Idaho
                                     Oregon
                             Washington
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 Bulletin - EPA 910/9-92-043
                                                      January 2006
An EPA Birthday:
35  Years  of Environmental Protection
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. Looking back,
great progress has been made in reducing pollu-
tion and protecting the health of Americans. Since
its creation by President Nixon on December 2,
1970, EPA has been helping to achieve a cleaner,
healthier environment.

"While at 35, EPA may still be one of the newer
kids on the block, the results we have delivered to
the American people can stack  up next to any of
our federal partners in the government," said EPA
Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "EPAs birthday
present is cleaner air, water, and land for all Ameri-
cans...."

Between 1970 and 2004, total emissions of the six
major air pollutants dropped by 54 percent. At the
same time, the gross domestic product increased
187 percent, energy consumption increased 47
percent, and U.S. population grew by 40 percent-a
sign that economic growth and environmental
protection do go hand in hand.
 In  This Issue..
        OUGHT
  ECO
EPA News to update you
on agency activities,
page 1.


Tools to clue you in on
resources, publications,
opportunities, and
services, pages 2-5.

Spotlight to showcase
success  stories and
environmental stars,
pages 5-6.

WaterWords to share
stories from communi-
ties around the Greater
Northwest, page 7.

Ecosystem to provide
news that goes beyond
water topics, pages 8-10.
                       Through restoration efforts, 600,000 acres of once
                       contaminated land now provide ecological, eco-
                       nomic, and recreational benefits. Last year alone,
                       EPA and its partners took action to restore, en-
                       hance, and protect nearly 830,000 acres of wet-
                       lands. In the enforcement area, since 1995, EPA
                       has received commitments from industry to spend
                       more than $35 billion on environmental improve-
                       ments, reducing more than 10 billion pounds of
                       pollutants annually.

                       After 35 years, EPAs work continues. In 2005, for
                       example, new rules for  mercury and interstate air
                       pollution will reduce power-plant emissions and
                       launch a campaign to reduce diesel-engine pollu-
                       tion. EPA also announced $76.7 million in
                       Brownfields grant funding.  The funds will be used
                       to assess, clean up, and revitalize blighted sites  in
                       45 states.

                       For more information on ERA'S 35th Anniversary,
                       visit: http://epa.gov/35thanniversary/.
Get WaterTalk by List'Serv!

A great way to save trees and reduce clutter! Now
you can get WaterTalk Newsletter electronically, by
list-serv.  Simply go to www.epa.gov/regionlO and
sign up for the Region 10 Water News Listserv.
Then, send an e-mail asking to be removed from
the hard-copy mailing list to
lindsay.andi ea @epa.gov.
Easy! Each quarter, you
will get an e-mail telling
you when the new
WaterTalk issue is ready,
and linking you to its
location on the Web.
Once in a while, you will
get other water-related
news from EPA. If you
already receive e-mail
notification of WaterTalk,
you will be automatically
added to the list-serv.

-------
EPA Launches Hispanic Environmental Health Webpage
EPA Lanza Pdgina Web Sobre Salud Ambiental Hispana
EPA has launched a new webpage in Spanish.  It
offers information on environmental issues and
their effects among Hispanics living  in the United
States. The new page, "El medio ambiente y su
salud" (The Environment and Your Health), focuses
on a different issue every month.

Topics to be covered include environmental health
issues of special concern to Hispanics. These issues
include asthma, lead-poisoning prevention, radon,
carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and mold,
among others. This new webpage presents infor-
mation in both Spanish and English.  It is part of
the agency's overall efforts to educate Hispanics,
researchers, and health care providers on how
environmental health issues affect Hispanic com-
munities throughout the nation.

To view this page, visit: www.epa.gov/espanol/
asma.htm. This new page is part of EPA's Spanish
   portal. To view EPA's consolidated Spanish site,
   visit: www.epa.gov/espanol.
EPA Performance and

Accountability Report

                    EPA's FY 2005 Perfor-
                    mance and Accountability
                    Report describes to Con-
                    gress, the President, and
                    the public the Agency's
                    environmental, program-
                    matic, and financial
                    performance over the past
                    fiscal year. The report
                    satisfies a number of
                    legislative reporting
                    requirements. Printed
                    copies are available from
                    EPA's National Service
Center for Environmental Publications at 800-490-
9198 or by e-mail via ncepimal@one.net. Ask for
publication number EPA-190-R-05-001. EPA wel-
comes comments on the report. For details, includ-
ing a PDF version for download, visit http://
www.epa.gov/ocfo/finstatement/2005par/.
   Online Directory Helps Find Funding

   The Environmental Finance Center at Boise State
   University maintains a national funding database,
   called the Directory of Watershed Resources. This
   resource is an online, searchable database for
   watershed restoration funding. It includes informa-
   tion on federal, state (Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
   and Alaska), private,  and other sources of funding
   and assistance. The Web address for this directory
   recently changed to http://efc.boisestate.edu/.
   New Watershed Website Gives Funding Info

   EPA has launched a new Watershed Funding
   website. The pages contain links to tools, data-
   bases, and resources about grants, funding, and
   fundraising. The website can help nonprofit water-
   shed organizations, state and local governments,
   and funders (e.g., foundations) more easily find
   information so that they can effectively obtain and
   invest resources to improve watershed health. Visit
   the Watershed Funding homepage at
   www.epa.gov/owow/funding.html.
WaterTalk January 2006
Page 2

-------
New Nonpoint Source
Success Stories Online
Should I Have
My Home  Water Tested?
EPA has added 8 new stories to the Section 319
Nonpoint Source Success Stories website. The site
features projects receiving grant funds from the
Clean Water Act §319 Nonpoint Source Program.
The stories focus on projects with documented
water quality improvements, including the achieve-
ment of water quality standards and removal from
state lists of impaired waters. Visit the website at:
www.epa.gov/nps/success.
  Ocean* US
Ocean.US was created by the National Oceano-
graphic Partnership Program. Ocean.US is de-
signed to coordinate the development of an opera-
tional and integrated and sustained ocean observ-
ing system. EPA is one of nine federal agencies
participating in the development of this Integrated
Ocean Observing System (IOOS).  Information from
this system will serve national needs for:
•  Detecting and forecasting oceanic components
  of climate variability
  Facilitating safe and efficient marine operations
  Ensuring national security
  Managing resources for sustainable use
  Preserving and restoring healthy marine
  ecosystems
  Mitigating natural hazards
  Ensuring public health

For more information, see www.ocean.us.
Should I have my home
water tested? The
answer to this question
depends on several
factors. It concerns your
health and the health of
your family, so you
need to know some
basic facts. In addition
to illness, a variety of
less serious problems
such as taste, color,
odor and staining of
clothes or fixtures are
signs of possible water quality problems. Other
things to think about include the nearness of your
water well to septic systems and the composition
of your home's plumbing materials.

A fact sheet is available online to help answer the
question. It provides information to help you
decide whether or not to have your water tested,
and if so, suggests tests for your situation.  See the
fact sheet on the web at: www.epa.gov/safewater/
faq/pdfs/fs_homewatertesting.pdf.
Wetlands and Riparian

Areas  Guidance Out

EPA recently published National Management
Measures to Protect and Restore Wetlands and
Riparian Areas for the Abatement of Nonpoint
Source Pollution. The guidance gives background
information about nonpoint source pollution,
including where it comes from and how it enters
the nation's waters. It discusses the broad concept
of assessing and addressing water quality problems
on a watershed level. It also presents recent
technical information about how to reduce certain
types of nonpoint source pollution. The guidance
is intended to be a reference document for use by
state and tribal managers and members of the
public working on nonpoint source pollution
management programs. For information or to
download, visit .www.epa.gov/owow/nps/
wetmeasures. Or, get a free copy from the Na-
tional Service Center for Environmental Publica-
tions via phone at 800-490-9198 or on the Web at
www.epa.gov/ncepihom. Request publication #
EPA841-B-05-003.
                                        Page 3
                         WaterTalk January 2006

-------
Virtual Info Center Covers

Animal Feeding Operations

Interested in livestock
agricultural  issues? The
AFO Virtual Informa-
tion Center is a tool for
quick access to livestock
agricultural  information
in the United States.
This site is a single point
of reference for a range
of information. Get links
to state regulations,
websites, permits and
policies, nutrient man-
agement information,
livestock and trade
associations, federal
websites, best manage-
ment practices and
controls, cooperative
extension and land grant universities, research,
funding, and information on environmental issues.
Visit the AFO Virtual Information Center at http://
cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/virtualcenter.cfm.


Watershed  Academy Webcasts

Now  Posted,  More Coming

The audio versions of a past webcasts by EPA's
Watershed Academy are now posted on the
Internet. 'The ABCs of TMDLs," for example,
covered the basics of the Clean Water Act section
303(d) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program.
The online seminar attracted hundreds of partici-
pants from 40 states, Ecuador, Italy and Canada.
People participated via streaming audio or phone
lines, while viewing the PowerPoint presentation
on the Internet. The entire presentation, complete
with audio,  can be viewed at the Clu-In website at:
http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/abctmdL092805/

Other past webcasts now available include Phase  II
Stormwater, Low Impact Development, Developing
Your Message, and Watershed Protection in  Devel-
oping Areas. EPA plans to host webcasts monthly.
Future (and  past) offerings will be posted on the
Watershed Academy website at: http://
www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts/.  Local water-
shed organizations, municipal leaders, and others
are invited to sign up for these free, online webcast
training sessions. Note that there are a  limited
number of toll-free phone lines available. Register
early to hold your spot!
            XV Anyone?

    EPA offers lots of free videos and DVDs
    on a range of environmental topics.
    Borrow one today. Call 800-424-4372
    or 206-553-1200 to learn
    what is available and have it
    mailed to you.
    DVD Features Puget
    Sound Creatures

    A DVD called Return of the
    Plankton is now available for free
    two-week loan from EPA. The DVD features
    underwater footage of creatures in Puget Sound,
    tracking their behavior across the four seasons
    and their relationships within the food web. The
    colorful, up-close views of the local marine life in
    this DVD will help people leap the chasm be-
    tween considering the water as a mystery, as
    someone else's responsibility, or
    see it as an extension of their own neighbor-
    hood. Produced by Cameron Snow and pub-
    lished by John F. Williams of Still Hope Produc-
    tions, the 27-minute movie follows divers
    through the diverse habitats of Puget Sound.

    The movie features music by local musicians, an
    improvisation on Native American flute and
    drum, and a composition by Pulitzer Prize winner
    Charles Wuorinen. Over 150 stills of creatures
    from the movie are on the DVD, along with their
    common names, scientific names, and informa-
    tion about their habitat and diet.  Other educa-
    tional features include a map of the marine food
    web, a quiz, and a bibliography.

    To borrow the video, call EPA's Public Environ-
    mental Resource Center at 206-553-1200 or 800-
    424-4372. To purchase your own copy, learn
    more, or see photos, visit
    www.StillHopeProductions.com.
 WaterTalk January 2006
Page 4

-------
Power of Change

Do you work with older Americans on environ-
mental issues? Then you might find EPA's Power
of Change kit useful. The "Power of Change"
campaign teaches older Americans what they can
do to help reduce waste and protect the environ-
ment for the next generation. This free kit of
resources  explains how to reduce waste, conserve
our natural resources, and save energy. Visit the
website at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/aging/.
 Clean Water Act Text Online

 Searchable full text of the Clean Water Act is
 available online. A summary is offered, as well.
 Visit EPA's website at www.epa.gov/epahome/
 Iaws.htm.  Scroll down to "The Clean Water Act.'
Willamette  Partnership and Skagit Delta Projects
Receive Watershed Grant Awards
EPA recently announced the third round of Tar-
geted Watershed Grant awards, aimed at protect-
ing and restoring America's waterways. Two
projects in Region 10 are among 12 projects
nationwide to get funding under this program this
year.

The Willamette Partnership is one of those win-
ners. Their award of $779,000 supports an innova-
tive water quality trading program to reduce
stream temperatures and support salmon recovery.

According to M. Socorro Rodriguez, EPA's Oregon
Operations Director, the best watershed protection
efforts are those that include everyone in the
process. "This grant not only recognizes the impor-
tance of the Willamette River Basin to our region,
but it also recognizes the innovative efforts of the
dedicated people who formed the Willamette
Partnership," Rodriguez said. "This diverse group is
working together toward a common environmen-
tal goal. The Partnership's water quality trading
project is an excellent example of how much can
be accomplished when all of the stakeholders in a
watershed come together and work
collaboratively."
The Skagit Delta Project in Washington is the
second regional project to be awarded.  They will
receive $774,000 to help preserve farmland and
aid in wild salmon recovery in the Skagit River
basin.

The Skagit Delta Project builds on two ground-
breaking agreements between the Skagit-area
Indian Tribes and farmers. The goal is to prevent
development of dwindling farmlands and increase
access to farmlands for fish and waterfowl habitat
restoration projects. Under the project, The Nature
Conservancy will compensate farmers who grow
waterfowl friendly crops during fallow seasons.
The Nature Conservancy and the Tribes also will
work with local diking districts to improve fish
habitat and field drainage efficiency. This unique
project involves Tribes, farmers, agricultural organi-
zations, researchers, conservation groups, and local
civic leaders all working together to protect and
restore both agricultural lands and aquatic habitats.

For details about the Targeted Watershed Grant
program, contact Bevin Reid, EPA, at 800-424-
4372, 206-553-1566, or reid.bevin@epa.gov.  Or,
see the National Targeted Watershed Grants
website at: www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/

                                          Page 5
                          WaterTalk January 2006

-------

Three  Northwest Facilities Accepted  to
EPA  Performance  Track Program
Fort Lewis Public Works, Louisiana-Pacific Mines
Engineered Wood Products, and GiQ/w"!a-Da'"ifi'"
Resins, Inc., Albany, Oregon, were i
bers of EPA's National Environment
Track program in 2005. They join i
facilities in their commitment to en1
stewardship. Performance Track re
that:
•  voluntarily exceed regulatory rec
•  implement systems for improvinj
  environmental management,
•  work with their communities, ani
•  set three-year goals for improver
  environmental performance.

Only facilities with records of sus-
tained compliance with environ-
mental requirements may
participate in this program.

To date, Performance Track
members have collectively
reduced their water use by 1.3
billion gallons and their genera-
tion of solid waste by nearly
970,000 tons. Also, they have
increased their use of reused or
recycled materials by nearly 77,00(
tons, and reduced greenhouse gas
emissions by the equivalent of
67,000 tons of carbon dioxide.

The facilities have committed to
specific "beyond compliance"
environmental improvements over
the next three years. These im-
provements include the conservatk
750 acres of oak woodlands and p	
habitat at Fort Lewis; reducing water use by over
one million gallons at Louisiana-Pacific, Mines
Engineered Wood Products; and decreasing pro-
curement packaging by over 6,000 pounds at
Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc., Albany, Oregon.

As part of Performance Track, these Pacific North-
west facilities are eligible for many program ben-
efits. Benefits include EPA recognition, national
                                            and local networking opportunities, and regulatory
                                            and administrative incentives which cut paperwork,
                                            increase flexibility, and help facilities focus on
                                            environmental improvement.
                                            For more information about Performance Track,
                                            visit www.epa.gov/performancetrack or call 888-
                                            339-PTRK.
WaterTalk January 2006
                                         Page 6

-------
                      To view WaterTalk on the Internet, go to www.epa.gov/r10earth/watertalk.htm.
EPA  Divers  Help  with Water Quality Research
How many septic tanks does it take to impair a
water body? That is the question the EPA Region
10 Dive Team wanted to help answer during last
year's dives in Hammersly Inlet/Oakland Bay.  The
Dive Team helped the Washington Department of
Ecology deploy, recover, and maintain current
meters, including one acoustic Doppler current
profiler (ADCP). The meters are being used to
research water quality in this waterway.

The team conducted the dives in April, October,
and December 2005. Due to strong currents in the
area, the divers were tethered.  Once on the  bot-
tom, divers hammered in stakes to hold the ADCP
and make sure it was properly oriented.  Informa-
tion on currents will be used to develop and
calibrate a "hydrodynamic model" for the inlet. The
model will show the amount of bacteria and
nutrients that can be released into the water body
while still meeting environmental and human
health standards. Bacteria coming from many
sources, including the growing number of septic
tanks in the area, can lead to problems for shellfish
and recreation in the Bay. In Washington, the
Department of Ecology is in charge of implement-
ing the Clean Water Act.  See the Ecology website
for more details: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pro-
grams/wq/tmdl/watershed/oakland_bay/. More
information on EPAs regional dive team can be
found at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/rlO/oea.nsf/
webpage/dive+team. Or, call Rob Pedersen at
206-553-1646 or 800-424-4372.
EPA divers deploy a meter to measure currents
Pretreatment Streamlining Rule Finalized
EPA has finalized the Pretreatment Streamlining
Rule. This rule revises how industrial and commer-
cial facilities must manage their wastewater before
sending it on to publicly owned treatment works
for final treatment. Manufacturing dischargers must
use treatment techniques and management prac-
tices to reduce the discharge of harmful pollutants
that could interfere with municipal treatment plant
processes or contaminate waterways. The Pretreat-
ment Streamlining Rule updates the National
Pretreatment Program which has been in place for
more than thirty years. Details about the rule are at
www.epa.gov/npdes/pretreatment.
                                         Page 7
                         WaterTalk January 2006

-------
ECO

Beneficial Landscaping:

Prepare Now  to Welcome Breeding Birds

Late fall and winter months are the time to clean and prepare homes for our beloved wild birds. What better way to
welcome the spring?!  We invited Ralph Thomas Rogers to offer us a few pointers on this activity.


Installation and  Maintenance  of Bird Nest Boxes
                                                                  By Ralph Thomas Rogers

Attracting cavity-nesting birds by providing home-
made nesting sites is an ancient tradition. In
Medieval Europe it was common practice to put out
specially made clay or wooden flasks for birds to
nest in. Native Americans hung hollowed-out
gourds to attract Purple Martins.

More than fifty species of North American birds
have been reported  nesting in or on artificial
structures (nest boxes, platforms, etc.). Over thirty-
five species do so on a regular basis.

Making and locating a successful birdhouse is
neither complicated  nor difficult. Specific construc-
tion details and placement will depend on the
target species (see references below). However,
there are some guidelines that will both encourage
occupancy and enhance your tenants' welfare.

(1) Because the young of most cavity nesters are
   born naked they are particularly sensitive to
   temperature extremes. Therefore it is impor-
   tant that the design, location and materials
   used for your nest boxes do not increase the
   birds' vulnerability to the elements.

(2) Most birds have  strong territorial instincts
   which will normally deter them from nesting
   too close to other birds, especially ones of their
   own species. Studies show that, under natural
   conditions, 4 to 5 cavity nesters per acre seem
   to be average for many areas, and this may be
   a reasonable guideline to follow on your
   property. Make boxes that provide for a single
   nest (except for purple martins) and space them
   widely.

(3) Nest boxes should be located to allow for a
   fairly clear flight  path to the entrance. Position
   the box so that the entrance hole is not ex-
   posed to the prevailing direction of wind-driven
   rainstorms. Make sure the box rests vertically
   or slightly slanted downward; if the entrance is
   tilted up it is more vulnerable to precipitation.
WaterTalk January 2006
Page 8

-------
 E

Beneficial Landscaping:
Installation and Maintenance of Bird Nest Boxes  (continued)Q

                                                (4) Cavity nests provide easy prey for cats and
                                                   other predators.  If you or neighbors have
                                                   feline pets, make sure your birdhouse is cat-
                                                   proof. A metal pole with some type of "preda-
                                                   tor guard" should discourage cats as well as
                                                   raccoons, snakes, and other potential egg and
                                                   nestling molesters. Boxes fixed to trees rather
                                                   than freestanding posts are generally more
                                                   vulnerable to predators.

                                                (5) To reduce nest parasites, some of which winter
                                                   over in old nests, remove the contents of your
                                                   nest boxes at the end of the breeding season.
                                                   This chore can be safely done from November
                                                   to February in our area.

                                                (6) Finally, although it is possible to encourage
                                                   certain species and discourage others by
                                                   methods of construction and location, it is
                                                   often difficult to keep house sparrows and/or
                                                   European starlings from invading your nest
                                                   boxes. If these species are present in your
                                                   area,  keep the nest box entrance hole blocked
                                                   until the species you want to encourage has
                                                   returned in the spring. If the starlings or house
                                                   sparrows begin to build, simply remove nest
                                                   material as it  is deposited in the nest box. If
                                                   eggs or young of these alien species are
                                                   present, it is up to you whether or not to evict
                                                   them, as they are not legally protected.

                                                References	

                                                - Link, Russell. 2004. Living With Wildlife in the Pacific
                                                 Northwest University of Washington Press, Seattle.

                                                - Weston, Shann. 2001. Naturescaping - A Landscape
                                                 Partnership With Nature. Oregon Department of Fish
                                                 and Wildlife, Portland.

                                                - Wyzga, Marilyn C. 1998. Homes for Wildlife -A Planning
                                                 Guide for Habitat Enhancement on School Grounds. N ew
                                                 Hampshire Fish & Game Dept, Concord.
For more information about this or other topics in Beneficial Landscaping, contact Elaine Somers at
206-553-2966, somers.elaine@epa.gov, or visit our website at www.epa.gov/rlOearth/bl.htm.
                                            Page 9
WaterTalk January 2006

-------
ECO
Invasive Species Notes
This issue of WaterTalk continues our regular feature on invasive species. "Invasive species" are plants or animals
that are not native to an ecosystem, and which cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.

Invasive species are one of the largest threats to our land and water ecosystems. Invasive species are the #2 cause
of species extinction and loss of biodiversity in aquatic environments worldwide. They cause economic effects
through direct financial losses and control costs. These alien invaders also dramatically alter ecosystems which
support commercial and recreational activities.

Invasive species can decrease native populations, modify water tables, change run-off patterns and fire frequency,
and so on. These changes in turn impact many recreational and commercial activities which depend on these
ecosystems.

Below are some notes about just a few of the many, many activities going on to combat this tough issue. For more
information, or details on any of the articles below, contact Joan Cabreza, EPA, at 206-553-7369 or 800-424-
4372, orcabreza.joan@epa.gov.
EPA Authorities Paper Published:

A new document summarizes EPA authorities that
may apply to invasive species.  It is called Over-
view of EPA Authorities for Natural Resource
Managers Developing Aquatic Invasive Species
Rapid Response and Management Plans.  Under-
standing EPA regulatory considerations could help
state and local managers to streamline rapid
responses, once the need to eradicate a new
organism has been identified. To download the
report, go to www.epa.gov/owow/
invasive_species.
School Curriculum-
New Pathway for Invasives:

A popular science curriculum being promoted in
Oregon and other states uses live organisms to
teach students ecosystem concepts.  Unfortunately,
the organisms include non-native crayfish and
aquatic plants, both of which are invasive. Once
classes complete the unit, it is feared they will
release the organisms into nearby waters, starting
new infestations. Oregon Sea Grant has been
working to educate suppliers of the organisms, the
schools,  and other groups. They have developed a
poster called "Schools and Science Curricula as
    Potential Pathways for Aquatic Invasive Species."
    They are also updating a "Do Not Release" bro-
    chure. Sea Grant can supply a template of the
    poster for partners to customize.
    EPA Helps Fund
    AK Invasive Species Council:

    EPA has provided a grant to the University of
    Alaska (Fairbanks) to develop a state invasive
    species council.
    Habitattutide Gets Going:

    Habitattitude™, a new public outreach effort,
    encourages home aquarium owners to avoid
    discarding aquatic plants or fish into local ecosys-
    tems.  The website helps consumers learn about
    preventing the spread of invasives. The site offers
    alternatives to releasing plants and animals, pro-
    vides instructions on how individuals and clubs can
    get involved, and gives details on species that have
    created problems in aquatic systems.
    Habitattitude™ materials will be displayed in
    aquarium stores, aquatic retail outlets, hobby
    magazines, and nursery and landscape businesses
    across the country. See the website at:
    www.habitattitude.net/
                  Visit WaterTalk online at www.epa.gov/rlOearth/watertalk.htm
 WaterTalk January 2006
Page 10

-------
January

January 19-20:
   Endangered Species Act Seminar, Seattle,
   WA.  The Seminar Group, 800-574-4852.

January 20:
   Storming the Sound: A Regional Gathering
   of North Sound Environmental Educators,
   LaConner, WA, www.padillabay.gov/
   storming/index.html.

January 25:
   SEPA/NEPA Workshop, Seattle, WA. Law
   Seminars International, 800-854-8009,
   www.lawseminars.com.

January 25:
   Salmon 2100 Project: The Future of Wild
   Pacific Salmon, Portland, OR.  Robert
   Lackey, EPA, 541-754-4607, http://
   outreach.forestry.oregonstate.edu/
   Salmon2100/.
February

February 7-9:
   Northwest Transportation Conference,
   Corvallis, OR. Toll free 866-808-0886,
   http://kiewit.oregonstate.edu/nwtc.

February 27-28:
   Harvesting Clean Energy Conference,
   Spokane, WA,
   www.harvestcleanenergy.org/
   conference
March 9:
   Climate Change: Is Our Health at Stake?
   Seattle, WA. The Collaborative on Health
   and the Environment, www.chenw.org/
   events.html.

March 15:
   Deadline for contributions to the April
   issue of WaterTalk. Andrea Lindsay,
   Editor, 206-553-1896, 800-424-4372,
   lindsay.andrea@epa.gov.

March 29-31:
   Globe 2006, Vancouver, BC. Trade fair
   and conference on business and the
   environment, www.globe2006.com.
April
April 5:
   Forum on Toxics in Puget Sound:
   Connecting the Marine Environment with
   Human Health and the Economy, Seattle,
   WA.  People for Puget Sound, Heather
   Trim, 206-382-7007 x215, http://
   pugetsound.org.
              To sign up for WaterTalk electronically by list-serv,
                        go to www.epa.gov/region 10.
                                       Page 11
                        WaterTalk January 2006

-------
WaterTalk
U.S. EPA,ECO-081
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101
           Pre-Sorted Standard
          Postage and Fees Paid
              U.S. EPA
            Permit No. G-35
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
WaterTalk
January 2006
                                                              alk
 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 l-800-424-4EPAx!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 ap-
 proval, endorsement or recommendation.

     Alternative formats available upon request. Please call Andrea Lindsay
     to request reasonable accommodation. TTY: 1-800-877-8339.

 Please recycle or share with a friend.
In This Issue...

EPA Celebrates 35th
  Birthday

Funding Resources

Get WaterTalk Online

Web-Based Tools

Reports, Regulations,
  and Other Boring
  Good Stuff

Welcoming Nesting
  Birds

And More

-------