Friday, April 8, 2011

Mississippi River Basin Water Resource News for the Week

Budget Discussions Roil in DC While Life Elsewhere Moves On
While many eyes were focused on the breakdown of the Fiscal Year 2011 continuing resolution negotiations and the looming Federal government shutdown, hearings continued on Capitol Hill this week on the President's proposed budget for the 2012 Fiscal Year, which begins in less than six months, on October 1 and the House Budget Committee passed Rep. Paul Ryan's 2012 budget plan.  The budget news for both fiscal years is outlined in the "Federal Budget" section, below.  But lest we forget the rest of the happenings in and out of the River Basin that impacts water resources, it's been a busy week in that regard.


Notable @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week:  


Agriculture -
  • Washington Post editorial board: "case for direct federal subsidies of agriculture has never been weaker" http://wapo.st/g39QQa
  • US drought monitor forecast represents consensus of federal & academic scientists (regional & state predictions too) http://bit.ly/29RL7k
  • USDA ERS State Fact Sheets Provide Agricultural Economic and Conservation Information http://bit.ly/hkXV5Q
  • RT @DonEWG: Insightful @JournalStarNews analysis of challenges facing Conservation Reserve http://bit.ly/fSTjMh #farmbill
  • House Budget Committee Chair Ryan: Reducing spending includes reforming agricultural subsidies http://on.wsj.com/dLdE9u
  • Production of Bioenergy Crops in the Midwest report looks at economics of perennial grass biofuel production http://bit.ly/fejX42
  • Higher grain prices put pressure on farm Conservation Reserve Program http://bit.ly/hKAl5m
  • House Ag Committee Chair: members of his Committee will write next farm bill, GOP budget proposals just suggestions http://1.usa.gov/emBtg1
Water Quality-
  • US District judge allows environmental groups to continue lawsuits vs WV coal operators re: selenium mine discharges http://bit.ly/hUwqEm
  • USGS National Water Quality Assessment Program Quarterly Highlights, April 2011 http://bit.ly/gSlaRt
  • Congressional USGS briefing on high urban lake PAH levels; April 14, 10:30 AM; H137 Capitol Bld, DC (background: http://1.usa.gov/hdHrEX)
  • U of MI ecologist studies why biologically diverse streams are better at cleaning up pollutants http://bit.ly/eWwYQm
  • Water Environment Federation releases first edition of "The Stormwater Report" with stormwater tech news http://bit.ly/dQSKGx 
In the States -
  • WI Supreme Court: state does not have authority to determine if state-issued wastewater permits comply with federal law http://bit.ly/eFDZiO
  • Move to put Iowa agriculture dept in charge of DNR key water quality programs sparks intense debate http://bit.ly/h8T1ZA
  • MN state wild rice pollution & other bills reflect fundamental shift in legislature's environmental philosophy http://bit.ly/gKpDve
  • Bills to limit CAFO liability in pig odor lawsuits; give CAFOs "permanent nuisance" status move to MO Senate http://bit.ly/eQfTbo
  • EPA awards $343,200 to AR to participate in National Ecoregion Monitoring Program (Wetlands Survey Project) http://1.usa.gov/eNqaQR
Flooding, Floodplains, Dams and Navigation -
  • Upper Mississippi River shipping season now underway http://bit.ly/i0SkF6
  • Recap and prognosis on flooding and flood coverage in the Upper Midwest on River Life blog: http://bit.ly/fD3Fvf
  • Nat Research Council's Army Corps of Engineers Water Resources Science, Engineering & Planning meeting today http://bit.ly/ib5lpe
  • Army Corps Missouri River rehabilitation offers opportunities for U of Nebraska at Omaha grads http://bit.ly/hneTus
Federal Budget -
2011
  • Senate Budget Comm Chair Conrad urges Obama & congressional leaders not to cut farm prog funding in spending bills http://1.usa.gov/ehrp8s
  • Senate Maj Leader Reid: Dems will not accept riders in House GOP spending bill that block EPA from implementing rules http://bit.ly/hQhLIe
  • Federal budget talks take turn for the worse as accusations fly between Democrats & Republicans http://politi.co/gE9Upm
  • House GOP leaders decide to try soon to implement two-year congressional budget process http://bit.ly/hJMSyt
  • Disagreement on Changes in Mandatory Programs (cuts-some to farm conservation programs) holding up Federal budget deal http://wapo.st/dUa2ud
  • Wondering what the fuss is about CHIMPS, the Federal budget debate & the 2012 Farm Bill? See here: http://bit.ly/fqas2C
  • Obama: no budget deal has been reached but he expects "an answer in the morning" http://bit.ly/eIDugX
  • Senate Majority Leader Reid: Environmental cutbacks at heart of Hill shutdown drama http://1.usa.gov/fyzo5I
2012
Events - 
  • Celebrate 100 years with the St. Croix River Association; April 14; Phipps Center, Hudson, WI http://bit.ly/gOkNPW
  • Aldo Leopold and His Almanac, 2-part class, April 21 & May 26; Cable & Barnes, WI http://bit.ly/hg2w8y
  • Community-based Green Infrastructure free webinar; Watershed Management Group; Wed, April 27, 4:00 pm PDT http://bit.ly/hDJVpv
  • Minnesota Ground Water Associationís spring conference; May 4; University of Minnesota, St Paul http://bit.ly/gPMXH2
  • Congressional USGS briefing on high urban lake PAH levels; April 14, 10:30 AM; H137 Capitol Bld, DC (background: http://1.usa.gov/hdHrEX) 
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -
  • Minneapolis city leaders want Federal and state funding to prevent Asian Carp invasion http://bit.ly/exB4v1
  • Weed management associations protest Obama-proposed Aquatic Plant Control Research Program elimination http://bit.ly/dSnA1f
Other news-
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison limnologist Stephen Carpenter awarded 2011 Stockholm Water Prize http://bit.ly/gqRr53
  • Pew Research Center poll: 43% of US adults know John Boehner is House Speaker; 38% aware that GOP has House majority http://bit.ly/g1Xugh
  • RT @troutheadwaters: Alternatives to Riprap - Biotechnical stabilization is not a new concept: http://wp.me/pF7Va-9I
  • Gallup poll: widest margin in nearly 30 years in US prioritizing economic growth (54%) over environment (36%) http://bit.ly/giKlFd
  • UC Davis Integrated Regional Water Management paper presents comprehensive discussion of theory behind IRWM http://bit.ly/hvadIe
  • Oklahoma sees driest 4 months since Dust Bowl http://bit.ly/eSs6Qk
  • New House bills take aim at EPA coal ash rules http://bit.ly/gU7D4C
Political Scene - 
  • US House seat Iowa redistricting plan will probably gain enough support to pass state legislature http://bit.ly/hWp5CP
Last word 
With the clock ticking toward a possible Federal government shutdown at midnight tonight (and for a much-needed "mental coffee break" for everyone), here is a wonderful version of "Time," by Pink Floyd, in a live performance at Earls Court, London, from 1994.  Enjoy and have a good weekend!
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Thursday, April 7, 2011

EPA Releases New Draft Healthy Watersheds Implementation Document

EPA is seeking comments until June 3, 2011 on a newly released draft document entitled "Identifying and Protecting Healthy Watersheds-Concepts, Assessments, and Management Approaches."  According to EPA, the "draft technical document was developed to help implement the Healthy Watersheds Initiative by providing EPA, state, tribal, and local practitioners with an overview of the key concepts behind the Healthy Watersheds approach."  See this EPA web site for more information.
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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Remarks at House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing Point to Possible Cuts to NRCS Discretionary Conservation Programs

On April 5, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2012 USDA budget related to natural resources and the environment.  Statements made during and following the hearing by some members of the subpanel painted a picture of likely cuts to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) discretionary conservation programs in next year's appropriation measure (the Subcommittee's April 5 hearing summary web page is here).

While noting in his opening statement at the hearing that his "subcommittee does not control the mandatory farm bill conservation program spending," subcommittee Chair Jack Kingston (R-GA-1) told reporters afterward that "anywhere President Obama wants to reduce the budget, Republicans are almost automatically going to agree," stressing that "the President’s budget request proposes $898 million for NRCS operations for fiscal year 2012. This is a decrease of about $110 million from fiscal year 2010 due to the proposed cancellation of three programs."  The three programs that Kingston was referring to are the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations, Watershed Rehabilitation Program and Resource Conservation and Development (see page 71 of the USDA's 2012 Budget Summary and Annual Performance Plan). 

Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA-4) also indicated to USDA officials during the hearing that he will probably go along with Obama's proposed cuts to farm conservation programs, noting that "In the past, you would propose (cuts) with a wink and a nod, knowing Congress is probably not going to take this.  In the current situation, we're probably going to take everything you're proposing, so you should be realistic."  Latham stressed that Congress is now working within "a whole different dynamic."

Not all subcommittee Republicans agreed with the approach of going along with the President's proposed cuts, however.  Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY-AL) agreed with fellow-panel member Rep. Rosa DeLauro's (D-CT-3) contention that the cuts "would create a big hole in our conservation efforts . . . may be extreme . . . (and that it would be) unfair to single out the conservation title alone."  Lummis stated that she is "a tight-fisted, tough cookie and rarely would I say I would like to sit next to Ms. DeLauro, but I would like to on this."
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Monday, April 4, 2011

Senate and House hearings and bill markups of interest this week

House hearings listed chronologically with links to hearing details on Committee web pages and to relevant bills being marked up.  There are no key Senate hearings or markups this week.

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Friday, April 1, 2011

USDA ERS State Fact Sheets Provide Agricultural Economic and Conservation Information

USDA's Economic Research Service state fact sheets have recently been updated to include the latest (2010) census State and county population counts.  The fact sheets provide information on  farm characteristics (including farmland in conservation or wetlands reserve programs), farm size, farm financial indicators, top commodities and exports, organic agriculture, population, income, poverty, education, employment, and federal fund disbursements for each State in the United States. Links to county-level data are included when available.  http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/
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Mississippi River Basin Water Resource News for the Week

Notable @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week: 

Agriculture -
  • Farm, Ranch & Rural Communities Committee DC meeting makes progress on water recommendations to EPA http://bit.ly/gD0mMn
  • Nestlé chairman: Food for fuels is starving millions; US policy of hoarding corn to make biofuels "immoral" http://ind.pn/ia2ryZ
  • House Ag Comm Chair Lucas (R-OK): writers of next Farm Bill will have ‘billions of dollars less to spend on. . .bill’ http://bit.ly/hymSAJ
  • Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Stabenow lays out her Farm Bill agenda (part way into article) http://bit.ly/eYxh18
  • New USGS data-series report & maps document county-level tillage practices by 8-digit hydrologic unit watersheds http://1.usa.gov/f94GXF
Water Quality-
  • Environment MD Research & Policy Center: lawns offer "opportunity for major (Bay) pollution reduction" http://bit.ly/i6tGg4 (pdf file)
  • Gallup poll: top 4 US environmental concerns relate to water quality http://bit.ly/d5YlUM
In the States -
  • MN Senate Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources adopts omnibus budget bill for 2012-2013 http://bit.ly/dK3KaB
  • MN Senate & House cut environmental program funding but #s differ; bill moves to conference committee http://bit.ly/efDUJ5
  • OH EPA budget cuts proposed by Gov would affect H2O pollution, air permit & hazardous cleanup programs the most http://bit.ly/faCmxu
  • Bruce Baker-veteran water regulator with WI DNR-resigns from agency http://bit.ly/eRGJEC
Flooding, Floodplains, Dams and Navigation -
  • Runoff from Minnesota & St. Croix rivers leading to rising Upper Midwest waters downstream along Mississippi http://bit.ly/eJHhih
  • New RFF analysis & report on National Flood Insurance Program economics: article - http://bit.ly/gqfG0h; report - http://bit.ly/eMkrza (pdf)
  • New NRC Report: Conflicting demands, shrinking budgets create unsustainable mission for Army Corps http://bit.ly/exEQ8K
  • MN's flood risk lingers into May (NOAA: multiple flood crests possible in coming weeks) http://bit.ly/hyfarD (many flood info resources)
Federal Budget -
Events -
  • National forum in DC to examine direction of farm natural resources conservation programs & policies; April 7-8 http://bit.ly/hN4ncu
  • Nat Research Council's Army Corps Water Resources Science, Engineering & Planning public mtg April 5 in DC: http://bit.ly/ib5lpe
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -
Other news-
  • Environmental Council of the States asks EPA not to set new requirements using interim guidance http://bit.ly/hSLqqv (pdf file)
  • Here is March Update (pdf file) from Northeast-Midwest Institute on Mississippi River Basin issues: http://bit.ly/hd4kXI
  • USDA's North Appalachian Experimental Watershed (Coshocton Co, OH) could close under President's 2012 proposed budget http://bit.ly/ecuj6N
  • Corps Reform Network changes name to Water Protection Network; updates principles & procedures http://bit.ly/hlTZ31
Political Scene -
Last word -
"I think there will be one on the ballot." - Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), quoted by the AP, on the prospect of either him or his father launching a presidential campaign.
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Invasive Asian Carp Reach Upper Mississippi via Canada and the Red River

Asian Carp leaping from the River

"The unthinkable has happened," sighed Peter Findlay, long time resident of Saint Paul, Minnesota as he watched hundreds of Asian Carp leaping from the waters of the Mississippi River on this early spring day, "the darned Asian Carp have gotten here."  Why they are so "darned" and how they got to the Mississippi River upstream of an extensive Army Corps of Engineers lock and dam network is a migratory story that rivals Homer's Odyssey.

Asian carp originally were imported into the United States from Asia in the 1960s and 1970s, where they were raised in Arkansas to clean fish farm ponds and sewage lagoons and later used as a food fish. There are four species of Asian carp: grass, black, silver and bighead.  Asian Carp are large, extremely prolific, and consume vast amounts of food. They can weigh up to 100 pounds, and can grow to a length of more than four feet. Where they have "invaded" in the past, Asian carp have disrupted the food chain that supports native fish.  

Since their introduction, all four species have gotten loose in the wild and made their way up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, but were largely blocked from making it into the Upper Mississippi River system by the Upper River's dams.  Until this spring.

"We thought we had em!" said Dr. Fred Pepper of the Canadian Fish and Wildlife Service.  Three times in recent months Canadian officials had caught truck drivers with thousands of pounds of live bighead carp being smuggled from Southern fish farms bound for food markets in the Lake Ontario city of Toronto.  "Canada banned the bighead carp in 2005, and we've caught a bunch of em comin up nord from the states on many occasions.  But some slipped through," said Dr. Pepper.

The "some" that slipped though, however, were not destined for Toronto fish markets, but for Lake Winnipeg, a large lake 34 miles north of the city of Winnipeg in the province of Manitoba, Canada.  Dr. Pepper explained how they made the long journey to Manitoba.  "Oh, they came across into Toronto okay.  But they didn't stay there.  We've been able to trace their path from Toronto to Lake Winnipeg, eh, and it seems as if the folks at CAFLAC (the Canadian Association for the Liberation of Asian Carp) took the carp in coolers on ice by bicycle out along the Trans Canadian Highway to a remote place where they intended to release the carp into freedom.  And that's what they did by gosh."

Lake Winnipeg isn't isolated, though.  It is fed by many rivers, including the Red River (sometimes called the Red River of the North), flowing out of the US and forming the border between North Dakota and Minnesota.  "Seems like the fish swam upstream into the Red River all the way up to Fargo, where they waited for their chance to make a dash for the Upper Mississippi," Pepper speculated.  "And wid the spring floods, they musta just flipped and flopped their way across the Minnesotan's farm fields right into the headwaters of the Mississippi."

A spokesperson for CAFLAC, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the goal of CAFLAC all along was to get the invasive carp into the Upper Mississippi.  "They deserved to be free and to go wherever they want to go, eh, and the dams on the Upper Mississippi were just unfair and biased against the poor fish."  CAFLAC literature says that the group, which actually has a secret US office in Minneapolis, Minnesota (located at 201 South Washington Street, Suite 905), opposes anti-species discriminatory barriers of all kinds, including dams.

Now that the fish are in the Upper Mississippi River system, the residents of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois have been seen flocking to the shores of the River in numbers never seen before to view the mighty beasts.  "This sure beats rooting for the Packers or Twins.  Look at those beauties leap!" shouted little six-year old Melissa McDonald, who was there with her parents to feed bread to the fish as they (the fish, not the McDonalds) jumped for joy at having finally breached the human barriers that had kept them in check for so long.
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