News

1. Water Council to Hold Town Hall Meetings

2. RiversAlive Registration Now Open

3. Flint River Basin Regional Water Development and Conservation Plan

4. Stormwater Regulation Provision Seeks to “Streamline” Construction Site Requirements

5. EPA Wadeable Streams Assessment (WSA) Report Released

6. Altamaha Riverkeeper Seeks to Fund Coastkeeper Position

7. EPA Proposes Rule: NPDES Permits Not Needed for Water Transfers

Policy

8. Statewide Water Planning Update

Workshops/Conferences/Calendar Items

9. June DNR Board Meetings – Atlanta

10. Alliance for Justice Online Workshops

11. GA Adopt-A-Stream / Healthy Water Healthy People Workshop - Gainesville

12. Environmental Education in Higher Education Conference – Athens

13. EPA To Sponsor Webcast on Social Marketing

14. TAG Presentation on Bacteria TMDL – Athens

15. 2006 Southeast Watershed Roundtable & North Carolina Statewide Roundtable - NC

16. Introduction to Stream Restoration Using Natural Channel Design – Alabama

Resources

17. New Guide Focuses on Environmental Funders

18. Board Resources – Board Café

19. Simple Steps to A Water Efficient Yard (from EPA Water Headlines)

Fundraising Deadlines

20. Fundraising and Grants

********************************************************************

1. Water Council to Hold Town Hall Meetings: Week of July 10th

The Georgia Water Council is holding 4 town hall meetings on the subject: A Draft Policy Recommendation On Water Quantity Management In Georgia

The meetings are taking place in Tifton, Savannah, Macon, and Marietta

The Georgia Water Council is charged with creating a Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Plan for Georgia. This plan is being developed right now, and will have a very significant impact on Georgia’s citizens and communities. It is key for citizens to be involved and speak up to ensure enough clean water for your community and future generations.

For background on the Georgia Water Council and the Statewide Water Management Plan visit http://www.gadnr.org/gswp/ and/or http://www.gwf.org/gawater/waterplanindex.html.

At the June 7 meeting of the Georgia Water Council, the Council decided to hold 4 town hall meetings, in Marietta, Macon, Tifton, and Savannah, to present information from the Statewide Water Planning Process and get feedback from Georgia’s citizens and communities. These town hall meetings are the public’s opportunity to comment on the Water Plan.

When and Where:

July 10, 2006, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Southern Polytechnic State University, Burruss Auditorium (H203)

1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, Georgia 30060

July 11, 2006, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Macon State College, Humanities/Social Science Building Theater

100 College Station Drive, Macon, Georgia 31206

July 12, 2006, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

University of Georgia, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science Auditorium

2356 Rainwater Road, Tifton, Georgia 31794

July 13, 2006, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Coastal Georgia Center, Room 111

305 Fahm Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

2. RiversAlive Registration Now Open
Visit http://www.riversalive.org/Registration.htm. You may register until July 31 and still receive giveaway items.

3. Flint River Basin Regional Water Development and Conservation Plan
In 1999, the General Assembly mandated the development of the Flint River Basin Water Development and Conservation Plan. At that time, EPD placed a moratorium on new agricultural water withdrawal permits from the Floridan aquifer in the lower Flint River Basin and on all agricultural surface water withdrawal permits for the entire Flint River Basin. In December 2005, after meeting for 14 months, the Flint stakeholder group finalized its policy recommendations for EPD to use in developing the final Flint plan. EPD Director Dr. Carol Couch finalized the Flint River Basin Regional Water Development and Conservation Plan (the Plan) and lifted the six-year old moratoriums on new agriculture surface and ground water withdrawal permits in March 2006. Visit www.gadnr.org/frbp/ to read the plan.

4. Stormwater Regulation Provision Seeks to “Streamline” Construction Site Requirements

On May 8, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, Ben Grumbles, sent a letter to EPA Regional Administrators encouraging permitting authorities to make use of the "Qualifying Local Programs" provisions in the Clean Water Act stormwater regulations. EPA asserts that the "Qualifying Local Programs" provisions allow a municipal program for construction site stormwater runoff, that meets the same provisions as the state program, to be recognized in the state's “Construction General Permit”. Under the provisions, the municipal programs become the primary regulatory authority for construction site operators in that area. The Clean Water Act Phase II regulations require approximately 5000 municipalities to develop and implement comprehensive stormwater programs, including programs to manage stormwater runoff from construction sites. The Office of Water will be preparing brief case studies based on current state use of this provision as well as some further guidance about how to review municipal construction programs. For additional information, contact Nikos Singelis in the Water Permits Division at 202-564-0692.

5. EPA Wadeable Streams Assessment (WSA) Report Released

The US Environmental Protection Agency recently released its report on the nation's small, or wadeable, streams. According to the EPA, the report is "the first consistent evaluation of the streams that feed rivers, lakes, and coastal waters." More than 1,300 streams were randomly selected to represent the condition of all streams in their region that share similar ecological characteristics. The report is available online at www.epa.gov/owow/streamsurvey.

6. Altamaha Riverkeeper Seeks to Fund Coastkeeper Position

Help ARK fund a Coastkeeper position. Visit www.altamahariverkeeper.org to learn about the recent Challenge Grant from the Marion Fraser Foundation to increase their advocacy and monitoring activities on the Coast.

7. EPA Proposes Rule: NPDES Permits Not Needed for Water Transfers

On June 1, EPA proposed a rule that states NPDES permits are not required for transfers of water from one body of water to another. Such transfers include routing water through tunnels, channels, or natural stream courses for public water supplies, irrigation, power generation, flood control, and environmental restoration. The proposed rule would define such transfers as the movement of water between bodies of water without subjecting the water to intervening industrial, municipal or commercial use. In 2004, the question of whether NPDES permits were needed for water transfers went before the U.S. Supreme Court in South Florida Water Management District v. Miccosukee Tribe of Indians. The court did not rule directly on the issue, generating uncertainty about the need for a permit. EPA concluded in 2005 that Congress intended water resource-management agencies and other state authorities to oversee water transfers, not the NPDES permitting program. For more information visit http://www.epa.gov/npdes/agriculture#water_transfer.

8. Statewide Water Planning Update from Georgia Water Coalition

The Environmental Protection Division convened the second State Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting on May 2 at the Georgia Wildlife Federation’s office in Covington. Dr. Carol Couch led the morning session with a comprehensive overview of goals and objectives of the statewide water planning process in order to counter concerns by industry and local governments that the process was not fairly balanced between environmental and economic concerns. Dr. Couch first reviewed the language in the Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Planning Act and highlighted section 12-5-522 (a) that sets forth the plans policy statement: “Georgia manages water resources in a sustainable manner to support the states economy, to protect public health and natural systems, and to enhance the quality of life for all citizens”. She discussed the importance of this balance and the need to strike this balance if the General Assembly is to pass the Water Council’s plan. The concern that the process was not considerate of economic needs was expressed in an April 18 letter to Dr. Couch from a partnership of more than 30 organizations including local government associations, water providers and utilities, business organizations (including the Georgia and Metro Atlanta Chambers of Commerce), Agricultural and Forestry organizations, Industry interests, and Development interests. This letter also called for funding and research to prepare a resource-based statewide plan. Dr. Couch explained that the statewide water plan currently under development cannot be resource based both because of time and financial constraints because the state first needs to establish a framework for substate planning through policies that are not based just on facts, but also on philosophy and values about water management. She stated “we need better policies, consistent application, and an understanding of the goal” of water management. She suggested the plan needs to be a document that: 1) sets a policy framework; 2) has consensus among stakeholders statewide from different sectors; and 3) is equitable. EPD provided the group with a “Working List of Data Sources for Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning” that lists special studies, routine reporting, and ambient monitoring that have been conducted, or continue to be conducted, throughout Georgia that will provide the factual basis for the Plan at this point. The SAC stakeholders commented on the need for adequate allocation of funds in order to get the facts that are needed and to develop the statewide water plan. Dr. Couch asked the group to advocate for a large and sustained commitment to funding the development of the regional plans after 2008. She said additional funds for the current phase of planning would not substantially change the outcome. After this two hour discussion, the authors of “The Letter”, as it has come to be known, indicated their concerns had been addressed. The afternoon session was devoted to the second management objective to maximize returns. Nap Caldwell of EPD led the discussion on how the first objective to minimize withdrawals and the second objective to maximize returns are integrated and can work together. The SAC members agreed integrating the two was "a good idea." The next SAC, a newly scheduled meeting, is scheduled tentatively for July 27. At this meeting EPD will: 1) give an overview of what the statewide water plan will look like; 2) present summary of Georgia Water Council Town Hall meetings; 3) demonstrate application of hydrological models by Georgia Tech professor Dr. Aris Georgakakos; 4) present current status of Georgia’s stream gages by USGS; and 5) summarize the statewide water planning information needs.

9. DNR Board Meetings
The next DNR Board Meeting will take place June 27-28 in Atlanta. There will be no meetings in July. For details on DNR Board Meetings, visit http://www.gadnr.org/ (bottom left corner of home page). To view the schedule, visit http://gadnr.org/documents/sched-agenda.html. For an archive of the Georgia Environmental Council’s reports on board meetings, visit www.garivers.org and click on advocacy.

10. Alliance for Justice Online Workshops
Alliance for Justice presents an online workshop series on the legal rules for foundation support of advocacy. Participate in an Alliance for Justice training from the convenience of your office. They will be conducting one hour workshops on the legal rules for foundation support for advocacy and how foundations can evaluate advocacy grants and help build their grantees' advocacy capacity. The 2006 web training schedule is:

Tuesday, June 27 - A Funder's Guide to Supporting Advocacy
Tuesday, September 19 - Advocacy Capacity Assessment and Evaluation
Thursday, November 16 - A Funder's Guide to Supporting Advocacy
2pm Eastern time; one hour each. Cost: $30 each Register online or call the Alliance for Justice at 202-822-6070. Questions: Call or email Abby Levine at 202-822-6070 or Abby.Levine@afj.org. For a description of the workshops, visit http://www.afj.org.

11. GA Adopt-A-Stream Trainer/Healthy Water, Healthy People Facilitator
Workshop - Gainesville

July 20-21, 2006 from 10:00 – 6:00 each day at the Elachee Nature Science Center.
Join Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) and Project WET in this workshop designed for certified chemical and biological volunteers. Upon completion of the workshop, participants will become certified AAS trainers, qualified to teach both biological and chemical water quality monitoring workshops, as well as certified Healthy Water, Healthy People (HWHP) facilitators, qualified to teach HWHP Educator Workshops. The purpose of the HWHP program is to raise the awareness and understanding of water quality topics and issues and their relationship to personal, public, and environmental health. HWHP facilitators are asked to conduct one educator workshop per year in order to retain certification. AAS trainers are asked to conduct at least one QA/QC workshop each year and participate in annual recertification training. You may choose to conduct your future workshops as combined QA/QC and HWHP, or you may provide separate workshops. If you are not QA/QC certified, but would like to attend this workshop, please visit the Adopt-A-Stream website (www.riversalive.org/aas_workshops.htm) to find out how to receive certification prior to this workshop.

Formal educators may receive 1 PLU credit for attending this workshop. Lunch and snacks will be provided and are included in the registration fee of $60 for EEA members or $65 for non-members. Registration deadline is July 6, 2006. To register, please contact Petey Giroux (petey_giroux@dnr.state.ga.us, 404-675-1638) or Allison Hughes (allison_hughes@dnr.state.ga.us, 404 675- 1635).

12. Exploring the Landscapes of Environmental Education in Higher Education: Teaching, Research, and Public Service & Outreach – Athens
August 18-20, 2006, at the University of Georgia - The conference is for faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students at colleges and universities across the state as well as partners in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 settings; business and industry; government and nongovernmental, community, or faith-based agencies and organizations. They are seeking diversity across disciplines, fields, and affiliations that help, individually and collectively, demonstrate and reflect the interdisciplinary nature of increasing and supporting environmental literacy and environmental education (EE) for all populations. Visit: http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/conferences/2006/Aug/17/environmental_ed.phtml

13. EPA To Sponsor Webcast on Social Marketing

EPA’s Watershed Academy sponsors monthly Webcasts to offer free training and information for watershed practitioners around the globe. The next Webcast on Wednesday, June 28th will feature Charlie MacPherson with Tetra Tech, Inc. and Christopher Conner with the Chesapeake Bay Program. They will provide an overview of social marketing principles and then proceed through the steps needed to make audiences aware of an issue, recognize audiences underlying motivations, and encourage behavioral change. A case study presentation will highlight the key social marketing principles used to change behaviors in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Registration will open on June 21, 2006. For more information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts.

14. TAG Presentation on Bacteria TMDL - Athens
The Georgia Conservancy and the Institute of Ecology's River Basin Center invite you to join them on June 30 from 9 AM - 12:30 PM for a forum on the Technical Advisory Group's collaborative research and work on Bacteria TMDL science and implementation at the UGA River Basin Center at 110 Riverbend Road in Athens. Coffee and refreshments will be provided. RSVP to Shana Udvardy at sudvardy@gaconservancy.org or call
404.876.2900 x111.

15. 2006 Southeast Watershed Roundtable & North Carolina Statewide Roundtable
" Watershed Management Makes Good Financial Cents: Development Tools for Sustainable Growth" August 2-4 in Asheville, NC. Visit http://www.southeastwaterforum.org.

16. Introduction to Stream Restoration Using Natural Channel Design – Alabama
Primary Instructor: Dr. Greg Jennings, North Carolina State University

Join this workshop on stream restoration using the natural channel design approach on August 21 - 22 in Gadsden, Alabama. This two day workshop will introduce Rosgen classification, natural channel design principles, and present case studies from the southeast. Two completed stream restoration projects in Gadsden, Alabama will be used for field tours and discussion. Space is limited to 30 participants.

More information is available at http://www.aces.edu/waterquality/streams/gadsden.htm or you may contact Eve Brantley - brantef@auburn.edu

17. New Guide Focuses on Environmental Funders
Jankowski Associates, Inc. announces the publication of a new addition to the National New Foundation series: The Leading 500 New Foundations Funding Conservation, Wildlife and the Environment. This directory provides in-depth profiles on the new foundation leaders in environmental and wildlife philanthropy, including sample grants, Boards of Directors, contact information, and indexes that will help researchers identify targeted sources of support. Cost: $219. Contact Bernie Jankowski at 301-696-0797 or bjankowski@grantsdirect.com for additional information.

18. Board Resources – Board Café
If you're with a nonprofit and you're not familiar with "Board Cafe"—an electronic newsletter for boards, check it out! Here's the web site for its archives: http://www.compasspoint.org/boardcafe/archives.php.

19. Simple Steps to a Water Efficient Yard from EPA Water Headlines
Being smart with how we use water in our yards is easy and can make a real difference. If we all did our part to maximize water efficiency in our yards, we could reduce water use by 1.5 billion gallons every day! If you have a landscape irrigation system or are in the market for one, look for systems that use rain or moisture sensors. This will help ensure that only the needed amount of water is applied to your landscape. Also, double check your sprinkler head settings to ensure they are only watering the lawn and garden, not the sidewalk! There are other simple things you can do be more efficient; for example: fix irrigation system leaks, avoid over-watering and water during the coolest part of the day, preferably morning. In the coming months the EPA will be announcing a new partnership program that will include a label for products that use less water along with an outreach campaign to educate consumers about how to use water more efficiently.

20. Fundraising Deadlines
The following foundations are either new to our list of grants or have upcoming deadlines to submit proposals. To view grant makers that give throughout the year, visit our website at www.garivers.org and click on “Grants”.

Ben and Jerry's Foundation provides grants ranging from $1,000 - $15,000 for grassroots organizing that leads to environmental change and addresses the root causes of environmental problems. Letters of inquiry must be submitted ten weeks prior to the grant cycle deadline for full proposals. Deadlines to submit a full proposal (for invited applicants only) are: March 1st, July 1st, November 1st. Visit http://www.benandjerry.com/foundation/guidelines.html.

Captain Planet Foundation provides grants to organizations that promote an understanding of the environment and involve youth ages 6-18. Grants range from $250 - $2,500. Deadlines for submitting grant applications are March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. Visit www.captainplanetfdn.org.

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation The mission of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is to support efforts that promote a just, equitable, and sustainable society. The Foundation's grant programs focus on the following areas: poverty, civil society, the environment, and Flint, MI. Organizations seeking grants should begin the application process at least four months before the start of the proposed grant period. Foundation staff must finalize grant recommendations for any given calendar year by August 31 of that year. Proposals received between September 1 and December 31 will be considered in the following calendar year. Visit http://www.mott.org for more information.

The Community Foundation funds projects in the 23 county Metro Atlanta area. Visit www.atlcf.org. The foundation receives proposals between January and July.

ConAgra Foods Foundation works to improve the quality of life in communities where ConAgra employees work and live. The Foundation focuses its resources in the areas of arts and culture; civic and community betterment; education; health and human services; and hunger, nutrition and food safety. Nonprofit organizations in communities with company facilities throughout the United States are eligible to apply. Consult your local phone directory or contact your Chamber of Commerce to find out if ConAgra Foods operates in your community. Applications are due the last working day of January, April, July, October. Visit http://www.conagrafoods.com/company/corporate_responsibility/foundation/index.jsp.

Foster's Community Grants, a program of the Foster's Group, a global company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, provides support to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Australia for community-building projects. Grants are provided in the following focus areas: wellness, including both physical and mental health; culture, including artistic, sporting, and educational activities; and the environment, including all aspects of the natural environment. For the second funding cycle in 2006, applications will be accepted from August 1 to September 29. Visit http://www.fosters.com.au/about/fosterscommunitygrants.htm.

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program provides States with a means of protecting and restoring coastal environments. Visit http://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants/. Deadline is June 30.

The National Forest Foundation supports projects that address community-based forest stewardship, watershed health and restoration, wildlife habitat improvement, and recreation issues in proactive ways. Projects should complete innovative on-the-ground conservation work in partnership with other community groups. The Foundation’s matching awards program focuses on “action-oriented” projects that serve to demonstrate measurable outcomes. The program provides challenge cost-share grants, on a competitive basis, to community-based organizations to engage in on-the-ground conservation initiatives benefiting National Forests and Grasslands. The Program provides matching federal funds to private, non-federal dollars. During 2006, the Foundation will support organizations in Southern Appalachia (Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia), the Oregon Coast and Central Cascades, the Selway-Bitterroot area (Montana and Idaho), the Central Colorado Rockies, and the Central Sierra (California). Some 20 percent of the Program’s funds will be allocated to projects outside of these areas. The deadline of July 28 is for pre-proposals. | Grant Range: $500 to $100,000 | Contact Info: Alexandra Kenny, Director Grants Program, 2715 M St. NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC, 20007, Ph: 202-298-6740 Ext. 3, akenny@natlforests.org. Visit http://natlforests.org/consp_04_map.html.

The National Wildlife Refuge Friends Group Grant Program, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, is requesting proposals for projects that assist nonprofit organizations to be effective co-stewards of the important natural resources within the National Wildlife Refuge System. This program provides seed grants to innovative proposals that seek to increase the number and effectiveness of organizations interested in assisting the Refuge System nationwide. This year's grant program will prioritize proposals that facilitate wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities on refuges and reach new audiences to increase their support for the Refuge System’s mission. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations, including Refuge Friends organizations, Cooperative and Interpretive Associations, Audubon Chapters, and other citizen support organizations interested in assisting a National Wildlife Refuge or the Refuge System as a whole. The next application deadline for the program is September 1, 2006. Visit http://www.nfwf.org/programs/nwrgp.cfm.

The Norfolk Southern Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that focus on educational, cultural, environmental, and economic development opportunities within the region served by Norfolk Southern in the Eastern U.S. (A system map of Norfolk Southern communities is available on the company’s website.) The Foundation offers grants in three principal areas: educational programs, primarily at the post-secondary level; community enrichment focusing on cultural and artistic organizations; and environmental programs. Applications are accepted between July 15 and September 30, annually. Visit http://www.nscorp.com/nscorp/application?pageid=About%20NS&category=About%20NS&contentId=english/nscorp/about_ns/ns_foundation.html.

Patagonia funds projects that are action oriented, build public support and involvement, are strategic and accomplish specific goals and objectives. Patagonia supports small, grassroots activist organizations with provocative direct-action agendas. They look for innovative groups that produce measurable results, and like to support efforts to force the government to abide by its own - our own - laws. Patagonia helps local groups working to protect local habitat. Most grants are in the range of $3,000 to $8,000. Proposals must be postmarked no later than April 30 and August 31 each year. For more information, visit http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/patagonia.go?assetid=2927.

You can also apply for grants from the Atlanta Patagonia store which gives grants in the amount of $1,000 - $4000 with applications due by July 31. Contact Leigh Bost at 404.266.8182 or leigh_bost@patagonia.com for more information.

The Rohm and Haas Company Contributions Program's primary focus is to improve the quality of life in company communities by having a measurable impact on critical needs in each community and to improve the quality of science and math education internationally. The company’s grantmaking categories include: Education, Environment, Civic and Community, Health and Human Services, and Arts and Culture. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Visit http://www.rohmhaas.com/community/giving/giving.html.

The Southern Partners Fund serves southeastern communities and organizations seeking social, economic, and environmental justice by providing them with financial resources, technical assistance and training, and access to systems of information and power. The Fund's grantmaking focuses on rural community organizing in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Funded groups must be self-governed by members of the targeted rural population, and must be organizing on issues of social, economic and environmental justice that enable community members to become decision-makers. The application deadline is August 1, 2006. Visit the website listed above for more information http://www.spfund.org/programs.htm.

The Stonyfield Farm's Profits for the Planet Program donates 10% of the company's profits annually to nonprofit organizations in order to enhance efforts that help protect or restore the environment. Projects that generate measurable results, for example, natural resources saved, people educated, etc., are given priority. Applications for support are accepted from organizations throughout the U.S., with some emphasis on organizations located in the Northeast with projects often reflecting Stonyfield's support of organic farming methods and efforts to combat global warming. Requests for funding may be submitted at any time. Visit http://www.stonyfield.com/AboutUs/ProfitsForThePlanetProgram.cfm.

The Timberland Company offers grants to encourage volunteerism, protect the environment and promote diversity. Groups must have 501(c)3 status to apply. Deadlines: April 1, June 5, August 30, 2006. Visit www.garivers.org and click on grants for more information.

Tourism Cares for Tomorrow is a nonprofit organization that benefits society by promoting the responsible use of the world's natural, cultural and historic treasures and supporting education and research to help secure the positive future of travel and tourism worldwide. As part of its mission, Tourism Cares for Tomorrow distributes grants to nonprofit organizations worldwide with the following goals: 1. Projects that protect, restore, or conserve sites of exceptional cultural, historic, or natural significance and 2. Programs that educate local host communities and the traveling public about conservation and preservation of sites. The remaining deadlines for 2006 are June 30 and Nov 1. Application guidelines are available on the website at http://tourismcares.org/TourismCares/What+We+Do/Grants/.

Join Georgia River Network
If you find News Stream and other information and services provided by Georgia River Network useful, we would appreciate your financial support! Visit www.garivers.org and join today!