New Englander Included in First-Ever EPA Agricultural Advisory Committee

(Boston, Mass. - Feb. 28, 2008) - Continuing efforts to strengthen relations with the agriculture community, EPA has named the new members of the first-ever Federal Agricultural Advisory Committee (FACA) - including a New England representative from the town of Methuen, Massachusetts.

The committee is an important part of EPA’s ongoing effort to strengthen relations with the agriculture community. It will advise EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson on environmental policy issues impacting farms, ranches, and rural communities, and will operate under the rules of the FACA. The first meeting of the committee will take place March 13 and 14, 2008 at The Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C.

"Agriculture is a crucial component of our society, and of our efforts to be good stewards of the nation's land, air and water," said Robert Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "The new agricultural advisory committee will play an important role advising EPA."

The New England representative to the advisory committee, Dr. Richard Bonanno of Methuen, is a specialty crop producer who owns and operates a fresh market vegetable and greenhouse called Pleasant Valley Gardens. He also serves as a Senior Extension Specialist at the University of Massachusetts Extension with responsibilities for vegetable and small fruit weed management recommendations.

"As the sole representative from Region 1, I look forward to the opportunity to represent and discuss the many diverse agricultural issues within New England as well as the issues of specialty crop growers everywhere,” said Dr. Richard Bonanno. "I applaud the efforts of the Administrator to improve communications between EPA and the agricultural, forest, and rural communities. It is important that EPA weigh the needs of both producers and the environment, to protect the environment while still encouraging and sustaining domestic production of food and fiber."

Initially, EPA will ask the committee to focus on the following three issues:

-- How EPA's policies and regulations on climate change and renewable energy will affect the agriculture community. The agricultural industry -- through the development of renewable energy sources -- can play a significant role in the nation's ability to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and its dependence on oil imports.

-- An environmental strategy for managing waste from livestock operations that considers regulatory and voluntary approaches, and provides tools for producers to attain superior environmental performance.

-- Development of a constructive approach to advancing sustainable agriculture, protecting the environment, and addressing communication between environmental and agricultural interests.

Members were selected from a pool of more than 200 applicants generated from a request for nominations published Nov. 15 in the Federal Register. The new members represent: large and small farmers, ranchers, and rural communities; rural suppliers, marketers, and processors; academics and researchers who study environmental issues impacting agriculture; and, environmental and conservation groups.

The committee is being developed as part of a comprehensive National Agriculture Strategy that began in May of 2006. That strategy seeks to engage agriculture in cooperative, collaborative, and innovative ways, in addition to the traditional regulatory programs the agency administers.

More information:

Agriculture in New England ( epa.gov/region1/agriculture )

National EPA Agriculture Web site, including information on the advisory committee and EPA's Agricultural Strategy (epa.gov/agriculture)
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NEW FARMERS MARKET ON NORTH STREET
(from Mike Ward's Ward 4 Newsletter)

I confirmed it with Jeff Winslow today -- there will be a new farmers market on the front lawn of St. Joseph's Church on North Street this year.  The hours of operation will be from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm on Saturdays and they also plan to have musical entertainment.  For more information contact Jeff Winslow at Wild Sage at 447-7000.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting applications
for free technical assistance under the Smart Growth Implementation
Assistance Program. This program provides contractor support to
communities, regions, or states  that want help with either policy
analysis or public participatory processes.  Selected communities will
receive assistance in the form of a multi-day visit from a team of
experts organized by EPA and other national partners to work with local
leaders.

The application deadline is May 8, 2009. The application for assistance
can be downloaded at the following website
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Nexus Between Energy Use and Water Infrastructure
(from Water Headlines for March 3, 2008 a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water)

Reducing climate impacts, saving money, and saving water are the goals of recent Office of Water efforts to make the most of the nexus between energy use and water infrastructure. Providing drinking water and wastewater services to citizens across the nation requires a lot of energy. The ENERGY STAR program estimates that about $4 billion is spent annually for energy costs to run drinking water and wastewater utilities. Agency efforts on water and energy include our broad outreach to promote water efficiency through the WaterSense program, as well as a suite of activities and tools that focus on energy use at utilities. In our work with the water utility industry, we can encourage them to identify approaches to integrate energy efficient practices into their daily management and long-term planning.

The following are links that highlight the connection between water and energy:

Memorandum from the Assistant Administrator for Water to the Regional Administrators

We have developed a one-stop page for information on infrastructure and energy. See

For information on the benefits of water efficiency including energy savings, see the WaterSense program

A step-by-step workbook for utilities entitled "Ensuring a Sustainable Future: An Energy Management Guidebook for Wastewater and Water Utilities" and workshops on the workbook.

The ENERGY STAR program recently added drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities to its Portfolio Manager - an interactive energy management tool that can be used to track and assess energy and water consumption.

Combined heat and power is a reliable, cost-effective option for wastewater treatment facilities that have, or are planning to install, anaerobic digesters. Biogas flow from these digesters can be used as "free" fuel to generate reliable electricity and power. For a guide that highlights the opportunities and benefits see.

For fact sheets that describe various alternative energy sources that utilities may want to consider see
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National Groups Launch "Your Water. Your Decision." Campaign for Local Officials Interested in Protecting Drinking Water
(from Water Headlines for March 3, 2008 a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water)

The Source Water Collaborative (SWC) is launching a campaign, "Your Water. Your Decision.", to help local decision-makers take advantage of opportunities to protect sources of drinking water, understand the costs involved, and consider ways to pay for it. The SWC, a group of 16 national organizations and three federal agencies including EPA, was formed with the joint signing of a vision statement in February 2006 to further the goal of protecting sources of drinking water. As part of this initiative, the SWC has developed a guide for community leaders and a toolkit for using the guide. The "Your Water. Your Decision." guide is intended as a quick source of key information on local options for protecting drinking water, including development, stewardship, and budgeting. Using the theme, ?how you govern can determine what you drink,? the guide was developed as a tool to enable local officials to take action within their communities and with neighboring communities. The local officials guide and more information on the "Your Water. Your Decision." Campaign can be found at: http://www.ProtectDrinkingWater.org
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