Opportunities for Citizen
Involvement in the Clean Water Act
Gayle Killam, River Network
Learn how citizens and organizations can make a
difference in their watersheds through an improved
understanding of the Clean Water Act and other
national laws addressing water resources.
Wednesday, May 17th (in celebration of American
Wetlands Month): Integrating Wetlands in
Watershed Protection Efforts
TomSchueler, Center for Watershed Protection
Find out how local communities can integrate wetlands
into larger watershed protection efforts and learn about
new tools to help protect these valuable aquatic
resources.
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Wednesday, June 28th Influencing Behaviors Using
Social Marketing
Charlie MacPherson, Tetra Tech, Inc. and Chris
Conner, EPA 's Chesapeake Bay Program
Learn how social marketing techniques can be applied
in your watershed to influence behaviors and build
environmental stewardship.
Registration is available on a first-come/first-served
basis and opens approximately one week prior to each
seminar at www.clu-in.org/live.
Each Webcast includes a Web-based slide presentation
with a companion audio portion that can be accessed
either by phone or by streaming audio. Because of the
growing popularity of these Webcasts, we encourage
participants to reserve a conference room and invite
others. Audio versions of all past Webcasts can be
accessed at www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts.
Past topics include:
Plan2Fund: A Tool to Organize Your Watershed
Funding.
For more information about the Plan2Fund Watershed
Tool, visit:
http://sspa.boisestate.edu/efc/Tools Services/
Plan2Fund/plan2fund.htm.
Introduction to Trading for Water Quality
Protection
Phase II Stormwater
Low Impact Development Strategies, Tools and
Techniques for Sustainable Watersheds
The ABCs of TMDLs for Stakeholders
Getting in Step: Developing Your Message and
Publicizing it Effectively
Eight Tools for Watershed Protection in Developing
Areas
In addition to Webcasts, the Watershed Academy
sponsors live classroom training and on-line distance
learning modules through the Watershed Academy Web
at www.epa.gov/watertrain. For more information,
visit www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/wacademy.
Source Water Protection: A Webcast Series
EPA and the Association of Metropolitan Water
Agencies are working on a series of interactive
Webcasts designed to allow owners and operators of
drinking water utilities to share their experiences with
source water protection. The first Webcast, "Source
Water Protection: Monitoring and Data Sharing," aired
on January 25, 2006. This Webcast, which addressed
issues including real-time reporting, water monitoring,
emerging contaminants and data sharing, attracted
approximately 200 viewers. It is available for viewing
at:
https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/encounter/view?
id=11347531610127
A Webcast on land development and growth aired on
February 22. The third Webcast on collaborative
communication and regulatory and non-regulatory tools
will air on March 22, 2006, from 1— 3 p.m., Eastern
Standard Time (EST).
Registration must be made in advance to participate in
the Webcasts. Participants will need a telephone and a
computer with an Internet connection. Complete
instructions will be provided upon registration. To
register, visit EPA's Drinking Water Academy Training
Calendar at: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwa/
calendar.html
This Web site also contains links to information about
speakers and specific presentation topics. Questions
about the Webcast series may be directed to Tracy
Hudak at hudak.tracy@epa.gov.
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"The beauty of the living world ...
has always been uppermost in my
mind ... 7 have felt bound by a sol-
emn obligation to do what I could -
if I didn 't at least try I could never
again be happy in nature ... there
would be no peace for me if I kept
silent."
Carson (1907—1964)
^
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Stormwater Webcasts
EPA is announcing a new series of Webcast training
sessions for municipal stormwater managers. Webcasts
will be scheduled approximately every other month from
now until September.
First Webcast: Post-Construction Overview and
Introduction to Smart Growth and Low-Impact
Development. March 8, 2006, 1-3 p.m. EST.
Nikos Singelis, U.S. EPA Stormwater Program,
Instructor. Geoffrey Anderson, Director of EPA's Smart
Growth Program, Guest Speaker.
Sign up for this Webcast at:
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/training
Future Topics and Tentative Dates (final dates and
speakers will be announced later):
• Construction 101 - 5/10/06
• Stormwater Utilities 201 - 7/12/06
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
101 - Program Development (with the Center for
Watershed Protection) 9/13/06
Conferences and Training
2006 National River Rally
To be held near Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, May 5 — 9,
2006. For more information see:
http://www.rivernetwork.org/rally
5th National Monitoring Conference-Monitoring
Networks: Connecting for Clean Water
May 7-11, 2006. San Jose McEnery Convention Center, San
Jose, CA. Organized by the National Water Quality Monitoring
Council.
http://www.tetratech-ffx.com/nwqmc06/
Second National Water Quality Trading
Conference
The Second National Water Quality Trading Conference will
be held May 23-25, 2006, in Pittsburgh, PA. A collaboration
of EPA, the USDA and the Farm Foundation, this conference
will explore opportunities and challenges associated with
developing trading programs. To see a tentative program visit:
www.farmfoundation.org
Publications and Web Resources
Live from Nebraska - Crane Cam
The Crane Cam sits in the middle of the Platte River at Rowe
Sanctuary in Nebraska. The 2006 Crane Cam is a joint effort
between Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary and National Geographic
beginning February 28th.
The Kids and Cranes page (http://
magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/cranecam/kids.html)
contains educational Web videos about sandhill cranes,
migration,and the importance of the Platte River. The site
also includes educational activities. Go to:
http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/362685
"Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans
to Restore and Protect Our Waters"
EPA's Office of Water has published a guide to watershed
management to help various organizations develop and
implement watershed plans. The "Handbook for
Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our
Waters" is aimed toward communities, watershed groups,
and local, state, tribal and federal environmental agencies.
The 414-page handbook is designed to take the user through
each step of the watershed planning process: watershed
monitoring and assessment, community outreach, selection
and application of available models, best management
practices, effectiveness data bases, implementation,
feedback and plan adjustment.
The handbook is intended to supplement existing watershed
planning guides that have been developed by agencies,
universities and other nonprofit organizations.
This handbook is more specific than other guides about
quantifying existing pollutant loads, developing estimates of
the load reductions required to meet water-quality standards,
developing effective management measures, and tracking
progress once the plan is implemented. The handbook is
available online at:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/watershed handbook
You can order a free copy from the National Service Center
for Environmental Publications by calling 800-490-9198 or
e-mail ncepimal@one.net. When ordering, please refer to
EPA document number: EPA 841-B-05-005.
Water Protection Toolkit for Local Officials:
Connecting Land Use with Water Quality
A free copy of the "Water Protection Toolkit" is available
at: www.awarecolorado.org
Aware Colorado is a statewide program to help communities
protect water quality through land use choices. Its purpose
is to educate local decision makers about the impacts of land
use on water quality.
Robocow Returns
Check it out! Robocow returns and tackles ground water
contamination from improperly sited or abandoned wells
and urban activities. Lots of fun and lots of great
information — what a great way to reach people!
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/flash/robocow2/en/
robocow2 e.htm
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Wetlands Web Site
The Center for Watershed Protection has a great new wetlands
web site at: www.cwp.org/wetlands
Management Handbook for Septic/Decentralized
Systems
A "how-to guide" for implementing EPA's Voluntary National
Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered
(Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems. The guide
describes a step-by-step approach for the development of a
community management program for decentralized
wastewater systems. It includes specific community examples,
gives an overview of the elements essential for sound
management of these systems, and provides links to extensive
resources. Published 12/01/2005. To download a copy go to:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/guidelines.cfm
Colorado's Water: Headwaters of the West
Channel 7 News has a new website dedicated to water
education, including information on snowpack, watersheds of
Colorado, links to other sites and much more. Go to:
http://kmgh.iewatershed.com/index.php
Earth Day Plans
Earth Day will be held April 22. Here are some websites with
information and ideas:
Government agencies: http://www.earthdav.gov
EnviroLink's Earth Day Online:
http://earthdav.envirolink.org/
Earth Day Network: http://www.earthdav.net/
The Nature Conservancy:
http://nature.org/earthdav/
National Environmental Education Week:
http://www.eeweek.org/
EPA Reports on Stormwater Best Management
Practices
EPA's "Using Smart Growth Techniques as Stormwater Best
Management Practices" reviews nine common smart growth
techniques and examines how they can be used to prevent or
manage Stormwater runoff. This publication will help
communities encourage smart growth and meet their new
regulatory requirements. Go to
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/stormwater.htm to learn
more about this report or to order copies.
Agricultural Guide Provides New Tools for
Landowners
The Rocky Mountain Agricultural Landowners Guide is the
product of a unique partnership between American Farmland
Trust and Coleman Natural Foods through the Coleman Eco-
Project 2015, a 10-year relationship that addresses the critical
need to protect U.S. working farms and ranches. In this guide,
you will find information outlining tools and federal and state
programs to help farmers and ranchers conserve their land and
maintain its long-term health for future generations.
The guide is available online at http://
www.farmlandinfo.org/documents/30427/
FINAL Rocky Mountain Guide.pdf.
The New Colorado Wastewater Mentoring
Program
The Mentoring Program is designed to provide online and
personal mentoring services to wastewater collection and
treatment agencies throughout the State of Colorado. The
program is to assist smaller communities with wastewater
problems, compliance issues and water quality standards-
related issues. In addition to being matched with mentors,
mentees will be able to ask questions online (Bulletin
Board), and to link to other Websites to find a consultant,
contractor, or service to assist them with their question or
problem. Mentees receive technical and managerial
expertise from experienced individuals (mentors) at low risk
and low cost.without having to learn by trial and error. The
Mentoring Program is co-sponsored by the Colorado
Rural Water Association & the Colorado Water
Quality Control Division.
For more information visit the web site at:
http://www.cwwuc.org/Mentoring/Mentoring.html
The Saint Vrain River, Colorado
-Photo by PaulMcIver
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Volunteer Monitoring
Tina Laidlaw (406) 457-5016
laidlaw.tina@epa.gov
Wetlands
Paul Mclver (303) 312-6056
mciver.paul@epa.gov
Watersheds and Community-
Based Environmental Protection
Gary Kleeman (303) 312-6246
kleeman.gary@epa.gov
Ground Water
Darcy Campbell (303) 312-6709
campbell.darcy@epa.gov
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Peter Monahan (303) 312-6946
monahan.peter@epa.gov
EPA Region 8 Environmental
Information Service Center
1-800-227-8917
Natural News
Editor: Darcy Campbell
Layout: Greg Davis
If you have an article concerning ecosystem protec-
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Ecosystem Stewardship on the web: http://www.epa.gov/region8/community_resources/steward/est.html
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