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The Water Resources Coalition was established in 2007 to promote the development, implementation and funding of a comprehensive national water resources policy. With member organizations representing state and local governments, conservation, engineering and construction, ports, waterways and transportation services, the Coalition works to ensure that a comprehensive, national water resources policy is developed, implemented and funded to provide a sustainable, productive economy; a healthy aquatic ecology; and public health and safety. For more information, visit the Water Resources Coalition Web site at www.waterresourcescoalition.org. |
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WRC Urges Coordinated Efforts to Clean Up Gulf of Mexico
The Water Resources Coalition sent a letter to the Obama Administration and Congressional leaders on June 18th urging more coordinated efforts to address the immediate, mid, and long term effects of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Coalition asks that additional agencies continue to be engaged in the clean up efforts and that the varying expertise of these agencies be used to make both the clean up and restoration efforts most effective. With agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency involved in the efforts, affects to wildlife, the environment, and coastal communities can be better taken into account as well as more intense planning for mid and long term consequences to both the ecology and economy of the region.
It is only through the combination of resources and expertise of these federal agencies, local organizations, and relevant national organizations that a real and sustained clean up can be accomplished and the affected communities protected.
The Water Resources Coalition will continue to monitor the disaster in the Gulf and stands ready to assist the administration if called upon.
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U.S. Wastewater Needs Total $298 Billion
As of January 1, 2008, the United States needed to invest $298.1 billion in capital spending to upgrade wastewater treatment infrastructure nationwide, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The total spending includes estimates for publicly owned wastewater pipes and treatment facilities ($192.2 billion), combined sewer overflow (CSO) correction ($63.6 billion), and stormwater management ($42.3 billion).
The figures represent a snapshot of the capital spending that was necessary two and a half years ago to improve all sewage and stormwater treatment and management. The figures are contained in the 2008 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey Report to Congress.
Among the changes from the 2004 report are a 17 percent increase in investment needs due to a combination of improved reporting, aging infrastructure, population growth and more protective water quality standards. Other needs for nonpoint source pollution prevention at $23 billion and decentralized onsite wastewater systems at $24 billion are included in the report.
"Communities across the country face significant challenges to sustaining water [and] wastewater infrastructure," says an EPA summary of the report.
"The report helps Congress and others effectively manage clean water infrastructure and other pollution control needs. Congress uses the data to inform legislation; state environmental agencies, legislatures, and governor's offices use the data to help administer environmental programs; and academia and industry use the data to help with water quality research and technology support."
The 2010 Report to Congress is available on the EPA webpage at http://www.epa.gov/cwns/ |
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CA Water Initiative Prospects Look Dim in November
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders have agreed to take Proposition 18 off the ballot in the upcoming November elections. Prop 18 contains an $11.1 billion bond, which would establish a statewide program that for the first time would measure if too much water is being pumped from underground aquifers. Additionally, it mandates an overall 20% drop in the state's per capita water use by 2020 and creates a new, politically appointed council to oversee management of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the state's water hub. The bond measure would shower money around the state for new storage, watershed improvements, delta restoration, recycling and groundwater cleanup.
The governor is working with legislative leaders to postpone the water bond proposal as its prospects appear increasingly dim. Polls suggest that California voters may not have the appetite for such borrowing at a time when the state budget is in crisis. Schwarzenegger said Tuesday in a statement that he would try to get the two-thirds vote of the Legislature needed to pull the Prop 18 bond measure from the ballot and take it to voters in 2012 instead. It was passed by the Legislature in November 2009, after months of difficult negotiations among farmers, environmentalists, water agencies and lawmakers. |
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Supreme Court Backs Florida on Beaches
The U.S. Supreme Court in a unanimous decision concluded that the Florida Supreme Court did not take private property without just compensation in violation of the U.S. Constitution in its ruling governing the restoration of beaches.
The case centered on an appeal of a Florida Supreme Court decision that challenged a local beach restoration plan. Owners of the land objected that the renourished beach seaward of a state-set erosion control line and behind their homes would become public land, as is mandated by state law.
The president of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, a WRC member, Harry Simmons stated, "While the case before the court was technically a Florida matter, the results of the case have implications for coastal communities nationwide. ASBPA is dedicated to the efforts of our members in Florida and elsewhere who are working hard to maintain, protect, and enhance the coasts of America. We believe the state of Florida was correct in its approach to restoring beaches, and are very happy that the high court agrees."
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Hurricane Protection Projects Moving Ahead
Over the past year, the Hurricane Protection Office and the Army Corps of Engineers have taken many steps to improve hurricane readiness in Louisiana. Many new construction projects have been started while other projects are near completion. In the past year, the Grand Isle dune was completed, almost all the perimeter work in Orleans Metro was completed, all construction projects are under way in Orleans East and over half the projects on the Lakefront were completed, over 95% of the Lake Borgne Surge Barrier wall was completed, and the majority of the pump station repairs have also been finished.
The next year projects will focus on Orleans East, St. Bernard Parish and the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal. In the Orleans East area, 4.9 million cubic yards of clay will be moved to area levees. This will be the largest deep soil mixing project ever attempted in the U.S. In St. Barnard Parish, there will be 23 miles of T-wall constructed. The Inner Harbor Navigation Canal will involve the creation of surge barriers and a floodgate complex The Hurricane Protection Office hopes to have more than 4 times the amount of construction this upcoming year. Other areas which will be worked on this next year include Jefferson Parish, St. Charles Parish, and Orleans Metro area. Additionally, existing pump stations will continue to be repaired and these improvements should be completed by the close of 2010. Storm proofing projects are in various stages at this point but these projects are projected to be complete by the end of 2011. Permanent Canal Closures and Pumps has just closed out its Request for Proposal stage and is beginning to review them. Outfall Canals are currently being improved. Lake Pontchartrain Coastal Zone (Basin) Coastal Protection & Restoration create a marsh and cypress forests. There will be continuing updates as construction progresses.
The Corps will be more than happy to give elected officials, or community leaders a tour of their work and the current system in place for this Hurricane Season. Any questions or for additional information one can contact the Corps' Mississippi Valley Division office.
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Report Highlights Benefits of Nation's Ecosystems
The ProAct Network recently released a briefing paper highlighting the need for healthy ecosystems and their positive impact on community and environmental resilience. The paper sees wetlands and other ecosystems as a natural barrier that can reduce the impact of floods, regulate water flow, and reduce the impact of natural disasters.
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Bay Planning Coalition to Hold Series of Workshops
The Bay Planning Coalition is holding a three part workshop series that will focus on "Keeping Bay Projects Moving." The first will be held on June 29, 2010 and will discuss dredging options.
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Sincerely,
Brian Pallasch and Marco Giamberardino
Co-Chairs
Water Resources Coalition |
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