Water Quality Program Shared Leadership The State Perspective

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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
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The National Water Quality Programa 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

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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.

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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

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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 HomeASyst assessments since
  1998
• - Greg Jennings, North Carolina WQC

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Hydrologic Unit Area Projects
Milking center system Reduces waste water
Two-stage lagoon cuts pollution 69-90
North Bosque HUA Project, Texas
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Nitrate contamination from septic tanks in Rhode
Island is addressed by the URI Water Quality
Program
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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

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Lesson on Stream Bank Erosion With a Stream
Trailer
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Water Quality Modeling Research
Salt Fork Watershed Oklahoma
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Volunteer Monitoring and Youth Education
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Accomplishments

• FarmASyst/HomeASyst
• Project NEMO
• Volunteer Monitoring
• Animals Waste Management
• Minority education
• Youth education
• Agricultural BMPs

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Biggest Accomplishment the National Network
of Water Quality Coordinators
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Water Quality Strategic Plan(from 1997)

• Seven goals
• Competitive funding
• Program Centers
• Projects of National Significance
• Shared Leadership

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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(No Transcript)
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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

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Shared leadership moves us in the right direction
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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.

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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

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We are committed to shared leadership for the
water quality program.