Publications:
ANEP Update

August 2001

NEP NEWS

Indian River Lagoon: Turkey Creek's tea-colored waters are no longer choked with a gooey, black sediment known as muck, thanks to a three-year dredging project wrapped up in May. The two-phase project resulted in the removal of nearly 400,000 cubic yards - or about 22,000 dumptruck loads - of muck from the creek, which carries the sediment to the Indian River Lagoon, the most diverse estuary in North America. The first phase of the dredging project was completed in 1999. About 160,000 cubic yards was removed at that time. During the second phase, another 225,000 cubic yards of muck and sand were removed." In recent years, the District has completed several dredging projects in tributaries along the lagoon," says Bill Kerr, District Governing Board chairman. "Collectively, these projects have a significant impact on water and habitat quality in the lagoon."

1. For the sixth time, the Charlotte Harbor NEP will be accepting proposals from Florida residents, organizations, businesses, government agencies, schools, colleges and universities. The projects -- either mini-grants or research & restoration partners projects -- provide immediate benefits to the watershed's natural resources, enhance technical knowledge or improve community awareness. Since 1996, 58 research, monitoring, restoration and education projects throughout the greater Charlotte Harbor watershed have been implemented. Both the Mini-Grant Application and RFP for Research and Restoration Partners Projects will be released in September with applications/proposals due October 26. Please contact mhilgendorf@swfrpc.org for more information.

2. So many events are being offered on National Estuaries Day, September 29, 2001, in Charlotte Harbor, the day has expanded to the weekend! Fourteen events -- from wading and guided hiking trips to paddling events and boat tours -- are being offered because of the generosity of several members of the Management Conference. For details, check out the program web site at www.chnep.org.

1. The Center for the Inland Bays recently hosted the First Annual Governor's Wade-In on the shores of Rehoboth Bay at Delaware Seashore State Park. Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner participated by wearing a pair of white sneakers and wading into the bay to a point where she could no longer see her sneakers. This "sneaker index" was measured at 50 inches and has been established as a new environmental indicator for Delaware's Inland Bays.

2. Entrix Corp. recently completed a flushing study for Delaware's Inland Bays, which was funded by the Delaware General Assembly. The study revealed that the addition of a second ocean inlet would improve water quality conditions for the bays. Delaware's Inland Bays are poorly flushed and have a residence time of between 80-120 days.

For the eighth consecutive year, the Long Island Sound Study Small Grants Program is offering $5,000 education grants for projects, programs, or publications that will educate and involve the public in the protection and restoration of the water quality and habitat of the Long Island Sound and its watershed. The deadline for submitting proposals to the EPA Long Island Sound Office is September 28, 2001.

Funding its 2001-2003 Puget Sound Water Quality Work Plan was the Action Team's top priority for Washington State's 2001 legislative session. With a few exceptions, lawmakers held work plan appropriations at the amounts approved for the previous biennium, keeping most Action Team agencies' Puget Sound water quality efforts at, or near, current levels. Approved budget enhancements for stormwater management, oil spills, and stream flow monitoring will boost efforts on key priorities in the Sound. In addition, new policy legislation creates a new grant program to help homeowners fix on-site sewage systems that are contaminating shellfish growing areas in the 12 counties of Puget Sound and other coastal areas. The Action Team will be managing the new grants program.

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary was recently awarded grants for two exciting projects. The first was a Five Star Restoration Challenge Grant of $10,000 for streambank restoration and the creation of a schoolyard wildlife habitat site along Perkins Run, a small tributary to the Delaware River. The second of these projects was a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Growing Greener grant for $72,283 for a project entitled "Clean Water Partners".

Tampa Bay NEP Scientist Elected to ERF Board - The Tampa Bay Estuary Program is proud to announce that Senior Scientist Holly Greening has been elected to the Governing Board of the Estuarine Research Federation. Holly will serve as one of two Members-at-Large for ERF, an international professional society for estuarine scientists and managers. ERF fosters an international dialogue among scientists on estuarine issues, promotes a variety of student programs, publishes the respected scientific journal "Estuaries" and sponsors a biennial conference -- to be held November 4-8 in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Holly is the first representative of any National Estuary Program to be appointed to the ERF board and, as such, she hopes to spread the word about the innovative research and management strategies being implemented by the NEPs.

PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

The Eight Towns and the Bay Committee (8T&B), a Local Governance Committee for the Massachusetts Bays Program (MBP), is proud to announce the availability of "Voices of the Great Marsh." This short video documentary (14 minutes) presents a compelling portrait of the 15,000+ acre Great Marsh, located on the State's upper North Shore, through the voices of local elders and current activists who are working to protect it. Copies of the video are available for $10.00 (plus $2.00 shipping). To order a copy or for more information, contact Emilie Cademartori, Coastal Resources Coordinator, Eight Towns and the Bay at (978) 374-0519 or email ecademartori@mvpc.org

The Long Island Sound Study recently posted the expanded version of the Sound Health 2001 environmental indicators report on the LISS website, . The comprehensive report is accessible as either .PDF or .HTML.

LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT INFO AVAILABLE ON CD-ROM - The Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team is actively promoting innovative land development and stormwater management techniques known as "low impact development practices." Low impact development, or LID, is an eco-friendly approach designed to reduce development impacts on watershed hydrology, streams, and fish and wildlife habitat. Examples of LID practices include preserving native vegetation, minimizing impervious surfaces, and infiltrating stormwater runoff on-site rather than collecting and conveying it off-site. The Action Team has established a web page and produced a color brochure and CD-ROM on low impact development. For more information see the Action Team's web site at  http://www.wa.gov/puget_sound/Programs/LID.htm.

CONFERENCES/MEETINGS/CELEBRATIONS

Bartaria-Terrebonne NEP will be holding its 5th Annual La Fete d'Ecologie on September 29th,
2001, at Peltier Park, Thibodaux, LA. For information contact: deborah@btnep.org.

The Estuarine Research Federation's (ERF) conference will be held November 4-8 in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Please log onto www.erf.com for more information.

The ANEP/NEP/EPA Fall Meeting will over lap the ERF conference and will be held in St. Pete Beach, FL from November 7 - 11, 2001. Please contact drvolk@erols.com for more information.

The New Hampshire Estuaries project will celebrate EPA approval of its "Management Plan" during a special "Celebration to the Estuaries" event on October 11 from 1:30 to 3:00 PM at Hilton Park in Dover Point, NH. For more details about Estuaries Month 2001 or the "Dedication to New Hampshire Estuaries" celebration please contact Sally Soule at the NHEP office:(603) 433-7187 or sally.soule@rscs.net