[미국] NACWA와 NMPF, 분기점 향상 프로젝트 위한 MOU에 체결

미국 전역에 걸쳐 총괄적으로 대규모의 수질 향상 분기점 레벨을 만들기 위한 노력의 일환으로, 국립청정수관리소협회(NACWA)와 전국우유제조연합회(NMPF)는 9월9일 두 단체간 협력과 소통을 증진시키고자 하는 양해각서(MOU)에 서명했다고 밝혔다.

이 MOU는 지역의 수질과 환경을 개선하려는 보존 활동 측면에서 도시와 지방간의 연계를 강화시키는 시도에서의 중요한 단계를 의미한다. 협상의 목적은 청정수관리소협회와 근처 낙농장이 수질과 환경적 이점을 향상시키기 위해 함께 힘을 모으는 것을 격려하는 것이다.

In an effort to collectively make large-scale watershed-level water quality improvements across the U.S., both the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote increased cooperation and communication between the two organizations.

The MOU marks an important milestone in attempts to strengthen ties between urban and rural sectors on conservation activities to improve local water quality and the environment. Likewise, the goal of the agreement is to encourage clean water agencies and nearby dairy farms to work together to improve both water quality and environmental benefits produced on dairy farms.

Potential projects include cooperation on building anaerobic digesters, which can use manure to generate electricity and reduce methane emissions, and increasing production of water quality benefits through the use of nutrient separation technologies and land management practices such as planting grass buffers near streams and using no-till planting in fields.

"Forty two years after the passage of the Clean Water Act (CWA), we have reached a point where we must look upstream in our watersheds to realize further water quality improvements," said Ken Kirk, NACWA executive director. "This MOU will help to align the clean water and dairy communities around common and cost-effective approaches to meet the future water quality and energy needs of this country while sustaining two critical industries."

Jim Mulhern, NMPF president and CEO, added, "It's more cost effective to produce water quality benefits upstream than downstream, which is why we're collaborating with others like NACWA who share the goal of encouraging best practices in order to maintain a quality water supply."

In addition to encouraging partnerships at the watershed level, both national organizations are working together to educate policy makers and regulators on the environmental and economic impacts of such collaborative efforts. NACWA and NMPF will also work together to leverage federal interest from Congress, via the Farm Bill (see "Farm Bill spurs partnership between agriculture, clean water agencies") and similar programs, to facilitate watershed-level partnerships and further develop anaerobic digestion capabilities nationwide.

"These issues are critical to the long-term sustainability of our nation’s resources, and were front and center when we developed the conservation title of the 2014 Farm Bill," said Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senate Agriculture Committee chairwoman. "In strengthening farm bill conservation programs, we emphasized the importance of forming unique partnerships and maximizing resources to tackle common challenges. Agreements like this reflect that spirit of collaboration and will lay the groundwork for success in ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of our nation's waters."

[출처 = waterworld / 2014년 9월 9일]