FREE YOUR EVENT FROM BOTTLED WATER

A Practical Guide to Take Back the Tap at Your Next Event and Avoid the Waste, Expense and Environmental Problems with Bottled Water


Differentiate your event from others by joining the surging nationwide movement to kick the bottled water habit and Take Back the Tap. Instead of buying into the myth of purity in a bottle and littering the landscape with empty water bottles, use this guide to free your event from bottled water.

Big city mayors, including those in San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis and New York City, are joining in this effort by prohibiting the use of city funding for bottled water — effectively eliminating it in all city buildings and city-funded events. Restaurants are stopping the sale of non-carbonated bottled water. Event planners are also joining this movement. From small, catered events to large conferences and trade shows, freeing events from bottled water is becoming more and more common.

During the Labor Day weekend in 2008, San Francisco will host the inaugural convention of Slow Food Nation. The event, expected to attract up to 50,000 people over three days, will exclude bottled water. Food & Water Watch will coordinate the delivery of tap water for all attendees. As part of this mass hydration effort, we’ve developed this guide to ease the way for other event planners who want to break free from bottled water

Save Water and get a Dishwasher!

The latest news from River Network ....

From now until October 15th, you have the opportunity to secure millions of dollars in rebates for water and energy efficient appliances.



The U.S. Department of Energy is funneling $300 million to states through the new State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. The funding will allow states to design and implement rebate programs that encourage consumers to turn in their old, inefficient appliances for new ENERGY STAR models. Water-efficient dishwashers and clothes washers are included under the ENERGY STAR label and with your help we hope that they are targeted to receive the biggest rebates



River Network would like to encourage you to contact your state's energy office and urge them to prioritize appliances that use water. Rebates are expected to range between $50 and $250 per unit, so make sure that clothes washers and dishwashers receive the maximum amount.



To make this task easier we have provided contact information for every state's energy office and a draft letter describing the benefits of this approach. To download these documents, visit our website. States have until October 15th to submit their proposals, so contact your energy office today!



For more information on this opportunity, including state energy office contacts and a draft letter, see our webpage at: www.rivernetwork.org/stimulus-funds-for-water-efficiency.

VIP (Vermont Invasives Patrollers) Workshop

The West River Watershed Alliance and Laurie Callahan are hosting a Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) workshop on Saturday August 22 from 10-2:30. The workshop has two parts – an indoor portion followed by an “on-the-water” session. The indoor part will be held at the Town Office Building on Old School Street in South Londonderry, VT from 10 until noon and the “on-the-water” session will take place at Gale Meadows Pond, a short driving distance SW of South Londonderry, from 12:30–2:30 PM. Gale Meadows Pond is in the upper reaches of the West River watershed.

During the second part of the workshop at Gale Meadows Pond the group will launch from the VT Fish & Game boating access just above the outlet dam. At the pond participants will be trained to conduct an aquatic species survey – primarily looking for invasive aquatic plants, but also learning about native aquatic species and habitats. Eurasian milfoil has been found at Gale Meadows Pond in the past – and observed there in October of 2008. Attendees will need to bring a canoe, kayak or other non-motorized shallow draft boat for the “on-the-water” session. Also, please bring a lunch, water and other necessities for the day.
Leslie Matthews, of the Water Quality Division of VT Department of Conservation, will be the presenter and the leader of the field session. Callahan, an aquatic biologist, will assist Matthews in both portions of the workshop.

VIPs provide the first line of defense against harmful invasive species that can threaten the ecology and recreational potential of our lakes and rivers. They are trained to conduct systematic surveys for aquatic invaders like Eurasian milfoil and zebra mussels. Early detection is vital to protecting Vermont’s waterbodies from invasive plants and animals. When invasive species are detected soon after introduction, before having a chance to become well established, they can often be managed more effectively, and perhaps even eradicated.

The workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Register online at http://www.vtwaterquality.org/cfm/vip/vip_registration.cfm. You can contact Leslie Matthews at leslie.matthews@state.vt.us or at (802) 241-3798. For more information about the workshop or lfor directions to locations contact Laurie Callahan at therivermist@hotmail.com or (802) 258-1877.

Lakes and Ponds Meeting

I just received the ANR's Water Quality Division's newsletter, "Out of the Blue" (which is excellent by the way), and I noticed an announcement for the Vermont Federation of Lakes and Ponds Annual Meeting.

When: Mon., July 27 9:00-3:300

Where: The Steale House, Rt. 302, Berlin, VT

visit www.vermontlakes.org for more info.

cs

Upper Connecticut River Watershed Atlas

The Connecticut River Joint Commissions (CRJC) recently produced Where the Great River Rises: An Atlas of the Upper Connecticut River Watershed in Vermont and New Hampshire. It can be ordered online at www.upne.com or by calling 1-800-421-1561. The list price is $35, but supporters of the CRJC get 30% off.

cs

Black River Action Team - 10th Annual River Sweep

When: Saturday, August 22, 2009 8:00 AM to
12:00 PM
Where: Fletcher Memorial Library - 88 Main St Ludlow,VT Get Directions
Description: Get your feet wet in the 10th Annual RiverSweep with the Black River Action Team! On Saturday, August 22nd, the BRAT invites everyone to lend a hand collecting trash from the bed and banks of the Black River in Springfield, Ludlow and all points in-between. Stop in at one of the BRAT's HeadQuarter stations anytime between 8am and noon on the 22nd to sign in. Springfield's HQ is the Citizen's Bank drive-up near the footbridge in the Springfield Shopping Plaza; Ludlow's HQ is the gazebo on the green at Veterans Park, near the library. All supplies will be provided, free refreshments will be on hand, and each participant receives a free tee shirt as a "thank you" gift. For more details and to pre-register for the RiverSweep, contact BRAT Director Kelly Stettner at blackrivercleanup@yahoo.com or at 885-1533. That's Saturday, August 22nd for the 10th Annual RiverSweep. Come be a BRAT!

VT Invasives Patrollers (VIPs) workshop

I would like to host a VT Invasives Patrollers (VIPs) workshop on Saturday July
25th, but before i decide to do so would like to determine what the interest
level might be. Leslie Matthews of VT DEC would be glad to come to this part of
the state to present the workshop.

The workshop usually includes Leslie doing a PowerPoint presentation about
aquatic invasive species concerns & issues in VT and New England, an invasive
aquatic species identification exercise (with live and preserved specimens) and
then an "on-the-water" session to inspect a local waterbody for invasive aquatic
plants. In the Brattleboro area a location with Eurasian milfoil will be
visited.

For more information on VT DEC's VIP program, here is a link to the VIPs page at
the VT DEC, Water Quality Division website -

http://www.vtwaterquality.org/lakes/htm/ans/lp_VIP.htm

and also a link to the VIP program brochure -

http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/waterq/lakes/docs/ans/lp_vippromotionalbrochure.pdf

In August and September I will also lead outings on a few waterbodies in Windham
County to check for the presence of invasive aquatic plants. Those waterbodies will
include South Pond and Sunset Lake, and probably also Lowell Lake, Gale Meadows
Pond, Sweets Pond and Weatherhead Hollow Pond. If Lake Raponda folks would like to
join me I probably will inspect at least parts of that waterbody too.

Please let me know as soon as you can whether you think members of your
organizations would be interested in attending a VIPs workshop in the
Brattleboro area on Saturday, July 25. We would like to get this scheduled and
announced by next Monday (7/13) if there is enough interest.

Thanks!
Laurie Callahan

A New Name for Us?

We've decided to change our name to reflect our new mission. Here's the list we've generated. Vote for your top three.

1. Southeastern Vermont Watershed Action
2. Southeastern Watershed Watch
3. Southeastern River Action
4. Watershed Action Monitors of Southeastern Regional Vermont
5. Southeastern Vermont for Rivers
6. Southeeastern Vermont for Watersheds
7. Group Action for Watershed of Southeastern Vermont
8. Watershed Awareness Group Action of Southeastern Vermont
9. The Watershed Group of Southeastern Vermont
10. Watershed Conservation of Southeastern Vermont
11. For Watershed Action of Southeastern Vermont
12. Southeastern Vermont Citizens for Community Watershed Action
13. Watershed Action Coalition Organization
14. Southeastern Regional Vermont Watershed Action Monitors Alliance
15. Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance.

cs

VT River Conservancy's new website

If you're not familiar with the Vermont River Conservancy (or even if you are), check out there website. This is a new site for them.

http://www.vermontriverconservancy.org/

They would be another great organization for the WRWA to partner with.

cs

West River Park nixed by DRB

The Reformer, on June 11, reported that the Brattleboro Development Review Board halted plans to develop the proposed "West River Park" along Route 30. Apparently the DRB submitted its findings to the town and detailed its reasons for sending the plan back to the drawing board...
cs

Connecticut River Song Contest

As found in The Reformer recently:

"Got a lyric for your river, a tribute for your tributary? The Connecticut River Watershed Council wants you to share it with the world. Following last year's 'Living Along the River Songwriting Contest,' CRWC is putting out a new call for lyric artists along New England's great river valley."

Check out the link or call Pat LaMountain at 413-772-2020 ext. 203 for more details.

Comittees? Share Your Thoughts Here!

At our June board meeting, we revisited the work that was done at the May meeting in terms of moving our organization toward one that is structured with committees. At the May meeting the following list of possible committes was generated. Please review the list and add your comments.

Should we add some more?

Delete others?

Which ones do you think are priorities?

What 'powers' might the committees have?

Who might serve on them?

1. Education
2. Membership Relations
3. Program/Projects
4. Fund Raising
5. Finance
6. Administration
7. Communication/Advertising/Outreach

cs

Eyes and Ears Network

Chris Garofolo's article in the Reformer recently was encouraging. Read some excerpts below:

"The Connecticut River Watershed Council is looking for river protection volunteers this spring to help defend the biological integrity of the Upper Valley's river and streams.

"Through the Eyes and Ears Network, the council would train local volunteers in identifying unusual incidents and potential issues int he rivers and wetlands along the Connecticut River and its tributaries.

"With the government pinching every penny, river advocates say the additional help is needed to ensure problems such as illegal dumping, unexplained discharges and new erosion sites do not continue to occur...

"[David] Deen said anyone willing to stay attuned to the water resources site problems would make a good volunteer, especially people active on the river...

"The council will rpovide contact information on reporting incidents tot he proper enforcement officials and resource agencies if necessary. Deen [VT and NH's Connecticut River steward], who will serve as a regular contact, will also make field visits with volunteers on their rivers. Work and training sessions will begin in June.

People interested in the Eyes and Ears Network should contact:
David Deen at (802) 869-2792
or Christine Luis-Schultz, Volunteer Coordinator, at (413) 772-2020 ext. 201

The more I learn about projects and plans underway through groups like the Connecticut River Joint Commissions and The Connecticut River Watershed Council, the more possibilities I see for our little organization to branch out and connect with the rest of the Connecticut R. watershed.

cs

According to a recent article by Bob Audette in the Reformer, on May 21 Reps. Welch and Hodes (VT & NH respectively) introduced legislated to fund conservation measures in the Upper Valley portion of the Connecticut River watershed. Similar legislation was introduced by the states' senators.

"The Upper Connecticut River Partnership Act of 2009 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to invest $1 million per year in the Connecticut River Joint Commissions' [CRJC] effort to protect the river's watershed."

"New Hampshire's Connecticut River Valley Resource Commission and Vermont's Connecticut River Watershed Advisory Commision, both created in 1988, were directed to cooperate with each other to preserve and protect the resources of the Connecticut River Valley and to guide its growth and development.

"They have met together as the Joint Commissions since 1989.

"The mission of the Joint Commissions is to create a river corridor plan, improve water quality, create a Connecticut River Byway, strengthen markets for river valley agriculture, negotiate terms for hydro dams and provide grants for river-oriented projects."

To learn more about the CRJC visit www.crjc.org.

If anyone hears updates about this legislation, please comment here. This is good news and hopefully something the WRWA can get involved with.

cs

Help to Rename WRWA

The West River Watershed Alliance is looking for a new name that better represents the watershed the group serves. The main rivers include the Williams, the Saxtons, and the West. Have any suggestions?

Controversy Surrounds Ball Mt. Dam Water Release

As reported in today's issue of the Brattleboro Reformer (4.22), many people are not happy with the ANR's and USACE's decision to change the way water is released from Ball Mt. Dam this spring. What had become an annual tradition on a late April weekend of releasing water for whitewater enthusiasts has essentially been scrapped. Many boaters and local businesses are among those that are upset because of the loss of revenue and drastically changing the experience.

Apparently the decision to change how and when water is released from the dam was made to better accommodate migrating salmon smolt. The Reformer seems to have painted a picture of salmon and ecological concerns vs. economical and recreational concerns.

I've only included a few pieces of info. here; the full story is certainly more complicated. I think it would be interesting to hear people's comments on the matter...

cs

Salmon Stocking Volunteers needed

It's that time of year again! Pull on some waders or boots and spend a few hours on one of your local rivers stocking Atlantic salmon fry.

The VT Fish and Wildlife Dept. is planning to stock more than a million fry (babies) in southern Vermont tributaries to the Connectict River this spring. This is an annual component of the salmon restoration program, and the Department relies on volunteers to help with much of this task.

Stocking generally involves walking several stream sections (totaling 1-3 miles. It begins about 9 a.m. and ends mid to late afternoon.

I've stocked several times over the years and it's a fantastic experience. Spend the day outside, get to know some stream sections up close and personal (find those good fishing and swimming holes!), and feel satisfied that you've done something helpful.

For more info. conact Jay McMenemy at 802.885.8829 or jay.mcmenemy@state.vt.us.

Dates and locations include:

Tue. 4/28 Wardsboro Branch, Wardsboro
Sat. 5/2 Rock River, Newfane
Tue. 5/5 Ball Mt. Brook, Jamaica
Sat. 5/9 Williams R., Chester
Mon. 5/11 West R., Londonderry
Sat. 5/16 Saxtons R., Grafton
Thu. 5/21 Black R., Ludlow

cs

Mud, Road Maintenance, and Run-off

I live on a dirt road which becomes mucky pools of soft quivering mud in some sections, mud that that suck cars into the pools depths. Thursday evening as I was coming home from work, I stopped and took pictures of Smith Brook's muddy raging water. I also noted the new run-off of water crossing the road and tearing out another pathway which will lead to a rut until the road crew can repair the damage. I wonder if there are ways to allow water its "natural" runoff while keeping it from tearing apart our dirt roads. Any suggestions? Paving isn't really the answer. How can we get ditches in that don't dump pollutants into the waterways?

gjc

Grassroots Retreat Oct. 3

SAVE THE DATE!

The 2009 Grassroots Retreat will be Saturday, October 3rd in Eliot, Maine.

This year NEGEF is partnering with the Toxics Action Center to offer valuable workshops and networking experiences. Open to all of NEGEF's grantees. Stay Tuned - Lots more information will follow in the upcoming months!

SAVE our WATERSHED COORDINATORS!

Almost half of the state's watershed coordinators are at risk for losing their jobs in the next round of state of budget cuts. As stewards of our great state's natural resources, we must speak out against this potentially disastrous decision before this Friday, March 27th. The WRWA has sent letters to Senators John F. Campbell and Peter Shumlin as they are on the Appropriations Committee. Please read the following letter and send one of your own AND/OR just comment here AND send a letter/email to your state representatives. Your rivers and streams and forests and communities around them will thank you!

********************
It has come to my attention that almost most half of Vermont’s seven Watershed Coordinators employed by the Agency of Natural Resources’ Department of Environmental Conservation are currently threatened with losing their jobs as part of the state’s effort to balance their budget. I am writing to request your deep consideration of how this will affect the future of Vermont’s streams, rivers, forests, farms and communities over the next many decades before casting your vote. On behalf of over 200 friends and members and the Board of Directors for the West River Watershed Alliance (WRWA), please KEEP our WATERSHED COORDINATORS!

Marie Levesque Caduto is the Watershed Coordinator for the West, Williams and Saxtons Rivers, also known as Basin 11, the region of the state where I have had the privilege to work as Director of WRWA’s flagship Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP). This program is only one small, very tangible impact Marie and her counterparts have had on the state’s watershed resources. Marie is the guiding light for our organization and others like it throughout our region. She is our connection to the state’s conservation efforts and is instrumental in helping us to obtain funding to continue to engage Vermont’s local citizens in conserving and restoring their watershed resources.

As you know, Vermont’s economy is closely tied to its natural resources. For this reason alone, it makes very little sense to put jobs from the Agency of Natural Resources on the chopping block – these positions are not fluff! During Maries’ three and half year tenure as a Watershed Planner for Basin 11 and Basin 10 and Basin 13 she has brought in over $700,000 in grant funds to support numerous monitoring, planning, and restoration projects throughout southeastern Vermont. In addition to their environmental benefits, these funds help to create jobs doing good work that would not be possible otherwise.

The Watershed Coordinators are an essential part of the “Basin Planning Process” which helps citizens know and understand the current condition of their natural resources as well as the specific projects that need doing to repair, protect, and restore the clean water and healthy forests that support Vermont’s vibrant rural communities. This process took over three years of hard work in Basin 11 and has just been completed. The WRWA has been working closely with Marie on the implementation of many of the projects identified in the Plan and are on the cusp of an opportunity to work with the Trust for Public Land, the Connecticut River Watershed Council and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to begin work on another round of projects that focus on protecting our coldwater fisheries.

Most people I know who have moved to Vermont have done so because it “so beautiful” and want their kids to grow up in a “pristine” environment – PLEASE preserve this right for our children and grandchildren. I come from a place where I was subject to watching my childhood home of northern coastal New Jersey marred by pollution and development. I am so grateful every day that I get to see my boys run down to the stream that runs through our back yard to play. It is the reason I am here, it is the reason many families are here, it is the reason Vermont is one of the greatest states in the Nation.

I know that the budget must be balanced, but cutting funds and jobs from our Agency of Natural Resources does not bring balance. It is impossible to have a healthy economy without healthy ecosystems. Thank you very much for your time and consideration of this urgent matter. I appreciate the hard work that you do and the difficult decisions you make on behalf of the citizens of Vermont. I trust that your final vote will reflect your best judgment and highest values.

Iron bridge open soon?

I read in the Reformer earlier this week that the green iron bridge in Dummerston, which spans the West River, is due to be repaired (replaced?) and open for traffic. Stimulus $ at work? I've lived in Windham County since '95 and I don't think I can remember ever having seen the bridge open for vehicular traffic. Maybe we can help 'em throw a bridge opening party...
cs

Ice Out March 19th!

I stopped by the Marina this a.m., walked beneath the Rt. 5 bridge and, lo and behold, the West is flowing free and clear to the Connecticut which is also flowing ice-free in Bratt (except along the embankments and set-backs). So, remember this date next year: March 19th. In a boat you could make it from the Dummerston covered bridge (and probably quite a ways upstream from there) to the Connecticut without having to portage.
cs

Tree Trimming

For years I've been driving up and down Route 30 between Brattleboro and Newfane, and I've been struck by the lack of vegetation that grows on the Rt. 30 side of the river in Bratt. and Dummerston. There are some sections, several hundred feet long, that have virtually no trees. Just yesterday I noticed that the DOT (?) trimmed many trees' limbs and cut down every sapling in at least one of these sections. While I understand the need to keep highway shoulders somewhat clear, it seems they could allow some more trees to grow in this barren stretch. The lower West is one of Vermont's warmest bodies of water in the summer. More trees would offer some shade as well as habitat. I wonder if this could be a future streambank restoration project...

WRWA Board Meetings Are Really Awesome!

Sitting here relishing the good feelings & joy of another WRWA Board meeting I wanted to share the experience with those that might be considering joining our board, and we certainly need some new Board members. Why you can even be a Board member by phone.

Not only did we get some good work done that will continue to move this group forward & keep us doing important things that help our rivers & watersheds (hence the good feelings); we also shared homemade bread, VT brewed beverages & Green Mtn salsa, we then went for an awesome full moon snowshoe in a beautiful VT state park.

So if you ever thought about joining our awesome Board think again, because you just might find that they are well worth your time.

Williams River flooding

This morning I heard on VPR that an icejam on the Williams River was causing some flooding. Does anyone out there have more info (where, to what extent, prognosis, etc.)?

Committee Members Needed

To All Water Quality Monitoring Volunteers, (past, present, and future),

WRWA board members had a retreat in January and met again last evening to start the implementation of some of our goals. We need people like you to help us out since a board of six members cannot possibly have a corner on the market of expertise, enthusiasm, and vision that is needed to help WRWA pursue its organizational goals and continue our flagship Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP). We need people like you to rally around this program that takes organization, time commitment, and other skills.

We would be grateful to you if you can help WRWA in the following ways:
1. Be willing to meet with other volunteers for initial discussions that build a vision of how to organize and structure this year’s program. (Rebecca Salem has been program director for the past two years, and she is now our Board president. She will give guidance and resources, and answer questions, but she cannot undertake the full organization and report writing since we have other objectives to work on this year as a Board.)
2. The initial meeting(s) can help us build a network of WQMP volunteers and reveal the strengths and degree of commitment of all of you, possibly in the areas of grant and report writing.
3. Volunteering to provide leadership for this project. We will not be able to continue without you.

Our continuing with this program is contingent upon recruiting an intern. For the water quality monitoring to continue, we have applied for an intern through SCA who will possess the necessary skills. We will not know if SCA can provide us with this intern until March. This intern will ultimately be the point person in administering the program. In the meantime, however, we need to know that he/she will have a group of dedicated volunteers, some of you who may volunteer to drive to Waterbury to take the water samples to the lab for testing or do other tasks in addition to collecting the samples. (We have investigated having the samples mailed to Waterbury, but the window of time for getting the samples tested cannot be met this way.)

We are applying for grant money for the lab tests so the WQMP committee of volunteers does not have to worry about that significant expense.

We can do this, but we need you! Please email Rebecca Salem, Board President at westriver@vermontel.net to let us know if you can help out, and then we’ll set a date for a meeting. Thanks!

Ice out?

When do you think "ice-out" will be on the lower West River this year? That is, when will flow freely to the Connecticut River? I'm going to predict March 16. Or perhaps you'd like to wager when the last ice shanty will be removed from the Retreat Meadows. Share your predictions and let's have some fun with this perennial milestone!

National River Rally

Rally in the Chesapeake! The River Network's annual "National River Rally" will be held in Baltimore May 29-June 1, 2009. Check out the website for more info if you're interested: www.rivernetwork.org/rally. Or call 503-542-8384. They're going to have a plethora of field trips, workshops, exhibits, trainings, and a whole lot more. The featured speaker, Peter Forbes, is from right here in Vermont!

Things Can Happen

It is wonderful to live here in Southeastern Vermont, especially if you love the outdoors. We seem to have miles of waterways and trails and wonderful back roads to use for fishing, hunting, skiing or snowmobiling, biking and hiking. In fact, that is both a good thing and a problem. When times are good, we forget how quickly things can change. Just look at the economy if you think I exaggerate.

I grew up in a very rural town in Northeastern Ohio. We fished, swam and generally spent our growing up years playing in the watershed of a small river that meandered along until it emptied into Lake Erie. By the time I was in high school, a frightening disease called polio was afflicting a significant number of young people. We learned that one major source of the disease was the water we were playing in.

This situation did not spur any major cleanup and sometime later you probably heard about the "river that caught on fire." Yes, it was the Cuyahoga River Watershed that we were playing in.

I personally saw how fast an environment that was clean and healthy could become a place of filth and disease. That happens when we don't take care of what we have. As my mother used to tell me, it is easier to keep your room clean than to let it go and then have to do a major job to get back to where you should be. She was right! And that is even more true of our wonderful environment than it is of a kid's bedroom. Get the message?

Water Related Events - Educational Series on Drinking Water

Wednesday, February 04, 2009	12 to 1:30pm	Howe Library Mayer Room 13 South Street Hanover, NH 03755	All About Aquifers. A panel discussion featuring Carl Renshaw and Lance Hansen will address issues relating to Aquifers, their purpose, their contribution to water pollution and various remediation efforts. In addition to providing general knowledge of the functions of Aquifers, the panel participants will also focus on local Aquifers and their impact on our water. This panel is part of the LWV-UV Natural Resources Committee February program series: "Whose Water is it Anyway?" For additional information, see "What's New".
Wednesday, February 11, 2009	12 to 1:30pm	Howe Library Mayer Room 13 South Street Hanover, NH 03755	Who Has Rights to Our Water?. Jon Groveman and Brandon Kernan, local experts on water regulation and ownership rights will discuss current issues impacting the use and sale of local water rights. Topics that will be addressed include the legal ownership structure of "public" water, the bottling and sale of such water and the right to remove large quantities of water. The Vermont Water Bill of 2008, as well as the protection of ground and surface water under New Hampshire law will also be discussed. This panel discussion is part of the LWV-UV Natural Resources Committee February series: "Whose Water is It Anyway?' For Additional Information, see "What's New."
Wednesday, February 18, 2009	12 to 1:30pm	Howe Library Mayer Room 13 South Street Hanover, NH 03755	Bottled Water: Taking Back The Tap. Water experts Marc Morgan and Nancy Toth, along with Sustainability professionals from Dartmouth, the town of Hanover and the Hanover Coop will discuss the economic and environmental impact of drinking bottled water. The panel will address the disposal of water bottles, how best to assure the safety of drinking water and local efforts to reduce the use of bottled water in our community. This panel discussion is part of the LWV-UV Natural Resource Committee's February program series "Whose Water is it Anyway?" For additional information, see "What's New."