THE LEAGUE
OF WOMEN VOTERS
EDUCATION FUND
MEMORANDUM
| To: |
Tim Smith, Toni Johnson, USGS - WRD |
| Fax: |
703-648-5295 |
| From: |
Elana Cohen, LWV |
| Cc: |
Linda Walker |
| Date: |
May 5, 1999 |
| Re: |
Selected comments from local League of Women Voters for the
Advisory Committee on Water Information |
Note: In an effort to bring new issues to the ACWI, I conducted an informal Email survey of League volunteers to elicit new issues the committee might address. Some comments were very specific to USGS and I will package those separately and bring them to the meeting. Here are some of the more general water quality questions, concerns and issues from the field. Elana Cohen, LWV
- It would be helpful if basic information about ground and surface water conditions in specific regions was available in a form that the average citizen could understand. New[s] releases or short and simple fact sheets available to Leagues and others that could be passed on to news media would certainly be helpful.
- Information to schools about resources for water information and how to access these resources is definitely needed. Someone needs to organize resources for educators.
- In all the concerns about preventing sprawl, making better land use decisions and preserving open space, I seldom hear what any of this has to do with ground water. What can the ACWI do to help make people aware about the importance of protecting ground water recharge areas from both quality and quantity perspective?
- Probably the most important and difficult task facing states now is how to deal with the requirements of the TMDL program. The state advisory committees need good, solid water quality information and balanced participation from all interests.
- Pollution from large-scale animal farms is an issue that needs the input of good scientific water quality information.
- What emphasis is being placed on real-time data collection in the areas of water intakes rather than looking at the site of best water quality?
- To what extend does or could the agencies [or ACWI] bring information about ground- and surface-water data to the attention of state and local officials when water infrastructure expansion (new treatment plants) is being planned - with a view to promoting water conservation measures?
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