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

---EDITOR'S CHOICE---

Environmentalists Fear Interior Department's Proposal Could Boost Mountaintop Mining
EPA Names Acting Administrator of Office of Water
Does It Have to Be Environment vs. Industry?
CICA Center Website Includes Description of State Wetland Regulatory Programs
Some Districts May Delay Publication of District Draft Mitigation and Monitoring Guidelines

---NATIONAL UPDATES---
Bush Administration Takes Aggressive Forest Thinning Measures
Pentagon Appeals to White House on Pollution Limits
Indian Tribe Takes Everglades Fight To U.S. Supreme Court
America's Ten Most Endangered National Parks Highlight Widespread Problems
EPA Offers New Guidance On Supplemental Environmental Projects For Violators
SELC Sues Navy Over Proposed Military Jet Field
Jumping Ship at the EPA
Conservation Security Program Proposed Rule Published

---LEGISLATIVE UPDATES---
Pombo To Take On Endangered Species Act 'Bit By Bit'

---STATES NEWS---
Protecting Invaluable Wetlands While Improving Safety and Mobility: Louisiana Highway 1
Millennium Pipeline Dealt Major Blow
New York State Puts A Tail On The Adirondack's Big Bird
State Protects Major Estuary, Rare Florida Wildlife
The Conservation Fund Builds Model of Sustainable Forestry in Northern California
DNREC Awards Over $200,000 in Grant Funding to Protect Coastal Resources
CA: Negotiating Pays Off For Putah Creek Salmon
LA: Plan and Assessment in Progress for Big Branch Marsh Wildlife Refuge
So. California: Invasive Bamboolike Weed Attracts Beaver
NJ Announces Most Comprehensive Water Protections in the Nation
OH EPA Releases Report on 2003 Isolated Wetland and 401WQC Permits
COMMENTARY: Time runs out for Everglades

---PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES---
New Publication: The Do’s And Don’ts Of Wetland Construction
Prairie Pothole Wetland Assessment Guidebook Set for Release
A New Guidance Tool to Monitor and Maintain Restoration Projects
BMPs for Environmental Issues Related to Highway and Street Maintenance
Heinz Center Issues First Annual Update to The State of the Nation's Ecosystems
USFWS: The Status of Ross's Geese
IDEM Helps Hoosiers Fulfill Resolutions To Clean Up Indiana Waterways 

---POTPOURRI---
WHSRN 5-Year Draft Strategy Available for Comment
Research Associate in Wetland Ecology
Freshwater Wetlands Scientist
Great Lakes United Seeking Executive Director Candidates
USFWS Seeks Proposals For Funding Through The Private Stewardship Grants Program
Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award

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

EDITOR'S NOTE

Dear friends and colleagues,

It has been cold here.  How cold?  Last week we were about 110 degrees below our warmest day in 2003 – we recorded 18 below zero on our front porch during one bitter morning.  Brrr! On the bright side, there are no mosquitoes or deer flies to attack us on the hurried walk to and from the mailbox. And, according to EPA it is a great time to test for radon in our homes (visit http://www.epa.gov/region3/news.htm for details.)

We have rekindled a relationship with the local roller-skating rink, teaching my preschool daughter how to skate.  We watch her closely, hold onto her tightly, and wrap her in elbow and knee pads – so many precautions to keep her safe and unharmed. Then we bring her home and wouldn’t you know it, she falls down a flight of stairs while walking down to play with a friend!  Fortunately she was unharmed except for a bump on her hip, but it just goes to show you can never be off-guard as a parent.

Special thanks to the folks who sent in items for consideration, including Heidi Luquer, WHSRN; Jim Coody; Pat Riexinger, NYS DEC; Earle Cummings, California fisherman; Jeanne Christie, ASWM; and Vivian Newman, Sierra Club. 

Wishing you all the best,

Jennifer Brady-Connor
Editor, Wetland Breaking News

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Environmentalists Fear Interior Department's Proposal Could Boost Mountaintop Mining

Nancy Zuckerbrod, AP Press Writer, 1/7/04. Washington – “The Bush administration proposed [revising] a policy that limits mining activity near streams, changes environmentalists say will encourage a particularly destructive way of obtaining coal. The method, dubbed ‘mountaintop mining,’ involves shearing off the tops of ridges to expose a coal seam . . . The Interior Department's proposal would eliminate an existing policy that says land within 100 feet of a stream cannot be disturbed by mining activity unless a company can prove that the work won't affect the stream's water quality and quantity. . . “ http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/01/07/national1810EST0727.DTL Federal Register notice available under “Surface Mining” at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a040107c.html 

***The comment period was to close on January 6. It will now close 15 days later on January 21. Written comments may be submitted to Mr. John Forren at U.S. EPA (3EA30), 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or e-mailed to EPA at mountaintop.r3@epa.gov

EPA Names Acting Administrator of Office of Water

Coastal State Organization Weekly Report, 1/9/04. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named Ben Grumbles as Acting Assistant Administrator for Water.  Mr. Grumbles, an attorney, most recently has been the acting head of the EPA Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. Before that, he was the Deputy Assistant Administrator of Water.  Prior to coming to EPA in early 2002, Mr. Grumbles was deputy staff director on the House Science Committee.

Does It Have to Be Environment vs. Industry?

The Recharge Report from The Ground Water Foundation ¼. - The conventional wisdom for many folks, including many politicians, has been you can have a healthy economy or a healthy environment, but not both.  Over 100 economists joined forces in December to challenge this position, asserting that the natural environment in the US West is arguably its greatest economic strength and that harming the environment will result in harming the West's economic outlook.  The economists say they recognize industry is and will continue to be important, and suggest the value of environmental protection also be considered.  They propose that policy makers carefully evaluate the costs and benefits of programs and policies that affect both the environment and industry.  For example, they recommend looking at all costs of an industry, including factors such as publicly funded subsidies and the costs of environmental damage that results from an industry, such as the need for water treatment plants needed because watersheds are degraded.  Their specific proposals, which are in a letter to President Bush and the governors of 11 western states, are on the ECONorthwest website at http://www.econw.com/pdf/120303letter.pdf.  For a news story on the letter see the Forbes website at
http://www.forbes.com/home_europe/newswire/2003/12/03/rtr1168448.html

CICA Center Website Includes Description of State Wetland Regulatory Programs

Every state and every locality has its own unique set of environmental regulations and permit requirements.  It is often difficult to find the needed information.  But that is exactly what contractors and builders/developers have to face on a daily basis.  The CICA Center is an environmental compliance assistance website for contractors and builders/developers.  It provides information for contractors and builders on environmental regulations and permit requirements including stormwater, solid waste (C&D debris), hazardous waste, air, wetlands, endangered species, and green building.  Along with straightforward explanations of what is required for compliance, CICA provides the following unique state resource locators:  Their home page is located at http://www.CICAcenter.org. The wetland page is at http://www.cicacenter.org/wetlands.html which includes links to a description of the Federal Section 404 Program at http://www.cicacenter.org/wetpermits.html as well as short descriptions of state wetland regulatory programs with links to each state's main wetland page as well as regulations and other information at http://www.cicacenter.org/swift.html.   CICA is continually updating their web pages and welcomes any comments directed to improving the accuracy of the information on their site.

Some Districts May Delay Publication of District Draft Mitigation and Monitoring Guidelines

Jeanne Christie, ASWM.  In the last issue of Wetland Breaking News we reported, the Corps Districts were directed to publish Special Public Notices for new or revised Mitigation and Monitoring Guidelines by December 15 with a 30-day comment period.  In some cases individual Corps Districts have requested and been granted additional time to prepare their guidelines for Public Notice.  Other Districts may have elected to extend the public notice period.  To determine the status of the public notice on Mitigation and Monitoring Guidelines for individual Corps Districts visit their respective websites  (links to all Corps Districts can be found at http://www.usace.army.mil/where.html#State ) or call your local Corps District.

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NATIONAL UPDATE

Bush Administration Takes Aggressive Forest Thinning Measures

WASHINGTON, DC, January 19, 2004 (ENS) – “Calling it the ‘new environmentalism,’ the U.S. Interior Department Thursday issued guidelines for stewardship contracts that allow private companies and communities to keep forest and rangeland products in exchange for services such as thinning trees and brush and removing wood. The program is part of President George W. Bush's "Healthy Forests Initiative," signed into law in December 2003 over the protests of environmental organizations . . . “ http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2004/2004-01-19-05.asp Healthy Forests Initiative website - http://www.fs.fed.us/projects/hfi/

Pentagon Appeals to White House on Pollution Limits

By Elizabeth Shogren, LA Times Staff Writer, 1/15/04. WASHINGTON — The Defense Department, having won exemptions from three major environmental laws in the last two years, now is seeking to be excused from three more. Requirements of the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act already do not apply to the Pentagon. Now it wants exemptions from the Clean Air Act and two toxic waste laws, which Congress has refused to grant in each of the past two years. http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-pollute15jan15,1,4898316.story

Indian Tribe Takes Everglades Fight To U.S. Supreme Court

1/13/04, by Coralie Carlson, Associated Press. MICCOSUKEE INDIAN RESERVATION, Fla. — Looking out over the water and sawgrass that stretches for miles in every direction, William Buffalo Tiger recalled one of the first signs that pollution was slowly killing the Everglades: batches of dead snakes. [The 500-member Miccosukee Indian tribe] says a significant source of pollution comes from a pump in southwest Broward County that dumps as much as 423,000 gallons a minute of polluted runoff from suburban lawns, farms and industrial yards into the Everglades — including 189,000 acres of land the state leased to the tribe and promised to keep in its natural state . . . “ http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-13/s_11989.asp 

America's Ten Most Endangered National Parks Highlight Widespread Problems

NPCA news release, 1/14/04. Washington, D.C. – Air pollution, years of inadequate funding, and damaging policies are among the troubles besetting national parks named to the sixth annual list of America's Ten Most Endangered National Parks. Released today by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), the list includes four new parks and six that are still plagued by persistent problems. http://www.npca.org/media_center/PressReleaseDetail.asp?id=168

EPA Offers New Guidance On Supplemental Environmental Projects For Violators

Capitol Reports “Environmental Newslink”, 1/12/04. Washington – “U.S. EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) has released new guidance on the Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP) Policy to encourage violators to undertake projects that will benefit the environment and public health. A SEP is an environmentally beneficial project that a violator voluntarily agrees to perform as part of an enforcement settlement.  OECA anticipates that this guidance will encourage the regulated community to propose environmentally beneficial projects that would otherwise not be implemented due to the long-term, speculative nature of the returns . . . The full documents are available http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/programs/seps/index.html “

SELC Sues Navy Over Proposed Military Jet Field

SELC web site. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) filed suit in federal court January 9 challenging the Navy’s plan to build a military jet landing field in the heart of the Atlantic migratory bird flyway and a few miles from a national wildlife refuge. The government’s environmental impact studies for the landing field downplayed the substantial risk of collisions between jets and the large flocks of tundra swans, snow geese and other birds that winter in the area, and minimized adverse impacts to the wildlife refuge. http://www.southernenvironment.org/Cases/navy_olf/navy_olf.shtml

Jumping Ship at the EPA

By Amanda Griscom, Grist Magazine, 1/7/04. “When John Suarez, the U.S. EPA's top enforcement official, resigned on Monday to take a job at a Wal-Mart division, he assured his colleagues and President Bush that the EPA has ‘been able to provide more compliance assistance to industry than ever before.’ The operative wording here, of course, is ‘assistance to industry,’ seeing as Suarez played a key role in the notorious decision by the Bush administration to scrap lawsuits against dozens of coal-burning utilities for past dirty-air infringements under the New Source Review provision of the Clean Air Act -- one of the biggest and most controversial enforcement lapses in the agency's history . . . “ http://www.gristmagazine.com/muck/muck010704.asp?source=daily

Conservation Security Program Proposed Rule Published

NRCS web site. The proposed rule for the Conservation Security Program, authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill, was published in the Federal Register on January 2, 2004. There will be a 60-day comment period. Comments are encouraged to help guide development of the final regulations for implementation of this new and innovative conservation program.  http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002  There are 10 national listening sessions underway:

Jan. 13 Tempe, Arizona
Jan. 13 Roanoke, Virginia
Jan. 21 Kerrville, Texas
Jan. 27 Spokane, Washington
Feb. 10 Lansing, Michigan
Feb. 11 Ft. Pierce, Florida
Feb. 11 Des Moines, Iowa
Feb. 11 Augusta, Maine
Feb. 11 Greenwood, Mississippi
Feb. 26 Madison, Wisconsin

Detailed information on the national listening sessions is on the NRCS Web
site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Pombo To Take On Endangered Species Act 'Bit By Bit'

1/13/04, By Erica Werner, Associated Press. WASHINGTON — “The cowboy hat-wearing rancher who chairs the House committee in charge of environmental policy says he's finished trying to recast the Endangered Species Act in one fell swoop. Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., says now he wants to take it on bit by bit . . . Pombo said his first focus will be to add what he and the law's critics call "sound science" provisions. He says the requirement for the best available data is too vague and wants the law to demand empirical or peer-reviewed standards. Next up, Pombo wants to tackle how critical habitats are designated. One by one, Pombo's critics maintain, the elements add up to changing the entire Endangered Species Act . . . “ http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-13/s_11982.asp 

STATES NEWS

Protecting Invaluable Wetlands While Improving Safety and Mobility: Louisiana Highway 1

FHWA “Success in Streamlining” Jan 04 newsletter. “As the only land route connecting the Gulf communities of Port Fourchon and Grand Isle (located on Louisiana's only inhabited barrier island) with the rest of the state, Louisiana Highway 1 (LA 1) is both the area's primary hurricane evacuation route and an important energy link for the nation. The two-lane road services Port Fourchon [and is designated by Congress] as a "high priority corridor," recognizing its national importance. This vital connector, which crosses ecologically unique and sensitive wetlands, is susceptible to severe flooding; some areas risk washout during storms. Accordingly, the Louisiana Department of Transportation (LADOTD) and the Federal Highway Administration - Louisiana Division (FHWA-LA) are building a four-lane, 17-mile, elevated highway to improve safety and mobility for local residents, workers, and associated industries.” http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlng/newsletters/jan04nl.htm

Millennium Pipeline Dealt Major Blow

Great Lakes United’s “Habitat Watch #287.” “In December 2003, U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald Evans upheld a New York state ruling blocking the proposed Millennium Pipeline natural gas line from crossing the Hudson River at environmentally sensitive Haverstraw Bay. Evans reaffirmed the May 2002 ruling of New York Secretary of State Randy Daniels, who blocked the river crossing under the Coastal Zone Management Act (see HW #255). The Millennium battle may not be over, as Millennium developers could pursue alternative routes or fight the decision in court . . . ” www.glu.org

New York State Puts A Tail On The Adirondack's Big Bird

1/20/04, By Michael Gormley, Associated Press. Albany – “Government and environmental groups are putting a tail on Adirondack loons to answer the long-standing question of where the aquatic birds go in winter. The reason for the effort goes beyond curiosity. The answer could help secure the future of the common loon and the Adirondacks' thousands of lakes and ponds . . . “ http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-20/s_12214.asp 

State Protects Major Estuary, Rare Florida Wildlife

FL DEP news release, 1/15/04. NAPLES – Florida added ninety-six acres to the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve bringing public ownership of one of Florida’s most spectacular natural landscapes to almost 64,000 acres. Less than five miles wide and 19 miles long, the vast wilderness is a mosaic of royal palm stands and cypress domes, dotted with wild bromeliads, native ferns and rare orchids. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/comm/2004/jan/0115.htm

The Conservation Fund Builds Model of Sustainable Forestry in Northern California

The Conservation Fund news release, 1/14/04. Arlington, VA - The Conservation Fund, working in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, the State of California and local conservation groups, aims to acquire approximately 24,000 acres of coastal forestland located along California’s North Coast and establish the state’s first working forest owned and operated by a nonprofit. By January 24, The Conservation Fund must raise the final $2.5 million needed to protect nearly 24,000 acres of forestland – critical for the health of the Garcia watershed that provides habitat for coho salmon, Northern spotted owl, and mountain lion. http://www.conservationfund.org/?article=2857&back=true 

DNREC Awards Over $200,000 in Grant Funding to Protect Coastal Resources

DNREC news release, 1/14/04. The Delaware Coastal Programs office of DNREC’s Division of Soil and Water Conservation awarded over $200,000 in Habitat and Natural Resource Planning, Management and Protection grants totaling $97,271 to ten local governments and communities for the purpose of enhancing the ability of conserve, manage, restore or protect habitat and natural resources within their jurisdictions. http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/dnrec2000/Admin/Press/Story1.asp?PRID=1136

CA: Negotiating Pays Off For Putah Creek Salmon

Bureau of Reclamation news release, 1/12/04. The return of record numbers of Chinook salmon to Putah Creek signals success for a long-term effort by Reclamation and other partners to improve instream habitat through improved flow management. Biologists with the University of California at Davis studied fish in the creek for many years and piqued community interest with research results. The biologists credit timed pulse releases of 50 cubic feet per second of water from the Solano Diversion Dam with attracting more salmon this season and allowing fish to pass beaver dams and other obstacles. Scientists recently counted 70 salmon nests (redds) in the reaches of the creek above Davis. http://www.usbr.gov/mp/mp140/news/2004/MP-04-002.html

LA: Plan and Assessment in Progress for Big Branch Marsh Wildlife Refuge

1/12/04. The USFWS, Southeast Region, intends to gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment for Big Branch Marsh Wildlife Refuge, located in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. The NWR, established in 1994, is one of seven refuges administered by the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and is managed primarily to provide habitat for a natural diversity of wildlife associated with Big Branch Marsh. Comments are due February 26, 2004. http://library.fws.gov/ccps_region.htm

So. California: Invasive Bamboolike Weed Attracts Beaver

NRCS This Week, 1/6/04. An invasive bamboolike weed that can grow 4 inches a day has found a firm toehold along one Shasta County, California, creek — with the help of an otherwise beneficial critter. Beaver normally snag branches from willow and other native species to build their structures. But don't blame the beaver, said Valerie Shaffer, a biologist with the Western Shasta Resource Conservation District. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/thisweek/2004/040106/shastaweed.htm

NJ Announces Most Comprehensive Water Protections in the Nation

NJ Governor’s Office news release, 1/5/04 (CLOSTER) - In his strongest move to date to protect New Jersey’s drinking water and to stop sprawl, Governor James E. McGreevey today announced the formal adoption of two sets of stormwater rules that protect water quality and preserve the integrity of drinking water supplies statewide. The rules will minimize the impact hundreds of new development projects, encouraging recharge of rainwater into the ground and controlling development within a 300-foot buffer around more than 6,000 miles of high quality waterways . . . “ http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/governor/njnewsline/view_article.pl?id=1669 

OH EPA Releases Report on 2003 Isolated Wetland and 401WQC Permits

OH EPA news release, 1/2/04. The Ohio EPA Report: Isolated Wetland Permits and 401 Water Quality Certifications in Ohio - State Fiscal Year 2003 (PDF 760k) is now available electronically. This is the second report produced since the implementation of the isolated wetland permitting program in April of 2001. The report has been expanded from its original format to include information regarding 401 Water Quality Certifications. The inclusion of this information provides a better assessment of all the wetland permitting activities by the Division of Surface Water. http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/401/IsolatedWetlandPermittingOhio2003.pdf

COMMENTARY: Time runs out for Everglades

By Alan Farago, Special to the Orlando Sentinel, 12/28/03. “This has been a terrible year for the environment. In Florida, the fundamental balance has vanished that we hoped would protect the Everglades from the water demands of agriculture and Florida's exploding population. A 2003 review shows why those who care about the environment must direct new energy and leadership to Florida and to the nation. In Washington, key environmental laws are buckling under pressure from special interests. We conclude the fall 2004 elections are more important than any we have experienced in our lifetimes . . . “ http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edpfarago28122803dec28,1,2841146.story?coll=orl-opinion-headlines

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NEW PUBLICATIONS and RESOURCES

New Publication: The Do’s And Don’ts Of Wetland Construction

Environmental Concern Inc. is pleased to offer the natural resources community a new resource, the Do’s and Don’ts of Wetland Construction.  Based on over thirty years experience in wetland restoration, enhancement and creation, Dr. Edgar Garbisch has written a plain-spoken guide that provides invaluable insight for the wetland practitioner.  The information contained within will assist the reader in making sound decisions regarding site selection, plans and specifications, pre-bid and pre-construction meetings, contract bidding, constructing the wetland, post-construction maintenance and success determination, and post-construction monitoring. Order online at www.wetland.org or by calling (410) 745-9620. 

Prairie Pothole Wetland Assessment Guidebook Set for Release

NRCS This Week, 1/14/04. The NRCS will soon release "A Regional Guidebook for Applying the Hydrogeomorphic Approach to Assessing Wetland Functions of Prairie Potholes." Developed as one component of the HGM National Action Plan in response to agency needs for a consistent and scientifically based procedure for assessment of functions of wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region, it updates the "Guidebook for the Hydrogeomorphic Assessment of Temporary and Seasonal Prairie Pothole Wetlands" (March 30, 1997, as revised). The guidebook will be distributed to NRCS State offices in the Prairie Pothole Region.

A New Guidance Tool to Monitor and Maintain Restoration Projects

Delaware Riverkeeper Network has released Adopt-A-Buffer Toolkit, Monitoring and Maintaining Restoration Projects, a 133-page manual designed for local watershed groups, restoration practitioners and volunteer monitors who implement stream restoration projects and who are seeking inexpensive, effective volunteer-based monitoring techniques to assess restoration projects.  The Toolkit includes monitoring protocols to choose from based on the type of restoration project implemented and the project goals.  Monitoring protocols include visual assessment, photo-monitoring, macroinvertebrate monitoring, bank pin and stream cross section monitoring, and a wildlife survey.  http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/monitoring/adopt_a_buffer.htm

BMPs for Environmental Issues Related to Highway and Street Maintenance

NPS Info list-serve e-mail from Chris Solloway, 1/5/04. The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 272, "Best Management Practices for Environmental Issues Related to Highway and Street Maintenance," is now available via the Internet. The synthesis, which is appropriate for state, county, city and local agencies, is a compilation of practices likely to increase the environmental sensitivity of road maintenance work, including many practices that have become widely adopted and adapted. http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/21000/21800/21818/PB99143489.pdf

Heinz Center Issues First Annual Update to The State of the Nation's Ecosystems

From The H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment, 1/14/04. Washington, D.C.: The first annual update of the landmark 2002 report The State of the Nation's Ecosystems: Measuring the Lands, Waters, and Living Resources of the United States has been released by The Heinz Center. The first State of the Nation's Ecosystems report was published by Cambridge University Press in 2002; the second full edition is scheduled for publication in 2007. Both the 2002 report and the Web-only Update 2003 are available at www.heinzctr.org/ecosystems/

USFWS: The Status of Ross's Geese

NSDL Scout Report for the Life Sciences, 1/9/04. “This [USFWS] report is ‘a special publication of the Arctic Goose Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan’ and is edited by Timothy J. Moser of the USFWS . . . The Report includes chapters on Species Descriptions and Biology, Distribution and Abundance, Interaction with Arctic and Subarctic Habitats, Disease Mortality Events, Harvest, and Population Dynamics of Ross's Geese. [NL]” http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/reports/rossgeese/rossgeese.htm

IDEM Helps Hoosiers Fulfill Resolutions To Clean Up Indiana Waterways 

IDEM news release, 1/15/04. Hundreds of Hoosiers throughout Indiana are involved in watershed improvement planning. To help them build on the work already started, and to encourage others to get on board, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management offers the Indiana Watershed Planning Guide. The guide updates a 1999 action guide. The new publication, developed with the participation of several state and federal agencies, is more comprehensive and is available online. http://www.state.in.us/serv/presscal?PF=idem&Clist=16&Elist=76182   

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POTPOURRI

WHSRN 5-Year Draft Strategy Available for Comment

E-mail from Heidi Luquer. A draft five-year strategic plan is posted on the WHSRN website, http://www.manomet.org/WHSRN/ in both English and Spanish.  The plan has been developed over the past nine months and is now open for comments.  You are invited to read it closely and share your ideas through the e-mail link provided on the webpage.  The comment period is open until the end of January 2004. 

Research Associate in Wetland Ecology

The South Dakota State University Department of Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape and Parks is seeking a Research Associate to assist Dr. W. Carter Johnson in wetland ecological research, including laboratory operations, field research, data analysis, and report/paper writing. Some qualifications include an earned M.S. degree in ecology, botany, or related field and experience in plant identification, GIS, and wetland ecosystems. Salary is commensurate with qualifications. Applications due 2/1/04 for full screening, however applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  For further information, contact Dr. Burrows at Rhoda_Burrows@sdstate.edu or 605-688-4731.

Freshwater Wetlands Scientist

From Ecology list-serve. To support a new graduate program in Coastal Marine and Wetlands Studies, the College of Natural and Applied Sciences at Coastal Carolina University seeks to fill a full-time, tenure track position at the assistant professor level for Fall 2004. Areas of particular interest include wetland soils, wetland hydrology and wetland plants. Specialists in other areas involving wetland environments are also encouraged to apply. A Ph.D. in an appropriate field is required at the time of appointment. Review of applications will begin on February 2 and continue until the position is filled. http://www.coastal.edu/hreo/app/coastaljobs.php?jobtype=F&apply=N#230

Great Lakes United Seeking Executive Director Candidates

Great Lakes United consists of a coalition of community-based and regional organizations and individuals from Canada, the First Nations and Tribes, and the United States whose mission is to work together to maintain and develop a healthy ecosystem in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin.  The Executive Director of this organization is charged with leading the coalition efforts of promoting and coordinating citizen action, building strong grassroots leadership, carrying out environmental education programs and developing and advocating for effective policy initiatives. For complete details e-mail Bonnie Danni at bonnie@glu.org.

USFWS Seeks Proposals For Funding Through The Private Stewardship Grants Program

USFWS news release, 1/6/04. The USFWS is seeking proposals for private lands conservation funding through its Private Stewardship Grants Program.  About $7.1 million is available to support on-the-ground conservation efforts on private lands through this grant. As envisioned by President Bush, this program provides Federal grants on a competitive basis to individuals and groups engaged in voluntary conservation efforts on private lands that benefit imperiled species. http://endangered.fws.gov/grants/private_stewardship.html.

Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award

Posted to Ecology list-serve. The AFS Estuaries Section and NOAA Fisheries' Office of Habitat Conservation present this award to an individual with at least 10 years of continuous contributions to the habitat conservation fields, including any work to protect, manage, study, or otherwise advance habitat issues associated with marine, estuarine, or riverine waters or the species supported by those ecosystems.  Private citizens or public servants may be nominated for their work, their volunteer efforts, another type of support, or any combination of contributions to the habitat conservation field. Deadline: May 14, 2004. www.fisheries.org/estuaries/nancyfoster.html

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MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES