>To: [log in to unmask]
>From: Ami Grace <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Action Alert- Key Water Programs May Be Cut
>Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 14:38:49 -0800
>Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>X-Topica-Loop: 1300002526
>
>Alert-- President Bush's Proposed Budget Attacks the Most Basic of Clean
>Water Programs!
>
>President Bush's proposed budget flies in the face of good clean water
>policy.  Here's a brief list of clean water programs currently on the
>chopping block:
>-- Eliminate the water quality monitoring branch of USGS
>-- Zero out funding after 2001 for important conservation programs like
>the Wetlands Reserve Program and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program
>
>USGS water quality monitoring
>USGS' water quality monitoring program, the National Water Quality
>Assessment Program, has long been a major source of data for both EPA
>and state agencies.  It has been reported that the mission of USGS will
>change and its water quality monitoring branch will be zeroed out.  What
>can we do about this?  We would like to compile a list of ways your
>group or your state agency has used USGS data in the past.  We will send
>this information to members on the budget committee as well as
>appropriators.
>-- So, if USGS data has been essential for your state to set water
>quality standards, or to develop its 303(d)list or 305(b)report, or to
>help your group go after a major polluter, please send your examples of
>useful USGS data to Ami Grace at [log in to unmask] by March 20.
>
>Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program
>(WHIP)
>President Bush has proposed to zero out funding for WRP and WHIP after
>2001.  Not only do these programs provide valuable water quality
>benefits, hundreds of participants are denied entry into the program
>each year because it is chronically underfunded.  We need to increase
>funding for these programs, not decrease it.
>-- So, if the WRP or WHIP has been used to help improve water quality
>and aquatic habitat in your state, or if you have data on the backlog of
>farmers and property owners that want to participate in this program but
>have been unable to, please send these examples to Ami at
>[log in to unmask] by March 20.
>
>Thank you-- what's going on in your neighborhood is important to
>national clean water policy!
>
>____________________________________________________________
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