ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Climate Change and Water News

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 26, 2010 10:03 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Climate Change and Water News
To: <Enviro-News@nal.usda.gov>

From: water_climate_change@epa.gov [mailto:water_climate_change@epa.gov]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 2:14 PM
Subject: EPA Climate Change and Water News

EPA Climate Change and Water News

EPA News

EPA Office of Water Issues National Water Program Climate Change
Strategy 2009 Progress Report

The EPA Office of Water has issued the National Water Program Climate
Change Strategy 2009 Progress Report.  The report summarizes the climate
change accomplishments of the National Water Program through 2009.  Two
fact sheets provide highlights of key activities in the Office of Water,
Regional offices, and Large Aquatic Ecosystems Programs.  Over forty key
actions in the areas of climate change mitigation, adaptation, research,
education, and management are underway.  The report and highlights
factsheets are available at:
http://www.epa.gov/ow/climatechange/implementation.html


EPA Seeking Public Comment on 303(d) Program of the Clean Water Act and
Ocean Acidification

EPA is seeking public comment on ocean acidification as it relates to
Clean Water Act section 303(d) (also known as the Total Maximum Daily
Loads Program). Ocean acidification (OA) refers to the decrease in the
pH of the Earth's oceans caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2)
from the atmosphere.  A Federal Register notice (FRN) was published on
March 22, 2010 which provides a 60 day public comment period lasting
until May 21, 2010.  In this FRN, EPA is soliciting specific input on
what considerations EPA should take into account when deciding how to
address listing of waters as threatened or impaired for OA under the
303(d) program.  Should EPA decide to issue guidance regarding the
listing of waters as threatened or impaired for OA under the 303(d)
program, EPA is using this opportunity to seek public comment on the
specific assessment, monitoring and other elements under the CWA that
EPA should consider.  Questions EPA is requesting comment on include:
What specific elements should EPA consider in regards to monitoring and
assessment? How can states or EPA otherwise aide in monitoring OA and
its impacts on marine life and ecosystems?  If waters were determined to
be threatened or impaired for OA under 303(d), what issues should EPA
and states take into account when considering how to address TMDL
development for such waters? What other federal ocean acidification
programs and initiatives should EPA take into account when deciding how
to approach OA under the 303(d) program?  By November 15, 2010, EPA will
complete a memorandum that describes how EPA intends to proceed with its
section 303(d) program in light of the responses to the notice.  The FRN
is titled "The Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Notice of Call for Public
Comment on 303(d) Program and Ocean Acidification" and is posted at:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/oceanfrMarch_2010/


EPA Climate Ready Estuaries Program Issues 2009 Progress Report

The EPA Climate Ready Estuaries program recently issued its 2009
Progress Report, describing ongoing efforts to assist coastal
communities in preparing for the impacts of climate change.  This report
features the activities of each of the program's 11 partners and key
lessons learned in the adaptation-planning process.  The Climate Ready
Estuaries program works with the National Estuary Programs to assess
climate change vulnerabilities; develop and implement adaptation
strategies; engage and educate stakeholders; and share lessons learned
with other coastal managers.  It also helps coastal areas adapt to
climate change by providing technical, financial, communications, and
other support to its partners.  The Progress Report can be downloaded
at: http://www.epa.gov/cre/downloads/2009-CRE-Progress-Report.pdf


Other News

NOAA Climate Service to Host Webinar for Non-Governmental and
Non-Profits on March 25, 2010, 2:30 - 4:00 EDT

NOAA is hosting a series of informational webinars for individuals and
organizations to learn about the proposed NOAA Climate Service and to
provide an opportunity to answer questions, and obtain feedback.  The
webinar is targeted to non-governmental and non-profits, and will begin
with a presentation from Tom Karl, Director, NOAA National Climatic Data
Center, and Transitional Director, NOAA Climate Service, and will be
followed by a question and answer session.  Additional webinars will be
held in April for the academic community, state and local government
officials, and the corporate and business community.  For additional
information, visit:  http://www.noaa.gov/climateresources/meetings/


American Water Works Association Presents Webcast: Water Resource
Strategies for Climate Change & Shortages on March 31, 2010, 1:00 -
2:30pm EDT

Climate change and water supply stresses are causing water resource
planners to develop innovative strategies to deal with potential
shortages and water quality problems.  This webcast describes the effect
of climate change on a groundwater supply, predicted shortages for a
surface water reservoir, and how sustainability principles can be
incorporated into water planning.  The experts will discuss planning
approaches that consider sustainable resource development to optimize
supply while balancing other important concerns.  For more information,
visit:
www.awwa.org/Conferences/WebcastsDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=53680&showLogin=N


Department of the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation Announce Funding
Opportunity for WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for FY
2010

The objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to
invite States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other
organizations with water or power delivery authority to leverage their
money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on projects that
conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the use of renewable
energy in the management or delivery of water, protect endangered and
threatened species, facilitate water markets, or carry out other
activities to address climate-related impacts on water or prevent any
water-related crisis or conflict.  With leveraged water sustainability
grants, an important step will be taken towards increasing conservation
for a more efficient use of water in the West.  The closing date for
grant applications is May 4, 2010.  For additional information, visit:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=52826


Sustainable Water Management Conference and Exposition to be Held April
11 - 13, 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

The American Water Works Association will host the Sustainable Water
Management Conference and Exposition on April 11 - 13, 2010 in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The conference will focus on sustainable water
management with emphasis on changes in climate patterns, population and
environmental pressures, and developments in technology and energy
management.  This event will provide a venue for water community
professionals to discuss the latest developments in water conservation,
water resource planning, water reuse, desalination, energy management,
and related topics.  For additional information, visit:
http://www.awwa.org/Conferences/SustainableManagement.cfm?ItemNumber=354
0&navItemNumber=50567
[or http://tinyurl.com/yhog96z ]


EPA Climate Change and Water News is produced by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). For more information on EPA's
climate change activities, visit http://epa.gov/climatechange.  For an
overview of climate change and water issues, visit
http://www.epa.gov/ow/climatechange.

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