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LEGISLATIVE
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For a rolling calendar of meeting, conferences, and other events visit
the ASWM calendar.
EDITOR'S
NOTE
| Dear Friends and Colleagues, |
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| Last week I bought a small cape in a woodsy dale near a pond ten miles from the ASWM office. I love it! After my first night there, listening to loons through my bedroom windows, and a band of dragonflies on kazoo, songbird divas and the snare drum of crickets, I looked out across my backyard at the sway of tall maples, oaks, pines and birches—dancing trees. A stream flirts across the north end of my property, past a vernal pool, through a shady glade I call fern gully. It looks like a magical place and it buzzes with good spiritual energy. I decided to call it “Nixie’s Vale,” for the mythical water nixie, a tiny nymph that supposedly purifies water in wells, freshwater streams, small pools and ponds. Tennyson wrote, “Make me a cottage in the vale,” in his poem, “A Palace of Art.” This image describes my humble new home to a ‘T.’ A vale can refer to a valley, the world, a marshy meadow or lowland; “a vale of years” means old age, and although the house is only ten years old, the place itself feels like it has an old soul, and so do I. |
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| Be sure to check out ASWM’s wetlands blog, The Compleat Wetlander, with three new entries each week. On Fridays we post strange wetland stories; on Mondays, Jeanne Christie posts the weekly entry for the blog, and on Wednesdays, we feature a good wetlands blog from somewhere in the “blog-o-sphere.” This is material that does not appear in Wetland Breaking News. www.aswm.org/wordpress |
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| Many thanks to this month’s contributor: Katie Beilfuss, Wisconsin Wetlands Association. |
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| The fire flies have come out and gardens are beginning to bloom. It’s almost summer! |
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Leah Stetson
Editor, Wetland Breaking News |
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EDITOR'S
CHOICE
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| Senate Committee to Vote on Clean Water Restoration Act |
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Contact: Aileo Weinmann - National Wildlife Federation – June 16, 2009
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will vote on the Clean Water Restoration Act (S. 787) on Thursday June 18, 2009 in a markup hearing beginning at 9:30 am. The bill has strong endorsements from leading conservation groups, including Ducks Unlimited, the National Wildlife Federation, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Trout Unlimited. Following the Senate EPW Committee vote find out the reaction of America’s leading sportsmen advocates for protecting clean, safe drinking water. Join the experts on clean water and wetlands from Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, National Wildlife Federation and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership for an update on what the committee vote means for wetlands and streams and what the next steps will be for clean water and wetlands.
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More than 20 million acres of wetlands and thousands of miles of streams have lost their protection from drainage and destruction under the Clean Water Act. Two Supreme Court cases, and the regulatory guidance that followed from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency, stripped these protections. The Clean Water Restoration would restore these safeguards and ensure clean drinking water for all Americans, as well protect millions of acres of wetlands and thousands of miles of streams used by America’s wildlife. This will be a remote conference – members of the media are encouraged to call in to the conference. Speakers: Dr. Scott Yaich, Director of Conservation Programs for Ducks Unlimited, Jan Goldman-Carter, Wetlands and Water Resources Counsel, National Wildlife Federation, Steve Moyer, Vice-President for Conservation Programs, Trout Unlimited, Geoff Mullins, Policy Initiatives Manager, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
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| When: Thursday June 18, 2009 at 2 pm (Eastern time) |
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Call-in Number: 1-866-548-2699
Contact: Aileo Weinmann, National Wildlife Federation, 202-797-6801, weinmanna@nwf.org |
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| EPA’s Watershed Academy to sponsor free July 1st Webcast on the Clean Water Act |
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| EPA’s Watershed Academy sponsors free Webcasts to help build the capacity of watershed practitioners from around the globe. On Wednesday, July 1, 2009, the Watershed Academy will sponsor the first in a series of Webcasts about the Clean Water Act (CWA). This first Webcast will provide an introduction to the CWA including a brief history of the Act, an explanation of technology vs. water quality-based approaches, and a brief overview of key components of the Act and related EPA regulations. Future Webcasts will focus on key aspects of the CWA including water quality standards, monitoring and assessment, total maximum daily loads, programs for managing point sources and nonpoint sources, and wetland protection. |
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| The Webcast will feature William (Bill) Painter, Environmental Scientist with EPA’s Watershed Branch. Bill serves as an expert trainer on the CWA and is the author of a popular online Watershed Academy Web module, “Introduction to the Clean Water Act,” posted at http://www.epa.gov/watertrain/cwa/. |
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| Registration is now open at http://epa.gov/watershedwebcasts Archived audio versions of past Webcasts are also available at http://epa.gov/watershedwebcasts |
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| Restoring wetlands not so costly, Univ. of Alberta study |
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By Hanneke Brooymans – Edmonton Journal – June 14, 2009
Wetlands in Western Canada could be restored at a much lower cost than might be expected, a University of Alberta study suggests. The wetlands that would be created are nothing fancy. Basically, a drainage ditch could be blocked to allow water to back up in a field. This is a method used by the conservation group Ducks Unlimited. Wetlands are vital habitat for waterfowl, but also act as buffers during times of flooding, allowing the landscape to hold extra water. They also clean bacteria and excess nutrients out of the water that flows into them. The cost for a test group of Manitoba farmers came out to an average of$400 per acre($1,000 per hectare) to restore a previously drained wetland on their properties, said Katherine Packman, a master's student in the department of rural economy. For full press release, go to: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Restoring+wetlands+costly+study/1692635/story.html |
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| Damage to Ecosystems Can Lead to Financial Losses and Reputational Risks for Companies |
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By Robert Kropp – SocialFunds – June 10, 2009
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), an international treaty that entered into force in 1993, defines biological diversity (biodiversity) as "the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are a part." One of the targets of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is to "reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss." |
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| A recently published sector report by the European Sustainable Investment Forum (Eurosif) examines the risks associated with loss of biodiversity confronting five industrial sectors considered particularly vulnerable. Research for the report was compiled by oekom research. For full story, visit: http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MzQ3MjE |
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| Conservation Leaders Gather To Restore Iconic U.S. Waters |
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Contact: Aileo Weinmann – National Wildlife Foundation - June 10, 2009
Conservation leaders from across the country are gathering in New Orleans today to push for the restoration of iconic U.S. waters such as Chesapeake Bay, Coastal Louisiana, Florida Everglades, Great Lakes, Gulf of Maine, Long Island Sound, Puget Sound and others. “The summit has one goal: Unite America to protect the nation’s iconic waters from serious threats ranging from global warming to invasive species,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, the host of the summit. “Restoring American’s great waters will benefit the country’s economy and environment—and will be vital in addressing the impacts of global warming.” The conference, June 10-12, comes as momentum is building in the nation’s capitol. In the current budget cycle, both Congress and the White House have acknowledged the vital importance of the nation’s great waters. For more information on the conference, go to: http://online.nwf.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=102541 For the full press release, go to: http://www.nwf.org/news/story.cfm?pageId=CABEFEEF%2D5056%2DA868%2DA05550FADDED1D84
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| A Clearer Clean Water Act |
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Editorial – New York Times – June 1, 2009
The Obama administration has rightly declared its support for Congressional efforts to restore the broad reach of the Clean Water Act. The law, passed in 1972, was intended to protect all of the waters of the United States, large and small. That mission has since been muddied by two Supreme Court decisions that narrowed the law’s scope, weakened its safeguards against pollution and confused federal regulators. The administration has written to Senate and House committees urging them to act on bills that would restore federal jurisdiction over all wetlands and streams. All of the environmental big guns signed: Nancy Sutley, the chairwoman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality; Lisa Jackson, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; Ken Salazar, the interior secretary; Tom Vilsack, the agriculture secretary; and Terrence Salt, the acting chief of Army Corps of Engineers. For full story, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/opinion/02tue3.html?_r=1 |
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| Opening the USGS Landsat Archive to the world! |
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The Electronic access to the entire USGS Landsat 7 archive, enabling users to download standard-format scenes at no charge, has been an amazing success, with over 225,000 scenes downloaded since October 1st. Previously acquired imagery from Landsat 1 through Landsat 5, is also now available for download at no charge using the same standard processing format.
Processing parameters and other details about the products can be found at
http://landsat.usgs.gov/ |
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| Mountaintop Mining To Get More Scrutiny |
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By David A. Fahrenthold – Washington Post – June 11, 2009
The Obama administration will announce plans today to tighten scrutiny of mountaintop coal mining, in an effort to reduce environmental damage from operations that shear off peaks and fill Appalachian valleys, federal officials said. The policy changes, outlined in a new agreement among federal agencies, will not end the practice, also called mountaintop removal. But administration officials said their aim is to curtail its worst impacts: wooded peaks reduced to barren stumps and healthy streams buried under tons of rock. For full story, go to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/10/AR2009061003984.html?nav=emailpage |
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| Paper Reports Sea Level could rise more than anticipated on Northeastern Coast |
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CSO Weekly Report – June 5, 2009
According to a paper in the May 29 edition of Geophysical Research Letters, sea levels off the coastline of the Northeastern United States and Nova Scotia could rise more than in other regions in the next century. The paper purports the cause of this accelerated rate will be the melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet. According to the paper, New York, Boston, Halifax, and other Northeastern cities could see a sea level rise of 12 to 20 inches more than the average sea level rise by the year 2100. According to the paper's author, Aixue Hu, a scientist with NOAA in Boulder, Colorado, "If the Greenland melt continues to accelerate, we could see significant impacts this century on the northeast U.S. coast from the resulting sea level rise. Major northeastern cities are directly in the path of the greatest rise." To read the paper, visit: http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/. |
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| Editorial: Undoing the Damage, Step by Step |
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New York Times (Editorial) – April 29, 2009
The Obama administration is reversing many of the potentially damaging anti-environmental regulations rushed through in the Bush administration’s final months. This week, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar withdrew a rule that would have weakened protections for endangered species. He also took the first legal step to revoke a rule that would have allowed the ruinous coal mining practice known as mountaintop removal to inflict even greater damage on Appalachia’s landscape. For full editorial, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/opinion/30thu2.html?_r=1 |
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NATIONAL
NEWS
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EPA Helps Estuary Programs Adapt to Climate Change
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Contact: Dale Kemery – EPA News Release – June 16, 2009
EPA is awarding financial and technical assistance to eight National Estuary Programs to support their efforts to plan and adapt to climate change in estuaries. This assistance, including $430,000 in financial support, is provided through EPA’s Climate Ready Estuaries program, the goal of which is to build local ability to adapt to climate change. For full story, go to: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d985312f6895893b852574ac005f1e40/d596b2979b7508f3852575d700562350!OpenDocument |
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Hurricane Season Begins Today |
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FEMA Press Release – June 1, 2009
As Hurricane Season 2009 begins today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to work with our state, local, and federal partners to increase preparedness and coordinate response and recovery in the case of a hurricane or disaster. FEMA also urges Americans to use the annual start of hurricane season as a reminder to assess your personal readiness to respond to emergencies. "If you live a hurricane prone area, ensuring your family is prepared is common sense," said Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator. "We never know where the next hurricane or disaster will strike, but we know that the more we do now to prepare, the better the outcome will be. FEMA will continue to work with our state, local, and federal partners to ensure that we are prepared, but it is also important that all Americans take the necessary steps now- like developing a family disaster plan - before a hurricane or disaster strikes." For full press release, go to: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=48598
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Vilsack Announces Floodplain Easement Selections Through Recovery Act Funding
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Contact: Chris Mather – USDA Press Release – June 2, 2009
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today selected 289 applications for the first national sign-up for floodplain easements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The easements will cover more than 36,000 acres of land in 36 states. "The floodplain easements made possible through the Recovery Act generated tremendous interest and response from across the country, which underscores the need to restore flood-prone areas to their natural state," said Vilsack. "We are working to create jobs and ensure the most effective use of the funds by enrolling land with the greatest benefit to protect against future floods, improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitat and reduce the need for future disaster assistance." For full press release, go to: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/06/0191.xml |
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LEGISLATIVE
NEWS
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Congress recommends record wetlands restoration funding
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By Neil Shader – Ducks Unlimited – June 10, 2009
A proposed record increase to the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) moved a step closer to becoming reality today when the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee approved the President's request of more than $52 million for the popular wetlands conservation initiative. "We are very excited that Chairman Dicks, Ranking Member Simpson and the rest of the Subcommittee also recognize the importance of NAWCA and the benefits that restoring and conserving wetlands across the country have for sportsmen, farmers and the public," said Scott Sutherland, director of Ducks Unlimited's Governmental Affairs Office. "NAWCA is one of the most remarkable success stories for conservation, and this funding increase will continue that success." For full story, go to: http://www.ducks.org/news/1883/Congressrecommendsre.html |
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| President Nominates Sotomayor for Supreme Court
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By Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz – International Law Office – June 8, 2009
President Barack Obama has announced his decision to nominate Second Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the seat on the Supreme Court being vacated by Justice David Souter, who has announced his retirement. If confirmed, Sotomayor will represent an important vote on a variety of legal issues, including the scope and application of US environmental laws. In 2007 Sotomayor authored the Second Circuit opinion in Riverkeeper v EPA, holding that the Environmental Protection Agency could not rely on cost-benefit analysis in determining the best available technology required to minimize the impact of nuclear power plants' cooling towers on aquatic life. Riverkeeper arose under the Clean Water Act, but it followed a diverse line of cases on whether agencies can base environmental decisions on cost-benefit analysis when the underlying statute is silent. In 2008 the Supreme Court reversed this opinion, with Souter and two other judges dissenting. For full article, go to: http://www.internationallawoffice.com/Newsletters/Detail.aspx?g=51e7b95a-f5e8-4e1f-9e30-16a36196e3c9
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| House Committee Approves Legislation to Establish National Climate Service |
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CSO Weekly Report – June 5, 2009
On June 3, the House Committee on Science and Technology approved the National Climate Service Act of 2009 (H.R. 2407). The bill would establish a national climate service, similar to the existing National Weather Service, housed in NOAA. The bill was introduced May 14 by Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN). To read the bill: http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2407: |
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| House introduces National Climate Enterprise Act of 2009 |
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CSO Weekly Report – June 5, 2009
On June 3, the National Climate Enterprise Act of 2009 (H.R. 2685) was introduced in the House by Delegate Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU) and supported by nine co-sponsors. The bill would establish a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a National Climate Enterprise. The bill was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on Natural Resources. To read the bill: http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2685:. |
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| House Committee Approves Legislation to Reauthorize BEACH Act |
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CSO Weekly Report – June 5, 2009
On June 4, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the Clean Coastal Environmental and Public Health Act of 2009 (H.R. 2093). The bill would reauthorize the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act through 2014, and would increase grants to states to improve beach water quality and strengthen pathogen testing and public notification standards. The bill was introduced April 23 by Representative Pallone (D-NJ) and has twenty-six co-sponsors. To read the bill: http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2093:. |
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| Draft Watershed Sustainability Bill Floated in House |
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ECOSWIRE – June 5, 2009
The “Sustainable Watershed Planning Act” is being circulated by the office of Chairman James Oberstar (of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee). See
http://www.ecos.org/files/3620_file_DRAFT_Sustainable_Watershed_language_recd_28_may_09.pdf States may wish to submit comments direct to the Chairman's office. Bill Summary:
Create Regional Watershed Planning Boards, overseen by the Council on Sustainable Watershed Management (a new federal body), and an interaction of federal and state government to research, evaluate, and develop improvements to watershed management. Membership of the Council includes: Admin. EPA, Sec. Trans, Sec. Army, Sec. Interior, Sec. Ag, Sec. Commerce, Sec. Energy, Sec. HUD, Chair FERC, Council Director [Pres. Appt], 5 State Governors, 1 Tribal Rep (Appt. by President for geographical diversity, rotated on a biennial basis). The bill also includes the creation of Regional Watershed Planning Boards (RWPB)with one Member appointed by each member of the national Council, one member per state in/partly in the region, one member per tribal group in/partly the region, one member per interstate agency created by an interstate compact with the consent of Congress whose jurisdiction extends to the region’s watershed. |
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STATES
NEWS
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ND: Judge upholds ND anti-corporate farming law
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By Dale Wetzel – Bemidji Pioneer – June 16, 2009
North Dakota's anti-corporate farming law does not violate the U.S. Constitution, even though similar laws have been invalidated by federal courts in Nebraska and South Dakota, a state district judge says. Southeast District Judge James Bekken's ruling also gave a partial victory to Crosslands Inc., a nonprofit organization that owns land in three North Dakota counties, saying the state law cannot be used to force the sale of about 1,700 acres managed as a wildlife preserve. For full story, go to: http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/apArticle/id/D98R5NQ02/ |
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| CA: California Receives $2.8 Million in Economic Recovery Funds to Improve Water Quality, Create Jobs |
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Contact: Francisco Arcaute – EPA News Release – June 15, 2009
In an effort to improve water quality and create jobs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $2.8 Million to the California State Water Resources Control Board under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. A total of $39 million will be awarded nationally to states for Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP) grants, which will keep and create jobs to help prevent water pollution and protect human health and the environment. For full press release, go to: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d985312f6895893b852574ac005f1e40/aa4cb87b9de5b9d2852575d6004f3e6a!OpenDocument |
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| WV: EPA Announces $15.6 Million Recovery Act Funds for Water Infrastructure Projects in West Virginia to Boost the Economy, Create Jobs and Protect Public Health |
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Contact Bonnie Smith – EPA News Release – June 15, 2009
In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment for the people in the State of West Virginia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $15.6 million to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. This new infusion of money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will help the state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment across the state. For full press release, go to: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d985312f6895893b852574ac005f1e40/9c1623bb7a6a6e8b852575d60052b6c1!OpenDocument |
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| OH: Ohio receives more than $2 million in economic recovery funds to improve water quality |
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Contact: Phillippa Cannon – EPA News Release – June 15, 2009
In an effort to improve water quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $2,228,800 to Ohio EPA under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. A total of $39 million will be awarded nationally to states for Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP) grants that will keep and create jobs to help prevent water pollution and protect human health and the environment. For full press release, go to: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d985312f6895893b852574ac005f1e40/ab2343a692a02669852575d6006f4a7c!OpenDocument |
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| MA: EPA Announces More Than $185 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Massachusetts Water Infrastructure Projects |
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Contact: David Deegan – EPA News Release – June 15, 2009
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson today held a joint press conference with Massachusetts Public Officials to announce more than $185 million in Recovery Act funding to improve drinking water quality and waste water infrastructure across the state. For full press release, go to: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d985312f6895893b852574ac005f1e40/0ff43c22cce30178852575d600602a4c!OpenDocument |
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| CA: New plan for housing on S.F. Bay is reckless |
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By David Lewis – San Francisco Chronicle – June 14, 2009
Rampant development had shrunk San Francisco Bay by one-third before a citizen revolution halted the destruction 50 years ago, and now the whole region cherishes the natural treasure we've protected and restored. But every few years another misguided developer proposes to fill in the bay, and the latest arrogant plan is a whopper. For full story, go to: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/13/INSV183RFN.DTL |
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| FL: CF promises ‘stewardship’ in new mine |
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By Greg Martin – Charlotte Sun Herald – June 14, 2009
CF Industries, on its next phosphate mine, will be required to preserve as much of the natural streams and wetlands as feasible and replace those resources destroyed acre-for-acre, according to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection official. And CF Industries, which is planning to strip out 1,475 acres of wetlands on its 7,500-acre proposed South Pasture Extension mine, understands the importance of following those guidelines, according to Richard Ghent, CF director of community affairs. For full story, go to: http://www.sunnewspapers.net/articles/pnnews.aspx?NewsID=438996&a=newsarchive2/061409/ch1.htm&pnpg=0 |
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| CA: 'Saltworks' plan - that's smart growth |
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By Peter Calthorpe – San Francisco Chronicle – June 14, 2009
After too many decades of sprawl, many people are embracing a much different approach to urban planning: smart growth. This simple, environmentally sound approach to growth would put new homes close to the Bay Area's job centers in mixed-use, walkable communities served by transit. I believe one of the most compelling smart growth proposals is the "Saltworks 50-50 Balanced Plan" in Redwood City. Today, this privately owned site is a 1,400-acre moonscape, a century-old industrial salt "factory without a roof" that could continue to make salt indefinitely. For full story, go to: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/13/IN82181TJH.DTL |
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| TX: Outdoors: No ducking the hard truth |
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By Shannon Tompkins – Houston Chronicle – June 14, 2009
A mama mottled duck trailed by eight black/yellow fuzzballs bobbled and chugged on the choppy water near the mouth of the Trinity River last Tuesday morning. Despite a running current and stiff wind, the furiously paddling little ducklings kept up just fine with mom, who almost certainly was leading the recently hatched bundles of feathers to a nearby freshwater flat, where the kids could gorge and grow on a high-protein diet of minnows, scuds, insects and maybe a stray crawfish or two while the senna bean, bullrush and other aquatic vegetation provided cover and escape from predators. For full story, go to: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6477735.html |
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| NY: Hearing on tap on wetlands proposal |
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By John Davis – Poughkeepsie Journal – June 14, 2009
Residents can comment on a proposed local wetlands protection law at 7 p.m. Monday in town hall. The law is intended to ensure wetlands and other bodies of water in town are adequately protected. The benefits of added wetlands protection are flood prevention, ground water recharge, erosion and sediment control and preservation of plant and animal habitats. For full story, go to: http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090614/NEWS01/906140343/1006/news01 |
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WI: Mother Nature's mess
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By Helen Clark – Herald Times Reporter– June 14, 2009
The same rainstorm that a year ago washed away houses on the shores of Lake Delton also left homeless many of the ducks, cranes and fish that frequent the Little Manitowoc River wetland. The storm hit Manitowoc on June 12, 2008, dumping about 4 inches of rain on the city and raising the river 4½ feet in less than 24 hours, forcing heavy rocks off the riverbed and onto its banks. Homes and streets also were reported flooded. For full story, go to: http://www.htrnews.com/article/20090614/MAN0101/906140440 |
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| LA: Dredged mud can save Louisiana coast, state says |
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By Mark Schleifstein – Times Picayune – June 13, 2009
Each year, the Army Corps of Engineers and private companies dredge about 63 million tons of dirt from Louisiana's coastal areas, primarily to service the needs of shipping and petroleum interests. The corps constantly dredges the river to ensure ships can pass, and oil and gas companies cut and maintain canals to service their facilities and lay pipelines through Louisiana's fragile wetlands. For full story, go to: http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/dredged_mud_can_save_louisiana.html |
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| OH: $50K needed to open rare wetland site to public |
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By Steve Bennish – Dayton Daily News – June 12, 2009
Wanted: A $50,000 donation to enable a unique parkland to be opened to the general public. That’s what it will cost for Five Rivers MetroParks to install a trail and boardwalk system as part of the final stages to complete Woodman Fen, a green carpet of sedges, wildflowers and other native wetland plants sprouting from a groundwater-fed wetland. The fen, which dates to the last Ice Age, is the only one of its kind in Montgomery County. It is wedged between Woodman Drive and a residential neighborhood by Belmont Park. For full story, visit: http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/50k-needed-to-open-rare-wetland-site-to-public-159832.html?showComments=true |
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| MD: Around the Park: SP girl's essay on bay grasses wins student Naturalist Award |
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By Leslie Hunt – The Capital – June 11, 2009
Alexandra Day, 16, of Severna Park, was one of 12 recipients of the American Museum of Natural History's Young Naturalist Award. The program challenges youngsters to embark on their own scientific investigations and to document their research, observations, and analyses of the natural world. Alexandra submitted a 2,500-word essay titled "Chesapeake Bay Grasses as a Solution to Nutrient Pollution." The essay included her research findings and analysis on the grasses, their impact on the Chesapeake Bay and generic historical facts about the country's largest estuary. For full story, go to: http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/csp/2009/06/11-31/Around-the-Park-SP-girls-essay-on-bay-grasses-wins-student-Naturalist-Award.html For a list of the 2009 winners, go to: http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/youngnaturalistawards/2009/finalists.html |
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| IA: County looks at wetland mitigation |
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Independence Bulletin Journal – June 10, 2009
Buchanan County may soon acquire property east of Fairbank to convert into wetlands. The move comes as the county looks to comply with legal mandates for wetland mitigation as the D22 road project between Independence and Jesup moves ahead. According to Buchanan County Engineer Brian Keierleber, crossroad culverts that are being updated as part of the project have been classified by the state as “wetlands.” For full story, go to: http://communitynewspapergroup.com/articles/2009/06/10/bulletin-journal/news/doc4a2fbfd07f914029577039.txt |
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| VA: New conservation area to explore |
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By Mark Battista – Chesterfield Observer – June 10, 2009
Chesterfield County residents now have a new site to hike and explore. Named the John J. Radcliffe Appomattox River Conservation Area, the site bears the name of its former owner. Though only 80 acres, the land contains interesting habitats, geology, history and wildlife. This purchase marks the third conservation area to be acquired and managed by the Chesterfield Parks and Recreation Department. The Dutch Gap and Brown and Williamson sites are the other two. For full story, go to: http://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/news/2009/0610/home/004.html |
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| OH: Granger residents hear wetlands plans |
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By Ariel Marks – Akron Ohio Community News – June 10, 2009
Plans to develop a Wetlands Mitigation Bank on a 150-acre parcel of land in central Granger Township resulted in a packed house at the Administration Building June 8. In response to a request from the Granger Township Board of Trustees, Vince Messerly, the landowner and president of the Ohio Wetlands Foundation (OWF), attended the meeting to answer residents’ questions and concerns about the project. Messerly said he purchased the land in December 2006 with the intention of restoring approximately 90 acres of wetlands, and he recently applied to the Army Corps of Engineers for a permit to go forward on the project. For full story, go to: http://www.akron.com/akron-ohio-community-news.asp?aID=5652 |
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| WA: Council delays critical areas ordinance |
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By Tara Nelson – The Northern Light – June 10, 2009
Following heated testimony from landowners, developers and environmental groups on Monday, Blaine City Council voted down a critical areas ordinance (CAO) 4-3 that would increase buffer zones around wetlands, and scheduled a work session to amend the ordinance in what some councilors called an attempt to balance environmental protections with property rights.
The work session is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 15 at council chambers. The hearing is open to the public but public comment will not be allowed at that time. Council members Jason Overstreet, Scott Dodd, John Liebert and Bonnie Onyon voted no on the ordinance, citing that the new regulations were overly cumbersome for current landowners who might wish to subdivide their property compared to the rules in place when they purchased it. For full story, go to: http://www.thenorthernlight.com/news/article.exm/2009-06-10_council_delays_critical_areas_ordinance |
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| FL: Power shift might affect Florida water wars |
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By Kevin Spear – Orlando Sentinel – June 10, 2009
The board that watches over water and wetlands policy for Central Florida is preparing to give up a big share of its authority and a measure of public comment on some of the most controversial issues under its jurisdiction. It's part of a new law passed by the state Legislature that strips state water-management boards of their role in granting permits to those who want to tap water supplies or to destroy wetlands. The board of the St. Johns River Water Management District now rules over water policy in an area that extends from Vero Beach, across most of Central Florida and to the Georgia state line. Members routinely have public hearings before voting on the often-contentious issues before them. For full story, go to: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-florida-water-law-dispute-061009,0,1193636.story |
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| MI: Michigan Promotes Clean Boats, Clean Waters through Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week |
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Contact: Robert McCann – Michigan DEQ – June 10, 2009
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has proclaimed June 13-21, 2009, as Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Awareness Week to raise awareness about the need for citizens to take action to stop new introductions and control the spread of AIS. Michigan is defined by t he Great Lakes and its vast inland waters, which draw millions of tourists and recreational users every year, making it critical that they are protected from the growing threat of AIS. For AIS Awareness Week information, the Governor's proclamation, event listings, activities and more, visit the OGL's AIS Web site at www.michigan.gov/deqaquaticinvasives ; or contact the OGL at 517‑335‑4056. |
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| GA: Corps of Engineers to ease permit rules |
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WBTV Savannah Morning News – June 10, 2009
The Savannah district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is taking the initiative to be the first to streamline permits for publicly funded projects by increasing the threshold for impact to wetlands. The Environmental Protection Agency and at least 16 environmental groups fear the Corps might jeopardize ecologically important streams and wetlands to speed up projects such as bridges, roads and schools for the sake of economic recovery. For full story, go to: http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10507381 For a related story, go to: http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/latest/lat_519938.shtml |
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| CA: Wetlands mosquito spraying starts |
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By City News Service – June 9, 2009
Vector Control officials on Tuesday began using a helicopter to drop larvicide on about 1,000 acres of heavily vegetated areas in the San Diego area to reduce mosquito breeding. The areas include Carmel Creek, the San Diego Polo Grounds, Derby Downs, the eastern part of San Elijo Lagoon and fresh water portion of Penasquitos Lagoon. For full story, go to: http://www.delmartimes.net/news/257781-wetlands-mosquito-spraying-starts |
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| FL: Swamp-seeing down south |
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By REVATHI MURUGAPPAN – The Star – June 6, 2009
Florida’s Everglades National Park is one of the largest sub-tropical wetlands in the world where alligators abound. America’s southern state of Florida probably draws millions of tourists yearly, thanks largely to Orlando’s Walt Disney World and Miami’s white coral South Beach (SoBe) area where the thumping nightlife continues till dawn. Not only is sunny Florida a haven for retirees and beach bums, it is one huge outdoor playground for all ages except during hurricane season when the mighty winds can cause major destruction. For full story, go to: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2009/6/6/lifetravel/3984010&sec=lifetravel |
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| WI: Wisconsin Wetlands Association Announces 100 Wetland Gems |
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By Katie Beilfuss – Wisconsin Wetlands Association – June 1, 2009
Today, with a backdrop of Cherokee Marsh and the Yahara River and amidst calls of Sandhill cranes, Wisconsin Wetlands Association announced its statewide list of 100 Wetland Gems.
“Wisconsin is lucky to be home to thousands of acres of wetlands, and we hope these Wetland Gems will help the people of Wisconsin get to know the wonderful diversity and extraordinary beauty of these natural communities,” said Becky Abel, Wisconsin Wetlands Association Executive Director. Wetland Gems are high quality habitats that represent the wetland riches—marshes, swamps, bogs, fens, and more—that historically made up a quarter of Wisconsin’s landscape. Located throughout the state of Wisconsin, the Wetland Gems are high-quality representatives of each type of wetland found in each part of the state. For more information and full press release, go to: http://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/gems.htm |
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| MS: U.S. Designates Upper Mississippi River Floodplains a Wetland of International Importance |
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Contact: Vanessa Kauffman – US Fish & Wildlife Service – June 1, 2009
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced approval of portions of the Upper Mississippi River, including the Midwest's largest national wildlife refuge, as a Wetland of International Importance. In making the announcement, Secretary Salazar said, "The ecological, social, and economic values of the Upper Mississippi River make it one of the crown jewels of this nation's wetlands. This marks the 27th U.S. wetland designated under the Convention on Wetlands. For full press release, go to: http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=9D11D784-E603-DD46-9250C5D6FC03A161 |
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| Return to Top of Page |
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RESOURCES
and
PUBLICATIONS
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| Courting the Wild: Love Affairs with Reptiles and Amphibians |
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Edited by Jamie Reaser. This book may please wetland enthusiasts and nature-lovers alike. Hiraeth Press and Ecos Systems Institute are pleased to announce the publication of: Courting the Wild: Love Affairs with Reptiles and Amphibians, edited by Dr. Jamie K. Reaser and foreword by Dr. Thomas Lovejoy. Collection of creative nonfiction essays on snakes, salamanders, frogs, turtles, bogs, etc. http://www.amazon.com/Courting-Wild-Affairs-Reptiles-Amphibians/dp/0979924650/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244662900&sr=1-1 |
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| Principles for Reform of Catastrophic Natural Disaster Insurance |
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By Matt Mayer, et. al. – The Heritage Foundation – April 8, 2009
Along with the winds, rain, and storm surges of Hurricane Katrina came a cacophony of voices urging Congress to adopt a catastrophic hurricane fund (CAT fund). A CAT fund, like the bankrupt and highly inefficient National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), would provide government insurance to homeowners and businesses to protect against the next catastrophic hurricane. Lost in the chorus of doomsayers is the inconvenient fact that Hurricane Katrina—the most expensive natural disaster in American history—did not bankrupt the insurance industry. http://www.heritage.org/Research/HomelandSecurity/bg2256.cfm |
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| New Report Highlighting the Ocean's Importance to the U.S. Economy |
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CSO Weekly Report – June 5, 2009
On June 8, a new report will be issued by the National Ocean Economics Program (NOEP), during Capitol Hill Ocean Week. The report will highlight the overall economic value of the ocean and our coasts and the critical need to ensure the health of our ocean resources through additional federal resources targeting the protection of marine sanctuaries, marine protected areas and vital coastal habitats. NOEP provides a full range of the most current economic and socio-economic information available on changes and trends along the U.S. coast and in coastal waters. The program has been supported by federal, state, university, and private grants and contracts, including the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, NOAA Coastal Services Center, the Wrigley Institute at USC, USC Sea Grant, the Packard Foundation, the state of California and the state of Florida. For the past ten years, NOEP has compiled time-series data that tracks economic activities, demographics, natural resource production, non-market values, and federal expenditures in the U.S. coastal zone both on land and in the water. It has found that coastal states account for 83% of the U.S. economy. It notes that, at this time of global economic crisis, when U.S. policy makers are also recognizing the enormous importance of the oceans and coastal areas, this report demonstrates that the nation's economy depends on a healthy ocean. For more information, visit NOEP at www.oceaneconomics.org. |
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| Soil type plays larger role in wetland erosion |
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By Blair Fannin – Texas A&M University – June 15, 2009
New research could assist ecologists in managing erosion of coastal wetlands, but it bucks the theory that plants can directly mitigate soil loss during hurricanes and other natural disasters. Dr. Rusty Feagin, a Texas AgriLife Research ecosystems management scientist, and a group of researchers discovered soil type plays a much larger role in preventing erosion along wetland edges rather than salt marsh plants. “This study is part of a broader perspective in that the key is we can’t expect these plants to stop soil erosion during something like Hurricane Ike,” said Feagin, whose findings were published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. For full story, go to: http://southwestfarmpress.com/news/wetland-erosion-0615/ For direct link to the study, “Does Vegetation Prevent Wave Erosion of Salt Marsh Edges,” go to: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/06/09/0901297106.full.pdf+html?sid=36a781bf-f8ca-4329-8961-05c61500e2c4 |
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POTPOURRI
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CA: Foster City: A Story of Filling in the Bay |
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San Francisco Chronicle – June 14, 2009
1800s - San Mateo County's thriving shoreline tidal marshes support vast numbers of ducks, fish and seals. Its shoals produce oysters to feed San Francisco's booming Gold Rush population.
1898 - Frank Brewer purchases a marshy bay island east of San Mateo, erects levees and dries out 2,200 acres to grow hay for dairy cows. For full timeline, go to: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/13/IN7V183RBF.DTL |
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Getting Water To The Dry, Dry West |
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By Shawn Allee – The Environment Report – June 8, 2009
Out West, a lot of cities figure many more people will be moving in over the next few decades. Water engineers wish those people would bring along all the water they'll need, but of course they won’t. Shawn Allee reports these cities want to pipe more water from far away, and some people think that's a bad idea: The air in Colorado Springs is usually so dry it quickly chaps your lips. What gives? Colorado Springs sounds wet enough. “There’re really no springs in Colorado Springs, so when you start talking about water, it's a divergence between our name and reality. Sounds like we had a lot, and in reality we didn't.” for full story, visit: http://environmentreport.org/transcript.php3?story_id=4520 For a related report from the Western Resource Advocates, go to: http://www.westernresourceadvocates.org/water/EnergyIntensityWaterReport.pdf |
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| Bird Species Decline: Wader Populations Decline Faster Than Ever |
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Science Daily – June 9, 2009
According to a new publication by Wetlands International, more than half the populations of waders in Europe, West Asia and Africa are declining at an accelerating rate. Waders are a group of relatively small waterbirds including species like lapwings, plovers, godwits, curlews and sandpipers. Many of them undertake long distance migrations from their Arctic breeding grounds to wintering areas as far away as Southern Africa. Some concentrate in huge numbers at just a few sites, making these wetlands critical for their survival. For full story, visit: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090606195747.htm |
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Bayou comes to big screen in TREC's new film |
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By Sean Cuneo – Erie Times News – June 6, 2009
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center added a new movie to its lineup on June 6th. "Hurricane on the Bayou," a documentary exploring Louisiana's hurricanes, will join "Jane Goodall's Wild Chimpanzees" and "Mysteries of the Great Lakes" on the Big Green Screen. "It is very different from anything we've shown to date," said Holly Best, assistant park manager at Presque Isle. "But it's a good fit for us because of its strong conservation message." For full story, go to: http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090606/NEWS02/306069933/-1/NEWS02 |
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JOB
OPENINGS
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STUDENT
JOBS (updated on 5/6/09)
MEETINGS
AND TRAINING
For a rolling calendar of meeting, conferences, and other events visit
the ASWM
calendar.
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| The Diadromous Species Restoration Research Network Science Meeting 2009 |
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| Restoration of Diadromous Fishes and Their Ecosystems: Confluence of Science and Restoration. 22 - 24 July 2009 University of Maine, Orono, Maine. Registration Deadline: June 26th. Register at: http://www.umaine.edu/conferences/DSRRN |
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| Online Wetland Classes |
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The Swamp School is offering an online version of its wetland delineation training program. The class includes over 38 hours of lecture, activities, and a two day field workshop in Raleigh on July 8-9, 2009. Save travel time and expense by completing the online portion of the class at home or work. Learn a new skill, enhance your resume, or grow your business all from the comfort of your home. More information about this class and our other online courses can be found at http://swampschool.org |
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| CSI: Lake Erie |
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The “CSI” in “CSI: Lake Erie” stands for “Culture and Science Investigation.” Ohio Sea Grant announces, CSI: Lake Erie, a new guided tour of three South Bass Island attractions, which will be available this summer thanks to a partnership between Ohio Sea Grant and the National Park Service. The tours will give Put-in-Bay’s visitors an in-depth look at the history and science of Lake Erie and will be held Thursdays through Saturdays, July 2-September 6, 2009, beginning at 10 a.m. For more information, visit: www.ohioseagrant.osu.edu/publications/twineline/; http://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/news/?article=165 |
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| 28th International Submerged Lands Management Conference |
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This year’s conference will be a Webinar Series. The ISLMC planning team decided to hold a webinar series in the fall of 2009. Hosted by the Florida’s coastal management program, the series will consist of six sessions. Starting in September, a webinar session will convene bi-monthly. Coastal/natural resource managers, attorneys, consultants, academics and other professionals with particular expertise or experience related to some aspect of submerged lands, whether government, business, or the non-profit community. Please contact the associated session coordinators if you are interested in presenting.
More Information: Visit www.submergedlands2008.com for more information as it develops. |
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| Invasive Plants in the Northeast of Asia and America: Trading Problems, Trading Solutions |
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10-12 August 2009, at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. Symposium sponsored by the New England Invasive Plant Center. For more information, the symposium agenda & schedule, and to register see: http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/default.aspx?EventID=726341 |
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Association of State Wetland Managers' Wetland
Breaking News - Providing a monthly briefing about the news and
events concerning America's wetlands. Wetland Breaking
News is an edited compilation of wetland-related information submitted
by readers and gleaned from list-serves, press releases,
and web sites from throughout the United States. The items
presented in Wetland Breaking News do not necessarily reflect
the views of the editor or of the Association of State Wetland
Managers. Send your news items, comments, corrections, or suggestions
to news@aswm.org.
To subscribe or unsubscribe, send Internet e-mail to aswm-wbn-request@aswm.org. Type as the subject
"subscribe" or "unsubscribe" (without quote
marks).
"WETLAND BREAKING NEWS" Compiled
and Edited by: Leah Stetson. Assistant Editor: Jeanne Christie.
Association of State Wetland
Managers, 2 Basin Road, Windham, ME 04062. Telephone: 207-892-3399 Fax: 207-892-3089
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Printable
PDF - June 17, 2009
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