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Alaska Idaho Oregon Washington

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 Bulletin - EPA 910/9-92-043	May 1998

fiETOrU FW^ New c,ean Water Initiative Seeks To

Restore and Protect America's Waters

Clean Water Action Plan Affects Northwest

"Every child needs to grow up with water that is pure to drink, lakes that are safe for swimming,
and rivers that are teeming with fish."	President Bill Clinton, February 199 8

"The Clean Water Action Plan marks a renewed commitment to clean water. It reinforces and
enhances the work already underway in Northwest communities to protect local waterways,
human health, and habitat."	Chuck Clarke, EPA Regional Administrator

On February 19, 1998,
President Bill Clinton an-
nounced a Clean Water
Action Plan to restore and
protect our nation's waters.
The Action Plan sets strong
goals and provides states,
communities, and landown-
ers the tools and resources
to meet them. Developed by
EPA and the Department of
Agriculture along with other
agencies-this plan charts a
new course emphasizing
collaborative strategies built
around watersheds and the
communities they sustain.

The Plan's fundamental
elements include:

protecting public health

preventing polluted runoff

incentives for private land
stewardship

new resources for watersheds
restoring and protecting wetlands
protecting coastal waters

expanding "Citizen's Right to
Know"

enhancing federal stewardship

The Clean Water Action Plan
is significant for communi-
ties in the Pacific Northwest.
It means a new comprehen-
sive approach to preventing
polluted runoff and protect-
ing human health and habi-
tat. It's also about achieving
better federal coordination,
supporting community-based
planning, and increasing

funding for clean water.

Preventing Polluted Run-
off. Over the past 25 years,
we have made great progress
in restoring local waterways
and reducing water pollu-
tion. Now that specific in-
dustrial and municipal
sources are no longer the
primary threat to the health

In This Issue...

©ER^EWS

®S	

ECO 1EM





EPA News to Update you on agency
activities

WaterWords to share stories from
communities around the Greater
Northwest

Spotlight to showcase success stories
and enviromnental stars

Ecosystem to provide news that goes
beyond water topics

Tools to clue you in on resources,
publications, opportunities, and
services

-------
of our waters, attention is
shifting to more diffuse
sources of pollution. The
Plan provides resources and
tools to help reduce polluted
runoff from city streets,
farms, dairies, federal lands
used for timber harvest or
grazing, and other sources.

Protecting Human Health
and Habitat. Equally im-
portant is the protection of
public health by preventing
contamination of beaches,
seafood, and drinking water
sources. Protecting critical
habitat such as spawning
areas for salmon, and im-
proving the quality of de-
graded waters by taking a
comprehensive look at pollu-
tion sources, are other key
measures. The Plan includes
specific action items to help
achieve these goals.

Achieving Better Federal
Coordination. The Action
Plan is a landmark docu-
ment, bringing together a
host of federal agencies that
have a role in protecting the
nation's waters. It lays out a
blue print for these agencies
to work together, to approach
water issues in an integrated,
holistic way. In particular,
federal agencies will be better
able to address water quality
issues on federal lands. They
also will be ready to provide
better support and technical
assistance to state and local
governments and to commu-
nities.

Supporting Community-
Based Planning. Commu-
nity-based planning is at the
heart of this initiative. Water
quality is best protected by
looking at entire watersheds
on an individual basis. The
Action Plan encourages
states and communities to
work along with the public to
identify watershed protection
and restoration priorities and
the most cost-effective strate-
gies for protecting valuable
resources.

Increasing Funding for
Clean Water. The Clinton
Administration is requesting
$568 million for the Clean
Water Action Plan. The
money will support states,
tribes, and communities in
their water protection and
restoration efforts. Incen-
tive-based funding will also
be made available to farmers
and landowners to adopt
practices that protect water
quality.

Progress is already being
made under the Action Plan.
For example, EPA's national
strategy addressing animal
feedlot operations was issued
in March, fulfilling one of the
early action items called for
in the Plan. Additionally,
here in the Northwest, fed-
eral, state, local, and a vari-
ety of non-governmental
organizations met last month
in Portland, Oregon, to begin
coordinating and building
partnerships for implement-
ing the Clean Water Action
Plan. Similar meetings are
taking place across the
country.

For more information about
EPA Region 10's involvement
with the Clean Water Action
Plan, contact TeenaReichgott
at 206/553-1601, 1-800-
424-4EPA x!601, or email:
reidigott.chiistine@epamail.epa.gov.
For a free copy of the
100-page Plan, call 1-800-
490-9198; request document
number: EPA-840-R-98-001.
The entire Clean Water Ac-
tion Plan is available on line
at http://www.epa.gov/
cleanwater.

ID Aquaculture
Permit Proposed

A proposed wastewater
discharge permit for the
aquaculture industry
throughout Idaho aims to
improve water quality in the
Middle Snake River. The
permit—proposed last
month by EPA and open for
public comment—has spe-
cial relevance for ongoing
efforts to reduce the amount
of phosphorus in the Middle
Snake. Commercial trout
hatcheries and other aquac-
ulture operations discharge
an estimated 1600 pounds of
this nutrient into the mid-
Snake each day. The permit,
as proposed by EPA, would
reduce phosphorus loadings
in that stretch of river by as
much as 40 percent. Phos-
phorus is one of the major
nutrients that promotes the
growth of vegetation. Often,
vegetation is so thick that it
turns the mid-Snake into a
bog, and drives up water
temperatures and reduces
oxygen levels, with lethal
results for aquatic life.

The aquaculture permit
stems from efforts of a
citizen's advisory group and
state and federal agencies
that have worked together
since 1991 to develop a
nutrient reduction plan for
the Middle Snake watershed.
That plan was approved by
EPA last year as a Total
Maximum Daily Load, a
pollution reduction allocation
for water quality improve-
ment.

A five year compliance sched-
ule to meet phosphorus
limits, as well as a require-
ment to adopt a "Best Man-
agement Practices Plan"
including prescribed moni-

Page 2

WaterTalkMay 1998

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toring, are included in the
proposed permit. The permit
distinguishes between large
and small aquaculture facili-
ties, classifying them into
four size categories. The
permit is a "general permit"
that would replace existing
wastewater discharge per-
mits for individual hatcheries
and other facilities.

EPA will accept public com-
ments until June 9. A work-
shop and public hearing will
be held May 12 in Twin Falls,
Idaho. For more informa-
tion, call Carla Fromm,

EPA's Boise Office, at
208/378-5755 or visit the
web site http://
www.epa.gov/rl Oearth/
offices/water/ow.htm

WA WaterWeeks
Seeks Events

Washington WaterWeeks
1998 is looking for commu-
nity groups, organizations,
schools, businesses, service
clubs, government agencies,
and individuals to plan local
water-related education and
hands-on activities from
August 29 to October 4.
Participating organizations
will receive promotional
support and a free event
listing in the WaterWeeks
Activity Guide, and on the
WaterWeeks web site. Activ-
ity Guides are distributed at
state parks, libraries, cham-
bers of commerce, visitor
centers, festivals, sponsor's
sites and other locations
statewide.

The goal of WaterWeeks is to
involve residents in fun local
events and connect them
with organizations to help
them become year-round
water habitat stewards.
Activities include habitat
restoration; watershed stew-
ardship; salmon education;
water celebrations; river,
lake, or beach cleanups;

wildlife viewing; water quality
monitoring; children's activi-
ties; and much more. This
year's theme of Hands On for
Healthy Habitats reflects that
healthy habitats are an
integral part of preserving
our Pacific Northwest quality
of life.

Washington WaterWeeks,
now celebrating its 15th year,
is coordinated by a policy
board of representatives from
the Washington Departments
of Ecology, Natural Re-
sources, Fish and Wildlife,
Transportation, Health;
Washington State Parks and
Recreation Commission;
EPA; Washington Sea Grant
Program; Northwest Indian
Fisheries Commission; and
League of Women Voters.
The activity registration
deadline is May 29. To re-
ceive an activity planning
packet, call the WaterWeeks
office in Olympia at
360/943-3642. Or write
WaterWeeks at P.O. Box
1354,Olympia, WA
98507-1354.

¦LSPOIUCTTr

Idaho One Plan
For Farmers
Thrives



The Idaho One
Plan project is
thriving, thanks
in part to $10,000 seed
money provided by EPA's
Regional Office of Innovation.
First featured in WaterTalk in
February 1997, the One Plan
project is aimed at helping
Idaho farmers deal with the
maze of federal, state, and
local agency requirements.
The seed money for this
project, plus support from
EPA's National Headquarters
and staffing in EPA's Idaho

Office, have resulted in
leveraging $131,000 in fund-
ing and about $360,000 in
resources from other agen-
cies, associations, and com-
modity groups. This major
pooling of resources, involv-
ing over seventy individuals
from 20 cooperating agencies
and groups, has resulted in a
cohesive effort dealing with
farm and ranch conservation
planning in Idaho.

The Idaho One Plan project
began in 1994 when agencies
and agricultural interests
came together to jointly
develop a new approach to
consolidated farm planning.
An inter-agency agreement
has been signed by the
Governor and many of the
twenty One Plan partners.
The Idaho approach is
unique in that it integrates
agency programs and oppor-
tunities, while focusing on
specific types of farming
operations and management
concerns.

The tools being developed by
the One Plan project have
great potential for informing
Farmers and ranchers about
applicable requirements and
helping users develop con-
servation plans for tneir
operations. Such plans can
incorporate practices and
outline improvements to
bring operations into compli-
ance with various agency
program requirements. EPA
issues being addressed
include: installation of "best
management practices" for
controlling polluted runoff,
wastewater discharge per-
mits for dairies and animal
feedlots, air quality, drinking
water, wetlands, hazardous
waste, pollution reduction
allocations for water quality
improvement (TMDLs), pesti-
cide usage, and petroleum
storage. Additional issues
covered by this program are:
endangered species, federal
and state grazing

Page 3

WaterTalk May 1998

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requirements, dairy waste
management, and approved
conservation systems to
qualify for Farm Bill funding.
The chosen delivery mecha-
nism is the Idaho One Plan
Farm and Ranch Resource
Center, an Internet based
system for improving effi-
ciency and effectiveness of
farm operations. The system
will incorporate opportunities
available to the grower and
will help the user understand
the many state, federal, and
local agency requirements
affecting farm decisions. The
One Plan Website is up and
running. It comprises over
650 pages of information
tailored for Idaho agriculture
producers, is organized for
easy access, and features
over 400 links to external ag-
related sites. There are an
estimated 2500 potential
Idaho agricultural customers
for the site, representing 12%
of the Idaho producers with
internet access. This figure

is certain to rise in coming
years as more farmers and
ranchers begin using the
computer to help manage
their operations. The site
receives over twenty hits a
day. To view the site, you
may visit it at

http:Wwww.oneplan.state.id.us.

A key element to the Web
Site is the online Farm Plan-
ning module. This planning
tool is in the earlier stages of
development and should be
accessible over the net later
this year. When completed,
this system will help farmers
and ranchers develop farm
plans that will adequately
address various agency
concerns.

For further details contact
Warren McFall,

Co-Chairman, Idaho One
Plan at 208/378-5759, or
Lynn McKee, Executive
Committee member at
208/378-5759.



Search for Watershed
Winners Underway

The search is underway for the nation's best efforts to pro-
tect America's water resources. "We're looking for communi-
ties and corporations who have working programs that dem-
onstrate the success of innovative, nonregulatory solutions
to nonpoint source pollution/' said Robert C. Liuzzi, presi-
dent of CF Industries, founder of the CF Industries National
Watershed Awards.

The award annually recognizes three communities and one
corporation for outstanding leadership and excellence in
protecting their watersheds. Each winning community will
receive $1,000 and a framed certificate at an awards
ceremony next fall.

Applications are due May 29 to the Terrene Institute. For an
award application or more information, contact Terrene
Institute, 703/548-5473; terrinst@aol.com; www.terrene.org.

AK Youth Gets

Presidential

Honor

Sixteen year-old Patrick
Bennett of Soldotna,
Alaska, was honored
recently at the White
House as one of ten
recipients of the 1997
President's Environ-
mental Youth Awards.
Bennett, a high school
junior, was recognized for
having developed an
interactive computer
program to help anglers
learn how to fish the
Kenai River without
disturbing salmon habi-
tat. The President's
Environmental Youth
Awards place emphasis
on community involve-
ment in protecting the
environment and the
role the environment
plays in building a
strong economy and
protecting public health.
Winners are selected by
competition in this
annual award program
for young people in
kindergarten through
grade 12. For informa-
tion about the award
program, call Sally
Hanft, EPA, at
206/553-1207, or
1-800-424-4EPA x!207.
Bennett's web page can
be found at:
www.kpbds.kl 2.ak.us/
programs/quest/cfk/
caring.html

y

Page 4

WaterTalkMay 1998

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EPA Digs In For
Earth Day

On Saturday, April 18,
people across the nation dug
in for Earth Day 1998!
EPAers and their families got
in on the act, too! Here in
the Northwest, in conjunc-
tion with the Student Con-
servation Association's
Earthwork Northwest, one
volunteer EPA work crew got
their hands dirty in the
Thorton Creek Watershed,
mulching streamside vegeta-
tion and tackling wetland
restoration work. Another
crew lent their skills to
Gazzam Lake on Bainbridge
Island, removing invasive
plants and conducting gen-
eral cleanup. At the
Duwamish River Turning
Basin Habitat Restoration
Project, folks "did a ton of
fencing" as part of a goose
exclosure effort, planted new
intertidal vegetation, and
pulled blackberries. "It was
good, hard work, and very
rewarding to get down side-
by-side with people from
outside the agency," said one
participant.

'Even little ones can make a big
difference!

The first Earth Day hap-
pened in 1970 on April 22,
when citizens around the
country gathered together to
highlight the importance of
taking care of our environ-
ment Since then, the occa-
sion has become an annual
event. But, if you're looking
for ways to make a differ-
ence, don't wait for next year.

EPA staff "acting locally."

Earth Day can be every day.
For ideas on how you can
become involved in your
community, call EPA's Public
Environmental Resource
Center at 1-800-424-4EPA or
206/553-1200, or visit EPA's
regional web site at
www.epa.gov/rl Oearth

<4*^ <4^ <4^*4^ <4^4^ <4^ <4*^ <4^ *4*^ <4*^ <4^

Beneficial Landscaping
New Focus for EPA

ECO

j

beneficial landscaping." What, you might
is ~beneficial landscaping 'and why"is EPA in the landscaping business? Read

EPA Region 10 recently began promoting
ask, is beneficial landscaping and why is tPA in the lanascap
on to learn the answers to a few questions about this new effort.

What is beneficial landscap-
ing? Beneficial landscaping
is a suite of landscaping
practices that yield environ-
mental, economic, and aes-
thetic benefits. These prac-
tices include:

•using native plants and
appropriate non-natives for
landscaping;

•minimizing clearing and
constructions' adverse effects
on natural habitat;

•implementing water-efficient
practices and plantings;

•using shade trees, wind
breaks, natural hedgerows
and screens; and

preventing pollution by
decreasing or eliminating use
of chemicals and power lawn
maintenance equipment,
reducing runoff, and recy-
cling green waste.

Page 5

What are the benefits?
Environmental benefits are
many. They include pollu-
tion prevention; solid waste
reduction; energy conserva-
tion; water conservation;
ecological restoration; and
wildlife habitat protection
and enhancement.

Economic benefits coincide
with all the environmental
benefits. When we prevent
pollution, use less landfill

WaterTalkMay 1998

-------
space, conserve energy and
water, maintain and restore
ecological integrity, and
reduce the need to purchase
fossil fuels, lawn chemicals,
and power maintenance
equipment, we save money
and time for more enjoyable
pursuits. Plus, if they are
left undisturbed on site,
native plants are free!

Finally, the aesthetic benefits
are wonderful. Our native
flora is naturally beautiful
and pleasing to the senses,
and our native wildlife spe-
cies are adapted to and
dependent upon it for food,
cover, and shelter. This
means we enjoy more wildlife
near our residences and
workplaces.

Where can beneficial land-
scaping be used?

Beneficial landscaping can
be applied in any area expe-
riencing human activity and
existing or planned develop-
ment. These include: resi-

dential yards and gardens;
industrial complexes; com-
mercial establishments;
agricultural settings; govern-
ment owned and managed
lands; parks; roadsides and
rest areas;
school grounds;
buffer strips,
and more.

What specifically is EPA
Region 10 doing?

We're just getting started,
but here are our initial activi-
ties:

Region 10 Groups. We've
established in-house learn-
ing and working groups to
increase awareness about
the benefits and applications
of beneficial landscaping,
and to promote its practice.

Workshop. We held a No-
vember 1997 workshop with
external partners to establish
a network of agency and
non-profit practitioners and
a Region 10 workplan.

Web site. A Region 10 Ben-
eficial Landscaping website
with links to other useful
sites is currently under
development. Watch future
issues of WaterTalk for an
announcement of its avail-
ability.

Funding. We are working to
provide funding to external
organizations for collabora-
tive projects through grants
and cooperative agreements.

Outreach and education. We
offer ongoing internal and
external outreach and educa-
tion through publications,
public presentations, and
newsletter articles such as
this.

For more information about
beneficial landscaping at
EPA, contact Elaine Somers
at 206/553-2966, or
somers.elaine@epamail.epa.gov.
Happy spring!

WA Sediment Meeting Convenes

This year's Sediment Man-
agement Annual Review
Meeting (SMARM), marking
the 1 Otn anniversary of the
interagency sediment pro-
gram, will be held May 13,
9 am to 5 pm, at the Seattle
District Corps of Engineers'
offices in Seattle. The an-
nual meeting is an opportu-
nity for the general public,
as well as interested parties

such as the ports, tribes, and
others, to obtain an inter-
agency summary of
Washington's sediment
related activities—including
monitoring at disposal sites,
information on permits
processed, sediment cleanup
activities, and the latest
sediment technical informa-
tion. Jointly sponsored by
the Seattle District Corps of

Engineers, EPA, and Wash-
ington Departments of Ecol-
ogy and Natural Resources,
the meeting also is an oppor-
tunity for all to provide input
on sediment programs. For
more information about the
meeting, call Justine Barton
at 206/553-4974 or John
Malek at 206/553-1286, or
1-800-424-4EPA.

Ever wonder how to reach an EPA staffer by email? Simply use this formula for the
address: Iastname.firstname@epamail.epa.gov. For example, the email address for
WaterTalk's Editor is Iindsay.andrea@epamail.epa.gov

While you're at it, drop me a line! Tell me what you think of WaterTalk, and whether you have
any ideas for improvement or suggestions for topics to cover. And, article submissions are
always welcome. Deadline for the August issue is July 16. I can be reached the traditional
way—by phone—at 206/553-1896 or 1-800-424-4EPA x1896.

Page 6

WaterTalk May 1998

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Nonpoint
Pointers

Nonpoint source pollution,
commonly known as polluted
runoff, is the nation's largest
water quality problem. EPA
has compiled eleven
Nonpoint Pointers, one-
page tips for understanding
and managing nonpoint
source pollution in your
community. The pointers
cover everything from oppor-
tunities for public involve-
ment and programs for
nonpoint source control, to
protecting coastal waters and
managing runoff from agri-
culture, cities, forestry,
marinas, and households.
For a free set of pointers, call
EPA's Public Environmental
Resource Center at
206/553-1200 or
1-800-424-4EPA.

Water On Tap
Talks Drinking
Water

Have questions about your
water supply? Ever wonder
if your water is safe to drink?
Answers to many questions
regarding drinking water can
be found in a free EPA publi-
cation called Water On Tap:
A Consumer's Guide to the
Nation's Drinking Water.
This 23-page booklet offers
easy-to-understand informa-
tion about drinking water
sources, treatment methods,
threats, contaminants, and
more. It also lets you know
what you can do to protect
your drinking water supply
and how to proceed if there
are problems. For a copy,
call EPA's Public Environ-
mental Resource Center at
206/553-1200 or
1-800-424-4EPA.

Environmental
Justice Grants
For States,
Tribes

EPA recently announced a
new grant program offering
financial assistance to state
and tribal environmental
departments that are work-
ing to address environmental
justice issues. With the
increased interest in Title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, EPA is seeking to
support individual state's
and tribe's efforts to effec-
tively comply with Title VI in
their environmental pro-
grams and/or establish an
environmental justice pro-
gram. A maximum of
$100,000 will be awarded to
each recipient, contingent
upon the availability of
funds. A total of five grants
are expected to be awarded.
EPA requests that only one
application be submitted
from each state or tribe and
that agencies work with
community-based grassroots
organizations when develop-
ing their proposals. Applica-
tions must be postmarked no
later than May 29, 1998. For
a copy of the Application
Guidance, call Susan Mo-
rales at 206/553-8580 or
Joyce Kelly at 206/553-
4029, or toll-free
1-800-424-4372.

$$ Available for
WA Watersheds

Local governments seeking to
plan for water use, improve
water quality, and enhance
fish habitat may want to
apply for watershed plan-
ning grants being offered by
Washington's Department of
Ecology. As a result of the
1998 Legislature's watershed
management bill, Ecology
must award $1.4 million in
grants by June 30, 1998.

Page 7

The new 1998 law lists the
following priorities for decid-
ing which grants to fund: a
planning group which has
existed for more than a year,
a watershed management
plan that would address
endangered or threatened
fish in areas without ad-
equate water for population
growth, and a plan that
covers multiple watersheds.

Washington state has 62
Water Resource Inventory
Areas. Local governments
and utilities in each of those
geographic areas are eligible
for watershed planning
grants. The grants may be
used to assess water supply
and use, set instream flows
(the amount of water neces-
sary in a stream to support
fish, navigation and recre-
ation), and develop plans for
improving water quality and
protecting and enhancing
fish habitat. To receive a
grant application, contact
Laura Lowe, 360/407-7255,
or visit Ecology's home page
at http://www.wa.gov/
ecology/. Applications are
due June 1.

Poster

Celebrates Lakes

Get a free lake poster from
EPA! This poster and pam-
phlet rolled into one illus-
trates the different types of
lakes throughout the United
States, discusses the quali-
ties and values that make
each lake unique, and charts
pollution sources that can
threaten a lake and shows
how those sources might be
controlled. Both educational
and colorful, the poster is
called The Nation's Lake
Resources:Their Value,
Uniqueness, and Need for
Wise Management. For
your free copy, call EPA's
Public Environmental Re-
source Center at 1-800-424-
4EPA or 206/553-1200.

WaterTalkMay 1998

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Video Highlights
Storm Water
Education

With a grant from EPA, Boise
City Public Works has pro-
duced a video about storm
water and water quality.
Called Clean Water Begins
With You: Managing Urban
Runoff in the Treasure
Valley, the video highlights
the Boise River's and its
connection to the City's
quality of life. While the
river's water quality has
improved over the past 50
years, it is now threatened by
population growth and devel-
opment. The resulting urban
storm water runoff and
widespread non-point pollu-
tion are compromising Boise
River water quality.

Conditions of the storm
water discharge permit
issued by EPA provide op-
portunities to educate the
broad community about
ways to change behaviors
ana to enlist support of local
decision makers about storm
water management. The
video goes hand-in-hand
with the City's public educa-
tion efforts and targets deci-
sion makers and community
groups. The City has shown
the video to groups through-
out Treasure Valley, and
copies will be distributed to
Boise Schools for use this
fall. Boise City Public Works
also will show the video
during Idaho Water Aware-
ness Week (May 4-8), when
thousands of 6th graders
take part in educational and
environmental activities. To
check out the video on short-
term loan, contact Julie
Quinn, Boise City Public
Works, at 208/388-4712.

Small Commu-
nity Center
Seeks Training
Partners

The National Environmental
Training Center for Small
Communities (NETCSC) is
seeking partners to provide
training tor those working
with small communities. By
sharing the cost of an offer-
ing, the training center will
ensure that its environmen-
tal training programs reach a
broad aucflence while helping
organizations offer courses
that address local needs.
NETCSC will assist organiza-
tions by bearing some of the
costs for training offerings of
its wastewater, drinking
water, and solid waste cur-
ricula. Support provided can
range from a trainer and
materials to partial funding
of a training session. Pro-
Dosed offerings should sup-
port NETCSC's mission of
lelping meet small commu-
nities' environmental training
needs. For details, call John
Hoornbeek, NETCSC,
1-800-624-8301,
jhoornbe@wvu.edu.



Irrigation
Manual Available

Washington State University
Cooperative Extension now
offers a manual to help
irrigators prevent water
pollution. Irrigation Man-
agement Practices to Pro-
tect Ground Water and
Surface Water Quality will
help irrigators maximize the
efficiency of their systems
and avoid pitfalls that can
lead to pollution problems.
The manual provides back-
ground on the science of
water pollution, Washington
water quality issues, man-
agement ana implementation
practices, how to develop an
on-farm water quality pro-
gram, and the role of govern-
ment in controlling contami-
nation. EPA Section 319
Nonpoint Source Pollution
funds contributed to the
manual's development. For a
free copy, request EM 4885
from Cooperative Extension
Bulletin Office at 509/335-
2857. A shorter 12-page
version, EB 1810, is also
available free. Or, download
the documents from http://
www.cahe.wsu.edu/
~ infopub/pub_search_page/
pub-list3.html#340

Habitats For Kids to Color

A little something for the kids to color, while learning a
bit about water habitats in the process, is available free
from EPA's Public Environmental Resource Center.

Each of the coloring sheets is 11x17 inches, and can be
easily photocopied. One sheet depicts a wetland, an-
other illustrates an estuary, and the third shows a
stream environment—all show the types of creatures
and vegetation that might dwell within that habitat. For
copies, call 1-800-424-4EPA or 206/553-1200.

Page 8

WaterTalkMay 1998

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May

3-9:	Drinking Water Week, National
Drinking Water Clearinghouse,
1-800-624-8301.

4-8:	Idaho Water Awareness Week. Dick
Larsen, Idaho Department of Water
Resources, 208/327-7933.

9: Penn Cove Water Festival, Whidbey
Island, Washington. WSU Beach Watch-
ers, 360/679-7391, or bertas@wsu.edu.

12: EPA workshop and public hearing
on the proposed Aquaculture NPDES
Permit. Twin Falls, Idaho. Carla Fromm,
EPA, 208/378-5755.

12: The Natural Step: Compass for
Achieving Economic Advantage and
Environmental Sustainability, Work-
shop. Seattle, Washington. Lynn
Helbrecht, 360/407-6760.

12: 1998 Update: The Clean Water Act
Satellite Seminar. Viewing locations in
Boise, Portland, and Seattle. American
Bar Association, Water Environment
Federation, EPA. For info: 1-800-
285-2221, http://www.abanet.org/cle

13: Sediment Management Annual
Review Meeting, Seattle, Washington.
Justine Barton, EPA, 206/553-4974, or
1-800-424-4EPA x4974.

21-22: Pacific NW Chapter of Society of
Wetland Scientists, Annual Meeting,
Tacoma, Washington. Fred Weinmann,
EPA, 206/553-1414 or 1-800-424-4EPA
xl 414.

29-31: National Wilderness Conference,
Seattle, Washington. 206/624-6430,
wildcon@twsnw.org

June

1-4: Return on Innovation: Investing
in our Future; Pollution Prevention
Conference, Seattle, Washington. US
Department of Energy, 206/292-9198.

4-5:	Oregon Clean Water: Latest
Trends in Protecting Water Quality,
Law Seminars International
Conference, Portland, Oregon. LSI,
206/463-4400.

8-12: Alaska's Wetlands, From Tundra
to Sea: Annual National Meeting of
Society of Wetland Scientists. Terry
Brock, tbrock@ptialaska.net,
907/780-5869, 907/586-7863,
http ://www.sws.org.

July

5-10:	Port Townsend Marine Science
Summer Camp for children 8-13, Fort
Warden State Park, Washington. Anne
Murphy, 360/385-5582.

12-15: Residuals and Biosolids Man-
agement Specialty Conference,
Bellevue, Washington. Water
Environment Federation,
703/684-2442.

16: Deadline for submissions for the
August issue of WaterTalk. Andrea
Lindsay, EPA Editor, 206/553-1896,
1-800-424-4EPA x!896.

17-21: National Association of Coun-
ties Conference, Portland, Oregon.
Jo Ann Bowman, 503/248-3963.

19-24: Port Townsend Marine Science
Summer Camp for children 8-13, Fort
Warden State Park, Washington.

Anne Murphy, 360/385-5582.

> '

Page 9

WaterTalk May 1998

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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.

Mention of trade names, products, or services does not convey, and should not be interpreted as conveying,
official EPA approval, endorsement, or recommendation.

You are invited to contribute items for publication. Submittal deadline is the 15th day of the month preceding
publication.

WaterTalk articles are available for use in other publications. Please give credit to WaterTalk.

For mailing list changes, call Tomi Rutherford at 206/553-0603.

To contact the Editor, call Andrea Lindsay at 206/553-1896,

1-800-424-4EPA xl896, or email: lindsay.andrea@epamail.epa.gov.

Accessibility Information: This publication is available in alternate formats (eg, large print, Braille). To request
an alternate format, contact EPA at 206/553-1200 or 1-800-424-4EPA. People with hearing or speech
impairments can call EPA's telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD) at 206/553-1698.

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