Who We Are

Publications 

Partnerships

Links

Visiting D.C.

News Stories

The Summer Archives Issue is published in early September to keep our readers informed of activities of interest that occurred during the Congressional Recess in August.  

While no bills were introduced nor Hearings held, nonetheless there has been Life in the Capitol among the Federal Agencies, in the Courts and around the nation that may be of interest to you.

Pledge to Sign-Up More Conservation Partners

During a campaign stop-over on a farm in Le Sueur, Minnesota on August 4^th, President Bush announced initiatives his Administration will be taking to preserve and restore wetlands and wildlife habitats.  One is to encourage new enrollment -and begin the re-enrollment process- in the voluntary Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) on farm land to protect environmentally sensitive areas from agricultural development.  Another initiative will be to enlarge the definition of eligible land to be protected, to include non-flood plain systems called playa lakes.  And he also pledged to increase the population of northern bobwhite quail by enrolling grass buffers around farms.

Executive Order Mandates Cooperation between Federal. Local Environmental Interests

President Bush signed an Executive Order on Aug. 26^th that mandates Federal agencies overseeing environmental and natural resource programs “implement laws relating to the environment and natural resources in a manner that promotes cooperative conservation, with an emphasis on appropriate inclusion of local participation in Federal decision-making.”  The Facilitation of Cooperative Conservation law would ensure cooperation for environmental policy decisions among Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments, including local nongovernmental entities and even individuals.  The law affects the Environmental Protection Agency and the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and Defense.

A spokesman for the White House Council on Environmental Quality said, “These really are guidelines to ensure that local opinions and local interests are kept in mind as decisions are being made in Washington and to bolster local involvement.  The order formalizes the President's philosophy for improving cooperative conservation.”  However, the Sierra Club is critical of the timing of the Executive Order, noting it comes during the 2004 presidential campaign.   Facilitation of Cooperative Conservation is available at :  http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040826-11.html 

U.S. Begins GEOSS Project

At an August 17^th briefing, EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt and NOAA Administrator Conrad C. Lautenbacher announced the formation of a plan to cooperate in an international effort to develop the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), tracking atmospheric and water conditions around the planet, that is already underway at 15 Federal government Agencies.  They intend to release further details by the end of the summer.  The system would consist of electronically interconnected arrays of satellites, ocean buoys, and ground-based air and water quality monitors, all operated by several governments and international researchers.  It has been estimated that about 30 percent of the U.S. Gross National Product is in some way dependent on either atmospheric, weather, and water conditions and data.  The GEOSS project would greatly expand the ability to track and model natural disasters, such as tornados, hurricanes and severe storms.  Individual nations are expected to unveil independent strategic plans.

In July of 2003, the Bush Administration initiated the first Earth Observation Summit in Washington, D.C. that proposed the worldwide network of observation systems, and in April of 2004, 44 nations and 26 international groups sent representatives to Tokyo for the second Earth Observation Summit.  A third global summit is scheduled for Feb. 16, 2005.

DOE Produces Clearer Picture of National Carbon Emissions

According to the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center at Oak Ridge Laboratory (of the Department of Energy) the United States doubled its carbon emissions between 1960 and 2001.  The information was released in a paper on Aug. 23^rd entitled Estimates of Annual Fossil-Fuel CO₂ Emitted for Each State in the U.S.A. and the District of Columbia for Each Year from 1960 through 2001, using calculations based upon the mass of carbon in the CO₂ molecules that are released from both burning coal and petroleum products.  The nation’s carbon emissions peaked in the 1970s, and began to decline through the ‘80s.  The level of carbon emissions then resumed a growth rate, but more slowly than pre-1970 rates.

The paper researched per-capita emission state-by-state, and found that in 2001 California emitted about 3 Mg/person, while Wyoming emitted about 34 Mg/person.  This was attributed to that fact that “carbon emissions from coal combustion have increased sharply in states that export electricity produced from local deposits of low-sulfur coal…”  The EPA has updated its online data tables for state carbon dioxide emissions from energy use with some of the information collected in the DOE report.  Estimates of Annual Fossil-Fuel CO₂ Emitted for Each State in the U.S.A. and the District of Columbia for Each Year from 1960 through 2001 is available at:  http://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/emis_mon/stateemis/emis_state.htm

Columbia River Dams Must Continue Spills

On July 28^th,  the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon issued a bench ruling that prohibits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from a plan to reduce the volume of planned spills at several dams along the Columbia River system beginning August 1^st  (National Wildlife Federation v. National Marine Fisheries Service).  Such spills benefit newly-spawned salmon in their migration to the sea, and keep them from the dams’ turbines.  The Corps and the Bonneville Power Administration, which both developed the plan, claimed that making hydroelectric use of some of the spill water could save energy ratepayers between $20M and almost $30M, and that at this point in the year most salmon had already migrated past these dams.  However, Judge James Redden said the time to cut back on salmon recovery efforts underway on the Columbia River had not yet arrived, and he chastised the National Marine Fisheries Service for their approval of the spill-reduction plan.

Widespread Mercury Contamination in Fish Debated

Several environmental groups have been cooperating to research mercury contamination in fish across the nation, in a report entitled Reel Danger: Power Plant Mercury Emissions and the Fish We Eat released August 3^rd.  The U.S. Public Interest Research Group, the Clean Air Task Force, the National Environmental Trust, and U.S. PIRG coordinated efforts to publish the report along with proposals for reducing the level of mercury emissions from power plants, such as a market-based emissions trading scheme.  The basis of their report was the two-year long EPA investigation of 268 chemicals in fish at 260 lakes around the country.  All of the fish in the sample showed some mercury contamination, and although a majority exceeded the safe limit established by EPA, those were only the limits in the categories of children under three and women of average weight who eat fish at least twice per week.

The Director of the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council pointed out a study by the Illinois State Water Survey which concluded that soil mercury levels were too high to have been caused by airborne deposition from industrial sources, and may in fact be naturally occurring.  And the Director of the National Association of Manufacturers Air Quality said, "Environmental groups and their allies on the Hill are driving a massive public relations campaign that distorts the science, economics, and benefits of mercury regulation."  The report is available from Clear the Air at:  http://cta.policy.net/reports/reel_danger/reel_danger_report.pdf 

USGS Mercury Forum Outlines Dangers

A U.S. Geological Survey researcher at the "Mercury Workshop" announced on Aug. 17^th that mercury traces in the environment may have increased by three to five times during the past 100 years, due mostly to human activities such as coal-fired electric power plants and from agricultural runoff, and specified the borings into the Freemont Glacier in Wyoming as the cause of a sharp rise in the level of mercury deposition in that state.

It is the formation of organic methylmercury from elemental (metallic) mercury that poses the greatest human health risk, since methylmercury is absorbed by the human body more readily than metallic mercury and therefore becomes more toxic.  An EPA toxics researcher told the same forum that exposure to even low doses of mercury has neurological effects on young children that result in lower IQ scores.  The EPA proposed a rule on Jan. 30 to reduce mercury emissions from power plants 69% by 2018. 

EPA Website Devoted to Water Security Products

Following Sept. 11, drinking water security became a top priority at the EPA, and a water and wastewater product security guide webpage has been established at the EPA website with recommendations  for various products, such as computer software systems for real-time monitoring conditions called the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).  A SCADA system typically includes remote sensors, alarms at pump houses, reservoirs, and water tanks, as well as the central processing system, and would be useful to identify possible threats such as chemical, biological, or radiological contamination of drinking water, or physical damage to infrastructure, including pipes. 

The EPA’s water security web site covers water monitoring products, Communication / Integration products, Cyber Protection products and Physical Asset Monitoring and Control products.  It is a resource that could be quite useful to state and local governments, public health officials, emergency responders and planners, assistance and training providers, environmental professionals, researchers and engineers, and law enforcement officials.  EPA’s security products review webpage is located at:  http://www.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/guide/tableofcontents.html

Report on U.S. Sewer Overflows Details Widespread Health Risk

On August 26^th the EPA released a report on annual sewer discharges into U.S. waterways, rivers and lakes, entitled Report to Congress on the Impacts and Control of Combined Sewer Overflows and Sanitary Sewer Overflows, which is the second of two such studies mandated by the FY’01 Consolidated Appropriations Act, amending the Clean Water Act.   The report states that 860 billion gallons of wastewater are discharged annually through overflows, and corrections will cost an estimated $140 billion over 20 years.  The report did establish that sewer discharges had in fact decreased significantly over the past decade, mostly as the result of a policy issued in 1994 requiring municipalities to reduce their spills.  

The EPA report states there are 15,582 sanitary sewer systems in communities around the country, plus 4,846 “satellite” systems that collect and transport wastewater from outlying areas to centralized treatment plants.  The report said there are between 23,000 and 75,000 overflows annually, and estimated that between 3,448 and 5,576 illnesses occur from exposure to waters contaminated with bacteria and viruses from these overflows.  The Report to Congress on the Impacts and Control of Combined Sewer Overflows and Sanitary Sewer Overflows is available at  http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=5 

Changes to Pesticide Exemptions Announced

The EPA announced on Sept. 1^st that the application and review process for emergency exemptions from Federal pesticide regulations would be streamlined.  A proposed rule is to be published on Sept. 3^rd, and the Agency will seek public comment.  According to the EPA, the new rule is needed to “reduce the burden to applicants and EPA, and allow for quicker decisions by EPA, and provide more consistent and fairer determinations of 'significant economic loss' as the basis for an emergency."  The revisions allow for self-recertification of existing exemptions by state and federal agencies, and the switch to a new “loss-based” demonstration of emergency conditions.  

Surprising Number of Drugs Found in Treated Water

A U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist who collaborated with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Sept. 1^st that research showed a surprising number of prescription and nonprescription drugs survive the drinking water treatment process, but that the levels detected were "very low and did not come near meeting any type of established criteria for regulations.”  The report is entitled Persistence of pharmaceutical compounds and other organic wastewater contaminants in a conventional drinking water-treatment plant.  Many of the 106 chemical compounds identified were unregulated, but concern is justified in that they may be dangerous if they begin to form unanticipated compounds.  

The research was regionally limited in that the USGS collected 24 water samples from only one urban water treatment plant on the East Coast and from the two streams that provide source water for that facility.  It was published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, and according to the researcher, "We're currently undertaking more detailed studies to better understand the fate of these compounds at every step in the treatment process.” 

DoD Perchlorate Study “Inadequate”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) wrote a July 23^rd letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld refuting the recent Department of Defense report submitted to Congress on perchlorate contamination at closed military bases.  She called the seven-page report "inadequate and unresponsive to Congressional direction,” and she indicated it also failed to discuss implementing cleanup programs once perchlorate standards are inevitably established.  The DoD report apparently tested "only a fraction" of contaminated sites; some 14 of the 74 potentially contaminated sites that were listed in a recent GAO study.  The Senator urged the Defense Secretary to “address these deficiencies” immediately.

Great Lakes Report Not Fully Acted Upon, Says Commission

The governments of both the U.S. and Canada were criticized on August 31^st in a review by the International Joint Commission (IJC), announcing the failure to fully implement the Commission’s earlier recommendations for protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem.  The only fully implemented recommendation from the Feb. 2000 report entitled Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes has been the prohibition on major water removals. 

Some of the failures cited in the review were: not applying conservation measures in the use of Great Lakes water, under-funding the agencies that monitoring water usage and water quality, and an incomplete study of the role of groundwater in the Great Lakes ecosystem.  The IJC’s review, Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes: Review of the Recommendations in the February 2000 Report, is available at:  http://www.ijc.org/php/publications/pdf/id1560.pdfhttp://www.ijc.org/php/publications/pdf/ID1560.pdf 

Sweeping Changes Proposed for CA Environmental Protection Bureaucracies

A 2,500 page proposal for the reform of California’s state government was released Aug. 3^rd by the Governor’s task force, entitled California Performance Review Report, which suggests eliminating more than 100 of the 300 State Boards and Commissions which duplicate other’s functions.  Several of these Boards have environmental oversight of the coastline, wildlife, forests, and public lands, such as the California Air Resources Board and the State Water Resources Control Board.  The six agencies within the California Environmental Protection Agency would be reorganized under a new Department of Environmental Protection.

The report summarized that California’s “organizational structure does not mirror California's innovative and visionary legacy… [that] it is characterized by a lack of accountability, a lack of prioritization, and a lack of coordination.”  If all the suggestions were to be implemented, the savings are estimated at $31B over five years.  The task force’s proposal now sits before the Governor and a 21-member California Performance Review Commission that will hold a series of public hearings on the proposal at the University of California, Riverside this summer.

Los Angeles to Build More Sewer Lines

On August 6^th, the City of Los Angeles agreed to a long-standing Federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California over thousands of sewage spills that occurred between 1994 and 2002, agreeing to implement a comprehensive 10-year, $2 billion sewer repair and upgrade program.  City officials admitted liability for the 3,600 spills in April, 2003, but blamed a record-breaking El Nino rainy season for the overflows.  $8.5M will go to environmental projects to restore streams and wetlands and to treat polluted storm drain flows, and the settlement included $1.6 in civil penalties.

The City of Los Angeles operates the largest sewage-collection system in the nation, serving 4 million residents through more than 6,500 miles of sewer lines.  Almost 500 more miles of lines will be rebuilt, and cleaning will occur on 2,800 miles of lines each year.  Residential sewage fees are expected to increase by $1.75 per month through 2009.  

New Report on Water-Energy Connection

California's electricity and water shortages are related, according to the study "Energy Down the Drain: The Hidden Costs of California's Water Supply " by the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security, in cooperation with the Natural Resources Defense Council.  Available at:  http://www.nrdc.org/water/conservation/edrain/contents.asp

Friant Dam Held Responsible for San Joaquin River Woes

On August 27^th, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California ruled in favor of a coalition of conservation and fishing groups who claimed the Department of the Interior illegally dried up portions of California's second-longest river, the San Joaquin, after the completion of the Friant Dam and failed to release the amounts of water required by California law to keep river fisheries viable.  In an earlier ruling, the same Court held "null and void" 14 long-term water supply contracts allowing diversion of flows from the river.

The California Attorney General said the decision, "… is an important, welcome victory for California fisheries and longstanding principles governing environmental protection and water resources.  The court upheld a cardinal rule of California law: Water is a public resource…” 

New York Dismisses Pesticides Residue Case; Suggests Federal Venue

On July 29^th, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled against the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts and several environmental groups which had been trying to force the EPA to enact stricter regulations for nine pesticides that may adversely affect children ((New York v. EPA).  The Court held that it was "neither the proper forum nor the proper time" for hearing the claims filed against EPA, and referred the plaintiffs to the Federal Appeals Courts in order to amend language written by Congress in the Food Quality Protection Act. 

The pesticides are most frequently used on corn, wheat, rice, peanuts, carrots, squash, apples, and bananas … crops that children often eat.  However, one part of the Court’s ruling defined the EPA’s tolerance decisions as “final Agency actions”, and therefore open to legal challenge, which may indicate that all other EPA residue limits are likewise open to challenge.  

News Found on the Web

.................................................................................................................................................................

USDA and the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences Release Bilingual Conservation Publication                                                                                                                                                    Natural Resources Conservation Service    July 30, 2004

“Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the release of Protection of Soil and Water Resources, a book that promotes the understanding of conservation in the U.S. and Russia.  The 250-page publication, a 14-year project between USDA and the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, contains 20 articles written by American and Russian scientists on soil protection and fertility, water conservation and other natural resource issues.”  For more information go to: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/

NRCS Provides Nearly $6 Million of Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Funds                                Natural Resources Conservation Service    July 30, 2004

“USDA announced that nearly $6 million in Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) funds will be provided to 32 States to purchase permanent conservation easements on America's farms and ranches.  These funds have been reallocated to States that requested additional funding.”  For more information go to: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/

Service signs agreement with Ducks Unlimited to manage Federal Duck Stamp licensing program    Fish and Wildlife Service      August 16, 2004

“Ducks Unlimited will manage how Federal Duck Stamp images are licensed to manufacturers who place the images on a wide variety of consumer products.  Under the agreement, DU will use its expertise to expand and manage the licensing program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Federal Duck Stamp Program.”  For more information go to: http://news.fws.gov/NewsReleases/R9/683D9FBD-65B8-D693-7F4F2CD0B55191C8.html

Service proposes critical habitat for tiny San Joaquin Valley mammal                                    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service         August 16, 2004

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said today it is proposing critical habitat for the endangered Buena Vista Lake shrew in five areas of Kern County, in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California.  The agency's action comes in response to a court order.”  For more information go to:   http://news.fws.gov/NewsReleases/R1/693FE38A-65B8-D693-7854B0262513C2B8.html

Report Advises on Developing Salmon Research, Restoration Plan in Alaska                              National Academy of Sciences  August 19, 2004

“A new report from the National Academies' Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology and Polar Research Board provides advice to the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative on developing a research and restoration plan for AYK salmon.”  For more information go to: http://www.nationalacademies.org/topnews/

Spotted Frogs Make a Big Splash at Utah WRP Project                                                Natural Resources Conservation Service    August 16, 2004     

"Swaner Nature Preserve will be a hoppin' place in the coming years. With NRCS assistance, the preserve is conserving 530 acres of wetlands.”  The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program that allows private landowners to enter into a conservation easement that protects the functions and values of the wetland sites, and it also provides an opportunity for them to restore those functions and values.”  For more information go to:  http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/thisweek/2004/040811/home.html

Montana Ranchers Join EQIP to Protect Arctic Grayling                                               Natural Resources Conservation Service   August 16, 2004

“Through EQIP, NRCS and Montana ranchers are protecting habitat of the fluvial Arctic grayling. ‘It's my feeling that we would have been in big trouble without that program,’ said fisheries biologist Jim Magee.  The Service paid ranchers about $780,000 from its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help offset costs for ranchers willing to shorten their irrigation season this year to keep water in the river.”  For more information go to: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/thisweek/2004/040811/mtgraylingeqip.html

Southern California Tree Removal Effort Goes into High Gear                                         Natural Resources Conservation Service  August 19, 2004

“Tree removal efforts in and around the troubled San Bernardino National Forest have reached high gear, giving hope that catastrophic blazes can be avoided.  Roughly $3 million from NRCS has already been spent to drop thousands of dead trees officials said during a tour of the bark beetle-infested forest near Twin Peaks...”  For more information go to:  http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/thisweek/2004/040819/home.html

Environmental Document Available for the Hocker Flat Rehabilitation Project                           Bureau of Reclamation          August 23, 2004

“The Bureau of Reclamation (the Federal lead agency) and the Department of Water Resources (the State lead agency) announced the availability of an Environmental Assessment/Draft Environmental Impact Report for the “Hocker Flat Rehabilitation Site: Trinity River Mile 78 to 79.1” project.  The joint document is being prepared under guidance of the Trinity River Restoration Program and meets California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act requirements.”  For more information go to:  http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=1181

Trinity River Flows Increase to Assist Fall Fish Migration on Lower Klamath and Trinity Rivers    Bureau of Reclamation          August 20, 2004

“Based on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries recommendations, increased instream flows from Trinity River are set to start Sunday, August 22, 2004, the Bureau of Reclamation announced today.  The Service and NOAA Fisheries, along with the Trinity River Management Council, recommended the increased flows as a proactive measure to avert any potential fish mortality in the 2004 fall salmon run.”  For more information go to:  http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=1141

Draft EA Issued for Taneum Canal Company Water Acquisition                                         Bureau of Reclamation         August 19, 2004

“The Bureau of Reclamation issued a Draft Environmental Assessment for the Taneum Canal Company Water Acquisition, located in Kittitas County near the town of Thorp, Washington.  The purpose of the proposed action is to enhance anadromous fish habitat in Taneum Creek below the Taneum Canal Company diversion during winter months.”  For more information go to:  http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=1101

USDA Announces First Conservation Security Program Contract Singings                         Natural Resources Conservation District   Aug. 26, 2004

“Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman said today that nearly 2,200 farmers and ranchers have been selected as the first participants in the Conservation Security Program (CSP).  The privately-owned land impacted by the new program covers nearly 1.9 million acres in the 18 watersheds in 22 states selected for the fiscal year 2004 CSP sign-up. USDA expects to fully use the $41 million provided by Congress for this program.”  For more information go to:  http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0363.04.html

USDA Provides Additional $600,000 To Improve Fish And Wildlife Habitat On Private Lands      Natural Resources Conservation District   -Aug. 26^th 

“Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced that an additional $600,000 in Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) funds will help landowners in 21 states improve fish and wildlife habitat on their private lands.  This is in addition to the $33.3 million in fiscal year 2004 WHIP funding announced early this year.”  For more information go to:  http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0362.04.html

USDA Provides $2 Million for Sage Grouse Conservation and Recovery in Four States             Natural Resources Conservation District    Aug. 26, 2004 

“Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced that $2 million in Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) funds is available for special projects to help protect Greater sage grouse habitat in Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Washington.  Each state will receive $500,000 to protect and enhance sage grouse habitat on GRP easement lands, with technical assistance and additional financial assistance provided through state and local partnerships.”  For more information go to:  http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0361.04.html

NOAA’s New Global Climate Forecast System Increase Confidence of Weak El Niño                       Aug. 24, 2004

“NOAA scientists are becoming increasingly confident weak El Niño conditions are developing in the tropical Pacific, based in part on a new Climate Forecast System that became operational Tuesday.  The Climate Forecast System was developed at the NOAA Environmental Modeling Center in collaboration with NOAA Research.  NOAA expects weak El Niño conditions to develop by the end of August, and does not anticipate significant impacts from this potential El Niño in the U.S.”  For more information go to:  http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2004/s2302.htm

Redlands Fish Screen Contract Will Assist With Endangered Fish Recovery On Gunnison River          U.S. Bureau of Reclamation    August 27, 2004

“The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a $5 million contract for the construction of a fish screen in the Redlands Power Canal, below the Redlands Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River near Grand Junction, Colo.  The screen will prevent both endangered and native fish from entering the canal and being injured or killed in the canal system.”  For more information go to:  http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=1261

Bureau of Reclamation Eastern Montana Reservoir Information                                                            U.S. Bureau of Reclamation   August 27, 2004

“Drought conditions will continue to affect irrigation, power, and recreational water users throughout eastern Montana, according to Dan Jewell, recently named Area Manager for the Bureau of Reclamation's Montana Area Office.  The Federal water resource management agency released updated water supply information to help recreationists prepare for the upcoming September 4-6 Labor Day weekend.”  For more information go to:  http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=1241

Reclamation Makes Additional $354,000 Available for Emergency Drought Assistance in Nebraska                                                                                                                                                            U.S. Bureau of Reclamation   August 25, 2004

“Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner John Keys announced today that $354,000 in funding has been approved for nine emergency drought relief projects in the State of Nebraska.  This emergency funding, along with $531,500 approved earlier this year, will help Nebraska minimize losses and damages resulting from the current drought.”  For more information go to:  http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=1201

Truckee River Operating Agreement Revised Draft Environmental Document Available                  U.S. Bureau of Reclamation   August 25, 2004

“The U.S. Department of the Interior and California Department of Water Resources, as co-lead agencies, have jointly prepared a Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report for the Draft Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA).  The draft document is available for a 64-day public review and comment period.  Open houses and public hearings have been scheduled.”  For more information go to:  http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=1203

Environmental Document Available for the Hocker Flat Rehabilitation Project                                  U.S. Bureau of Reclamation   August 25, 2004

“BuRec and the Department of Water Resources announce the availability of an Environmental Assessment/Draft Environmental Impact Report for the "Hocker Flat Rehabilitation Site: Trinity River Mile 78 to 79.1”   The joint document is being prepared under guidance of the Trinity River Restoration Program and meets California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act requirements.”  For more information go to:  http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=1181

EPA Plans Four Possible New and Revised Industrial Wastewater Controls                             August 27, 2004

“EPA plans to examine four industry sectors for possible new or updated wastewater controls.  Under EPA’s 2004 Effluent Guidelines Plan, airport de-icing operations and drinking water supply and treatment facilities are candidates for possible new regulations. In addition, EPA may update existing industrial wastewater regulations for vinyl chloride manufacturing facilities and certain producers of chlorine.  The plan also identifies and establishes a rulemaking schedule for industries not currently covered by effluent guidelines.”  For more information go to:  http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf

Despite Progress, Sewer Overflows Still Pose Health and Environmental Concerns, EPA Reports                                                                                                            August 26, 2004

“In a comprehensive report to Congress, EPA finds that further control of sewer overflows is vital to reducing risks to public health and protecting the environment from water pollution.  EPA concludes that adequate funding, integrated local and regional watershed protection programs, improved water quality monitoring and reporting, and stronger partnerships among all levels of government, industry, and citizens will be needed to make further progress.”  For more information go to:  http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge Releases Draft Niobrara River Recreation Management Plan and Environmental Assessment                                                                                               U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service   August 27, 2004

“The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced completion of the Draft  Niobrara River Recreation Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for that portion of the Niobrara National Wild and Scenic River that flows within boundaries of the Ft. Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge near Valentine, Nebraska.”  For more information go to: http://news.fws.gov/NewsReleases/

Reclamation Commissioner John Keys to Present Water 2025 Challenge Grant Awards to Yuma Water Districts                                                                                                 Sept. 1, 2004

“Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner John Keys will be in Yuma, Ariz., on Friday, September 3, to participate in an event recognizing the award of Water 2025 Challenge Grants to the Gila Gravity Main Canal Board and the Yuma County Water Users' Association.”  For more information, go to:  http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=1441

Public Meetings Scheduled on the Conservation Implementation Program                     September 02, 2004

“The Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled a series of public meetings throughout the Klamath Basin to solicit input on the proposed multi-participant, basin-wide Conservation Implementation Program (CIP).  In addition to seeking confirmation that the current program in the CIP is what the participants requested, Reclamation is looking for interested parties to help identify consensus activities that can be immediately activated and to implement the CIP, a mechanism through which participants can work together to achieve program goals.”  For more information, go to:  http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=1461

Information on Fish Advisories Now Available

“EPA’s Administrator Mike Leavitt announced today the release of the 2003 National Listing of Fish Advisories. For the 12th year, EPA is providing the public with a compendium of information on locally-issued fish advisories, information that states, territories, and tribes give to EPA each year. EPA makes this information available to the public every summer.”  For more information, go to:  http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/

EPA and America's Clean Water Foundation Encourage Global Water Quality Monitoring Effort

(Washington, D.C. - Sept. 2, 2004) “Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and America's Clean Water Foundation will hold a news conference at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 3, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to help engage civic groups, churches and other organizations to participate in the second annual World Water Monitoring Day on Oct. 18, 2004. In its first year, World Water Monitoring Day drew participants from 24 countries to monitor and obtain information about the health of their local watersheds.”  For information about participating in the event and receiving water monitoring kits, go to: http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org . 

USGS Develops New Field Method for Detecting Chromium VI in Ground Water

“The USGS has developed a new analytical method for detecting toxic chromium VI (Cr(VI)) in ground water in the field. This new method enables scientists and resource managers to distinguish between the toxic and carcinogenic Cr(VI) and the more benign form of chromium–chromium III (Cr(III))–on site. The method overcomes several obstacles that prevented past methods from being able to accurately determinate the concentration of Cr(VI) in water.”  For information, go to:   http://toxics.usgs.gov/highlights/detecting_crvi.html

Bills Introduced in the Senate: July 26 - Sept. 3, 2004

Bills Introduced in the House: July 26 - Sept. 3, 2004

Western States Newspaper Headlines

 “Drought spurs landscapers to try new ideas”  East Valley Tribune, AZ  August 1, 2004  http://www.aztrib.com/index.php?sty=25671

“Water issues key to N. Arizona land swap”  Arizona Republic, AZ   Jul 31, 2004  http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/viewpoints/articles/0801mccain0801.html

“Carson River district recognized for water quality efforts”  Lahontan Valley News, NV  Jul 30, 2004  http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040730/News/107300009

“Water agency/East Bay MUD project’s a go”  Amador Ledger-Dispatch, CA  Jul 28, 2004  http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/news/newsview.asp?c=116923

“Californians still view environment as priority” - Alameda Times-Star  August 01, 2004  http://www.timesstar.com/Stories/0,1413,125~1511~2307979,00.html 

“State, federal governments easing pesticide reviews”  North County Times, CA  August 01, 2004  http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/08/02/news/state/20_27_058_1_04.txt

“State orders water flow cut”  Santa Rosa Press Democrat, CA  Jul 27, 2004  http://www1.pressdemocrat.com

“Rifle lifts boil-water order”  Glenwood Springs Post Independent, CO  Aug 1, 2004  http://www.postindependent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040801/VALLEYNEWS/108010006&rs=2

“El Dorado zebra mussels invade Oklahoma lake”  The Wichita Eagle, KS  8 hours ago  http://www.kansas.com/mld/eagle/news/local/9298396.htm

“Grant helps school solve water problems”  McCook Gazette, Nebraska  Jul 30, 2004  http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1073354.html

“Pipeline routes water to northeast”  Great Falls Tribune, MT  Aug 1, 2004  http://www.greatfallstribune.com/news/stories/20040801/localnews/955991.html

“Forecasters see benefits from new data quickly”  East Valley Tribune, AZ  August 01, 2004  http://www.aztrib.com/index.php?sty=25702

“Ice melting in talks over Portland-supplied water”  Oregonian, OR, August 5, 2004 http://www.oregonlive.com/metrowest

“Supervisors vote to help supply Sheep Creek Water Co.”  Victorville Daily Press, CA  August 4, 2004  http://www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1091624853,24687,

“Water district head leans toward Pajaro Desal Plan” Monterey County Herald, CA  August 3, 2004  http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/local/9308330.htm

“Dam mishap releases water, evacuates river”  Sacramento Bee, CA  August 6, 2004  http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/10270119p-11190376c.html

“Sobering thoughts on water” Denver Post, CO  August 3, 2004  http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~150~2310147,00.html

“Report: Barstow area water levels dropping” Desert Dispatch, CA  August 5, 2004  http://www.desertdispatch.com

“Castle Rock adds surcharge for excessive water use”  Douglas County News-Press, CO  August 5, 2004  http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1585&dept_id=190520&newsid=12594290&PAG=461&rfi=9

“Sewer rates up 40%”  Los Angeles Daily News, CA  August 7, 2004  http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~2319452,00.html

“'PET' project could save 20 percent of urban water”  AgNews, TX  August 4, 2004  http://agnews.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/SOIL/Aug0404a.htm

 “CRP sign-up to begin Aug. 30”  Grand Island Independent, NE  August 15, 2004  http://www.theindependent.com/stories/081604/new_crp16.shtml

“State boards may face demise - Review team calls for end of watchdog ...”  San Francisco Chronicle, CA  August 15, 2004  http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/08/16/GUV.TMP

“Jail will Pitch-in Water to Dilute Toxins”  The Signal, CA  Aug 14, 2004  http://www.the-signal.com/News/ViewStory.asp?storyID=5158

“Seven local construction firms found in violation of EPA”  Idaho State Journal, ID  Aug 15, 2004  http://www.journalnet.com/articles/2004/08/14/news/local/news09.txt

“From north to south, Nevada drought deepens”  Las Vegas Sun, NV  August 15, 2004  http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2004/aug/15/081510132.html

“Wildlife ventures to cost a bit more”  Houston Chronicle, TX  Aug 14, 2004  http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2737154

“Lake Powell a liability to water management”  Arizona Republic, AZ  Aug 10, 2004  http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0811breakout111.html

“Drought conditions continue in basin”  Williston Daily Herald, ND  Aug 14, 2004  http://www.willistonherald.com/articles/2004/08/15/news/news2.txt

“Ceremony kicks off Vinton water treatment plant”  El Paso Times, TX  Aug 9, 2004  http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/borderland/20040810-153689.shtml

“Pipeline, water treatment projects flow along”  Modesto Bee, CA  Aug 9, 2004  http://www.modbee.com/local/story/8968993p-9862100c.html

“Latest update shows RDX plume continuing to deplete”  Grand Island Independent, NE  Aug 14, 2004  http://www.theindependent.com/stories/081504/new_plume15.shtml

“A deal drying up”  Arizona Republic, AZ  August 15, 2004  http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0816mon1-16.html

“Carlsbad reaches tentative water deal”  North County Times, CA  Aug 20, 2004  http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/08/21/news/coastal/8_20_0419_05_53.txt

“Yuba flood talk draws interest”  Appeal-Democrat, CA  Aug 19, 2004  http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/2004/08/19/news/local_news/news4.txt

“LAFCO, grand jury agree on water issues, but not a solution”  NapaNet Daily News, CA  Aug 20, 2004 http://www.napanews.com/templates/index.cfm?template=story_full&id=89507E5B-E178-4B26-9B47-9A4B22F3A2B1

“Colorado River: Drought may alter accord”  Las Vegas Review-Journal, NV  Aug 20, 2004  http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Aug-20-Fri-2004/news/24580169.html

“Company presents plan for former plant”  Twin Falls Times-News, ID  Aug 20, 2004  http://www.magicvalley.com/news/localstate/index.asp?StoryID=11580

“Brown water around Newport looks bad, tastes poor, not dangerous”  Newport News Times, OR  Aug 18, 2004  http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2004/08/18/news/news04.txt

“State lags in testing tap water”  Arizona Republic, AZ  Aug 20, 2004  http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2004/08/18/news/news04.txt

“Hupa Indians battle to reclaim Trinity River”  San Francisco Chronicle, CA  Aug 22, 2004  http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/08/22/ING8689JT21.DTL

 “Mayor wants LA water agency to stop plans for new coal power plant ...”
Provo Daily Herald, UT  Aug 26, 2004  http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=32721&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

“Water officials at odds again with desalination company”
North County Times, CA  Aug 26, 2004  http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/08/27/news/top_stories/23_07_578_26_04.txt

“Changes in water process on tap”
Los Angeles Daily News, CA  Aug 28, 2004  http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20949~2364006,00.html

“Hillside buffer initiative creates Catch-22”
The Desert Sun, CA  Aug 24, 2004  http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories2004/local/20040824020447.shtml

“Water rates still a steal”
Rocky Mountain News, CO  Aug 27, 2004  http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_3144219,00.html

“Ruling wins one for environment”
Modesto Bee, CA  Aug 28, 2004  http://www.modbee.com/local/story/9060189p-9957760c.html

“Agency hikes its price for water rights”
Lahontan Valley News, NV  Aug 27, 2004  http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040827/News/108270001

“Agency wins award for work on Carson River”
Reno Gazette Journal, NV  Aug 26, 2004   http://www.rgj.com/news

“Osborne, Hagel announce $354,000 in drought assistance”
Grand Island Independent, NE  Aug 27, 2004  http://www.theindependent.com/stories/082804/new_drought28.shtml

“Irrigation technology leaves desert courses in sea of greenery”
The Desert Sun, CA  Aug 25, 2004  http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories2004/sports/20040825004859.shtml

“Water Authority board OKs $550 million bond sale”
North County Times, CA  Aug 27, 2004
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/08/28/news/top_stories/23_18_048_27_04.txt

Federal Register Notices:  July 26 - Sept. 3, 2004

HOMELAND SECURITY.  Coast Guard.  Mandatory Ballast Water Management Program for U.S. Waters.  Final Rule.  The Coast Guard is requiring mandatory ballast water management practices for all vessels equipped with ballast water tanks bound for ports or places within the U.S. or entering U.S. waters.  This rule will increase the Coast Guard's ability to protect U.S. waters against the unintentional introduction of non-indigenous species via ballast water discharges, which have had significant impacts on the nation's marine and freshwater resources, biological diversity, and coastal infrastructure.  This final rule is effective September 27, 2004.  FR  7/28/04  p.44952

EPA.  Draft Federal Guide for Green Construction Specs; Notice of Availability.  EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances is responsible for providing information to Federal agencies to assist them in practicing environmentally preferable purchasing.  The draft Federal Guide for Green Construction Specs is being developed by EPA with our partners to help Federal building project managers meet various mandates as established by statute and Executive Orders, as well as EPA and DOE program recommendations.  The draft is available on the Whole Building Design Guide at http://fedgreenspecs.wbdg.org.  Comments must be received on or before September 27, 2004.  FR  7/28/04  p.45053

EPA.  Notice of a Public Meeting To Discuss Regulatory Determinations for the Second Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 2) and Updates for Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring and the CCL 3.  The EPA is holding a public meeting to discuss the status and process of making regulatory determinations for contaminants on the second drinking water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 2).  The Agency will discuss its preliminary approach to evaluate contaminants on the CCL 2 and obtain input from meeting participants about the process before making and publishing preliminary regulatory determinations.  The stakeholder meeting will be held on September 15, 2004 in Washington, DC.  FR  7/29/04  p.45315

INTERIOR.  Geological Survey.  Federal Interagency Steering Committee on Multimedia Environmental Modeling.  Notice of open meeting.  The annual public meeting of the Federal Interagency Steering Committee on Multimedia Environmental Modeling (ISCMEM) will convene to review progress by the ISCMEM working groups and to discuss initiatives for FY 2005.  The four MOU working groups, Software System Design and Implementation, Uncertainty and Parameter Estimation, Modeling Reactive Transport, and Watershed/Water-Quality Modeling, will report on their progress during the year.  The meting will take place on August 24, 2004 in Rockville, MD.  FR  7/30/04  p.45846

INTERIOR.  Bureau of Land Management.  U.S. Air Force, Nellis Air Force Base; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex; Clark County Regional Flood Control District; Clark County Comprehensive Planning; City of Henderson; City of Las Vegas; City of North Las Vegas.  Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Las Vegas Valley Disposal Area as expanded by the Clark County Conservation of Public Land and Natural Resources Act of 2002, Public Law 107-282, November 6, 2002.  Written comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted for 60 days following the date of publication of the Notice in the Federal Register.  FR  7/30/04  p.45849

AGRICULTURE.  Natural Resources Conservation Service.  Southern California Tree Mortality Emergency; Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego, Counties, CA.  Notice of a finding of no significant impact.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for proposed Federal assistance for the Southern California Tree Mortality Emergency in Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties, California.  The proposed work involves removal of dead and dying trees and excess brush that have created an imminent threat of catastrophic wildfire.  The work will be done in locations where that threat has resulted in a hazard to life and property.  FR  8/03/04  p.46477

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Threatened Status for the California Tiger Salamander.  Final Rule.  We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, determine threatened status for the California tiger salamander under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.  The California tiger salamander, Central population is threatened by habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation due to urban development and conversion to intensive agriculture. We also finalize the 4(d) rule for the species range-wide, which exempts existing routine ranching activities.  Dates: This rule is effective September 3, 2004.  FR  8/04/04  p.47211

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Threatened Status for Peirson's milk-vetch.  Final Rule.  We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, designate critical habitat for the federally threatened Astragalus magdalenae var. peirsonii (Peirson's milk-vetch) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.  We designate a total of approximately 21,836 acres of critical habitat in Imperial County, California.  Dates:  This rule is effective September 3, 2004.  FR  8/04/04  p.47329

HOMELAND SECURITY.  Coast Guard.  Approval of Ballast Water Treatment Systems.  Notice with request for comments.  The Coast Guard seeks consultation with all interested and affected parties in establishing a program to approve ballast water treatment systems.  The intent of this program is to ensure that ballast water treatment systems approved for use on-board vessels will meet the ballast water discharge standard the Coast Guard will be implementing in the near future to prevent the introduction and spread of non-indigenous species via ballast water discharges.  Comments and related material must reach the Docket Management Facility on or before December 3, 2004.  FR  8/05/04  p.47453

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service;  COMMERCE.  NOAA.  Joint Counterpart Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 Consultation.  Final Rule.  This final rule codifies joint counterpart regulations for consultation under section 7 of the ESA for regulatory actions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  One alternative modifies the process for EPA to conduct informal consultation with the Services for those FIFRA actions that EPA determines are “not likely to adversely affect” any federally-protected threatened and endangered species or critical habitat.  The other alternative permits the Services to conduct formal consultation in a manner that more effectively takes advantage of EPA's substantial expertise in evaluating ecological effects of FIFRA regulatory actions on listed species and critical habitats.  This rule is effective September 7, 2004.  FR  8/05/04  p.47737

EPA.  Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of EPA's Decision To Add Waters and Pollutants to Colorado's 2004 List.  Notice of availability.  Region VIII of the EPA is hereby providing notice, and requesting public comment on EPA's decision to identify additional water quality limited segments and associated pollutants in Colorado to be listed pursuant to Clean Water Act section 303(d)(2).  Comments must be submitted to EPA on or before September 20, 2004.  FR  8/06/04  p.47928

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Colorado Butterfly Plant.  Proposed rule.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to designate critical habitat for the Colorado butterfly plant pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973.  In total, approximately 8,486 acres along approximately 113.1 stream miles fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation.  The proposed critical habitat is located in Laramie and Platte Counties in Wyoming; Kimball County in Nebraska; and Weld County in Colorado.  We will accept comments from all interested parties until October 5, 2004.  Requests for public hearings must be received by September 20, 2004.  FR  8/06/04  p.47834

INTERIOR.  Bureau of Land Management.  New Mexico Resource Advisory Council, Notice of Call for Nominations.  Notice of public meeting.   The meeting will be held on September 14-15, 2004 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  At this meeting topics for discussion include: Sierra/Otero Mesa Counties Fluid Mineral Leasing Plan Amendment, directional drilling of oil and gas wells to mitigate surface impacts, follow-up on rancher monitoring, discussion on the Ecological Site Description Effort, Interim Guidelines for Special Status Species Plan Amendment, the Access Proposal, what are the problems for threatened and endangered and other imperiled species on BLM lands, and election of new officers.  FR  8/06/04  p.47952

EPA.  Availability of “Fiscal Year 2004 Wastewater Operator Training Program Security Funds”.  Notice of document availability.  The EPA is announcing the availability of a guidance memorandum entitled “Fiscal Year 2004 Wastewater Operator Training Program Security Funds Allocation” regarding providing additional funding to the CWA section 104(g) environmental training centers throughout the United States.  The Program will provide on-site security assistance and classroom training security activities to operators at small community wastewater treatment facilities in order to help the facility to become more secure.  The grant information will be available August 9, 2004.  FR  6/09/04  p.48230

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Western Panel Meeting.  Notice of meeting.  This notice announces a meeting of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Western Regional Panel on September 8, 9 and 10, 2004 in Anchorage, AK.  FR  8/12/04  p.49913

INTERIOR.  Bureau of Land Management.  Notice of Public Meeting; Central Montana Resource Advisory Council.  In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Central Montana Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet on September 8 & 9, 2004 in Lewistown, Montana.  All meetings are open to the public.  The public may present written comments to the RAC.  FR  8/16/04  p.50399

INTERIOR.  Bureau of Land Management.  California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee Public Meeting.  Notice of meeting.  In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee will meet on September 9, 2004 in Sacramento, California.  The agenda for the meeting will include administrative actions carried over from the July meeting, a report from the Independent Science Board and the Lead Scientist, a discussion of the Delta Improvements Package, a possible recommendation on the Finance Options Report, consideration of Proposal Solicitation Packages for State agency grants, and a discussion of the overall balance and integration of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program with State and Federal agency representatives.  FR  8/16/04  p.50400

EPA.  Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of Upcoming Science Advisory Board Meetings.  The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a public face-to-face meeting of the chartered SAB.  The Board will discuss science issues facing EPA Regions; review and approve of two SAB Committee draft reports; discuss and approve the FY 2005 SAB plans; and plan for the SAB annual meeting. T he SAB Staff Office also announces a public meeting of the SAB's Committee on Valuing the Protection of Ecological Systems and Services (C-VPESS) to focus on regional science issues related to the Committee's charge.  The meetings of the Board and the C-VPESS will be held on Sept. 13,14 and 15, 2004 in San Francisco.  FR  8/18/04  p.51285

AGRICULTURE.  Agricultural Research Service.  Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.  Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting on September 13-14, 2004 in Washington, DC.  Requests to make oral presentations at the meeting may be sent to the contact person at USDA, Office of the Deputy Secretary.  FR  8/19/04  p.51443

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of the Public Comment Period and Notice of Public Hearings for the Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Santa Ana Sucker.  We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce that we are reopening a 30-day public comment period and holding public hearings on the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Santa Ana sucker and we will accept comments and information until September 20, 2004.  The public hearings on the proposed designation will be held on September 9, 2004 in Pasadena, California.  FR  8/19/04  p.51416

AGRICULTURE.  Forest Service.  Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee.  Notice of meeting.  The Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on September 13, 2004, at the U.S. Forest Service Office in South Lake Tahoe, CA on September 13, 2004.  FR  8/19/04  p.51450

ENERGY.  Western Area Power Administration.  Boulder Canyon Project.   Notice of Base Charge and Rates.  The Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy has approved the FY 2005 Base Charge and Rates for Boulder Canyon Project electric service provided by the Western Area Power Administration.  The Rates will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including interest expense, and investment repayment within the allowable period.  The Rates will be effective the first day of the first full billing period beginning on or after October 1, 2004.  These Rates will stay in effect through September 30, 2005, or until superseded by other rates.  FR  8/19/04  p.51458

DEFENSE.  Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers.  Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the Proposed Prado Basin Water Supply, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, Calif.  which will result in increasing the water storage pool during the flood season.  This will enable increased water recharge at the Orange County Water District's recharge facilities downstream of Prado Dam.  The proposed project is not expected to have any significant environmental impacts.  The draft EIS/EIR will be released for public review on or about August 20.  Comments concerning this Draft EIS/EIR should be submitted by October 4, 2004.  FR  8/20/04  p.51639

DEFENSE.  Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers.  Notice of intent.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement to analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of a proposed water supply project, the Northern Integrated Supply Project which will provide approximately 37,000 acre-feet of new reliable water supply.  The Northern Integrated Supply Project would be a non-Federal project constructed, owned, and operated by the District.  Scoping meetings will be held on September 20, 21 and 22 3004 in Eaton, CO and Fort Collins, CO.  FR  8/20/04  p.51640

AGRICULTURE.  Forest Service.  Cibola National Forest; New Mexico; Tajique Watershed Restoration Project. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.  The Forest Service has initiated the process to prepare an EIS for the Tajique Watershed Restoration Project on the Cibola National Forest, Mountainair Ranger District.  The proposed action would restore vegetation conditions in a southwest pine ecosystem and reduce the fire hazard in the Manzano Mountains by treating approximately 17,000 acres within the watershed.  Comments must be received by September 3, 2004.  The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be published in October, 2004, and the final environmental impact statement is expected in December 2004.  FR  8/20/04  p.51626

INTERIOR.  Bureau of Land Management.  AGRICULTURE.  Forest Service.  Notice of Public Comment Deadline Extension.  Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 and regulatory requirements, the San Juan Public Lands Center will extend the current 90-day public comment period on the Northern San Juan Basin Coal Bed Methane Environmental Impact Statement.  The original deadline for public comment was September 13, 2004;  The new deadline will be November 30, 2004.  FR  8/20/04  p.51709

COMMERCE.  NOAA.  NOAA Five-Year Research Plan Draft and NOAA Twenty-Year Research Vision Draft.  Notice and Request for Public Comment.  NOAA publishes this notice to announce the availability of the NOAA 5-Year Research Plan Draft and the NOAA 20-Year Research Vision Draft for public comment.  Comments on these draft documents must be submitted by September 30, 2004.  FR  8/20/04  p.51637

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.  Public Health Service.  National Toxicology Program; Announcement of and Request for Public Comment on Substances Nominated to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) for Toxicological Studies and Study Recommendations Made by the NTP Interagency Committee for Chemical Evaluation and Coordination (ICCEC).  Interested parties are invited to submit written comments or supplementary information on the nominated substances and study recommendations that appear in [this Register announcement].  All information received will be considered by the NTP in its continued review of these nominations.   Comments or information should be sent by October 19, 2004. FR  8/20/04  p.51691

EPA.  Effluent Limitations Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for the Concentrated Aquatic Animal Production Point Source Category; Final Rule.  Today's final rule establishes Clean Water Act effluent limitations guidelines and new source performance standards for concentrated aquatic animal production facilities.  This regulation is effective September 22, 2004.  FR  8/23/04  p.51891

EPA.  National Pesticide Information Center & National Pesticide Medical Monitoring Program; Notice of Funds Availability.  The Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) is soliciting proposals from universities and colleges to develop or continue the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) and the National Pesticide Medical Monitoring Program (NPMMP).  The annual funding for the NPMMP project is anticipated to be approximately $158,000 in FY 2005.  Applications must be received by EPA on or before October 7, 2004.  FR  8/23/04  p.51832

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Record of Decision for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the San Francisco Estuary Invasive Spartina Project: Spartina Control Program.  Notice of availability.  The Fish and Wildlife Service announces availability of the Record of Decision for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the San Francisco Estuary Invasive Spartina Project: Spartina Control Program.  FR  8/24/04  p.52028

EPA.  National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Analytical Method for Uranium.  Withdrawal of direct final rule.  EPA published a direct final rule concerning three additional analytical methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water.  As of August 25, 2004, EPA withdraws the direct final rule published at 69 FR 31008 on June 2, 2004.  FR  8/26/04  p.52181

COMMERCE.  NOAA.  National Marine Fisheries Service.  Pacific Fishery Management Council.  Notice of public meetings.  The Council and its advisory entities will meet September 12-17, 2004 in San Diego, CA.  FR  8/27/04  p.52648

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Notice of Meeting of the Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group (TAMWG).  The TAMWG affords stakeholders the opportunity to give policy, management, and technical input concerning Trinity River restoration efforts to the Trinity Management Council. Primary objectives of the meeting will include: Summer/Fall flow releases, FY 2005 budget for Trinity River Restoration Program, and program evaluation recommendations. The agenda items are approximate and are dependent on the amount of time each item takes.  TAMWG will meet on September 8 and 9, 2004 in Weaverville, CA 96093.  FR  8/30/04  p.52912

COMMERCE.  NOAA.  National Marine Fisheries Service.  Endangered and Threatened Species: Extension of Public Comment Period and Notice of Public Hearings.  In June 2004, NMFS proposed a new policy for the consideration of hatchery salmon in Endangered Species Act listing determinations.  As part of that proposal NMFS announced a public comment period, and in this notice NMFS is extending the public comment period for to October 20.  Additionally, NMFS is announcing that hearings will be held at eight locations in the Pacific Northwest from mid-September to mid-October.  FR  8/30/04  p.53039

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Designation of Critical Habitat for the Mexican Spotted Owl.  Final rule.  The Fish and Wildlife Service designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 for the Mexican spotted owl.  The owl inhabits canyon and forest habitats across a range that extends from southern Utah and Colorado, through Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas, to the mountains of central Mexico.  We designate approximately 8.6 million acres of critical habitat in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, on Federal lands.  This final rule is effective September 30, 2004.  FR  8/31/04  p.53181

AGRICULTURE.  Forest Service.  Pattee Canyon Weed Management Project, Lolo National Forest, Missoula County, MT.  Notice.  Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.  The Missoula Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest is proposing activities to control invasive weeds on approximately 2,500 acres of land near Missoula, Montana.  Proposed actions include aerial and ground application of herbicides, controlled release of approved biological control agents, and revegetation by seeding. These activities will be conducted along with ongoing programs to prevent invasive species and to educate the public.  Comments about this proposal should be received within 45 days of the publication of this notice.  FR  8/31/04  p.53038

INTERIOR.  National Park Service.  Notice of Availability of the Draft United States World Heritage Periodic Report for Public Review.  The National Park Service announces the availability of the draft United States World Heritage Periodic Report for public review.  Periodic reporting provides an opportunity for the United States and Canada to raise international awareness of their World Heritage Sites and to provide for the continued protection of these sites and their outstanding universal value.  Comments must be received on or before November 1, 2004.  The US World Heritage Periodic Report is available at:  http://www.nps.gov/oia/topics/periodic.htm     FR  8/31/04  p.53088

INTERIOR.  Bureau of Land Management.  Notice of Call for Nominations for the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area Advisory Council.  The Bureau of Land Management is requesting nominations for four unfilled membership positions on the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area Advisory Council.  The Council advises the Secretary and the BLM on resource management issues associated with the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area and Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness.  Submit a completed nomination form and nomination letters to [address in FR Notice] no later than October 1,2004.  FR  9/01/04  p.53461

INTERIOR.  Geological Survey.  Notice of an open meeting of the Advisory Committee on Water Information (ACWI).  This meeting of the ACWI is to discuss broad policy-related topics relating to national water initiatives, and to hear reports from ACWI subgroups.  ACWI provides a forum for water-information users and professionals to advise the Federal Government of activities and plans that may improve the effectiveness of meeting the Nation's water information needs.  The meeting will convene on September 14, 2004, in Herndon, Virginia.  FR  9/02/04  p.53732

ENERGY.  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  Reliability Readiness Reviews; Notice of Technical Conference.  Take notice that FERC will host a technical conference on September 29, 2004 to discuss Reliability Readiness Reviews that are being conducted by the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC). The workshop will be held at the Commission's Washington, DC headquarters.  The goal of the technical conference is to offer a public progress report on the Reliability Readiness Reviews conducted by NERC, in which FERC staff participated, since the August 14, 2003 blackout.  FR  9/03/04  p.53913

COMMERCE.  NOAA.  National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).  Notice of Intent to Conduct Public Scoping and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on the Funding and Operation of Columbia River Hatcheries.  NMFS is currently developing options for funding and operation of Columbia River basin hatcheries consistent with the Mitchell Act, Endangered Species Act (ESA), treaty Indian trust responsibilities, and broader NMFS objectives for sustainable salmon fisheries under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).  Written scoping comments should be received no later than December 2, 2004.  One or more public scoping meetings may be held.  FR  9/03/04  p.53892

AGRICULTURE.  Natural Resources Conservation Service.  Notice of Public Meeting to allow Interested Parties To Comment on the Activities of the Resource Conservation and Development Program.  Comments will be solicited on, and should be limited to (1) RC&D effectiveness in meeting the needs of the States, units of government, Indian tribes, non-profit organizations, and RC&D councils served by the program; (2) RC&D effectiveness in developing community leadership; (3) RC&D Program elements that best serve regional conservation and development needs; and (4) RC&D Program elements that can be strengthened to better serve regional conservation and development needs. The remaining sessions will be held on September 2, 22, and 28, 2004.  FR  9/03/04  p.53883