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The public considers water resources (both quality and quantity) to be the most important environmental issue in the Pacific Northwest. The land grant institutions in the Pacific Northwest (Northwest Indian College, Oregon State University, University of Alaska, University of Idaho, Washington State University) in cooperation with EPA Region 10, USDA-CSREES and USDA-NRCS have been addressing these issues in a coordinated manner for the last eight years. <P>In this four year proposal we plan to take our coordination and programming to the next level. We propose the following objectives for the next four years: (1) enhance coordination between land grant institutions (LGIs), Water Research Centers, State, Tribal, local and non-governmental organizations; (2) develop and deliver appropriate pollution prevention, water conservation and management, and watershed education/management programs that will result in the improvement of water resources; (3) integrate research, Extension and education efforts to identify and address water resource issues; (4) assess public attitudes, aptitudes and actions taken to address water resource issues in response to our programming efforts; (5) implement appropriate activities to support cross-regional programming; and (6) implement appropriate activities to support the USDA-CSREES national water resources program.
Non-Technical Summary: The land grant institutions in the Pacific Northwest (Northwest Indian College, Oregon State University, University of Alaska, University of Idaho, Washington State University) in cooperation with EPA Region 10, USDA-CSREES and USDA-NRCS have been addressing these issues in a coordinated manner for the last eight years. All proposed programming efforts are based on needs assessment studies and stakeholder input through advisory committees. On an annual basis significant regional programming outputs will include: (1) a watershed themed satellite conference, (2) 24 PNW WATER UPDATE newsletters, (3) regional Extension county faculty training, (4) a regional research/Extension conference, (5) an enhanced regional website, (6) evaluation of programming impacts using survey instruments, and (7) water resource programming to support regions 8 and 9 [The West] and the national program. Our short term outcomes include: (1) improved consumer knowledge about water issues, (2) changes in public behaviors and practices about water resource issues, (3) improved awareness of land grant institution capabilities to address water issues, and (4) improved public motivation and awareness about water issues. Our long-term outcomes include: (1) increased regional capacity to deal with water issues, (2) improved region-wide water quality, and (3) improved water conservation. <P> Approach: All proposed programming efforts are based on needs assessment studies and stakeholder input through advisory committees. On an annual basis significant regional programming outputs will include: (1) a watershed themed satellite conference, (2) 24 PNW WATER UPDATE newsletters, (3) regional Extension county faculty training, (4) a regional research/Extension conference, (5) an enhanced regional website, (6) evaluation of programming impacts using survey instruments, and (7) water resource programming to support regions 8 and 9 [The West] and the national program. Our short term outcomes include: (1) improved consumer knowledge about water issues, (2) changes in public behaviors and practices about water resource issues, (3) improved awareness of land grant institution capabilities to address water issues, and (4) improved public motivation and awareness about water issues. Our long-term outcomes include: (1) increased regional capacity to deal with water issues, (2) improved region-wide water quality, and (3) improved water conservation.