SFI call for applications for conservation partnerships grants related to water, climate
Posted on Wednesday, February 1, 2012The Sustainable Forestry Initiative forest certification program has opened a Request for Proposals for its Conservation and Community Partnerships Grants program, inviting applications for projects that illustrate or inform the role of SFI in supporting water resources. Exploratory research proposals on projects relating to the role of SFI certification in mitigating or adapting to climate change are also welcome. The deadline for 2012 grant applications is Wednesday March 14, 2012.
National ski group sues Forest Service to keep water rights
Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2012The National Ski Areas Association has sued the Forest Service over a revised permitting clause that requires ski areas to transfer some water rights to the government. A major contention between the Forest Service and the ski industry is the agency's assertion that the new water-rights clause does not impact water rights secured on private or non-federal lands.
Forest owners and states petition to reverse Ninth Circuit on forest roads
Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2011A group of twenty-six state Attorneys General joined forest owners and industry groups in filing briefs asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling that rainwater runoff from forest roads used for timber harvest is a "point source" of water pollution under the Clean Water Act.
National Wetlands Awards nominations sought
Posted on Friday, October 14, 2011The National Wetlands Awards Program is calling for nomincations of individuals who have demonstrated excellence in wetlands conservation. Awards are offered in six categories: conservation and restoration; education and outreach; landowner stewardship; science research; state, tribal, and local program development; and wetland community leader. Deadline is December 15.
'Trees for Tribs' program to protect and restore New York watersheds
Posted on Friday, October 14, 2011The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently partnered with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for a tree planting event as part of the Lake Champlain Basin "Trees for Tributaries" program. The program's goals are to restore and protect the stream corridors that comprise the Lake Champlain Watershed, particularly communities affected by the swollen rivers and streams following Tropical Storms Irene and Lee.
To protect water supply, cities sharing costs of slowing wildfires
Posted on Friday, August 19, 2011A $33 million, five-year partnership between the public utility Denver Water and the USDA Forest Service is supporting restoration projects on more than 38,000 acres of national forest watersheds critical for Denver's water supplies and infrastructure. Partnerships that leverage non-federal dollars are critical as the Forest Service brings its budget to fiscally concerned lawmakers in Washington.
NASF supports Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act
Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2011The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision declaring stormwater management systems on forest roads as "point sources" subject to an NPDES permit. NASF supports the Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act that has been introduced in the U.S. Senate (S 1369) and U.S. House of Representatives (HR 2541), which would amend the Clean Water Act to exempt the conduct of silvicultural activities from NPDES permitting requirements.
NASF submits comments on Clean Water Act guidance
Posted on Wednesday, July 27, 2011NASF joined seven other state health and environmental agencies in submitting comments to the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the scope of jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The comments come in response to a Federal Register notice issued in May on proposed guidance for the Identification of Waters Protected by the CWA, which describes watersheds, streams, tributaries and other bodies of water, with varying implications for state agencies given the vast differences in geography and climate in various regions.
Obama administration affirms comprehensive commitment to clean water
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2011The Obama administration has released a national clean water framework that emphasizes the importance of partnerships and coordination with states, local communities, stakeholders, and the public to protect public health and water quality, and promote the nation's energy and economic security. The framework outlines a series of actions underway and planned across federal agencies. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack affirmed USDA is "working with farmers, ranchers and forest owners to conserve land, plant stream buffers for cleaner water, and install other conservation practices."
Most Americans unaware of connection between forests, water
Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2011More than 75 percent of Americans don't know where their drinking water comes from, according to a poll commissioned by the Nature Conservancy. TNC also found that most Americans are unaware of the role of forests in ensuring both the quality and quantity of water by absorbing, storing, cleaning and slowly releasing water to streams and aquifers.
