ACTION ALERT UPDATE:
INCREASE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TURFGRASS RESEARCH
Congress is still working on FY 2003 spending bills for government programs. Your letters and e-mails are still needed to urge Congress to increase federal funding for turfgrass research through the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS). It is urgent that members of Congress understand the importance of the turfgrass industry and realize that federal funding for turf research has been lacking. It's time to increase support for this $40+ billion per year industry.
Please e-mail or write your members of Congress today and ask them for their support in the budget process! Use the Action Alert in the GCSAA Legislative Action Center (LAC) at http://capwiz.com/gcsaa/home/ to easily and quickly send a letter or e-mail to your members of Congress. A sample letter is provided for you to use to customize your own letter.
*******************************************************
IN THE STATES
Pennsylvania:
The Dept. of Environmental Protection will host six public meetings on July 8, 10 and 11 to discuss the Commonwealth's Chesapeake Bay Nutrient Reduction Strategy, which aims to reduce nutrient loadings in the Chesapeake Bay by 40 percent. EPA staff will provide an update on efforts to understand and model nutrient loads being delivered to the Chesapeake Bay, and discuss the development of revised nutrient and sediment goals, which are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
Notice of Public Meetings: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/hosting/pawatersheds/chesapeakebay/news/pubmeetg.htm
Pennsylvania's Chesapeake Bay Nutrient Strategy: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/hosting/pawatersheds/chesapeakebay/resources/ref/nutrient/pa_nutrient_strategy/Nutrient%20Reduction%20Strategy%20FINAL%20-%205-20-02.pdf
Chesapeake Bay Program - Chesapeake 2000 agreement: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/agreement.htm
South Carolina:
The Dept. of Natural Resources adopted changes to the state's Drought Act, the regulations that establish procedures by which South Carolina's water resources can be monitored, conserved and managed in the best interests of all South Carolinians during periods of drought. Adopted changes include:
1) establishing specific numerical values for the indices that define each level of drought in order to provide for upgrading or downgrading drought declaration status; and
2) establishing new drought management areas that will allow for more effective drought management.
Revisions to the SC Drought Act: http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sco/drought/reg12111.htm
Kentucky:
The Dept. of Workplace Standards adopted changes to rules that set standards for the employment of minors between 14 and 18 years of age. The rules relate to reducing allowable hours worked and went into effect on June 15, 2002. New rules include:
1) minors are required to stop working at 10:30 p.m. instead of 11:30 p.m. on days preceding school days;
2) minors are required to obtain written permission and school certification to be able to work more than 30 and up to 40 hours per week; and
3) minors who drop out of school must comply with the same child labor standards as minors in school.
New Dept. of Workplace Standards child labor law regulation: http://www.kylabor.net/eshome/esnews.htm
Michigan:
The governor signed S.B. 989, to reorganize and simplify the state Pesticide Control Law and increase pesticide applicator license fees.
Text of S.B. 989: http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2001-2002/publicact/htm/2002-PA-0418.htm
**************************
This newsletter is a membership service of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, 1421 Research Park Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049-3859, 800/472-7878, http://www.gcsaa.org