Source Water Collaborative Publishes Call to Action

The Source Water Collaborative (SWC) has just published a “Call to Action” that ASDWA helped to develop.  This document includes a future vision in which “All drinking water sources are adequately protected,” along with key actions for state, federal, and local partners to:  update and improve source water assessments and protection plans; protect drinking water sources and work with key partners; and implement rapid emergency notification and response procedures.  Please note that this was a “soft launch” of the Call to Action paper, to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act Celebratory Event that was held last week.  The SWC’s full promotion of the Call to Action  is planned for early 2015. To accompany the attached 4-pager, the full promotion will also feature a companion document that includes informational resources and tools for SWC organizations and their members to facilitate the proposed actions.  To view and download the Call to Action, visit the SWC home page at www.sourcewatercollaborative.org.

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USDA Seeks Public Comment on New EQIP Rule

Today, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a Federal Register Notice asking for public comment on a new rule that outlines how it will improve the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).  EQIP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address soil, water, and air concerns on their lands for improved environmental benefits, including water quality.  This new interim rule includes EQIP program changes authorized by Congress in the 2014 Farm Bill, and is intended to streamline the program and simplify the regulation r for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.  Comments are due by February 10, 2015, based on a 60-day comment period.  View the USDA news release HERE.  View the Federal Register Notice HERE.

This rule follows the publication of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) interim final rule in the Federal Register on November 5. USDA is also seeking comments for the CSP rule.  For more information about interim final rules for USDA NRCS’s Farm Bill conservation programs, visit EQIP Rule Page.

Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act!

December 16, 2014 will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act.  In anticipation of that important milestone, ASDWA has developed and gathered some information to help you join in the celebration.  We have created a special portion of our web site dedicated to this anniversary where you will find the following materials: 

• A narrative history of our collective progress under the SDWA, from a state drinking water program perspective
• A customizable press release and Governor’s proclamation
• Information about a December 9th celebration of the 40th anniversary
• Testimonials from four state drinking water program administrators
• Other resources and links (including a link to EPA’s 40th anniversary web page and a special video developed by the Minnesota drinking water program)

Visit the ASDWA web site at:  http://www.asdwa.org/40thanniversary.