Without additional funding, rural communities could go without clean water until 2048

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Midwest Congressional delegation called on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) this week to provide in Fiscal Year 2012 the highest possible level of funding for the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System, an under-construction water system that will serve rural communities in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. The budget for the 2011 Fiscal Year (FY10) allotted only $2 million for the project, a level that will not allow it to award new construction contracts and will not cover the cost of inflation.

"If the project were to remain at the enacted FY10 funding level, Lewis & Clark estimates the system would not be completed until 2048. That is simply too long for our citizens to wait for something as simple as clean water," the letter reads. "OMB must lead the way in making sure that this project is a priority, otherwise the investment already made by taxpayers and state and local partners will be in jeopardy."

When completed, the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System will provide treated water to 300,000 people in its member municipalities and rural water systems in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota.

The full text of the letter is below.

Dear Director Lew:

As you make your final decisions about funding levels in the Administration's FY2012 budget, we write to urge you to provide the highest possible level of funding for the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System.

We are grateful that your staff took the time to meet with members of the Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota delegations in September.  As we relayed to your staff, this is a critical juncture for the Lewis & Clark Rural Water project.  If the project were to remain at the enacted FY10 funding level, Lewis & Clark estimates the system would not be completed until 2048 (please see enclosed chart). That is simply too long for our citizens to wait for something as simple as clean water.

The federal government's commitment and contributions are vital to its success.  Previous appropriations and the $56.5 million the project received through the 2009 Recovery Act have helped make up two of the four years the project was behind schedule and will ensure completion of the system's water treatment plant.  However, a project of this scope and complexity requires consistent annual appropriations and advance planning.  The project sponsors have assured our offices and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) that they can responsibly obligate significantly more than $35 million in FY2011.  We fully appreciate the balancing of priorities that must be considered while putting together the Administration's budget, and accordingly, ask that you recognize this as a priority and include the highest amount of funding possible for Lewis & Clark in the upcoming FY2012 budget.

We were disappointed that the Administration's budget recommendation for Fiscal Year 2011 included only $2 million, a level that will not allow the project to award any new construction contracts and does not even come close to covering the cost of inflation.  It is also frustrating that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recommended such a low amount and continues to use the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) as a justification for not funding the project at pre-stimulus levels.  

This project, as required by the authorization, is a cost-share project.  OMB must lead the way in making sure that this project is a priority, otherwise the investment already made by the taxpayers and state and local partners will be in jeopardy.  

In recognition of the significant impact of this project, the local members and the three states involved have pre-paid millions of dollars to make this project a reality.  In fact, the states and 20 local communities and rural water systems - including those in Minnesota and Iowa - have already committed 99.6 percent of their share requirement totaling $109 million. Please note that the people of Iowa and Minnesota have received no water despite having paid in full their shares of $7 million and $5.4 million, respectively.

As well as spurring economic development in the three-state region, the project is critical to ensure residents in the tri-state area have adequate, clean drinking water.  When completed, Lewis & Clark will deliver high-quality and dependable drinking water through its members to more than 300,000 tri-state area residents covering a service area the size of Connecticut.   

In addition to requesting the highest possible level of funding, we ask that you share with us the steps being discussed to ensure the appropriate and responsible prioritization of Bureau of Reclamation projects across the country.  Since construction on the Lewis and Clark project has been underway since 2003, we believe it should remain a top priority and be completed before new Bureau of Reclamation projects are initiated.  It makes sense to complete the project and make sure our investment is well managed.  We also ask that you provide us with a list of new starts projects recommended by OMB and by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees for Fiscal Year 2011.  We would like this information no later than January 1, 2011.

We appreciate your consideration of this request.   Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System project.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (IA)
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN)
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (IA)
U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (SD)
U.S. Senator John Thune (SD)
U.S. Senator Al Franken (MN)
U.S. Representative Steve King (IA)
U.S. Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD)
U.S. Representative Tim Walz (MN)

 

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State College, Pa. -- 9 November 2010 -- AccuWeather.com reports signs point toward an arctic cold outbreak beginning the third week of November in the Northwest, expanding to much of the eastern half of the U.S. before Thanksgiving.

The cold wave will have people turning up their heat and perhaps scrambling to stock up on wood and fill up on heating oil.

Snow and a freeze-up accompanying the cold blast may lead to travel problems.

The air will have tremendous shock value, given the complacency in the weather now over the Plains and much of the Southeast.

It appears building cold air over Siberia will soon move eastward through the Arctic over the next week or so, then drive southward through North America during week three of the month.

Alaska would feel the cold around mid-month.

Next, steering currents would then drive frigid air southward through western Canada into the Northwest and northern Rockies.

A large high pressure area at the core of this air could be preceded by an upslope snow event during the third week of the month that would spread snow from Great Falls, Mt. to Cheyenne to Denver.

It is possible this invasion of cold air would first spin up a major storm over the middle of the nation, where it comes in contact with unusual warmth building in the East.

Whether or not a wrapped-up storm with wind-driven rain, severe thunderstorms, and a Midwest blizzard comes to pass before the cold reaches the East remains to be seen. However, that too is a possibility.

It is looking more and more likely that the coldest air of the season so far, with strong winds, may greet people during the weekend prior to Thanksgiving from the Plains to the Atlantic Seaboard.

AccuWeather.com and its team of long range forecasters (Joe Bastardi, Paul Pastelok and Joe Lundberg) first alerted you about this possibility last week.

The details on how cold the weather will get from place to place will unfold over the next week.

Most likely, once the cold reaches the East, temperatures will rebound in the Northwest.

AccuWeather.com is expecting a stormy, wintry December over the northern tier of the U.S. It appears this outbreak will set the stage for that pattern.

The late October windstorm and now the crazy storm that struck New England from the northeast Monday are examples of the volatility potential of the weather pattern.

By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist for AccuWeather.com

Roberti@AccuWeather.com

State Farm is currently monitoring the strong wind storm that is predicted for tomorrow into Wednesday.  We felt it was important to make sure everyone is protected when the winds hit.  Here are some important tips as you prepare for the storm.

1.      Take down patio umbrellas and store lawn furniture if possible. Lower, roll-up or retract awnings.  Put away other loose items on the property (bicycles, toys, garbage containers).

2.      Park vehicles in the garage.

3.      Close garage and all other exterior doors and windows.

4.      Anchor trampolines to ground.

When wind speeds are high, pieces of debris can also become "airborne missiles" that may damage your property and possibly injure your family.

Please check out some of our other tips and information on the link below.  If you have any questions please let me know!

http://www.statefarm.com/_pdf/

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.?As the weather shifts and leaves start to turn color, you may think that your trees are going to sleep and can take care of themselves until spring.  But, there's actually a lot you can do for them now to make their transition into winter a smoother one.

"While your trees seem to be in a state of hibernation in the winter, exposure to the tough conditions can cause them major stress," says Jim Skiera, Executive Director of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). "Minimize stress by helping your trees through the cold months, a little at a time. If you take care of your trees in the winter, you'll be rewarded in the spring."

So, here are two small ways to make a big difference for your trees this fall:

Fertilizing

At times, it can be hard to determine if fertilization is necessary.  A homeowner's goal for fertilization should always be to supply nutrients determined to be lacking to achieve the best health for their trees without over fertilizing. An ISA Certified Arborist may be needed to help clarify reasons for a tree's failure to thrive.  However, basic guidelines for fertilization include :

·       Overcome a visible nutrient deficiency
·       Eliminate a deficiency that an ISA Certified Arborist detected through soil or leaf analysis
·       Increase vegetative growth, flowering, or fruiting of trees
·       Increase the vitality of the tree

Take note, however, that when a tree is not thriving, or is showing signs of stress, fertilization may not always be the answer.   Fertilizing a tree may not be necessary when:

·       An ISA Certified Arborist has determined that there are sufficient levels of all essential elements, and that growth rate and condition of the tree are acceptable
·       Potential pest problems have been detected
·       Herbicide may be causing residual damage to the plant

Some pest problems can be made worse with fertilizers.  Additional nutrients can increase pest populations or reduce the tree's ability to fight off the stress caused by pests.  Correct diagnosis requires a careful examination of the situation. Treatment depends on many specific factors. Responsible arborists practice "prescription fertilization" by only adding what is needed to reach your tree health objectives.  Over fertilization can be a source of ground pollution and effect nearby water sources.

Mulching

Urban landscapes are typically harsh environments with poor soil conditions, little organic matter, and big fluctuations in temperature and moisture?all "unfriendly" growing situations for trees. A two to four inch layer of organic mulch can mimic a more natural environment for trees and improve overall plant health.

To ensure the health of your trees and plants, follow these practical mulching tips to landscape like the pros:

·       For well-drained sites, apply a two to four inch layer of mulch. If drainage problems exist, use a thinner layer.
·       If mulch is already present, check the depth. Do not add mulch if there is already a sufficient layer (2 to 4 inches) in place. Instead, rake the old mulch to break up any matted layers and refresh the appearance.
·       Avoid placing mulch against the tree trunks.
·       If mulch is already piled against the stems or tree trunks, pull it back several inches so that the base of the trunk and the root crown are exposed.
·       Mulch out to the tree's drip line or beyond if possible.
·       Most commonly available mulches work well in most landscapes. Be mindful of the fact that some plants may benefit from the use of a slightly acidifying mulch such as pine bark.
·       Organic mulches are preferable for their soil-enhancing properties. Be sure it is well aerated and composted to avoid sour-smelling mulch.
·       Avoid using uncomposted wood chips that have been piled deeply without exposure to oxygen. Use composted wood chips instead, especially when they contain a blend of leaves, bark, and wood.

When you care for your trees, they will reward you for years to come.  For more information on tree care, visit www.treesaregood.org.