Tuesday, November 12, 2013

ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Climate Change and Water News

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Nov 7, 2013 2:27 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Climate Change and Water News
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>
Cc:

From: water_climate_change@epa.gov [mailto:water_climate_change@epa.gov]
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2013 1:23 PM
Subject: EPA Climate Change and Water News

EPA Climate Change and Water News
To learn more about climate change and water related trainings, conferences, webinars, and other events, visit: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/climatechange/Calendar-of-Events.cfm.

U.S. EPA News

Draft EPA Office of Water Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan Released for Public Review and Comment

EPA has released its draft Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plans for public review and comment, including the plan of the Office of Water.  The Implementation Plans provide detailed information about the actions EPA plans to take to help communities adapt to a changing climate.  The impacts of a changing climate, including increased extreme weather, floods, and droughts, affect EPA's work to protect clean air and water.  The Draft EPA Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plans recognize that EPA must integrate climate adaptation planning into its programs, policies, rules, and operations to ensure that the Agency's work continues to be effective even as the climate changes.  The Office of Water's Plan provides an overview of the opportunities available within the EPA to respond to the challenges that a changing climate poses to protect the quality of national water resources and drinking water.  The public comment period closes on January 3, 2014. 

For more information, visit: http://epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/fed-programs/EPA-impl-plans.html.

EPA Releases Report on Importance of Water to Economy EPA has released a report on the Importance of Water to the U.S. Economy. 

This report is intended to help raise the awareness of water's importance to our national economic welfare and to summarize information that public and private decision-makers can use to better manage the nation's water resources.  It highlights EPA's review of the literature and practice on the importance of water to the U.S. economy, identifies key data gaps, and describes the implications of the study's findings for future research.  EPA hopes this report will be a catalyst for a broader discussion about water's critical role in the U.S. economy.  To view the report, visit: http://water.epa.gov/action/importanceofwater/index.cfm.

Other Federal Agency News

President Issues Executive Order on Preparing for Climate Change and Creates Task Force

President Obama has signed an Executive Order on Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change, directing federal agencies to take a series of steps to make it easier for American communities to strengthen their resilience to extreme weather and prepare for other impacts of climate change.  The Executive Order addresses modernizing federal programs to support climate-resilient investments; managing lands and waters for climate preparedness and resilience; providing information, data, and tools; and planning for climate change related risk.  Also established is a Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, comprised of state, local and tribal leaders from across the country that will use their first-hand experiences in building climate preparedness and resilience in their communities to inform their recommendations to the Administration. 

To view a fact sheet, visit:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/11/01/fact-sheet-executive-order-climate-preparedness

To view the Executive Order, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/11/01/executive-order-preparing-united-states-impacts-climate-change.

Bureau of Reclamation Releases Climate Change Literature Synthesis Report

The third edition Literature Synthesis on Climate Change Implications for Water and Environmental Resources from the Bureau of Reclamation offers a summary of recent literature on the current and projected effects of climate change on hydrology and water resources.  It is organized around the five Reclamation regions which correspond roughly with the Columbia River basin, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River basin, the upper Colorado River basin, the lower Colorado River basin, and the Great Plains.  The report was externally reviewed by staff from the five NOAA Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments centers located in the western United States.  The information in this report is meant for use in a range of planning studies including environmental impact statements, biological assessments, and feasibility studies.  Previous versions were published in 2011 and 2009. 

To learn more, visit: http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=45024.

NOAA and Sea Grant Release Report on Cost-Efficient Climate Adaptation Best Practices in North Atlantic Communities

Undertaken in an effort to raise awareness of best practices in leading North Atlantic communities, this project was sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration North Atlantic Regional Team and Sea Grant.  The report, "Cost-Efficient Climate Change Adaptation in the North Atlantic," looks at community-level coastal flood management and climate change adaptation from Virginia to Maine.  The authors identified low-cost, innovative ways that coastal communities are addressing climate change and related coastal hazard management best practices at the local level by looking at studies, laws, policies, outreach tools, and infrastructure investments that were voluntarily adopted by 34 local municipalities.  For more information and to view the report, visit: http://seagrant.uconn.edu/CEANA/.

Other News

Columbia University's Center for Climate Change Law Publishes Handbook on Legal Tools to Limit Risks of Climate Change for Coastal Communities Columbia University's Center for Climate Change Law has published "Managed Coastal Retreat: A Legal Handbook on Shifting Development Away from Vulnerable Areas," which examines the legal tools available to state and local governments to discourage or prevent development or redevelopment along risky coasts and other areas susceptible to natural hazards.  Managed retreat - the planned process of moving development away from vulnerable areas - is a controversial concept as many homeowners would prefer to rebuild after a destructive storm and take their chances.  More frequent and intense storms are projected in the coming decades however, and massive public spending for construction that may be washed away is not always the best path. 

The handbook describes legal principles and precedents that can serve as useful guides for new policies.  It also examines case studies and lessons learned and makes recommendations based on the experiences of states and municipalities that have faced destructive storms and other natural hazards and implemented managed retreat to protect against future disasters.  To learn more about the handbook,

visit: http://www.law.columbia.edu/media_inquiries/news_events/2013/october2013/managed-retreat-handbook.


American Meteorological Society Journal Releases Study on Climate Change Sensitivity Assessment and Adaptation Planning for Public Water Supply

A new study in Volume 17, Issue 23 (October 2013) of the journal Earth Interactions, assesses climate change risk to municipal water supplies.  Water supply risk is often conducted by hydrologic modeling specific to local watersheds and infrastructure to ensure that outputs are compatible with existing planning frameworks and processes.  This study leverages the modeling capacity of an operational National Weather Service River Forecast Center to explore the potential impacts of future climate-driven hydrologic changes on factors important to planning at the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities.  Hydrologic modeling results for the study area show that temperature changes alone will lead to earlier and reduced runoff volume.  In addition, the largest flow reductions occur during the high water demand months of May-September. 

This study explores the consequences of climate change for the reliability of Salt Lake City's water supply system using scenarios that include hydrologic changes in average conditions, severe drought scenarios, and future water demand test cases. 

To learn more, visit: http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/2012EI000501.1.

________________________________________
This newsletter is produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (EPA).  If you have questions related to the newsletter or want to submit an item, email the editor at water_climate_change@epa.gov. For past issues of EPA Climate Change and Water News, as well as further information on climate change impacts on water resources, visit www.epa.gov/water/climatechange. For more information on EPA's climate change activities, visit www.epa.gov/climatechange. [deletions]

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

ENVIRO-NEWS: 55% of US Rivers and stream are unhealthy and in poor condition.

EPA Survey Finds More Than Half of the Nation's River and Stream Miles in Poor Condition

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 26, 2013 11:15 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Survey Finds More Than Half of the Nation's River and Stream Miles in Poor Condition
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 10:11 AM
Subject: U.S. EPA News Release: EPA Survey Finds More Than Half of the Nation's River and Stream Miles in Poor Condition

CONTACT:
Stacy Kika (News Media Only)
Kika.stacy@epa.gov
202-564-0906
202-564-4355    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2013


EPA Survey Finds More Than Half of the Nation's River and Stream Miles in Poor Condition

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released the results of the first comprehensive survey looking at the health of thousands of stream and river miles across the country, finding that more than half – 55 percent – are in poor condition for aquatic life.

"The health of our Nation's rivers, lakes, bays and coastal waters depends on the vast network of streams where they begin, and this new science shows that America's streams and rivers are under significant pressure," said Office of Water Acting Assistant Administrator Nancy Stoner. "We must continue to invest in protecting and restoring our nation's streams and rivers as they are vital sources of our drinking water, provide many recreational opportunities, and play a critical role in the economy."

The 2008-2009 National Rivers and Stream Assessment reflects the most recent data available, and is part of EPA's expanded effort to monitor waterways in the U.S. and gather scientific data on the condition of the Nation's water resources.

EPA partners, including states and tribes, collected data from approximately 2,000 sites across the country. EPA, state and university scientists analyzed the data to determine the extent to which rivers and streams support aquatic life, how major stressors may be affecting them and how conditions are changing over time.

Findings of the assessment include:

- Nitrogen and phosphorus are at excessive levels. Twenty-seven percent of the nation's rivers and streams have excessive levels of nitrogen, and 40 percent have high levels of phosphorus. Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in the water—known as nutrient pollution—causes significant increases in algae, which harms water quality, food resources and habitats, and decreases the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive. Nutrient pollution has impacted many streams, rivers, lakes, bays and coastal waters for the past several decades, resulting in serious environmental and human health issues, and impacting the economy.

- Streams and rivers are at an increased risk due to decreased vegetation cover and increased human disturbance. These conditions can cause streams and rivers to be more vulnerable to flooding, erosion, and pollution. Vegetation along rivers and streams slows the flow of rainwater so it does not erode stream banks, removes pollutants carried by rainwater and helps maintain water temperatures that support healthy streams for aquatic life. Approximately 24 percent of the rivers and streams monitored were rated poor due to the loss of healthy vegetative cover.

- Increased bacteria levels. High bacteria levels were found in nine percent of stream and river miles making those waters potentially unsafe for swimming and other recreation.

- Increased mercury levels. More than 13,000 miles of rivers have fish with mercury levels that may be unsafe for human consumption. For most people, the health risk from mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern, but some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous system.

EPA plans to use this new data to inform decision making about addressing critical needs around the country for rivers, streams, and other waterbodies. This comprehensive survey will also help develop improvements to monitoring these rivers and streams across jurisdictional boundaries and enhance the ability of states and tribes to assess and manage water quality to help protect our water, aquatic life, and human health. Results are available for a dozen geographic and ecological regions of the country.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/aquaticsurveys


R045

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Dry conditions expected for most of the Western United States

It looks like conditions throughout the western U.S. are set for another dry summer season. Mountain snowpack is light and early melt is occurring. This is not good news for states that have experienced record heat and droughts during the previous couple seasons.

For full details of the USDA report released today visit:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/newsroom/releases/?cid=STELPRDB1083269

AP

Monday, March 18, 2013

ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Marks March 18-24 as Fifth Annual Fix a Leak Week

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 18, 2013 10:41 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Marks March 18-24 as Fifth Annual Fix a Leak Week
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2013 10:13 AM
Subject: U.S. EPA News Release (HQ): EPA Marks March 18-24 as Fifth Annual Fix a Leak Week

CONTACT:
Molly Hooven
hooven.molly@epa.gov
202-564-2313
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2013

EPA Marks March 18-24 as Fifth Annual Fix a Leak Week

One in every 10 homes has a leak that is wasting at least 90 gallons of water per day

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense program encourages Americans to check and replace leaky plumbing fixtures and sprinkler systems, helping households save more than 10,000 gallons of water per year and as much as 10 percent on utility bills.

"Easy-to-fix household leaks waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, which is equal to the amount of water used by more than 11 million homes," said EPA Acting Administrator for the Office of Water Nancy Stoner. "We're not just wasting water; families also lose money from leaks with higher utility bills. That's why Fix a Leak Week is so important, and why we encourage everyone to take a few simple steps that add up to make a significant positive impact."

In just 10 minutes, businesses and homeowners can: check winter water bills and fixtures for water waste; twist and tighten pipe and hose connections; and consider replacing broken or inefficient fixtures with WaterSense-labeled models.

If winter water usage for a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, it's likely that the home has a leak problem. Here are some easy tips:
• Check toilets for silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back and, if after 10 minutes, color shows up in the bowl before flushing, it may be time to make an easy repair and replace the flapper.
• Check outdoor hoses for damage from winter frost and tighten connections at the water source.
• For in-ground sprinkler systems, a professional certified through a WaterSense-labeled program can inspect sprinkler heads and pipes for signs of leakage and help homeowners maintain an efficient system and healthy lawn.
• Check additional plumbing and outdoor fixtures for leaks. They may just need a quick twist or pipe tape.

WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, new homes, and services. Since the program's inception in 2006, WaterSense has helped consumers save 287 billion gallons of water and $4.7 billion in water and energy bills.

Learn more about fixing leaks, find a certified irrigation professional, or search for WaterSense labeled plumbing and irrigation products: http://www.epa.gov/watersense

R039

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
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Monday, February 25, 2013

How to get a dual flush toilet conversion kit FREE!

This just in:
Through World Water Day 2013 (March 22nd) you can get the Dual Flush Pro complete toilet conversion kit at no charge and only for a limited time.

In recognition of World Water Day and the EPA Fix A Leak Week Campaign, the folks at DualFlushPro.com have really done something special. I've seen other manufacturers do product giveaways to help bring attention to world water resource concerns, but this is truly spectacular. In most cases the manufacturer promotions are self serving, and geared toward driving sales by luring consumers in with something of little value and then pushing an "up sell". This does not seem to be the case at Dual Flush Pro. They are doing exactly as the promotion indicates; no strings, no up sell, no email harvesting, no bait and switch. You pay only a ten dollar flat rate shipping fee and you get exactly the same complete kit that you would get if you purchased the DualFlushPro kit at full price.

This kit has long been my choice in a dual flush conversion kit for the money, product quality and customer support. It is probably the most widely used dual flush toilet set up in the world. The design accommodates most tank variables which is why several manufacturers use the design in new model dual flush toilets.

Go to http://www.DualFlushPro.com and get the best toilet conversion kit available,, for FREE!!!

Tell your friends.
AP

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Sloan Valve Company Drops Aqus Geywater Recyling System

Well, after months of uncertainty we have official word that Sloan valve Company is no longer marketing the Aqus Grey-water Recycling System. My frustrations with a lack of communication with from Sloan management personnel are over after having received a call from Bill Madison, National Sales Manager at Sloan Valve Company. Bill confirmed my suspicions and stated that "the Aqus product is no longer supported."

Beginning in January 2012, I had been in pretty consistent communication with Mark Sanders, inventor & founding member of Water Saver Technologies LLC , in an ongoing discussion regarding product shipment delays due to a pump performance and supplier issue. In the fall of 2012, Mark took a sudden and unnanounced departure from Sloan Valve; which was a pretty good indication that my suspensions were correct. 

Sloan Valve Company initiated several improvements to the Aqus and marketed it at price points that truly made it a practical investment for the average homeowner. Unfortunately Sloan was never really a good fit for the product as their business model is primarily focused on the commercial market and the Aqus really isn't suited for commercial application. 

Whether or not Water Saver Technologies will bring the product back to market is still uncertain. I 'm sure they have some legal hurdles to cross with regard to the contractual arrangement with Sloan. 

I still believe the product has great potential in the residential market as an affordable, practical greywater reclamation system and hope to see it become available again soon.   

I look forward to providing further updates as they become available.        

AP
www.AskAquaPro.com
AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com  

Thursday, January 3, 2013

ENVIRO-NEWS: Jan. 3 & 4 Webinars on EPA’s Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources: Progress Report

Whether you are a friend or for of Hydraulic Fracturing, this upcoming webinar will provide current information on a recent study by the EPA.

AP
---
Jan. 3 & 4 Webinars on EPA's Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources: Progress Report

Information at
http://www.epa.gov/hfstudy/getinvolved.html

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

ENVIRO-NEWS: Rainwater Catchment Design and Installation Standard--Public Review

If you are an advocate for rainwater harvesting, this is important to you....

Forwarded from
http://aspe.org/publicreview

Rainwater Catchment Design and Installation Standard

Comment period: November 29, 2012 - January, 18 2013

This Rainwater Catchment Design and Installation Standard (hereinafter referred to as the Standard) has been developed by a joint effort of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), with sponsorship support from the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.  The purpose of this Standard is to assist engineers, designers, plumbers, builders/developers, local government, and end users in safely implementing a rainwater catchment system. This Standard is intended to apply to new rainwater catchment installations, as well as alterations, additions, maintenance, and repairs to existing installations.

[More information at
http://aspe.org/publicreview ]

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.