Happy Earth Day from NALMS!
NALMS 314 Workgroup Updates
In the spring issue of LakeLine Magazine, released just this morning in time for Earth Day, the NALMS 314 Workgroup provided a wonderful summary of what they have been up to the past six months and where we’re headed in the future. Please see below for this update:
NALMS continues to take on a mission of continued protection of our lakes and reservoirs with the 314 working group (WG). The Clean Lakes Program was established in 1972 as section 314 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, to provide financial and technical assistance to states in restoring publicly owned lakes.
The program has funded a total of approximately $145 million of grant activities since 1976 to address lake problems, but there have been no appropriations for the program since 1994. The section 314 Clean Lakes Program was reauthorized in September 2000 as part of the Estuaries and Clean Water Act of 2000, but no funds have been appropriated.
The 314 WG is seeking the restoration of funding specifically to section 314 of the program, along with the current section 319 funding, which addresses non-point source watershed management. In the last six months the 314 working group has:
- Provided EPA comments on EPA’s draft revision of the Section 319 Non-Point Source Program guidelines for states and territories.
- Sought out and contracted with Drue Banta Winters for government affairs consulting.
- Began review of data collected by Callista Smith and Skye Embray, previous NALMS interns.
- Drafted a data and storytelling tool (ESRI StoryMap) for clean lakes advocacy outreach.
NALMS has long understood that the campaign for enhanced lakes funding at the federal level, particularly through Section 314, will be a long-haul mission. The 314 WG is also underscoring the identification of partner organizations that have the capacity to lobby, something that we cannot do as a non-profit organization.
The 314 Working Group is very excited to start this new chapter – NALMS goes to Washington, DC, Summer 2024. Stay tuned!
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Join us to honor and celebrate our remarkable planet on this extraordinary day. Earth Day is a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come together and take action for a healthier planet and brighter future.
During this Earth Week, NALMS also looks forward to celebrating Arbor Day on Friday, April 26th! For suggestions of how you and yours might plant, nurture, and celebrate trees this Arbor Day, please visit https://www.arborday.org/.