INDEX:
---EDITOR'S NOTE---

---EDITOR'S CHOICE---
Not Breaking, but Needed News: Question for Readers
Advance Notice of Public Rule Making on Clean Water Act Jurisdiction Likely
Interim Final Rule Available for Comment on Technical Service Providers for
2002 Farm Bill
OH EPA Reinstates Isolated Wetland Components of Anti-Degradation Rule
Alabama Dam Creates National Court Test of the Clean Water Act

---NATIONAL UPDATES---
GBF: Improve Wetland Conservation, Management for Sustainable DevelopmentNational Leaders Pass International Wetlands Conservation Bill
Voters Approve $2.9 Billion for Land Conservation
Northern Populations of Tidewater Goby to Remain Listed as Endangered
Logging Urged to Boost Runoff, but Eco-Groups Object
St. Regis Mohawk to Issue Section 401 Permit Certifications
New Great Lakes Lakeshore Wetlands: Nuisance or Asset?
Bush Administration to Ease Forest Management Rules
EPA to Announce US Farm Manure, Clean Water Rule
White House Takes Aim at NEPA
Whooping Crane Makes 1,300 Mile Solo Flight
Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Recovery Plan Reopened for Comments

---LEGISLATIVE UPDATES---
Say it Isn’t So: Congress Fails to Pass 11 Appropriations Bills
Republicans Recapture Control of Senate; Environment Stands to Lose
Bush Faces Fight with New Senate on Alaska Oil

---STATES NEWS---
EPA Grants NYC Drinking Water Supply Filtration Waiver
MN: Input Sought on Plans for Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge
FL Purchases Unique Habitat to Protect Pitcher Plant
LA Coastal Wetland Projects Underway
NH: New Trail, More Lands Protected in Globally Rare Ecosystem
CA: Draft Economic Analysis on Proposed Critical Habitat For Vernal Pool Species
Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership Launched in California
FL: Three Coastal Islands, 670 Acres Saltmarsh Protected
Report: Pennsylvania Wetland Replacement Projects Proves Successful
EPA Proposes Water Quality Standards for Waters in Kentucky
Judge Reverses Critical Habitat Designation for California Red-Legged Frog
FL: Final Rule, Notice on Manatee Protection Areas
Restoration Efforts in Pa. Reach All Time High
Proposal to Reintroduce Mississippi Water into Maurepas Swamp, LA
Alaska Wins Big in Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Competition
Iowa CREP Supports Nitrate Removal Wetland Projects

---PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES---
Fact Sheet: Effects of Wastewater on Forested Wetlands
Florida Natural Areas Inventory Website Revised, Updated
New Report On Aquatic Nuisance Species Released For Great Lakes
Modeling the Bathymetry of Catahoula Lake: Specialized Technology for Wetland Management
ELI Presents Wetland Mitigation Banks and Fees Web Site
EPA Releases Final Regulation for Effluent Toxicity Measurement Methods
Mid-Atlantic Plant Invaders – Homeowners Publication Available
Insect Pair Stalls Everglades Invader Melaleuca
PURPLE Pages: Purple Loosestrife Biological Control Project Website
Online: Aquatic Plant Manual for Washington’s Freshwater Plants
Available Online: National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI)
Booklet: Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Midwest

---POTPOURRI---
Wetlands Position Available: NE Highway Environmental Program Manager
NOAA Seeks Nominations for “Coastal Heroes Awards”
Fiscal Year 2002 Private Stewardship Grants Program; Proposal Due Date Extension
Grants Available Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms

---MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES---
For a rolling calendar of meeting, conferences, and other events visit the ASWM calendar

EDITOR'S NOTE

Dear friends and colleagues,

We are delighted to bring to you this Edition of Wetland Breaking News. It has been a little longer than usual since we last distributed WBN, but it is still full of your favorite things including policy, regulatory updates, conservation, new and updated resources, and other tidbits that may defy categorization. Thanks for your patience, and hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this Edition including Clay Antieau, Seattle Public Utilities; Gloria Eikerman, Nebraska Department of Roads; Pat Riexinger, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; Michelle Standora, Indiana-Purdue University; Earle Cummings, California citizen; Bronwyn Mitchell, Environmental Concern; and Jessica Wilkinson, Environmental Law Institute. This publication would not be possible without the support of our readers and EPA. Thanks, everyone!

Happy Holidays,

Jennifer Brady-Connor
Editor, Wetland Breaking News

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Not Breaking, but Needed News: Question for Readers

“The county where I live now is developing a stormwater management plan. I suggested that in our county, which has a mix of residential urban, and agricultural land, there is some potential for mitigating stormwater impacts from urban areas by cooperative projects on the surrounding ag land, through a mitigation banking type arrangement. The county could charge impact fees to urban redevelopments that impact runoff rates and quality, and the funds could be used to incentivize watershed improvements on ag land through a Resource Conservation District. The intent would be to direct funds to projects in the watershed above or below town, where they would have compensatory effects on water quality and quantity.

Question: Is anyone aware of in-lieu mitigation banking programs that address land use improvements on ag land to offset water flow and quality changes attributable to urbanization? Examples, please?”
Please send your response to
Earle Cummings
earlewc@aol.com

Advance Notice of Public Rule Making on Clean Water Act Jurisdiction Likely

Jeanne Christie, ASWM. At the federal level, there continues to be movement towards issuing an Advanced Notice of Public Rulemaking on changing jurisdiction of waters under the Clean Water Act in the Federal Register. The rule making is being proposed in response to the Supreme Court Decision on Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (SWANCC). While timeframes have been delayed repeatedly, there is currently the potential for an ANPR to be issued in a relatively short time frame (somewhere between next week and three months). The ANPR is likely to pose a series of questions to the public concerning what waters should be jurisdictional and what criteria should be considered to define
CWA jurisdiction.

There is still widespread confusion even within the Administration regarding SWANCC. It is commonly characterized as a 404 case addressing isolated wetlands, but the Supreme Court decision addressed the definition of waters for the entire CWA encompassing all Clean Water Act programs. The change in jurisdiction that the Administration is asking for public comment on will be for the Act as a whole, not just wetlands and not just the Section 404 program.

Interim Final Rule Available for Comment on Technical Service Providers for 2002 Farm Bill

Jeanne Christie, ASWM. The 2002 Farm Bill has provided a precedent setting opportunity for collaboration on the implementation of conservation practices through federal/state/private partnerships. Agencies such as NRCS have a substantial staffing shortfall with the new Farm Bill because many of the programs such as the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Programs and Environmental Quality Incentives Program have grown enormously while staffing levels have remained static. This means that a fairly substantial portion of the Farm Bill will need to be implemented by third parties. This can be a qualified individual in state and local government, the nonprofit or private sector. The Farm Bill includes provisions for third parties to be reimbursed for the technical assistance.

Developing policies for how to accomplish implementation of the Farm Bill through third parties is something that USDA and NRCS in particular are pursing aggressively. There are many issues: how to determine the reimbursement rates, how to determine the training and experience required for third parties to be qualified to undertake various responsibilities, who is liable if practices fail etc.
Historically, State Departments of Agriculture and Conservation Districts have been perhaps the most active partners in carrying out USDA programs. However over the past decade state wildlife departments and nonprofit organizations such as Ducks Unlimited have become increasingly engaged in programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, and the Wetlands Restoration Program. This Farm Bill potentially provides opportunities to expand partnerships to other public and private sector agencies and organizations.

ach NRCS State Conservationist will have considerable autonomy on how third party technical assistance, training for third parties, certification of third parties etc., is addressed. NRCS has published an interim/final rule on Third Party Providers.

The complete rule is available on the NRCS web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/tsp_rule.html. An indexed copy of the rule and additional current information is available on the NACD web site at http://nacdnet.org/govtaff/TSP/.

OH EPA Reinstates Isolated Wetland Components of Anti-Degradation Rule

OH EPA notice, 11/7/02. On November 7, 2002 the Ohio EPA re-filed the antidegradation rule (3745-1-05) with additional changes based on public comments and further analysis. The withdrawn rules had addressed 401 water quality certifications, 401 certification application fees and antidegradation as it applies to 401 water quality certifications. Highlights of the re-filing include: (C)(4)(e) Paragraph addressing dredge and fill materials reinstated; (C)(5) Section 401 water quality certification language reinstated and reference to state isolated wetland permit added. For a summary of changes made in the rule and the complete text of the rule visit http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/rules/prop_antideg_401.html

Alabama Dam Creates National Court Test of the Clean Water Act

American Rivers news release, 11/20/02. Washington, DC - States and environmental groups are squaring off against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the hydroelectric industry's lawyers and lobbyists. The petitioners want to compel the federal regulators to provide the state an opportunity to review consequences for the Tallapoosa River before the new turbines are installed. FERC is asking the court to rule that the Clean Water Act does not apply to hydropower dams at all. http://www.amrivers.org/pressrelease/cleanwater112002.htm

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NATIONAL UPDATE

GBF: Improve Wetland Conservation, Management for Sustainable Development

Valencia, Spain, 11/18/02 (IUCN) - Governments need to put their words into action. That was the main conclusion of the 17th Session of the Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF) held recently in Valencia, Spain. The call from the GBF came before the start of the Conference of Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, which took place in the days that followed. Governments who have signed this international treaty agree to protect wetlands and improve their management for their economic, social and environmental benefits. The GBF underlined the need for Governments to work together with local communities . . . “ The final report of the 17th GBF is available at http://www.gbf.ch.

National Leaders Pass International Wetlands Conservation Bill

Ducks Unlimited news release, 11/15/02. Memphis, TN - In a last minute, bi-partisan agreement, House and Senate leaders worked with the White House to keep one of the most valuable programs for wetlands conservation from expiring in the midst of the adjournment of the 107th Congress. These leaders reached a deal ensuring the conservation of thousands of acres of wetlands with the passage of HR 3908, which reauthorized the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). This was one of the last acts of the 107th Congress and it was the final substantive measure approved in the House of Representatives. http://www.ducks.org/

Voters Approve $2.9 Billion for Land Conservation

Land Trust Alliance news release, 11/6/02. Voters in 93 communities in 22 states approved on Nov. 5 ballot measures that committed $2.9 billion to acquire and restore land for parks and open space. The successful measures were among 109 conservation measures considered on state and local ballots across the United States. Tallying results for 2002, the Land Trust Alliance and the Trust for Public Land found that voters approved 139 of 188 conservation and conservation-related ballot measures they faced in 2002, generating $5.7 billion in local and state funding for land protection. http://www.lta.org/newsroom/pr_110602.htm

Northern Populations of Tidewater Goby to Remain Listed as Endangered

USFWS news release, 11/7/02. The US Fish and Wildlife Service withdrew its proposal to remove the northern populations of the tidewater goby from the federal list of threatened and endangered species. As a result, the northern populations and all other populations of the goby throughout its range will remain listed as an endangered species. A copy of the withdrawal is available at the Federal Register’s web site at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html

CO: Logging Urged to Boost Runoff, but Eco-Groups Object

By Theo Stein, Denver Post Environment Writer. Sunday, 11/10/02 – “State officials intend to push a program of aggressive logging that would change the face of Colorado's high-country forests for decades in hopes of increasing the water supply. The 4,100-acre Coon Creek demonstration project in Wyoming shows how lodgepole pine forests could be clear-cut in clumps to produce additional runoff under proposals advocated by Colorado officials. Researchers say the 1990s project increased spring runoff by 17 percent, but environmentalists object to the idea . . . “ http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%7E23447%7E981901%7E,00.html

St. Regis Mohawk to Issue Section 401 Permit Certifications

EPA WaterNews, 11/13/02. EPA has approved the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe's application for "treatment as a state" (TAS) in order to administer the water quality standards program. In the same action, EPA approved its application for TAS for the purpose of certifying federal permits under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. The Tribe has also met the requirements for administering a nonpoint source management program. EPA will continue to work with the Tribe to develop its water quality standards. When adopted and approved, those standards will apply to all surface waters within the exterior boundaries of the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation in NY.

New Great Lakes Lakeshore Wetlands: Nuisance or Asset?

Great Lakes Radio Consortium, reported by Steve Meador. 11/18/02. With water levels below average in the Great Lakes, emergent wetlands are flourishing in many large, protected bays. This thick vegetation, a few hundred yards wide at most, fringes the shoreline of exposed lakebeds. Scientists and government officials say emergent wetlands are valuable resources worth protecting. Others say the vegetation is a nuisance and want it destroyed. http://glrc.org/transcript.php3?story_id=1683

Bush Administration to Ease Forest Management Rules

11/28/02 By Christopher Doering, Reuters. Washington, DC - "The Bush administration . . . unveiled a plan to give local forest managers greater control over recreational and commercial activities in U.S. forests, a policy opponents said skirts environmental rules designed to protect fish and wildlife habitat . . . The controversial rules alter a 2000 plan by the Clinton administration, which directed the U.S. Forest Service to manage some 200 million acres of forest land with "ecological sustainability" as the top priority . . . " http://production.enn.com/news/wire-stories/2002/11/11282002/reu_49069.asp

EPA to Announce US Farm Manure, Clean Water Rule

World Environment News – 11/22/02 from Planet Ark. Washington, DC – “[EPA] said it would announce on Dec. 16 final rules to regulate the vast amounts of manure produced by large U.S. livestock farms, one of the nation's leading causes of water pollution . . . The final rule was expected to have a significant impact on the U.S. livestock industry, covering about 12,000 farms. Currently, the EPA water rules apply to only about 2,500 farms, according to industry estimates . . . “ http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/18722/story.htm

White House Takes Aim at NEPA

ENN Worldwire News, 11/8/02. The Bush Administration has sought to use the general threat of wildfires as a reason to exempt "fuel-reduction" activities in the national forests from provisions of NEPA. In his first official act of 1970, President Richard Nixon signed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) into law . . .. Citing national security concerns, the [current] administration is pressing ahead quickly during the waning months of 2002 on proposals to "modernize and improve" the landmark law. NEPA's defenders argue that the act has served the nation well and needs no revision — or at least not the kind they suspect the White House has in mind. http://www.enn.com/news/enn-stories/2002/11/11082002/s_48866.asp

Whooping Crane Makes 1,300 Mile Solo Flight

FWS news release, 11/22/02. Crystal River, FL – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed that the first endangered whooping crane (known as No. 7) from last year’s class has flown 1,300 miles to reach the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. It made its dramatic entrance to the same spot it flew from seven months ago -- having completed the trek in just over a week. It had been led there last year by ultra light aircraft as part of an experimental group of whooping cranes taught an eastern migration route. http://news.fws.gov/NewsReleases/R4/3B67678E-F44A-48A2-94861DE323EBF605.html.


Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Recovery Plan Reopened for Comments

Federal Register, 11/21/02. The Fish and Wildlife Service announce the reopening of the comment period for the Technical/Agency Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker to enter into the record a revised ``Recovery Units.'' Comments due by December 23, 2002. Obtain a copy of the technical/agency draft revised recovery plan (July 2000) by downloading or printing a copy from http://rcwrecovery.fws.gov (under the recovery plan link).

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

The 108th Congress convenes on Tuesday January 7, 2003.

Say it Isn’t So: Congress Fails to Pass 11 Appropriations Bills

National Audubon Society’s Audubon Advisory. Vol. 2002, Issue 23 November 27, 2002. “On November 22, the U.S. Congress officially closed the books on its 107th session, adjourning without taking final action on a good number of bills, including the remaining 11 appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2003, which began October 1. That means in January, Members of the 108th Congress will be called on to immediately address the laundry list of funding bills their predecessors failed to reach agreement on. These appropriations bills, as you know, are the funding vehicles Congress must pass each and every year to keep our government up and running. Earlier this month, Congress passed a ‘Continuing Resolution,’ which funds government programs at last year's levels through January 2003.

“The 108th Congress will try to complete work on these bills by the end of January so they can officially roll-out their agenda. They basically have three options: (1) issue another CR for the duration of the present fiscal year, which would fund programs at 2002 levels, (2) take the funding levels passed by the Senate and House for all programs and average them out for the final funding figure, or (3) due to strong constituent support, Congress fights for the highest funding levels possible for specific programs . . . “ http://www.capitolconnect.com/audubon/

Republicans Recapture Control of Senate; Environment Stands to Lose

Daily Grist, 11/6/02. http://www.gristmagazine.com “The environment stands to be a big loser now that Republicans have recaptured control of the U.S. Senate and expanded their lead in the U.S. House. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) -- who had a zero percent score (that's right, a goose egg) from the League of Conservation Voters in the last session of Congress -- is widely expected to become chair of the powerful Environment and Public Works Committee, which plays a lead role in debates over such issues as clean air, transportation, and Superfund. Trent Lott (R), soon to be the Senate majority leader, spoke today of an "aggressive" push to advance such GOP goals as passing a major energy bill that would allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge . . . ”

Bush Faces Fight with New Senate on Alaska Oil

Planet Ark World Environment News, 11/8/02. Washington, DC – “The Bush administration may have a better shot at passing energy legislation in the new Congress since Republicans will control both the House and the Senate, but the White House still faces a tough fight over its aim to open an Alaskan wildlife refuge to oil drilling. While Republicans control a majority in the 100-member Senate, they are still far short of the 60 votes needed to cut off debate and vote on controversial issues like drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) . . . “ http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/18495/story.htm

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STATES NEWS

EPA Grants NYC Drinking Water Supply Filtration Waiver

EPA Region 2 news release, 11/26/02. New York, NY – EPA signed an agreement that waives the federal requirement to filter drinking water from the Catskill/Delaware watershed. Last granted in 1997, EPA’s waiver from filtration required the city to undertake far-reaching watershed protection measures according to a set timetable. This waiver extension calls for these protections to be significantly enhanced and expanded. In December 2001, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection submitted a revised long-term watershed protection plan to EPA, seeking the waiver extension. http://www.epa.gov/region2/news/2002/02123.htm

MN: Input Sought on Plans for Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge

FWS news release, 11/26/02. The USFWS is seeking public input on its plans for Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Minnesota. Interested members of the public will be asked to comment on the Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which will set wildlife, habitat, and public use priorities and guide management decisions on the Refuge for the next 15 years. Agassiz NWR, originally called Mud Lake Refuge, was established primarily for migratory birds, and it is the northernmost refuge in the Mississippi River flyway. The 61,500-acre refuge offers a haven for many wildlife species including 280 species of birds. http://news.fws.gov/newsreleases/r3/4CE34BE5-E731-4B52-9CA70B3329B791ED.html

FL Purchases Unique Habitat to Protect Pitcher Plant

11/26/02. Pensacola, FL - In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Florida DEP has invested close to $24 million to acquire half of the 7,661-acre Perdido Pitcher Plant Prairie project adjacent to NAS Pensacola. The Prairie supports one of the largest stands of white-top pitcher plants in Florida, which is unique to the Gulf Coast and found only between the Apalachicola and Mississippi Rivers. Almost 100 other rare plants and animals depend on the unusual wet prairie habitat, including the alligator snapping turtle, sweet pitcher plant and Chapman’s butterwort. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/comm/2002/02_1126.htm

LA Coastal Wetland Projects Underway

Breaux Act news release, 11/25/02. Avery Island, La. - Louisiana will recognize a net benefit of more than 15,956 acres created, restored or protected wetlands as a result of six coastal wetland projects initiated under the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration (Breaux) Act. Projects will stabilize shorelines and restore and improve hydrology and brackish marsh, and reduce marsh erosion and tidal fluctuations. To date, 50 projects have been completed with a total of 101 cost sharing agreements executed. http://www.lacoast.gov/press/2002-11-25.htm

NH: New Trail, More Lands Protected in Globally Rare Ecosystem

The Nature Conservancy news release, 11/25/02. Manchester, NH - A new trail only minutes from downtown Manchester takes visitors on an easy hike to a globally rare ecosystem at The Nature Conservancy's Manchester Cedar Swamp Preserve. The preserve, currently 350 acres, will soon become 246 acres larger because of several transactions in the works involving the city of Manchester, US EPA, the NH Department of Environmental Services, The Nature Conservancy and the NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP). http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newhampshire/press/press867.html

CA: Draft Economic Analysis on Proposed Critical Habitat For Vernal Pool Species

USFWS news release, 11/21/02. Sacramento, CA – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a draft economic analysis of its proposal to designate approximately 1.7 million acres in 36 California counties and one Oregon county as critical habitat for 15 wetland animals and plants.
All of the species are listed as threatened and endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act. The comment period closes December 23. Each of the 15 species, which include four species of freshwater shrimp and 11 plant species, depends on seasonally flooded wetlands known as vernal pools. http://news.fws.gov/newsreleases/

Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership Launched in California

11/19/02. Antioch, CA. – Officials from EPA and Dow Chemical Company, the National Association of Manufacturers and Coastal America met to officially launch the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership (CWRP) in California. CWRP is an innovative private-public initiative that brings together businesses, government agencies, conservation organizations, community groups and academia to protect, enhance and restore our nation's critically important wetlands, coasts and waterways. Dow is the first to join in California. www.coastalamerica.gov

FL: Three Coastal Islands, 670 Acres Saltmarsh Protected

The Nature Conservancy news release, 11/19/02. Jacksonville, FL - The Nature Conservancy and the North Florida Land Trust protected three coastal islands and more than 670 acres of estuarine saltmarsh in Duval County. The purchased acreage — a total of 708 acres of marsh, maritime hammock and tidal creeks known as the Kennedy tract — is part of the Conservancy’s Islands Initiative, a landscape scale protection project encompassing much of the existing state and federal conservation land. http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/press/press857.html

Report: Pennsylvania Wetland Replacement Projects Proves Successful

PA DEP Update Archive, 11/15/02. PA DEP staff evaluated 38 wetland replacement projects funded through the Pennsylvania Wetland Replacement Project (PWRP). Between 1996 and the summer of 2002, approximately 86.57 wetland acres on 38 sites in 21 counties statewide were constructed. Eighteen of the sites totaling approximately 34.17 acres have developed into well-established wetland systems. Fourteen additional sites, totaling 37.18 acres, are showing positive signs towards developing into healthy wetlands. The full report is available on DEP's website (directLINK "wetlands"). http://www.dep.state.pa.us/update/default.asp?ID=11608

EPA Proposes Water Quality Standards for Waters in Kentucky

EPA Region 4 news release, 11/15/02. EPA has proposed water quality standards that establish a federal anti-degradation policy and implementation methods for high-quality waters in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. If adopted as final, Kentucky will have to conduct more reviews to determine the need for new or increased discharges to high quality waters. This action was taken as a result of EPA's disapproval of Kentucky's high quality waters provisions because the Commonwealth only applies its high quality water protections to its "exceptional" waters category, a category that represents less than 2 percent of the Commonwealth's water bodies.
http://www.epa.gov/region04/oeapages/02press/11-15-02.htm

Judge Reverses Critical Habitat Designation for California Red-Legged Frog

11/9/02 by The New York Times. Sacramento - A federal judge has formally reversed the federal Fish and Wildlife Service's plan to designate more than four million acres as critical habitat for the threatened California red-legged frog. The service must re-evaluate the plan, which developers challenged as flawed. . . In March 2001, the service designated the four million acres as frog habitat, but developers attacked the restrictions that the designation imposed on parts of 28 of the California's 58 counties . . . “
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/10/science/10FROG.html?ex=1037978247&ei=1&en=68c4db2faf664878

FL: Final Rule, Notice on Manatee Protection Areas

Federal Register, 11/8/02. The USFWS has established 13 additional manatee protection areas in Florida to further recovery of the manatee. Four of the sites are manatee sanctuaries, where all waterborne activities are prohibited throughout all or part of the year, with exceptions for adjoining property owners. The remaining sites are manatee refuges, in which certain waterborne activities are prohibited or regulated for all or some portion of the year. The USFWS is also seeking help in identifying other activities to undertake or modify or cease to protect the manatee in Florida. Comments due 2/6/03. http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a021108c.html [scroll to FWS]

Restoration Efforts in Pa. Reach All Time High

PA DEP Update Archive, 11/8/02. According to a new report released by Ducks Unlimited (DU), restoration efforts in Pennsylvania reached an all time high in 2001 as DU and its partners completed 162 projects; a 61 percent increase over the previous year. According to the report, 706 acres of wetlands, 461 acres of associated upland and 67 miles of forested riparian buffers were restored. http://www.dep.state.pa.us/update/default.asp?ID=11587

Proposal to Reintroduce Mississippi Water into Maurepas Swamp, LA

Federal Register, 11/7/02. EPA previously published a Notice of Intent on 4/26/02 about its plan to develop an environmental impact statement on the reintroduction of Mississippi River water into swamps south of Lake Maurepas in Louisiana for the purpose of restoring the ecological health and productivity of the swamps. EPA now announces that it will hold a Scoping Meeting for the EIS on December 11, 2002. All are invited to participate in the scoping process to help determine impacts on resources, issues, and alternatives to be examined in detail in the EIS. http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a021107c.html [scroll down to EPA}

Alaska Wins Big in Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Competition

USFWS news release, 11/7/02. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will award $2.6 million to two State of Alaska agencies for projects to protect coastal wetlands in Juneau, Palmer, and Gustavus and on Afognak Island. The grants, awarded under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, will benefit more than 6,000 acres of wildlife habitat within or adjacent to State Game Refuges, State Parks and municipal parks. This year, the Service will award $15.7 million for 21 projects in 15 states. To date, the Program has assisted in restoring or protecting a total of nearly 150,000 acres of wetlands. http://news.fws.gov/newsreleases/

Iowa CREP Supports Nitrate Removal Wetland Projects

IA DALS news release, 11/7/02. Des Moines, IA - The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the USDA recently celebrated Iowa’s first nitrate-removal wetland project under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP.) Through Iowa CREP, Iowa landowners will restore or construct up to 8,000 wetland and buffer acres to reduce nitrogen loading surface waters from agricultural drainage. http://www.agriculture.state.ia.us/press/press185.htm

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NEW PUBLICATIONS and RESOURCES

Fact Sheet: Effects of Wastewater on Forested Wetlands

USGS National Wetlands Research Center, 11/7/02. USGS researchers used tree rings to detect the effect of wastewater cycling on tree growth. Scientists expected to find that tree-ring width would be increased as a result of added nutrients. Results indicate that natural, forested wetlands respond favorably to long-term wastewater cycling and thus, provide municipalities with a cost-effective alternative for disposing wastewater in a beneficial manner for humans and nature.
http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/factshts/wastwatr.pdf

Florida Natural Areas Inventory Website Revised, Updated

The Florida Natural Areas Inventory announced the launch of its thoroughly revised and updated website (www.fnai.org). The new site features improved organization, graphic design, and content. In addition to updated information on the rare species and communities we track, we now offer additional features such as downloadable reports and GIS data.

New Report On Aquatic Nuisance Species Released For Great Lakes

Great Lakes Information Network, 11/15/02. Ann Arbor, MI - Aquatic invasive species pose one of the greatest risks to the health and productivity of our Great Lakes, and threaten economic losses that total in the billions of dollars. In response to that threat, a new report summarizes the state of the current science and challenges governments to take action. The report, titled Research and Management Priorities for Aquatic Invasive Species in the Great Lakes, was released today by the International Association for Great Lakes Research. http://www.iaglr.org/scipolicy/ais/

Modeling the Bathymetry of Catahoula Lake: Specialized Technology for Wetland Management

USGS National Wetlands Research Center, 11/7/02. Catahoula Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in Louisiana, covering more than 46 square miles (fig.1). The lake is a principal stopover and wintering site for hundreds of thousands of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Scientists from the USGS National Wetlands Research Center are applying some of the research facility’s specialties - wetland plant research, aerial and ground surveys, digital mapping, and computer modeling - to facilitate wetland management at Catahoula Lake. http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/whts_new.htm

ELI Presents Wetland Mitigation Banks and Fees Web Site

Jessica Wilson of the Environmental Law Institute encourages readers to visit ELI's new Banks and Fees web site at http://www2.eli.org/wmb/index.htm. The site provides background information on wetland mitigation banking and in-lieu-fee mitigation. The site also makes available much of the data used in the Institute's report, Banks and Fees: The Status of Off-Site Wetland Mitigation in the United States, which was released in October 2002.

EPA Releases Final Regulation for Effluent Toxicity Measurement Methods

The NSDL Scout Report for the Physical Sciences, 11/27/02. “[EPA] has recently released a final regulation for Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater. This involves the approval of several test procedures for measuring the toxicity of effluents and receiving waters, which are referred to as whole effluent toxicity or WET test methods. Visitors can download the entire 275-page document, its table of contents, individual sections, or the appendices. Anyone working in biomonitoring or other similar fields will appreciate the timely and important information provided. [JAB]” http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/WET/disk2/

Mid-Atlantic Plant Invaders – Homeowners Publication Available

EPA Region 3 Envirobytes, 11/22/02. The Chesapeake Bay Program has released a new guidebook, Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas, which provides homeowners with information and color photos of 49 species of highly invasive plants affecting aquatic and terrestrial natural areas in the Bay watershed. Information on targeted species is organized by type of plant for ease of reference and includes the history of introduction, ecological threat, method of spread, habitats impacted, control options, and the use of alternative native plants. To request a copy email mary_cordovilla@fws.gov

Insect Pair Stalls Everglades Invader Melaleuca

By Alfredo Flores, Agricultural Research Service, 11/7/02. “For years, melaleuca--a fast-growing invasive tree from Australia--has been taking over 14 to 15 acres a day of south Florida's Everglades, making it a significant threat to the stability of this fragile ecosystem. Now, to the rescue has come a gnat-sized psyllid, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae. This tiny insect is a natural enemy of melaleuca in its native country, and both adults and their offspring feed on the tree's clear sap . . . “ http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2002/021107.htm

PURPLE Pages: Purple Loosestrife Biological Control Project Website

Great Lakes Information Network, 11/1/02. The "Purple Pages" are the homepage of the Purple Loosestrife Project at Michigan State University. Students and teachers can learn more about the biological control project, which engages Michigan citizens and young adults in the control of purple loosestrife by using the plant's natural enemies. http://www.miseagrant.org/pp/

Online: Aquatic Plant Manual for Washington’s Freshwater Plants

From Clay Antieau, Seattle Public Utilities. An Aquatic Plant Manual for Washington's Freshwater Plant is now available on the Internet at:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/plantid2/index.html The on-line version has plant descriptions, photographs, and line drawings of many Pacific Northwest freshwater plants.

Available Online: National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI)

EPA WaterNews, 11/19/02. EPA and USGS have publicly released the National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI), a free web-based online clearinghouse of environmental monitoring methods. The NEMI database contains method summaries of laboratory and field protocols for regulatory and non-regulatory related water-quality analyses. By visiting www.nemi.gov users can access up-to-date methods information through a standard Internet connection and browser. NEMI is a powerful tool in the quest to be more efficient and ultimately more effective.

Booklet: Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Midwest

The booklet entitled "Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Midwest" is now available from the Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management at Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN. The booklets are being freely disseminated to all coordinators, managers, conservationists, and biologists that can make use of the information. The booklet entails how to identify habitats, identify what management steps need to be taken, and reviews of pertinent management techniques. http://herps.ipfw.edu

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POTPOURRI

Wetlands Position Available: NE Highway Environmental Program Manager

The Nebraska Department of Roads [NDR] is the state agency responsible for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of all NE state highways. The successful applicant will administer, plan, coordinate, and direct the NDR statewide wetlands program to delineate and classify wetlands, obtain permits for highway construction, and develop mitigation areas. Manages the Wetland Unit by planning, organizing, assigning, prioritizing the Unit work, and evaluating the work of others. Refer to position #04055; Closing Date 12-02-02 at 5:00 PM. State application required. To apply access www.wrk4neb.org Questions? Contact geikerma@dor.state.ne.us or call 402-479-4841

NOAA Seeks Nominations for “Coastal Heroes Awards”

NOAA news release, 11/8/02. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announces the call for nominations for the 2002 Walter B. Jones Memorial and NOAA Excellence Awards for Coastal and Ocean Resource Management. Recipients will be recognized for their innovation, resourcefulness, and commitment to balancing the human use of America's coastal and ocean resources with the needs of the resources themselves. Awards are given to individuals and local governments. http://www.oceanservice.noaa.gov/welcome.html

Fiscal Year 2002 Private Stewardship Grants Program; Proposal Due Date Extension

Federal Register, 11/19/02. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a due-date extension for submission of project proposals for Federal assistance under the fiscal year 2002 Private Stewardship Grants Program (PSGP). Project proposals must now be submitted to the appropriate Service Regional Office by January 15, 2003. For additional information visit
http://endangered.fws.gov/grants/private_stewardship.html.

Grants Available Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms

Federal Register, 11/14/02. EPA and other participating agencies are soliciting individual research proposals of up to 3 years duration, and depending on appropriations, multi-disciplinary regional studies of up to 5 years duration, for the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (ECOHAB) program. Studies of the causes of such blooms, their detection, effects, mitigation, and control in U.S. coastal waters (including estuaries and Great Lakes) are solicited. This document details the requirements for applications for research support that will be considered by the Federal research partnership. The deadline for applications is January 28, 2003. http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/forms/index.html

 

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