Regional Geographic Initiatives

National RGI Mission Statement RGI in Region 10 How to Apply for Region 10 RGI Funding Resources and Helpful Links for RGI Applicants 2003 RGI Projects in Region 10 2002 RGI Projects in Region 10

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Alaska

Project Name:

Protecting Kenai Peninsula's Salmon Streams

City:

Lower Kenai Peninsula communities include: Anchor Point, Hally Valley, Homer, Nikolaevsk and Ninilchik

State:

Alaska

Project Description:	Kenai Peninsula's salmon streams support the region's economic, social, and cultural well- being and an abundance of fish and wildlife species. To protect these important streams, Cook Inlet Keeper will collect water quality and wetland data from lower Kenai Peninsula watersheds necessary for the sound management and protection of public resources.
Area Description:	The lower Kenai Peninsula is bounded on the west side by Cook Inlet, the east side by the Caribou Hills, the north side by the Ninilchik River, and the south side by Kachemak Bay. The topography of this region is gently rolling, with wide river valleys and extensive wetlands.
Project Objectives:	Collect water quality data Continuously track stream temperatures to identify frequency and duration of exceedances to Alaska's water quality standards Conduct sediment analysis Assess the health of macroinvertebrate communities Monitor wetlands in salmon stream watersheds Public and distribute biological, habitat and water quality data
Accomplishments:	Monitor a broader range of wetland types Capture greater natural variability in water quality conditions Help understand how water quality parameters may be affected by warming climate trends Assess effects of revegetation following the Spruce Bark Beetle epidemic Monitor post-flood conditions during recovery
Stakeholders:	Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), Homer Soil and Water Conservation Service (HSWCD), University of Alaska Anchorage's Kenai Peninsula College.
In-Kind Services or Products Provided:	$35,118 from ADEC, $12,639 from HSWCD, $6,012 in-kind from Cook Inlet keeper, $2,311 in-kind from volunteer time, $6,240 in-kind from U. of AK, $1,600 in-kind from Technical Advisory Committee
National Strategic Plan Link (GPRA Subobjs):	Goal 4, Objective 4.2, Subobjective 4.2.1: Sustain Community Health

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Idaho

Project Name:

Idaho Crop Residue Disposal Communication Initiative

City:

Boise

State:

Idaho

Project Description:	Proposed program is designed to address needs for better communication regarding field burning with Idaho citizens and growers. These needs are addressed through enhanced programming, email, media and internet outreach. GIS mapping is utilized to provide specific, daily information on burning activities through enhanced database management, programming and hardware.
Area Description:	The program will be developed and administered from the Boise office of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), but will be utilized statewide through local ISDA coordinators, Tribal partners, and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ). Information will also be available through the ISDA website at www.idahoag.us.
Project Objectives:	Better daily burn decisions that more effectively manage smoke generated through: Measuring the type of complaints or requests for information received through the toll free complaint lines. Better analyzing and correlating sanctioned field burning with calls received to complain or request information. Being able to quickly adjust acres to be burned based on levels of particulate matter reported from existing monitors and potential regional impacts produced by meteorological models. Making specific changes within the program as the season progresses rather than waiting until the end of the season. Continually monitoring air quality conditions at various sites throughout a region and modify specific burn decisions more quickly each day.
Accomplishments:	Develop a more accessible database and web program where information can be housed and accessible to all partners. Provide growers and citizens more accurate, easily understood information including specific burn information. Fund media outreach on a daily basis during the burn season to address concerns of citizens and timely notification. Integrate meteorological models to better serve SMP users. Purchase computer and communication equipment for local coordinators.
Stakeholders:	Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Nez Perce Tribe
In-Kind Services or Products Provided:	0
National Strategic Plan Link (GPRA Subobjs):	Goal 4, Objective 4.2, Subobjective 4.2.1: Sustain Community Health

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Project Name:

Biological Control of Weeds - Implementation, Distribution, and Technology Xfr

City:

Moscow

State:

Idaho

Project Description:	Project will collect or organize collections of USDA APHIS PPQ Approved biological control agents for each of the identified weed species for distribution at technology transfer field workshops and seminars regionally throughout Idaho. Cooperative Weed Management Areas will be the conduit for setting up workshop locations and prioritizing targeted weed species. In addition, project will establish mass rearing programs for those agents that are currently unavailable or only available on a limited basis for future distribution throughout the state.
Area Description:	Idaho rangeland
Project Objectives:	1. Collect, rear, and redistribute biological control agents targeting Dalmatian toadflax, purple loosestrife, spotted knapweed, rush skeleton weed and yellow starthistle at technology transfer workshops. Increase availability of biological control agents in order to reduce control of these weeds with herbicide. 2. Train land managers in biological control of weeds and increase awareness of the long term benefits of biological control as a component in integrated weed management strategies.
Accomplishments:	1. Coordination of collection of insects for redistribution 2. Biological control agents for six weeds planned for redistribution at technology transfer workshops 3. Organization and coordination of workshops 4. Organization and production of training materials 5. Conduct workshops Evaluation This project will result in approximately 12 field workshops with an estimated 30 participants per workshop at which an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 beneficial insects for the control of six important noxious weed species will be distributed to land managers throughout Idaho. Up to 360 land managers and private landowners will be trained in the possibilities and limits to manage weeds with biological control agents. Ideally, each participant will be provided with sufficient insects to conduct a biocontrol agent release on respective lands. Participants will be provided with durable identification toolkits and information how to effectively manage and monitor their biocontrol efforts and how to report data to the Nez Perce Tribe Bio-Control Center and the U of Idaho for inclusion of data in the statewide biocontrol database.
Stakeholders:	University of Idaho, Nez Perce Tribe
In-Kind Services or Products Provided:
National Strategic Plan Link (GPRA Subobjs):	Goal 4, Objective 4.2, Subobjective 4.2.1: Sustain Community Health

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Oregon

Project Name:

Environmental Resource Protection in the Southern Willamette Valley

City:

Lane County: Coburg, Cottage Grove, Creswell, Eugene, Junction City, Lowell, Oakridge, Springfield, Venetta, Westfir plus 15 rural unincorporated communities: Alavadore, Cheshire, Crow, Dexter, Elmira, Franklin, Goshen, Leaburg, Lorane, Marcola, Pleasant Hill, Saginaw, Trent, Vida, and Walterville.

State:

Oregon

Project Description:	This project will seek to prevent environmental degradation by using GIS models and baseline data to measure and monitor impacts of Alternative Growth Scenarios on air and water quality and rare habitat types. The outcome will yield critical information for development and monitoring of a Regional Growth Management Strategy.
Area Description:	The Southern Willamette Valley is a 1000-square-mile region between the Coast and Cascade Ranges in the western part of the state. The region is centered on the Eugene- Springfield metropolitan area, in the second largest in Oregon, which is surrounded by eight smaller incorporated cities and 15 rural unincorporated communities. The Willamette River flows through the region and is joined by the McKenzie River near the north edge of the metropolitan area.
Project Objectives:	The project is preventative. The information generated by the project will help guide growth and development in ways that will minimize the impact on air quality; surface water and groundwater quality; and rare habitat. Measurable environmental outputs and outcomes resulting from the proposed evaluation of the relative impacts of the alternative scenarios on these resources include: 1. Less Adverse impact on Air Quality: Scenarios identify more jobs and services in outlying communities and/or regional commuter services to reduce inter-city travel and adverse air quality impacts; 2. Less Adverse Impact on Water Quality (Note: the INDEX tool will be explored for possible use in this application): Scenarios identify: fewer acres of development and density increases in the floodplan, fewer development density increases in small cities and rural communities where there is no municipal stormwater or wastewater system or no master plans for these facilities, less acres of commercial and industrial development within the one-year time-of- travel zones in delineated groundwater zones of contribution for municipal water supply systems. 3. Less Adverse Impact on Rare Habitat Types: Scenarios identify less acres of development on and within 100 feet of wet prairies; bottomland forests of cottonwood, ask, and alder; and oak-savannas.
Accomplishments:	The project will produce the following interim products: Alternative Regional Growth Scenario maps; additional needed baseline data; capacity analysis of alternatives and adjusted Scenario maps to meet land needs; overlay analyses results; quantitative and qualitative evaluation of alternatives that explores the use of INDEX as a tool to supplement existing GIS models and compares the results to the findings of the Pacific Northwest Ecosystems Research Consortium, coordinated by University of Oregon Professor David Hulse; a draft report; a final report; and presentation of results. The final product will be the report, Quantitative and Qualitative Environmental and Natural Resource Evaluation of Alternative Regional Growth Scenarios. For each alternative scenario, the report will describe quantitative and qualitative impacts of development on air quality; surface water and groundwater quality; and rare habitat: wet prairies; bottomland gallery forests of cottonwood, ash, and alder; and oak-savannas.
Stakeholders:	Lane Council of Governments, City of Springfield, City of Coburg, City of Creswell, City of Cottage Grove, City of Eugene, City of Lowell, City of Veneta, City of Junction City, City of Oakridge, City of Westfir, Lane County, Eugene Water and Electric Board, Emerald People's Utility District, Lane Transit District, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
In-Kind Services or Products Provided:	City of Springfield, City of Coburg, City of Creswell, City of Cottage Grove, City of Eugene, City of Lowell, City of Veneta, City of Junction City, City of Oakridge, City of Westfir, Lane County, Eugene Water and Electric Board, Emerald People's Utility District, Lane Transit District, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
National Strategic Plan Link (GPRA Subobjs):	Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems, Objective 2: Community Health, Subobjective 2.1: Sustain Communities
Agency Priorities/Strategies:	Goal 4, Objective 2, Subobjective 2.1 Smart Growth/Building Livable Comm

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Project Name:

Rogue Basin Biomonitoring Project

City:

Rogue Basin

State:

Oregon

Project Description:	This project provides every watershed council with experienced bioassessment teams - 15 - 20 total - trained and equipped for DEQ standardized macroinvertebrate sampling. Teams increase local capacity for baseline and multi-season studies, project effectiveness, biomonitoring, and prompt response to distrubance events. The same equipment and training support "Kids and Bugs" events that draw students, families and fishermen into informative educational activities focused on clean water and salmon restoration.
Area Description:	Rogue Basin, Oregon
Project Objectives:	The project cost-effectively builds on existing watershed council capability and encourages links to industry, state and federal agency monitoring. The project develops spatially explicit, statistically rigorous bioassessment data critical for place-to-place comparability across the entire Rogue Basin, and for studying functional relationships between water quality, habitat, salmon populations and the biotic community.
Accomplishments:	15 -20 biomonitoring teams assess watersheds throughout the Rogue Basin, data are analyzed and interpreted, Rogue Basin Biomointoring Report for 2003/2004 are published, watershed councils and Izzak Walton League host "Kids and Bugs" event.
Stakeholders:	Xerces Society, Izzak Walton League, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Rogue Flyfishers and Oregon Trout
In-Kind Services or Products Provided:	$5611 from DEQ, ODFW, and OWEB for training, tech support and field recon: $12000 from Izzak Walton League for training team and sampling kits: $4825 from Xerces Society for training crew and sampling kits; $37,632 in kind from volunteers (councils, Rogue Flyfishers, Oregon Trout) for time, miles traveled, training site recon, baseline sampling, Kids and Bugs coaching.
National Strategic Plan Link (GPRA Subobjs):	Goal 4, Objective 2, Subobjective 2.1: Sustain Communities

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Project Name:

Developing Natural Herbicides for No-Till Organic Farming

City:

Pendleton, Moro

State:

Oregon

Project Description:	We aim to conbine No-till (NT) and Organic farming (OF). Both systems address environmental problems caused by conventional farming but are antagonistic in approach. To control weeds, NT uses herbicides and OF uses tillage. Developing natural herbicides will make NTOF work. NTOF will sustain agriculture without any adverse effects on the environment.
Area Description:	The project will be conducted at Pendleton and Moro - both are within four major land resource areas: The Columbia Basin, Columbia Plateau, Palouse, and Nez Perce Prairies with soil in areas ranging from gentle to very steep slopes.
Project Objectives:	Work is aimed at screening a wide variety of crop plants for allelochemicals that suppress germination of weeds of the Pacific Northwest. Cropping systems that involve rotations of these crops with wheat will be developed under no-till organic systems. in addition to allelopathy, we will also screen for viable alternative crops for this region. A new generation of herbicides will be developed from these crop plants. Aqueous extracts of promising crops will be screened for efficacy on control of common weeds of the Pacific Northwest. Natral herbicides will provide an alternative method for weed control and eliminate the adverse impacts of synthetic herbicides. No-till organic farming will bring about tremendous benefit to the environment and bring about sustainable agriculture. Benefits to the environment will be measured by the increase in soil organic matter and soil life, reduction in soil and wind erosion, reduction in pollution of rivers and air.
Accomplishments:	The project involves two phases: Plase one involves the collecting and growing of diverse plants like mustard and velvel beans that have biologically acative natural products that can be used to control weeds and possibly insect pests in proposed no-till organic farming systems in the PNW. A literature search will be conducted at our local Research Station library, the Valley library at the OSU campus in Corvallis, and on the internet to compile a list of potential crops with herbicidal activity. The selected crops will be collected and planted in pots in the greenhouse at the Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center. the center has two greenhouses totalling 5000 square feet. When the plants reach particular stages at which the content of allelochemicals is highest, teh plants will be harvested and sun dried in teh greenhouse. The plants will then be ground and water extracts colleted from part of the ground material. A growth cabinet experiment will then be conducted to determine the eficacy of extracts and mixtures of extracts in inhibiting or delaying the germination of weeds common to the PNW such as jointed goatgrass, cheatgrass, Russian thistle, kochia, field bindweed, yellow starthistle, Canada thistle, wild oats, prickly lettuce rattail fescue knapweekd, Jim Hill mustard, and skeleton weed. Simultaneously, another experiment will be conducted int he greenhouse where extracts and ground residues will be applied to soil in trays planted to weeds. Extracts will also be applied to weed plants at different stages of growth. Phase two will involve designing no-till organic cropping systems that utilize potential natural herbicides either as crops in rotation, ground residies, or as aqueous extracts.
Stakeholders:	Oregon State University - Extension Service, OSU Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center,
In-Kind Services or Products Provided:	0
National Strategic Plan Link (GPRA Subobjs):	Goal 4, Objective 2, Subobjective 2.1: Sustain Communities

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Project Name:

Neighborhood Level Diesel Exhaust Component Monitoring Near Freeway

City:

Portland

State:

Oregon

Project Description:	A novel particulate matter measurement system and an NO2 sampling network will quantify ambient levels and penetration of diesel generated contaminants into neighborhoods along the Portland I-5 corridor. Community engagement and scientific investigation will produce high quality data for public and scientific dissemination about neighborhood level impacts of diesel exhaust.
Area Description:	Neighborhoods in Portland near I-5 (mobile setup)
Project Objectives:	Assess the impactof diesel exhaust on neighborhoods in the Portland area Achieve a high level of community participation in the project Disseminate the results to the affected population
Accomplishments:	Provide a detailed geographic signature of the NO2 plume associated with the construction and highway traffic using the passive sampling network for several different days. Interpret data from the tandem system using a suitable dispersion model Refine the sampling strategies Disseminate scientific and lay reports of specific and general findings
Stakeholders:	Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Transportation
In-Kind Services or Products Provided:	Oregon Dept. of Env. Quality to provide $4400 in-kind services, Oregon Dept. of Trans. to provide in-kind services - no dollar amount attributed.
National Strategic Plan Link (GPRA Subobjs):	Goal 4, Object 4.2, Subobjective 4.2.1: Sustain Community Health

Washington

Project Name:

Land Use and Coho Prespawning Mortality in the Snohomish Watershed

City:

King and Snohomish Counties

State:

Washington

Project Description:	Washington Trout will perform coho salmon spawning success surveys in 18 sub-basins within the Snohomish watershed in Western Washington. Study basins will represent a gradient of land-use: urban/suburban, rural residential/agricultural, rural unimpacted. Coho spawning success will be documented to elucidate the relationship between coho prespawning mortality rates and land use.
Area Description:	The Snohomish River supports one of the largest coho populations in Puget Sound. It headwaters in Washington's Cascade Mountains and flows through lands managed for timber production; agriculture; and rural, suburban, and urban residences. The river enters Puget Sound in Everett, approximately 30 miles north of Seattle.
Project Objectives:	Washington Trout will perform weekly spawning success surveys in 18 study sub-basins in Western Washington's Snohomish watershed between October 27, 2003 and January 23, 2004, the observed coho salmon spawning period. Washington Trout will create a GIS to determine land use characteristics in each study sub- basin; as well as precipitation, population density, and percent total impervious area variables for each watershed; to determine what relationship exists between land use, watershed characteristics, and coho prespawn mortality proportions.
Accomplishments:	Finalize study sub-basin and study reach selection. Work with project collaborators to begin acquiring landowner permission to access private property, as necessary. Finalize timing on study watershed surveys using WDFW index reach data. Coordinate with Tribes and state and local entities that may be performing salmon spawning surveys within the Snohomish watershed. Request that they document coho prespawning mortality and train them in the use of Washington Trout's prespawning mortality field form. Review field protocols, calibrate field equipment Conduct weekly surveys of the study watersheds Coordinate with Tribes and state and local entities that performed salmon spawning surveys within the Snohomish watershed during fall 2003 - as appropriate, incorporate their data into Washington Trout dataset. Write and submit final report.
Stakeholders:	Washington Trout, Seattle Public Utilities, Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Tulalip Tribes, National Marine Fisheries Service, Washington State Dept. of Ecology
In-Kind Services or Products Provided:	$8000 from Washington Trout/Seattle Public Utilities, $1800 from WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, $1800 from Tulalip Tribes, in-kind assistance of unknown value from NMFS, and in- kind assistance of unknown value from WA DEQ.
National Strategic Plan Link (GPRA Subobjs):	Goal 4, Objective 4.2, Subobjective 4.2.1: Sustain Community Health

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Project Name:

Integrated Spatial Framework of the Effects of Urbanization, Ocean Ecosystems, and Human Health in Puget Sound

City:

Seattle

State:

Washington

Project Description:	This project develops an integrated spatial framework to quantify the relationship between human and biophysical stressors, processes, exposure and effects in Puget Sound region. Our study will explore how urbanization affects the health of marine and nearshore areas, and how those impacts in turn affect human health.
Area Description:	Puget Sound region - Puget Sound estuary and surrounding urban areas
Project Objectives:	1. to develop a database and integrated spatial framework to quantify and assess the relationships between urban development, environmental stressors (pollution, pathogens), human exposure and associated effects on marine ecosystems and human health. Additionally, we will evaluate the risk of human exposure to potential contaminants and pathogens using appropriate environmental indicators of nearshore conditions. 2. To provide a set of case examples of application of the integrated framework information linking human and ecosystem processes across disciplinary boundaries. We will evaluate the applicability and transferability of such a framework across diverse shoreline and pollution control plans and programs to inform decision making processes on the interactions between oceans on human health.
Accomplishments:	1. A framework and database of integrated layers of human health, urbanization and marine ecological systems will be produced in GIS format for the initial research basis for the PNC H2O. 2. Guidelines will be developed to translate the framework into rules and specific criteria that can be understood by non-scientists and local agency personnel. 3. The final product will be a comprehensive report on the methodology, findings and case examples of the research. This will include figures, charts, graphs and maps highlighting the study's findings. 4. Data Sets in ARC-GRID/ArcView format generated by the research will be made available on a CD. 5. Evaluation of it's applicability through an Internet survey of selected local planners.
Stakeholders:	University of Washington - Institute for Risk Analysis and Risk Communication, Department of Ecology Puget Sound Action Team, Pacific Northwest Center for Human Health and Ocean Science.
In-Kind Services or Products Provided:	Institute for Risk Analysis and Communication - data, expertise; PSAT - data expertise, shellfish project; Center for Human Health and Ocean Science - data, research, technical expertise.
National Strategic Plan Link (GPRA Subobjs):	Goal 4, Objective 4.2, Subobjective 4.2.1: Sustain Community Health

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Project Name:

Jimmycomelately Creek and Estuary Restoration GIS Database Model

City:

Blyn

State:

Washington

Project Description:	This project will establish a Geographic Information Systems model for the storage, organization and analysis of information from the Jimmycomelately Estuary Restoration Project's 10-year monitoring plan. A centralized database will be created using the latest remote sensing data to integrate, cross-reference and analyze ecological and geographical data.
Area Description:	Dungeness/Elwha watershed
Project Objectives:	To establish a Geographic Information Systems model for the storage, organization and analysis of information for the Jimmycomelately Creek and Estuary Restoration Project, and a data repository for its 10-year monitoring plan. The GIS model will be completed in FY04 and maintained by the Tribe thereafter.
Accomplishments:	1. Server and GIS computer up and running with GIS data installed and accessible. 2. Training for GIS Specialist and Trainee completed, STORET training completed. 3. JCL GIS databases established for the ten-year project site monitoring; data being entered, updated and made available for queries, analysis and reports, including STORET.
Stakeholders:	US Fish and Wildlife, National Coastal Wetlands Conservation, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife, WA State Aquatic Land Enhancement Grant, WA State Centennial Clean Water, WA State Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Clallam County, WA DEQ, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Coastal Salmon, North Olympic Salmon Coalition, National Audubon Society, Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, WSU Cooperative Extension Service, Clallam County Roads Dept., WA Dept. of Transportation..
In-Kind Services or Products Provided:	technical assistance, road improvements, water quality monitoring, pre- and post-project wetland delineation, staff time on planning, coordination, design, technical elements of project and land acquisition.
National Strategic Plan Link (GPRA Subobjs):	Goal 4, Objective 4.2, Subobjective 4.2.1: Sustain Community Health

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Project Name:

Puget Sound-Georgia Basin Transboundary Ecosystem Indicators

City:

More than 100 incorporated cities in these 12 counties: Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom

State:

Washington

Project Description:	This project will select and develop reports on indicators of environmental condition for the transboundary Puget Sound-Georgia Basin ecosystem. Federal, state, provincial, and non- governmental partners in the U.S. and Canada will collaborate on indicator selection. Agencies responsible for developing and managing the relevant data will develop reports on selected indicators.
Area Description:	Puget Sound and Georgia Basin. Planning area for the Puget Sound National Estuary Program (NEP) in Washington State. Estuarine and marine waters and watersheds of Puget Sound, the Strait of Georgia, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Project Objectives:	1. Select a set of indicators of environmental conditions and stresses in the Puget Sound- Georgia Basin ecosystem using criteria developed in early 2003; and 2. Develop brief reports on each of the selected indicators by early 2004.
Accomplishments:	The Action Team, or its contractor, will prepare a web site to disseminate the brief indicator reports. The Action Team will also include a subset of the transboundary indicator reports in the 2004 version of its Puget Sound's Health report. Puget Sound Action Team and its contractor will encourage partner agencies and others to include the reports on transboundary indicators in their reports on environmental status and trends and in educational and outreach materials designed to engage citizens and organizations in working toward a sustainable Georgia Basin and Puget Sound ecosystem. Milestones/Products: Selection of a set of transboundary ecosystem indicators for the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin by collaboration among staff of various workgroup agencies and other interested parties; Meetings, correspondence, and agreements to resolve issues related to availability, comparability, and compatibility of data at appropriate scales for eaach of the selected indicators; Preparation of a communication strategy, including agreements by partners (and others) to disseminate indicators information in their organizations' publications; Production of a simple, brief report for eaach of the selected indicators; Web-publication and dissemination of the reports on the selected indicators; and Evaluation of the selected indicators and approaches to their communication.
Stakeholders:	Puget Sound Action Team, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environmental Canada, British Columbia Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, British Columbia Ministry of Water, land and Air Protection.
In-Kind Services or Products Provided:	$46,900 from WA DEQ for 1 FTE for 0.75 year for working group membership and indicator development, $2,100 from WDFW for 52.5 hours for working group member and indicator support, $1,500 from Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans Canada for 50 hours for working group member and indicator updating, $87,000 from Environment Canada for $5000 cash and 1 FTE for 0.75 year for working group member and indicator development, $4,700 from British Columbia Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management for 0.1 FTE for 0.75 year for working group member, $23,400 from Britich Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection for 0.5 FTE for 0.5 year for working group member and indicator development.
National Strategic Plan Link (GPRA Subobjs):	Goal 4, Objective 4.2, Subobjective 4.2.1: Sustain Community Health

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Project Name	Area	Amount Funded	Project Description
Idaho Ground Water Testing for Potentially Harmful Pesticide Compounds	Agricultural areas of South Central Idaho in Minidoka, Twin Falls, Gooding, Fremont, Nez Perce, Jerome, Lincoln, Bingham, and Lewis Counties.	$21,000	Sulfonylurea compounds, imidazolinone, and tralkoxydim compounds have been used extensively for control of roadside vegetation in parts of Idaho. The herbicide residues have proven to be extremely persistent and toxic to plants at levels below “non-detect”. This has had a devastating economic impact on some sensitive crops such as sugar beets. It is presently unclear what health effects low levels of these compounds may have on human health. It is also unknown if sulfonylurea compounds, imidazolinone, and tralkoxydim compounds have contaminated Idaho ground water. Over the last year, new procedures have been developed to detect the compounds at previously non-detect levels. This project will be allow the Idaho Department of Agriculture to gather data in targeted areas to determine whether or not these compounds are present in groundwater wells used for drinking water and human consumption.
Columbia Basin Watershed Networking Forums	Columbia River Basin (Idaho, Oregon and Washington)	$20,000	The grantee will be applying capacity building strategies successfully demonstrated in northern California to the complex mix of stakeholders along the Columbia River Basin. A series of workshops will bring together different watershed councils to exchange technical and funding information so that they will be able to make progress in achieving on the ground results towards implementation of the Columbia River TMDL which is nearing completion.
A Method for Prioritizing Aquatic Restoration Projects in the Willamette River Basin	Mary’s River Watershed, Willamette River Basin, Oregon, USA	$25,000	Restoration projects are being completed in the Willamette Basin by watershed councils, local governments, and state and federal agencies. Generally, project implementation has been more opportunistic than strategic thus not leveraging off the cumulative benefits of multiple projects often implemented in the same watershed. This project will establish a methodology for developing GIS based maps from existing landscape featured data bases. These maps will be used to help set restoration priorities targeting areas where the best restoration opportunities exist. By identifying the key restoration areas, land use managers at the local, state and federal levels could develop common priorities and leverage from their collective restoration resources.
Community Rivers Planning Coalition Watershed Planning Support	Kenai Peninsula, Alaska	$15,000	1) Support of the Community Rivers Planning Coalition facilitator will allow that group to continue its mission of working within the community to identify specific problem sources and develop community based solutions. It will also aid in their becoming a self sufficient organization. 2) Intern support for the Kenai Watershed Forum will enable that organization to continue with water quality monitoring and clarify pollutant hot spots found last year in the Kenai River. 3) Support for Ninilchik River flow gage will fill a gap in USGS funding to for continuous coverage of that strategic gage on the central Kenai Peninsula. Understanding of water quality data is dependent on flow information from that gage.
Union County Air Quality Monitoring and Health Information	Union County in northeastern Oregon	$37,500	In August and September of 2000, several smoke intrusions into La Grande and surrounding towns brought about numerous citizen complaints that led to a review of the County’s Smoke Management Ordinance and Program. EPA-Region 10 has a place-based employee located in La Grande, who was asked to participate in the review. Numerous improvements were identified, several of which were formally adopted by Ordinance amendment and others were committed to as ongoing efforts. One of the commitments was better air quality monitoring to meet several objectives: (1) assist the Program with determining whether to allow field burning; (2) provide the public with real-time information on air quality; and (3) better assessment of the effectiveness of the Program each year. This project will provide a real-time nephelometer, meteorological station, website hook-up to meet the objectives. The state of Oregon will be providing technical support to the county and will be maintaining the data. The project is designed to be replicable in other Eastern Oregon counties.
Lower Portneuf River/Fort Hall Reservation Regional Geographic Initiative	Southeastern Idaho- Lower Portneuf River Valley and Upper Snake River/ Fort Hall Ecosystem.	$125,000** **Note: Grant limits have been established at $50,000 for FY 2003	Ongoing activities to protect the aquifer include the understanding of the surface water and groundwater interface, urban, agriculture and wild land run-off control, monitoring of TMDLs, Phase II stormwater controls and in the future a critical materials initiative. A study of sustainable alternatives to the use of pesticides for potato farming has been initiated. This RGI will include installation of two TMDL “real time” surface water quality monitoring stations, will establish a thorough baseline of sewered and septic tank areas correlating bacteria nutrient loading, soil capacity and hydrology for use in land use planning and modeling and monitor effectiveness of sustainable alternatives to using pesticides for potato farming on Fort Hall. This effort involves extensive inter-jurisdictional work, especially with the county, the state, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the cities of Pocatello and Chubuck
Alaska DEQ “Oceans and Watersheds Conference”	Alaska and the Bering Sea	$15,000	This grant supports the Alaska DEQ “Oceans and Watersheds Conference” being held in June 2002. The conference attendance of over 350 people represents a broad cross section of Alaskan natives, policy makers, researchers, agencies, industries and the public. The funds were used to highlight efforts to better coordinate research in the Bering Sea.
Columbia River TMDL Outreach	Columbia River Basin in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Columbia River Tribes, Canada	$42,000	This contract will provide funding for workshops, facilitation and logistics for the outreach efforts associated with the Columbia River TMDL. Particular focus is on the need to involve the 14 Columbia Basin Tribes in the consultation process.
US/Canada Air Quality Monitoring	Canada and NW Washington	$10,000	EPA is funding Washington State University to develop an emissions inventory for air quality analysis and modeling in the Vancouver, BC - Seattle corridor. This effort will enhance the collaboration and common goals among US and Canadian air quality stakeholders and will provide, along with parallel Canadian efforts, a common database for analysis and decision making.
Diamond Lake Nutrient Modeling Project	SW Oregon	$15,000	Diamond Lake, which was originally mesotrophic, is now eutrophic due to increased human activity. During the summer of 2001, a toxic Anabaena algael bloom developed that posed a significant health risk to both humans and animals resulting in the closure of the lake - a major recreational destination in the area. This project will enable a multi-agency group to complete data collection in anticipation of producing a TMDL and TMDL implementation plan in 2003.
Three Public Outreach and Demonstration Efforts in Eastern Washington	Chelan, Yakima, Kittitas & Douglas Counties, Washington	$15,000	Working through local entities, the Washington State Department of Ecology proposed three local projects for this grant: 1) Quantify the level of Lead/Arsenic in soil at Public School properties in Yakima, Chelan and Douglas Counties; 2) Create an Xeroscape sustainable garden for demonstration purposes in conjunction with the Yakima Arboretum; and 3) Install educational/informative signs to draw public attention to landowner contributions to the restoration efforts in the Teanaway Valley. Most funds are directed at project #1. Lead and arsenic are of particular concern due to their extensive past use in this agricultural area.
Healthy, High Performance Cleaning for 2002 and Beyond		$5,000	This grant was used a leverage funding for up to four one-day workshops by the American Lung Association of Washington for school administrators and school building managers across Washington State. The goal is to enhance school district techniques for evaluating their cleaning programs and ways to increase the effectiveness of their cleaning programs while reducing negative impacts on indoor air quality.
Bringing Smart Growth Applications to Puget Sound’s Watershed Protection	Puget Sound	$15,000	This project will identify, organize and spotlight a series of case study approaches using watershed protection, smart growth and low impact development strategies in the Puget Sound area. This will enable the broad transfer of the results of these initial innovative approaches to any interested jurisdiction through a single web link.
Conference on Transboundary Ecosystem Based Management	Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Canada, Tribes, First Nations.	$5,000	This grant supports a Conference on Transboundary Ecosystem Based Management which will address a number of critical issues including the cross boundary transport of heavy metals and dissolved gasses into the Columbia River system, air pollution, and a variety of other concerns.