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. ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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, ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- Watertalk U.S. EPA 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, ETPA-081 Seattle, Washington 98101-3140 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Pre-Sorted Standard Postage and Fees Paid U.S. EPA Permit No. G-35 For Official Business Use Penalty for Private Use $300 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. ------- |