Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Each Focus Area concentrated its efforts on particular target audience groups, including: Drinking Water and Private Wells: Private well owners, town officials, well water professionals, realtors, and environmental organizations, including CE volunteer programs such as Watershed Stewards, Master Gardeners, and Home*A*Syst volunteers. NEMO: Target audiences include local land use officials and professionals (planners, landscape architects, engineers), nonprofit groups (land trusts, chambers of commerce), and other interested community members. Watershed Assessment: Volunteer monitoring groups, NRCS, producers, local, state and regional government officials, watershed organizations, local chapters of organizations like Trout Unlimited, researchers, Extension and the shellfish industry. Onsite Wastewater: Homeowners, town officials, landscape management service providers, wastewater professionals, and environmental organizations. Targeting of specific areas for programming occurs based on identified high-risk watersheds/communities. Agricultural Focus Areas: Farmers, agricultural service providers, NRCS, other agency staff, crop consultants and certified nutrient management planners, and volunteer organizations like 4-H. Sustainable Landscapes: Homeowners, town officials, municipal workers, landscapers, growers, volunteers, watershed groups, garden clubs, and environmental organizations. The Island Initiative: local communities, professionals, volunteer groups, farmers and service providers, and other interested community members. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Volunteer monitoring: trained volunteers in sampling procedures. Drinking Water and Human Health: held residential private well protection workshops. NEMO: Held NEMO U8 for regional and national network participants from 18 states in the area of land use management and protection for water resources protection. OnSite Wastewater Management: Professional trainings for wastewater professionals throughout the region in the area of wastewater treatment, inspection and maintenance. Sustainable Landscaping: Professional training in rain garden design and implementation in partnership with NEMO programming. Production Agriculture: Regional training for certified crop advisors on nutrient and pest management, cropping systems and pasture management. Islands Initiative: Partnered with OnSite Wastewater Training focus area to train and certify professionals in wastewater management and inspection procedures. Partnered with Sustainable Landscape focus area to provide trainings in rain garden design and installation techniques. Developed local NEMO programming and offered training seminars in geospatial technologies for local land-use managers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Each focus area distributes results in ways that best suit the particular audience. Examples may include: workshops, webinars, written information and final reports, and website postings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Promoted collaboration, completed delivery of successful programs that encouraged multi-state efforts to protect and restore water resources. Selected impacts during project: Drinking Water and Human Health: Increased private well testing throughout the region; enhanced collaboration with partners; developed new content to communicate water quality and safety techniques to private well owners. Volunteer monitoring: Data generated by trained citizen scientists used in statewide environmental status reports, for TMDLs and nutrient budgets to assess BMPs and restoration effectiveness and to develop local resource inventories for planning and other community purposes. Watershed groups and volunteer programs trained to display data online, created websites to present and share data online and improve accessibility for public and decision-maker use. Islands Initiative: Built capacity of local entities to manage septic systems. UVI and UPR leaders were involved in developing local regulations to improve water quality, including stormwater management and animal waste. NEMO: Work has resulted in changes to local efforts to protect open space, develop watershed plans, and zoning and subdivison regulations. Programs have trained local decision-makers in the use of geospatial technologies and developed easily accessed web tools. OnSite Wastewater Management: Professionals trained and certified to apply their knowledge and sills at the local level. Worked with towns throughout the region to manage wastewater for water quality protection. Production Agriculture: Delivered training on cropping systems research and tools for nutrient management planning to farmers and certified crop advisors. Sustainable Landscaping: Educated opinion leaders who help to shape landowner practices. Rain gardens installed through the region for training and education in cooperation with NEMO focus area. Landscape professionals certified in rain garden design and installation.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Vol Monitoring & Watershed Assmt: Part of multistate Hatch Project S-1042; hosted NEC-NALMS June 2012; developing protocols for monitoring blue green toxins. Drinking Water & Private Wells: held 2011 Symposium for 124 people in Connecticut November 14 & 15, 2011; residential private well protection workshops; continued work on eXtension Drinking Water CoP; participated in drinking water symposium at NWQIP annual conference. NEMO: co-hosted regional rain garden trainings; launched webinar series for National Network; NEMO U008 planning for held October 2012; GeoSpatial Training cat NWQIP annual conferene in collaboration with CT, NH, RI. Onsite Wastewater Mgmt: Continued Work with Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico partners on 4-year onsite wastewater training plan for islands, conducted training event; offered over 30 regional trainings attended by more than 1000 people; member of multi State Hatch Project NE-1045. Sustainable Landscapes: Conducted trainings at national and regional conferences; co-hosted regional rain garden trainings with NEMO; hosted municipal turf training to reduce nutrient use; lawn care videos included in EPA NPS toolbox; updates of state-based websites. Production AG: Three Certified Crop Advisor's (CCA) regional trainings on nutrient mgmt, vegetable production, genetically engineered crops & on-farm energy production; developed and piloting on-line course for CCA's basic training; continued work on eXtension E-organic CoP; field days and regional trainings held; SARE and NRCS funding to work on regional cover crop project to reduce tillage; developed and held manure application training for ag professionals and farmers. Small Farms Initiative: trainings and tours held; participated in regional SARE tour addressing issues on small acreage livestock farms; developing regional composting video and CD for nutrient management course; assessment factsheets for small farms finalized and posted to website. Islands Initiative: working with OWT on 4-year septic management and training program; continued efforts working with Rutgers on minimizing impacts from dirt roads; NEMO effort centered on training seminars in GIS/GPS; evaluation of performance of small scale anaerobic digesters for swine waste; participating on work group to revise regulations for animal waste composting; undergraduate course in soil and water taught at UPR. Regional & Nat'l Communication: Continued maintenance of regional website & listservs; developed online 2012 Nat'l Water Conference Proceedings. Co-Sponsored 2012 annual Regional MA WRRC, NEMO U8, 2011 Northeast Private Well Water Symposium and NEC-NALMS conferences. Participated in NIWQP as presenters and workshop and symposia sponsors. PARTICIPANTS: Each Focus Area consists of a core group of state Extension faculty and staff, and researchers. Focus Areas engage representatives of key stakeholder groups such as federal, state and local agencies and organizations, private sector professionals, members of appropriate trade associations, consumer groups, and other interested parties in a variety of activities. Coordination occurs through a variety of venues including, regional face-to-face meetings and workshops, conference calls, and electronic list-serves. Drinking Water and Private Wells: Partners include EPA-New England, USGS, state drinking water agencies, private sector professionals including well drillers and pump installers, and local partners as well as national organizations, including the American Groundwater Trust and the Water Systems Council. NEMO: involves a long list of federal, state, and local partners, including both public and private sector entities. In effect, each NEMO program is a consortium that has many stakeholders "built in" due to their active participation. Because NEMO programs are also supported by external funding, NIWQP regional support is leveraged many times over: funding sources include EPA Nonpoint Section 319, NOAA/EPA Coastal Nonpoint 6217, NOAA Sea Grant, EPA Source Water Protection Program, and various state programs. In addition, regional work is leveraged by the NIWQP National Facilitation Project that supports National NEMO Network coordination. NEMO programs also leverage considerable research expertise from their colleagues, including nationally recognized experts on topics as diverse as remote sensing, alternative septic systems, and riparian zone nutrient dynamics. Watershed Assessment: Local sponsors serve as program cornerstones and include local communities, nonprofits (watershed associations, local chapters of Trout Unlimited), public and private schools, and Native American communities. Additional partners and funding provided by state agencies and University Sea Grant programs. USGS, EPA, NRCS, NE Regional Monitoring Collaborative (NERMC) and professional organizations such the North American Lake Management Society. This Focus Area is closely tied to the NIWQP Volunteer Monitoring National Facilitation Project that is housed at URI and UW. Onsite Wastewater: Municipal, regional, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and citizen associations. Agricultural Focus Areas: USDA NRCS, SARE, EPA, state agencies, and farmers. Sustainable Landscapes: partners with EPA, state departments of environmental protection, local communities, private sector, watershed associations, 4-H and master gardener associations. Islands Initiative: partners include EPA, USGS, NRCS, NOAA-SeaGrant, Water Resource Institutes, and local communities. TARGET AUDIENCES: Each Focus Area concentrates its efforts on particular target audience groups, including: Drinking Water and Private Wells: Private well owners, town officials, well water professionals, realtors, and environmental organizations, including CE volunteer programs such as Watershed Stewards, Master Gardeners, and Home*A*Syst volunteers. NEMO: Target audiences include local land use officials and professionals (planners, landscape architects, engineers), nonprofit groups (land trusts, chambers of commerce), and other interested community members. Watershed Assessment: Volunteer monitoring groups, NRCS, producers, local, state and regional government officials, watershed organizations, local chapters of organizations like Trout Unlimited, researchers, Extension and the shellfish industry. Onsite Wastewater: Homeowners, town officials, landscape management service providers, wastewater professionals, and environmental organizations. Targeting of specific areas for programming occurs based on identified high-risk watersheds/communities. Agricultural Focus Areas: Farmers, agricultural service providers, NRCS, other agency staff, crop consultants and certified nutrient management planners, and volunteer organizations like 4-H. Sustainable Landscapes: Homeowners, town officials, municipal workers, landscapers, growers, volunteers, watershed groups, garden clubs, and environmental organizations. The Island Initiative: local communities, professionals, volunteer groups, farmers and service providers, and other interested community members. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Promoted collaboration, enhanced delivery of successful programs and encouraged multi-state efforts to protect and restore water resources. Selected impacts: Drinking Water: Increased private well testing throughout region; enhanced collaboration with partners; developed new content to communicate water quality and safety techniques to private well owners. Volunteer monitoring: Data generated by trained citizen scientists used in statewide environmental status reports, for TMDLs and nutrient budgets, to assess best management practices and restoration effectiveness and to develop local resource inventories for planning and other community purposes. Watershed groups and volunteer programs, trained to display data online, created websites to present and share their data online. Regional workshop demonstrated tools to improve data accessibility for public and decision maker use. Islands Initiative: Building capacity of local governments to manage septic systems; UVI and UPR leaders are being brought to the table to discuss and craft regulations to improve water quality, including: a draft storm water management plan with NEMO approaches for Mayaguez, Puerto Rico; and the revision of regulations for composting animal waste. NEMO: Work has resulted in changes to local comprehensive, open space and watershed plans, zoning and subdivision regulations, and on the ground changes in development practices and open space protection. NEMO programs trained decision makers in the use of geospatial technologies and developed easily accessed web tools. These tools enabled communities to map, evaluate and plan their local and watershed landscape. 2012 Environmental Merit Award, EPA Region 1 (New England) to CT NEMO and Rutgers Rain Garden team for rain garden training in CT, RI and MA; Onsite Wastewater Mgmt: Professionals trained and certified to apply their knowledge and skills at the local level. Work with towns throughout the region to manage wastewater for water quality protection. Production AG: Delivered current information on cropping system research and tools for nutrient management planning to farmers and certified crop advisors. These farmers and CCAs are applying this knowledge and implementing these tools on local farms. Less sediment, nutrients and pesticides are finding their way into Northeast groundwater and surface waters. Sustainable Landscaping: Educated opinion leaders who help shape landowner practices. Pre-Post surveys from several programs around the region indicated an increase in Extension program participant knowledge of sustainable landcare practices to protect water quality, greater willingness or intent to adopt new practices, and greater willingness to share program information with others. Rain gardens installed throughout region for training and education. Landscape professionals certified in rain garden design and installation.
Publications
- Arnold, Chester. 2011. Responding to an Impervious Cover Cover-Based TMDL: A Brief Step-by-Step Guide. Publication of the University of Connecticut Center for Land Use Education and Research. 16 pp.
- Bakacs, M., S. Yergeau, and C.C. Obropta. 2012. A Preliminary Investigation for Using Rain Gardens to Reduce Pollutants in Car Wash Runoff. Poster, 2012 Land Grant/Sea Grant National Water Conference, Portland, OR.
- Boyajian, A., C.C. Obropta, R. DaSilva, S. Mellor, M. Haberland, S. Kinsey, M. McCann, D. Troiani, R. Kukola, R. Szkotak, and C. McGee. 2012. Stormwater Management in Your Schoolyard: Connecting Youth to Water in the Cooper River Watershed. Poster, 2012. Land Grant and Sea Grant National Water Conference, Portland, OR.
- Burgin, A.J., J. G. Lazar P. M Groffman, A. J. Gold, D. Q. Kellogg. 2012. Balancing Nitrogen Retention Ecosystem Services and Greenhouse Gas Disservices at the Landscape Scale. Ecological Engineering.
- Chyun, H., J. Thompson, and C.C. Obropta. 2012. Environmental Justice for the City of Newark, Stormwater Education and Best Management Practices Implementation Program to Control Combined Sewer Overflow Discharges. Poster, 2012 Land Grant and Sea Grant National Water Conference, Portland, OR.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Lake Winnipesaukee Alton Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Lake Winnipesaukee Meredith Bay Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Lake Winnipesaukee Paugus Bay Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Lake Winnipesaukee Saunders Bay Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Galford, A.E. 2012. Surveys of Water Testing Laboratories and Private Water Well Testing Behavior of Homeowners in New York State. Poster, National Water Conference, Portland, OR.
- Haberland, M., C.McGee, A. Boyajian, S. Mellor, C. Obropta. 2012. Cooper River New Jersey Stormwater Education and Implementation Plan Poster, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP) 2012 Conference, Hendersonville, NC.
- Jackson, S.D., A. Bowden, B. Lambert and A. Singler. Massachusetts River and Stream Crossing Standards River and Stream Continuity Partnership. March 1, 2011. 25 pp.
- Jemison, J.M., Jr., H.M. Darby, and S.C. Reberg-Horton. 2012. Winter Grain-Short Season Corn Double Crop Forage Production System for Northern New England. Agronomy Journal 104:256-264.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Lake Winnipesaukee Moultonborough Bay Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Conway Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Crystal Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, Robert C. and Jeffrey A. Schloss. Final Report: Newfound Lake Water Quality Assessment. May 2012. UNH Center for Freshwater Biology, UNH Cooperative Extension. University of New Hampshire. Durham, NH. CFB Report # 2011-05-DES-01.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Baboosic Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Bow Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Chocorua Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Goose Pond Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Great East Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Lake Kanasatka Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Lovell Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Mendums Pond Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Merrymeeting Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Milton Three Ponds Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Naticook Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Nippo Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. North River Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Silver Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Sunset Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Craycraft, R. and J. Schloss. 2012. Wentworth Lake Annual Report 2011. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology. Durham NH.
- Davila-Lopez, R. 2011. Non-Point Source Pollution in the Guanica Lagoon and Guanica Bay : Education and Outreach. University of Puerto Rico.
- Flahive DiNardo, M., M. Bakacs, A. Boyajian, B. Pearson, C. Obropta, S. Nagourney. 2012. High School Students Capture a Green Connection: The Arthur L. Johnson High School Rain Garden Project. Poster, National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) 97th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference, Charleston.
- Flahive DiNardo, M., A. Boyajian, G. Rusciano, C.C. Obropta, T. Rusinek, D. Crawford, B. Benham, L. Hoffman, and J. Lawrence, 2011. Stormwater Management in Your Backyard - Rain Garden Outreach Manual, E330, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 43pp.
- Galford, A.E. 2011. Role of Water Testing Laboratories in New York State. Poster, Northeast Private Well Symposium, Southbury, CT.
- Kardos, J. S. and C.C. Obropta. 2011. Water Quality Model Uncertainty Analysis of a Point-Point Source Phosphorus Trading Program. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 47(6):1317-1337.
- Mangiafico, S., C.C. Obropta, E. Rossi-Griffin. 2012. Lawn Care Education Program in New Jersey Addresses Water Conservation and Water Pollution Prevention. Poster, National Association of County Agricultural Agents 97th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference, Charleston, SC.
- Mangiafico, S.S., C.C. Obropta, E. Rossi-Griffin, C. Higgins, 2012. Landscaping for Water Conservation, E341, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 30pp.
- Mangiafico, S., and C.C. Obropta, 2011. Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting for Plant Irrigation II: Water Quality and Horticultural Considerations, FS1165, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 4pp.
- Mangiafico, S., C.C. Obropta, E. Rossi-Griffin, 2011. Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting For Plant Irrigation I: Design Concepts and Water Quantity, FS1162, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 5pp.
- McCann, A., A. Gold. (2012). Engendering Behavior Change Through Single Session Workshops Lessons Learned from Extension Private Well Initiative. [Article No. 1RIB7]. Journal of Extesnion [on-line], (50)1. Available at: http://www.joe.org/joe/2012february/rb7.php
- Newcomer, T.A, S. S. Kaushal, P. M. Mayer, A. R. Shields, E. A.Canuel, P. M. Groffman, and A. J. Gold. 2012. Influence of natural & novel organic carbon sources on denitrification in forested, degraded-urban, & restored streams. Ecology. In press.
- Obropta, C.C. and S. Yergeau. 2011. Training Organizations in Use of a Modified Stream Visual Assessment Protocol. Journal of Extension 49(5): Article No. 5TOT8.
- Obropta, C.C., J. Bergstrom, C. Higgins, H. Chyun. 2012. Green Infrastructure Planning and Implementation in Camden, New Jersey. Proceedings Water Environment Federation Stormwater Symposium 2012, Baltimore, MD.
- Pearson, B., C.C. Obropta, P. Rector, and M. Bakacs. 2012. Stormwater Management at Department of Public Works Yards. Poster, 2012 Land Grant and Sea Grant National Water Conference, Portland, OR.
- Pelletier, M. C., A.J. Gold, L. Gonzalez, C, Oviatt. 2012. Application of multiple index development approaches to benthic invertebrate data from the Virginian Biogeographic Province, USA. Ecological Indicators. 23:176-188.
- Rector, P., T. Duckworth, C.C. Obropta, 2012. Rain Gardens and Mosquitoes, FS1175, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 3pp.
- Wilson, Emily H., Juliana Barrett and Chester L. Arnold. 2011. Land cover change in the riparian corridors of Connecticut. Watershed Science Bulletin Fall 2011: 27-33.
- Yergeau, S., A. Boyajian, and C.C. Obropta. 2012. Evaluation of Soil Compaction in Rain Gardens. Poster, 2012 Land Grant and Sea Grant National Water Conference, Portland, OR.
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Vol Monitoring & Watershed Assmt: Part of multistate Hatch Project S-1042; hosted NEC-NALMS June 2011; developing protocols for monitoring blue green toxins; participated in EPA's regional cyanobacteria worshop. Drinking Water & Private Wells: planning for 2011 Symposium to be held in Connecticut November 14 & 15, 2011; residential private well protection workshops; continued work on eXtension Drinking Water CoP; regional "Well Water Wednesdays". NEMO: NJ and Puerto Rico NEMO programs in development; hosted Rutgers rain garden trainings and installations; NEMO U007 held Sept. 2011, 24 states represented and program included a climate change session; regional training held in conjunction with Northland NEMO; Water, Weather, Climate Community Workshop Series in NH; GeoSpatial Training collaboration with CT, NH, RI. Onsite Wastewater Mgmt: Working with Virgin Islands partners on 4-year onsite wastewater training plan for islands, conducted first training event; conducted 2 trainings at national meeting; offered over 30 regional trainings attended by more than 1000 people; multistate Hatch project approved. Sustainable Landscapes: Conducted trainings at national and regional conferences; co-hosted regional rain garden trainings with NEMO; lawn care videos being posted for regional distribution; updates of statebased websites. Production AG: 2-day regional training on nutrient mgmt, vegetable production, genetically engineered crops & on-farm energy production for regional crop advisors; continued work on eXtension E-organic CoP; field days held; SARE and NRCS funding to work on regional cover crop project to reduce tillage; developing educational videos for producers on variety of topics. Small Farms Initiative: developing regional composting video and CD for nutrient management course; assessment factsheets for small farms finalized and posted to website. Islands Initiative: working with OWT on 4-year septic management and training program; continued efforts working with Rutgers on minimizing impacts from dirt roads; NEMO effort centered on training seminars in GIS/GPS; evaluation of performance of small scale anaerobic digesters for swine waste; participating on work group to revise regulations for animal waste composting; undergraduate course in soil and water taught at UPR. Regional & Nat'l Communication: Continued maintenance of regional website, listservs & e-newsletter; developed online 2011 Nat'l Water Conference Proceedings; continued development and maintenance of Nat'l website; Co-Sponsored 2011 annual Regional MA WRRC, NEMO U7, and NEC-NALMS conferences. PARTICIPANTS: Each Focus Area consists of a core group of state Extension faculty and staff, and researchers. Focus Areas engage representatives of key stakeholder groups such as federal, state and local agencies and organizations, private sector professionals, members of appropriate trade associations, consumer groups, and other interested parties in a variety of activities. Coordination occurs through a variety of venues including, regional face-to-face meetings and workshops, conference calls, and electronic list-serves. Drinking Water and Private Wells: Partners include EPA-New England, USGS, state drinking water agencies, private sector professionals including well drillers and pump installers, and local partners as well as national organizations, including the American Groundwater Trust and the Water Systems Council. NEMO: involves a long list of federal, state, and local partners, including both public and private sector entities. In effect, each NEMO program is a consortium that has many stakeholders "built in" due to their active participation. Because NEMO programs are also supported by external funding, NIWQP regional support is leveraged many times over: funding sources include EPA Nonpoint Section 319, NOAA/EPA Coastal Nonpoint 6217, NOAA Sea Grant, EPA Source Water Protection Program, and various state programs. In addition, regional work is leveraged by the NIWQP National Facilitation Project that supports National NEMO Network coordination. NEMO programs also leverage considerable research expertise from their colleagues, including nationally recognized experts on topics as diverse as remote sensing, alternative septic systems, and riparian zone nutrient dynamics. Watershed Assessment: Local sponsors serve as program cornerstones and include local communities, nonprofits (watershed associations, local chapters of Trout Unlimited), public and private schools, and Native American communities. Additional partners and funding provided by state agencies and University Sea Grant programs. USGS, EPA, NRCS, NE Regional Monitoring Collaborative (NERMC) and professional organizations such the North American Lake Management Society. This Focus Area is closely tied to the NIWQP Volunteer Monitoring National Facilitation Project that is housed at URI and UW. Onsite Wastewater: Municipal, regional, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and citizen associations. Agricultural Focus Areas: USDA NRCS, SARE, EPA, state agencies, and farmers. Sustainable Landscapes: partners with EPA, state departments of environmental protection, local communities, private sector, watershed associations, 4-H and master gardener associations. Islands Initiative: partners include EPA, USGS, NRCS, NOAA-Seagrant, Water Resource Institutes, and local communities. TARGET AUDIENCES: Each Focus Area concentrates its efforts on particular target audience groups, including: Drinking Water and Private Wells: Private well owners, town officials, well water professionals, realtors, and environmental organizations, including CE volunteer programs such as Watershed Stewards, Master Gardeners, and Home*A*Syst volunteers. NEMO: Target audiences include local land use officials and professionals (planners, landscape architects, engineers), nonprofit groups (land trusts, chambers of commerce), and other interested community members. Watershed Assessment: Volunteer monitoring groups, NRCS, producers, local, state and regional government officials, watershed organizations, local chapters of organizations like Trout Unlimited, researchers, Extension and the shellfish industry. Onsite Wastewater: Homeowners, town officials, landscape management service providers, wastewater professionals, and environmental organizations. Targeting of specific areas for programming occurs based on identified high-risk watersheds/communities. Agricultural Focus Areas: Farmers, agricultural service providers, NRCS, other agency staff, crop consultants and certified nutrient management planners, and volunteer organizations like 4-H. Sustainable Landscapes: Homeowners, town officials, municipal workers, landscapers, growers, volunteers, watershed groups, garden clubs, and environmental organizations. The Island Initiative: local communities, professionals, volunteer groups, farmers and service providers, and other interested community members. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Promoted collaboration, enhanced delivery of successful programs and encouraged multi-state efforts to protect and restore water resources. Selected impacts: Drinking Water: Increased private well testing in region; enhanced collaboration with partners; developed new content to communicate water quality and safety techniques to private well owners. Volunteer monitoring: Data generated by trained citizen scientists used in statewide environmental status reports, for TMDLs and nutrient budgets, to assess best management practices and restoration effectiveness and to develop local resource inventories for planning and other community purposes. Watershed groups and volunteer programs, trained to display data online, created websites to present and share their data online. Regional workshop demonstrated tools to improve data accessibility for public and decision maker use. One result was the Vermont Lakes program debut of an online Lake Score Card to report the condition of local lakes. Islands Initiative: Building capacity of local governments to manage septic systems; UVI and UPR leaders are being brought to the table to discuss and craft regulations to improve water quality, including: a draft storm water management plan with NEMO approaches for Mayaguez, Puerto Rico; and the revision of regulations for composting animal waste. NEMO: Work has resulted in changes to local comprehensive, open space and watershed plans, zoning and subdivision regulations, and on the ground changes in development practices and open space protection. For example, results from northern New England LID training indicate that 77% of respondents indicated that they agree that they will use something learned in the workshop to improve their town. And, 73% agree that they are comfortable incorporating LID into their town's developments. NEMO programs trained decision makers in the use of these technologies and developed easily accessed geospatial web tools. These tools enabled communities to map, evaluate and plan their local and watershed landscape. Onsite Wastewater Mgmt:: Professionals trained and certified apply their knowledge and skills at the local level. Work with CT town to develop local wastewater management plans. Production AG: Delivered current information on cropping system research and tools for nutrient management planning to farmers and certified crop advisors. These farmers and CCAs are applying this knowledge and implementing these tools on local farms. Less sediment, nutrients and pesticides are finding their way into Northeast groundwater and surface waters. Sustainable Landscaping: Educated opinion leaders who help shape landowner practices. Pre-Post surveys from several programs around the region indicated an increase in Extension program participant knowledge of sustainable landcare practices to protect water quality, greater willingness or intent to adopt new practices, and greater willingness to share program information with others. Rain gardens installed throughout region for training and education. Landscape professionals certified in rain garden design and installation.
Publications
- Arnold, C.L., C.J. Bellucci, K. Collins and R. Claytor. 2010. Responding to the first impervious cover-based TMDL in the nation. Watershed Science Bulletin, Journal of the Association of Watershed & Stormwater Professionals 1(1): 11-18.
- Arnold, C., K. Collins, D. Caraco, A. Kitchell and L. Lilly. 2011. Incorporating impervious cover into water quality plans. Public Works magazine, March 2011 issue, pp. 59-63.
- Barrett, J. and J. Rozum. 2010. Habitat-based management planning for land stewards. Journal of Extension 48(6), published online at www.joe.org.
- Benham, B., A. Boyajian, D. Crawford. M. Flahive-DiNardo,L. Hoffman, J. Lawrence, C. Obropta, G. Rusciano, T. Rusinek. 2011. Stormwater Management in Your Backyard - Rain Garden Outreach Manual. Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension. E330.
- Boyajian, M Cummings, M. Flahive-DiNardo, C. Obropta, G. Rusciano. 2010. Rain Garden Installation Services Directory for New Jersey. Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension. EE326.
- Dickson, D.W., C. Chadwick and C. Arnold. 2011. National LID Atlas: A collaborative online database of innovative stormwater management practices. Marine Technology Society Journal 45(2): 59-64.
- Dietz, M.E. and J. Abraham. 2011. Stormwater monitoring and resident behavior in a semi-arid region. Journal of Extension 49(2), published online at www.joe.org
- Eisenhauer, B. J. Peterson, N. Stevenson. 2010. Changing Homeowner Lawn Care Behavior to Reduce Nutrient Losses in New England Urbanizing Watersheds: Final Social Science Evaluation Report. 54 pp.
- Kellogg, D.Q., A.J. Gold, S. Cox, K. Addy, and P.V. August. 2010. A geospatial approach for assessing denitrification sinks within lower-order catchments. Ecological Engineering 36: 1596-1606.
- Oakely, S.M., A. J. Gold and A. J. Oczkowski. 2010. Nitrogen Control through Decentralized Wastewater Treatment: Process Performance and Alternative Management Strategies. Ecological Engineering. 36:120-131
- Obropta, C. J. Bergstrom, A. Boyajin, C. Higgins, K. Salisbury, W. Young. 2011. Rain Garden Manual of New Jersey. Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension.
- Peterson, J., A. Stone, J. Houle. 2009. Protecting Water Resources and Managing Stormwater: A Birds Eye View for New England Communities. 48pp. Available at http://issuu.com/nemohub/docs/pwrmsunh
- Schipper, L., A.J. Gold and E. Davidson. 2010. Managing Denitrification in Human Dominated Landscapes. Ecological Engineering. 36:1503-1506
- Schipper, L.A., W.D. Robertson, A.J. Gold, D.B. Jaynes, S.C. Cameron, 2010. Denitrifying bioreactors An approach for reducing nitrate loads to receiving waters. Ecol. Eng.36:132-143
- Wilson, E. H. and C.L. Arnold. 2010. Research Summary: Agricultural Fields and Soils. Publication of the University of Connecticut Center for Land Use Education and Research. 5 pp.
- Wilson, E. H. and C.L. Arnold. 2011. Research Summary: The Status of Connecticut Riparian Corridors. Publication of the University of Connecticut Center for Land Use Education and Research. 6 pp.
- Wilson, L. 2011. Fertilizing a Home Lawn in Maine. Cooperative Extension Publication, Unversity of Maine, Bulletin #2154. Available on line at: http://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2154e
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Vol Monitoring & Watershed Assmt: Part of multistate Hatch Project S-1042; hosted National NALMS meeting in CT and NEC-NALMS in MA; developing protocols for monitoring blue green toxins; incorporate Stream Continuity Assessment into regional programs; working with EPA to publish lake assessment report. Drinking Water & Private Wells: held 2009 Symposium Private Well Water Symposium in Portland Maine, 100 participants from throughout the region; planning underway for 2011 Symposium to be held in Connecticut; residential private well protection workshops; continued work on leadership team for eXtension Drinking Water CoP; funding received from Maine Water Resources Center to compare effectiveness of different outreach methods; coordinating update of state-based websites to address climate change. NEMO: NJ and Puerto Rico NEMO programs in development; hosted Rutgers rain garden training and installation in Bridgeport CT; held 4 regional trainings, 1 at national conference, and 1 for Region 9 on putting maps and data on the web; NEMO U007 planning for Sept. 2011 I Portland, ME. Onsite Wastewater Mgmt: Working with Virgin Islands partners on 4-year onsite wastewater training plan for islands, conducted first training event; conducted 2 trainings at national meeting; offered over 30 regional trainings; initiated multistate Hatch project on onsite wastewater; completed national training manual with CIDWT. Sustainable Landscapes: Incorporated regional turf care advice & social science findings into outreach materials; conducted training at national conference and planning for NEMO U007; co-hosted regional rain garden trainings with NEMO; lawn care videos being posted for regional distribution; regional LID conference held. Water Quality & Ag Production: 2-day regional training on nutrient mgmt, vegetable production, genetically engineered crops & on-farm energy production for regional crop advisors; continued work on eXtension E-organic CoP; 8 field days held; SARE and NRCS funding to work on regional cover crop project to reduce tillage; developing educational videos for producers on variety of topics. Small Farms Initiative: developing regional composting video and CD for nutrient management course; assessment factsheets for small farms finalized and posted to website. The Islands Initiative: co-host of Nonpoint Source conference held on St. Croix; working with NEMO to develop local programs; working with OWT on 4-year septic management and training program; continued efforts working with Rutgers on minimizing impacts from dirt roads. Regional Planning & Evaluation: Assessment of regional team for training needs in project planning & evaluation (PPE); logic models updated by focus area teams; part of Nat'l program's evaluation team & eXtension evaluation CoP. Regional & Nat'l Communication: Continued maintenance of regional website, listservs & e-newsletter; developed online 2010 Nat'l Water Conference Proceedings; continued development and maintenance of Nat'l website; workshop for Regional Web Developers at Nat'l conference; part of communications subcommittee. Sponsored 2010 annual Regional MA WRRC conference. PARTICIPANTS: Each Focus Area consists of a core group of state Extension faculty and staff, and researchers. Focus Areas engage representatives of key stakeholder groups such as federal, state and local agencies and organizations, private sector professionals, members of appropriate trade associations, consumer groups, and other interested parties in a variety of activities. Coordination occurs through a variety of venues including, regional face-to-face meetings and workshops, conference calls, and electronic list-serves. Drinking Water and Private Wells: Partners include EPA-New England, USGS, state drinking water agencies, private sector professionals including well drillers and pump installers, and local partners as well as national organizations, including the American Groundwater Trust and the Water Systems Council. NEMO: involves a long list of federal, state, and local partners, including both public and private sector entities. In effect, each NEMO program is a consortium that has many stakeholders "built in" due to their active participation. Because NEMO programs are also supported by external funding, NIWQP regional support is leveraged many times over: funding sources include EPA Nonpoint Section 319, NOAA/EPA Coastal Nonpoint 6217, NOAA Sea Grant, EPA Source Water Protection Program, and various state programs. In addition, regional work is leveraged by the NIWQP National Facilitation Project that supports National NEMO Network coordination. NEMO programs also leverage considerable research expertise from their colleagues, including nationally recognized experts on topics as diverse as remote sensing, alternative septic systems, and riparian zone nutrient dynamics. Watershed Assessment: Local sponsors serve as program cornerstones and include local communities, nonprofits (watershed associations, local chapters of Trout Unlimited), public and private schools, and Native American communities. Additional partners and funding provided by state agencies and University Sea Grant programs. USGS, EPA, NRCS, NE Regional Monitoring Collaborative (NERMC) and professional organizations such the North American Lake Management Society. This Focus Area is closely tied to the NIWQP Volunteer Monitoring National Facilitation Project that is housed at URI and UW. Onsite Wastewater: Municipal, regional, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and citizen associations. Agricultural Focus Areas: USDA NRCS, SARE, EPA, state agencies, and farmers. Sustainable Landscapes: partners with EPA, state departments of environmental protection, local communities, private sector, watershed associations, 4-H and master gardener associations. Islands Initiative: partners include EPA, USGS, NRCS, NOAA-Seagrant, Water Resource Institutes, and local communities. TARGET AUDIENCES: Each Focus Area concentrates its efforts on particular target audience groups, including: Drinking Water and Private Wells: Private well owners, town officials, well water professionals, realtors, and environmental organizations, including CE volunteer programs such as Watershed Stewards, Master Gardeners, and Home*A*Syst volunteers. NEMO: Target audiences include local land use officials and professionals (planners, landscape architects, engineers), nonprofit groups (land trusts, chambers of commerce), and other interested community members. Watershed Assessment: Volunteer monitoring groups, NRCS, producers, local, state and regional government officials, watershed organizations, local chapters of organizations like Trout Unlimited, researchers, Extension and the shellfish industry. Onsite Wastewater: Homeowners, town officials, landscape management service providers, wastewater professionals, and environmental organizations. Targeting of specific areas for programming occurs based on identified high-risk watersheds/communities. Agricultural Focus Areas: Farmers, agricultural service providers, NRCS, other agency staff, crop consultants and certified nutrient management planners, and volunteer organizations like 4-H. Sustainable Landscapes: Homeowners, town officials, municipal workers, landscapers, growers, volunteers, watershed groups, garden clubs, and environmental organizations. The Island Initiative: local communities, professionals, volunteer groups, farmers and service providers, and other interested community members. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The Northeast States and Caribbean Islands (NESCI) Regional Water Program promoted collaboration, enhanced delivery of successful programs and encouraged multi-state efforts to protect and restore water resources. The project combines Regions 1 and 2 and enhances coordination among Land Grant University programs within the regions to address critical water quality and quantity concerns. LGU faculty and staff are incorporated into program focus areas, increasing the depth of expertise and available resources. The regional Sustainable Landscaping focus area has developed lawn care recommendations specific for northern and southern New England and is using these recommendations with residents to promote water quality protection. Several states have also leveraged new partners and projects as a result of the project. Regional and inter-regional communication, cooperation, collaboration and joint programming activities in research, education and Extension are cultivated and valued. The Northeast Private Well Water Symposium has increased participation from region including EPA Region 2 and the NJ DEP. Post-evaluations of private well water workshops indicate that workshop participants are adopting practices to protect their private well, including: 52% had their well water tested; 67% inspected their wellhead; 18% maintained their water treatment system; 13% had a water treatment system installed. NEMO programs work with communities are resulting in changes to community plans, land use regulations, development practices, and the local decision making process that include strategies to protect water quality.
Publications
- Barrett, J. and R. Cleveland. 2009. A Planting Guide for Riparian Sites Along the Connecticut Coast. Connecticut SeaGrant publication. University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- Burdett, H. and M. Sullivan. 2010. Fact Sheet Series and Self Assessment for Small Acreage Farmers. University of Rhode Island. Available at: www.uri.edu/ce/healthylandscapes/livestock/livestock_publications.htm
- Rozum, J. 2009. NEMO: Developing a Sustainable Community. University of Connecticut Center for Land Use Education and Research. Available at: http://nemo.uconn.edu/publications/LIDPub.pdf
- Stableford, S. and A. McCann. 2010. Safe Well Water. University of Rhode Island publication. Available at: http://www.uri.edu/ce/wq/has/PDFs/PrivateWellTesting%20booklet.pdf Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment. 2009. Installation of Wastewater Treatment Systems. Iowa State University, MidWest Plan Service. Available at: http://www.mwps.org/index.cfmfuseaction=c_products.view&catID=720&pr oductID=18701
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Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Watershed Assmt: Part of multistate Hatch Project S-1042; 7 presentations & 3 posters at Nat'l conference; 6 workshops & presentations at Nat'l meetings on volunteer monitoring. Drinking Water & Private Wells: planned 2009 Symposium; residential private well protection workshops; discussion with Region 3 about piloting the Master Well Owner Program; part of leadership team for eXtension Drinking Water CoP; updated Cornell private well webpage & integrated into regional project. NEMO: Workshop to adapt Community Resource Inventory tool for community use; developed new workshop - maps & data on the web; completed 4th Northern New England Stormwater conference with EPA Region 1; released Nat'l LID Atlas - online tool of stormwater mgmt systems; ran biennial Nat'l NEMO conference; 2 presentations at Nat'l conference. Onsite Wastewater Mgmt: Trainings/tours at Nat'l NPS & Stormwater Outreach Conference, Wells Bay & Great Bay Nat'l Estuarine Research Reserve Programs, Green Valley Institute, NH Lakes Association, NOAA Restore America's Estuaries Conference; 3 pump system seminars; ran CIDWT Installer's Training Program at NOWRA Annual Installer's Academy; revised CIDWT Nat'l O&M Service Provider Program Manual; completed chapters of CIDWT Installation of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual; initiated multistate Hatch project on onsite wastewater. Sustainable Landscapes: Incorporated regional turf care advice & social science findings into outreach materials; Master's thesis; Extension & partners rain garden installation trainings; 3 posters & 3 presentations at Nat'l conference. Water Quality & Ag Production: 2-day training on nutrient mgmt, vegetable production, genetically engineered crops & on-farm energy production; planned 2009 meeting of the Northeast Branch CSA conference; developed eXtension E-organic CoP; presentation at Nat'l conference. Small Farms Initiative: Planned regional project on equine farm BMPs; worked on Livestock & Poultry Environmental Learning Center for eXtension; poster at Nat'l conference. The Islands Initiative: Conducted survey of coral reefs & mangrove coastlines; developed UVI water program website to integrate with regional project; symposium to introduce regional project to engineering faculty & students; NEMO training with UPR; proposals submitted to construct an anaerobic digester demonstration in a PR small swine operation & to establish a demo septic system in PR; cooperated with OnSite Wastewater; demonstration rain gardens on PR & VI. Regional Planning & Evaluation: Assessment of regional team for training needs in project planning & evaluation (PPE); regional training on ADDIE model of PPE; logic models developed by focus area teams; part of Nat'l program's evaluation team & eXtension evaluation CoP. Regional & Nat'l Communication: New regional website, listservs & e-newsletter; developed online 2009 Nat'l Water Conference Proceedings; updated all sections of Nat'l website; moved website stats collection to Google Analytics; workshop for Regional Web Developers at Nat'l conference; part of communications subcommittee. Sponsored annual Regional MA WRRC conference. PARTICIPANTS: Each Focus Area consists of a core group of state Extension faculty and staff, and researchers. Focus Areas engage representatives of key stakeholder groups such as federal, state and local agencies and organizations, private sector professionals, members of appropriate trade associations, consumer groups, and other interested parties in a variety of activities. Coordination occurs through a variety of venues including, regional face-to-face meetings and workshops, conference calls, and electronic list-serves. Drinking Water and Private Wells: Partners include EPA-New England, USGS, state drinking water agencies, private sector professionals including well drillers and pump installers, and local partners as well as national organizations, including the American Groundwater Trust and the Water Systems Council. NEMO: involves a long list of federal, state, and local partners, including both public and private sector entities. In effect, each NEMO program is a consortium that has many stakeholders "built in" due to their active participation. Because NEMO programs are also supported by external funding, NIWQP regional support is leveraged many times over: funding sources include EPA Nonpoint Section 319, NOAA/EPA Coastal Nonpoint 6217, NOAA Sea Grant, EPA Source Water Protection Program, and various state programs. In addition, regional work is leveraged by the NIWQP National Facilitation Project that supports National NEMO Network coordination. NEMO programs also leverage considerable research expertise from their colleagues, including nationally recognized experts on topics as diverse as remote sensing, alternative septic systems, and riparian zone nutrient dynamics. Watershed Assessment: Local sponsors serve as program cornerstones and include local communities, nonprofits (watershed associations, local chapters of Trout Unlimited), public and private schools, and Native American communities. Additional partners and funding provided by state agencies and University Sea Grant programs. University Agricultural Experiment Stations, USGS, EPA, NRCS, NE Regional Monitoring Collaborative (NERMC) and professional organizations such the North American Lake Management Society. This Focus Area is closely tied to the NIWQP Volunteer Monitoring National Facilitation Project that is housed at URI and UW. Onsite Wastewater: Municipal, regional, state and federal agencies, University Agricultural Experiment Stations, non-governmental organizations and citizen associations. Agricultural Focus Areas: USDA NRCS, SARE, EPA, University Agricultural Experiment Stations, state agencies, and farmers. Sustainable Landscapes: partners with EPA, state departments of environmental protection, local communities, private sector, watershed associations, 4-H and master gardener associations. Islands Initiative: partners include EPA, USGS, NRCS, NOAA-Seagrant, Water Resource Institutes, and local communities. TARGET AUDIENCES: Each Focus Area concentrates its efforts on particular target audience groups, including: Drinking Water and Private Wells: Private well owners, town officials, well water professionals, realtors, and environmental organizations, including CE volunteer programs such as Watershed Stewards, Master Gardeners, and Home*A*Syst volunteers. NEMO: Target audiences include local land use officials and professionals (planners, landscape architects, engineers), nonprofit groups (land trusts, chambers of commerce), and other interested community members. Watershed Assessment: Volunteer monitoring groups, NRCS, producers, local, state and regional government officials, watershed organizations, local chapters of organizations like Trout Unlimited, researchers, Extension and the shellfish industry. Onsite Wastewater: Homeowners, town officials, landscape management service providers, wastewater professionals, and environmental organizations. Targeting of specific areas for programming occurs based on identified high-risk watersheds/communities. Agricultural Focus Areas: Farmers, agricultural service providers, NRCS, other agency staff, crop consultants and certified nutrient management planners, and volunteer organizations like 4-H. Sustainable Landscapes: Homeowners, town officials, municipal workers, landscapers, growers, volunteers, watershed groups, garden clubs, and environmental organizations. The Island Initiative: local communities, professionals, volunteer groups, farmers and service providers, and other interested community members. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The Northeast States and Caribbean Islands (NESCI) Regional Water Program promoted collaboration, enhanced delivery of successful programs and encouraged multi-state efforts to protect and restore water resources. The project combines Regions 1 and 2 and enhances coordination among Land Grant University programs within the regions to address critical water quality and quantity concerns. LGU faculty and staff are incorporated into program focus areas, increasing the depth of expertise and available resources. As a result of agricultural in-service training programs, survey respondents indicated a gain in knowledge: 89% in the area of nutrient and crop management; 81% soil and water management; 78% manure management; and 63% pest management. Over 93% indicated they have utilized information gained in their work with 85% sharing this knowledge with farmers, 78% sharing with other professionals, 67% incorporating information learned into agricultural programs or policy, and 44% incorporating into education programs and workshops. The regional Sustainable Landscaping focus area has developed lawn care recommendations specific for northern and southern New England and is using these recommendations with residents to promote water quality protection. Several states have also leveraged new partners and projects as a result of the project. Regional and inter-regional communication, cooperation, collaboration and joint programming activities in research, education and Extension are cultivated and valued. An assessment conducted of 2005 and 2007 Private Well Water Symposium concluded that participants are: using information and approaches to inform the process of developing state policies for private well testing; enhancing collaboration with partners; developing new content and communicating water quality and safety techniques to private well owners; and, increasing networking opportunities that are resulting in collaborative grant proposals and projects for both research and Extension projects. Partnering agencies and organizations have increased in the planning and sponsorship of the symposium, including the USGS, the American Ground Water Trust, the Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection, and the Water Systems Council. Post-evaluations of private well water workshops indicate that workshop participants are adopting practices to protect their private well, including: 52% had their well water tested; 67% inspected their wellhead; 18% maintained their water treatment system; 13% had a water treatment system installed. NEMO programs work with communities are resulting in changes to community plans, land use regulations, development practices, and the local decision making process that include strategies to protect water quality. As a result of the training symposium held at UPR, partners and students gain increased awareness and knowledge about the project's research, programs and educational resources as well as opportunities for participating. Regional project team participating in project planning and evaluation training reported an increase in comfort with PD&E concepts, applying them, and developing logic models.
Publications
- Easton, Z.M., P. Bishop, T.S. Steenhuis, and M.T. Walter. 2008. Do water quality BMPs work Combined monitoring and modeling hold the answer. Eos Trans. AGU, 89(53), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract H13C-0949.
- Eisenhauer, B. W. and B. Gagnon. 2008. "Changing Homeowners Lawn Care Behavior to Reduce Nutrient Losses in New England Urbanizing Watersheds: The report of findings from social science research." USDA CSREES project #2006-51130-03656.
- Fuka, D.R., Z.M. Easton, H.E. Dahlke, E.D. White, M.T. Walter, D. Cwan, T.S. Steenhuis. 2008. Integrating "poor-man's" ensemble weather risk forecasts to calibrate and force spatial hydrologic modeling systems. Eos Trans. AGU, 89(53), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract H53H-08.
- Gardner, L., S. Henry, T. Thomas. 2008. Watercourse as Landscapes in the U.S. Virgin Islands: State of Knowledge. Water Resources Institute, University of the Virgin Islands. Project Number: 2007VI1922B.
- Geohring, L.D., S.W. Duiker, D.W. Wolfe, and P.A. Ray. 2008. NRCCA Soil and Water Management Study Guide. NRCCA Program, Macedon, NY. 73 pp. http://www.northeastcropadvisers.org/soilwater.pdf
- Green, LT, and E. Herron. Updated April 2009. URI Watershed Watch Stonington (CT) Harbor Monitoring Manual Supplement. 52 pp URI contribution 5201.
- Herron, EM., K. Stepenuck, LT. Green Feb 2009. Factsheet XII: Tools for Effective Outreach, 6 pages available at usawaterquality.org/volunteer, URI contribution #5157
- Herron, EM., K. Stepenuck, LT. Green Feb 2009. Factsheet XI: Fundraising for Volunteer Monitoring, 12 pages, available at www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer, URI contribution #5158.
- Herron, EM., K. Stepenuck, LT. Green Feb 2009. Factsheet X: From the Trenches - Tips and Tools for Better Presentations, 10 pages, available at www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer, URI contribution #5159.
- Jemison, J.M., Jr. 2008. An Alternative Forage Production System for Organic Dairy Producers in New England. Forage and Grasslands Journal. DOI: November 2008. http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/fg/element/sum2.aspxid=7082 .
- Lyon S.W., J. Seibert, A.J. Lembo, M.T. Walter, and T.S. Steenhuis. 2008. Incorporating landscape characteristics in a distance metric for interpolating between observations of stream water chemistry. Hydrol. Earth Sys. Sci. 12: 1229-1239.
- McCann, A., J. Peterson, A. Gold. (2009). Using Planning and Evaluation Tools to Target Extension Outputs and Outcomes: The New England Private Well Symposium Example. Journal of Extension, in press.
- Rao, N.S., Z.M. Easton, E.M. Schneiderman, M.S. Zion, D.R. Lee, and T.S. Steenhuis. 2009. Protecting critical areas in the New York City source watershed: Combining economic and water quality analysis to examine the effectiveness of best management practices. J. Soil Water Conserv.
- Sexton, P., N. Curie, J. Cancellarich, J. Jemison, and H. Darby. 2009. Preliminary evaluation of small scale biodiesel production from canola in northern New England. Crop Management doi: 10.1094/ CM-2009-0402-01-RS.
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension. 2008. Branch Pond Watershed Survey. University of Maine, Orono, ME.
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension. 2009. Outreach Plan for Branch Pond Watershed, 2009 - 2011. University of Maine, Orono, ME.
- Walter, M.T, J.A. Archibald, B. Buchanan, H. Dahlke, Z.M. Easton, R.D. Marjerison, A.N. Sharma, and S.B. Shaw. 2009. A new paradigm for sizing riparian buffers to reduce risks of polluted storm water: A practical synthesis. J. Irrig. Drain. Eng. ASCE. 135(2): 200-209.
- White, E.D., Z.M. Easton, D.R. Fuka, T.S. Steenhuis. 2008. Improved Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) performance by removal of the Curve Number method. Eos Trans. AGU, 89(53), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract H43D-1035.
- Woodbury, J., C.A. Shoemaker, D.M. Cowan, and Z.M. Easton, 2009. A comparison of a SWAT model for the Cannonsville watershed with and without variable source area hydrology. In Proceedings of ASCE- Environment and Water Resources Institute Conference.
- New England Regional Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer and Associated Management Practice Recommendations for Lawns Based on Water Quality Considerations. 2008. Karl Guillard (ed.). Turfgrass Nutrient Management Bulletin 0100. College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut. USDA CSREES project # 2006-51130-03656.
- Rao, N.S., Z.M. Easton, E.M. Schneiderman, M.S. Zion, D.R. Lee, and T.S. Steenhuis. 2009. Distributed modeling of agricultural best management practices to reduce phosphorus loading. J. Environ. Mang. 90: 1385-1395.
- Arnold, C., D. Dickson 2008. A Catalyst for Community Land Use Change. National NEMO Network. University of Connecticut, Cooperative Extension System.
- Dahlke, H.E., Z.M. Easton, D.R. Fuka, S. Lyon, and T.S. Steenhuis. 2009. Developing and testing a semi-distributed model to predict saturated area dynamics in an agriculturally dominated watershed. Ecohydrology. (In Press).
- Dahlke, H.E., Z.M. Easton, D.R. Fuka, N.S. Rao, T.S. Steenhuis. 2008. Forecast of spatially distributed runoff dynamics in the Finger Lakes region using an interactive web tool and Python. Eos Trans. AGU, 89(53), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract H41G-0965.
- Easton, Z.M., M.T. Walter, M. Zion, E.M. Schneiderman, and T.S. Steenhuis. 2009. Integrating source specific chemistry in basin scale models to predict phosphorus export from agricultural watersheds. J. Environ. Eng. ASCE. 135(1): 25-35.
- Easton, Z.M., and A.M. Petrovic. 2008. Determining nitrogen loading rates based on land use in an urban watershed, p. 19-42, In M. Nett, et al., eds. The fate of nutrients and plant protection chemicals in the urban environment, Vol. 997. American Chemical Society, Washington DC.
- Barry, T.J., K. Guillard, and S.S. Mangiafico. 2009. Relationships between soil nitrate desorbed from anion-exchange membranes, canopy reflectance, and nitrate leaching losses from cool-season lawn turf. Int. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. 11:(in press.
- Easton, Z.M., and A.M. Petrovic. 2008. Determining phosphorus loading rates based on land use in an urban watershed, p. 43-62, In M. Nett, et al., eds. The fate of nutrients and pesticides in the urban environment, Vol. 997. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC.
- Easton, Z.M., D.R. Fuka, M.T. Walter, D.M. Cowan, E.M. Schneiderman, and T.S. Steenhuis. 2008. Re-conceptualizing the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model to predict runoff from variable source areas. J. Hydrol. 348:279,291.
- Easton, Z.M., M.T. Walter, and T.S. Steenhuis. 2008. Combined monitoring and modeling indicate the most effective agricultural best management practices. J. Eviron. Qual. 37:1798-1809.
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