USDA seeks project proposals to improve water quality in Mississippi River Basin
Posted on Thursday, March 4, 2010The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking project proposals that will improve water quality and the overall health of the Mississippi River in 41 eligible watersheds in 12 states. The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative, through which up to $75 million will be available for partnership projects, was published in the Federal Register this week. Proposals are due by May 1. The RFP explains the procedures for potential partners to sign agreements with USDA for projects that meet with the initiative's objectives.
Healthy Watersheds through Healthy Forests Initiative
Posted on Wednesday, February 3, 2010The Virginia Department of Forestry is one of three partners selected to participate in the $6 million "Healthy Watersheds through Healthy Forests Initiative" (HWHF), which seeks to advance the connection between forest management and water quality and quantity. The other two participating organizations are the Conservation Trust for North Carolina and the Pinchot Institute for Conservation. The project will focus on three specific watersheds and is supported by a combination of funding, including $2 million from the NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants program, a $2 million investment from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, and at least $2 million in on-the-ground match from project partners.
New bill in the House promotes 'green infrastructure' to address water quality
Posted on Friday, December 4, 2009From E&E News (subscription): Reps. Donna Edwards (D-MD), Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Steve Driehaus (D-OH) introduced legislation this week aimed at promoting "green infrastructure" technology as a solution to water quality issues. The bill would advocate methods that rely on soil and plant life to absorb and filter storm water before it carries pollution from roads and farms to nearby waters. The bill would also create green infrastructure centers across the country to provide research, training and technical assistance to communities for implementing green infrastructure best management practices.
Report: forests and drinking water in the Northeast and Midwest
Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009The Forest Service's Northeastern Area region of State & Private Forestry recently released a report called "Forests, Water, and People" (PDF) that examines the relationships between forests and the protection of clean drinking water across the Northeast and Midwest. Forests are the crucial first barrier to protection of drinking water, and managing forests for source water protection is becoming more important as the population and water demand increase.
