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Water Quality Program Shared Leadership The State Perspective. M. D. Smolen Water Quality Leadership Team. NWQLT briefing to CSREES Executive Council June 20, 2002. The National Water Quality Program: a little history…. Program started 1989 with focus on ground water. 1991 through 1998
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Water Quality Program Shared LeadershipThe State Perspective M. D. Smolen Water Quality Leadership Team NWQLT briefing to CSREES Executive CouncilJune 20, 2002
The National Water Quality Program:a little history… • Program started 1989 with focus on ground water. • 1991 through 1998 • 54 Extension Water Quality Coordinators • 74 Hydrologic Unit Area projects • 16 Demonstration projects • 6 Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA)/Agricultural Systems for Environmental Quality (ASEQ) projects
Accomplishments • A robust network of water quality programs in all states and territories • Educated ourselves (staff, students, faculty) and the public on the relationship of agriculture to water quality • Changed the philosophy of producers - Pollution control is now part of doing business.
Accomplishments • Educational support for EQIP • Educational support for Nonpoint Source Programs (319) • Educational support for Source Water Protection (Safe Drinking Water Act) • Educational support for state water quality programs
. Drinking Water Education • “We have screened over 15,000 wells since 1989 with the following accomplishments: • Increased 15,000 homeowners'understanding of well protection • Adoption of 30 county well-protection ordinances since 1990 • Implemented 5,000 Home*A*Syst assessments since 1998” • - Greg Jennings, North Carolina WQC
Hydrologic Unit Area Projects Milking center system Reduces waste water Two-stage lagoon cuts pollution 69-90% North Bosque HUA Project, Texas
Nitrate contamination from septic tanks in Rhode Island is addressed by the URI Water Quality Program
Riparian Management • Functions of Riparian Areas • Store water, reduce floods • Stabilize stream banks • Shade streams to maintain water temperature • Provide shelter and food • Provide repositories of biological diversity • Mitigate the effects of non-point source (NPS) pollution
Lesson on Stream Bank Erosion With a Stream Trailer
Water Quality Modeling Research Salt Fork Watershed Oklahoma
Accomplishments • Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst • Project NEMO • Volunteer Monitoring • Animals Waste Management • Minority education • Youth education • Agricultural BMPs
Biggest Accomplishment – the National Network of Water Quality Coordinators
Water Quality Strategic Plan(from 1997) • Seven goals • Competitive funding • Program Centers • Projects of National Significance • Shared Leadership
Water Quality Strategic Plan(2002) • Seven goals – these have changed • Competitive funding – 406 • Program Centers – theme teams • Projects of National Significance – national facilitation projects • Shared Leadership – shared leadership
The national program is more than 406.. • 406 is a funding source. • 406 Regional Projects help coordinate the National Program. • 406 National Facilitation projects are a resource to the National Program.
406 funding is a motivator… • It steers the program to watersheds. • It steers the program to partnerships (particularly with EPA). • It funds directly those who do the work.
What is shared leadership?(Federal and State partnership) • Together we control the direction, quality, and character of the program. • Together we identify program priorities and set goals. • Together we develop strategies and goals. • Each partner contributes.
What does the Federal partner bring to the table? • 406 funding • Communication channels between states and federal agencies • Representation at the National scene • Federal priorities • Entrée to federal agencies and decision makers • A bully pulpit
What do we, the State partner, bring to the table? • Land grant resources (extension, research, teaching) – mostly supported by other funds • Partnerships at state and local level • Partnerships with NGOs, influential citizens, producers, and environmental groups • The credibility of the agricultural research system
What can states do to promote the program • Participate in work groups to assist CSREES. • Represent CSREES in meetings away from Washington. • Market the program and generate visible results.
What we expect from our federal partner… • Support for the basic elements of our system (education and research). • Representation with USDA, EPA, and other federal agencies • Introduction to new partners and help to market the program
We are committed to shared leadership for the water quality program.