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<br />, <br /> <br />States will be using federal <br />dollars increasingly as seed <br />money to set up revolving <br />funds, to be loaned at low <br />interest, for ongoing long- <br />term use. <br /> <br />Management and preventive <br />action may replace <br />construction and abatement <br />as more cost-effective means <br />to achieve water resource <br />goals. <br /> <br />The second unique aspect ofWisconsin's program is its no-fault compensation <br />fund for well owners with contaminated water. Unless the contamination is <br />proven to have been caused by malice or an illegal act, the well owner submits <br />costs for a new water supply to the D NR for review, and the costs are paid from <br />state appropriations. It's an attempt to get clean water on-line quickly without <br />lengthy up-front legal delays. <br /> <br />Another good example of a state recognizing the interrelationship between water <br />resources and land management is found in New York. Furthermore, it's a good <br />example of a state program with local level cooperation and input. <br /> <br />The sole source of drinking water for three million people on Long Island is <br />an aquifer. Recognizing the need for political accountability in land use decisions, <br />a state commission is seeking to protect the aquifer by working closely with <br />local government to implement effective and responsible land use strategies, <br />such as reduced density zoning, mandatory clustering of housing, transfer of <br />development rights, and landfill prohibitions, Local input is encouraged in this <br />cooperative effort. <br /> <br />Q: What trends in water management will develop over the next 10 years? <br /> <br />A: On the quantitive side, the big federal appropriations for Western dams are <br />over. There's not much new water to be developed. States are looking to saving <br />and reallocating water rather than finding new water, <br /> <br />The federal government will continue to playa role in water quality management, <br />because certain federal standards must continue to be met. Federal agencies <br />will periodically review state standards and, if necessary, force compliance. <br /> <br />Federal grants for construction of waste treatmerit facilities may be phased out <br />over the next 10 years. In anticipation of this movement, states will be using <br />federal dollars increasingly as seed money to set up revolving funds, to be loaned <br />at low interest, for ongoing long-term use. <br /> <br />States are already beginning to be forced to "get their houses in order" in the <br />face of such considerations as large-scale water diversions. In the Great Lakes <br />region, for example, they're working to prove their use of and need for Great <br />Lakes water, Before now, they've known little about the specifics of their uses <br />and needs, But the diversion issue is forcing them to be prepared to defend <br />their need for their own water, <br /> <br />The next 10 years will see states expanding their roles as water managers in <br />response to decreased federal directives and financial assistance. Management <br />and preventive action may replace construction and abatement as more cost- <br />effective means to achieve water resource goals. Increased state and local <br />financing will lead to increased state control of-and responsibility for -the <br />management of our nation's water resources. <br /> <br />Larry Morandi was interviewed by Linda Schroeder, editor, <br /> <br />37 <br />