Fwd: ENVIRO-NEWS: Draft Plan to Protect Water Quality and Availability from Climate Change Impacts - Comments requested by July 15

The EPA is looking for public input for this draft plan. Please review the document and exercise your rights as a citizen. 

AP

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Jun 8, 2011 10:04 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] Draft Plan to Protect Water Quality and Availability from Climate Change Impacts - Comments requested by July 15
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

-----Original Message-----
From: Water Quality Discussion List [mailto:WQ-L@LISTSERV.URI.EDU] On Behalf Of Rozum, Mary
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 7:13 PM
To: WQ-L@LISTSERV.URI.EDU
Subject: Council on Environmental Quality Releases Draft Plan to Protect Water Quality and Availability from Climate Change Impacts - Comments requested by July 15
________________________________

From: Pixie A Hamilton
To: Pixie A Hamilton
Cc: Matthew C Larsen ; William H Werkheiser
Sent: Tue Jun 07 18:02:33 2011
Subject: FYI - Council on Environmental Quality Releases Draft Plan to Protect Water Quality and Availability from Climate Change Impacts - Comments requested by July 15


To Water and Climate Colleagues (from Matt Larsen, Associate Director, Climate and Land Use Change)

CEQ released the draft National Action Plan on June 2, with a request for comments by July 15.  The plan and a press release are available via the URL below.   Comments can be sent to the website directly.  CEQ will post the comments on the website within several days after they are received.

Please forward this information and the request for comments on the draft Plan widely to any interested parties.  A key next step for the public comment period is to organize a new round of listening sessions, to be scheduled between now and mid July.

Thanks for any input you or colleagues would like to offer on this draft plan.
Matt


http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/adaptation
___________________________________
Matthew C. Larsen
Associate Director, Climate & Land Use Change
U.S. Geological Survey, 409 National Center
Reston, VA 20192 tel.703-648-5215
mclarsen@usgs.gov       http://www.usgs.gov <http://www.usgs.gov/>

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Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
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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
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ENVIRO-NEWS

EPA Water Headlines for the week of June 6, 2011

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Jun 7, 2011 9:37 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Water Headlines for the week of June 6, 2011
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

-----Original Message-----
From: Amy Han [mailto:han.amy@epamail.epa.gov]
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2011 6:45 PM
Subject: [waterheadlines] Water Headlines for the week of June 6, 2011

Water Headlines for the week of June 6, 2011

Water Headlines is a weekly on-line publication that announces
publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's Office of Water

In This Week's Water Headlines:

1) EPA's Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Operation, Maintenance, and
Management Training for Tribal Operators and Leaders
2) EPA-Supported Water Purification Eco-Center Demonstration Project to
Launch this Month
3) Office of Water's Acting Assistant Administrator Blogs on Waters of
the U.S.
[deletions]

1) EPA's Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Operation, Maintenance, and
Management Training for Tribal Operators and Leaders

From June to October 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) will be sponsoring a series of in-person training workshops for
federally recognized tribes and Alaskan Native Villages across the
country to help increase participants' skills and knowledge in the
operation of wastewater and drinking water treatment systems. The
training is intended for water system operators, wastewater system
operators, tribal utility managers, tribal council members and leaders
involved with water utility management.

While there is no registration fee for the workshops, there is a cap of
50 participants at each session, and tribes and Alaskan Native Villages
that received 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds
will be given registration priority. Travel, hotel, and per diem costs
for attendees from tribal reservations may be covered by a participant's
local Indian Health Service (IHS) Area office. Participants can contact
their local IHS office for additional details.

The first training workshop will be in Seattle, June 21-23, 2011.
Registration is open until 24 hours prior to the workshop. Early
registration is encouraged.

For more information, including how to register, please go to:
http://water.epa.gov/learn/training/tribaltraining/tcourse7_2011.cfm.
For questions about the training, please contact Leon Latino by e-mail
at latino.leon@epa.gov or by phone at (202) 564-1997; or Matthew
Richardson by e-mail at richardson.matthew@epa.gov or by phone at (202)
564-2947.

2) EPA-Supported Water Purification Eco-Center Demonstration Project to
Launch this Month

On June 16, 2011, the Rodale Institute will hold a ribbon-cutting
ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new Water Purification
Eco-Center located on its research farm in Kutztown, PA.  The center,
supported in part through a $695,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), will serve as a model on-site wastewater
treatment system.  The system incorporates an experimental wetland-based
treatment and reuse facility that captures rainwater and reuses it
several times before returning it to the soil as clean water. The
system, which serves as an alternative to standard septic and sand mound
on-lot sewage systems, is scalable and can be used in sustainable
landscapes for residential and small commercial entities.  This project
will help promote the adoption of wetlands-based residential and
institutional wastewater treatment systems to help encourage homeowners
and businesses to seek out more sustainable and water-efficient
wastewater treatment options.

For additional information or to register to attend the ribbon-cutting
ceremony, please visit the Rodale Institute website at:
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/water-purification-eco-center. For
additional project information, please contact Bob Bastian, EPA Office
of Wastewater Management, by phone at (202) 564-0677 or via e-mail at
bastian.robert@epa.gov.

3) Office of Water's Acting Assistant Administrator Blogs on Waters of
the U.S.

Acting Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) Office of Water, Nancy Stoner, recently posted a blog on
Waters of the U.S.  In the blog, Ms. Stoner discusses her experience
growing up near the water and EPA's work to protect the nation's waters
by proposing a draft guidance that identifies waters protected by the
Clean Water Act.

To read the blog:
http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2011/06/02/waters-of-the-us/?utm_source=feedbur
ner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Greenversations_main+%28U.S.+EP
A%3A+Greenversations%29 [or http://go.usa.gov/Dsi ]

For information on the draft guidance:
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/guidance/wetlands/CWAwaters.cfm
[deletions]

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
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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
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WaterSense® completes revision to "Specification for Tank Type Toilets"

The official word is out on what a WaterSense® labeld toilet means to manufacturers and consumers. Here are the links to EPA WaterSense® pdf documents for review. 

WaterSense® Specification for Tank-Type Toilets: PDF
Summary of Revisions to the WaterSense® Specification: PDF 
AP

www.AskAquaPro.com  
AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com  
www.AquaProSolutions.com
www.AquaEnvi.org
www.AshevilleGreenPlumbing.com

EPA water pollution guidelines run afoul of state authority

So where do you stand on the issue of federal control of fresh water sources? I prefer federal oversite rather than state, and most certainly rather than the continued privitization of fresh water supplies by corporate conglomerates. Oh wait; our government is essentially run by corporate entities rather than "We The People"! Almost missed that thought. Maybe it is better to keep state control and allow for autonomy; wait corporation's pretty much run state government as well!! Looks like a no win situation for the rights of the people. I just want my right to clean water left alone but there is to much money to be made and I can't think of more effective power play than to CONTROL THE FLOW AND DISTRULIBUTION OF WATER!  Wake up "We The People" the well will soon be a source through which you do as you are told or will you go thirsty.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90046737?EPA%20water%20pollution%20guidelines%20run%20afoul%20of%20state%20authority

Comment is encouraged, dialogue is absolutely necessary.

AP

ENVIRO-NEWS

Obama Administration Affirms Comprehensive Commitment to Clean Water

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Apr 27, 2011 1:37 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] Obama Administration Affirms Comprehensive Commitment to Clean Water
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 12:35 PM
Subject: Water News Release (HQ): Obama Administration Affirms Comprehensive Commitment to Clean Water

CONTACTS:
(CEQ)    Taryn Tuss, 202-456-6998
(EPA)    202-564-6794; press@epa.gov
(USDA)  202-720-4623
(DOI)      Kendra Barkoff, 202-208-6416
(DOA)    Moira Kelley, 703-614-3992

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2011

Obama Administration Affirms Comprehensive Commitment to Clean Water

WASHINGTON - Recognizing the importance of clean water and healthy watersheds to our economy, environment and communities, the Obama administration released a national clean water framework today that showcases its comprehensive commitment to protecting the health of America's waters. The framework emphasizes the importance of partnerships and coordination with states, local communities, stakeholders and the public to protect public health and water quality, and promote the nation's energy and economic security.

For nearly 40 years, the Clean Water Act, along with other important federal measures, has been a cornerstone of our effort to ensure that Americans have clean and healthy waters.  The administration's framework outlines a series of actions underway and planned across federal agencies to ensure the integrity of the waters Americans rely on every day for drinking, swimming, and fishing, and that support farming, recreation, tourism and economic growth.   It includes draft federal guidance to clarify which waters are protected by the Clean Water Act nationwide; innovative partnerships and programs to improve water quality and water efficiency; and initiatives to revitalize communities and economies by restoring rivers and critical watersheds.

"Clean water and healthy waterways are vital to the health and vibrancy of our communities and the strength of our economy," said Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.  "Working with our partners across communities, governments and sectors, we are taking comprehensive action to ensure Americans have the clean and healthy waters they need and deserve."

"The steps we're outlining today will be instrumental to protecting the waters of the United States, and ensuring that the vital natural resources our communities depend on for their health and their economy are safeguarded for generations to come," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "After four decades of progress on clean water, there is still work to be done to address unfinished business and tackle new threats to our waters. American families and businesses are counting on us to maintain and improve the rivers, lakes, streams and other waters that support thousands of communities and millions of jobs across the country."

"Healthy rivers and clean waters are fundamental to our economy, our health, and our way of life," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "With growing pressures on our natural systems, we must work to secure cleaner, safer, and more reliable water supplies for our communities."

"As our nation's foremost conservationists, farmers, ranchers and forest owners have a values system rooted in rural America that recognizes we cannot continue to take from the land without giving something back," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "At USDA, we are working with farmers, ranchers and forest owners to conserve land, plant stream buffers for cleaner water, and install other conservation practices. We also will continue to invest in rural water and community facility projects that help small towns ensure their citizens have access to safe and reliable drinking water. The draft Clean Water Act guidance released today reflects USDA's work with our federal partners by maintaining existing exemptions for ongoing agricultural and forestry activities, thereby providing farmers, ranchers and forest landowners with certainty that current agricultural and forestry activities can continue."

"The Army is very proud of our ecosystem restoration efforts across the nation," said Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy.  "The proposed joint EPA and Army guidance will clarify Clean Water Act jurisdiction and help the Corps and its partner agencies protect important aquatic resources and watersheds that communities rely on for their quality of life and essential services."

Clean water provides critical health, economic and livability benefits to American communities. Since 1972, the Clean Water Act has kept billions of pounds of pollution out of American waters, doubling the number of waters that meet safety standards for swimming and fishing.  Despite the dramatic progress in restoring the health of the nation's waters, an estimated one-third of American waters still do not meet the swimmable and fishable standards of the Clean Water Act.  Additionally, new pollution and development challenges threaten to erode our gains, and demand innovative and strong action in partnership with federal agencies, states, and the public to ensure clean and healthy water for American families, businesses, and communities.

The Obama administration is safeguarding clean water by:

Promoting Innovative Partnerships
Federal agencies are partnering with states, tribes, local governments and diverse stakeholders on innovative approaches to restore urban waters, promote sustainable water supplies, and develop new incentives for farmers to protect clean water.

Enhancing Communities and Economies by Restoring Important Water Bodies
The Obama administration is dedicating unprecedented attention to restoring iconic places like the Chesapeake Bay, California Bay-Delta, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico and Everglades, investing in action and helping states, local governments and stakeholders find pollution control solutions that are tailored to their specific needs.

Innovating for More Water Efficient Communities
The administration is working with policymakers, consumers, farmers and businesses to save water - and save money - through 21st century water management policies and technology.

Ensuring Clean Water to Protect Public Health
The Obama administration is aggressively pursuing new ways to protect public health by reducing contaminants in Americans' drinking water.  We are updating drinking water standards, protecting drinking water sources, modernizing the tools available to communities to meet their clean water requirements, and providing affordable clean water services in rural communities.

Enhancing Use and Enjoyment of our Waters
The administration is promoting stewardship of America's waters through innovative programs and partnerships.  These efforts include expanding access to waterways for recreation, protecting rural landscapes, and promoting public access to private lands for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities.

Updating the Nation's Water Policies
The administration is strengthening protection of America's waters and American communities.  We are modernizing water resources guidelines, and updating federal guidance on where the Clean Water Act applies nationwide.  The draft guidance will protect waters that many communities depend upon for drinking, swimming, and fishing, and provide clearer, more predictable guidelines for determining which water bodies are protected from pollution under the Clean Water Act. The guidance is open for 60 days of public comment to all allow all stakeholders to provide input and feedback before it is finalized.

Supporting Science to Solve Water Problems
The administration is using the latest science and research to improve water policies and programs and identify and address emerging pollution challenges.

More information and to read the Obama administration's clean water framework:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/clean-water

R150
[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.
***********************************************

ENVIRO-NEWS

EPA Climate Change and Water News

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Apr 27, 2011 9:37 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Climate Change and Water News
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: Elana Goldstein [mailto:goldstein.elana@epamail.epa.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 5:41 PM
Subject: EPA Climate Change and Water News

EPA Climate Change and Water News

EPA News

EPA Announces New Website: A Student's Guide to Global Climate Change

This website provides information and tools for students regarding
climate change and is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/students/index.html.



EPA Publishes Notice of Peer Review Workshop and Public Comment Period
for Implications of Climate Change for Bioassessment Programs and
Approaches to Account for Effects. Public Comments Accepted until May 6,
2011.

EPA will convene an independent panel of experts and organize and
conduct an external peer review workshop to review the external review
draft report titled, Implications of Climate Change for Bioassessment
Programs and Approaches to Account for Effects (EPA/600/R-11/036A) and
its supporting document, Freshwater Biological Traits Database
(EPA/600/R-11/038). Public comments will be accepted until Friday, May
6, 2011. These draft documents were prepared by the National Center for
Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and
Development. For additional information, visit:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-04-14/pdf/2011-9097.pdf.



EPA Solicits Comments on Draft Document, Identifying and Protecting
Healthy Watersheds: Concepts, Assessments, and Management Approaches.
Public Comments Accepted until June 3, 2011.

This draft technical document provides the basis for implementing the
Agency's Healthy Watersheds Initiative, which, in partnership with
States, Tribes, local governments, nongovernmental organizations, and
others, is intended to protect the nation's remaining healthy
watersheds, prevent them from becoming impaired, and accelerate
restoration successes.   The Healthy Watersheds approach, as part of the
initiative, is based on a holistic, integrated, systems view of aquatic
ecosystems that acknowledges their dynamics and interconnectivity in the
landscape. For additional information, visit:
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/watershed/hw_techdocument.cfm.



EPA Solicits Public Comment on Permit to Reduce Stormwater Discharges
from Construction Sites. Public Comments Accepted until June 14, 2011.

EPA is releasing for public comment a draft permit that will help
improve our nation's waterways by regulating the discharge of stormwater
from construction sites. Stormwater discharges during construction
activities can contain sediment and pollutants that harm aquatic
ecosystems, increase drinking water treatment costs and pollute waters
that people use for fishing, swimming and other recreational activities.
For additional information, visit:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/3881d73f4d4aaa0b85257359003f534
8/4b7e8caa1e88548885257873004d1810!OpenDocument [or
http://go.usa.gov/bT7 ].



EPA Publishes National U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory

EPA has released the 16th annual U.S. greenhouse gas inventory.  The
final report shows that overall emissions during 2009 decreased by 6.1
percent from the previous year.  This downward trend was attributed to a
decrease in fuel and electricity consumption across all U.S. economic
sectors. The report is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/usinventoryreport.html.



EPA Awards Climate Showcase Communities Grant Funding to Choctaw Nation
of Oklahoma

EPA announced that the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma will receive $189,817
in Climate Showcase Communities grant funding to improve the energy
efficiency of its health facilities through technology and behavioral
change. This clear and effective strategy will serve as a much needed
model for small and rural communities across the United States. To read
the full press release, visit:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/418567BEDF2F6C158525787200674
ABF [or http://go.usa.gov/bTo ].



Other Federal News

National Research Council to Host a Conversation on America's Climate
Choices on May 12, 2011 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. EST at the National
Academies in Washington, D.C.

The public is invited to participate in A Conversation on America's
Climate Choices. Several members of the America's Climate Choices report
authoring committee will discuss the report's findings with Climate
Central's Heidi Cullen, followed by a question-and-answer period and a
reception. The event will take place at the National Academies, 500
Fifth Street NW location in Washington, D.C. To register, visit:
http://americasclimatechoices.org/signup05122011.shtml.



Other News

The Water Innovations Alliance to Host the Blue Tech Valley Conference
on May 3-4, 2011 in Fresno, CA

The purpose of this conference is to provide water constituents within
the private, public, and academic arenas the opportunity to collectively
explore and discuss new innovations, developments, and trends relating
to current water issues. The conference theme - International Solutions
to Regional Issues - will address current issues that have a direct and
visible impact regionally, as well as world-wide implications. For
additional information, visit:
http://www.waterinnovations.org/fresno/index.php.



The Horinko Group to Host a Webinar, The State of Flood Risk Reduction
in the United States on May 4, 2011 from 2:15-4:00 p.m. EST

The Horinko Group, as part of its 2011 Global Sustainability Webinar
Series, will host a panel of thought leaders and practitioners to
discuss the status of Flood Risk Management in the United States and the
prognosis for moving the effort in a sustainable direction that reduces
risk and gradually restores the ecological services performed by our
nation's floodplains. For additional information, visit:
http://thehorinkogroup.org/?q=content/state-flood-risk-reduction-united-
states [or http://tinyurl.com/44zmscz ].



Climate Information for Managing Risks (CIMR) to Host Local to Regional
Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies Conference on May 24-27, 2011 in
Orlando, FL

This conference will emphasize the challenges of applying climate
information and predictions at local and regional levels, for regions
and locations from around the world. CIMR 2011 will address climate
related vulnerabilities, impacts, and opportunities for adaptation.
Additional information is available at:
http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/CIMR/.


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.

***********************************************
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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Is your toilet costing you money?

Odds are the answer is YES.

It may come as a surprise to learn that in the US the toilet is where most of the water in a home is used & wasted. 

On average 30% of all potable water used in a household is for flushing the toilets. If your toilets are older than 1992 then that percentage could be even higher. When we consider the growing problem of water shortages across the country I have to ask why. "Why do we use potable fresh water to flush human feces and urine down the drain?" This is a self indulgent luxury that borders on insanity. We are running out of fresh water but yet we use it as though it were an inexhaustible resource. 

As this practice is ingrained in our lifestyle, and designed into the infrastructure of our communities, correcting this absurd behavior will take time and money. To start we can take some basic steps to minimizing the waste of potable water we use to flush toilets. One of the most cost effective and simplest things you can do is convert your current toilet into a dual flush toilet. Of the many kits available I recommend the DualFlush Pro. This kit has all the components needed to replace all of the old parts in a standard tank type two piece toilet. For under $35 (including shipping) you get a new fill valve, dual action flush valve and dual action flush lever (not a push button), all gaskets and tank bolts. I was so impressed with the quality of design and simplicity of installation, I posted a video on YouTube demonstrating the installation in less than 10 minutes. A dual flush toilet can save over 5000 gallons of water per year. 
A couple other brand I have tested include the Hydro Right by MJSI and Select A Flush kit.


Thanks for checking in.
AP

www.AskAquaPro.com
AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com 
www.AquaProSolutions.com
www.AquaEnvi.org
www.AshevilleGreenPlumbing.com

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW CAN HURT US AND THE ENVIRONMENT

This draft report to US Congress, produced by the Center for Environmental Quality (CEQ) is full of things we don't know and aren't doing adequetly. Read for yourself; it's not good news but at least in knowing what we need to be changed, we have a better chance of improving.

Read it for yourself here.
Rpt.Congress3.18.11.pdf 

I welcome opinions on the matter.
AP

GreenPlumbers USA trianing gets underway at Warren Wilson College.

In keeping with their environmental stewardship goals and commitments Warren Wilson College in Asheville NC has begun offering GreenPlumbers USA core curriculum certification.

The innaugural class is comprised of twelve students that are eager to enhance their educational experience and improve their ability to aide in devloping sustainable communities. "We're creating champions of conservation and guardians of global resources".

Plumbers and plumbing apprentices are at the front lines of a growing effort to improve water use efficiency, protect fresh water resources and minimize human impact on the environment.

I am humbled by the sincerety and commitment of our young adults. It gives me hope for doing a better job of caring for our world and for each other.

For additional information regarding GreenPlumbers USA training opportunities visit:
http://www.AquaEnvi.org

Thanks for stoping by.
AP

Are you kidding me?

Well here is another fine example of big business having its way with the US House. I cant imagine that members of the House of Representatives truly believe that lessening restrictions on pesticide use is a step in the right direction. I see it as exactly the opposite! Exempting farmers and companies use of pesticides, on or near water, from complying with the EPA Clean Water Act amounts to turning a blind eye at a time when we need to see improvements in fresh water resource preservation efforts. I certainly hope the Senate has the decency and presence to pull the plug on this effort. 

This isn't the first time this has been argued by the EPA on behalf of the pesticide industry. In Jan 2009, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed an earlier EPA decision that pesticide use "should not" fall under the  Clean Water Act passed in 1972. The court ruled that "pesticides constituted pollutants under federal law and thereby had to be regulated to protect public health and the environment". The rule excluding pesticides was put into place by the Bush administration; no surprise there.   

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9MAEE4O1.htm  
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/04/conservationists_applauded_the.html 


What do you think?
AP

www.AskAquaPro.com 
AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com   
www.AquaEnvi.org

ENVIRO-NEWS: Office of Water Accepting Comments on EPA's Retrospective Review Plan and Significant Regulations for Potential Review

Here's your chance to get involved and help make sure your government has your best interest in front of corporate lobby agendas.
Speak now or forever hold your peace.

AP

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 8, 2011 9:10 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] Office of Water Accepting Comments on EPA&apos;s Retrospective Review Plan and Significant Regulations for Potential Review
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

-----Original Message-----
From: Amy Han [mailto:han.amy@epamail.epa.gov]
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 7:11 PM
Subject: [waterheadlines] Water Headlines for the week of March 7, 2011
[deletions]

Office of Water Accepting Comments on EPA's Retrospective Review Plan
and Significant Regulations for Potential Review.

President Obama recently issued Executive Order 13563, requiring each
agency to develop a plan to periodically conduct a retrospective review
of its regulations, and determine if they are ineffective, insufficient,
or overly burdensome, and then revise or repeal as warranted.   In
response, EPA is developing a review plan and a list of candidate
regulations for potential review, and we would like to solicit your
feedback on both.  In order to do so, the Office of Water is
participating in two listening sessions to be held on March 14th and
March 17th, 2011.

EPA will hold an Agency-wide Public Meeting on Monday March 14, 2011
from 9:30 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. to solicit feedback on the Agency's draft
review plan and all EPA regulations.   The Office of Water will be
hosting two water-specific listening sessions in the afternoon.  This
public meeting will be held at the Hilton Arlington, 950 N. Stafford
Street, Arlington, VA 22203.  Additional information is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/improvingregulations/    Registration information for
the March 14th Public Meeting is available here:
http://improvingregulations.eventbrite.com/

The Office of Water will also solicit input from the public and hold a
webinar listening session on water-specific significant regulations on
March 17th, from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., EST.  Additional information,
including information on registering for this webinar, can be obtained
by going to EPA's website http://www.epa.gov/improvingregulations/ , or
contact Keith Bartlett at Bartlett.Keith@epa.gov
[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.
***********************************************

An environmentally safe sunscreen that protects you and our oceans, rivers and lakes.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "World-Wire" <editor@world-wire.com>
Date: Feb 3, 2011 5:10 PM
Subject: &apos;Cousteau Finds Ideal Sunscreen: Protecting Both Humans And Oceans&apos;
To: <aquapro@askaquapro.com>



 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 'Cousteau Finds Ideal Sunscreen: Protecting Both Humans And
Ocean'

 Biodegradeable Reef Safe is Official SunCare of Jean-Michel
Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society

 <http://www.oceanfutures.org/>

 ORMOND BEACH, FL, February 3, 2011 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- With a common
passion for preservation of the ocean environment, Jean-Michel
Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society has joined forces with Reef
Safe™ SunCare by Beach Buff® of Ormond Beach, Florida, to protect
both humans and the ocean world. Chosen as the Official SunCare of
Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society, Reef Safe will donate a
portion of every bottle sold to support Ocean Futures' worldwide
efforts of preserving the ocean for future generations.

 Reef Safe SunCare <http://www.reefsafesuncare.com/>
 (http://www.reefsafesuncare.com <http://www.reefsafesuncare.com/>
) was introduced by Tropical Seas® of Ormond Beach, FL, as a
sunscreen proven through a series of independent laboratory tests to
biodegrade in oceans, lakes and rivers. While protecting fragile
ecosystems, it also shields our skin from harmful rays. Reef Safe's
non-toxic to sea-life formula and biodegradeable claim is
scientifically substantiated, a testimonial that no other sun care
products on the market can make. Ocean Futures and Reef Safe will
continue their studies on sunscreens and how to live more gently on
our planet while still protecting people from skin cancer and other
exposure ailments.

 "If more companies showed their commitment to our environment and
made enlightened choices as Reef Safe has, we would have a much
better world on which to live. I commend their achievements, their
investment in our ecosystem and their vision to provide a "best
choice" to purchasers everywhere," states Jean-Michel Cousteau,
President and Founder of Ocean Futures Society
<http://www.oceanfutures.org/>
 (http://www.oceanfutures.org <http://www.oceanfutures.org/>
). "Our scientific team will continue to work with Reef Safe to
broaden ongoing tests of the products on a wide range of sea life."

 Reef Safe has grown in popularity among the avid diver and water
sportsman community, and being named the Official SunCare of Ocean
Futures now gives the company a higher level of credibility. Uniting
with Cousteau opens up new opportunities to educate consumers on the
advantages of using a biodegradeable sunscreen. After a comprehensive
series of independent laboratory tests, Reef Safe is the only sun care
on the market that can support and authenticate their biodegradeable
claim. And Ocean Futures wholeheartedly supports Reef Safe's
extraordinary efforts to make their product unique all while creating
a brand that really cares about the ocean environment and marine life.

 "When I started Tropical Seas (parent company of Reef Safe), the
idea of partnering with Jean-Michel Cousteau was something to aspire
to, and we knew it would take a lot of work to earn the respect of an
organization like Ocean Futures Society," says Dan Knorr, CEO and
President of Tropical Seas, Inc. "After extensive scientific
studies and efforts to get out in the retail market, we're finally
here. Not only do we have the respect of Cousteau and his Ocean
Futures team, but we're their Official SunCare! What an honor! Now
it's time for us to get our joint concern and messages out to the
public."

 In 2011, not only will you begin to see co-branding efforts from
Reef Safe and Ocean Futures, but Cousteau will also use his speaking
engagement opportunities to spread the word about Reef Safe's
endeavors to protect marine life.

 "Together, we will do great things and raise awareness around the
world," proclaims Cousteau.

 Reef Safe by Beach Buff products are available in resort locations
across the U.S. Sunbelt, Hawaii and throughout the Caribbean islands,
and online athttp://www.reefsafesuncare.com
<http://www.reefsafesuncare.com/>
.

 About Reef Safe SunCare

 Reef Safe™ SunCare by Beach Buff®, manufactured and distributed
by Ormond Beach, Fla. based Tropical Seas, Inc., addresses
well-documented concerns about the damage done to reefs and marine
life by the 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of toxic sunscreens estimated
to wash off swimmers into the oceans every year. Reef Safe sunscreens
were subjected to a comprehensive series of independent laboratory
tests to support and authenticate the biodegradability of the
lotions. The research found that Reef Safe SunCare products
biodegrade, on average, less than 90 days in seawater and freshwater.
No evidence of toxicity to micro organisms and other sea life was
detected. Research also found that Reef Safe's waterproof formula
allows less than three percent of the product to come off in water,
which compares favorably to the estimated 25 percent of mass-market
brand lotions that come off in water. Official Suncare Product of
Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society.

 For more information, visit http://www.tropicalseas.com
<http://www.tropicalseas.com/>
 or http://www.reefsafesuncare.com/
. Join the conversation on our Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/costasunglasses#!/pages/Reef-Safe-Suncare/101346743261060
 or on Twitter @ReefSafeSunCare.
http://www.twitter.com/reefsafesuncare

 About Ocean Futures Society

 The mission of Ocean Futures Society is to explore our global ocean,
inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly
for its protection, documenting the critical connection between
humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean's vital importance
to the survival of all life on our planet. Founded by Jean-Michel
Cousteau, OFS is headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA. with offices in
Paris, Lucca, Italy and Sao Paulo, Brasil. For further information,
go to: http://www.oceanfutures.org <http://www.oceanfutures.org/>
.



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ENVIRO-NEWS

Safe Drinking Water Technology--A Century of Innovation

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Feb 2, 2011 10:55 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] Safe Drinking Water Technology--A Century of Innovation
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: Peggy Heimbrock [mailto:heimbrock.peggy@epamail.epa.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 9:11 AM
Subject: [nrmrl] NRMRL News - February 2011

Safe Drinking Water Technology--A Century of Innovation

The early decades of the 20th century marked the birth of legislative protection of U.S. drinking water, including new federal laws to protect forest lands as public water resources (1911) and the funding of public health research on "human diseases related to sewage and the pollution of streams and lakes" (1912). In the years since then, under Presidents ranging from William Howard Taft to Barack Obama, innovative federal research and engineering technologies have provided Americans with the highest drinking water standards in human history.

Early Days

Under the 1912 Congressional directive, officers of the Public Health Service (PHS) set up headquarters in the new Stream Pollution Investigation Station, located on the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Ohio, the nation's tenth largest city. There, a team of physicians, sanitary engineers, chemists, biologists and bacteriologists, working with the primitive laboratory equipment of the day, began the first comprehensive study of river pollution and natural stream restoration. Since very little was known about the chemistry, biology and physics of polluted streams, they developed methods and techniques as they went along.

By 1920, the investigative team had developed applications of two fundamental measures of water pollution still in use today: the Coliform Bacteria Index (How much bacteria in drinking water is too much?) and the Biochemical Oxygen Demand Test (How much oxygen is needed to restore depleted source waters?). This early research laid the groundwork for improved design and operation of U.S. drinking water and sewage treatment plants.

Over the next 20 years, scientists at the PHS station established criteria for determining the safety of streams and lakes as public drinking water sources, established pollution control requirements for the entire Ohio River system, and identified protections for fish and aquatic life habitats.

The War Years and Beyond

During World War II, the station's research staff made important contributions to the war effort, including the treatment and disposal of munitions and the testing of the effects of munitions waste in streams. They also studied the effects of military use of DDT for malarial control and developed water disinfection techniques for military field operations.

With the passage of the 1948 Water Pollution Act, the PHS station was renamed the Cincinnati Environmental Health Center and was moved into new state-of-the-art laboratories at the nearby Taft Sanitary Engineering Center. There, over the next 20 years, water specialists earned national and international recognition for their work in water pollution control and drinking water research.

During the 1950s, Taft microbiologists invented the Millipore filter and began pioneering studies in viral pollution. The emerging U.S. chemical and plastics industries that were expanding to serve a booming post-war economy posed new challenges for drinking water safety. Taft researchers sought to establish safe levels for chemicals in drinking water, along with methods for removing chemicals, bacteria and viruses from drinking water supplies. Traditional primary wastewater treatment was found to be inadequate, and new waste treatment technologies were developed to deal with the more complex waste streams threatening U.S. water resources. In 1962, new Drinking Water Standards, based on PHS research, were established to regulate 28 pathogens and chemical substances in all 50 states, a first for federal oversight.

The Public Takes Notice

By 1970, as the American public involvement in quality-of-life issues grew, the government had merged the environmental activities of more than a dozen federal agencies into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The new agency chose the Cincinnati area as the site of its primary water research programs, in part because of the area's historic accomplishments in that field. A new $28 million research laboratory, the EPA Environmental Research Center, was completed in 1975, following the passage of the landmark 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act. When EPA launched a multi-million dollar program of construction grants for new water treatment facilities to replace inadequate treatment plants, the Environmental Research Center researchers and engineers refined treatment methods to help communities meet new water safety standards.

Restoration and Protection

The growing sophistication of research tools in the 1980s, including innovative molecular tracking technologies, identified new levels of health risks from microbes and chemicals in drinking water supplies. Supported by ongoing research programs, EPA regulations sought to balance the risks from all sources.

* Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1986 banned lead solders, flux and pipes in public water supply systems.

* The 1989 Surface Water Treatment Rule recognized the risk of bacteria, viruses and other microbial pathogens in source waters, such as rivers, lakes or ground water aquifers, arising from leaking sewerage or runoff from large animal feedlots.

* In the 1990s, outbreaks of Cryptosporidium in community drinking water supplies revealed that traditional disinfectants such as chlorine were not effective against certain microbial pathogens, and researchers developed newer, safer disinfection practices.

* New challenges arose with the discovery that disinfectants could react to naturally occurring materials in water to form unwanted chemical compounds such as chloroform, posing potential new health risks.

* In the 1990s and 2000s, drinking water regulations set new minimum standards in public drinking water systems of 15 parts per billion for lead and 10 parts per billion for arsenic, reflecting the growing power of research to identify risks overlooked by older technologies.

* New threats from terrorist attacks against the U.S. prompted the growth of disinfection studies on emerging waterborne pathogens such as anthrax and other bio-threat and bio-warfare agents.

Looking Ahead

EPA's Office of Research and Development is currently working with internal and external partners to enhance water research programs for the nation's future needs. The final directions will evolve from current themes now under review:

* Ensure the holistic protection and restoration of watersheds to provide safe and sustainable water quality necessary for human and ecosystem health.

* Ensure sustainable water quality and availability to support the needs of healthy humans, ecosystems and economies.

* Ensure that water infrastructure is capable of the sustained delivery of safe drinking water; that the removal and treatment of wastewater is consistent with its sustainable and safe re-use; and that stormwater is managed in a sustainable manner while valuing the stormwater as a component of a sustainable water resource.

This wide-ranging mission is the natural outgrowth of the water safety research that had its beginnings a century ago. The efforts of research pioneers and visionaries over the years have set the scientific standards for the passage of legislation that continues to improve water safety for humans and the environment everywhere.

Contact
Media Contact: Steve Doub, 513-569-7503
 
[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.
***********************************************

For or against fluoridating drinking water; it looks like it’s here to stay.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the US Dept of Health and Human Services recommendation to reduce fluoride levels in drinking water is certain to bring controversy from both sides of the debate about its relevance and safety.

For almost 70 years municipalities have fluoridated water supplies as a means of minimizing or preventing tooth decay. The first city in the world to fluoridate public drinking water supplies was Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1945.

The EPA & HHS recommendation is sure to add fuel to the health benefits versus health risks debate that has raged for decades. Proponents claim fluoridation as one of the most important preventative health achievements of the century while opponents argue that it has serious health risks including cancer.

The EPA/HHS proposed recommendation is for a maximum of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water replacing the current “range” standard of 0.7 and 1.2 milligrams per liter. Whether you are for or against fluoridation, it’s is here to stay; at least for now.

What do you think?

ENVIRO-NEWS

The EPA recommends reducing flouridation of water. See below report and links for details. What is your opinion on flouridation?

AP

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Jan 7, 2011 12:08 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA and HHS Announce New Scientific Assessments and Actions on Fluoride
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 11:29 AM
Subject: Water News Release (HQ): EPA and HHS Announce New Scientific
Assessments and Actions on Fluoride

CONTACTS:
HHS Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Health (OASH)--
Public Affairs
ashmedia@hhs.gov
202-205-0143

EPA
Jalil Isa (Media Inquiries Only)
isa.jalil@epa.gov
202-564-3226
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2010


EPA and HHS Announce New Scientific Assessments and Actions on Fluoride

Agencies working together to maintain benefits of preventing tooth decay
while preventing excessive exposure

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today are announcing
important steps to ensure that standards and guidelines on fluoride in
drinking water continue to provide the maximum protection to the
American people to support good dental health, especially in children.
HHS is proposing that the recommended level of fluoride in drinking
water can be set at the lowest end of the current optimal range to
prevent tooth decay, and EPA is initiating review of the maximum amount
of fluoride allowed in drinking water.

These actions will maximize the health benefits of water fluoridation,
an important tool in the prevention of tooth decay while reducing the
possibility of children receiving too much fluoride. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention named the fluoridation of drinking water
one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.

"One of water fluoridation's biggest advantages is that it benefits all
residents of a community-at home, work, school, or play," said HHS
Assistant Secretary for Health Howard K. Koh, MD, MPH. "Today's
announcement is part of our ongoing support of appropriate fluoridation
for community water systems, and its effectiveness in preventing tooth
decay throughout one's lifetime."

"Today both HHS and EPA are making announcements on fluoride based on
the most up to date scientific data," said EPA Assistant Administrator
for the Office of Water Peter Silva. "EPA's new analysis will help us
make sure that people benefit from tooth decay prevention while at the
same time avoiding the unwanted health effects from too much fluoride."


HHS and EPA reached an understanding of the latest science on fluoride
and its effect on tooth decay prevention, and the development of dental
fluorosis that may occur with excess fluoride consumption during the
tooth forming years, age 8 and younger. Dental fluorosis in the United
States appears mostly in the very mild or mild form - as barely visible
lacy white markings or spots on the enamel. The severe form of dental
fluorosis, with staining and pitting of the tooth surface, is rare in
the United States.

There are several reasons for the changes seen over time, including that
Americans have access to more sources of fluoride than they did when
water fluoridation was first introduced in the United States in the
1940s. Water is now one of several sources of fluoride. Other common
sources include dental products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses,
prescription fluoride supplements, and fluoride applied by dental
professionals. Water fluoridation and fluoride toothpaste are largely
responsible for the significant decline in tooth decay in the U.S. over
the past several decades.

HHS' proposed recommendation of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of
water replaces the current recommended range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams.
This updated recommendation is based on recent EPA and HHS scientific
assessments to balance the benefits of preventing tooth decay while
limiting any unwanted health effects. These scientific assessments will
also guide EPA in making a determination of whether to lower the maximum
amount of fluoride allowed in drinking water, which is set to prevent
adverse health effects.

The new EPA assessments of fluoride were undertaken in response to
findings of the National Academies of Science (NAS). At EPA's request,
NAS reviewed new data on fluoride in 2006 and issued a report
recommending that EPA update its health and exposure assessments to take
into account bone and dental effects and to consider all sources of
fluoride. In addition to EPA's new assessments and the NAS report, HHS
also considered current levels of tooth decay and dental fluorosis and
fluid consumption across the United States.

Comments regarding the EPA documents, Fluoride: Dose-Response Analysis
For Non-cancer Effects and Fluoride: Exposure and Relative Source
Contribution Analysis should be sent to EPA at FluorideScience@epa.gov.
The documents can be found at
http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/fluoride_index.cfm

The notice of the proposed recommendation will be published in the
Federal Register soon and HHS will accept comments from the public and
stakeholders on the proposed recommendation for 30 days at
CWFcomments@cdc.gov. HHS is expecting to publish final guidance for
community water fluoridation by spring 2011. You may view a
prepublication version of the proposed recommendation at:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/01/pre_pub_frn_fluoride.html.


More information about the national drinking water regulations for
fluoride:
http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/fluoride.cfm

Q&A's on latest EPA actions on fluoride:
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/regulatingcontaminants/sixyearre
view/upload/2011_Fluoride_QuestionsAnswers.pdf
[or http://tinyurl.com/2evq4qo ]

More information on EPA's fluoride assessment and to comment:
http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/fluoride_index.cfm

More information about community water fluoridation, information on
tooth decay prevention and dental fluorosis:
http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation.

[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.
***********************************************