Water

SFI call for applications for conservation partnerships grants related to water, climate

smccreary — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:53:45 -0500

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative forest certification program has opened a Request for Proposals for its Conservation and Community Partnerships Grants program, inviting applications for projects that illustrate or inform the role of SFI in supporting water resources. Exploratory research proposals on projects relating to the role of SFI certification in mitigating or adapting to climate change are also welcome. The deadline for 2012 grant applications is Wednesday March 14, 2012.

National ski group sues Forest Service to keep water rights

smccreary — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:23:01 -0500

The National Ski Areas Association has sued the Forest Service over a revised permitting clause that requires ski areas to transfer some water rights to the government. A major contention between the Forest Service and the ski industry is the agency's assertion that the new water-rights clause does not impact water rights secured on private or non-federal lands.

Forest owners and states petition to reverse Ninth Circuit on forest roads

smccreary — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:36:58 -0400

A group of twenty-six state Attorneys General joined forest owners and industry groups in filing briefs asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling that rainwater runoff from forest roads used for timber harvest is a "point source" of water pollution under the Clean Water Act.

National Wetlands Awards nominations sought

smccreary — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:32:01 -0400

The National Wetlands Awards Program is calling for nomincations of individuals who have demonstrated excellence in wetlands conservation. Awards are offered in six categories: conservation and restoration; education and outreach; landowner stewardship; science research; state, tribal, and local program development; and wetland community leader. Deadline is December 15.

'Trees for Tribs' program to protect and restore New York watersheds

smccreary — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:55:22 -0400

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently partnered with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for a tree planting event as part of the Lake Champlain Basin "Trees for Tributaries" program. The program's goals are to restore and protect the stream corridors that comprise the Lake Champlain Watershed, particularly communities affected by the swollen rivers and streams following Tropical Storms Irene and Lee.

To protect water supply, cities sharing costs of slowing wildfires

smccreary — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:35:31 -0400

A $33 million, five-year partnership between the public utility Denver Water and the USDA Forest Service is supporting restoration projects on more than 38,000 acres of national forest watersheds critical for Denver's water supplies and infrastructure. Partnerships that leverage non-federal dollars are critical as the Forest Service brings its budget to fiscally concerned lawmakers in Washington.

NASF supports Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act

smccreary — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:07:31 -0400

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision declaring stormwater management systems on forest roads as "point sources" subject to an NPDES permit. NASF supports the Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act that has been introduced in the U.S. Senate (S 1369) and U.S. House of Representatives (HR 2541), which would amend the Clean Water Act to exempt the conduct of silvicultural activities from NPDES permitting requirements.

NASF submits comments on Clean Water Act guidance

smccreary — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:29:13 -0400

NASF joined seven other state health and environmental agencies in submitting comments to the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the scope of jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act (CWA).

Obama administration affirms comprehensive commitment to clean water

smccreary — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:14:52 -0400

The Obama administration has released a national clean water framework that emphasizes the importance of partnerships and coordination with states, local communities, stakeholders, and the public to protect public health and water quality, and promote the nation's energy and economic security. The framework outlines a series of actions underway and planned across federal agencies.

Most Americans unaware of connection between forests, water

smccreary — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:45:59 -0400

More than 75 percent of Americans don't know where their drinking water comes from, according to a poll commissioned by the Nature Conservancy. TNC also found that most Americans are unaware of the role of forests in ensuring both the quality and quantity of water by absorbing, storing, cleaning and slowly releasing water to streams and aquifers.