1. Mark L. McFarland Water Quality Coordinator Texas Cooperative Extension College Station, Texas The Southern Region Water Quality Coordination Project

2. Southern Region Water Quality Planning Committee  Established in 1988 by Southern Directors  Founding members: Jim Hairston (AL)Frank Huminek (NC) Stan Chapman (AR)Mike Smolen (OK) Art Hornsby (FL)Bill Yates (SC) Bill Segars (GA)George Smith (TN) Bill Thom (KY)John Sweeten (TX) Bill Branch (LA)Waldon Kerns (VA) Jim Thomas (MS)

3. New Program  Section 406 Integrated Grants Program (AREERA 1998) Established a competitive grants process for USDA-CSREES water quality funding (2000). 4 major grant categories: National Facilitation projects Extension Education projects Integrated (Res./Ext./Educ.) projects Regional Coordination projects  Southern Region WQ Coordination Project 4-year project (2001-2004) Supports basic WQ program efforts in the SR.

4. Southern Region Water Quality Planning Committee  Composition Water Quality Coordinators from 13 states of EPA Regions IV and VI. Includes representatives from 1862 and 1890 institutions. EPA/Extension Liaisons Region IV Region VI Alabama Mississippi Arkansas Florida North Carolina Louisiana Georgia South Carolina New Mexico Kentucky Tennessee Oklahoma Texas

5. Southern Region Water Quality Coordination Project  Primary Goals Promote regional information sharing and resource exchange. Facilitate delivery of LGU resources to clientele: State and Federal agencies Stakeholders – local government and citizens Develop/maintain partnerships Establish a regional WQ database.

6. The Southern Region Water Quality Information System (SRWQIS)  Purpose: Access to programs and resources available through the LGU system. - Extension Outreach - Scientific Research - University Education Linkage – partners, other Regional databases and the National Database  Key Contacts at TAMU: Dr. Diane Boellstorff – Project Manager Mr. David Beaudreau – Website Administrator Integration

8. Program Strategy  Focus on major regional/national issues or “themes”: Waste Management Drinking Water and Human Health Environmental Restoration Nutrient and Pesticide Management Pollution Prevention Watershed Management Water Quantity and Policy

29. We Need Your Help  Participation with Theme Teams. Develop and provide important resources and programs.  Design and Content of the Website. Enhance access and utility.  Delivery of the Product Training for Extension and other LGU personnel. Education and training for: Partners – other agencies (federal/state) and organizations Our clientele Joint and on-going effort – Regional and National