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- s ers a is cv a ter ers 1st On April 1, 2003, Jack Frost, Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District Manager, attended the award ceremony at the US EPA Headquarters to receive the District's Clean Water Partners for the 21st Century Award. for future clean water efforts, and we look forward to working with our partners toward our shared goals to reduce water pollution and ensure cleaner, purer water for all Americans." Recognizing the critical role that IocaI governments play in protecting our nation's waters, EPA Administrator Christie Whitman and Assistant Administrator for Water G. Tracy Mehan III today honored local water pollution control agencies from across the United States with the Clean Water Partners for the 21 "Century Award. As part of the celebration of the Year of Clean Water proclaimed by President George W. Bush, EPA recognized extraordinary actions taken by local governments to protect watersheds beyond the requirements of the Clean Water Act -actions such as protecting and restoring rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands and initiating innovative local pollution prevention programs. "The Year of Clean Water provides us with a tremendous opportunity to recognize the hard work, sacrifice, and leadership of local agencies from across the country," said Whitman. "These award-winners have set a strong example "We received about 200 applications from across the U S., and after careful review, 79 were chosen as Clean Water Partners," said Mehan. "It is our belief that clean water begins at the local level. We applaud the efforts of all Clean Water Partners to improve the environment in the commu- nities they serve. "Being named as an EPA Clean Water Partner for the 21st Century is a great honor. The Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District strives to make continuous improve- ments at the local level in our Watershed, and we appreci- ate being recognized for our efforts," said Jack Frost. Applications for the Clean Water Partners Awards were announced in the Federal Register in Apri12002. Each applicant completed a compliance screen and demonstrated a good compliance record. Applications were reviewed by a panel including EPA, the Water Environment Federation, AMSA, and the National League of Cities. e s ers care a A cooperative survey between the Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed and the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center found that homeowners understand quite a bit about the need to reduce runoff from their lots and that they care significantly about protecting water quality. There were ready to take action to protect nearby Ickes and streams, but didn't know what to do. Runoff audits were conducted in 2002 with 50 property owners who lived on Prior or Spring Lakes in the metro area or in neighborhoods that drain in to those lakes. The survey helped identify their knowledge about the impacts of runoff and also suggested practices that could reduce the volume of water and pollutant load. from homes, yards, gardens, and impervious surfaces (hard surfaces). Some of the suggestions were simple and inexpensive, such as changing their lawn mowing habits; diverting drain spout water away from driveways, streets and other hard surfaces; or watering differently. Everyone completing the audit received a $100 certificate to help them implement some of the more complex or expensive recommendations. Some of the most common certificate expenditures included purchase of the book "Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality" and the DNR CD "Restore Your Shore". Certificates were also spent on rain barrels to collect runoff for watering use, consultations with landscape ecologists, lawn aerator rentals, and zero-phosphorus boat soap. During 2003, homeowners will be followed to determine which practices have been implemented and how home- owner awareness and attitudes have shifted.. Reprinted from MN Lakes Bulletin 3