Mississippi River Basin Water Resource News for the Week-Early Edition

~Virtual Newspaper for an Aquatic World~

National Rivers and Streams Assessment Draft Report Released for Comment

Biological Conditions by Ecoregion
(Click to Enlarge)

The U.S. EPA Office of Water's Assessment and Watershed Protection Division on Monday (March 25) released its draft report of the National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2008-2009 (NRSA) for public review during a 45-day comment period. The NRSA report describes the results of the nationwide survey of river and stream conditions that was conducted during the summers of 2008 and 2009, and also describes  survey methods, and future actions and challenges.  This is the first time a  national monitoring study of the overall condition of rivers and streams has been conducted using a statistically-valid random sample approach.   55% of U.S. river and stream miles do not support healthy biological communities when compared to least disturbed areas.  In the Mississippi River Basin, the Upper Midwest, Southern Appalachian and Coastal Plain ecoregions fared worse than the national average.  Of the stressors examined during the survey, phosphorus and nitrogen are the most ubiquitous, and biological communities were seen to be at increased risk when  phosphorus and nitrogen levels were observed to be high.  Links to and discussion of related information can be found here.

White House Releases Updated Principles and Guidelines for Water Resources Projects - Immediate Fate Uncertain
Last Friday (March 22), the Obama Administration's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released an updated version of the Principles and Guidelines (or "P&G") designed to "govern how Federal agencies evaluate proposed water resource development projects." The P&G, which have long been anticipated by the nation's water resource stakeholders, include a final set of Principles and Requirements that according to the CEQ lay out "broad principles to guide water investments, as well as draft Interagency Guidelines for implementing the Principles & Requirements." The Guidelines outline the "detailed methodology for conducting implementation studies under the new Principles and Requirements," according to the CEQ announcement. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the draft Interagency Guidelines beginning on Wednesday, March 27 during a 60-day comment period. The schedule for implementing the revised Principles and Standards in not at all certain, however, due in part to a rider added at the last minute to the 2012 Fiscal Year federal appropriations bill that was effectively extended by the recently passed (Fiscal Year 2013) continuing resolution. The rider would block the Army Corps of Engineers from implementing P&G updates.  Links to both the draft P&G and Interagency Guidelines can be found under the "Resources" section of this CEQ web page.  For more discussion on the impact of the P&G, the currently-open public comment period, and the uncertain fate of the P&G implementation, see this article.

Notable @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week
Water Quality -

• Groups criticize West Virginia DEP emergency rule that weakens water quality limits for aluminum http://ow.ly/jxIi1
• EPA revises West Virginia report on impaired streams after state left over 1000 miles of polluted waterways off list http://ow.ly/jqEip
• EPA proposes adding 255 more waterways to West Virginia’s list of "impaired waters" http://ow.ly/jqdu8
• Delta Farm Press article: nurient pollution lawsuit vs USEPA is environmentalist "attack" on "Mid-South agriculture" http://ow.ly/jqKtV
• Target Corp. signs agreement with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MN) to work on stormwater runoff reduction http://ow.ly/jjSQv
• Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS agree to address unauthorized raw sewage overflows and reduce stormwater pollution http://ow.ly/jjW90
• Evansville, 9 other Indiana cities, under consent decree with Environmental Protection Agency to deal with stormwater http://bit.ly/11BQL8O
• Activists protest Iowa proposal said to make it easier for livestock operators to avoid water pollution oversight http://ow.ly/jqk4c
• MN Pollution Control Agency posts 100+ comments received on draft South Metro Mississippi River Turbidity Impairment http://ow.ly/jqGTU
• Debate continues on whether fracking wastes should be barged down the Ohio River, as company awaits approval bit.ly/YCteYs

Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -

• Mississippi River in Arkansas "a little more spry" following winter's snow and rain http://ow.ly/jkq2x
• Washington Post - World Water Day: A forceful reminder that the U.S. is running out of fresh water http://ow.ly/jkzjh
• White House Council on Environmental Quality releases revised Principles and Guidelines for federal water projects http://1.usa.gov/16T4Mms
• Army Corps of Engineers: Missouri River flow above its navigable portion will be 81 percent of average in 2013 http://bit.ly/16T3IPi
• Saint Joseph News-Press editorial: Common sense needed in the Missouri River’s management http://ow.ly/jqJiO
• New system to restore wetlands could reduce massive floods, aid crops bit.ly/ZxJKFQ
• Vicksburg, Mississippi officials watching newly redesigned Mississippi River bank structures during rainy weather bit.ly/16ia6i0
• Forbes article previewed: inland waterways "barge business has become a ward of government largesse" onforb.es/WWFsb2
• Tennessee governor rejects Georgia effort to access Tennessee River water bit.ly/YCYQxg
• $234 million to be spent on over 100 projects along Missouri River to stabilize Army Corps' dams and levees system bit.ly/YCr7DU
• Reps. Rodney Davis and Bill Enyart meet with America’s Central Port officials to share Mississippi River concerns http://ow.ly/jxGXI

Agriculture -

• Oregon State Univ. engineers develop new interactive system to create networks of small Midwest farmland wetlands bit.ly/WWH18Q
• Executive summary available for 2012 Leadership for Midwestern Watersheds meeting on  farmer engagement, targeting conservation, scaling watershed lessons http://ow.ly/jkKe4
• Will farm planting get off to a slow start with cooler than average Midwest tempertures? http://dlvr.it/37Vnh9
• Who holds Congress' attention these days when it comes to farm policy: Big agriculture? http://politi.co/16T5Ruk
• Dept of Energy awards $925,000 to Southern Research Institute to further develop turning biomass into bio-oils http://ow.ly/jqQlT
• Is the farmland price bubble poised to burst? dlvr.it/382y6L
• Farm land auction prices in 2011-flood-impacted Nebraska about half what they were before the flooding http://ow.ly/juFuI
• US corn supplies shrink at fastest pace in almost 40 years as ethanol demand drains reserves http://ow.ly/juEa7
• USDA announces several senior level staff changes http://ow.ly/juEvl

Climate and Weather -

March 26 U.S. Drought Monitor Map
(Click to Enlarge)

• Midwest drought impact eases a bit; Plains remain locked in dryness http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
• NOAA forecast: Historic U.S. drought that laid waste to grain and corn belt is unlikely to ease before mid-year  http://ow.ly/jjSri
• EPA National Water Program publishes 2012 Highlights of Progress: Responses to Climate Change http://ow.ly/jqTCp
• Agriculture and climate experts say drought conditions may deteriorate more rapidly this year than last bit.ly/ZY25Mc
• Dry, cold western Midwest spring gives the term "extreme" a workout; drought persists; cold puts planting on hold bit.ly/ZY1x93

In the States -

• Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality told to improve public notification of pending permits http://bit.ly/16T8hJz

In the Cities -

• Declining Midwestern cities: Where do we go from here to remain sustainable and efficient? bit.ly/WWI3BP
• Design to begin of New Orleans port's new Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal Project bit.ly/16i9FUJ
• Green Infrastructure passes Kansas City, MO test, as City official says stormwater solutions made economic sense bit.ly/YCtKWu
• Permeable Streets Plan for 17 block area of Charles City, IA results in reduced flooding and requests for duplication bit.ly/ZXSo0g
• Mayor Greg Fischer makes changes to and finalizes his "Sustain Louisville" (KY) plan http://ow.ly/jxIHO

Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -

• Public donations to Wisconsin's endangered resources program is at ten-year low and dropping http://bit.ly/YzADoL
• In search of a control, finding a market for millions of pounds of invasive Mississippi River Asian carp is not easy bit.ly/YCZA5t
• New proposals floated to permanently fund fight against invasive aquatic species in Minnesota bit.ly/YCYpCW
• U.S. sees land conservation as a way to help animals and plants adapt to climate change usat.ly/YCXrXg
• Umbrella strategy released Tuesday to protect U.S. fish, wildlife and plants from climate change impacts bit.ly/ZvORGu

Gulf Coastal Region-

• New La State U database aggregates world’s storm surge information http://ow.ly/jqFMW Gulf Coast news article: http://ow.ly/jqFT6
• New study: Extreme storm events of Hurricane Katrina magnitude will occur more frequently because of climate change bit.ly/YCpmH1

Resource Extraction -

• Some environmental groups harshly critical of new partnership aiming to create new fracking standards http://ow.ly/jjR1y
• Illinois fracking bill drafted with help of environmental; industry groups delayed over union-backed hiring amendment http://ow.ly/jjTzt
• EPA announces formation of new panel to peer-review agency’s hydraulic fracturing research http://ow.ly/jq9Xk
• Large-scale frac sand mining operations could kick off soon in South Dakota, if mining companies get their way http://ow.ly/jqh6V
• Frac sand development provides Minnesota jobs, but state lawmakers caution against too rapid growth bit.ly/ZvXqRH
• Study Confirms: Largest Oklahoma Earthquake Linked to Oil Extraction Wastewater bit.ly/YEQ13d

Federal Budget -

• U.S. Senate passes its 1st budget in four years on 50-49 vote http://bit.ly/16T53Wt  (now on to unlikely reconciliation with House version)
• Reconciling the House and Senate-passed budget plans is probably impossible, and neither will be put into effect http://lat.ms/16T654O
• Senate's fiscal year 2014 spending bill provides detailed spending road map for US science agencies; summaries here: http://ow.ly/jqPv0

Events -  Information on all past and future events listed here can be viewed in the on-line calendar on this Blog page and here as a stand-alone calendar.

• Waters of Wisconsin Day; April 9, noon-8 PM CDT; Madison, Wisconsin and via live webcast http://ow.ly/jkvs0
• 2013 Missouri River Institute Research Symposium; April 4; 9 AM-4:30 PM, University of South Dakota, Vermillion http://ow.ly/jqIoz
• Mississippi River Commission posts notice of its upcoming lower Mississippi River public meetings: April 8-12 bit.ly/Yg7mQp (PDF)
• Free Webcast on newly-released “Draft National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2008-2009” April 3, 1-3 pm EDT 1.usa.gov/GB3KhT
• Illinois RiverWatch Citizen Scientist Program training workshops for new and trained volunteers; late March - April bit.ly/YCxlnp
• St. Charles, MO Missouri River Clean-up set for April 6; 9 AM - noon http://ow.ly/jxHdE

e-Newsletters, Publications and Journals -

• The Horinko Group March Newsletter focuses on Mississippi River lock and dam system; water infrastructure http://ow.ly/jraVB
• St. Croix River Association March 22 e-newsletter http://ow.ly/jkNZv
• US EPA's March issue of Watershed News is now on-line http://1.usa.gov/11BGnO
• Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy's March 25 WaterWays e-newsletter link here http://ow.ly/jcEII
• Weekly Newsletter from EPA's Office of Water: Water Headlines for March 26 http://ow.ly/jqTak

Other news-

• Mississippi River "Rivers for Change" paddling trip leads to more trips tying recreation with environmental education http://ow.ly/jjRPc
• Hennepin County (MN) Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants for a vacancy on the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District Board http://ow.ly/jjVot
• Kentucky environmental agency denies pending landfill permit for coal ash storage near Ohio River in Trimble County http://ow.ly/jkuhj
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and USDA-NRCS announce new Conservation Partners Program grant round http://ow.ly/jkxB2
• Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway mixes built and natural resources into a national treasure http://bit.ly/YzAYI2
• New congressional caucus and mayoral initiative put focus on Mississippi River bit.ly/ZycJJR
• McKnight Foundation awards multiple grants to organizations working for a sustainable Mississippi River bit.ly/YCy9IN
• IL Governor says Sister Rivers/Lakes agreements with overseas partners is way to discuss common challenges; concerns 1.usa.gov/ZXU9KM

Political Scene -

• U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) to retire, lifting GOP hopes in battle for Senate seat http://ow.ly/jq9IG
• Ashley Judd decides against US Senate (Kentucky) run bit.ly/Yg7Kyh

Last Word -
"Always look on the bright side of life." - Sung in Monty Python's "Life of Brian" by Eric Idle, who celebrates his birthday this Friday. And for the musically inclined, here is an audio-visual version of the Last Word from Sir Eric, sung at Royal Albert Hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus (from his "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life Sing-Along").

National Rivers and Streams Assessment Draft Report Released for Comment

The U.S. EPA Office of Water's Assessment and Watershed Protection Division announced on Monday (March 25) that it was releasing its draft report of the National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2008-2009 (NRSA) for public evaluation and comment during a 45-day comment period. The NRSA report describes the results of the nationwide survey of river and stream conditions that was conducted during the summers of 2008 and 2009, and also describes survey methods, and future actions and challenges. This is the first time a national monitoring study of the overall condition of rivers and streams has been conducted using a statistically-valid random sample approach.

Biological Condition by Ecological Region
(click to enlarge)

According to the draft NRSA, 55% of U.S. river and stream miles do not support healthy biological communities when compared to least disturbed sites in similar ecological regions. In the Mississippi River Basin, the Upper Midwest, Southern Appalachian and Coastal Plain ecoregions fared worse than the national average, while the Northern and Southern Plains came out better than the average. Nationally, "fair conditions" were observed in 23% of river and stream miles, and only 21% were found to be in "good condition" and supporting healthy aquatic biological communities. Of the stressors examined during the survey, phosphorus and nitrogen are the most ubiquitous, and biological communities were seen to be at increased risk when phosphorus and nitrogen levels were observed to be high.

Interested parties can link to the report on this National Rivers and Streams Assessment web site. The Federal Register notice announcing the report's release and and additional background on the topic can be viewed here. Comments on the NRSA must be received by 11:59 p.m. May 9, and can be sent by email to nrsa-hq@epa.gov.

UPDATED: White House Releases Updated Principles and Guidelines for Federal Water Projects; Implementation Schedule Uncertain

On Friday (March 22), the Obama Administration's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released an updated version of the Principles and Guidelines (or "P&G") designed to "govern how Federal agencies evaluate proposed water resource development projects." The P&G, which have long been anticipated by the nation's water resource stakeholders, include a final set of Principles and Requirements that according to the CEQ lay out "broad principles to guide water investments, as well as draft Interagency Guidelines for implementing the Principles & Requirements." The Guidelines outline the "detailed methodology for conducting implementation studies under the new Principles and Requirements," according to the CEQ announcement. Links to both the Principles and Requirements and the draft Interagency Guidelines can be found under the "Resources" section of this CEQ web page.

The public will have an opportunity to comment on the draft Interagency Guidelines beginning on Wednesday, March 27 during a 60-day comment period. The CEQ indicates that the draft Guidelines will "incorporate feedback from the public and stakeholders before being finalized."  The Principles and Requirements are set to take effect 180 days after the publication of the final Interagency Guidelines.  The schedule for implementing the revised Principles and Standards in not at all certain, however.  This uncertainty is due in some part to a rider added at the last minute to the 2012 Fiscal Year federal appropriations bill that was effectively extended by the recently passed (Fiscal Year 2013) continuing resolution.  The rider would block the Army Corps of Engineers from implementing updates to the Principles and Guidelines.  The rider states in its entirety:
"Water Resources Principles and Guidelines. - No funds are provided for the line item proposed for Water Resources Principles and Guidelines, as this is considered a new start. No funds provided to the Corps shall be used to develop or implement rules or guidance if an update or replacement to the document dated March 10, 1983, and entitled "Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies" is finalized during the fiscal year period covered by the Energy and Water Development Act for 2012. The Corps shall continue to use the Water Resources Principles and Guidelines in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act during that same period."

In the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA) Congress directed the Secretary of the Army to revise the P&G that had guided water resources project planning for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Tennessee Valley Authority since the early 1980s. The Obama Administration sought to update and expand the scope of the P&G (i.e., to cover all federal agencies that undertake water resource projects, not just the four agencies currently subject to the P&G).  As part of that effort, the CEQ released its "Proposed National Objectives, Principles and Standards for Water and Related Resources Implementation Studies" in December, 2009 (those Principles and Standards have more recently become known as the "Principles and Requirements").  The "Principles" portion of the Principles and Requirements are described in the P&G as the "overarching concepts the Federal government seeks to promote through Federal investments in water resources now and into the foreseeable future," and include:

• Healthy and Resilient Ecosystems
• Sustainable Economic Development
• Floodplains
• Public Safety
• Environmental Justice
• Watershed Approach

The CEQ received a considerable amount of comment on the standards it proposed in 2009, including a rather critical analysis submitted by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). The NAS report from the National Research Council (NRC), along with supporting materials, can be found here.  The update released on Friday has been widely anticipated since the 2009 release and 2010 comment period, and is expected by most to have incorporated at least some of those public comments and NAS concerns.  In the version released on March 22, the Principles and Requirements now apply to the following agencies:

• Department of the Interior
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Commerce
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Army Corps of Engineers
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Tennessee Valley Authority

In announcing the release of the updated P&G, CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley stated in a media release that "This much needed update of the 30-year-old Principles and Guidelines will help agencies better evaluate and expedite water projects that grow our economy and are essential for protecting our communities from floods, droughts, and storms."

The CEQ states that "the updated Principles and Requirements include a number of important changes that modernize the current approach to water resources development. They allow communities more flexibility to pursue local priorities; take a more comprehensive approach to water projects that maximizes economic, environmental, and recreational benefits; promote more transparent and informed decision-making across the Federal Government; and ensure responsible taxpayer investment through smart front-end planning so that projects proceed more quickly, stay on budget, and perform better."

Mississippi River Basin Water Resource News for the Week

~Virtual Newspaper for an Aquatic World~

Water Resources Development Act Moves Out of Senate Committee with Ease
Members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee used a perfunctory March 20 working session to unanimously pass its 2013 version of the Water Resources Development Act (S. 601) (known as "WRDA"), moving the bill on to the full Senate for anticipated action in late April or May.
The bill, crafted largely through negotiations between Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Ranking Member David Vitter (R-LA), would authorize new flood protection, navigation and ecosystem restoration projects nationwide, while taking steps to reform the Army Corps of Engineers project planning and management processes. The bill now includes nine amendments added as a block (or en bloc), and a manager's amendment from the Chairwoman and Ranking Member. For more details on the bill, amendments and their future, see this blog update and links to additional news coverage, below.

Mississippi River Mayors and Legislators Announce New Congressional River Caucus and River Agenda

Mayors and legislators at Capitol Hill
press event (click to enlarge)

In a briefing centering on the job-creating potential and economic driving force of the Mississippi River, mayors and lawmakers from along the length of the River met on Capitol Hill on Thursday to formally announce a new Mississippi River Congressional Caucus, and the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative's 2013 River-focused policy platform.  Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Reps. Stephen Fincher (R-TN), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Tim Walz (D-MN) and Ron Kind (D-WI) co-chair the newly formed, bicameral Mississippi River Congressional Caucus (along with Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), and gave introductory remarks in officially launching their bipartisan effort.

The announcement of the mayor's policy "platform to restore and sustain the Mississippi River" was moderated by the Initiative's co-chair, Dave Kleis, Mayor of St. Cloud, Minnesota. Including Kleis, seven of the eleven mayors at the event each presented one of seven corresponding priority issues, which range from directing limited Federal resources where they can be most effective to passage of a fiscally-sustainable Water Resources Development Act that addresses the way the Army Corps of Engineers manages water resources projects to a Farm Bill that contains a national sodsaver provision and links farmland conservation to receipt of Federal insurance subsidies. To read more event details, and a list of the mayors' priority issues, as well as link to a summary of the mayor's 2013 policy platform, see this article.

Notable @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week  

Water Quality -

• NPR (Louisville): Water Advocates Discuss Dead Zone and Need for Stricter Water Standards http://ow.ly/j9tsn
• American Society of Civil Engineers 2013 Report Card for America’s Wastewater Infrastructure: "D" http://ow.ly/jf9QK
• Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement: Iowa hog farm bills would increase water pollution http://ow.ly/jiyRg

Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -

• National Research Council report: FEMA should look beyond levees to manage flood risk http://ow.ly/jgoJ4 (free webinar-info below under Events)
• ASCE 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure: water/wastewater related grades all fall within the D to D-minus range http://ow.ly/jf9GF
• Louisiana Dems' bills would authorize Mississippi River dredging to minimum 50-foot depth from mouth to Baton Rouge http://ow.ly/j05w4
• Congressional trio (Sen. Durbin, Reps. Enyart & Davis) say bill would target weather's effects on Mississippi River http://ow.ly/j06zR
• Sen. Blunt places hold on EPA nominee, as deadline for resolving differences in Mississippi River St. Johns Bayou-New Madrid Floodway Project passes   http://ow.ly/jaETc and http://ow.ly/jdkeq
• Wisconsin PR story on "Mississippi River Navigation Concerns" (audio) http://ow.ly/jdf6q
• Sens. Boxer and Vitter file new Senate water resources development bill; expect Senate floor action in April or May http://ow.ly/jf4fI
• Sen Durbin (D-IL) addresses waterways council on need to upgrade Mississippi River infrastructure http://ow.ly/jf7K6
• Illinois Corn Growers Association President touts benefits of proposed Mississippi River Navigation Sustainment Act  http://ow.ly/jhi91

WRDA

• House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee bipartisan listening session with port stakeholders held on Thursday in WRDA ramp-up http://ow.ly/jf4Yj
• Amendments on invasive species, wetlands conservation and National Flood Insurance Program added to Senate WRDA bill passed by Committee http://ow.ly/jgp8n
• Senate Environment and Public Works Committee votes unanimously to approve a new Water Resources Development Act http://ow.ly/jhnpe

"When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin and New Orleans-Hurricane Katrina Photos

(in recognition of “Flood Safety Awareness Week”)

Farm Bill-

• Des Moines Register Letter to the editor: Conservation link needed to crop insurance aid http://ow.ly/j9JPJ
• Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD): work on Farm Bill will begin once Congress finishes its budget work http://ow.ly/jcJj1
• With final spending bill now passed, the total FY 2013 cut to mandatory farm bill conservation is $562 million http://ow.ly/jjJnm

Agriculture -

• USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan - a strong advocate of local and organic food - to resign in May http://ow.ly/iZTNP
• President’s Council of Economic Advisers report includes chapter on Challenges and Opportunities in U.S. Agriculture http://ow.ly/j9bBx
• Days of promise fade for bioethanol industry in nation's Corn Belt http://ow.ly/j9TLg
• Economists and banking regulators warn that current farmland price boom, like so many before it, could end badly http://ow.ly/jcJGI
• Nebraska’s agricultural land markets remain strong, with an overall increase of 25 percent in the last year http://ow.ly/jjKdw
• USDA will trim direct subsidy payments to 350,000 farmers by about $152 million to comply with sequestration http://ow.ly/jf5Xx
• 11 lawmakers send letter to House Appropriations Committee leadership requesting livestock disaster program funding http://ow.ly/jf6vW
• House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to ‘review all aspects’ of the renewable fuels standard http://ow.ly/jf7hH
• U.S. House leaders urge colleague support of sodsaver legislation; send “Dear Colleague” letter http://ow.ly/jhjtn
• American Farmland Trust’s national survey of land trusts re: protecting farm and ranch land completed; results here: http://ow.ly/jjLo1

Climate and Weather -

U.S. Drought Monitor Map
Click to Enlarge

• Above-average rainfall needed in U.S. Midwest and Great Plains to replenish drought-parched  soil http://ow.ly/jhnFu
• Here is the latest NOAA/NWS/NCEP/Climate Prediction Center drought update: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
• NOAA: U.S. drought may persist from California to Texas while improving slightly in the Great Plains http://ow.ly/jjKt7
• NPR: About a dozen Wisconsin communities have created task forces to address regional symptoms of climate change http://ow.ly/iZUk9
• USDA 193-page report: Climate change will hurt crops and livestock in Arkansas; nationwide http://ow.ly/ja3Gv
• USDA's NRCS helps to mitigate drought impacts with good drought plans and conservation systems http://ow.ly/jcFfV
• Crop insurance indemnities have risen to nearly $16 billion for 2012 crop year; rising in the wake of the drought http://ow.ly/jcJuh
• With little relief expected, USDA urges farmers and ranchers to prepare for dry spring http://ow.ly/jf7ut
• U of Illinois report shows that Midwest was hit hardest in terms of 2012's drought and crop insurance loss experience ow.ly/jf73b

In the Cities -

• Minneapolis planning and pollution control agencies want to reclaim brownfield sites along Mississippi River http://ow.ly/j9Pbg
• St. Louis Metro area "Great Rivers Greenway" new infographic: "The Power of our Greenways" http://ow.ly/jdfCy
• St. Louis Mayor Slay, other mayors, demand more federal focus on Mississippi River http://ow.ly/jhhSn
• Mississippi River mayors call for more River dam and lock funding http://ow.ly/jjGJw
• Mayors from communities along the Mississippi River press for Federal River focus http://ow.ly/jjH3c
• Mississippi River mayors want to work with federal lawmakers to sharpen the national focus on the waterway http://ow.ly/jjUGS
• Mississippi River drinking water source not an easy sell to the Twin Cities' east metro suburbs http://ow.ly/jcF4R

Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -

• Research: Asian carp reproductive habits more adaptable than previously thought-news: http://ow.ly/jhjU5 abstract-http://ow.ly/jhkA8
• Study: Asian carp spawn in more river areas than previously known, showing 
• their adaptability http://ow.ly/jiuHm
• Over 100 people alleged to have illegally trafficked in Missouri paddlefish and their eggs for production of caviar http://ow.ly/iZSig
• Biologists report record-level trout numbers in Upper Missouri River http://ow.ly/jhitA
• Audubon Society's "Top 40" U.S. birding trails list includes places in AR, OK, LA and the Great River Birding Trail http://ow.ly/jizG5

Gulf Coastal Region-

• Response continues at Louisiana bayou fire site south of New Orleans, after a tug and barge collide with pipeline http://ow.ly/j9sI7
• Report: most recent Mississippi River freshwater diversions have not slowed the ongoing loss of Louisiana’s wetlands http://ow.ly/j9O0q
• NOAA releases draft damage assessment and restoration plan for 2005 barge oil spill in Gulf of Mexico federal waters http://ow.ly/jf3KI

Resource Extraction -

• Ohio drillers report using nearly three times as many surface water withdrawal facilities for water sources so far in 2013 http://ow.ly/j9UuA
• University of Tennessee wins approval from state commission for its hydraulic fracturing plan on U of TN forest land http://ow.ly/j9Qoo
• Some US energy companies; environmental groups agree on voluntary standards for hydraulic fracturing in PA, WV & OH http://ow.ly/jiyrP
• Report: rural KY residents near mountaintop mining sites at significantly higher risk of cancer death; other disease http://ow.ly/j9SVP
• State Senate committee rejects Tennessee mountaintop coal mining ban http://ow.ly/jiwi0

Federal Budget -

• Senate passes Fiscal Year 2013 bill to avoid shutdown, starts work on budget http://ow.ly/jgo8Q
• Congress approves a short-term government funding measure for remainder of Fiscal Year 2013; turns sights to 2014 http://ow.ly/jirWr
• Fiscal Year 2013 spending bill will spare a lucky few programs from sequestration cuts http://ow.ly/jf23n
• U.S. Senate appears set to approve its first budget resolution (for Fiscal Year 2014) in four years http://ow.ly/jjCDQ
• House approves Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's 2014 budget plan in a 221-207 vote http://ow.ly/jjEeu
• Trying to reconcile Senate's and House's two future budget visions will consume Washington in coming months http://ow.ly/jjJSs
• Behind the scenes GOP congressional leaders' discussions have moved on to the looming debt ceiling fight with Obama http://ow.ly/jf6h6

Events -  Information on all past and future events listed here can be viewed in the on-line calendar on this Blog page and here as a stand-alone calendar

• March 26 webinar on new NRC report: Levees and the National Flood Insurance Program: Improving Policies and Practices http://ow.ly/jivf1
• NOAA’s National Weather Service has designated March 18-22 as Flood Safety Awareness Week http://ow.ly/j8SpT
• Mississippi River Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force Public Meeting; April 18, Louisville, Kentucky ow.ly/jaGiZ
• MO Dept of Conservation sets March 23 for annual cleanup at Missouri and Mississippi rivers' confluence (4 locations) http://ow.ly/jcLtq
• U.S. agriculture industry celebrates the 40th anniversary of National Ag Day - March 19; National Ag Day web site: http://ow.ly/jdg3s
• America’s Grasslands Conference; August 12-14 in Manhattan, Kansas http://ow.ly/jeZnb call for presentations: http://ow.ly/jeZv1
• Water Infrastructure Summit, Washington, DC; April 16; re: economic need for resilient water infrastructure systems http://ow.ly/jf0bl
• March 21 is recognized as the International Day of Forests, to celebrate the importance of all types of forests http://ow.ly/jhiOf

e-Newsletters, Publications and Journals -

• Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy's March 18 WaterWays e-newsletter link here http://ow.ly/jcEII
• New Council for Agricultural Science and Technology paper: Food, Fuel, and Plant Nutrient Use in the Future http://ow.ly/jcMRd
• Weekly Newsletter from EPA's Office of Water: Water Headlines http://ow.ly/jdpHw
• Water Environment Federation e-newsletter http://ow.ly/jf15D
• American Farmland Trust March e-newsletter http://ow.ly/jiwvN

Other news-

• Illinois outdoors: "Tripping down the Illinois River Road" http://ow.ly/iZgrK
• Activists hope to draw attention to Mississippi River pollution by walking its entire length http://ow.ly/j8XeD
• Gulf Restoration Network blog on The Mississippi River Collaborative http://ow.ly/jcEvQ
• Army Corps may have to pay overtime at its 6 Missouri River dam power plants to cover for sequestration-furloughed staff http://ow.ly/jipwR

Political Scene -

• Conservative groups argue that new poll shows Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) is vulnerable in 2014 race http://ow.ly/jf3t3
• Widely expected inside the Senate that Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran will be the next GOP senator to retire http://ow.ly/jhnkV
• Democrat Rob Zerban may run again against Republican Rep. Paul Ryan in Wisconsin for U.S. house seat http://ow.ly/jiwZO
• Energy and Natural Resources Committee votes to move Sally Jewell Interior Secretary nomination to Senate floor http://ow.ly/jjMF1

Last Word -

Sen. Tom A. Coburn (R-OK)

"Washington is dysfunctional, but it's dysfunctional in a dysfunctional way." - Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), in a March 10 Meet the Press interview.

Mississippi River Mayors and Legislators Announce New Congressional River Caucus and River Agenda

In a briefing that centered on the job-creating potential and economic driving force of the Mississippi River, mayors and lawmakers from along the length of the River met on Capitol Hill today to formally announce a new Mississippi River Congressional Caucus, and the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative's new, River-focused policy platform.

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Reps. Stephen Fincher (R-TN), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Tim Walz (D-MN) and Ron Kind (D-WI) co-chair the newly formed, bicameral Mississippi River Congressional Caucus (along with Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), and gave introductory remarks in officially launching their bipartisan effort.

The announcement of the mayor's policy "platform to restore and sustain the Mississippi River" was moderated by the Initiative's co-chair, Dave Kleis, Mayor of St. Cloud, Minnesota.  Including Kleis, seven of the eleven mayors at the event each presented one of seven corresponding priority issues, which range from directing limited Federal resources where they can be most effective to passage of a fiscally-sustainable Water Resources Development Act that addresses the way the Army Corps of Engineers manages water resources projects to a Farm Bill that contains a national sodsaver provision and links farmland conservation to receipt of Federal insurance subsidies. The entire list of priority agenda items includes:

• Enacting an environmentally sound and financially sustainable Water Resources Development Act that includes a Mississippi River Environmental Restoration, Protection and Sustainability Program;
• Foster the continued growth and increased effectiveness of the newly-formed bipartisan Congressional Mississippi River Caucus;
• Focusing Federal resources where they can advance the most improvement in the Mississippi River’s water quality;
• Passing a comprehensive Farm Bill that allows cities to participate in and receive funding from the Conservation Stewardship Program, establishes a national sodsaver program, and reestablishes the historic link between conservation compliance and crop insurance premium subsidies;
• Establishing a National Drought Council that works with stakeholders to create a drought policy action plan and comprehensive national drought preparedness legislation;
• Establishing a multi-agency Federal initiative to develop and implement a coordinated strategy that aids local governments as they address aquatic invasive species in the Mississippi River Basin; and
• Preserving the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program for hazard planning and project implementation, and fund that program during Fiscal Year 2014 at a level of $100 million.

An expanded discussion of the platform issues, including a more detailed explanation of each priority item and the background behind each issue, can be found in this document (available as a PDF file).

The Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative consists of mayors from 45 River cities and towns from New Orleans, Louisiana in the south to St. Cloud, Minnesota in the north. The Initiative is run by a steering committee consisting of one mayoral representative from each of the ten main-stem Mississippi River states, and is co-chaired by Kleis and St. Louis, Missouri Mayor Francis Slay. From north to south, the entire roster of the Initiative's cities and towns is currently:

• Minnesota: St. Cloud, Clearwater, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Red Wing, Winona
• Wisconsin: Prairie du Chien, Prescott, La Crosse
• Illinois: Sauget, Prairie du Rocher, Chester, Savanna, East Moline, Grafton, Alton, Moline, Rock Island, Cairo
• Iowa: Muscatine, Guttenberg, Burlington, Dubuque, Fort Madison, Clinton, Bettendorf, Lansing, Davenport
• Kentucky: Wickliffe, Columbus
• Missouri: LaGrange, Clarksville, Ste. Genevieve, Canton, East St. Louis, St. Louis
• Tennessee: Tiptonville, Memphis
• Arkansas: Helena, Osceola
• Mississippi: Vicksburg, Natchez
• Louisiana: Vidalia, Baton Rouge, New Orleans

Along with Sens. Harkin and Blunt, Senate members of the Mississippi River Caucus are John Boozman (R-AR), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Al Franken (D-MN), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Roger Wicker (R-MS).  In addition to Reps. Kind, Walz, Fincher and Crawford, House members of the Caucus include Rodney Alexander (R-LA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Sam Graves (R-MO), Tim Griffin (R-AR), Stephen (R-TN), David Loebsack (D-IA) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY).

Both announcements were made among a backdrop of photographs from along the Mississippi River in the U.S. Capitol's House Cannon Caucus Room. The photo exhibit was developed in partnership with 17 Initiative member-city arts councils and commissions along the Mississippi River, which contributed photographs from various artists designed to depict the beauty of, life along and challenges posed by the Mississippi River.  Additional photos of the press event and River photography display can be seen here.

Funding for the development of the Initiative by the Northeast-Midwest Institute has been provided by the Walton Family Foundation. Further information about the Initiative, and its policy and legislative platform can be obtained by contacting its Director, Colin Wellenkamp at the Northeast-Midwest Institute (cwellenkamp@nemw.org and 202-464-4010).

Water Resources Development Act Moves Out of Senate Committee with Ease

Locks and Dam 52 and 53 Replacement Project

Members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee used a perfunctory working meeting yesterday (March 20) to unanimously pass its version of the Water Resources Development Act (S. 601) (known as "WRDA"), moving the bill on to the full Senate for anticipated action in late April or May.  The bill, crafted largely through negotiations between Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Ranking Member David Vitter (R-LA), would authorize new flood protection, navigation and ecosystem restoration projects nationwide, while taking steps to reform the Army Corps of Engineers project planning and management processes.  Nine amendments to the bill were added as a block (or en bloc), and included changes related to wetlands conservation, invasive species such as Asian carp and the National Flood Insurance Program   An amendment from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) would authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to take steps to prevent aquatic nuisance species such as Asian carp from entering and establishing themselves in the Great Lakes. A Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) amendment would require the preparation of a "Wetlands Conservation Study" describing federal wetlands conservation programs, including alternatives for "maximizing wetlands conservation benefits while reducing redundancy, increasing efficiencies, and reducing costs."

In addition to the en bloc amendments, the manager's amendment from the Chairwoman and Ranking Member also included several minor changes to the introduced bill.  A summary posted on the Committee meeting web site states that the manager's amendment:

• Establishes an independent commission to recommend Corps of Engineers projects for deauthorization
• Adds additional project modifications
• Clarifies that port prioritization criteria apply once full expenditure of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is achieved
• Clarifies the eligibility for projects financed through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act pilot program
• Makes additional technical changes to the bill

Both the Senate Environment and Public Works, and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committees have named passage of WRDA as one of their top priorities for 2013. The House T&I Committee has started to hold a series of "listening sessions" to gather input on what stakeholders want to see in WRDA, and feedback from committee staff had indicated that the bill might include language that would "streamline" the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement (NEPA EIS) process.  Such language was, in fact, included in the Senate bill.

The issue of a Congressional block on earmarks may be an impediment to gaining House consensus on the bill, or even of crafting a House T&I Committee WRDA bill that is closely compatible with the version that the Senate Committee just passed. Past WRDA bills would typically name and authorize funding for numerous, specific projects, a project designation meeting the Congressional definition of an "earmark" ("congressional earmark" - House Rule XXI, Clause 9(a)). Since the last WRDA bill was passed, the House has placed a ban on earmarks; a ban that would largely put a stop to the past WRDA authorization process. That earmark ban would necessitate changes to WRDA that provide a mechanism for identifying and prioritizing funding for needed water resource projects, while not specifically naming projects. Sen. Boxer has consistently stressed the point that the Senate's bill would successfully address the issue of Congressional earmark restrictions. House T&I Committee Chair Bill Shuster has said that he can't see WRDA being easily crafted with the Congressional block on earmarks in place.

Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch That Could Effect Water Resources

Here are the activities scheduled this week in the U.S. House and Senate that could have a significant impact on the Mississippi River Basin's water and natural resources. Where available, links are provided to the relevant Committee and legislation pages on the Internet. Many of the proceedings are webcast live (follow the appropriate link).

     Monday, March 18

The full Senate is scheduled to continue its consideration on Monday of amendments introduced to the Senate spending plan to fund the federal government from March 27 (when current spending authority ends) through the end of the 2013 fiscal year in September.  The Senate bill is technically an amendment of a spending bill passed by the House two weeks ago (H R 933; the "Department of Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013"). 

Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the full House has set aside time to meet for legislative business that currently includes the possible concurrence with Senate amendment to H.R. 933 (see above).  The House may also consider during this time a Budget Resolution passed last week by the House Budget Committee (the FY 2014 budget plan proposed by Chairman Paul Ryan), "establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2014 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2015 through 2023." 

Wednesday, March 20

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee will hold a Committee working session to mark up a draft of the Water Resources Development Act (or "WRDA"). A copy of the draft WRDA bill can be found here (as a PDF file). The mark up session will be held at 10 a.m. (Eastern) in room 406 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Wednesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 21

Once the Senate's schedule is cleared of Fiscal Year 2013 spending matters (see above), it will proceed with consideration of the Senate Budget Committee's Fiscal Year 2014 budget plan, which is hugely different from the House's pending Budget Resolution.

Senate Committee Releases Water Resources Development Act Draft

Emsworth Locks and Dam on Ohio River
immediately downstream of Pittsburgh, PA

On Friday (March 15), the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee released a draft of the Water Resources Development Act (or "WRDA"); has been scheduled by EPW Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to be marked up during a March 20 work session. A copy of the draft WRDA bill can be found here (as a PDF file).

WRDA is the massive public works bill that periodically authorizes flood control, navigation, and water resource environmental projects and studies by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and both the Senate Environment and Public Works, and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committees have placed passage of WRDA as one of their top priorities for 2013. The House T&I Committee has started to hold a series of "listening sessions" to gather input on what stakeholders want to see in WRDA. Feedback from committee staff indicates that there may be an effort to "streamline" the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement (NEPA EIS) process in that Committee's version of the bill. T&I Committee Chair Bill Shuster has said that he can't see WRDA being easily crafted with the Congressional block on earmarks in place.

POLITICO reported before the release of the draft bill that EPW Committee member Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) expected that “there will be (Committee) consensus” on the bill, and that it would, in part, address the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund in a manner that allowing the “money put in the fund should be used for the purpose in which it’s intended.”

The March 20 Committee business meeting during which it will mark up the bill is scheduled for 10 AM (EDT), in the EPW Hearing Room - room 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Mississippi River Basin Water Resource News for the Week-Ides of March Edition

~Virtual Newspaper for an Aquatic World~

Mississippi River Mayors Set to Press New Platform in Washington

Mayors from along the length of the Mississippi River will gather in Washington, DC next week to advance their newly-developed, River-centric agenda in the halls of Congress and among federal agencies. Mayors representing the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative have scheduled various meetings and public events for March 19 through 21 to formally announce and promote the Initiative's policy goals. Meetings to discuss the Initiative's River-based agenda have been scheduled between the mayors and Congressional leaders in both the House and Senate, as well as with White House staff and representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In addition to those meetings, a formal announcement of the Initiative-backed Mississippi River Congressional Caucus and of the Initiative's platform are set to occur on March 21, when photographs from along the Mississippi River will serve as a backdrop to the announcements during a 10 AM press conference.  The photo exhibit will be free and open to the public from 9 AM  through 3 PM on that day.  For event details and more information about the Initiative, see here.

Legislative Update

• FY 2013 Spending - Senate appropriators on Monday night introduced their spending plan to fund the federal government from March 27 (when current spending authority ends) through the end of the 2013 fiscal year in September, by amending a version passed by the House last week (H R 933). The Senate package was debated on Thursday and debate will resume again on the measure next Monday on the Senate floor.  The Senate package includes a full Agriculture spending bill, not included in the House bill (among other differences), and would arguably gives agencies some added flexibility on how they implement sequestration when compared to the House bill. Any differences between the House and Senate bills will have to be reconciled either in a Conference Committee or by sending the Senate package back to the House.  More details on the Senate spending package, and the differences between the House and Senate versions can be seen here.

• Farm Bill - Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)) desires that a Committee Farm Bill draft will be out in April for mark up, Committee staff changes and a limited legislative calendar between now and the end of April makes May a more realistic target. As widely predicted, drafting the bill in 2013 has gotten harder because of the change in the fiscal climate. According to a new Congressional Budget Office estimate, the 2012 Farm Bill drafts would have saved $9-10 billion less over ten years than originally thought. So, even though House Agriculture Committee Chair Frank Lucas (R-OK) has said that his committee’s Farm Bill saving's target is $36 billion over ten years (which is close to the savings that would have been achieved last year), last year’s measure is now downgraded in savings, meaning the Committee will need to look for deeper cuts to achieve that same goal. Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) said recently that he believes the Committee will seek to achieve $23 billion in agricultural savings over ten years, as sought by the Senate Budget Committee. Some Congressional agriculture committee members reportedly are preparing to push for a Farm Bill spending even less than those levels.
• Water Resources Development Act - Both the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) and House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) committees have placed passage of WRDA as one of their top priorities for 2013. The House T&I Committee has started to hold a series of "listening sessions" to gather input on what stakeholders want to see in WRDA. Indications are that Committee drafts may attempt to "streamline" the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental impact statement (EIS) process. T&I Committee Chair Bill Shuster has said that he can't see WRDA being easily crafted with the Congressional block on earmarks in place. EPW staff say there will be a WRDA in that committee ready for mark-up by the end of March, and while that window is rapidly closing, it is still possible that the Committee will squeeze in a mark up before the Congressional spring recess begins (Monday, March 25).

Notable @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week  

Water Quality -

• EPA Extreme Event Impacts on Air Quality and Water Quality Research Forum presentations now been posted online: http://ow.ly/iAx1b
• EPA completing cost-benefit study; considering various regulatory approaches for proposed national stormwater rule http://ow.ly/iA83v
• Allegheny Co Sanitary Authority requests consent decree extension to vet green wet weather alternatives http://ow.ly/iA94F (OH River)
• Montana intervenes against environment groups in federal lawsuit re: standards for nutrients entering surface waters http://ow.ly/iJH7S
• West Virginia House unanimously passes bill that would loosen state's selenium water pollution standard http://ow.ly/iJIUw
• Company official responds to claim that sand processing operation is responsible for IL town groundwater pollution http://ow.ly/iOROJ
• Ohio River commission warns that dozens of industrial plants may exceed new mercury water discharge limits http://ow.ly/iRT3u
• Researchers: wastewater; runoff from Marcellus Shale natural gas production making its way into WV streams http://ow.ly/iRU9A
• Hog farm to be built near Buffalo River (Arkansas) raises pollution concerns http://ow.ly/iRUY3
• Environmental advocates from throughout Mississippi Basin meet in Louisville to plan water quality agenda http://ow.ly/iV11Q
• EPA heads to court to defend Clean Water Act authority to revoke Army Corps mining permit http://ow.ly/iVnyA
• Federal Appeal Court case: Coal mine gets permit from Army Corps. Can EPA take it back again? http://ow.ly/iZ7mX
• Arkansas AG: Oklahoma's Illinois River phosphorus limit was “unfairly calculated,” prompting new study of issue http://ow.ly/iVDz6
• Generic-drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical to pay $2.25 million to settle Missouri air and water pollution case http://ow.ly/iZ6yW

Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -

• EPW Committee Chair Boxer expects to mark up Water Resources and Development Act bill within next couple of weeks http://ow.ly/iUVy9
• National Weather Service flood forecast update for the Middle Mississippi River region http://ow.ly/iRwrz
• EPA seeks nominations for panel to review draft report on connectivity of streams and wetlands to downstream waters http://ow.ly/iAc6B
• Upper Minnesota River and Mississippi River flood risks increase to "normal" http://ow.ly/iAtBp
• After drought, now flooding on the Mississippi River http://ow.ly/iVmz9
• Mississippi River mouth dredging begins; sediment from West Bay diversion project to be used for land creation http://ow.ly/iAw84
• Association of State Floodplain Managers releases Congressional report:  Cost of Flood Mapping the Nation http://ow.ly/iJxwT
• St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial: Focus on river commerce must include improving its health http://ow.ly/iO3nN
• Minnesota DNR says White Bear Lake water diversion lawsuit should be tossed out http://ow.ly/iORcz
• Army Corps of Engineers issues permit for controversial new four-lane bridge over the St. Croix River near Hudson, WI http://ow.ly/iO
• Barge traffic on Missouri River still restricted despite recent increases in Army Corps water releases from dams http://ow.ly/iRw53
• Landowners inundated by 2011 Missouri River flooding are preparing to sue U.S. government http://ow.ly/iRwQL
• Mississippi River's system of locks and dams is aging, but there's little money for repairs http://ow.ly/iRHis
• House passes bill authorizing Federal Emergency Management Agency to study group flood insurance policy issue http://ow.ly/iRKi2
• Environmental recovery efforts on Missouri River delayed nearly six years by Army Corps-farm stakeholders dispute http://ow.ly/iRTyf
• US Sen. Durbin (D-IL); Rep. Enyart (D-IL-12) plan bill to allow faster response to Mississippi River droughts, floods http://ow.ly/iV2xa
• Sen. Dick Durbin's (D-IL) "Water Infrastructure Now Public-Private Partnership Act"  media release http://ow.ly/iYSnR (not the same as the above bill)
• New bill proposes to speed planning; constructing of up to 15 river infrastructure improvements and expansions http://ow.ly/iYRia

Drought-

• Despite significant rains, only minor Midwest drought improvements, but some improvements in Plains states http://ow.ly/iYy1Y

March 12 Drought Monitor Map
Click to Enlarge

• United States crop belt is slowly recovering soil moisture after suffering prolonged dry spell http://ow.ly/iJE8g
• Recent rain and snowstorms have eased drought grip; climatologists urge caution in declaring end to drought too soon http://ow.ly/iNNiU
• USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service: many areas of Kansas received much needed moisture last week http://ow.ly/iNOpy
• Historic drought is over in the St. Louis area for now http://ow.ly/iOSfe
• Drought conditions still plague the Plains and other parts of the country http://ow.ly/iRHB0

Farm Bill-

• Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Cochran (R-MS): will try to protect Southern farmers in new farm bill http://ow.ly/iJEOO
• Some Congressional agriculture committee members preparing to write farm bill spending less than they would last year http://ow.ly/iRDJW
• Commodity, lending and supplier groups call on Congress to oppose any changes to farm crop insurance http://ow.ly/iREaN
• House Agriculture Chairman Frank Lucas: committee’s Farm Bill saving's target is $36 billion over 10 years http://ow.ly/iRESh
• Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN): "We’re going to wait till May before we start" new Farm Bill http://ow.ly/iUUTz

Agriculture -

• New Council for Agricultural Science & Technology report examines use of nutrients in shaping food production; yields http://ow.ly/iNzg4
• USDA:  Cover Crops Improve Soil Health, Help Farmers Weather Drought http://ow.ly/iOOG3
• Sens. Baucus (D-MT) & Hatch (R-UT) introduce bill to extend tax relief for landowners donating land for conservation http://ow.ly/iRFlx
• With hog-waste runoff blamed for polluted water, EPA urges Iowa to increase livestock facility oversight http://ow.ly/iZ9LM 

In the States -

• Illinois oil industry; environmentalists sit down together to draft fracking regulations http://t.co/ykFm9dwPtg
• North Dakota legislators are mulling two plans to create an Outdoor Heritage Fund to support statewide conservation http://ow.ly/iAiC6
• Iowa state rural legislators focus on "Nutrient reduction, support for beginning farmers" http://ow.ly/iVlHM
• Iowa lawmakers’ hearing on environmental issues brings state’s many environmental challenges quickly into view http://ow.ly/iZa1d

Shakespeare -

John Wilkes Booth, Edwin Booth and
Junius Booth, Jr. (from left to right)
in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in 1864

"The ides of March are come." - Julius Caesar to the Soothsayer in William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar"  Act 3, Scene 1 (to which the Soothsayer responds, "Ay, Caesar; but not gone.")











Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -

• Annual fisheries biologist's “State of the Missouri River” address finds River in Montana "just damn good" http://ow.ly/iAuY3

Gulf Coastal Region-

• University of Southern Mississippi will lead the new Center for Gulf Studies http://ow.ly/iztWB
• Mississippi River "takes a stab at saving a coastal marsh" by breaching its levees http://ow.ly/izX9x

Resource Extraction -

• Wisconsin assembly approves controversial mining bill, sends it to governor for anticipated signature http://t.co/U8RQkmP7uB
• Gov. Scott Walker signs bill that rewrites Wisconsin's iron mining laws http://ow.ly/iOQoA
• Federal judge lifts 17 year old order blocking drilling; commercial logging in southern Illinois' Shawnee National Forest http://ow.ly/izsQp
• Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan calls for prohibiting large-scale oil and gas drilling in the state http://ow.ly/iZ5LY
• Mining-hub town of St. Charles, MN says no to major frac sand facility http://ow.ly/iRUyf
• University of Tennessee's fracking research plan for its forest land faces opposition http://ow.ly/iZ8bY 

Federal Budget -

Fiscal Year 2013 Budget

• Senate Fiscal Year 2013 Continuing Resolution greatly expands on version passed by the House last week http://ow.ly/iNwko
• Senate Appropriators reach deal on $984B government funding bill to avert shutdown http://ow.ly/iNxH5
• Senate FY13 spending bill amends House's; adds full agriculture; homeland security; commerce-justice-science sections http://ow.ly/iNHZa
• Senate stopgap spending bill becoming more and more a rush to try to protect home-state interests http://ow.ly/iYFNl

Fiscal Year 2014 Budget

• Obama administration is now set to release its (late) 2014 budget proposal on April 8, according to congressional sources http://ow.ly/iA5q7
• House Budget Committee approves FY 2014 budget plan proposed by Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), on a party-line vote ow.ly/iURFY
• Senate Budget Committee passes its FY 2014 budget proposal http://ow.ly/iYPCp will go to the Senate floor next week

Events -  Information on all past and future events listed here can be viewed in the on-line calendar on this Blog page and here as a stand-alone calendar

• 2013 Society of Wetland Scientist International conference will be held in Duluth, Minnesota, June 2-6 http://bit.ly/14kGk9u
• Mississippi River Cities and Town Initiative to be topic of St. Cloud, MN River Forum, March 15, 9-10 AM http://ow.ly/izZTF
• Minnesota Environmental Quality Board: citizen input will be the highlight of March 15 Environmental Congress http://ow.ly/iJzei
• Missouri River community river clean-up is at center of Washington, MO river festival; April 20 http://ow.ly/iJT8N
• Presentation open to public: Food, Fuel, and Plant Nutrient Use in the Future; Washington, DC, March 18; 3-4 PM http://ow.ly/iNzVd
• American Bar Association’s 31st Annual Water Law Conference; Las Vegas, NV; June 5-7 http://ow.ly/iNBFS
• CNREP 2013 Conference: Challenges of Natural Resources and Economic Policy; March 24-26; New Orleans, LA http://ow.ly/iNC3p

e-Newsletters, Publications and Journals -

• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Waterfront Bulletin for March 2013 http://ow.ly/izYRw
• March 11 Waterways Newsletter from the Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy; link available here http://bit.ly/XX9wSS
• Weekly Newsletter from EPA's Office of Water: Water Headlines http://ow.ly/iOPjn
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Watershed Network News-March 14 http://ow.ly/iVozV

Other news-

• Princeton University researchers are looking into the biofuel potential of duckweed http://ow.ly/iA6Ux
• WI DNR reverses decision: will require any new MacKenzie Environmental Center operator to maintain youth programs http://ow.ly/iAumz
• North Dakota Senate committee hears residents' testimony on whether state should fund a climate change study http://ow.ly/iJOES
• Winter aerial view of the St. Croix River Valley (Wisconsin) from a model airplane-borne video camera http://ow.ly/iSqs6
• Mississippi River Water Walk participants continue to wind their educationally-focused way down to River's mouth http://ow.ly/iWmBm

Political Scene -

• Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) reportedly will seek a fourth U.S. Senate term http://ow.ly/iJuad
• Conservative Eastern Kentucky Democratic voters wary of potential Senate candidate Judd's bearish coal mining position http://ow.ly/iNyp8

Last Word -

"The anonymous drudges at American farming corporations are exporting $135 billion worth of products every year and transforming the American Midwest." - New York Times Op-ed Columnist David Brooks, in an editorial entitled, "The Axis of Ennui."   Brooks adds, "The people who are too boring and unfashionable to get invited to the conferences in the first place have actually changed the world under our noses."