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United States Environmental Protection Agency 1
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Note from the Director
Dear Colleagues, Friends, and Partners:
The Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds (OWOW) 2007 Annual Report provides a snapshot
of OWOW's notable accomplishments in calendar year 2007. I want to thank our partners from
other federal agencies, state, tribal and local governments, the private sector, and academia who
contributed to these milestones.
Among our accomplishments, OWOW and its partners continued to make significant progress to-
ward the President's 2004 Earth Day pledge to protect 3 million acres of wetlands by 2009. In fact,
our interagency effort is not only on track to meet this ambitious goal, but will surpass it. Through
our National Estuary Program, Nonpoint Source Program, Five-Star Challenge Grants and Su-
perfund Program, EPA (with significant contributions from OWOW) restored more than 25,000
wetland acres and protected more than 100,000 acres since 2004. In November, the agency and its
partners celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the National Estuary Program (NEP) during a wonder-
ful open house at EPA headquarters, where we recognized the outstanding accomplishments of the
NEPs.
As of 2007, more than 32,000 Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs or pollutant clean-up budgets)
were completed for impaired waterbodies, including more than 4,000 in 2007 alone. This past year,
the TMDL program also took major steps to address mercury —the cause of impairment in more
than 8,700 waterbodies—by encouraging more comprehensive state and regional mercury control
programs.
OWOW and its partners continue to make significant advances in our water quality monitoring
and assessment programs. In 2007, we released our first-ever National Estuary Program Coastal
Condition Report and made headway on our National Lakes Survey. These ambitious national
assessments, along with our upcoming Rivers and Streams Survey and Wetlands Survey, will help
us to better measure environmental progress as well as guide future management decisions. And
finally, the year 2007 marked the completion of a reassessment of the 2001 Gulf Hypoxia Action
Plan—setting the stage for a new Action Plan to be released this spring.
We need to be innovative and to explore ways to leverage the great work that we do. Our cross
office teams on sustainable finance, communications, and smart growth continue to lead the way
by reaching out to new partners and taking advantage of the latest tools and innovations on cross-
cutting issues.
I look forward to working with each of you as we strive together to achieve our goals for clean
water and healthy ecosystems in 2008.
Craig E. Hooks, Director
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
Off|ce of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds ZOO/ Annual Report
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Table of Contents
In this report....
m
Note from the Director 2
About OWOW. 4-5
Oceans and Coastal Protection Division 6
Wetlands Division 10
Assessment and Watershed Protection Division 13
Policy & Communications 16
QWQW Cross-Office Teams and Initiatives
GulfHypoxia 17
Watershed Planning 18
Tribal Program Support 18
Smart Growth 19
Sustainable Financing 20
Communications 21
Diversity 22
Cover photo of Yosemite by John H. McShane. Cover photo of egret by Gerold Morrison.
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'«. HHfl*
Organizational Chart
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
Office of
Ground Water and
Drinking Water
Office of American Indian Office of
Science Envornmental Office Wastewater
and Technology Management
Office of Wetlands,
Oceans and Watersheds
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
US EPA, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Craig E. Hooks, Director
Suzanne Schwartz, Deputy Director
Phone: (202) 566-1146
Fax: (202) 566-1147
Wetlands Division
Phone: (202) 566-1348
Fax: (202) 566-1349
Dave Evans, Director
Rob Wood, Associate Director
Wetlands and Aquatic Resources
Regulatory Branch
Brian Frazer, Chief
Wetlands Strategies and State
Programs Branch
Lynda Hall, Chief
Policy, Communications, and Resource
Management Staff
Barbara Chancey, Acting Director
Ocean and Coastal Protection
Division
Phone: (202) 566-1200
Fax: (202) 566-1334
Paul Cough, Director
David Travers, Acting Associate
Director
Marine Pollution Control Branch
Dave Redford, Chief
Coastal Management Branch
Darrell Brown, Chief
Assessment and Watershed
Protection Division
Phone: (202) 566-1155
Fax: (202) 566-1331
Benita Best-Wong, Director
Tom Wall, Associate Director
Watershed Branch
John Goodin, Chief
Monitoring Branch
Susan Holds worth, Chief
Nonpoint Source Control
Branch
Dov Weitman, Chief
Off|ce of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds ZOO/ Annual Report
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2007 Highlights
2007 Highlights
Wetland Protection and Restoration: OWOW
and its partners protected and/or restored tens of
thousands of acres of wetlands in 2007. Major con-
tributions came from the National Estuary Program,
§319 Nonpoint Source Program, and the Five-Star
Restoration Program.
Hypoxia Action Plan: A complete reassessment of
the 2001 Hypoxia Action Plan set the stage for the
release of a new Action Plan in 2008 to combat the
"dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.
Ocean Dumping: In 2007, EPA submitted to Con-
gress a package of legislative changes to the
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
to support ratification of the London Protocol, an
international ocean dumping treaty.
Total Maximum Daily Loads: More than 4,000
watershed cleanup plans were completed in 2007,
along with a multi-pronged strategy to accelerate
the cleanup of mercury-impaired waters.
National Aquatic Surveys: The year 2007 marked
the completion of field sampling for the National
Lakes Survey, along with the selection of indicators
and testing protocols for the Rivers and Streams
Survey. These surveys will provide accurate sci-
entific assessments of the condition of the nation's
waters and guide future management decisions.
Wetlands Guidance: OWOW provided exception-
al policy and legal support following the Supreme
Court's Rapanos decision regarding the scope of
"waters of the U.S." Joint guidance by EPA and
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued in 2007
implements the court's decision.
Economic Benefits of Low Impact Development
(LID): A new report published by OWOW high-
lights the economic viability of LID practices
through 17 case studies that show how these prac-
tices and strategies can save money and protect
water quality.
Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox: OWOW
released an on-line repository of watershed out-
reach materials, including nearly 800 public ser-
vice announcements, radio, TV and print ads, and
other materials that can be customized for other
watersheds.
The Office of Wetlands, Oceans and
Watersheds (OWOW)
OWOW is one of
five offices in the
Office of Water
at EPA Headquarters in
Washington, D.C. The
office provides leader-
ship, policy direction,
and financial support to
our 10 regional offices and to the states, tribes, and
territories that implement our programs. We also
work collaboratively with other federal agencies, as
well as local governments, the private sector, and
nonprofit organizations to carry out our mission to
protect and restore the aquatic ecosystems of our
marine and fresh waters.
In addition to our Clean Water Act authorities, the
office has authorities under the Marine Protection,
Research, and Sanctuaries Act (Ocean Dumping),
Coastal Zone Management Act, National Environ-
mental Policy Act and several other environmental
statutes.
OWOW Programs and Initiatives
National Estuary Program
Dredged Material Management
Ocean Dumping
National Water Quality Inventory
National Aquatic Resource Surveys
Nonpoint Source Program
Wetlands Permitting
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Five Star Restoration Program
Wetland Program Development Grants
Targeted Watershed Grants
Volunteer Monitoring Program
For more information about OWOW,
visit epa.gov/owow
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Ocean and Coastal Protection
National Estuary Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary
The year 2007
marked the 20th
Anniversary of
EPA's National Estu-
ary Program (NEP),
passed as part of the
1987 Amendments to
the Clean Water Act to
help protect and restore
estuaries threatened by pollution, development,
or overuse. In November 2007, EPA celebrated
this milestone at an open house attended by
more than 275 well-wishers and Assistant Ad-
ministrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles.
The event commemorated two decades of work
by community stakeholders to protect water
quality and the living resources of 28 estuaries
of national significance.
Major NEP Accomplishments
Each of the 28 National Estuary Programs
works in collaboration with the private sector,
non-profit organizations, government agencies,
academia, and citizens to develop and imple-
ment comprehensive watershed plans that ad-
dress priority natural resource concerns.
• Since 2000, the NEPs collectively have pro-
tected and restored nearly one million acres
of habitat. Wetlands have constituted almost
half of those acres.
• Since 2003, the NEPs have obtained nearly
$4 billion of public and private funding by
developing alliances with implementing
partners.
For more information, visit: www.epa.gov/
owow/estuaries/openhouse.html. (Contact:
Nancy Laurson, 202-566-1247). More informa-
tion on leveraged funding is available at: www.
epa.gov/owow/estuaries/fund.htm. (Contact:
Tim Jones, 202-566-1245)
NEPs and EPA Programs Recognized at
the Open House
Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries — for its
achievements in environmental enforcement,
including a determination that led to the aqui-
sition of more than 500 acres ofNueces Delta
wetland habitat.
The Massachusetts Bays Wetlands Program
— for its role in developing methods to assess
wetland condition and for creating an assess-
ment manual that will help evaluate restora-
tion and mitigation success
Delaware Inland Bays — for its support of the
Center for Inland Bay's Poultry Integrators'
Nutrient Effort project and the development of
model farms in the watershed.
Maryland Coastal Bays — for promoting
smart growth, including comprehensive plan-
ning, zoning and alternative futures.
The Office of Research and Development -for
assisting the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound NEP
with scientific assessments related to long-term
watershed sustainability.
EPA's Drinking Water Protection Program —
for supporting the Partnership for the Dela-
ware Estuary NEP in improving water quality
for 1.5 million surf ace/drinking water users in
the Schuykill Watershed.
The Office of Wastewater Management — for
managing wet weather with green infrastruc-
ture efforts, particularly in the Buzzards Bay
NEP.
The NEPs have leveraged approximately $15.50 for
every $1 of EPA funding
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Protecting Oceans and Coasts
Economic Model Helps Estimate Impacts from
Aquatic Invasive Species
EPA's Ocean and Coastal Protection Division (OCPD) collaborated with EPA's National Center
for Environmental Economics (NCEE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion (NOAA) to develop and pilot test a first-ever model to provide estimates of the economic
impacts of a single aquatic invasive species (AIS)—the European green crab. With NCEE staff in the
lead technical role, OWOW co-funded and provided policy support to develop and test the model.
OWOW staff delivered presentations about the model at national and international research confer-
ences. Options for using the model to develop estimates for other species' economic impacts are now
under development. For additional information, visit www.epa.gov/owow/invasive_species/i (Con-
tact: Marilyn Katz, 202-566-1246)
Improved management of ballast water, one of the major vectors for introduction of AIS, can re-
duce the potential for introduction of invasive species by ships. OCPD worked with the U.S. Coast
Guard to develop national ballast water standards and international standards under the Interna-
tional Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). (Contact: John Lishman,
202-566-1364)
EPA Completes Draft Cruise Ship Discharge
Assessment Report
A:
Ms the cruise industry continues to expand, there is growing
concern over the potential environmental impacts. Vessels,
literally floating cities that can carry as many as 3,000 passen-
gers, often operate in pristine coastal waters.
In December 2007, OWOW released for public comment a draft report
assessing five major waste streams from cruise ships: sewage, gray-
water, oily bilge water, solid waste, and hazardous waste. For each
waste stream, the draft report discusses its nature and volume, exist-
ing federal regulations, environmental management, potential advers
environmental impacts, and actions by the federal government. After
EPA completes a review of public comments, including options, alter-
natives, and recommendations on whether and how to better control
and regulate these waste streams, the agency intends to issue a final
report in 2008. OWOW also has completed a comprehensive, multi-
year evaluation of cruise ship sewage and gray water. Complete results of that evaluation will be
made public in 2008, and are summarized in the draft assessment report. More information is avail-
able at: www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/cruise_ships/. (Contacts: Elizabeth Kim, 202-566-1270 and Laura
Johnson, 202-566-1273)
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Report
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Ocean and Coastal Protection
National Estuary Program Coastal Condition Report Provides
Assessment of Ecological Conditions
In June 2007, EPA released the National Estuary Program (NEP) Coastal Condition
Report (NEP CCR), the first assessment of the overall ecological condition of NEP
estuaries. The report, which provides a snapshot of the condition of ecological
resources in the 28 estuaries of the NEPs, rated the overall condition of the NEPs
as fair. This report rates the NEP estuaries individually, regionally, and nation-
ally using four primary indicators of estuarine condition: water quality; sediment
quality; benthic community condition; and fish tissue contaminants. The findings
of the NEP CCR will serve as a benchmark for analyzing the progress of the NEPs
and offer insights on what additional actions are needed to better protect, manage,
and restore coastal ecosystems. For more information, visit: www.epa.gov/owow/
oceans/nepccr/index.html. (Contact: Greg Colianni 202-566-1249)
EPA Strengthens Ocean Dumping Management
EEPA took a number of major steps in 2007 to improve ocean dumping management. In No-
vember, EPA submitted to Congress a package of legislative changes to the Marine Protection,
Research, and Sanctuaries Act to support ratification of
the London Protocol, an international ocean dumping treaty. As
co-chair of the National Dredging Team (NDT), EPA under-
took a review of the National Dredging Policy and the NDT's
2003 Action Agenda. The review included an assessment of
the Marine Transportation System and the federal response to
priority dredging issues. EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engi-
neers held a meeting of the National and Regional Dredging
Teams and a national meeting of Dredged Material Managers
to facilitate continued coordination among the leading stake-
holders in dredging and dredged material management.
In 2007, EPA released two guidance documents on the benefi-
cial use of dredged material, drafted an emergency permit template to assist EPA regions in cases
of emergency dumping requests, and began a major revision to EPA's open water dredged mate-
rial disposal guidance documents. Finally, in 2007, EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold monitored 13
ocean disposal sites to ensure compliance with environmental requirements. More information is
available at: www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/regulatory/dumpdredged/dumpdredged.html. (Contacts:
Elizabeth Kim, 202-566-1270 and Molly Madden, 202-566-1279)
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Protecting Oceans and Coasts
EPA Continues Leadership
Role in U.S. Ocean Action Plan
Since issuance of the Ocean Action Plan (OAF) in 2004, state-led regional collaborations have
made progress in identifying and addressing state ocean and coastal priority issues. As of
2007, the Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources (SIMOR), co-chaired
by EPA, NOAA, Council on Environmental Quality, and the Department of the Interior has helped
facilitate the establishment of three federal interagency teams at the regional level to coordinate
with and support, respectively, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GMA), the Northeast Regional Oceans
Council (NROC), and the West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health. EPA serves as a co-
lead on each of these interagency regional teams.
Recent OAP Activities
• In August 2007, at a meeting of the GMA, Gulf State governors and
federal agencies renewed a commitment to enhance the economic and envi-
ronmental health of the Gulf. Since the release of the GMA's Action Plan
in March 2006, more than 90 percent of the plan's 70+ actions have either
been completed or are in progress.
• In 2007, the federal/regional team of the West Coast Governors' Agree-
ment on Ocean Health completed a draft Action Plan that focuses on
beaches, ocean and coastal habitat, and ocean and coastal monitoring,
among other priority issues. The release of the final Action Plan, antici-
pated in early 2008, reflects commitments by the states (CA, WA, and
OR) comprising the Agreement.
• At a Northeast Ocean Congress in May 2007, NROC identified future directions for four core
ocean management areas: ocean energy resource planning and management; ocean and coastal
ecosystem health, maritime security; and coastal hazard response and resiliency.
More information is available at: http://ocean.ceq.gov/. (Contacts: Hazel Groman, 202-566-1219 and
Luanda P. Power, 202-566-2129)
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Wetlands Division
EPA Assists in Challenges and Policy Questions Arising from Rapanos
Supreme Court Decision
On June 5, 2007, EPA and the Corps of Engineers issued joint guidance on the scope of
"waters of the US" protected under the Clean Water Act §404 program after the 2006 U.S.
Supreme Court decision in Rapanos vs. U.S., which addressed the authority of the Corps of Engi-
neers' to regulate wetlands not immediately adjacent to navigable waterbodies.
The guidance implements Rapanos by defining which waters maintain Clean Water Act protection
(i.e., jurisdictional waters) subsequent to the Supreme Court ruling. The guidance explains that
jurisdictional waters include traditional navigable waters and their adjacent wetlands, "relatively
permanent" waters and immediately abutting wetlands, and other streams and adjacent wetlands
that have a "significant nexus" to the physical, chemical, or biological integrity of a traditional
navigable water. The Rapanos Guidance focuses on those waters at issue in the decision and does
not address all categories of potentially jurisdictional waters, such as "isolated" waters.
Several supporting additional documents were issued jointly with the guidance, including the
Jurisdiction Form, Instructional Guidebook, and Inter agency Coordination Memorandum, to help
ensure that EPA and the Corps coordinate closely, particularly for determinations that require a
"significant nexus" finding or involve "isolated" waters. The memorandum establishes a process
with specific time frames for reaching joint jurisdictional decisions. EPA and the Corps continue to
assert in post-Rapanos litigation that a water is jurisdictional under the CWA when it is either "rela-
tively permanent" or has a "significant nexus" to a traditional navigable water. (Contact: Donna
Downing, 202-566-1367)
EPA Weighs-in on Proposed Stream Buffer Zone Rule
On August 24, 2007, the Office of Surface Mining (OSM)
published in the Federal Register a Proposed Rule on Excess
Spoil, Coal Mine Waste, and Buffers for Waters of the United
States, commonly referred to as the "Stream Buffer Zone" rule. The
purpose of the proposed rule is to improve regulatory stability by
clarifying the requirements for mining in and around streams. The
proposed rule also strengthens requirements for addressing ad-
verse environmental effects of spoil disposal, particularly impacts
on streams, from the construction of excess spoil fills (e.g., "valley
fills").
EPA is required under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act of 1977 to concur before the rule is finalized. Wetlands staff pro-
posed language that would require mining activities avoid and mini-|
mize potential adverse environmental impacts to streams whenever
possible. In December 2007, the Wetlands Division submitted formal
agency comments on the proposed rule and supporting Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
EPA will continue to work with OSM as they finalize the rule. (Contact: Tanya Code, 202-566-1063)
Off|ce of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds ZOO/ Annual Report
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Protecting Wetlands
New Data Management Systems Help Track
Wetland Permits, Weigh Wetland Mitigation Decisions in a
Geospatial Context
EEPA's Wetlands Division is working closely with the Army
Corps of Engineers to improve access to §404 permitting data
and to better track wetlands mitigation efforts. EPA assisted
in the development of the Corps' new nationwide regulatory data
management system known as ORM2. Deployment of ORM2 into all
38 Corps Districts was completed in 2007, thereby allowing greater
tracking of all §404 wetland permit decisions. Also, EPA supported
the integration of ORM2 into a second Corps database known as RIB-
ITS. RIBITS, a spatially-enabled, Internet-based tracking tool, allows
the Corps as well as other natural resource agency staff to efficiently
manage all information related to mitigation banks. Soon all Corps
Districts will be able to take advantage of the benefits offered by RIB-
ITS and ORM2.
These databases will enable the Corps to expand the quality and
quantity of permit program data collected and tracked, manage
decisions regarding impacts and compensatory mitigation in a geospatial context, and ensure
datasharing with EPA, states and the public. Improved data collection will help federal agencies,
states and others more effectively track wetlands losses and better measure the effectiveness of
mitigation efforts. Since 2001, the agencies have been working to address weakness raised by the
National Academy of Sciences, the General Accounting Office, and others on the effectiveness of
compensatory mitigation. (Contact: Palmer Hough, 202-566-1374)
Federal Geospatial Data Committee Proposes New National Wetland
Mapping Standard
In 2007 OWOW continued to lead a multi-agency effort through the Federal Geospatial Data
Committee to develop a National Wetland Mapping Standard. When finalized, the standard will
greatly streamline and standardize wetlands data collection, documentation and management
procedures and will help to accelerate the update and completion of the wetlands data layer, in-
cluding future "real-time" updates.
This collaborative effort will enable federal, state, tribal, local agencies and others to collect and
provide digitally mapped data in a consistent format for inclusion in the National Wetlands Inven-
tory and for uploading into the wetlands data layer of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
The draft standard is being revised to reflect public comments received in 2007, with a goal to final-
ize the standard in 2008. Better geographical data will strengthen efforts to protect valuable aquatic
resources and incorporate wetlands protection goals into larger watershed planning and manage-
ment efforts. (Contact: Margarete Heber, 202-566-1189)
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Report
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Wetlands Division
Program Evaluation Identifies Improvements to Wetland Grants
In 2007, the Wetlands program completed an evaluation of the Wetland Program Development
Grants (WPDGs) to assess their effectiveness in building state/tribal wetland programs be-
tween the years 2001- 2006. The evaluation used interviews with state and tribal program staff,
grant records, and selected grantee products to determine the role of WPDGs in helping states and
tribes build three core elements of their wetland programs: monitoring and assessment, regula-
tion, and restoration. The report found that the WPDGs play an important role in supporting
state/tribal wetland programs, especially for smaller programs. Grantees were generally pleased
with the overall process used for soliciting and ad-
ministering grants.
The report also highlighted the gap between small
and large programs (as measured by the number
of full-time employees): smaller programs, es-
pecially, had a hard time doing effective work in
those years in which they did not receive WPDGs.
The evaluation made several recommendations
for EPA, including how to bridge the gap between
small and large programs. Results of the evalua-
tion are informing a new Enhanced State and Tribal
Programs Initiative - an effort now underway. This
initiative will examine ways to make WPDGs more effective as well as look at ways to help states
and tribes build their programs through other forms of EPA assistance. (Contact: Romell Nandi,
202-566-1203)
Wetlands Demonstration Pilot Grants Show the
Value of Program Implementation
EPA continues to pursue numerous tools to help states and tribes build the capacity of
their wetlands programs. As part of our commitment to make the most effective use
of grant resources, EPA set aside $18.6 million of its Clean Water Act §104(b)3 funds for
competitive, three-year Wetlands Demonstration Pilot Grants that states and tribes could use to
implement aspects of their wetlands programs. These pilot grants differ from EPA's established
Wetland Program Development Grants, which finance the development but not the implementation
of wetlands programs. The focus of the effort is to demonstrate whether implementation activities
produce environmental results.
EPA awarded funds to projects in 22 states and one tribe from FY 2005 to FY 2007. The 26 proj-
ects cover a variety of wetland program activities including restoration, protection, inventorying,
mapping, monitoring, assessment, and regulation of wetlands resources. In order to evaluate the
effectiveness of the pilots, EPA is working with grantees to analyze the resulting programmatic and
environmental outcomes. Now in the second year of collecting results, EPA has streamlined the re-
porting process so that the 26 projects can be organized into nine activity areas that facilitate more
consistent and quantitative reporting. This approach allows EPA to evaluate changes in wetlands
programs and to track expected long-term environmental benefits more effectively. Final results of
the 3-year pilot will be available in 2009. (Contact: Katherine Antos, 202-566-0620)
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Protecting Watersheds
Over 32,000 TODLs Completed
Memorandum on Listing Waters Impaired by Atmospheric Mercury Under
Clean Water Act Section 303(d)
Over 8,700 waterbodies are listed under
Clean Water Act (CWA) §303(d) as
impaired due to mercury, often origi-
nating from atmospheric sources. EPA has
developed a voluntary approach that recog-
nizes the challenges in addressing mercury-
impaired waters through CWA programs
alone. Under this approach, states, territories
and tribes with multi-media mercury reduc-
tion programs may defer the development
of atmospheric mercury TMDLs (pollutant
clean-up budgets) and may include such
waters in a subcategory of their impaired
waters lists. Using this new approach, EPA is
encouraging states to take early action to ad-
dress their mercury sources and more quickly
achieve environmental results.
35.000
30.000
25.000
20.000
15.000
•10.000
5.000
I
2/1 $ 08
# of TlvEtc per fiscal year • Cumulative 8 of TfvCLs
As of 2007, more than 32,000 CWA Total Maximum Daily Loads for all types of pollutants have
been completed, including more than 4,000/year over the last three years. EPA is providing lead-
ership to states on the recommended elements for TMDLs, including those relevant to our multi-
pronged strategy for mercury-impaired waters. More information is available at: www.epa.gov/
owow/tmdl/mercury5m/. (Contact: Ruth Chemerys, 202-566-1216)
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
with Stormwater Sources: A Summary of 17 TMDLs
Stormwater runoff from developing and urbanized areas is a significant contributor to water
quality impairments. Currently, there are thousands of Clean Water Act §303(d) listed waters
impaired by stormwater-source pollutants such as pathogens, nutrients, sediments and met-
als. Stormwater-source TMDLs are a challenge to develop because of the variety and number of
sources, the variability of the pollutants, the limited monitoring data available, and the complex-
ity of the mechanisms by which pollutants in Stormwater discharges affect ambient water quality.
In 2007, EPA issued a new report summarizing 17 TMDLs with Stormwater sources. The report
highlights a number of TMDLs that address a range of pollutants, use different models, different
allocation and implementation methods—and that have been developed for Stormwater sources in
16 states throughout the country during the past eight years.
This report is intended to aid states, EPA regions, and other TMDL practitioners to develop more
accurate pollutant allocations that can be better implemented in permits and other local programs,
while at the same time helping to maintain TMDL pace and improve the rate at which impaired
waters are restored nationwide to meet water quality standards. This new report is available
at: www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/l7_TMDLs_Stormwater_Sources.pdf. (Contact: Christine Ruf,
202-566-1220) 13
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Assessment and Watershed Protection
EPA Documents Cost Savings by
Using Low Impact Development Practices
EPA released a new report entitled "Reducing Stormwater Costs through
Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices," which con-
tains 17 case studies that show the economic viability of LID practices.
The report shows that using these practices in construction projects can
lower costs while improving environmental results. LID practices are inno-
vative stormwater management practices to manage urban stormwater run-
off. The goal is to mimic the way water moves through an area before it is
developed by using design techniques that infiltrate, evapotranspirate, and
reuse runoff. Common LID practices include rain gardens, grassed swales,
cisterns, rain barrels, permeable pavements and green roofs. LID practices
increasingly are used by communities across the country to help protect
and restore water quality.
The report highlights examples that, in most cases, reduce project costs while improving envi-
ronmental performance. Total capital savings ranged from 15 to 80 percent, with a few exceptions
in which LID project costs were higher than conventional stormwater management costs. As LID
practices become more common, it is likely that they will become cheaper to use. The report is
available at www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/costs07. (Contacts: Anne Weinberg, 202-566-1217 and
Robert Goo, 202-566-1201)
EPA Releases Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox
In 2007, EPA released the Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox, a user-friendly
and highly acclaimed set of Web-based resources designed to assist com-
munities across the U.S. conduct locally effective watershed education
and outreach activities. The Toolbox, online at www.epa.gov/nps/toolbox,
includes a searchable catalog of nearly 800 print, radio, and TV ads and
outreach materials in the following categories: lawn and garden care, motor
vehicle care, pet care, septic system care, household chemicals and waste, and
general stormwater awareness. Many of the campaign materials were funded
by Clean Water Act §319 funds.
This repository of audience-tested materials is designed to meet the needs of stormwater professionals
who might be strapped for ideas, money, time or staff to develop messages and products for their own
communities. The Toolbox also provides EPA's publication "Getting in Step - A Guide to Conducting
Watershed Outreach Campaigns," as well as an ample collection of surveys and evaluations of outreach
programs from around the country and a collection of logos, slogans, and mascots to help unify a
community's campaign. Aversion of the Toolbox has also been released on CD, meaning that Internet
access is not required to take advantage of these resources. (Contact: Don Waye, 202-566-1170)
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Improving Monitoring and Assessment
Work Continues on the National Aquatic Resource Surveys;
Lakes Field Sampling Season a Success
Statistically-representative surveys of the aquatic resources of the
U.S. have begun providing the agency with the information it needs
to identify national priorities and to evaluate the effectiveness of water
quality protection efforts. The surveys are designed to yield unbiased
estimates of the condition of a whole resource, based on a representa-
tive sample of waters.
EPA and its partners in the states have successfully completed the field
season for the first assessment of the condition of the nation's lakes,
ponds, and reservoirs. Early in 2007, EPA held ten sessions around
the country training over 80 field crews who then sampled 909 lakes,
ponds, and reservoirs in the course of the summer. Field crews col-
lected data for indicators of regional and national ecological integrity,
such as sediment diatoms, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and shoreline
physical habitat conditions; indicators of trophic status, such as nutri-
ents, chlorophyll a, and transparency; and pathogens and algal toxins as recreational indicators. A
report on the Survey of the Nation's Lakes is planned for 2009.
The year 2007 was also the planning year for the survey of the nation's rivers and streams; indi-
cators and sampling protocols were selected. Field sampling for rivers and small streams will be
conducted in 2008 and 2009. Also in 2007, OWOW led research efforts and initial discussions in
preparation for the 2011 survey of the condition of the nation's wetlands. For more information on
the National Aquatic Resource Surveys, visit www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/reporting.html. (Con-
tact: Susan Holdsworth at 202-566-1187)
Release of the Water Quality Exchange Improves Data Sharing
In 2007, EPA's STORET program released the Water Quality Exchange (WQX),
a new data transfer system that makes it easier for states, tribes, and others to
submit and share water quality monitoring data over the Internet. With WQX,
groups who collect water quality data no longer need to use EPA's STORET data-
base to submit their monitoring results to the National STORET Data Warehouse,
the national repository of water quality information. WQX, in essence, uses new
Web technology to bring data sharing into the 21st century.
SlORETi
EPA also released new services for users of the STORET Warehouse, including a new Web-based
Watershed Summary tool designed to help water quality managers and the public quickly review
the type and sources of data available for any watershed. The Watershed Summary tool produces a
list of number of stations, the types of data (such as metals, nutrients, or pesticides data), who has
entered the data, the period of record for the data, and how much data are available. The user can
then download specific data for that watershed. Another feature created for more sophisticated
users is a series of Web-services that allow large volume data analysts to retrieve data directly from
the warehouse without using the Web-based download tool. For more information on WQX, visit
www.epa.gov/STORET/WQX. (Contact: Kristen Gunthardt, 202-566-1194)
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Policy and Communications Team
$16 Million Awarded to new Capacity Building and
Implementation Grantees under Targeted Watersheds
In 2007 the Targeted Watersheds Grants (TWG) program awarded 15
implementation grants to watershed organizations, local governments
and universities for on-the-ground watershed projects. Awards totaling
over $13 million will support a variety of activities, including stream chan-
nel and wetland restorations; educating local officials on smart growth and Low Impact Develop-
ment techniques; implementing agricultural best management practices; reducing toxics in marine
sediments through a "living cap" of oyster reefs; improving water quality at orphaned acid mine
drainage sites; and developing a sustainable agricultural and forest product branding program.
Over $3 million was awarded to six capacity building organizations to develop the organizational
and technical capacity of watershed organizations throughout the country. Areas of greater need—
Appalachia, the Great Plains and the Arid West— were a special focus of the grants. Under the
capacity building grants, project activities include:
• holding regional watershed roundtables,
• training watershed organizations in Appalachian coal country in
water quality monitoring and fiscal sustainability,
• growing state watershed councils and tribal water quality enti-
ties in the west,
• establishing a national clearinghouse for watershed information,
• offering training and technical assistance in the acquisition of
water rights and dedication of these rights to instream flow
needs, and
• building a Regional Water Quality Assistance Network that provides watershed organizations
with practical tools (such as model ordinances and public process facilitation and sustainable
financing mechanisms).
For more information, visit: www.epa.gov/twg. (Contact: Aileen Molloy, 202-566-1424)
Earth Gauge'™ Delivers Environmental Information to the
Public via the TV Weather Report
Television and radio weathercasts are the most popular news item in any
media market - nearly 80 percent of viewers report that the weather is the
primary reason they watch local news. Because broadcast meteorologists
routinely convey complex scientific information, the weather report provides a
unique opportunity to bridge the environmental information gap.
To foster the dissemination of environmental information to the public, OWOW
is one of several partners funding Earth Gauge™, a free environmental newsletter produced by
the National Environmental Education Foundation targeted at television and radio weathercasters
in 90 media markets, including 130 broadcast meteorologists. Earth Gauge™ is designed to make
it easy for weathercasters to explain the environmental implications of weather events and what
viewers can do to help protect their watersheds. For more information, visit www.epa/gov/owow/
watershed/weather. (Contact: Patty Scott, 202-566-1292)
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GulfHypoxia Team
GulfHypoxia Action Plan Increases Accountability
The complex interaction of excess nutrients carried to the Gulf of Mexico by the Mississippi and
Atchafalaya Rivers, physical changes within the river basin, and stratification of the Gulf waters
contributes to hypoxia— a "Dead Zone" — with oxygen levels too low to sustain marine life.
In 2007, the hypoxic zone was the third largest on
record - bigger than the State of Massachusetts.
Gulf Hypoxia
Action Plan 2008
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Wdtei Qujlil} in the Mituitippi Rivrr Bavin
This year brings to a close a multi-year compre-
hensive reassessment of the 2001 Action Plan for
Reducing, Mitigating, and Controlling Hypoxia in the
Northern Gulf of Mexico. The inter-governmental
Mississippi River/ Gulf of Mexico Watershed
Nutrient Task Force, chaired by Assistant Admin-
istrator Benjamin Grumbles, will release a revised
Action Plan in Spring 2008. The 2008 Action Plan
will increase accountability and specificity, incor-
porate emerging science, include an Annual Op-
erating Plan and Annual Report to maintain and
track progress, shift the lead for nutrient reduction
strategies to the states while adding complementary federal strategies, and include a communication/
outreach plan to engage stakeholders.
To reduce the size of the Dead Zone, the Coordinating Committee for the Task Force, chaired by
OWOW Director Craig Hooks, along with the Gulf Hypoxia Team, are bringing federal agencies
and states together to build strong partnerships, develop voluntary and regulatory approaches, and
increase national awareness. For more information, visit: www.epa.gov.msbasin. (Contact: Kristen
Goodrich, 202-566-1284)
The Hypoxia Website can be accessed at:
www. eva. yaolmsbasinl.
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Watershed Planning/Tribal Program Support
Watershed Plan Builder Completed;
Watershed Central Project Commences
In March of 2007, OWOW released a final version of the Internet-
based Watershed Plan Builder Tool. The tool promotes the develop-
ment of comprehensive watershed plans that protect and restore
the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation's waters.
It helps organizations develop plans that are tailored to the concerns
and issues specific to their watersheds, thus helping them achieve
state water quality standards and other environmental objectives.
The Plan Builder is available on-line at: www.epa.gov/owow/wa-
tershedplanning.
In 2007 OWOW, the Office of Environmental Information and the Office
of Research and Development initiated work on Watershed Central, an integrated watershed Web
site. The portal-like site will serve as a clearinghouse of information for watershed practitioners and
will contain a Wiki (a user-developed on-line encyclopedia) to share information across agencies and
among watershed organizations. The agency hosted a series of stakeholder meetings to solicit input
on this collaborative undertaking. (Contact: Stuart Lehman, 202-566-1205)
Tribal Water Protection Efforts Advanced
Throughout the year, OWOW provided critical leadership toward the
advancement of tribal water programs. OWOW's support for the
National Tribal Water Council resulted in greater coordination
among tribal water program professionals and an improvement in the
Office of Water's ability to communicate with Indian Country. Notable
was OWOW's performance at the Council's first official meeting in October
where the full range of OWOW programs was presented. Also notable was
the introduction of Tribes to the National Water Quality Monitoring Council
and sustainable finance tools. OWOW's leadership resulted in the phasing-in
of Structured Consolidated Training for Tribes under the Clean Water Act and selec-
tion to the newly established Tribal Training Implementation Work Group.
OWOW met with the Director of the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council (conglomeration
of 64 First Nations of Canada and Tribes from the US) and participated in National Tribal Caucus
meetings. Finally, OWOW provided National Tribal Conference on Environmental Management
planning and co-host support culminating in the promotion and oversight of conference presentation
proposals, participation, and outreach. (Contact: Kathleen Kutschenreuter, 202-566-1383, and Andrea
Matzke, 202-566-1150)
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O
Smart Growth Team
Smart Growth Team Helps Build Sustainable Communities
WOW's Smart Growth Team focused on delivering training and technical assistance to com-
munities in 2007, along with piloting and promoting Low Impact Development practices.
Delivering Smart Growth Training to Coastal Communities
Through an interagency agreement with NOAA, OWOW and EPA's Smart Growth Office collaborat-
ed to provide training in 10 coastal communities in 2007 - including the Charlotte Harbor National
Estuary Program (NEP) in Florida. In February 2008, the curricula was updated with case studies
from the NEPs and delivered to 30 participants at the New Partners for Smart Growth conference in
Washington, D.C.. This two-day course helps communities make better informed decisions about
how and where growth will occur. The training is provided free of charge to communities.
Helping Reduce Combined Sewer Overflows Using Green Infrastructure
OWOW is collaborating with EPA's Smart Growth Office to deliver technical assistance that will help
Northern Kentucky's Sanitation District No. 1 reduce combined sewer overflows using a range of re-
gional, neighborhood, and site-scale green infrastructure. These approaches still allow for sustainable
growth, while adequately protecting water resources.
Assisting the District of Columbia's Stormwater Management
The team is working with the District of Columbia's Stormwater Task Force and other stakeholders to
come up with recommendations on Stormwater policies, management, and funding mechanisms. The
team's extensive case study research of innovative policies and practices is informing the District's deci-
sions. At the same time, the process of applying nationwide research in a local context helps package
case studies for a wider audience of municipal decision makers.
Low Impact Development on Historic Federal Buildings
In 2007, OWOW overcame an unanticipated hurdle in efforts to install
a demonstration green roof on EPA Headquarters in Northwest D.C..
Since the building is on the National Register of Historic Places, the
initial reaction of the General Services Administration (GSA), which
leases the building, was that a green roof retrofit was not possible. After
continued negotiation and education about the benefits, GSA granted
approval. Plans are underway to complete the installation in 2008. The
team continues to undertake Low Impact Development (LID) projects
in order to support the environmental benefits provided by LID and
to better understand the barriers faced by others trying to implement
these practices. EPA has expanded this effort through a new interagency
agreement with the U.S. Botanic Garden that will facilitate both the „, . . ,.,..,.„ f Lr^*
, . /• , T T /-. -r. .-, _ i i . The team is working to install green roofs at EPA
design of a green roof on the U.S. Botanic Garden and coordinated Head(juartersandtshe us_ Bo*micG(H4M/much
education materials. /,-.-„ /..,„ vnn(^^,vl,A i,*,™ ™ rk;™™^ r;/-,, .-.„/.
(Contacts: Jamal Kadri, 202-566-1248; Robert Goo, 202-566-1201; and Rebecca Oils 202-566-1378)
19
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Sustainable Finance Team
I
O WOW Finance Team Enhances Tools and Training to Help Build More
Sustainable Watershed Organizations
n 2007, OWOW's Sustainable Finance Team (SFT) developed and refined tools and offered training
to strengthen the long-term financial sustainability of watershed organizations.
Enhancement of Decision-Making Tool
to
Plan2Fund Objective Prioritization Tool (OPT) helps stakeholders save time and energy when achiev-
ing consensus on top funding priorities and moving toward implementation of strategic plans. This
free, Web-based tool helps groups determine rules to evaluate competing objectives or projects as
well as a scoring system to rank those objectives or projects. This year, the team worked with Boise
State University's Environmental Finance Center to make Plan2Fund OPT more user-friendly and
easy to present to decision makers, funders, and constituents. For more information, visit: efc.bois-
estate.edu/efc/Tools/OPT/tabid/109/Default.aspx or contact Bill Jarocki at 208-426-4293 or bjarock®
boisestate.edu.
Building Capacity at EPA
The SFT worked to build the capacity of EPA employees to provide finan-
cial planning assistance to groups they serve. In June, the team presented a
poster entitled Cha-Ching!! Sustaining Community Involvement and Watershed
Protection at EPA's Community Involvement Conference to inform attendees
about the links between finance planning, community involvement, and
environmental results. During the year, the team also collaborated with the
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance, State Revolving Fund
branch, and other agency program staff to share tools, explore innovative finance mecha-
nisms, and foster partnerships. Finally, the SFT initiated an Office of Water finance network
promote better collaboration on watershed finance.
Delivering Finance Training to Target Groups
This past year, the team assisted with finance planning for three target groups:
Nonprofits and their service providers: The SFT organized finance presentations at River
Network's "River Rally," the largest gathering of watershed organizations and their service
providers, and the National Center for Nonprofit Enterprise's "Your Money or Your Mission ? "
The team also conducted a tools workshop targeting nonprofits in the Washington, D.C. area.
For more information, visit epa.govlowowlfimdinglworkshop_notes.htm.
The National Estuary Programs (NEPs): The team conducted a two-day finance training for San Juan Bay NEP. This
workshop resulted in development of three finance mechanisms that have been proposed in a bill to the Puerto Rico legisla-
ture: cruise ship, license plate, and income tax check off contributions. For more information, visit epa.gov/owowlfundingl
SJBEP_workshop.htm.
Remote Users: The team worked with the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center to develop "Moving
Beyond Grants," a Webcast on effective finance tools and approaches. The Webcast, attended by 295 people, is archived at
www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts. The team also continued to update EPA's Watershed Funding Portal, which contains
finance tools, resources, and searchable databases. The portal can be accessed at www.epa.gov/owow/funding.html.
(Contacts: Tim Jones, 202-566-1245, and Rakhi Kasat, 202-566-1644)
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Communications Team
Communications Team Continues Popular Webcast Series and Expands
Watershed Tools Training
In 2007, OWOW's Cross Office Communications Team hosted
12 Watershed Academy Webcasts on a variety of watershed
topics. These free, on-line seminars attracted more than 2,500
participants in 2007, including participants from all fifty states and
several other countries. Almost 30 webcasts are now available
covering topics such as social marketing, low impact development,
pollutant trading, water quality monitoring, and watershed plan
development.
The team also hosted numerous trainings on Key EPA Internet Tools
for Watershed Management. This popular computer training course covers many of
EPA's powerful tools for watershed management, including Enviromapper, STORET,
Adopt Your Watershed, the Watershed Plan Builder, and others. The course includes
an introductory overview in addition to a more in-depth, hands-on computer
training session for more advanced users. The course has been taught 25 times
and reached 654 people in six EPA regional offices, several states, and other
venues. In addition, the training was presented as a Webcast in March 2007
and at the River Rally in May 2007. The curriculum is now available on-line as
a self-paced tutorial at: www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/wacademy/epatools/,
so that practitioners can learn anytime, anywhere.
(Contacts: Anne Weinberg, 202-566-1217; Patty Scott, 202-566-1292; Meghan
Klasic, 202-566-1262)
2007 Webcast Seminars
Smart Growth and Green Infrastructure
Watershed Financing - Moving Beyond Grants
Water, Energy, and Climate Change
Wetlands: Condition, Loss and Restoration
Earth Gauge1™: Conveying Environmental Information through the
TV Weather Report
Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) & ART
Using STORET Data to Characterize Your Watershed
Eong-Term Stewardship of Wetlands Mitigation Sites
The Watershed Plan Builder
Key EPA Internet Tools for Watershed Management
Implementing TMDLs and Trading Through the National Estuary Program
Using NEMO- Nonpoint Source Education for Municipal Officials- to
Advance Watershed Management
All the seminars are archived (along with the audio) and can be accessed anytime at: www.
epa.gov/watershedwebcasts. They can also be downloaded as a podcastfrom iTunes.
21
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Diversity Action Team
OWOW Diversity Action Team Spreads Awareness on Mental
and Physical Disabilities
The theme for the Fiscal Year 2007 Diversity
Action Plan was increasing awareness of dis-
ability issues and supporting ways to create
a positive work environment to help persons with
mental and physical disabilities overcome chal-
lenges to foster success both professionally and
personally.
OWOW staff selected Lucky Man, a Memoir by Mi-
chael J. Fox, for the OWOW Diversity Book Club
discussion. Lucky Man discusses Fox's experiences
in dealing with Parkinson's disease. The team also
presented The Aviator, an Academy Award-winning
biographical drama based on the book "Hughes"
by Richard Hack, that illustrates Howard Hughes's
struggle and descent into obsessive compulsive-
ness and reclusiveness. After the film, Katrina
Gay from the National Alliance on Mental Illness
facilitated a discussion to help raise awareness
within EPA about mental disabilities. Ms. Gay
provided insights as to how organizations can be more accommodating to persons with disabili-
ties.
Sherry Duhon and Jean Bergey from Gallaudet University shared their experience with the deaf com-
munity and also reflected on deafness in America based on the documentary, "Through Deaf Eyes,"
which was attended by 50 EPA staff. William Haig, EPA's Reasonable Accommodations Officer,
presented information on Reasonable Accommodation Procedures to managers and the diversity
action team staff. And in June, OWOW staff participated and assisted people with disabilities at the
EPA Career Job Fair. Throughout the year, OWOW's popular diversity newsletters broaden the staff's
appreciation of cultural diversity and focus on activities that foster diversity. The theme for FY '08
is "Generations." (Contacts: Janice Winfield, 202-566-1151; Kathleen Kutschenreuter, 202-566-1383;
and Abu Moulta-Ali, 202-566-1068)
After watching the "Aviator," the National Alliance for Mental
Illness led a facilitated discussion with staff.
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OWOW2007 Annual Report
Visit O WO W on the Web at:
www.epa.gov/owow
fi
o
o
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OWOW2007 Annual Report
We welcome your comments! OWOW welcomes suggestions on how to make this report more use-
ful and informative for our readers. Please send comments to:
Patricia Scott
scott.patricia@epa.gov
Document Number: EPA840R08001
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds,
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (4501T)
Washington, D.C. 20460
May 2008
www.epa.gov/owow
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