superchub
09-25-00, 06:36 PM
Sorry about the long post....
National Trout Unlimited has signed on in support of the River Budget for FY'02. I hope you will consider doing the same.
We have extended the deadline by a week to October 3. Signing on does not cost anything or obligate you to anything. It is only a show of support for increasing federal funding for important river and watershed programs.
Dear Conservation Colleague:
Although FY'01 has not yet begun, it is already time to begin looking ahead to funding priorities for river conservation for FY'02. Presented here is an overview of American Rivers' River Budget: National Priorities for Local River Conservation in FY'02, which identifies key federal programs supporting river conservation and restoration for the next fiscal year. Visit www.americanrivers.org (http://www.americanrivers.org) to see the full document in DRAFT form. During the past five years, the River Budget has helped protect and restore rivers by directing federal dollars toward federal programs that significantly affect river health.
The strength and success of the River Budget is primarily because of YOU. More than 455 groups signed on in support last year. This is three times the number from the previous year. Our goal for 2000 is to double this number yet again. A large, unified voice is the most effective way to communicate to Congress and the Administration the importance of river issues during the budget process.
Please read the enclosed overview or view the full DRAFT document online at http://www.americanrivers.org/template2.asp?cat=2&page=267&id=2266&filter=240 and contact me if you would like to support the River Budget for FY'02. You can sign on by phone, email, or fax. Please note that the overview and online version of the River Budget for FY'02 are in DRAFT FORM. Most federal appropriations for FY'01, as well as a few final funding recommendations for FY'02, have not been finalized and are subject to some change.
To sign on in support, please contact me with your organizational information NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2000 to be listed in the printed version of the River Budget for FY'02. You can sign on by phone at 202-347-7550 x 3040, by fax at 202-347-9240, or by email at smcdowell@amrivers.org <mailto:smcdowell@amrivers.org>. All groups that sign on after September 27 will be listed on the Web page and on an addendum sheet. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Suzy McDowell
Associate Director of Outreach
RIVER BUDGET FOR FY'02 SUMMARY OVERVIEW:
Agriculture-Rural Development-Related Agencies -- ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP)
Overview: EQIP is a voluntary conservation program designed to help farmers and ranchers facing threats to soil, water, and other natural resources develop successful resource conservation practices.
Recommendation: Congress should support $400,000,000 for EQIP.
Agriculture-Rural Development-Related Agencies -- WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVES PROGRAM (WHIP)
Overview: WHIP offers landowners technical and financial assistance to voluntarily improve fish and wildlife habitat on eligible lands, helping improve the quality of life for participants and boost local economies.
Recommendation: Due to its popularity, WHIP exhausted the $50 million appropriated for 1997-2002 in two years. Congress should appropriate $25 million for WHIP.
Agriculture-Rural Development-Related Agencies - WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM
Overview: Wetlands are a critical component of many ecosystems, providing myriad benefits for people and wildlife. Through the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), NRCS provides volunteer landowners with technical and financial assistance to restore and protect wetlands.
Recommendation: By the end of 2000, WRP will have enrolled 935,000 acres, leaving just 40,000 more acres before the program hits a ceiling of 975,000 acres by 2002. Congress should eliminate the program's total acreage cap and allow WRP to enroll 250,000 acres annually.
Agriculture-Rural Development-Related Agencies - CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM
Overview: One of the federal government's largest and most effective environmental improvement programs, the Conservation Reserve Program partners the USDA with farmers and ranchers to help protect millions of acres of the nation's agricultural lands from erosion while increasing wildlife habitat and protecting water quality.
Recommendation: Through October 2000, CRP will have enrolled approximately 33.5 million acres. Congress should expand the program's acreage limit to 40 million acres.
Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary - COMMUNITY-BASED RESTORATION PROGRAM
Overview: The Community-Based Restoration Program, run by the National Marine Fisheries Service, reaches out to local constituencies to restore estuaries and coastal habitats. To date, the program has funded 84 projects, promoting fishery habitat restoration in coastal areas with a grassroots, bottom-up approach.
Recommendation: Congress should provide the Community-Based Restoration Program with $4 million.
Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary - PACIFIC COASTAL SALMON RECOVERY FUND
Overview: The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund is an important program aimed at helping restore endangered and threatened runs of wild steelhead and salmon. This program provides much-needed assistance to state, local, and tribal governments in Washington, Alaska, California, and Oregon for salmon recovery projects.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $200 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund.
Energy and Water Development - NORTHWEST COASTAL ESTUARY PROGRAM
Overview: The Northwest Coastal Estuary Program, run by the Army Corps of Engineers, is a stakeholder driven program that helps enhance fish and wildlife habitat on the Lower Columbia River and Tillamook Bay. Adequately funded, the program will restore more than 16,000 acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat, augment existing monitoring efforts, and help citizens protect resources.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $35 million for the Northwest Coastal Estuary Program.
Energy and Water Development - OHIO RIVER ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROGRAM
Overview: The Ohio River Ecosystem Restoration program partners the Corps and other federal agencies with non-federal entities to create and protect side channels, islands, sandbars, gravel spawning substrate, bottomland hardwoods, and floodplain wetlands to aid fish and wildlife species.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $10 million for Ohio River Ecosystem Restoration.
Energy and Water Development -- ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (EMP)
Overview: EMP is the primary habitat restoration/monitoring program on the Upper Mississippi. When current projects are completed, it will have protected more than 96,000 acres of habitat.
Recommendation: Congress and the Administration should support $25 million for EMP.
Energy and Water Development -- SECTION 1135, SECTION 206, CHALLENGE 21
Overview: -- The Corps increasingly has engaged in the restoration of river systems degraded by existing Corps projects. The Section 1135 program modifies existing dams and flood control projects to increase habitat for fish and wildlife without interrupting a project's original purpose. The Section 206 program restores aquatic habitat regardless of past activities by the Corps. The Challenge 21 Initiative helps relocate frequently flooded homes and restore riparian habitat.
Recommendation: Both Section 1135 and Section 206 should be fully funded at $25 million each. Challenge 21 should be funded at $30 million.
Energy and Water Development -- MISSOURI RIVER FISH AND WILDLIFE MITIGATION
Overview: The Missouri River Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project helps reverse the impacts of lower river channelization and bank stabilization through land acquisition from willing sellers.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $20 million for the Missouri River Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project to increase habitat restoration and bring communities significant economic and quality of life benefits.
Energy and Water Development -- LOW IMPACT HYDROPOWER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Overview: The Low Impact Hydropower Certification Program helps consumers and power generators evaluate their options for creating and purchasing power. The goals of the program are to reduce the environmental impacts of hydropower generation and create a credible and accepted standard for customer evaluation of hydropower.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $100,000 for the Low Impact Hydropower Certification Program.
Interior and Related Agencies -- LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND (LWCF)
Overview: LWCF, a key tool in protecting open spaces, provides much needed dollars for purchasing ecologically important lands from willing sellers. Using LWCF dollars, the federal government has acquired more than 3.4 million acres. An appropriations shortfall by Congress has caused a backlog of $10-12 billion in unfulfilled projects.
Recommendation: Congress should fully fund LWCF at $900 million.
Department of Interior and Related Agencies - STREAMGAGING NETWORK
Overview: Information provided by the nation's streamgaging network is essential for habitat preservation, water quality, recreation, agriculture, industry, water supply, navigation, and flood hazard identification.
Recommendation: Congress should provide USGS with $40.5 million to revive the streamgaging network to account for water flows, support water quality monitoring, document flows for treaties and compacts, forecast floods, study long-term changes in flow conditions, and more.
Department of Interior and Related Agencies - COASTAL PROGRAM
Overview: The Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) Coastal Program is a highly effective partnership that brings together FWS experts, land trusts, biologists, and other conservation partners to protect and restore valuable fish and wildlife habitat in coastal regions.
Recommendation: To better protect valuable coastal habitats, Congress should appropriate $10 million for the Coastal Program.
Department of Interior and Related Agencies - IRRIGATION MITIGATION AND RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Overview: The Irrigation Mitigation and Restoration Partnership helps local governments in OR, WA, MT, ID, and CA construct fish screens and related features to reduce irrigation-related fish deaths and help farmers remain productive.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $25 million for the Irrigation Mitigation and Restoration Partnership.
Department of Interior and Related Agencies -- PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE
Overview: With two-thirds of US land privately owned, private landowners play a key role in maintaining diverse ecosystems and wildlife. Partners for Fish and Wildlife is a voluntary land stewardship program aimed at restoring and protecting important fish and wildlife habitat.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $35 million for Partners for Wildlife.
Interior Department and Related Agencies -- RIVERS, TRAILS, AND CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (RTCA)
Overview: RTCA provides valuable benefits to communities across the country in the form of assistance for park, open space, trail, and watershed planning.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $12 million for RTCA so that the program can address the existing backlog of projects and help communities better manage their recreational and natural resources.
Interior Department and Related Agencies -- WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS
Overview: The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects free-flowing rivers by prohibiting dams, limiting inappropriate streamside development, managing growth, and maintaining essential non-utilitarian values for designated rivers.
Recommendation - Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Congress should provide BLM with $2.0 million for WSR studies and $3.5 million for BLM management of designated rivers.
Recommendation - Forest Service: The Forest Service should increase and prioritize spending throughout the agency for management of WSR and completing studies of candidate rivers.
Recommendation - National Park Service (NPS): The NPS should receive $9.1 million for wild and scenic river work.
VA-HUD-Independent Agencies -- TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS (TMDL)
Overview: One of the most powerful tools to reduce water pollution from all sources is the Clean Water Act's (CWA) TMDL provision, which requires states to identify waters that do not meet or are not expected to meet state water quality standards and develop and implement a plan - a TMDL - to correct the water quality violations.
Recommendation: According to EPA, there are on average 300 impaired water bodies in each state in need of a TMDL, and this is a very conservative estimate. To meet this need, Congress appropriate $400 million for State Program Management Grants for TMDL development and implementation.
VA-HUD-Independent Agencies -- NONPOINT SOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Overview: Nonpoint source pollution degrades more water bodies than any other source of pollution. EPA's Nonpoint Source Management Program helps states, territories, and Indian Tribes reduce the threat of polluted runoff.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $250 million for EPA's Nonpoint Source Management Program.
VA-HUD-Independent Agencies -- CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM
Overview: The ecological integrity and productivity of the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been severely compromised by development, agriculture, over-harvesting of resources, and more than 2,500 small dams and other obstructions that block migratory fish from their historic spawning habitats. The Chesapeake Bay Program focuses on restoring tributaries, underwater Bay grasses, and fish passage and on reducing agricultural runoff pollution and toxics.
Recommendation: Congress should provide the Chesapeake Bay Program with $30 million.
VA-HUD-Independent Agencies -- PROJECT IMPACT
Overview: According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, flood damages average more than $4 billion a year. Project Impact helps communities dramatically reduce disruption and loss caused by floods and other natural disasters by restoring and protecting healthy, more natural ecosystems.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $50 million to expand Project Impact to safeguard people and the environment.
Energy and Water Development; Interior-Related Agencies -- EVERGLADES RESTORATION
Overview: The 17,000-square mile Everglades ecosystem of South Florida is one of the world's most diverse and productive wetlands. The Everglades Restoration Program, led by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Interior, is a large-scale initiative aimed at reversing the decline of the Everglades and loss of the many ecological and economic services it provides.
Recommendation: In FY'02, Congress and the Administration should provide $180 million and $145 million for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Interior respectively for their participation in the Everglades Restoration Program.
HYDROPOWER RELICENSING
Energy and Water Development; Interior-Related Agencies; Commerce-Justice-State
Overview: Dams can benefit society, but they also deplete fisheries, degrade river ecosystems, and diminish recreational opportunities. When deciding whether to issue a 30-50 year hydropower license, FERC, with involvement from key resource agencies, must give equal consideration to power and to protection of fish and wildlife, recreational opportunities, and other aspects of environmental quality. Thus, the relicensing process offers a unique opportunity to improve the conditions of rivers.
Recommendation -FERC: Congress should appropriate $46 million to ensure adequate resources to handle the significant increase in relicensing cases.
Recommendation -Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS): Congress should appropriate $2.35 million for to enable the FWS to provide technical evaluations of the impacts of hydroelectric projects on fish and wildlife resources and recommends actions to protect and enhance those resources.
Recommendation -Forest Service: Congress should appropriate $10 million to enable the Forest Service to effectively assess impacts hydroelectric projects on Forest Service land that are up for renewal.
Recommendation -National Park Service (NPS): The NPS should receive $5.5 million for its involvement in hydropower relicensing.
Recommendation -Bureau of Land Management (BLM): The BLM's mission is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner. Congress should appropriate $1.125 million for the BLM's work on hydropower relicensing.
Recommendation -Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): Congress should appropriate $2 million for BIA involvement in hydropower relicensing.
Recommendation -- National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS): Congress should increase NMFS funding by $2 million over FY'01 to enable the NMFS to meet its statutory obligations for the many projects coming up for relicensing in coastal waters.
Interior and Related Agency -- NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION (NFWF)
Overview: NFWF, a private non-profit organization, provides challenge grants for on-the-ground conservation projects and creates partnerships among federal, state, and local governments, corporations, private foundations, individuals, and non-profit organizations to identify problems and potential solutions.
Recommendation: Congress should fully fund the NFWF at $25 million to enable NFWF to meet the significant demand for on-the-ground conservation projects and partnership development.
********************
Suzy McDowell
Associate Director for Outreach
American Rivers
1025 Vermont Ave, NW, #720
Washington, DC 20005
202-347-7550 x3040
smcdowell@amrivers.org http://www.amrivers.org
Become an American Rivers online activist! Sign up at www.actionnetwork.org (http://www.actionnetwork.org) and click on American Rivers. Receive action alerts and updates on key river-related issues and help make a difference today!
National Trout Unlimited has signed on in support of the River Budget for FY'02. I hope you will consider doing the same.
We have extended the deadline by a week to October 3. Signing on does not cost anything or obligate you to anything. It is only a show of support for increasing federal funding for important river and watershed programs.
Dear Conservation Colleague:
Although FY'01 has not yet begun, it is already time to begin looking ahead to funding priorities for river conservation for FY'02. Presented here is an overview of American Rivers' River Budget: National Priorities for Local River Conservation in FY'02, which identifies key federal programs supporting river conservation and restoration for the next fiscal year. Visit www.americanrivers.org (http://www.americanrivers.org) to see the full document in DRAFT form. During the past five years, the River Budget has helped protect and restore rivers by directing federal dollars toward federal programs that significantly affect river health.
The strength and success of the River Budget is primarily because of YOU. More than 455 groups signed on in support last year. This is three times the number from the previous year. Our goal for 2000 is to double this number yet again. A large, unified voice is the most effective way to communicate to Congress and the Administration the importance of river issues during the budget process.
Please read the enclosed overview or view the full DRAFT document online at http://www.americanrivers.org/template2.asp?cat=2&page=267&id=2266&filter=240 and contact me if you would like to support the River Budget for FY'02. You can sign on by phone, email, or fax. Please note that the overview and online version of the River Budget for FY'02 are in DRAFT FORM. Most federal appropriations for FY'01, as well as a few final funding recommendations for FY'02, have not been finalized and are subject to some change.
To sign on in support, please contact me with your organizational information NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2000 to be listed in the printed version of the River Budget for FY'02. You can sign on by phone at 202-347-7550 x 3040, by fax at 202-347-9240, or by email at smcdowell@amrivers.org <mailto:smcdowell@amrivers.org>. All groups that sign on after September 27 will be listed on the Web page and on an addendum sheet. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Suzy McDowell
Associate Director of Outreach
RIVER BUDGET FOR FY'02 SUMMARY OVERVIEW:
Agriculture-Rural Development-Related Agencies -- ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP)
Overview: EQIP is a voluntary conservation program designed to help farmers and ranchers facing threats to soil, water, and other natural resources develop successful resource conservation practices.
Recommendation: Congress should support $400,000,000 for EQIP.
Agriculture-Rural Development-Related Agencies -- WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVES PROGRAM (WHIP)
Overview: WHIP offers landowners technical and financial assistance to voluntarily improve fish and wildlife habitat on eligible lands, helping improve the quality of life for participants and boost local economies.
Recommendation: Due to its popularity, WHIP exhausted the $50 million appropriated for 1997-2002 in two years. Congress should appropriate $25 million for WHIP.
Agriculture-Rural Development-Related Agencies - WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM
Overview: Wetlands are a critical component of many ecosystems, providing myriad benefits for people and wildlife. Through the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), NRCS provides volunteer landowners with technical and financial assistance to restore and protect wetlands.
Recommendation: By the end of 2000, WRP will have enrolled 935,000 acres, leaving just 40,000 more acres before the program hits a ceiling of 975,000 acres by 2002. Congress should eliminate the program's total acreage cap and allow WRP to enroll 250,000 acres annually.
Agriculture-Rural Development-Related Agencies - CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM
Overview: One of the federal government's largest and most effective environmental improvement programs, the Conservation Reserve Program partners the USDA with farmers and ranchers to help protect millions of acres of the nation's agricultural lands from erosion while increasing wildlife habitat and protecting water quality.
Recommendation: Through October 2000, CRP will have enrolled approximately 33.5 million acres. Congress should expand the program's acreage limit to 40 million acres.
Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary - COMMUNITY-BASED RESTORATION PROGRAM
Overview: The Community-Based Restoration Program, run by the National Marine Fisheries Service, reaches out to local constituencies to restore estuaries and coastal habitats. To date, the program has funded 84 projects, promoting fishery habitat restoration in coastal areas with a grassroots, bottom-up approach.
Recommendation: Congress should provide the Community-Based Restoration Program with $4 million.
Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary - PACIFIC COASTAL SALMON RECOVERY FUND
Overview: The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund is an important program aimed at helping restore endangered and threatened runs of wild steelhead and salmon. This program provides much-needed assistance to state, local, and tribal governments in Washington, Alaska, California, and Oregon for salmon recovery projects.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $200 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund.
Energy and Water Development - NORTHWEST COASTAL ESTUARY PROGRAM
Overview: The Northwest Coastal Estuary Program, run by the Army Corps of Engineers, is a stakeholder driven program that helps enhance fish and wildlife habitat on the Lower Columbia River and Tillamook Bay. Adequately funded, the program will restore more than 16,000 acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat, augment existing monitoring efforts, and help citizens protect resources.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $35 million for the Northwest Coastal Estuary Program.
Energy and Water Development - OHIO RIVER ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROGRAM
Overview: The Ohio River Ecosystem Restoration program partners the Corps and other federal agencies with non-federal entities to create and protect side channels, islands, sandbars, gravel spawning substrate, bottomland hardwoods, and floodplain wetlands to aid fish and wildlife species.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $10 million for Ohio River Ecosystem Restoration.
Energy and Water Development -- ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (EMP)
Overview: EMP is the primary habitat restoration/monitoring program on the Upper Mississippi. When current projects are completed, it will have protected more than 96,000 acres of habitat.
Recommendation: Congress and the Administration should support $25 million for EMP.
Energy and Water Development -- SECTION 1135, SECTION 206, CHALLENGE 21
Overview: -- The Corps increasingly has engaged in the restoration of river systems degraded by existing Corps projects. The Section 1135 program modifies existing dams and flood control projects to increase habitat for fish and wildlife without interrupting a project's original purpose. The Section 206 program restores aquatic habitat regardless of past activities by the Corps. The Challenge 21 Initiative helps relocate frequently flooded homes and restore riparian habitat.
Recommendation: Both Section 1135 and Section 206 should be fully funded at $25 million each. Challenge 21 should be funded at $30 million.
Energy and Water Development -- MISSOURI RIVER FISH AND WILDLIFE MITIGATION
Overview: The Missouri River Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project helps reverse the impacts of lower river channelization and bank stabilization through land acquisition from willing sellers.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $20 million for the Missouri River Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project to increase habitat restoration and bring communities significant economic and quality of life benefits.
Energy and Water Development -- LOW IMPACT HYDROPOWER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Overview: The Low Impact Hydropower Certification Program helps consumers and power generators evaluate their options for creating and purchasing power. The goals of the program are to reduce the environmental impacts of hydropower generation and create a credible and accepted standard for customer evaluation of hydropower.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $100,000 for the Low Impact Hydropower Certification Program.
Interior and Related Agencies -- LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND (LWCF)
Overview: LWCF, a key tool in protecting open spaces, provides much needed dollars for purchasing ecologically important lands from willing sellers. Using LWCF dollars, the federal government has acquired more than 3.4 million acres. An appropriations shortfall by Congress has caused a backlog of $10-12 billion in unfulfilled projects.
Recommendation: Congress should fully fund LWCF at $900 million.
Department of Interior and Related Agencies - STREAMGAGING NETWORK
Overview: Information provided by the nation's streamgaging network is essential for habitat preservation, water quality, recreation, agriculture, industry, water supply, navigation, and flood hazard identification.
Recommendation: Congress should provide USGS with $40.5 million to revive the streamgaging network to account for water flows, support water quality monitoring, document flows for treaties and compacts, forecast floods, study long-term changes in flow conditions, and more.
Department of Interior and Related Agencies - COASTAL PROGRAM
Overview: The Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) Coastal Program is a highly effective partnership that brings together FWS experts, land trusts, biologists, and other conservation partners to protect and restore valuable fish and wildlife habitat in coastal regions.
Recommendation: To better protect valuable coastal habitats, Congress should appropriate $10 million for the Coastal Program.
Department of Interior and Related Agencies - IRRIGATION MITIGATION AND RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Overview: The Irrigation Mitigation and Restoration Partnership helps local governments in OR, WA, MT, ID, and CA construct fish screens and related features to reduce irrigation-related fish deaths and help farmers remain productive.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $25 million for the Irrigation Mitigation and Restoration Partnership.
Department of Interior and Related Agencies -- PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE
Overview: With two-thirds of US land privately owned, private landowners play a key role in maintaining diverse ecosystems and wildlife. Partners for Fish and Wildlife is a voluntary land stewardship program aimed at restoring and protecting important fish and wildlife habitat.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $35 million for Partners for Wildlife.
Interior Department and Related Agencies -- RIVERS, TRAILS, AND CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (RTCA)
Overview: RTCA provides valuable benefits to communities across the country in the form of assistance for park, open space, trail, and watershed planning.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $12 million for RTCA so that the program can address the existing backlog of projects and help communities better manage their recreational and natural resources.
Interior Department and Related Agencies -- WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS
Overview: The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects free-flowing rivers by prohibiting dams, limiting inappropriate streamside development, managing growth, and maintaining essential non-utilitarian values for designated rivers.
Recommendation - Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Congress should provide BLM with $2.0 million for WSR studies and $3.5 million for BLM management of designated rivers.
Recommendation - Forest Service: The Forest Service should increase and prioritize spending throughout the agency for management of WSR and completing studies of candidate rivers.
Recommendation - National Park Service (NPS): The NPS should receive $9.1 million for wild and scenic river work.
VA-HUD-Independent Agencies -- TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS (TMDL)
Overview: One of the most powerful tools to reduce water pollution from all sources is the Clean Water Act's (CWA) TMDL provision, which requires states to identify waters that do not meet or are not expected to meet state water quality standards and develop and implement a plan - a TMDL - to correct the water quality violations.
Recommendation: According to EPA, there are on average 300 impaired water bodies in each state in need of a TMDL, and this is a very conservative estimate. To meet this need, Congress appropriate $400 million for State Program Management Grants for TMDL development and implementation.
VA-HUD-Independent Agencies -- NONPOINT SOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Overview: Nonpoint source pollution degrades more water bodies than any other source of pollution. EPA's Nonpoint Source Management Program helps states, territories, and Indian Tribes reduce the threat of polluted runoff.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $250 million for EPA's Nonpoint Source Management Program.
VA-HUD-Independent Agencies -- CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM
Overview: The ecological integrity and productivity of the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been severely compromised by development, agriculture, over-harvesting of resources, and more than 2,500 small dams and other obstructions that block migratory fish from their historic spawning habitats. The Chesapeake Bay Program focuses on restoring tributaries, underwater Bay grasses, and fish passage and on reducing agricultural runoff pollution and toxics.
Recommendation: Congress should provide the Chesapeake Bay Program with $30 million.
VA-HUD-Independent Agencies -- PROJECT IMPACT
Overview: According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, flood damages average more than $4 billion a year. Project Impact helps communities dramatically reduce disruption and loss caused by floods and other natural disasters by restoring and protecting healthy, more natural ecosystems.
Recommendation: Congress should appropriate $50 million to expand Project Impact to safeguard people and the environment.
Energy and Water Development; Interior-Related Agencies -- EVERGLADES RESTORATION
Overview: The 17,000-square mile Everglades ecosystem of South Florida is one of the world's most diverse and productive wetlands. The Everglades Restoration Program, led by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Interior, is a large-scale initiative aimed at reversing the decline of the Everglades and loss of the many ecological and economic services it provides.
Recommendation: In FY'02, Congress and the Administration should provide $180 million and $145 million for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Interior respectively for their participation in the Everglades Restoration Program.
HYDROPOWER RELICENSING
Energy and Water Development; Interior-Related Agencies; Commerce-Justice-State
Overview: Dams can benefit society, but they also deplete fisheries, degrade river ecosystems, and diminish recreational opportunities. When deciding whether to issue a 30-50 year hydropower license, FERC, with involvement from key resource agencies, must give equal consideration to power and to protection of fish and wildlife, recreational opportunities, and other aspects of environmental quality. Thus, the relicensing process offers a unique opportunity to improve the conditions of rivers.
Recommendation -FERC: Congress should appropriate $46 million to ensure adequate resources to handle the significant increase in relicensing cases.
Recommendation -Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS): Congress should appropriate $2.35 million for to enable the FWS to provide technical evaluations of the impacts of hydroelectric projects on fish and wildlife resources and recommends actions to protect and enhance those resources.
Recommendation -Forest Service: Congress should appropriate $10 million to enable the Forest Service to effectively assess impacts hydroelectric projects on Forest Service land that are up for renewal.
Recommendation -National Park Service (NPS): The NPS should receive $5.5 million for its involvement in hydropower relicensing.
Recommendation -Bureau of Land Management (BLM): The BLM's mission is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner. Congress should appropriate $1.125 million for the BLM's work on hydropower relicensing.
Recommendation -Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): Congress should appropriate $2 million for BIA involvement in hydropower relicensing.
Recommendation -- National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS): Congress should increase NMFS funding by $2 million over FY'01 to enable the NMFS to meet its statutory obligations for the many projects coming up for relicensing in coastal waters.
Interior and Related Agency -- NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION (NFWF)
Overview: NFWF, a private non-profit organization, provides challenge grants for on-the-ground conservation projects and creates partnerships among federal, state, and local governments, corporations, private foundations, individuals, and non-profit organizations to identify problems and potential solutions.
Recommendation: Congress should fully fund the NFWF at $25 million to enable NFWF to meet the significant demand for on-the-ground conservation projects and partnership development.
********************
Suzy McDowell
Associate Director for Outreach
American Rivers
1025 Vermont Ave, NW, #720
Washington, DC 20005
202-347-7550 x3040
smcdowell@amrivers.org http://www.amrivers.org
Become an American Rivers online activist! Sign up at www.actionnetwork.org (http://www.actionnetwork.org) and click on American Rivers. Receive action alerts and updates on key river-related issues and help make a difference today!