2006 Annual Report

EPA’s Office of Wetlands, 

Oceans and Watersheds

EPA’s Office of Wetlands, 

Oceans and Watersheds
Cover images are used with permission from the River of Words © Poetry and Art Contest. The cover 

features award-winning artwork by the following young artists:

Purple Majesty

Zach P., Age 10

© River of Words 2006

Freedom Undisturbed 

 Jonathan W., age 12 (in 1996)

Ft. Myers, Florida

© River of Words 1996

Free to Go!

Gloria M., Age 8

© River of Words 2006

Catching

Justin N., age 6

West Lafaye e, Indiana

© River of Words 2005

Sisters

Toni A., Age 12 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

© River of Words 2002

www.riverofwords.org

River of Words © (ROW) is an educational non-profi t organization that promotes environmental literacy 

and watershed awareness through the arts and cultural exchange. ROW conducts an annual international poetry and art contest for youth, in affi liation with The Library of Congress Center for the Book. 

Through its workshops, curriculum materials, exhibitions and publications, ROW encourages students 

around the world to explore their own communities and imaginations—weaving in natural and cultural 

history—and then to synthesize what they’ve learned and observed into line and verse.

River of Words worked with OWOW to create two patches: the Water Drop Patch (with the Girl Scouts 

of the USA) and the Watershed Patch.
3

Offi ce of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds 

2006 Annual Report 

Protecting Wetlands......................................................................................................4

Protecting Oceans and Coasts......................................................................................8

Protecting Watersheds.................................................................................................15

Improving Monitoring and Assessment.....................................................................20

Promoting Watershed Planning..................................................................................23

Advancing Smart Growth...........................................................................................24

Addressing Gulf Hypoxia...........................................................................................25

Improving Communications.......................................................................................26

Promoting Sustainable Financing.............................................................................27

Fostering Diversity......................................................................................................28
4

Protecting Wetlands

Regulation Dra ed to Improve 

Aquatic Resource Compensation 

under Clean Water Act §404 

In March 2006, EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers (Corps) took strong steps to improve 

compensation for permi ed impacts to wetlands 

and streams by proposing a set of standards that 

will eff ectively carry out the President’s commitment to “no net loss” of wetlands. This proposed 

rule responds to recommendations of the National Research Council to improve the success 

of wetland restoration and replacement projects 

by se ing clear science-based and results-oriented 

standards nationwide while allowing for regional 

variations. 

By focusing on results and accountability, the 

proposed standards would improve both the quality and eff ectiveness of aquatic resource replacement projects, and the speed and predictability of 

regulatory review. Most importantly, the proposal 

would establish a “level playing fi eld” — ensuring 

that all forms of wetlands compensation satisfy the 

same high environmental standards.

The proposed rule’s standards for all compensatory mitigation are similar to the provisions that 

have been in place for mitigation banks since the 

1995 banking guidance, and include real estate 

instruments to protect the site; fi nancial assurances 

for near- and long-term site stewardship; monitoring and contingency planning; and identifi cation 

of parties responsible for project tasks. 

OWOW has analyzed and summarized more than 

12,000 public comments received on the dra rule, 

which included 900 unique le ers, and is currently 

working with the Corps to make necessary revisions. A fi nal rule is expected by late spring. For 

more information, visit the Compensatory Mitigation Web site : www.epa.gov/wetlandsmitigation/. 

(Contact: Palmer Hough, 202-566-1374)

OWOW Supports All Steps in 

Mitigation Sequencing 

CWA §404(b)(1) Guidelines 

establish a three-step mitigation sequence to be followed 

in the review of proposed impacts to wetlands, streams, 

and other aquatic resources. 

Proposed impacts must be 

avoided to the maximum extent practicable; remaining 

unavoidable impacts must 

then be minimized, and 

fi nally compensated for to 

the extent appropriate and 

practicable. Over the past 

fi  een years, there has been 

much focus on improving 

the eff ectiveness of the third 

step in the mitigation sequence, compensation. 

However, there is a lack of data evidencing that all 

appropriate and practicable steps have been taken 

in the permit process to fi rst avoid, and then to 

minimize, impacts to aquatic resources. 

In 2006, OWOW developed an annotated on-line 

compendium of technical and policy resources 

related to aquatic resource impact avoidance and 

minimization. This Avoidance and Minimization 

(AMP) Intranet Web site is intended to serve as a 

repository for valuable programmatic and policy 

documents and as a training tool for EPA staff . The 

Web site, h p://intranet.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/

AMP, contains a wide range of scholarly articles, 

Federal guidance, and legal materials, as well as a 

nearly complete set of reference documents on past 

CWA §404(c) “veto” actions and §404(q) elevations. 

(Contact: Palmer Hough, 202-566-1374)
5

OWOW Provides Scientifi c Expertise in Supreme Court Case

Over the past year, OWOW provided technical, 

scientifi c, and programmatic support for defending the federal government’s position in Rapanos 

vs. United States, both pretrial and post-decision, 

and for implementing the Supreme Court’s decision governing Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction.

Before oral arguments, OWOW assisted the government a orneys in responding to questions on 

scientifi c issues regarding headwater, intermi ent, 

and ephemeral streams, and headwater wetlands. 

The division assisted a orneys at U.S. Department 

of Justice (DOJ) and the Solicitor General’s (SG) 

offi ce in brief and oral argument preparation, 

including participating in moot court trials with 

the SG. The staff continues to review DOJ briefs 

for post-Rapanos jurisdictional cases.

 

OWOW also facilitated an analysis of the extent of 

certain categories of aquatic resources that are at 

issue in the Rapanos case, shedding light on how 

their inclusion or exclusion from the CWA would 

aff ect Federal water programs. This “Vulnerable 

Waters” study used Geographic Information System (GIS) analyses of USGS data combined with 

source water protection area data. 

In addition, OWOW assisted in the publication of 

a special issue of the Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA), dealing with 

chemical, physical, and biological connections of 

headwater streams to downstream waters. (Contact: Tracie Nadeau, 503-326-3685). 

Protecting Wetlands

OWOW continues to work jointly with the Corps 

on post-Rapanos guidance and implementation 

documents. These include the EPA/Corps memo 

outlining the process for interagency cooperation 

and the process for determining Jurisdictional 

Determinations (JDs), the revised JD form for use 

in the fi eld, and the JD Instructional Guidebook. 

And fi nally, OWOW participated in presentations 

at Duke University, state bar associations, several 

conferences, EPA-sponsored trainings (Water 

Quality Standards Academy), and the Wetlands 

National Meeting. To assist fi eld and regional 

staff , OWOW continues to chair a biweekly Geographic Jurisdiction Workgroup conference call 

with participants from OWM, OSWER, OGC, 

OECA, OPEI, ORD, DOJ, EPA Regional offi ces, 

and a Corps district office. (Contact: Donna 

Downing, 202-566-1367)

Dr. Tracie Nadeau authored the lead paper in the JAWRA 

special issue on the connectivity of headwater streams to 

downstream waters and edited the special issue, which 

includes articles by some of the nation’s foremost experts. 

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/toc/jawr/43/1
6

Protecting Wetlands

New OWOW Tool Assists States and Tribes in CWA §404 Assumption

A CWA §404 assumption tool for states and tribes 

was developed to provide a cross-walk between the 

statutory and regulatory requirements a state/tribe 

must meet to assume the CWA §404 program. The 

tool allows a state/tribe to insert their authorities and 

program descriptions into a table in a side-by-side 

format. This enables them to assess which programmatic areas they may need to develop or enhance 

prior to submi ing their request for assumption. 

The tool has already been used by three states and 

one tribe (KY, WI, VA, and Fond du Lac) and should 

minimize the need for returning an assumption 

request package to a state or tribe as incomplete. 

(Contact: Kathy Hurld, 202-566-1269)

Partnerships with Land Trust Community Strengthens Wetlands Protection

OWOW partnered with the Land Trust Alliance, Trust for Public Land, the Environmental Law Institute, and Center for Natural Lands Management 

to provide land trusts and local decision makers with various trainings 

and technical information on potential roles for land trusts in wetland 

protection. Specifi c accomplishments include partnering with the Trust 

for Public Land to develop a guidance brochure that focused on land 

owners in the Northeastern US. This document, Rescuing Wetlands 

Close to Home, celebrates numerous successful eff orts to protect wetlands and provides up-to-date information on benefi ts gained by the 

landowner when engaging in wetland protection and various funding 

mechanisms. It also provides “how-to-information” on navigating 

the wide range of land-owner assistance programs at the state and 

federal level. This document was distributed to a endees at the annual Land Trust Alliance Rally, which hosts over 2000 land trusts. 

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI), in partnership with the Center for Natural Lands Management 

and OWOW, developed a two-day technical training designed to improve the capacity of local and 

regional land trusts to manage wetland mitigation sites and meet the requirements of the Clean Water 

Act §404 program. The fi rst, in an on-going series, was conducted in January 2006. This session focused 

on land trusts in the South East. OWOW and its partners will continue to conduct these trainings in 

the Pacifi c North West and to conduct national Webcasts. (Contact: Rebecca Dils, 202-566-1378)
7

Wetlands Monitoring Takes Major Step Forward Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) 

Protecting Wetlands

In 2006, OWOW had two major accomplishments that helped advance wetlands monitoring and assessment across the country. In early 2006, OWOW released a document entitled Elements of a State 

Monitoring and Assessment Program for Wetlands. This technical guidance outlines the major components 

of a comprehensive wetlands monitoring program, and serves the basis for working with states and 

tribes to develop eff ective implementation strategies. In addition, OWOW re-chartered the National 

Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment Work Group to take on the mission of building state and tribal 

wetland monitoring capacity. Work group members include states, tribes, and EPA Regions. In the 

coming year the group will develop implementation strategies for state and tribal wetlands monitoring 

programs, consider how wetlands assessment data informs decision making, and inform design of the 

2011 National Wetlands Condition Assessment. (Contact: Michael Scozzafava, 202-566-1376)

OWOW Leadership Advances Tribal Programs

OWOW played a leadership role on the Agency technical evaluation panel for the Tribal Water Program 

Council solicitation. This achievement resulted in an award for the formation and coordination of a 

new national Tribal Water Program Council. The Council is intended to facilitate interaction among 

tribal water program professionals and improve the National Water Program’s ability to communicate 

with Indian country on water protection eff orts that may aff ect tribes — ultimately leading to an extension of the successes of our national water protection programs. OWOW also played a leadership 

role on the workgroup, which ultimately provided recommendations regarding a centralized training 

structure for Tribal water programs (RFP developed). The Intra-Agency Fish Consumption Workgroup was charged with developing a response 

to the National Environmental Justice Advisory 

Council’s (NEJAC) six recommendations on Fish 

Consumption and the Environment. OWOW 

contributed to report development, including 

the determination of which recommendations 

were appropriate for OWOW support. Finally, 

OWOW reviewed, scored, and presented recommendation analyses of 2007 National Tribal Conference on Environmental Management co-host 

competitors and successfully participated in 

two National Tribal Caucus meetings. (Contact: 

Kathleen Kutschenreuter, 202-566-1383)
8

Protecting Oceans and Coasts

National Estuary Programs Meet Strategic Plan Habitat Goals 

EPA ‘s 28 National Estuary Programs around the country bring together local stakeholders such as 

citizens, educators, government representatives, watershed organizations, business leaders, scientists, and landowners to work together to identify and prioritize problems in their estuaries. Specifi c 

implementation actions are then developed to address these challenges. Examples of these actions 

include:

* acquire or preserve open space, 

* develop conservation easements for riparian buff er areas, 

* restore or create wetland habitats, 

* dam removal, 

* mapping of critical areas, and 

* public outreach and education activities. 

All of these eff orts are carried out through partnerships between federal, state, and local agencies 

with assistance from private and nonprofi t sectors and citizens. The NEPs have identifi ed habitat 

loss as one of the primary threats to the health of their estuaries and are implementing specifi c actions to address this issue. To show progress and to evaluate their eff ectiveness, the NEPs report to 

EPA annually the number of habitat acres protected and restored, which are now collected in a new 

reporting database. EPA is meeting its established goal with respect to habitat in the Strategic Plan. 

The goal states, “By 2008, working with NEP partners, protect and restore an additional 250,000 acres 

of habitat within the study areas for the 28 estuaries that are part of the NEP.” 

In 2006, the National Estuary Program and their partners protected and/or restored a total of 

140,033 acres of habitat. Forested wetland (72,188 acres) was the largest habitat type protected and/

or restored in 2006. (Contact: Nancy Laurson, 202-566-1247)

Last year the National Estuary Program and their 

partners restored and/or 

protected 92,023 acres of 

wetlands.
9

Protecting Oceans and Coasts

National Estuary Programs Leverage $1.4 Billion 

The 28 NEPs receive federal funding each year under §320 of the Clean Water Act. They use these 

funds to implement Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans (CCMPs) and as leverage 

to obtain additional in-kind resources. By leveraging EPA money, the NEPs are able to accomplish 

much more and give their organizations a more stable fi nancial foundation. 

EPA defi nes leveraging, a metric to track NEP performance, as the dollar value of resources dedicated 

to implementing the CCMP above the funding provided by EPA. Each year, EPA reviews and evaluates leveraging data to determine factors associated with higher 

amounts of leveraging in certain NEPs and to identify NEPs Total 2006 Leveraging: $1.42 billion

requiring assistance in developing their funding capabilities. 

Using $17 million in EPA funding, the 28 NEPs:

– Played a primary role* in generating nearly $600 million 

(36:1 ratio)

– Played some role in generating more than $1.4 billion

* Indicates role of NEP (rather than NEP partners) in obtaining 

the resources.

(Contact: Tim Jones, 202-566-1245)

Implementation Reviews Improve 

NEP Performance

In 2006, OWOW conducted seven intensive Implementation Reviews (IR) to assess eff ectiveness of the 

NEPs. All seven NEPs “passed” the review. Some 

of the lessons learned from this process are as follows: 1) the NEPs are using feedback from the 

implementation review to make improvements 

or refi nements in their programs, 2) the NEPs actively share success stories and approaches with 

each other and with community-based watershed 

groups, 3) the NEPs provide eff ective outreach 

and technical assistance to local and state governments, as well as to other stakeholder groups, and 

4) EPA uses these reviews to develop new activities 

that address the NEP challenges. (Contact: Noemi 

Mercado, 202-566-1251)

Community Culture and 

Environment Workshops Build 

Local Capacity

Four workshops were held to 

help local watershed groups 

develop actions and partnerships to solve local environmental problems. The workshops 

were held in the Chesapeake Bay 

Watershed (March ‘06); Florida’s 

Charlo e Harbor National Estuary 

Program (May ‘06), the National 

Nonpoint Source Coordinators’ 

Meeting (June ‘06); and the Arkansas Watershed Advisory Group 2006 

Watershed Conference (November ‘06). 

(Contact: Theresa Trainor, 202-566-1250)
10

Protecting Oceans and Coasts

EstuaryLive! brings estuaries into classrooms, providing an opportunity for students and others to 

take a virtual “trip” to places many might never 

have a chance to see. It’s an innovative, web-based 

program that provides an opportunity to experience the hidden treasures of our Nation’s estuaries 

via the Internet. 2006 marked the sixth year that 

EPA has co-sponsored the broadcast with NOAA.

To date, over twenty diff erent estuaries around 

the Nation have been featured.

EstuaryLive! continues to grow in popularity. In 

2006, an estimated 25,000 “requests” came in via 

the internet to view the broadcast — up from 

20,958 last year (a request could be one individual, 

an entire classroom, or a full auditorium). The 

Estuary Live! Reaches Estimated 700,000 Viewers

program was also broadcast by Comcast of Delaware, at the Oregon Aquarium, and by all South 

Carolina school districts via educational television 

— thus raising the viewership even higher. An 

estimated 700,000 viewers in 28 States and Aruba 

watched the broadcast over the internet and via 

satellite! 1,398 questions were submi ed during the 

broadcast - up from 1,150 last year. EstuaryLive!

represents an important partnership between EPA 

and NOAA as it helps foster a be er working relationship between the National Estuarine Research 

Reserves, the NEPs, and the many federal, state and 

local stakeholders that participate in the broadcasts. 

(Contact: Nancy Laurson, 202-566-1247)

In 2006, EPA’s Ocean Survey Vessel Bold (OSV Bold), successfully performed more than 260 sea days. 

The ship supported EPA regional studies on Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites, Gulf of Mexico 

Hypoxia, and critical habitat studies for coral reefs in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Numerous public open house events were held, including two with EPA Administrator Steve Johnson. 

The ship is now into the second year of service and numerous improvements have made the vessel 

a more functional platform for EPA scientists to conduct 

operations. A new state-of-the-art sidescan sonar unit, 

for mapping the ocean bo om, replaced an older model. 

The ship also received a new sampling array to sample the 

water column. The biggest enhancement was the addition 

of a stern A-Frame to deploy and retrieve heavy equipment. 

In addition, OWOW conducted a chief scientist training session on the ship, focusing on the new side scan sonar, safety, 

survey planning and management, and tech transfer among 

the chief scientists. (Contact: Ken Po s, 202-566-1267) 

EPA’s Survey Vessel, OSV Bold, Completes Critical Ocean Surveys
11

OWOW Plays Lead Role In Ocean 

Action Plan

OWOW continues to play a 

leadership role on the Subcommi ee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources 

(SIMOR), which EPA co-chairs 

along with NOAA, the Council 

on Environmental Quality, and 

Department of the Interior. 

During 2006, SIMOR focused 

on implementing the actions in its work plan. Promoting regional and local collaborations is both a 

SIMOR and Offi ce of Water priority. 

The Gulf of Mexico Alliance, a state/federal collaboration made up of the Governors of the fi ve 

Gulf states working in partnership with a federal 

workgroup co-chaired by EPA and NOAA, issued the Governors’ Action Plan in March 2006 

to address critical ocean and coastal issues in the 

Gulf region. Work is underway to implement the 

Action Plan, with continued support to the Gulf 

states from the federal workgroup. In addition, 

this workgroup, working with state partners and 

guided by Action Plan priorities, will develop a 

Lessons Learned/Best Practices document, an action item in the SIMOR Work Plan. SIMOR is also 

working with several other regional collaborations, 

including the Northeast Regional Ocean Council 

and the West Coast Governors Initiative, to determine how best to support those eff orts.

Facilitating use of ocean science in ocean and 

coastal resource management is another SIMOR 

priority. During 2006, the Federal-State Task Team 

(FSTT), a group of resource managers formed by 

SIMOR, participated in the development of the 

Ocean Research Priorities Plan, part of the Ocean 

Action Plan and released in January 2007. The 

FSTT played a crucial role by ensuring that the 

needs and perspectives of resource managers were 

considered in the plan’s development. h p://ocean.

ceq.gov/. (Contact: Hazel Groman, 202-566-1219)

OWOW continues to work with the US Coast 

Guard (USCG) on their new rulemaking for ballast water standards, and with the US Government delegation to the International Maritime Organization meetings to strengthen international 

guidelines on ballast water treatment. OWOW 

reviewed and commented on the dra USCG 

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement 

(PEIS) for a Ballast Water standards rule in accordance with USCG timelines and obtained input 

from and coordinated with ORD on technical 

issues. In addition, OWOW obtained technical 

support for the Ballast Water treaty activities 

from ORD and the FIFRA offi ce. (Contact: John 

Lishman, 202-566-1364).

OWOW Strengthen International 

Eff orts on Ballast Waters

Protecting Oceans and Coasts
12

Protecting Oceans and Coasts

National Dredging Team Advances 

Watershed Management 

In August 2006, OWOW played a key role in 

helping the National Dredging Team (NDT) and 

Subcommittee on Integrated Management of 

Ocean Resources (SIMOR) host the conference 

Managing Sediments in the Watershed: Bringing 

Dredged Material and Watershed Managers Together.

The conference successfully brought together 

watershed and sediment managers to develop 

be er communication and coordination for a 

broader watershed perspective in dredged material management planning. (Contact: Molly 

Madden, 202-566-1279) 

Sampling Analysis on Cruise Ship 

Discharges Completed

In 2006, OWOW and the Offi ce of Science and Technology continued to collect and analyze data from 

cruise ships to assess the need for additional standards for sewage and graywater discharges from 

large cruise ships operating in Alaska. This crossoffi ce team completed the fi rst round engineering, 

economic, and environmental analyses, including 

comparison to all relevant water quality standards; 

identifi cation of potential environmental concerns; 

and evaluation of potential treatment technologies, 

their costs and their impacts. In addition, the team 

published its 2004 sampling reports and dra ed 

its 2005 sampling report. (Contact: Elizabeth Kim, 

202-566-1270)

Ocean Dumping Database Initiated

In 2006, OWOW’s Ocean Dumping Program 

worked eff ectively with the Regions to successfully 

develop and launch a database for the Regions 

to compile data regarding vessels that are ocean 

dumped under the Marine Protection, Research, 

and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA). The program also 

completed a delegation package giving authority 

to sign Site Management and Monitoring Plans 

under the MPRSA to the Regional Administrators. 

In addition, the program completed and distributed 

Ocean Dumping Siting Guidance and reviewed 

Region 10’s ocean dumping program. (Contact: 

Elizabeth Kim, 202-566-1270)
13

Protecting Oceans and Coasts

OWOW completes National Guidance on Artifi cial Reef Creation 

During 2006, OWOW completed the National successfully developed a permanent delegation 

package that was signed by the Administrator 

on November 9, delegating authority under the 

Liberty Ship Act to the Regional Administrators. 

Our timely completion of this delegation allowed 

for MARAD to transfer title of the ex-USS Vandenberg to the State of Florida on schedule. (Contact: 

Laura Johnson, 202-566-1273)

Guidance: Best Management Practices for Preparing

Vessels Intended to Create Artifi cial Reefs (BMP guidance document). This fi nal guidance addresses the

public comments received on the dra guidance

(69 FR 46141). The fi rst of its kind, this guidance

off ers a consistent, national approach for preparing obsolete and decommissioned military and

commercial vessels for use as artifi cial reefs. This

guidance satisfi es the mandate of Section 3516

of the National Defense Authorization Act for 

Fiscal Year 2004. The BMP Guidance document 

will be used as the basis for international guidance being developed by UNEP and the London 

Convention. 

In addition, OWOW actively worked with the 

PCB program from Region IV and HQ on the 

scientifi c workgroup that issued the PCB disposal 

approval for the ex-Oriskany vessel-to-reef project. The completion of the BMP Guidance and 

PCB disposal approval, as well as the response 

to comments for each, were expedited to meet 

the Navy sink schedule – May 17, 2006. OWOW 

also participated in the fi nal walkthrough of the 

ship upon completion of the vessel’s clean-up and 

diver preparation, prior to its sinking. Under 10 

U.S.C. 7306b(c), the Secretary of the Navy must 

ensure that the preparation of a vessel (that is 

stricken from the Naval Vessel Register) for use 

as an artifi cial reef is conducted in accordance 

with the BMPs. 

In June 2006, OWOW successfully executed a 

time-critical delegation from the Administrator 

to Region VI to issue a Liberty Ship Act certifi -

cate for the ex-USS Texas Clipper. This one-time, 

vessel-specifi c delegation was expedited due to 

the vulnerability of the vessel hull and the threat 

of the vessel sinking prematurely. OWOW also 

The Navy’s ex-USS Oriskany, a vessel-to-reef 

project, provided valuable lessons learned. 
14

Wetlands Grants Program

OWOW Advances Work on Uniform Discharge Standards with DoD

During 2006, OWOW continued to work with the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard 

on eff orts to minimize pollution from vessels of the Armed Forces. A 1996 Amendment to the Clean 

Water Act requires that a nationally uniform set of discharge standards be issued jointly by DoD 

and EPA. These regulations would preempt state regulation of wastewater discharges from Armed 

Forces vessels. The Phase I rulemaking determined that 25 discharges from Armed Service Vessels 

require control devices. A Cumulative Impact Assessment has been completed, and the Phase II 

rulemaking is proceeding to address the fi rst of fi ve batches of discharges to be regulated. More 

specifi cally, OWOW and the Navy collected samples and began to analyze discharge data from diesel-powered small boats to determine the nature of the substances in wet exhaust. Once the analysis 

is complete, the agencies will determine an appropriate standard for the discharge. (Contact: Brian 

Rappoli, 202-566-1548)

OWOW Helps Plan for Future of U.S. Marine Transportation System 

During 2006, OWOW actively participated in numerous meetings related to the Cabinet-level Commi ee on the Marine Transportation System (CMTS), including the CMTS workshop to develop a 

national strategy to improve and integrate the marine transportation system in an environmentally 

sound, safe, secure and effi cient manner to meet the nation’s needs into the future. OWOW is the 

Agency lead and supports the Administrator and OW Assistant Administrator at high-level CMTS 

meetings. OWOW represents EPA in various interagency action teams and work groups to develop 

the CMTS national strategy and other reports. (Contact: Virginia Fox-Norse, 202-566-1266)

Protecting Oceans and Coasts
15

Protecting Watersheds

Total Maximum Daily Load Development Continues at Record Pace

OWOW continues to work with states and 

tribes to implement total maximum daily loads 

(TMDLs) for restoring impaired waterbodies. 

Over 4,500 TMDLs were completed in FY 2006; 

over 23,000 TMDLs have been approved to date. 

(Contact: Sarah Furtak, 202-566-1167) 

Dedicated TMDL funding is commi ed and obligated effi ciently in support of this success, with 

Headquarters and the Regions on pace to obligate all $8.5M of FY 2006 TMDL dedicated funds 

by January 31, 2007. These funds continue to 

provide necessary technical and programmatic 

support to the Regions and states in meeting 

TMDL technical needs and legally mandated 

schedules. (Contact: Tim Icke, 202-566-1211) 

Key Guidance to States Drives Be er Impaired Water Lists and TMDLs

OWOW worked in conjunction with the states 

and other stakeholders to develop and issue key 

technical and policy guidance, best practices, and 

other documents to facilitate the timely submi al 

of accurate state impaired water lists and TMDLs 

that are consistent with sound science and court 

decisions. Impaired water listing guidance for 

2008 was issued in Oct. 2006, giving states the 

longest lead time to date in developing their integrated reports. Technical guidance on dealing with 

important court cases regarding daily pollutant 

loads, phased TMDLs, and load duration curves 

was also developed for broad review and use. 

(Contact: Michael Haire, 202-566-1224)
16

$14 million to be awarded in 4th Round of Targeted Watersheds 

Grant Program

The Targeted Watersheds Grant (TWG) program

continues to be an integral part of the Agency’s

watershed approach to clean water by providing

assistance to state and local community partnerships to protect inland and coastal watersheds. In

2006 two Requests for Proposals were released.

For only the second time since its inception,

proposals were submi ed for Capacity Building

Grants, as well as for the annual Implementation

Grants. Special emphasis was placed on capacity

building projects focused on underserved areas,

including Appalachia, the Great Plains, and 

the Arid West. In its fi rst three years, the 

Agency awarded Implementation grants 

totaling over $37 million to 46 watershed 

organizations in 34 states. For more information, visit www.epa.

gov/twg. (Contact: 

Erin Collard, 202-566-

2655)

Water Quality Trading Training 

and Awards Program Promotes 

Excellence

In 2006, EPA launched a new training course to 

educate people about how trading programs allow point source facilities facing higher pollution 

control costs to meet their regulatory obligations 

by purchasing environmentally equivalent (or superior) pollution reductions from another source 

at lower cost, thus achieving the same water 

quality improvement at lower overall cost. EPA 

also initiated a Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards Program in 2006, to provide national 

recognition to outstanding trading programs and 

policies. (Contact: Chris Lewicki, 202-566-1293

Protecting Watersheds

Innovative Approaches Provide 

Incentive for Restoration

In 2006, OWOW advanced a number of approaches to emphasize implementation of measures that 

accelerate a ainment of water quality standards. 

Among these approaches was supporting TMDL 

alternatives that involve immediate implementation, known as “Category 4b.” Over 100 Category 

4b rationales (representing 14 states in 8 EPA regions) were reviewed. EPA also continued with a 

programmatic collaboration on Category 4b with 

the Forest Service that will lead to pilot projects in 

2007 (Contact: Eric Monschein, 202-566-1547) 

Additionally, OWOW supported the use of TMDL 

surrogates to address pollutant impairments 

caused by stormwater, as well as provided training and information to drive pathogen TMDL 

development in ways that will more readily bring 

about water quality standard a ainment. (Contact: Christine Ruf, 202-566-1220)
17

Dra Guidance Helps Reduce Nonpoint Source Impacts from 

Hydromodifi cation

In 2006, OWOW developed dra guidance that provides technical assistance to states, territories, tribes, and municipalities for managing 

hydromodifi cation and reducing nonpoint source (NPS) pollution of 

surface and ground water. The document describes examples of practices 

that can be used to reduce NPS pollution from activities associated with 

channelization and channel modifi cation, dams, and streambank and 

shoreline erosion. Implementation of the guidance will result in increased 

use of scientifi cally sound, cost-eff ective hydromodifi cation management 

measures, and will support states in their eff orts to implement their NPS 

control programs. Based upon comments received through a Federal 

Register notice, OWOW is updating the dra guidance and will publish 

a fi nal version of the document during Spring 2007. More information 

is available at: www.epa.gov/nps/hydromod. (Contact: Chris Solloway, 

202-566-1202)

EPA Completes Ariel Rios Phase of Low Impact Development Project

EPA promotes the use of Low Impact Development (LID), an emerging 

set of practices to reduce the amount of pollution entering the nation’s waterways. To encourage wider adoption of LID, OWOW has taken the lead 

role to showcase several LID techniques at EPA’s Headquarters in Washington, DC. The demonstration project, spread across three sites—Ariel 

Rios South Courtyard, Constitution Avenue, and West Building Parking 

Garage—illustrates what LID practices can accomplish and shows their 

visual appeal. In 2006, the Ariel Rios South Courtyard project was completed, and it includes a short walking tour of sustainable LID practices. 

This plan serves as a model for the federal community and demonstrates many of the practices that 

can be employed to mitigate the eff ects of stormwater runoff and reduce combined sewer overfl ows 

into our waterways. It also demonstrates that sustainable design and LID can be utilized in high 

profi le urban sites that must pass through rigorous aesthetic design reviews. More information is 

available at: www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/stormwater_hq/ (Contact: Robert Goo, 202-566-1201)

Protecting Watersheds
18

Protecting Watersheds

Oracle-Based Grant Reporting 

System Tracks NPS Load Reductions

The §319 Grant Reporting and Tracking System 

(GRTS) is used by grant recipients (state agencies) 

to supply information about nonpoint source (NPS) 

management. GRTS includes information on NPS 

load reductions to waterbodies of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediments achieved as a result of Best 

Management Practices (BMPs) implemented under 

§319-funded watershed projects. Conversion to 

Oracle allows GRTS to seamlessly connect to other 

EPA Offi ce of Water data systems, e.g., Web-RIT, 

STORET, NTTS, WQSDB – all systems under the 

WATERS framework, as well as potential linkages to a 

variety of other Federal and State databases, models, 

and watershed planning and accountability tools. In 

the new framework, Oracle-based GRTS will greatly 

improve reporting capabilities for all end users, and 

answer questions for stakeholders, such as, where 

are watershed projects being developed and implemented? Are projects synchronized with impaired 

waters and established TMDLs? Do they pursue 

actions needed to reduce pollutant loads and a ain 

water quality standards? (Contact: Don Kunkoski, 

301-694-7329)

OWOW Builds Tribal Capacity 

to Address Nonpoint Source 

Four Tribal nonpoint source workshops were 

held in 2006 to provide training for compliance 

with section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The 

workshops included training to develop watershed plans that will result in measurable water 

quality improvements. As a result of recent 

competitive section 319 grant awards, 17 Tribes 

committed to developing robust watershedbased plans with intentions to implement them 

to restore impaired waters. Funded proposals 

also include implementation of various best 

management practices for road improvements, 

riparian restoration, streambank stabilization 

and revegetation projects, and pretreatment of 

irrigation return fl ows. Tribal §319 proposals 

have become more sophisticated over time as 

a result of training, funding, and the desire of 

Tribal Nations to protect their valuable water 

resources. (Contact: Andrea Matzke,

202-566-1150)

Restored Waterbody Success Stories Double Through Use of 319 Funds

The Nonpoint Source Success Stories Web site (www.epa.gov/nps/

Success319) features waterbodies identifi ed by states as being primarily nonpoint source-impaired and having achieved documented 

water quality improvements. This Web site expanded from 26 

stories in 2005 to 39 stories in 2006. The number of stories highlighting partially or fully restored waterbodies doubled from 14 to 28.

The State of Vermont added four new stories, while Pennsylvania, 

Alabama, New Hampshire, Texas, Nevada, Connecticut, Michigan, 

and American Samoa all contributed their fi rst success stories to 

this Web site. Also noteworthy are three stories which highlight 

successes across two waterbodies each. (Contact: Andrea Matzke, 

202-566-1150)
19

Total Maximum Daily Loads

Protecting Watersheds

Outreach to Counties on TMDLs Invites Collaboration

EPA worked with the National Association of Counties (NACo) to create an 

issue brief to inform and educate local governments on what TMDLs are, 

how counties benefi t from TMDLs, and how counties can get involved in 

TMDL development and implementation. This water quality planning publication raises awareness of TMDLs among local governments. Follow-up 

participation by EPA in National meetings and conferences helped ensure 

that counties are now be er equipped to inform and educate watershed 

groups on the ground about watershed planning. (Contact: Sarah Furtak, 

202-566-1167)

OWOW Leads Development of Capacity-Building Strategy for Local 

Watershed Groups

 In 2006, OWOW dra ed and got broad OW program and Regional support on a national strategy for 

building the capacity of local governments and watershed groups which will support the development 

and implementation of TMDLs and watershed plans, and leverage support to help us meet our broad 

strategic planning goals. The strategy identifi es three priorities on which OW 

and Regions will focus to accelerate local watershed protection eff orts:

1) Target training and tools to areas where existing groups can deliver environmental results;

2) Enhance support to local watershed organizations through third party providers (e.g., federal partners, EPA assistance agreement recipients); and

3) Share best watershed approach management practices. 

(Contact: Sarah Furtak, 202-566-1167)
20

Improving Monitoring and Assessment

First-Ever Assessment of the Nation’s Wadeable Streams Completed

In 2006, EPA released a fi rst-ever, baseline study of the biological condition of the nation’s streams. 

This Wadeable Streams Assessment fi nds that 28% of stream miles are in good condition comparable 

to the best available sites in their ecological regions. Twenty-fi ve percent are in fair or intermediate 

condition, and 42% are in poor condition. An additional 5% of stream miles were not assessed. The 

most widespread stressors include nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), riparian disturbance, and 

streambed sediments. These stressors can degrade stream condition such that fi sh and other aquatic 

life may not be able to survive. The study fi nds that streams are twice as likely to have degraded 

biological communities when they have high levels of nutrients or excess sedimentation.

This study, one of a series of national statistically-based surveys of water resources, for the fi rst time 

describes the condition of all streams of the U.S. (except for Alaska and Hawaii, where programs are 

underway). It applies modern statistical survey techniques as a cost-eff ective alternative to sampling 

every mile of stream. The survey establishes a national baseline of conditions that will be compared 

to results from future studies, and helps managers evaluate the success of national eff orts to protect 

and restore water quality. The study also suggests that the Agency’s current focus on understanding 

and reducing levels of nutrients and sediments in the nation’s waters should yield important gains in 

water quality in coming years. The Wadeable Streams Assessment (EPA 841-B-06-002) is available on 

the Web at h p://www.epa.gov/owow/streamsurvey/. (Contact: Susan Holdsworth, 202-566-1187) 
21

EPA, States and Tribal Partners Launch Work on the Survey of the 

Nation’s Lakes

EPA co-sponsored a series of workshops in 2006 with lake managers from around the country to develop the scope of a national survey of the nation’s lakes and to select indicators and fi eld protocols 

to be used in the survey. This is another of a series of water surveys being conducted by states, tribes, 

the EPA, and other partners using consistent methods and modern survey techniques. The Lakes 

Survey will report on key indicators of ecological integrity, trophic status, and recreational quality 

of lakes of the U.S. This partnership aims to promote collaboration across jurisdictional boundaries; 

build state and tribal capacity for monitoring and analysis; gather a statistically-valid dataset of lake 

data for be er management of lakes; and develop baseline information to evaluate pollution control 

progress. The design of the Lakes Survey has now been established, and training and sample collection will occur in 2007. A national report is scheduled for 2009. For more information on the Lakes 

Survey, visit www.epa.gov/owow/lakes/lakessurvey/. (Contact: Carol Peterson, 202-566-1304)

NHDPlus Off ers New Geospatial Tools for Water Quality Managers 

Improving Monitoring and Assessment

Between 1996 and 2000, EPA, the U.S. Geological velocity estimates for pollutant dilution modeling. 

EPA and USGS have linked many water quality 

databases to NHDplus, including stream gauging stations, water quality monitoring sites, and 

impaired waters, enabling these databases to be 

queried and analyzed in upstream/downstream 

order. NHDplus greatly enhances the ability of 

researchers and water quality managers to analyze 

and model water quality data. For more information on NHDplus, visit www.epa.gov/waters. 

(Contact: Tommy Dewald, 202-566-1178)

Survey (USGS), and other federal, state and local

agencies collaborated to produce the National

Hydrography Dataset (NHD), a comprehensive

set of digital geospatial data about surface water

features such as streams, rivers and lakes. These

data can be used by water quality managers to

make maps, perform upstream/downstream queries, and link other water-related information to

the NHD network. 

In 2006, this interagency collaboration produced

NHDPlus, a suite of application-ready geospatial

products that build upon, and extend, the capabilities of the NHD. NHDplus integrates the 

NHD with the National Elevation Dataset and 

the National Watershed Boundary Dataset. It 

includes an enhanced NHD stream network with 

improved names, value-added a ributes (such as 

stream order), incremental drainage areas with 

landscape characteristics, and fl ow volume and 
22

Workshops Around the Country Reach Out to STORET Users 

During the spring and summer of 2006, OWOW’s STORET team held a series of 

meetings on the future of STORET. The distributed STORET database is transitioning to the Water Quality Exchange, or WQX, a new data transfer system that makes 

it easier to submit and share water quality monitoring data over the Internet. With 

WQX, States, tribes, and others who collect water quality data no longer need to 

use EPA’s STORET database in order to submit their information to the National 

STORET Data Warehouse. WQX, in essence, uses new Web technology to bring data 

sharing into the 21st century.

Five EPA Regional offi ces, Denver, Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Chicago, 

hosted meetings. The audience included state, regional and tribal water quality 

program specialists, water quality data managers, and information technology specialists. These outreach meetings helped the STORET team fi nalize the common data format for submi ing data to EPA’s 

National STORET Data Warehouse for chemical, physical and fi sh tissue data, and helped ensure that 

the format would meet the needs of the user community. The meetings also allowed the STORET team 

to help the STORET users determine the best ways of transitioning to WQX. For more information on 

WQX, visit www.epa.gov/STORET/WQX. (Contact Kristen Gunthardt, 202-566-1194)

Improving Monitoring and Assessment
23

Promoting Watershed Planning

Dra Version of Watershed Plan Builder Completed

A er more than two years in the making, in 2006, the Watershed Planning Team completed a dra 

version of an internet-based Watershed Plan Builder. On April 18, 2007, the tool was offi cially announced on the EPA homepage and launched on the OWOW Web site at: www.epa.gov/owow/watershedplanning The tool is designed to promote the development and implementation of comprehensive 

watershed plans that protect and restore the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation’s 

waters. It will help organizations develop watershed plans that are tailored to the concerns and issues specifi c to their watersheds, thus helping them achieve state water quality standards and other 

environmental objectives. 

The Watershed Planning Team is working to implement a broad outreach and communications strategy 

to ensure watershed partners are aware of the tool and able to use it eff ectively. The Plan Builder has 

already been rolled out at EPA Headquarters and in the Regions through a series of Webcasts, and a 

Watershed Academy Webcast is planned for May 2, 2007 for a broad external audience. A training 

session will also be held for watershed partners at River Network’s River Rally in May 2007. During the 

next six months, the Plan Builder will be available to watershed organizations, federal and state agencies, tribes, universities and local governments to beta test the application and provide feedback.

The team also completed a concept paper on Watershed Central, an integrated watershed portal site 

that is currently under evaluation across the Agency. (Contacts: Stuart Lehman, 202-566-1205; Tracie 

Nadeau, 503-326-3685; Aileen Molloy, 202-566-1424)
24

Advancing Smart Growth

The Smart Growth and Water Team worked with 

key OW managers and outside experts to refi ne 

the team’s overall mission. In ‘06 and ‘07 the Team 

plans to focus on activities that “Integrate Smart 

Growth principles and watershed planning into 

land use decisions at the regional, neighborhood 

and site level scales.” OWOW’s Smart Growth 

Team plans to work with land use decision makers 

and watershed planners to achieve these goals and 

objectives. This strategic dialogue was a signifi cant 

accomplishment in ‘06 and set the stage for several 

successful team projects:

OWOW’s Role in Enhancing Neighborhood 

Design Awards for Smart Growth 

OWOW provided extensive leadership to enhance 

eff orts by the green building community to develop standards and award systems for neighborhood 

design. OWOW’s partnership led to the incorporation of a more comprehensive approach to storm 

water management in the incentive program 

sponsored by the US Green Building Council. The 

team helped write the dra water resource credits 

for the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in 

Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Neighborhood Development pilot program.

Success in Enhancing Decision Support Tools 

for Water Resource Planning, Protection and 

Community Design 

The team provided technical assistance and funding to support eff orts to incorporate Low Impact 

Development (LID) techniques into the widely 

used TR-55 based runoff models. This eff ort is 

a partnership with academia, EPA Region 5 and 

USDA. The team has also been working closely 

with OPEI and OWM to promote the implementation of LID and smart growth concepts into the 

NPDES Phase II stormwater permit program.

(Contacts: Robert Goo, 202-566-1201; Rebecca Dils 

202-566-1378; and Jamal Kadri, 202-566-1248).

New Guide for Counties on Land Use Tools

OWOW’s Smart Growth Team 

worked in partnership with the 

National Association of Counties 

(NACo) to produce a guide to decision support tools that link land use 

decisions to water resource protection. The “County Water Quality Issue Brief – Commonly Used Tools 

Available to Counties and County 

Best Practices” will be widely distributed to local governments and 

urban design networks. 

Partnership with State Decision Makers

In 2006, recognizing the important role state political leadership plays in supporting watershed 

health as it relates to smart development, the team 

secured a partnership with the Governors Institute 

on Community Design. Through fi nancial and 

technical support, water quality concerns were 

brought to the forefront in high-level discussions 

with various state leaders, including Rhode Island 

and Virginia. 

Training for Coastal Communities

The team and the NEP program partnered with 

NOAA and state coastal resource managers to 

develop a training course to help those involved 

in the planning, growth and development of their 

coastal community learn more about alternative 

development. The fi rst “live” training was off ered 

in South Carolina at the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve with participants from 

planning commissions, planning agencies, regional council of governments, and citizen groups. 

Evaluation results showed that 95% of participants 

increased their knowledge of alternative planning 

and development. Furthermore, 100% of participants said they would recommend this course to 

another coastal professional. Several trainings are 

planned for 2007, including in Puerto Rico, Ohio, 

Alaska, and Texas. 
25

Addressing Gulf Hypoxia

Gulf Hypoxia Team Sets the Stage for First Reassessment of Progress 

since 2001

Action Plan and Reassessment

2006 proved to be a very eventful year in organizing 

and executing eff orts to reduce the Gulf of Mexico 

hypoxic zone. In their 2001 Action Plan, the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task 

Force agreed that the eff ects of nutrient reduction 

loads would be assessed in fi ve years; 2006 served 

as an important year in the reassessment timeframe. 

The 12th Task Force Meeting in December of 2005 

set the stage for a two-year process to ensure a comprehensive reevaluation of progress and the Action 

Plan strategy through key decisions and dialogue by 

the Task Force. Initiatives include review by EPA’s 

Science Advisory Board (SAB) of the state of the 

science of Gulf hypoxia and management practices 

- the minutes from these meetings are posted on 

EPA’s SAB webpage. Designated Task Force staff 

has met to spotlight specifi c issues including causes 

of hypoxia and nutrient sources, fate, and transport. 

Four scientifi c symposia were held, serving as a forum for scientifi c exchange; emerging research and 

technologies, modeling eff orts, and management 

approaches in the context of policy implementation 

were addressed as key issues.

The Mississippi River Basin and Gulf of Mexico 

Hypoxia Website

The Web site has continued to be supplemented 

with current reassessment documents from Task 

Force Meetings and background information on 

hypoxia and its ecological and economic impacts. 

Interactive features highlight those who have been 

greatly aff ected by the changing landscape - the 

communities and regions that defi ne the culture 

and traditions of the Mississippi River Basin. The 

Web site is slated for further development, to supplement ongoing education and outreach eff orts to 

encourage public participation and awareness, in 

the upcoming year. 

Commitment to Progress

The 2001 Action Plan called for Sub-basin Commi ees to further tailor the nutrient reduction 

activities to the needs of the diff erent regions 

throughout the basin. These Sub-basin Committees, in the Upper Basin, Ohio Basin, and Lower 

Basin, have supported overall goals through 

implementation of regional initiatives that 

include working to establish connections with 

key stakeholders throughout the sub-basins. 

The expectations set forth by the Task Force in 

2005 were met in 2006 and the goals that were 

developed at the 13th Task Force Meeting, conducted in early 2007, hold the same promise for 

future advancement. This work will provide a 

roadmap and secure completion of a new Action 

Plan, which refl ects key reassessment decisions, 

on schedule. (Contact: Darrell Brown, 202-566-

1256)

The Web site can be accessed at: www.epa.

gov/msbasin/.
26

Improving Communications

Monthly Webcasts Provide Free Watershed Training for Thousands

OWOW continued to hold monthly Watershed Academy Webcasts in 2006 -- reaching more than 3,000 people around the 

U.S. and beyond. EPA staff , states, watershed groups and others tune into these free, two-hour Webcasts. Webcasts are also 

archived on the Watershed Academy Web site so thousands 

more are benefi ting from this training 24-7. 2006 Webcasts 

covered a variety of watershed topics including the benefi ts of 

watershed-based permi ing, integrating drinking water and 

watershed programs, the new Watershed Planning Handbook, 

and other topics. For more information on future Webcasts or to 

listen to past Webcasts visit: www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts 

(Contacts: Anne Weinberg, 202-566-1217; Pa y Sco , 202-566-

1292; and Meghan Klasic, 202-566-1162)

New Course on Key EPA Internet-based Tools for Watershed Management Developed

This new Watershed Academy Course was developed to help watershed groups and others become 

aware of and use our many Internet-based tools for watershed management. A pilot off ering of the 

course was given at the River Rally in May 2006. A hands-on computer-based version of the training 

was given at the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forum in Nov. 2006. Additional hands-on computer based 

training is scheduled for spring 2007 at EPA Regional offi ces using their computer labs. (Contacts: Anne 

Weinberg, 202-566-1217; Meghan Klasic, 202-566-1162)

Watershed Education and Training Hits the Airwaves 

In 2006, OWOW funded the development of an interactive, on-line watershed training program for 

broadcast meteorologists under a cooperative agreement with the National Environmental Education 

and Training Foundation (NEETF). The watershed course 

is accessible on the Cooperative Program for Operational 

Meteorology, Education & Training (COMET®)’s MetEd 

Web site at: www.meted.ucar.edu/broadcastmet/watershed/. OWOW’s grant also supports NEETF’s weekly Earth 

Gauge newsle er. Earth Gauge includes tips and other 

environmental information tied to the local and regional 

broadcasts’ forecasts that can readily be used by the meteorologists on-air, on-line or in their media blogs. For more 

information, visit: www.earthgauge.net/. (Contact: Pa y 

Sco , 202-566-1292)

Watershed News 

OWOW continues to produce monthly Watershed News announcements that are sent via a listserve with 

more than three thousand subscribers, including watershed groups, state and local agencies and other 

watershed practitioners. www.epa.gov/watershed/news.html. (Contact: Pa y Sco , 202-566-1292)
27

Promoting Sustainable Financing

In May 2006, the OWOW Finance Team conducted 

a funders’ forum at the River Rally with eight 

foundations, EPA’s Grants Administration Division (GAD), and OWOW’s Director participating. 

The team developed a report on foundation needs 

and possible pilot projects that provided guidance 

for its 2007 projects.

Watershed Funding Roundtable and EFAB 

Briefi ngs

In March 2006, the team conducted a successful Watershed Funding Roundtable with public 

and private sector watershed stakeholders and 

funders. The team identifi ed participants and 

developed questions for facilitator and breakout 

groups. They also reviewed the roundtable report 

and Environmental Financial Advisory Board’s 

(EFAB) le er to EPA Administrator Steve Johnson. 

In addition, the team organized an EFAB briefi ng 

for the Sustainable Infrastructure Steering Commi ee on the roundtable 

outcomes.

Plan2Fund Prioritization Tool

To improve the eff ectiveness of watershed fi nance 

eff orts, the team enhanced the Plan2Fund tool 

by developing a new prioritization component. 

Plan2Fund is a watershed planning tool developed 

by the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at 

Boise State University that helps organizations 

determine the amoung of funding they need to 

meet the goals and objectives of their watershed 

plan. Plan2Fund walks users through the process 

of estimating the costs of their watershed program 

plan’s goals and objectives, assessing any local 

matches, and determining the amount of funding 

they need to meet users’ goals and objectives. The 

prioritization enhancement in Plan2Fund will help 

watershed organizations set priorities, thereby, 

empowering them to improve the eff ectiveness of

their watershed fi nance eff orts. In 2006, the team

organized two popular Webcasts on Plan2Fund and

sustainable funding strategies for local watershed

groups. (www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts) 

New Finance Distance Learning Module

The team also oversaw the development of a

fi nance distance learning module that will enable watershed organizations to develop more

eff ective watershed fi nance strategies. In 2006, a

beta version was posted on-line. The fi nal training

module will be made available through the EPA

Watershed Academy in 2007. Other accomplishments include:

• Conducted outreach to educate key stakeholders regarding eff ective fi nance tools, watershed

fi nance strategies, and National Estuary Program leveraging success.

• Presented a paper and a moderated panel at

EPA Community Involvement Conference on

OWOW watershed fi nance tools (June). 

• Presented OWOW fi nance planning tools at

America Water Resources Association conference (November).

• Convened a panel at the Council of Infrastructure Financing Administrators on funding and

selected green infrastructure technologies (November)

• Presented overview of OWOW fi nance tools

and NEP leveraging successes and strategies at

Restore America’s Estuaries National Conference (December).

(Contact: Tim Jones, 202-566-1245)
28

Fostering Diversity

OWOW Diversity Action Team Broadens Appreciation of Cultural 

Diversity

The FY 2006 Diversity Action Plan focused on 

various events to promote inclusion and equity 

in OWOW’s workforce and to promote and understand diff erent cultures. The theme for the FY 

2006 Diversity Action Plan was Native American 

Indians. OWOW planned a variety of training 

sessions, fi eld trips, and book club discussions. 

OWOW also has increased the number of Diversity 

Action Team (DAT) members. 

FY 2006 Accomplishments include:

Monthly Diversity Action Team Book Club meetings. OWOW staff selected Spirit and Reason by 

Vine Deloria, Jr., for the OWOW Diversity Book 

Club. Spirit and Reason discusses many issues such 

as education and religion as they relate to Native 

Americans. The Book Club meeting participants 

off ered their observations to contribute to a freefl owing discussion on how Vine’s writings have 

broadened our appreciation for cultural diversity. 

A series of lunchtime brown bag discussions 

started in March 2006 through August 2006.

Kathy Hill and Joseph Dupris’ presentation and 

discussion. Kathy and Joseph shared many of 

their experiences with over 60 OW and OWOW 

staff. They discussed tribal perspectives and 

EPA’s relationships with tribes. The staff also 

shared their experiences in working with Indians 

and Tribes. Following the presentation, a smaller 

group met to discuss tribal eff orts to protect tribal 

water rights. (Feb. 9, 2006)

Movies: Edge of America. This movie was 

featured in honor of African American History 

Month. Over 60 OW and OWOW staff a ended 

Edge of America. The movie is about an American minority, living as minority, among another 

American minority. It is the story of people coming together, realizing their cultural baggage and 

that assumptions can be wrong. (Feb. 23, 2006)

American Indian History Museum fi eld trip.

The managers and staff participated in a fi eld trip 

to the American Indian Museum. Following the 

tour of the museum, Ella Mulford with the OW 

American Indian Offi ce shared her personal experiences growing up on the Navajo reservation. 

(June 2006)

Career Job Fair for persons with Disabilities.

OWOW staff participated and assisted people with 

disabilities at the EPA Career Job Fair. Two people 

with disabilities were interviewed for jobs in the 

Policy, Communication, and Resources Management Staff . (March 30, 2006)

Completion of FY 2007 Action Plan and Theme.

The Diversity Action Team selected a theme for 

the plan and also completed the OWOW FY 2007 

Diversity Action Plan. (Sept. 2006)

(Contact: Janice Wingfi eld, 202-566-1151)

Bonne Thie receives award for her exceptional work 

to promote diversity at EPA.
29

Visit OWOW on the Web at: 

www.epa.gov/owow