News Highlights

A new study published by the U.S. Geological Survey examines the movement of phosphorus in soil and groundwater of farm settings in five states—Washington, California, Nebraska, Indiana, and Maryland. The report assesses the impact of various farming practices on phosphorus movement—information that is useful in creating best practices to limit phosphorus transport from agricultural fields.

To access the full report, click here.

The EPA’s newest DVD, “Reduce Runoff: Slow it Down, Spread it out, Soak it in!” teaches viewers how to control runoff in urban areas. The DVD was created in partnership with the U.S Botanic Garden and consists of four educational videos that can be used for outreach or to fulfill requirements for EPA’s Stormwater MS4 program. The videos can be viewed online or ordered from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP). Click here for viewing and ordering information and to find out more about the videos.

Officials at the USDA Economic Research Service have released new data that brings together U.S. fertilizer consumption data from 1950 to 2010. To enhance analytic efforts, the data is organized by plant nutrient, major selected product, and consumption of mixed fertilizers, secondary nutrients, and micronutrients. This information can prove useful in tracking growing nutrient loads and identifying usage trends.

To access the new USDA Economic Research data, click here.

On December 6th, the North Carolina Source Water Protection Program held a one-day workshop to launch a statewide Source Water Collaborative. The state Collaborative is envisioned as an autonomous group that will work together across various programs and policies to strengthen and advance protection of the states’ drinking water sources. Click here for more details.

The Water Research Foundation has released two new publications that offer a vision and roadmap that can guide U.S. water utilities and supporting groups with a unified strategy for coherent, consistent, cost-effective, and socially acceptable source water protection programs. Click here for more details and to access these publications.

EPA has added updated U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) data to the nitrogen and phosphorus pollution data access tool, a tool intended to help states develop effective nitrogen and phosphorus source reduction strategies. Click here to learn more and to access the updated tool online.

USDA announced that pre-proposals for FY12 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) are due by January 31. This year’s CIG projects will focus on nutrient management, energy conservation, soil health and wildlife. For more information on CIG from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, click here.

To bring in the new year, the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators and Ground Water Protection Council will host a webinar linking Clean Water Act funds and source water protection on January 19, 12 PM-1:30 PM EST.

The webinar will consist of three presentations focusing on Clean Water State Revolving Fund programs and ways to coordinate on the state level.

To register for the webinar or learn more, visit https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/136094281 today!

In an effort to improve waterways in the nation’s urban areas, the EPA has begun soliciting proposals for its new Urban Waters Small Grants. The Small Grants emerge as the latest work of EPA’s Urban Waters Program and will be awarded to projects across the country that improve water quality and support community revitalization.

To learn more about the grants and submit a proposal, visit http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding/index.html

On Friday, December 2, 2011, from 2:00-3:00pm EST, the United States Geological Survey will kickoff a host of webinars about its new regional SPARROW models and online decision support tool. The first webinar will provide an overview of the tool’s main uses: prioritizing areas for nutrient reduction, identifying sources that contribute large quantities of nutrients to local waterways, and evaluating nutrient reduction scenarios.

To learn more and register for the December 2 webinar, visit https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/941521630.