U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 Bulletin - EPA 910/9-92-043
                                   August 2009
EPA Gives Puget Sound Action Agenda  "Stamp of
Approval," Paves Way for Continued Federal Funding
Photo by: Hugh Shipman, Washington State Department of Ecology
EPA gave its "stamp of approval" last month for the
Puget Sound Action Agenda under the National Estuary
Program (NEP). This action paves the way for the
Agenda to continue to receive federal funding. EPA's
action also marks the agency's full commitment to
helping carry out the Agenda to protect and restore
Puget Sound.

"I'm pleased to announce our approval of the Action
Agenda," said Michelle Pirzadeh, EPA's acting Regional
Administrator in Seattle. "This makes official what has
been true all along: EPA is fully committed to bringing
our resources to bear on the critically important
work of protecting and restoring our treasured Puget
Sound. We pledge to continue to act hand-in-hand
with our partners -the state, tribes, local governments
and citizens - to ensure a healthy Sound for future
generations."

Federal endorsement of the Action Agenda under
section 320 of the Clean Water Act means a common
plan will guide restoration and protection efforts and
provides access to federal funding, including $20
million in 2009.

Puget Sound is a national priority in EPA's Strategic
Plan, on  par with other great water bodies and
national treasures like the Chesapeake Bay and the
Great Lakes. The Sound is recognized as one of 28
estuaries of national significance under the NEP.  Since
1995, more than $60 million in EPA appropriations have
gone to Puget Sound estuary projects.

The Action Agenda was announced last December
by the Puget Sound Partnership and Washington
Governor Gregoire. The ambitious agenda focuses not
only on Puget Sound itself, but also identifies actions
in upland watersheds that will improve the health of the
Sound.
                                 continued on page 2
 In This Issue...
              mws
EPA News to update
you on agency activities,
pages 1-3.

Tools to clue you in on
resources, publications,
opportunities, and ser-
vices, pages 4-6.

Waterwords covering
water related issues,
page 7.
     SPOT JGH    Spotlight to showcase
                       success stories and envi-
                       ronmental stars,
                       page 8-9.
  lAfFCDSYST
      CALENDAR
Ecosystem to provide
news that goes beyond
water topics, page 10.

Calendar to highlight
environmental events,
page 11.

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Divers Check Groundwater Seep  to Lake Washington
EPA Region 10's Dive Team has been supporting the
cleanup of the Quendall Terminals Superfund Site with
several dives this spring. The Quendall Site sits next to
Lake Washington near the city of Renton, Washington.
There are concerns about the site's contaminated
groundwater seeping into the Lake.  Learning more
about the discharge of contaminated groundwater will
help choose cleanup options for the site. Divers used
"seepage meters" to measure discharge rates, and a
high definition video camera to characterize bottom
conditions. They also looked for evidence of sensitive
species, such as salmon spawning areas. Their
findings are being considered  now as part of the overall
site investigation.

Dives were done in April and May 2009 using tethered
SCUBA (http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/OEA.NSF/
webpage/Dive+Team+Equipment#tether) as well
as free swimming buddy teams off the EPA vessel
Monitor.  Having line-tended divers allowed constant
surface-to-diver communication, as well as better
direction to locate and  relocate sampling equipment.
More information and photos can be found at: http://
yosemite.epa.gov/r10/OEA.NSF/lnvestigations/
    Seepage meter bucket to collect groundwater coming in to
    Lake Washington.
    Dive+lnvestigations#quendall. Contact: Sean
    Sheldrake, EPA, 206-553-1220, 800-424-4372, or
    sheldrake.sean@epa.gov.
Protecting Puget Sound, One Child at a Time
EPA Diver Chad Schulze (in full SCUBA gear) at Bellevue's
Natural Resource Week asking kids what they think they can
do to prevent oil from going down a storm drain.

EPA divers again hit the road this spring to bring the
sea to life for elementary school age kids in Region
10. Dive Team members visited classrooms and
water festivals with underwater video, SCUBA gear,
cameras, and other underwater equipment to get kids
excited about protecting Puget  Sound, the Willamette
River, and their other "backyard" water bodies. Kids
learned how a diver uses math to conduct a biological
study-and how EPA divers use survey techniques to
protect resources like Puget Sound. The discussion
wrapped up with a brainstorming session on how kids
can protect their local "critters"  by doing simple things
at home and at school.
                                                 More information on the EPA Dive Team: http://
                                                 yosemite.epa.gov/r10/oea.nsf/webpage/dive+team
     continued from page 1
     Puget Sound Action Agenda

     Among its goals to reduce pollution to Puget Sound
     ecosystems, the Action Agenda will:
     •  Improve water quality in the Sound and nearby
       watersheds
     •  Aid the recovery of species affected by pollution
     •  Restore impaired water quality at beaches and
       shellfish beds
     •  Develop strategies to control toxic and bacterial
       contamination

     The plan also highlights the need to carefully
     consider the effects of development and population
     growth on Puget Sound.

     Learn more at www.psp.wa.gov.  Or, contact Tom
     Eaton, Director, EPA Washington Operations Office,
     at 360-753-8086, or eaton.thomas@epa.gov.  Want
     to help us help Puget Sound? Get involved here:
     http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/ECOCOMM.NSF/
     Wetlands/help_puget_sound/
 Watertalk August 2009
Page 2

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Recovery Act Funds  to Improve Water Services in Alaska Native
Villages  & NW Indian Country
Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 will soon improve access to vital water
services in Indian Country and Alaska's Native
Villages. EPA and the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Service's Indian  Health Service (IHS)
are directing $90 million nationwide in 'shovel ready'
infrastructure projects designed to better protect human
and environmental health. Many households in these
areas need modernized infrastructure to ensure clean
drinking water and improved  wastewater systems.

Nearly 30 Native Villages in Alaska will benefit from
$27.9 million in funds from the Recovery Act. These
funds will bring much needed drinking water and
sanitation improvements to more than 3,200 families in
some of Alaska's most remote areas.

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, near
Newport, Oregon, will have improved access to water
services, through $614,000 in Recovery Act funds.
Funds totaling $3.9 million will help improve drinking
water and sanitation for six Tribes in Washington. The
Tribes are the Lummi Tribe ($1,052,100); Upper Skagit
Indian Tribe ($1,041,670); Tulalip Tribe ($756,300);
Makah Indian Tribe ($677,080); Confederated Tribes of
                                                 the Colville Reservation ($232,300); and the Swinomish
                                                 Tribe ($165,250).

                                                  "This infusion of funds is very important for our tribal
                                                 communities," said Michelle Pirzadeh, EPA's acting
                                                 Regional Administrator in Seattle. "This work is part
                                                 of our commitment and trust responsibility to provide
                                                 clean drinking water and healthy sanitation to tribal
                                                 families."

                                                 Continuing a tradition spanning 20 years, EPA and
                                                 IHS's combined effort to improve water services in
                                                 Indian Country contributed to their identification of 95
                                                 wastewater and 64 drinking water priority projects to be
                                                 completed by IHS's Sanitation Facilities Construction
                                                 Program through EPA Recovery Act funds. The
                                                 projects exceed the Recovery Act requirement  that 20
                                                 percent of the funds be used for green infrastructure,
                                                 water and energy efficiency improvements and other
                                                 environmentally innovative projects.

                                                 For more  on the Recovery Act, visit www.recovery.
                                                 gov.  To get details on all the EPA Recovery Act water
                                                 efforts go to www.epa.gov/water/eparecovery/.
United We Serve:  Volunteer
Corporation for
                         United We Serve is
corporation jor       ^     uniTea we oerve is
NATIONAL CJ  President Obama's
COMMUNITY  summerservice initiative-
SERVICEESSE
                         It is a call to all Americans
                         to join a volunteer effort
                         this summer and be
part of building a new foundation for America, one
community at a time. United We Serve officially started
June 22, and runs through the National Day of  Service
and Remembrance on September 11th.

A new national web site for United We Serve (www.
serve.gov) lists thousands of opportunities to get
involved. There are many ways to get involved
including through Adopt Your Watershed, where
you can work for clean water by joining with local
organizations to monitor water quality,  restore habitat,
build rain gardens, plant trees, or clean up debris.

Visit www.serve.gov to find volunteer opportunities
in your area, and choose the one that best suits your
interests.  EPA is focusing on three areas to help this
summer: Adopting Your Watershed, taking the Energy
Star Pledge, and keeping schools safe with a Chemical
Cleanout Campaign. For details, visit www.epa.gov.
                            Get Watertalk Electronically
                            Save trees and limit mailbox clutter!  Sign up now for the Watertalk List-Serv.
                            You'll get your Watertalk electronically every quarter. It's quick and easy to sign
                            up. Justgotowww.epa.gov/region10. Click on A to Z Subject Index, then
                            W for Watertalk. There you will find an option to get on the Region 10 Water
                            Issues List-Serv.  Every quarter, an e-mail will tell you when the new Watertalk
                            is ready, and link you to its website.  Once in a while, you will get other water-
                            related news from EPA.  Remember to send an e-mail to lindsay.andrea@epa.
                            gov to be removed from the hard copy mailing list.
                                             Page 3
                                                                              Watertalk August 2009

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 Bright Ideas!
                     EPA Now on Twitter: You
                     can now find EPA's national
                     Office of Wetlands, Oceans
 and Watersheds on Twitter. Twitter is an online social
 networking site and OWOW is now a part of it. With
 over 1,000 followers so far, the Twitter page helps
 OWOW share important information,  stories, and
 events with people like you. Follow us on Twitter to
 get updates about water programs and initiatives:
 www.twitter.com/usepaowow
             Need Data? Use MyEnvironment
             to find data online. Search for maps,
             alerts, and environmental data and
             information based on ZIP code or place
             name. Check it out at: www.epa.gov/
             myenvironment/
              Comment on regulation
              development: Regulations.gov
              increases transparency by offering
              a one-stop, online forum for citizens
              about regulations issued by the U.S.
              government.  Share your opinions
 ^^^^^^M  about the site, too. Find it at: www.
 regulations.gov/exchange/

  SiFPtfV^ii^  ^IVQ Want more news? Sign
      M^         ' up to get daily EPA news
 releases on topics that interest you at: www.epa.gov/
 newsroom/email signups.htm
                Check the UV Index:  The UV Index
                predicts the strength of harmful solar
                rays. When you know how strong the
                sun's rays will be, you can take steps
                to protect yourself and your family from
                overexposure. Sun safety action steps:
   www.epa.gov/sunwise/actionsteps.html.  More
   about the UV Index: www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.
   html

    ^«    ,.,o,,(c,.,,1«co,,.,.1,.,1.o»«.,.1,.o,ic,,o».<.,«. Join the
    4? GreenversatJQTlS  Greenversation:
   ••••••••••••••••••• Each week, EPA
   asks you a question related to the environment and
   invites you to share your thoughts, http://blog.epa.
   gov/blog/category/question-of-the-week
Liquid Assets:
New DVD for Free Loan
                                      Liquid Assets, a new DVD focusing on the critical role that water
                                      infrastructure plays, is now available for free loan from EPA.
                                      Produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting, with support from
                                      19 organizations, the documentary shares facts about the severe
                                      challenges faced by our water infrastructure systems. Many of
                                      our nation's systems are aging, deteriorating, and in need of quick
                                      attention. Liquid Assets covers the history, engineering, and
                                      economic and political hurdles around this topic. Learn more about
                                      the 90-minute documentary at http://liquidassets.psu.edu.
                                      To borrow the DVD, call EPA at 206-553-1200 or
                                      800-424-4372.
 Watertalk August 2009
Page 4

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Free  Water Magazine Subscriptions

People interested in water issues may wish to sign up for a free magazine or two. The National Environmental
Service Center, sponsored by EPA, publishes OnTap, Small Flows, and Pipeline.  For details, e-mail info@mail.
nesc.wvu.edu or call at 800-624-8301.  Or, download recent editions at www.nesc.wvu.edu/publications.cfm.
 On tap
     CHERSY
              On Tap magazine is
              written for community
              leaders, water industry
              professionals, and
              others interested
              in small community
              drinking water
              treatment issues.
              It informs people
about technical, financial, operations
and maintenance, management,
source water protection, and health
issues relevant to small drinking water
systems. This publication is developed
by The National Drinking Water
Clearinghouse.

              Small Flows
              magazine features
              news, technical,
              and educational
              articles. Topics cover
              small community
              wastewater issues,
              including treatment
              technologies,
              regulations, and
finance.  Included as an insert are
peer-reviewed research journal articles.
This publication is developed by The
National Small Flows Clearinghouse.
EPA Region 10:  Who Are We?

The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect
human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been
working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American
people. The agency is divided into ten geographical regions.
EPA Region 10 serves Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
              Pipeline is popular with small
              community officials, citizens,
              maintenance and inspection
              personnel, and community educators.
              Each quarterly issue focuses on a
              single wastewater topic and presents
              it in an easy-to-read format. This
              publication is developed by The
              National Small Flows Clearinghouse.
  Visit Watertalk online at www.
 epa.gov/rl Oearth/watertalk. htm
                                                New Online Training Covers TMDLs

                                                The Water Quality Standards Academy Online has
                                                posted its second Basic Course Supplemental Topics
                                                Module.  It is called Listing Impaired Waters and
                                                Developing TMDLs. The new module covers the
                                                identification and prioritization of impaired or threatened
                                                waters by states and tribes.  It covers the development
                                                of pollutant loading analyses with a focus on meeting
                                                water quality standards. Similar to the Key Concepts
                                                modules, the Supplemental Topics Modules present
                                                text-based instruction, links to more information, and
                                                a brief quiz at the end.  To access the module go to
                                                www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/academy/
                                                supp/tmdi/.

                                                For more information, call Bryan "Ibrahim" Goodwin
                                                at 202-566-0762.
                                             PageS
                                                                             Watertalk August 2009

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Coming In September:

Pollution Prevention  Week

For more than a decade now, EPA has joined
governments, communities, and citizens taking part
in National Pollution Prevention Week. This year,
National Pollution Prevention Week is September
21-27.  Pollution prevention measures can protect the
environment before pollution even begins, save energy
and natural resources, and leave our homes, schools
and workplaces cleaner and safer.

For tips on ways you can prevent pollution, visit www.
epa.gov/p2.  Here are just a couple.
  At Home
  •  Use less water,
  •  use less energy,
  •  reduce your trash
  At Work
  •  Commute smarter,
  •  green your building,
  •  reduce, reuse, recycle
  In the Garden
  •  Spend less energy, resources, money on
     landscaping

  On the Road
  •  Improve your mileage, use less gas
    Reducing pollution before it ever gets to the
    environment is one of the most important ways to
    protect the environment. By reducing our energy and
    creating less waste, we reduce the need for expensive
    environmental controls, treatment, disposal - and even
    cleanup. Pollution prevention has grown from a good
    idea many years ago to one of the principal ways our
    country protects the environment. As a result, our
    land, air and water are cleaner and safer.  In the past
    decade, reductions from pollution prevention have
    been remarkable, cutting billion pounds of hazardous
    materials, saving trillions of BTUs of energy, and
    conserving billions of gallons of water.  Visit www.epa.
    gov/p2/ to learn more.

    At EPA, we too are reducing our environmental impacts
    at our office "home" by preventing pollution. Our actions
    range from seeking sources of alternative energy to
    recycling and purchasing environmentally friendlier
    products. EPA is the first federal agency to purchase
    green power equal to  100 percent of its estimated
    annual electricity use  nationwide. At EPA Region 10's
    office in Seattle, the whole building is going green,
    expecting to get a LEED Platinum rating from the US
    Green Building Council.  To read more about how EPA
    is going green visit www.epa.gov/greeningepa.
Watertalk August 2009
Page 6

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World Water Monitoring Day Starts  September 18
September 18 kicks off the 5th Annual World Water
Monitoring Day. This event is a month-long effort
to increase public involvement in water monitoring
and protecting water resources around the world.
World Water Monitoring Day engages people of
all ages in monitoring the condition of local rivers,
streams, estuaries and other waters. Conducting
simple monitoring tests teaches participants about
some of the most common indicators of water health
and encourages participation in more formal citizen
monitoring efforts. EPA is a partner in this effort. For
details, and to find out how you can participate, visit
www.WorldWaterMonitoringDay.com.

EPA Region 10 is offering free magnets and coloring
sheets.  To get yours, call 206-553-1200 or 800-424-
4372. Ask for the "Monitor Your Watershed" magnet
and coloring sheet.
International Coastal Cleanup:  September 19
EPA and NOAAare joining Ocean Conservancy
in the International Coastal Cleanup, the world's
largest volunteer event of its kind. Since 1986, the
International Coastal Cleanup has gathered six million
volunteers to remove more than 100 million pounds of
marine litter from 170,000 miles of beaches and inland
waterways. This year, the event takes place worldwide
on September 19.  EPA and NOAA marine debris
programs have helped fund the International Coastal
Cleanup for several years. Through the partnership
with Ocean Conservancy, they have helped promote
litter prevention and improve the health of the ocean
and waterways by shining a spotlight on the worldwide
marine debris problem.

Last year, 378,000 volunteers in 76 countries removed
six million pounds of marine debris. Trash in the
ocean continues to threaten millions of seabirds, fish
and wildlife. Last year's volunteers found 81 birds, 63
fish, 49 crabs and lobsters, 30 mammals, 11 reptiles
and one amphibian entangled in debris that included
discarded fishing line, fishing net, rope, and plastic
bags.

Each year, volunteers gather data on the types of
debris collected. Ocean Conservancy produces
the results in an annual report, which is the most
comprehensive collection of volunteer marine debris
data in the world. The report helps the public, industry,
and government officials understand the issue, and
helps spread the message about how to best address
litter issues at the source. For details, and to learn how
to participate, visit www.oceanconservancy.org.
                                           Page 7
                            Watertalk August 2009

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        SPOTLIGHT
Kenai Student Awarded for Creative Environmental Project
Lincoln Wensely of Kenai, Alaska is this year's
first place winner of EPA Region 10's President's
Environmental Youth Award. Wensely, a Kenai
Central High School student, received the award from
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in Washington, D.C.

Wensely won the award for his "Caring for the Kenai"
project. He created innovative, multimedia educational
materials to raise awareness of the damage being done
to the Kenai  River and the nearby sand dunes.

Through  partnerships with local government and
community organizations, Wensely produced a three-
minute movie about protection of the dunes. He also
created a public service announcement that was
televised statewide throughout the fishing community,
as well as local public service radio announcements.

Michelle  Pirzadeh,  EPA's acting Regional Administrator
in Seattle, congratulated Wensely and encouraged
   other young people to take action in their own
   communities.

   "We applaud Lincoln and all of the other award-winning
   students for their commitment and enthusiasm,"
   Pirzadeh said. "These projects are models of the type
   of individual action and stewardship that is needed to
   take care of our treasured natural resources."

   The City of Kenai credited Wensely's project with
   fewer trespassing violations during the 2008 fishing
   season and less human-caused coastal erosion. After
   reviewing his project, the city passed an ordinance
   increasing the fine for trespassing on the dunes from
   $100 to $500 and assigned two officers to patrol
   the beach during the fishing season. The city is now
   considering other measures to protect the dunes,
   including year-round fencing and construction of raised
   walkways.

   The President's Environmental Youth Awards
   program encourages individuals, school classes,
   summer camps, public interest groups,  and youth
   organizations to promote environmental awareness
   and positive community involvement. Each year,
   kindergarten through high school students are invited
   to participate. The program has two components: the
   regional certificate program and the national awards
   competition. Certificates from the President of the
   United States are awarded by each EPA region. One
   outstanding project from each region is presented with
   a Presidential plaque at a ceremony.

   For more information on Lincoln Wensely's video,
   visit: http://www.ci.kenai.ak.us/and click on "HOT
   TOPICS!" or to view the video go to: www.youtube.
   com/watch?v=Aat3tSLf34Y
   For details on awards program, visit:
   www.epa.gov/enviroed/peya/index.html
Mouth of the Kenai River looking out across Cook Inlet (low tide)
Watertalk August 2009
Page,

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        SPOTLIGHT
Environmental Education Gets EPA Boost:  8 Grants Awarded
Environmental education just got a boost from EPA!
Eight projects in the Northwest and Alaska will benefit
from Environmental Education Grants this year.
Region 10 awarded a total of about $188,000.

In Alaska, the Alaska Bird Observatory/Creamer's
Refuge is receiving funds to increase education
opportunities at the Creamer's Field Migratory
Waterfowl  Refuge in Fairbanks. Education funds will
also help the Copper River Watershed Project run a
Watershed Stewardship Campaign.

In Idaho, the Idaho State University will use funds for a
project called "Framing Citizenship with Recycling."
A second grant in Idaho will  help the Salmon Valley
Stewardship carry put a project called "A Sense of
Salmon: Connecting Children to Lemhi County's
Rich Environmental Heritage through the Arts."

Two grants were awarded in Oregon. One was
awarded to the International Sustainable Development
Foundation to help with  "Teaching Sustainability
in our Schools." The second went to the Institute
for Applied Ecology to support the "Restoration and
Reintroduction Education Partnership: Connecting
Students and Nature through Stewardship."

In Washington, Education Service District #101
is getting funds to support its program called
"Eastern Washington Environmental Education
Stewardship." EPA also awarded a grant to the
Environmental Education Association of Washington for
their program, "Schools for the Future: Sustainable
Design Projects."

Congratulations to all the grantees.  EPA's
Environmental Education Grants Program supports
environmental education projects that enhance
the public's awareness, knowledge, and skills to
help people make informed decisions that affect
environmental quality. EPA awards grants each year
based on funding appropriated by Congress. To learn
more, contact Sally Hanft at 206-553-1207, 800-424-
4372, or hanft.sally@epa.gov. Or, visit www.epa.
gov/enviroed/grants.html.
Video Contest Winners
Inspire  Stewardship
The two winners of EPA's first-ever water quality video
contest made videos that will help educate the public
about water pollution and give simple steps that people
and communities can take to improve water quality.

In the 30 or 60 second category, "Protect Our Water -
Check Cars for Oil Leaks" submitted by Lucas Ridley
of Trenton, GA, was the overall winner. His video
illustrates one easy step you can take to protect your
watershed through proper motor vehicle care.

In the 1 -3 minute category, "Dastardly Deeds and the
Water Pollution Monster "submitted by Nora Kelley
Parren of Hinesburg, VT, was the winner. Her animated
video, made  entirely out of discarded paper, illustrates
how polluted runoff threatens ecosystems and offers
tips people can take to protect water quality. The two
winning filmmakers will each receive a $2,500 cash
award.

EPA considered over 250 videos covering topics like
low impact development, wetlands, marine debris,
watershed management, water quality monitoring,
polluted runoff, and other water-related topics. To see
the winning videos and honorable mentions visit www.
epa.gov/owow/videocontest.html.
                                           Page 9
                           Watertalk August 2009

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Beneficial Landscaping:
Considering a Rain Barrel Initiative in Your Community?
Our May 2009 issue of Watertalk suggested the use
of rain barrels as a way to capture precipitation that
would otherwise become wet season runoff, and store
it for later use during droughts. We also raised the idea
of starting a rain barrel "collective" or initiative in your
neighborhood or community. To expand upon that idea,
we asked a rain barrel business owner experienced in
such efforts for advice about how to start a local Rain
Barrel Initiative. Here is what  he had to say:

  "It's worth doing.. .and important to do right.  Rain
  barrel initiatives are becoming more popular
  throughout the country, whether run through
  public agencies or private groups. Setting up a
  program to get  rain barrels  in the yards of local
  citizens can be a smart conservation move.

  For many people, a backyard rain barrel may be
  their first serious exposure to water conservation.
  For this and other reasons, it is worth making
  sure that if you  begin a program, you use best
  practices on both the hardware and software
  sides.

  Hardware refers to the equipment itself. The
  system selected needs to be easy to use
  and maintain so that people will both use and
  recommend it.  Mosquito control is a critical issue
  as well. The most important and probably most
  overlooked aspect of hardware design is control
  of overflow. Residential-scale systems fill up
  quickly, so it is important that excess water be
  kept out.  Most commercially produced systems
  and nearly all homemade ones do not adequately
  address this issue.

  Software is both the supply arrangements and
  the messages you use to connect with people
  about your program. Of course, you want to run
  a program that is efficient and does not consume
  too many hours of staff or volunteer time. In
  addressing the public, present the issue in a way
  that makes a connection with your audience.  Be
  aware of issues like rebates, watering restrictions,
  and local water prices, and explain the benefits
  of rain barrels to both the individual and the
  community.

  However you go about it, recognize that a rain
  barrel initiative can be a first step - an opportunity
  to show people that a conservation-oriented
  lifestyle is compatible with great quality of life."

Our thanks to Scott Lynch with the non-profit
organization Sustain Dane (sustaindane.org) for this
good advice! Want to learn more? See the May
2009 issue of Watertalk, or try visiting http://www.
rainbarrelguide.com/to  begin an internet search.

For more information about topics in Beneficial
Landscaping, contact Elaine Somers at 206-553-
2966, 800-424-4372, or at somers.elaine@epa.gov,
or visit our website at www.epa.gov/r10earth/bl.htm.
Watertalk August 2009
10

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                               CALENDAR
August

August 24-27:
   International Conference on Marine
   Bioinvasions, Portland, OR, 503-725-3834,
   http://www.clr.pdx.edu/mbic
September

September 13-16:
   Annual WateReuse Symposium, Meeting of the
   WateReuse Association, Water Environment
   Federation, and American Water Works
   Association, Seattle, WA, 703-548-5085, www.
   watereuse.org/conferences/symposium/24

September 14-17:
   EPA Region 10 Tribal Leaders Summit, Hosted
   by the Nez Perce Tribe, Lewiston, ID,
   208-843-7368

September 18:
   World Water Monitoring Day, www.
   worldwatermonitoringday.org

September 19:
   International Coastal Cleanup Day,
   www.oceanconservancy.org/icc

September 21-27:
   National Pollution Prevention Week,
   www.epa.gov/p2week/

September 27:
   National Estuaries Day, www.estuaries.gov
October

Children's Health Month,
   http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/
   content/homepage.htm

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

October 22-24:
   Urban Waterfronts 27: Sustainable Solutions,
   The Waterfront Center, 202-337-0356,
   www.waterfrontcenter.org/
October 27-30:
   Watershed Council Gathering, Network of
   Oregon Watershed Councils, Klamath Falls, OR,
   541 -682-8323, www.oregonwatersheds.org

October 28-30:
   Pacific Salmonid Recovery Conference,
   Northwest Environmental Training Center,
   206-762-1976, Seattle, WA,
   http://nwetc.org/bio-500_10-09_seattle.htm
November

November 1-5:
   Estuaries and Coasts in a Changing World:
   Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation
   Conference, Portland,  OR, 254-776-3550,
   http://www.sgmeet.com/cerf2009/

November 2-4:
   National Forum on Contaminants in Fish,
   Portland, OR, EPA, Susan Wolf, 919-541-6799,
   www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/forum/

November 4-6:
   Water and Land Use in the Pacific Northwest:
   Integrating Communities and Watersheds,
   Washington State University, Stevenson,
   WA, 509-335-5531, http://capps.wsu.edu/
   waterland/index.asp

November 9-12:
   Annual Water Resources Conference, Seattle,
   WA, American Water Resources Association,
   www.awra.org

November 15:
   America Recycles  Day,
   www.americarecyclesday.org

November 15-19:
   Water Quality Technology Conference & Expo,
   Seattle, WA, AWWA, 800-926-7337,
   www.awwa.org
December

December 7-8:
   Northwest Environmental Conference &
   Tradeshow, Portland, OR,
   503-244-4294, www.nwec.org/
                                          Page 11
                           Watertalk August 2009

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Watertalk
August 2009
   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 approval, 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...
Puget Sound Agenda Gets
  Stamp of Approval

Recovery Funds Benefit
  Tribes, Alaska Villages

Ways to Get Involved

Environmental Winners

Preventing Pollution

More Rain Barrels

Enviro Calendar

And More.

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