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

---EDITOR'S CHOICE---
2002 National Wetlands Awards Winners Honored
Useful Links to Farm Bill Information
OH EPA Issues Final 401 Cert; Biological and Water Quality Technical Report
EPA Seeking Comments, Suggestions on Watershed Initiative Design
Study Released on “Freshwater Wetlands Mitigation in NJ”
USFWS “Fish and Wildlife News” Profiles Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program

---NATIONAL UPDATES---
Everglades Mineral Rights Acquired, Litigation Settled in Destin Dome Unit
Federal Scientists Say Deepening Columbia River for Bigger Ships Won't Hurt Salmon
Great North American Secchi Dip June 29 - July 14
Army Corps’ Reform Efforts Token Gestures?
EPA Proposes Stormwater Runoff Rule for Construction Sites
EPA Proposes Water Quality Trading Policy
Army Corps Draft Plan to Replumb the Great Lakes

---LEGISLATIVE UPDATES---
Bills Acted Upon in Congress

---STATES NEWS---
Cargill, California Set $100 Million San Francisco Bay Wetlands Deal
FWS to Prepare CCP/EIS for Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex
NRCS Proposes Changes in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices
Draft CCP/EA Available for Waubay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, SD
MN Wetland, Prairie Restoration Begins in “Slaughter Slough”
Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Comments on Draft Recovery Plan for Steller’s Eiders    
Critical Habitat Designations Proposed on Hawaiian Islands
Critical Habitat Proposed, Draft Recovery Plans Available for Six California Plants
EPA Proposes to Allow NYC to Continue to Avoid Filtering Catskill/Delaware Water
New Plan for Alaska Forest Draws Mixed Reviews
Virginia Developer Pays $18,000 Penalty For Wetlands Violations In Braintree
Lawsuit Threatened over Government-Sponsored Beaver Killing in Southwest
North Carolina Has Bird Island In Hand
Article Profiles Dilemma of New Orleans Flood Control

---PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES---
Now Showing: Wildlife Conservation Photographs on Internet
GAO Releases Report on ACOE Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Guidance
FHWA “Greener Roadside” Newsletter Focus on Invasive Species
Report: Non-Point Sources Prevailing Cause of Oil Pollution
New Great Lakes Website
Ohio's "Amphibian Index of Biotic Integrity"
New HGM Publications Online

---POTPOURRI---
Genetically Enhanced Algae Used to Recover Toxic Heavy Metals From Lake Erie
NOAA Partners Announce Restoration Project Funding
RFIP for Fiscal Year 2003 Chesapeake Bay Program

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

EDITOR'S NOTE

Dear friends and colleagues,

The Association of State Wetland Managers has updated its website located at http://www.aswm.org.  New features include archives of Wetland Breaking News and Wetlands NewsLink, a site map, and details about the logo design contest for ASWM’s Bog Snorkeling Team, which will compete at the annual contest in Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales.  Of course, a link to details about our October annual conference is there, too. We hope the site is easier to navigate and utilize.  As always, comments are welcome!

May 27 was the anniversary of Rachel Carson’s birth in 1907. Pat Riexinger forwarded a copy of the very moving obituary that was posted in the NY Times in 1964.  I've posted it at http://www.aswm.org/020531a.htm for all to peruse and ponder. 

EPA has announced the winners of its 2002 Wetlands Photo Contest.  To view the grand prize winning photo of a black tern feeding its chick, shot by Elinor Osborn’s [Penfield, N.Y.], and photos from the remaining finalists visit http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/photocontest2002.html Two finalist photos were from Jim Newton, a resident of my town of Saratoga Springs, NY and official photographer for our Land Trust.

EPA also reminds readers that the Volunteer Wetland Monitoring Manual is available both online and in hard copy. 

Thanks to the terrific people who contributed to this issue including Steve Hill, USFWS; Tim Dunne, USDA-NRCS NJ; Robert Piel, NJ DEP; Joyce Kim, EPA ECO Associate; Beverly Etheridge, US EPA Region 6; Eric Galloway, NM; Daniel Montella, US EPA Region 2; Pat Riexinger, NYS DEC; Connie Cahanap, US EPA; Doug Hoskins, EPA Wetlands Division; Sean McDermott, NOAA; Heather Bradley, Restore America’s Estuaries; Tim O’Brien, Environmental Concern.

For those of you attending the Society of Wetlands Scientists meeting next week, stop by the ASWM booth and the NYS Wetlands Forum booth and say hello!  See you there,

Jennifer Brady-Connor
Editor, Wetland Breaking News

EDITOR'S CHOICE

2002 National Wetlands Awards Winners Honored

Seven outstanding wetlands educators, activists, scientists and conservationists were honored on May 16, 2002 at the U.S. Botanic Garden as recipients of the 2002 National Wetlands Awards (http://www.eli.org/whatsnew/02media/nwawinners.htm) for their exemplary contributions to the conservation and restoration of the nation's wetlands. This event was held in conjunction
with American Wetlands Month (http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/awm/), organized by the Izaak Walton League of America. In addition, winning photographs of the U.S. EPA’s photography contest (http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/photocontest2002.html), displaying the functions and values of wetlands, were on display at the ceremony.

Useful Links to Farm Bill Information

[Excerpted from NACD/NRCS/FSA “BufferNotes”, May 2002] USDA has initiated an excellent set of online information pages on the new Farm Bill at http://www.usda.gov/farmbill/ The USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) web page links to well done current information in easily useable html format (no big .pdf files) and a helpful glossary. The "side by side" comparison of provisions of the old and new Farm Bill gives an especially good overview. Click the links and go to http://www.ERS.usda.gov/Features/farmbill/titles/titleIIconservation.htm. Additional details on the new Farm Bill are also available at http://fb-net.org/FB/. For the complete article visit http://www.nacdnet.org/buffers/

OH EPA Issues Final 401 Cert; Biological and Water Quality Technical Report

[OH EPA press release] 5/22/02. Ohio EPA has issued the final Section 401 water quality certification of the Nationwide Permits proposed by the Corps of Engineers in the Federal Register dated January 15, 2002.  Ohio EPA has also issued a Responsiveness Summary (PDF 80k) addressing the comments received during the public notice period.  See the 401 Certification page for additional information.  A new technical report is available on the Biological and Water Quality Reports page: Follow Up Macroinvertebrate Study in the Ottawa River for the AquaBlok™ Demonstration Capping Project, Lucas County, Ohio, March 2002 For details visit http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/whatsnew.html 

EPA Seeking Comments, Suggestions on Watershed Initiative Design

EPA is soliciting comments and suggestions from stakeholders and other interested parties on the potential design of EPA's new Watershed Initiative, including the nomination and selection processes. On January 25, 2002, EPA announced a proposal to include $21 million in its fiscal year 2003 budget for the new Watershed Initiative. Pending appropriations for this purpose, EPA will call for nominations and select up to 20 watershed organizations to receive grants to support innovative watershed based approaches to preventing, reducing, and eliminating water pollution. Comments due July 8. For details visit http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2002/May/Day-23/w12968.htm

Study Released on “Freshwater Wetlands Mitigation in NJ”

[from Rob Piel, NJ DEP and Tim Dunne, NJ USDA-NRCS] “NJ Department of Environmental Protection [Division of Science and Research] has just released a study entitled "Creating Indicators of Wetland Status (Quality and Quantity) / Freshwater Wetlands Mitigation in New Jersey. It was managed by the Division of Science and Research and conducted by a private consultant. Many DEP staff participated in the study. It evaluated 90 wetland creation sites and concluded that only 45 % of the required wetland creation acreage was actually achieved. NJDEP has taken steps to correct many of the problems identified in the study and some of these steps (check lists, on site meeting mid course const correction) were discussed at the Baltimore meeting held by ELI which is making recommendations on CORP mitigation efforts. Copies of the report are available from the NJDEP Division of Science Research and Technology at (609)- 984-6071 or on the web site at www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr.”

USFWS “Fish and Wildlife News” Profiles Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program

In case you missed it, the Fish and Wildlife Service's Summer ’01 edition of "Fish and Wildlife News" contains a valuable section devoted to the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in honor of its state, private, and tribal partners.  The section on pages 9 through 40 highlights the myriad of accomplishments that have been realized since 1987. Read the newsletter online at http://library.fws.gov/FWNews/fwnews_summer01.pdf

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NATIONAL UPDATE

Everglades Mineral Rights Acquired, Litigation Settled in Destin Dome Unit

[US DOI press release] 5/29/02. The Interior Department has agreed in principle to acquire the mineral rights under Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge from Collier Resources Company, virtually ensuring no new oil and gas development in the three areas, Interior Secretary Gale Norton announced today. At the same time, Norton announced the Department has agreed in principle to settle litigation with oil companies that own interests in the Destin Dome Unit, a large natural gas discovery in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico offshore Florida. http://www.doi.gov/news/020529.html

Federal Scientists Say Deepening Columbia River for Bigger Ships Won't Hurt Salmon

[ENN news article] 5/29/02. After taking a second look at deepening the Columbia River channel for bigger ships, federal scientists said this week the project will not harm salmon and other threatened and endangered species. http://production.enn.com/news/wire-stories/2002/05/05292002/ap_47369.asp

Great North American Secchi Dip June 29 - July 14

The Great North American Secchi Dip-In is now in its 9th Year!  Participating volunteers have now monitored 5,900 separate waterbodies in the United States and Canada.  Any program around the world is invited to participate.  If you are one of the more than 300 programs that have participated in the past, you should be receiving a solicitation soon.  If your volunteers have not participated, your involvement is welcome. It's a chance to highlight your own efforts in monitoring and contribute at an international level. For complete details visit http://dipin.kent.edu/pr99.htm

Army Corps’ Reform Efforts Token Gestures?

[American Rivers press release 5/17/02] Army Corps of Engineers documents made public recently strongly suggest that the agency's highly publicized initiative to suspend and reevaluate a number of suspect projects was a token gesture intended to dispel momentum toward real reform. According to internal documents released by Taxpayers for Common Sense, the Army Corps has performed only a cursory review of 171 projects in 38 states and Puerto Rico - giving all but 8 of them a clean bill of health. Read the entire press release at http://www.amrivers.org/pressrelease/corpsreformpress5.17.02.htm The Corps press release and list of projects reviewed so far is located at http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/cepa/releases/pause.htm

EPA Proposes Stormwater Runoff Rule for Construction Sites

[EPA press release] 5/24/02. EPA has proposed a rule to control storm water runoff from construction sites and is seeking comment on three different approaches. One proposal builds upon existing federal storm water regulations by establishing a national effluent guideline specifying the types of runoff controls needed and criteria for how best to design them. A second proposal relies on site inspections and certifications (regarding the proper installation of controls) to improve implementation of the existing regulations. The third proposal relies on effective implementation of the existing regulations. Additional information can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction.

EPA Proposes Water Quality Trading Policy

[EPA press release] 5/15/02. EPA has proposed a Water Quality Trading Policy to increase the pace and success of cleaning up impaired rivers, streams and lakes at reduced costs. Under the proposed policy, industrial and municipal facilities would first meet technology control requirements and then could use pollution reduction credits to make further progress towards water quality goals. Ideally sources would reduce pollution loads beyond the level required by the most stringent technology requirements in order to create a pollution reduction "credit" that can be traded. The notice will appear in the Federal Register and the proposed policy posted at http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/trading.htm After 45 days of public comment a final policy will be developed and released later this summer.  [Editor’s note: The Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing in implementation by EPA of the program on June 13 10:00 a.m. 2167 Rayburn Building.]

Army Corps Draft Plan to Replumb the Great Lakes

[Excerpt from Great Lakes United’s “Habitat Watch” # 256] 5/12-18. The ACOE released the draft “Reconnaissance Report: Great Lakes Navigation System Review” to determine the feasibility of replumbing the Great Lakes to improve commercial navigation . . . The draft Review proposes five options [exploring] various stages of widening, deepening and enlarging Great Lakes connecting channels and harbors, effectively culminating in a 35-foot trench across the basin. Proposing a balanced direction for the region, Great Lakes United and others recommend consideration of a future commercial navigation that functions sustainably within the ecosystem and to study the economic and environmental benefits of restricting foreign commercial vessel access to the lower reaches of the Great Lakes- St. Lawrence River basin . . . GLU’s letter is at http://www.glu.org/bhptf/GL%20Aquatic%20Habitat/Mainpage.htm along with a letter to Canadian Ministers to abstain from funding any future Navigation study if the intent does not dramatically change. The Corps draft Review is at http://155.79.127.50/index.cfm?chn_id=1422&CFID=1855&CFTOKEN=68176071 For an NWF critique on the draft Review go to: http://www.nwf.org/greeningcorps/allwetgreatlakes.html

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES:

Bills Acted Upon in Congress

H.R.4754 National Drought Preparedness Act of 2002
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:h.r.04754:
Latest Major Action: 5/17/2002 Referred to House subcommittee. Establishes the National Drought Council which shall: (1) develop a national drought policy action plan; (2) evaluate Federal drought-related programs; (3) coordinate and prioritize enhancement of the national drought monitoring network; and (4) provide for the development of a drought information delivery system, drought planning models, and drought preparedness plans.

S.2528 National Drought Preparedness Act of 2002
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:s.02528:
Latest Major Action: 5/16/2002 Referred to Senate committee. Establishes the National Drought Council which shall: (1) develop a national drought policy action plan; (2) evaluate Federal drought-related programs; (3) coordinate and prioritize enhancement of the national drought monitoring network; and (4) provide for the development of a drought information delivery system, drought planning models, and drought preparedness plans.

H.R.4748 Mineral Exploration and Development Act of 2002
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:h.r.04748:
Latest Major Action: 5/16/2002 Referred to House committee. To modify the requirements applicable to locatable minerals on public domain lands, consistent with the principles of self-initiation of mining claims, and for other purposes.

H.R.4721 Lower Connecticut River Partnership Act
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:h.r.04721:
Latest Major Action: 5/20/2002 House committee/subcommittee actions. Latest Status: Executive Comment Requested from Interior. To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance in implementing cultural heritage, conservation, and recreational activities in the Connecticut River watershed of the States of Connecticut and Massachusetts, and for other purposes.

H.R.4044 To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance to the State of Maryland and the State of Louisiana for implementation of a program to eradicate or control nutria and restore marshland damaged by nutria.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:h.r.04044:
Latest Major Action: 5/15/2002 Referred to Senate committee. Latest Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.  

H.R.4722 Lake Erie Western Basin International Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:h.r.04722:
Latest Major Action: 5/20/2002 House committee/subcommittee actions. Latest Status: Executive Comment Requested from Interior. Title: To provide for the establishment of the Lake Erie Western Basin International Wildlife Refuge in the States of Ohio and Michigan, and for other purposes.

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STATES NEWS

Cargill, California Set $100 Million San Francisco Bay Wetlands Deal

[World Environment News - May 30th, 2002 from Planet Ark] San Francisco, CA – “California officials and agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. unveiled a $100 million deal yesterday to reclaim huge tracts of land around San Francisco Bay, launching one of the largest wetlands restoration efforts in U.S. history. The project, which aims to transform 16,500 acres (6,700 hectares) of Cargill's commercial salt ponds back into tidal marshland, marks a victory for environmental groups which have campaigned for years to create a public wildlife refuge for birds, fish and other species which once thrived in the San Francisco Bay . . . “ For the complete article visit http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/16196/story.htm 

FWS to Prepare CCP/EIS for Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex

[Federal Register notice] 5/30/02. The USFWS intends to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and an associated Environmental Impact Statement for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex [includes the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge; the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge; and the Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge]. Mailings, newspaper articles, radio announcements, and the Services Web site http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/uppermisstop.htm will be used to inform people of the times and places of public meetings, workshops, and focus groups. Written comments will also be welcome.

NRCS Proposes Changes in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices

[Federal Register notice] 5/30/02. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to issue a series of new or revised conservation practice standards in its National Handbook of Conservation Practices. These practices may be used in resource management systems that treat highly erodible land, or on land determined to be wetland. This series of new or revised conservation practice standards will be adopted after the close of a 30-day period. Copies of these standards are available online at http://www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/practice--stds.html.

Draft CCP/EA Available for Waubay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, SD

[Federal Register notice] 5/29/02. The US FWS announced that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and the Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA) for Waubay National Wildlife Refuge and Wetland Management District Complex (Complex) is available for review and comment. This CCP/EA describes how the U.S. Fish& Wildlife Service intends to manage the Complex for the next 15 years. Comments due June 28, 2002.  The Draft CCP/EA is available for viewing and downloading online at http://www.r6.fws.gov/larp. The FR notice is available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2002_register&docid=02-13319-filed

MN Wetland, Prairie Restoration Begins in “Slaughter Slough”

[USFWS press release] 5/29/02. A USFWS restoration project set to begin this spring near Currie, Minn., will be significant not only for wildlife, but for communities and families of southwest Minnesota that were touched by a tragic chapter in state history. The Service will begin work on an upland portion of a long-drained marsh known as "Slaughter Slough", a place where 11 settlers and a number of Dakota Indians were killed in August 1862. The goal is to eventually return roughly 800 acres of the site to its historic state of tallgrass prairie and wetlands. For details visit http://news.fws.gov/newsreleases/r3/58C6FA54-B419-45DB-BAF6B66C21761FF6.html

Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Comments on Draft Recovery Plan for Steller’s Eiders    

[USFWS press release] 5/28/02. The USFWS is seeking public comment on the draft recovery plan for the Alaska-breeding population of the Steller’s eider. Comments will be accepted through July 29, 2002. The Alaska-breeding population of the Steller’s eider was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1997. The causes for the decline of the Alaska-breeding population of Steller's eiders are poorly understood but may be related to predation, hunting, ingestion of spent lead shot, environmental changes, and exposure to contaminants. Many of the recovery tasks will involve research to evaluate the effects of these factors on this species. For details visit http://alaska.fws.gov

Critical Habitat Designations Proposed on Hawaiian Islands

[Federal Register notices] May 28, 2002 The USFWS announced the availability of the draft economic analysis for the proposed designations of critical habitat for 90 plant species from the islands of Kauai and Niihau, Hawaii and for 47 plant species from the island of Hawaii.  Finally, the USFWS proposed critical habitat for 99 plant species from the island of Oahu. For details visit http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a020528c.html Also, a May 14 FR notice announced the proposed critical habitat for five of the six plant species known historically from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands that are listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. For details on this notice visit http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2002_register&docid=02-11225-filed

Critical Habitat Proposed, Draft Recovery Plans Available for Six California Plants

[Federal Register notices] On May 28, 2002 the USFWS designated critical habitat for Robust Spineflower. Approximately 469 acres of land fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. Critical habitat is located in Santa Cruz County, California. This rule becomes effective on June 27, 2002. On May 14, 2002 the USFWS announced a Draft Recovery Plan for Five Plants from Monterey County, California, including: coastal dunes milk-vetch, Yadon's piperia, Hickman's potentilla, Monterey clover, and Gowen cypress. Comments on this draft recovery plan are due July 12, 2002. Visit http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2002_register&docid=02-11802-filed for details.

EPA Proposes to Allow NYC to Continue to Avoid Filtering Catskill/Delaware Water

[EPA press release] 5/23/02. New York, N.Y. – After a thorough review of New York City’s current watershed protections and new long-term plans to expand its protection efforts, EPA is proposing to continue to allow the city not to filter drinking water from the Catskill/Delaware system; EPA will require a number of watershed protection enhancements to the city’s program. EPA welcomes comments from the public on the proposal, which may be submitted through June 24th. EPA will be available to speak with the public during informal public information sessions. For details visit www.epa.gov/Region2/water/nycshed For the complete press release visit http://www.epa.gov/region2/news/2002/02046.htm

New Plan for Alaska Forest Draws Mixed Reviews

[World Environment News - May 20th, 2002 from Planet Ark] Anchorage, AK – “Eighteen years after the U.S. Forest Service proposed protecting parts of Alaska's Chugach National Forest as wilderness areas, the agency last week issued a plan for establishing such zones. The plan recommends that Congress designate as wilderness 1.4 million acres of the 5.5 million-acre Chugach, the second-largest U.S. national forest . . . Environmentalists were unhappy that key areas of interest - like the Copper River Delta, a world-famous gathering site for migrating seabirds - were omitted from the wilderness recommendation . . .“ For the complete article visit  http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/16014/story.htm

Virginia Developer Pays $18,000 Penalty For Wetlands Violations In Braintree

[MA DEP press release] 5/20/02. Boston, MA - Lincoln Property Co. of Herndon, Va., has paid an $18,000 penalty to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for exceeding the limits of its permit to develop property in a wetlands area. DEP discovered that the company had filled in a larger area of wetlands than allowed under the permit, an additional 1,442 square feet of wetlands. Under an administrative consent order approved by the DEP and Lincoln Property, 2,400 square feet of wetlands in the affected area will be restored a $28,000 penalty, $10,000 of which was suspended pending the completion of the restoration project, will be paid. For details visit http://www.state.ma.us/dep/pao/news/lincprop.htm

Lawsuit Threatened over Government-Sponsored Beaver Killing in Southwest

5/17/02. Santa Fe, NM - Forest Guardians and Gila Watch warned the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service that the agencies are violating the Endangered Species Act by failing to adequately assess the impact of beaver removal and killing on Southwestern willow flycatchers and their habitat, as well as several aquatic threatened or endangered species throughout the Southwest. For complete details visit http://www.enn.com/direct/display-release.asp?id=6925

North Carolina Has Bird Island In Hand

[NC DENR press release] 5/13/02. Raleigh, NC - The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources has completed the purchase of 67 upland acres of Bird Island, completing a two-phase deal that began with the purchase of 80 upland acres late last year. The 147 upland acres will be combined with tidal marsh and wetlands already held in public trust to form a 1,200-acre coastal reserve. Bird Island contains 1.2 miles of ocean shoreline and 1.5 miles of shoreline along the Intracoastal Waterway. The island will become the 10th component of the N.C. Coastal Reserve Program. For details visit http://www.enr.state.nc.us/newsrels/20020513_BirdIsland.html

Article Profiles Dilemma of New Orleans Flood Control

In an April 30 NY Times article, “Nothing's Easy for New Orleans Flood Control”, Jon Nordheimer explores the perilous situation facing the city of New Orleans, which has “long depended on levees and luck.”  Some of the options to protect the city from potential devastating floods include floodgates to secure the historic district and billions of dollars in wetland restoration outside the city.  For this fascinating article on the complexities of protecting this below-sea-level city, visit http://www.aswm.org/wbn/archive/02/nyt043002neworleans.htm

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NEW PUBLICATIONS and RESOURCES

Now Showing: Wildlife Conservation Photographs on Internet

[USFWS press release] 5/15/02. Anyone who has ever looked for a picture of an eagle, a duck, or just a kid fishing, can now find what they need in over 2000 photographs now available via the Internet from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This unique collection of photographs is dedicated solely to fish and wildlife, wildlands, and wildlife conservation efforts. The copyright-free images have been digitized and loaded into a searchable database and are available for downloading in high and low resolutions from the new web site: http://images.fws.gov

GAO Releases Report on ACOE Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Guidance

 “U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:  Scientific Panel's Assessment of Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Guidance.”  GAO-02-574, May 15. http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-02-574

FHWA “Greener Roadside” Newsletter Focus on Invasive Species

An FHWA Quarterly Newsletter for Roadsides decision-makers  is devoted to Invasive Species and what is being done about them. Some of the articles include “The Problem with Invasive Plant Species - DOT Constraints,” “Time for a National Center???” and “Purple Loosestrife, a ‘Poster Child’ for Invasive Plants” To read the newsletter visit http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/greenerroadsides/fall01.htm

www.GetCited.org a Source of Wetland Literature

www.GetCited.org is a web site that allows scholars to enter in the details of any publications, papers and presentations they might want others to know about, particularly those that aren't indexed elsewhere, such as book chapters and conference papers. Scholars from a wide variety of disciplines have added a great deal of content, including their own contact details. The result is an extremely powerful academic search engine that also functions as an academic directory. [Editor’s note: A recent search for the basics keyword “wetlands” yielded 810 results]

Report: Non-Point Sources Prevailing Cause of Oil Pollution

[National Academies press release] 5/23/02. Nearly 85 percent of the 29 million gallons of petroleum that enter North American ocean waters each year as a result of human activities comes from land-based runoff, polluted rivers, airplanes and small boats and jet skis, while less than 8 percent comes from tanker or pipeline spills, says a new National Academies report. The report also explores in limited detail the impacts of such runoff on coastal wetlands. http://nationalacademies.org/topnews/#0523

New Great Lakes Website

[from Debbie Messier, The Watershed Council via Great Lakes Information Network] www.GreatLakesDirectory.org This new website, released by the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund, a project of Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, was put together with the involvement of over a thousand environmental organizations in the Great Lakes Region. It lists hundreds of articles related to the Great Lakes, free environmental software, events calendars, grant funding info, and a user-friendly search engine that allows visitors to find local and regional grassroots organizations that are focused on environmental issues. This site is intended to assist grassroots groups and citizens in protecting lakes, rivers, and wetlands throughout the Great Lakes Basin.

Ohio's "Amphibian Index of Biotic Integrity"

[from Doug Hoskins, US EPA] Mick Micacchion of Ohio EPA's Wetland Ecology Group has published a final report entitled "Amphibian Index of Biotic Integrity (AmphIBI) for Wetlands", Volume 3 in the "Testing Biological Metrics and Development of Wetland Assessment Techniques Using Reference Sites" series.  This report proposes an amphibian Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) using a suite of five different metrics based on four years of field data.  Also included is general information on Ohio's bioassessment program, their wetlands antidegradation rule, their rapid wetland evaluation methodology (ORAM), as well as a discussion on landscape factors.  To download the report visit http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/wetlands/wetland_bioasses.html

New HGM Publications Online

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center announces the publication of a new document on its Web sites, www.wes.army.mil/el/wetlands and www.wes.army.mil/el/wrap The first, ERDC/EL TR-02-6 “A Regional Guidebook for Applying the Hydrogeomorphic Approach to Assessing Wetland Functions of Low-Gradient Riverine Wetlands in Western Tennessee,” was authored by Timothy C. Wilder and Thomas H. Roberts. This report uses the HGM Approach to develop a Regional Guidebook for assessing the functions of low-gradient riverine wetlands in western Tennessee. If you wish to access/download the document (6.56 MB) in pdf format, visit http://libweb.wes.army.mil/uhtbin/hyperion/EL-TR-02-6.pdf The second, ERDC/EL TR-02-7 “A Regional Guidebook for Applying the Hydrogeomorphic Approach to Assessing Wetland Functions of Intermontane Prairie Pothole Wetlands in the Northern Rocky Mountains,” was authored by F. Richard Hauer, Bradley J. Cook, Michael C. Gilbert, Ellis J. Clairain, Jr., R. Daniel Smith. If you wish to access/download the document (4.13 MB) in pdf format, the address is: http://libweb.wes.army.mil/uhtbin/hyperion/EL-TR-02-7.pdf

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POTPOURRI

Genetically Enhanced Algae Used to Recover Toxic Heavy Metals From Lake Erie

[Excerpted from “Twine Line”, September/October 2001, p. 1] 5/21/02. “Bio-remediation researchers . . . are further enhancing genetically altered algae to maximize its ability to pick up trace metals.  Ohio State University researcher Richard Sayre and his team have found further ways of altering the algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to increase the algae's ability to attach itself to heavy metals in Lake Erie sediment. They envisage using dead, freeze-dried algae in filters to treat contaminated sediments and discharges that flow into Lake Erie. Significantly, live algae would not be released into the environment . . . “ Read about Sayre's research on-line in Twine Line, Ohio Sea Grant's newsletter: http://www.sg.ohio-state.edu/pdfs/tl-so-01.

NOAA Partners Announce Restoration Project Funding

Sean McDermott, NOAA, forwarded three new NOAA partner announcements that are open for restoration project funding. The announcements can be found on the Restoration Center's website (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/)  Fish America Foundation RFP is open and closes July 24th. This national granting opportunity is for small restoration grants ranging from $5,000 - $30,000 for Community-based restoration of marine, estuarine and riverine habitats that support anadromous fish. Fish America Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) RFP - is open and closes July 24th. This granting opportunity is only open to CCA chapters. CCA chapters are only located in the eastern US. The grants are also for small restoration projects ranging from $5,000 - $30,000 for Community-based restoration of marine, estuarine and riverine habitats that support anadromous fish. Please see the CCA website for more information on CCA and the closest chapter to you. http://www.joincca.org/ National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Restore Our Southern Rivers - is open and closes July 15th. The ROSR grants are only for the Southeast Region of the US. The restoration funds are for restoration of river and riparian habitat restoration as well as dam removal, fish ladders and other beneficial riverine projects. 

RFIP for Fiscal Year 2003 Chesapeake Bay Program

[Federal Register notice] 5/29/02. EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) is issuing a Requests for Initial Proposals (RFIP) to implement specific outcomes that will further goals of the Chesapeake 2000 agreement. Up to $2.2 million dollars may be available for Fiscal Year 2003 for implementation of activities to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay. Any non-profit organization, federal state or local government agency, interstate agency, college or university is eligible to submit proposals in response to this Request for Initial Proposals. The RFIP is available at http://www.gov/r3chespk/ All proposals must be postmarked NLT July 30, 2002.

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