Delaware:
The Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has established a new toll-free drought hotline to help citizens obtain information on current mandatory water use restrictions in northern New Castle County and water saving tips. Citizens can also use this hotline to report violations of water use restrictions. The toll-free number is 877/729-3362.
Hawaii:
The Dept. of Health will hold a public hearing Sept. 5 to discuss implementation of Phase II of the Federal Storm Water Program. Under Phase II requirements, operators of construction sites that disturb between one and five acres of land are required to obtain a permit before construction starts.
Michigan:
The Dept. of Agriculture recently adopted changes to Regulation 636, the state's pesticide applicator rule. In particular, the amendments adopted many practices to facilitate the pesticide applicator certification process and maintain the pesticide applicator recertification by seminar program. Since 1999, the department has worked with stakeholders to help make the rules easier to understand.
The changes went into effect on July 4, 2002. Adopted changes include:
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Reducing applicator certification or registration application period from 12 months to six months
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Clarifying the information contained in commercial applicator records and how it must be maintained
Minnesota:
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has given official notice that the agency is working on incorporating federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II requirements into its stormwater permitting program. Under Phase II, owners and contractors of construction projects are required to obtain a permit for projects that disturb one to five acres of land. The MPCA will accept public comment until Aug. 30, 2002.
Oregon:
Registered voters will have a chance on Nov. 5 to vote on a measure to increase the state's minimum wage by 40 cents, to $6.90 an hour, in 2003, and adjust for inflation thereafter.
Pennsylvania:
The Dept. of Environmental Protection proposed a rule to issue a General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Small Construction Permit for construction activities involving one to five acres of earth disturbance with a point source discharge of stormwater. Under the proposal, operators would be required to submit a notice of intent to the DEP identifying that they had developed an Erosion and Sediment Control (E&S) Plan and that performance-based best management practices (BMPs) as described in the Plan would be implemented and maintained to effectively control erosion and sedimentation to protect water quality. The DEP is required by federal law to implement Phase II requirements for NPDES permit coverage by Dec. 8, 2002; the agency will accept public comment on this matter until Sept. 10, 2002.
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STATE UPDATE
California:
The Senate adopted A.C.R. 188, to urge elected leaders to educate themselves on water issues in the state in order to address them "calmly and deliberately." The bill has been sent to the Assembly for concurrence.
Maryland:
On Aug. 12, Gov. Glendening issued Executive Order 17, to proclaim that a drought emergency continues to exist in the state and declares that Level One Mandatory Water Use Restrictions in Carroll, Cecil, Frederick and Harford counties and parts of Baltimore, Howard and Montgomery counties are still in effect. (The restrictions exclude areas served by the City of Baltimore, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and the City of Rockville.)
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Information in this report was provided by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. The information provided is advisory only. Use of this information is voluntary and within the control and discretion of the reader.