WERA205: Integrated Water Quality Research and Extension Programs for the Western United States
Statement of Issues and Justification
Clean and abundant water is fundamental to life, both in natural ecosystems, as well as for human health and economic vitality. Although great progress has been achieved in the past 25 years in cleaning up Americ?s rivers, lakes and coastal waters, controlling water pollution remains a top national priority. In the Western US, water quality is recognized as being of critical environmental as well as economic importance. Key issues include protection of drinking water from agricultural chemical contamination, livestock waste management, preservation of aquatic habitat for the protection of endangered species such as salmon, irrigation management in arid lands, and protection of coastal and reef ecosystems. The importance of water quality was recognized when the Western AES Directors ranked conservation and enhancement of air, soil and water resources first among ESCOP research program areas and initiatives.The Clean Water Action Plan developed in 1998 by the EPA and USDA provides guidelines for restoring the nations water resources and defines four tools for Clean Water: a watershed approach, strong federal and state water quality standards, natural resource stewardship, and informed citizens. In 1997, CSREES called together a team to create a National Strategic Plan for Extension Water Quality, which echos these four tools. This plan involves seven comprehensive goals; 1) reaching under-served audiences, 2) educating the public about watersheds and aquifers, 3) prevention pollution through best management practices, 4) educating public policy makers, 5) promoting individual actions to protect water quality, 6) promoting volunteerism, and 7) developing partnerships and liaisons with other agencies and organizations. These activities were promoted through existing Water Quality 3(d) program funds which supported faculty salaries and operating expenses. However, the passage of Section 406 of the Agriculture Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) has moved this funding into an Integrated Research, Extension, and Education Competitive Grants Program in FY2000. To take advantage of this and other federal funding opportunities, better coordination is needed between states in the Western region. A Western regional Coordinating Committee would help to accomplish this research and extension integration and strengthen our continued participation in the existing national Water Quality Coordinators network.
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