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EPA Unveils First-Ever Assessment of
U.S. Wadeable Streams
(Note: Control the planet's water and everything is controlled --
including people.)
May 5, 2006
Release date: 05/05/2006
From: usaepa@govdelivery.com
Contact Information: Dale Kemery kemery.dale@epa.gov
or 202-564-4355
Washington, D.C. - What's the state of the union's streams? EPA set out to answer that question in a just-completed, multi-year study of wadeable streams across the country.
The study, Wadeable Streams Assessment (WSA),
is the first consistent evaluation of the streams that feed rivers,
lakes, and coastal waters.
Alaska and Hawaii were not included in
the report, but have pilot projects underway.
"Wadeable streams" are those
which are shallow enough to be adequately sampled without a boat.
They are essential natural resources
that have been under-sampled in the past.
"This scientific report card on
America's streams will help citizens and governments measure the
health of their watersheds, take actions to prevent pollution, and
monitor for progress," said Assistant Administrator for Water
Benjamin H. Grumbles. "Small streams are connected to the overall
health of a community's ecology and economy and this report
underscores their importance and identifies priority work ahead."
Conducted between 2000 and 2004, the
study was based on sampling at 1,392 sites selected to represent the
condition of all streams that share similar ecological characteristics
in various regions.
It was a collaborative effort that
involved dozens of state environmental and natural resource agencies,
federal agencies, universities and other organizations.
More than 150 field biologists were
trained to collect environmental samples using a standardized method.
What Did They Find?
The survey found that stream conditions
vary widely across the diverse ecological regions of the country, and
that streams in the West were in the best condition.
Humans, the researchers found, have a
significant impact on wadeable streams.
A majority of streams showed evidence of
human influence along the streams, such as dams, pavement and
pastures.
The WSA measured key chemical and
physical indicators that reveal stress, or degradation of streams. The
most widespread stressors observed are nitrogen, phosphorus, and
streambed sediments, which smother aquatic habitat and degrade
conditions for fish. Nitrogen and phosphorus are nutrients that can
increase the growth of algae, decrease levels of dissolved oxygen and
cloud the water.
What's Next?
The WSA is part of a series of surveys
to evaluate all of the nation's waters.
Coastal condition has already been
evaluated.
During the next five years, EPA will
sample the condition of lakes, large rivers, and wetlands.
Then the process will be repeated to
provide ongoing comparisons of the state of the waters and point to
possible future action.
More information on Wadeable Streams
Assessment: http://www.epa.gov/owow/streamsurvey/
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