WPCd Rk-v2/[}|J켆:Ĝ0vl-VC2Mw. ,5 H yDPPCJq]mU9BA<}6: UU9VQ.$E0,JkV/<41ZC* M Mxh &q*\ml˄?bcΞ@lׯDEٌnV )kU}P< @R!OzCÐS'[q&'` ?$̐)ƏqCKD;"n}BPyu=+6Ȉ}:KeQ)p(\ڱ|2׌N=4Ekͯ^!k )wH' /SLR O0 >Ƀp ٤ۖeƲj7I# UN  %W 0(]"U<wR45IX 0X` h"N "p  X  A C ^ m U* b " b 0xNfl 0Dn D3 B D+ 0K-ax B* 0D"""> D/` B""" D3 BE D3b D3 B D3 B D35 B*h D3 D3 B* D3" B*U D 3 B7 B7 D-  DpCM B- D5 D3 B%"BHP LaserJet 5MPHPPCL5MS,,,,,,0nL(hH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX($    \ `$Times NewRoman      E  E  E  E @1d@8P!3|x (_$0    8     Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5    уLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5!%$&OLE 2.0 Box <=8C HKKKK dc$ U%2A`Arial!    !>$"Small Circle"0  (3$ !  ####'dxd d'dxd( $ Figure  1  Table_A&P d d(3$ !              --' dxdP Pd  , ,         2222'dxd  d----'dxd5555'dxd d7777'dxd d9999'dxd&0 d d'''''dxd<<<<'dxd&p d Pd>>>>'dxd&p Pd d@A@A'dxd3+0 d d d3+0 d d d#'dxdDDDD7Hairlinedxd)Hairline d#####'dxdGGGG'dxd d    !  ݛXLXXX{I_T@4 <DL!T$&)\+- 0d24XT#XLXXXL#XLXXXL    [XXLCLEANWATERACTIONPLAN:  ЀRESTORINGANDPROTECTINGAMERICASWATERS#XLX[#  XXL#XLX#H  XXL  -p(' {I    LETTERTOTHEVICEPRESIDENT#XLX  S#  HFebruary14,1998TheHonorableAlbertGore,Jr.VicePresidentoftheUnitedStatesTheWhiteHouseWashington,D.C.20500DearMr.VicePresident:OnOctober18,1997,the25thanniversaryofthe1972CleanWaterAct,youdirectedustoworkwithotherfederalagenciesandthepublictodevelopaCleanWaterActionPlanthatchartsacoursetowardfulfillingtheoriginalgoaloftheCleanWaterAct fishableandswimmablewatersforallAmericans.WearepleasedtosubmittheenclosedCleanWaterActionPlanonbehalfoftheDepartmentofAgriculture,theEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,andtheotherfederalagenciesthatassistedusinitsdevelopment.Overthepast25years,Americahasmadeoutstandingprogressinreducingwaterpollutionandrestoringourrivers,lakesandcoastalwaters.Incommunitiesacrossthecountry,restorationofwaterqualityhashaddramaticenvironmental,recreational,andeconomicbenefits.Despitethisprogress,seriouswaterpollutionproblemspersist.Statesreportthatabout40percentofthewaterstheyassesseddonotmeetwaterqualitygoals.Abouthalfofthenationsover2,000majorwatershedshaveseriousormoderatewaterqualityproblems.ThisCleanWaterActionPlanprovidesablueprintforrestoringandprotectingthenationspreciouswaterresources.TheActionPlanbuildsontheClintonAdministration'saccomplishmentsoverthepastfiveyearsandproposesaggressivenewactionstostrengthentheprogram.AkeyelementintheActionPlanisanewcooperativeapproachtowatershedprotectioninwhichstate,tribal,federal,andlocalgovernments,andthepublicfirstidentifythewatershedswiththemostcriticalwaterqualityproblemsandthenworktogethertofocusresourcesandimplementeffectivestrategiestosolvethoseproblems.TheActionPlanalsoincludesnewinitiativestoreducepublichealththreats,improvethestewardshipofnaturalresources,strengthenpollutedrunoffcontrols,andmakewaterqualityinformationmoreaccessibletothepublic.Welookforwardtoworkingwithyoutoensurethatthenationcontinuestomakesteadyprogressinrestoringandprotectingthehealthofwaterresourcesinwaysthatmakesenseforthecommunitiesthatdependuponthem.Sincerely,  [s]    h      p [s]   x  D*&)   CarolBrownerDanGlickman#XLXXXL#XLXXXLԀ 4+'* ЀAdministratorSecretary#XLXXXLg #XLXXXLԀ $,(+   U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture#XLXXXLC#XLXXXLԀ~~XXL -),    .*- TableofContents#XLX~~Q#   XXL CleanWaterActionPlanOverview      p      x  i >  Introduction    h      p      x  x B #XLX #   XXLISettingtheStage:Successes,Challenges,andNewDirections#XLX x#  x  1 F    ` & &XXLCleanWaterSuccessesandChallenges   p      x  1 J     `  CleanWaterSuccesses     p      x  1 $     `  EconomicBenefitsofCleanWater p      x  2  z    `  FoundationsofSuccess     p      x  3  T    `  TodaysWaterQualityChallenges p      x    7  .     `  ConsequencesofWaterPollution p      x  9       `  ANewInstitutionalArrangement p      x  񀀀10 f     ` TenPrinciplesforRestoringandProtectingAmericasWater  񀀀11#XLX && B#ԛ @  ( XXL  #XLX (o# XXLIIActionstoStrengthenCoreCleanWaterPrograms#XLX #     x  񀀀20      ` & &XXLCleanWaters:HealthyPeople     p    񀀀21      `  ImproveAssurancethatFishandShellfishareSafetoEat x 21 t    `  EnsureBeachesareSafeforSwimming p      x 26 N    `  EnsureWaterisSafetoDrink   p     27 (    `  ReduceExposuretoEndocrineDisruptingPollutants  28     ` EnhanceNaturalResourcesStewardship p      x 29 `    `  StewardshipofFederalLandsandResources    31 :    `  RestoreandProtectAmericasWetlands     x 39     `  ProtectCoastalWaters     p     45 j    `  IncentivesforPrivateLandStewardship     x 48 D    ` StrongPollutedRunoffControls   p      x 53     `  StrengthenStateandTribalPollutedRunoffPrograms  54 |    `  ReduceNutrientOverenrichment p      x 57 V    `  ExpandCleanWaterActPermitControls     x 60 0    `  DevelopIncentivesforReducingPollutedRunoff   x 63      ` ImproveInformationandCitizensRighttoKnow     x 65 `    `  ImproveMonitoringandAssessment p     65 :    `  CitizensRighttoKnow   p      x 68#XLX && #  ( XXL  #XLX (## XXLIIIAmericasWatersheds:TheKeytoCleanWater  #XLX ##  x 71 r      ` & &XXLUnifiedWatershedAssessments   p      x 72 v!!    ` RestoreAquaticSystemHealthonaWatershedBasis    75 P""    `  DefineWatershedRestorationPriorities     x 76 *##    `  WatershedRestorationActionStrategies     x  77 66  $ $    `  WatershedRestorationProgressReport p      79 68    $Z!%    ` BuildStrongPartnershipstoSpeedRestorationandProtection   x  80 68 񛀀 %4"&    `  WatershedAssistanceGrants   p      x  81 69  &#'    `  CommunitiesSupportingWatersheds p      x  82 70  l'#(    `  NationalWatershedAwards   p      x  83 71  F($)    `  ExpandWatershedTraining   p      x  84 72   )%*    `  EnforcementandComplianceAssistance     x  84 72  )v&+    ` WatershedManagementFramework   p      x  85 73  *P',    `  NationalWatershedForum   p      x  85 73  +*(-    `  ProgramCoordinators     p      86 74  ,).    `  ReinventionOpportunities   p      x  87 74  b-)/ #XLX && $#( XXL  #XLX (/# XXLEpilogueTowardtheFuture#XLX U/#      p      88 76  <.*0 ~~XXL  7LXXdXXd7.=ќdO)dO*dO+dO/dO0dOHdOCleanWaterActionPlan:Overview#XLX~~ކ0#Ԁ   R.NRXXLCLEANWATERTHEROADAHEAD#XLXRR.N1#  z Overthepastquartercentury,Americahasmadetremendousstridesincleaningupitsrivers,lakes,andcoastalwaters.In1972,thePotomacRiverwastoodirtytoswimin,LakeEriewasdying,andtheCuyahogaRiverwassopolluteditburstintoflames.Manyriversandbeacheswerelittlemorethanopensewers.Theimprovementinthehealthofthenationswatersisadirectresultofaconcertedefforttoenhancestewardshipofnaturalresourcesandtoimplementtheenvironmentalprovisionsoffederal,state,tribalandlocallaws.Inparticular,theCleanWaterActhasstoppedbillionsofpoundsofpollutionfromfoulingthenation'swater,doublingthenumberofwaterwayssafeforfishingandswimming.Today,rivers,lakes,andcoastsarethrivingcentersofhealthycommunities.05?l 5  Americanshavestoodasoneinsayingnotothingslikedirtywater,andyestogivingour m  childrenanenvironmentasunspoiledastheirhopesanddreams.̄PresidentClinton,May1995#XLXXXL(#@` lQQQQ!5@5XLXXXL  Despitetremendousprogress,40percentofthenationswaterwaysassessedbystatesarestillunsafeforfishingandswimming.Pollutionfromfactoriesandsewagetreatmentplants,soilerosion,andwetlandlosseshavebeendramaticallyreduced.Butrunofffromcitystreets,ruralareas,andothersourcescontinuestodegradetheenvironmentandputsdrinkingwateratrisk.Fishinmanywatersstillcontaindangerouslevelsofmercury,polychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCBs),andothertoxiccontaminants.B7( XXL  CleanWaterProgramataCrossroads#XLX (^9#Ԁ @ After25yearsofprogress,thenationscleanwaterprogramisatacrossroads.Implementationoftheexistingprogramswillnotstopseriousnewthreatstopublichealth,livingresources,andthenationswaterways,particularlyfrompollutedrunoff.Theseprogramslackthestrength,resources,andframeworktofinishthejobofrestoringrivers,lakes,andcoastalareas.TofulfilltheoriginalgoaloftheCleanWaterAct fishableandswimmablewaterforeveryAmericanthenationmustchartanewcoursetoaddressthepollutionproblemsofthenextgeneration.( XXLChartingaNewCourse#XLX (6<#Ԁ &<"" Inhis1998StateoftheUnionAddress,PresidentClintonannouncedamajornewCleanWaterInitiativetospeedtherestorationofthenationspreciouswaterways.Thisnewinitiativeaimstoachievecleanwaterbystrengtheningpublichealthprotections,targetingcommunitybasedwatershedprotectioneffortsathighpriorityareas,andprovidingcommunitieswithnew +('' HdO  HdO  HdO  HdO   resourcestocontrolpollutedrunoff.̜OnOctober18,1997,the25thanniversaryoftheCleanWaterAct,VicePresidentGoredirectedtheDepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)andtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)toworkwithotherfederalagenciesandthepublictoprepareanaggressiveActionPlantomeetthepromiseofclean,safewaterforallAmericans.ThisActionPlanformsthecoreofPresidentClintonsCleanWaterInitiativeinwhichheproposed$568millioninnewresourcesinhisFY1999budgettocarryitout.TheActionPlanbuildsonthesolidfoundationofexistingcleanwaterprogramsandproposesnewactionstostrengtheneffortstorestoreandprotectwaterresources.InimplementingthisActionPlan,thefederalgovernmentwill:̀    "B"0 `   supportlocallyledpartnershipsthatincludeabroadarrayoffederalagencies, P  states,tribes,  communities,businesses,andcitizenstomeetcleanwaterand @  publichealthgoals;"B=B݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      C"0 `   increasefinancialandtechnicalassistancetostates,tribes,localgovernments,  farmers,and  others;andCC݌` (#` (# Ќ      D"0 `   helpstatesandtribesrestoreandsustainthehealthofaquaticsystemsona @   watershedbasis.DD݌ ` (#` (# Ќ    XXLFourToolsforCleanWater#XLX  E#  ` Federal,state,tribal,andlocalgovernmentshavemanytoolstheycanusetocleanupandprotectwaterresources.Regulation,economicincentives,technicalassistance,research,education,andaccurateinformationallhavearoletoplayinmeetingcleanwatergoals.ThisActionPlanisbuiltaroundfourkeytoolstoachievecleanwatergoals.( XXLAWatershedApproach#XLX (G#Ԁ @ ThisActionPlanenvisionsanew,collaborativeeffortbyfederal,state,tribal,andlocalgovernments;thepublic;andtheprivatesectortorestoreandsustainthehealthofwatershedsinthenation.Thewatershedapproachisthekeytosettingprioritiesandtakingactiontocleanuprivers,lakes,andcoastalwaters.( XXLStrongFederalandStateStandards#XLX (UI#Ԁ  &\!# ThisActionPlancallsforfederal,state,andtribalagenciestorevisestandardswhereneededandmakeexistingprogramsmoreeffective.Effectivestandardsarekeytoprotectingpublichealth,preventingpollutedrunoff,andensuringaccountability.( XXLNaturalResourceStewardship#XLX (J# +8') 0dO  Mostofthelandinthenation'swatershedsiscropland,pasture,rangeland,orforests,andmostofthewaterthatendsupinrivers,lakes,andcoastalwatersfallsontheselandsfirst.Cleanwaterdependsontheconservationandstewardshipofthesenaturalresources.ThisActionPlancallsϜonfederalnaturalresourceandconservationagenciestoapplytheircollectiveresourcesandtechnicalexpertisetostateandlocalwatershedrestorationandprotection.( XXLInformedCitizensandOfficials#XLX (RM# @  Clear,accurate,andtimelyinformationisthefoundationofasoundandaccountablewaterqualityprogram.Informedcitizensandofficialsmakebetterdecisionsabouttheirwatersheds.ThisActionPlancallsonfederalagenciestoimprovetheinformationavailabletothepublic,governments,andothersaboutthehealthoftheirwatershedsandthesafetyoftheirbeaches,drinkingwater,andfish.   XXLAWatershedApproachTheKeytotheFuture#XLX  cO#  L ThisActionPlanproposesanewcollaborativeeffortbystate,tribal,federal,andlocalgovernments,theprivatesectorandthepublictorestorethosewatershedsnotmeetingcleanwater,naturalresource,andpublichealthgoalsandtosustainhealthyconditionsinotherwatersheds.Forthepast25years,mostwaterpollutioncontroleffortsreliedonbroadlyappliednationalprogramsthatreducedwaterpollutionfromindividualsources,suchasdischargesfromsewagetreatmentplantsandfactories,andfrompollutedrunoff.Today,thereisgrowingrecognitionthatcleanwaterstrategiesbuiltonthisfoundationandtailoredtospecificwatershedconditionsarethekeytothefuture.( XXLWhyWatersheds?#XLX (R# | Cleanwateristheproductofahealthywatershedawatershedinwhichurban,agricultural,rangelands,forestlands,andallotherpartsofthelandscapearewellmanagedtopreventpollution.Focusingonthewholewatershedhelpsstrikethebestbalanceamongeffortstocontrolpointsourcepollutionandpollutedrunoff,andprotectdrinkingwatersourcesandsensitivenaturalresourcessuchaswetlands.Awatershedfocusalsohelpsidentifythemostcosteffectivepollutioncontrolstrategiestomeetcleanwatergoals.Workingatthewatershedlevelencouragesthepublictogetinvolvedineffortstorestoreandprotecttheirwaterresourcesandisthefoundationforbuildingstrongcleanwaterpartnerships.Thewatershedapproachisthebestwaytobringstate,tribal,federal,andlocalprogramstogethertomoreeffectivelyandefficientlycleanupandprotectwaters.Itisalsothekeytogreateraccountabilityandprogresstowardcleanwatergoals. +8') /dO  ( XXLKeyElementsoftheWatershedApproach#XLX (+W#  ThisActionPlanproposesawatershedapproachbuiltonseveralkeyelements. UnifiedWatershedAssessments.#XLXXXL"7#XLXXXL States,tribes,andfederalagenciescurrentlysetprioritiesfor   Мwatershedactioninmanydifferentways.Forexample,statewaterqualityagenciesaredevelopinglistsofimpairedwaterbodies,definingsourcewaterprotectionareasfordrinkingwater,identifyingcoastalprotectionpriorities,anddefiningpriorityareasforagriculturalassistanceprograms.Similarly,federal,stateandtribalnaturalresourceagenciessettheirprioritiesforwatershedrestorationandprotectioninvariouswaystomeettheirmandatesfornaturalresourceconservation.Theseprocessesaredesignedtomeetvalidobjectives,buttoooftenopportunitiestoworktogethertomeetcommongoalsareoverlooked.ThisActionPlancreatesastrategicopportunityforstatesandtribes,incooperationwithfederallandandresourcemanagersonfederallands,totaketheleadinunifyingthesevariousexistingeffortsandleveragingscarceresourcestoadvancethepaceofprogresstowardcleanwater.Asanumberofstatesandtribeshavedemonstrated,theycanmeetexistingrequirementsmoreefficientlyanddevelopmorecoordinatedandcomprehensiveprioritiesonawatershedbasis.Unifiedwatershedassessmentsareavehicletoidentify:    V]"0 `   watershedsthatwillbetargetedtoreceivesignificantnewresourcesfromthe  PresidentsFY1999budgetandbeyondtocleanupwatersthatarenotmeetingwaterqualitygoals;V]q]݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      ^"0 `   pristineorsensitivewatershedsonfederallandswherecorefederalandstate L programscanbebroughttogethertopreventdegradationofwaterquality;and^^݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      _"0 `   threatenedwatershedsthatneedanextrameasureofprotectionandattention._ `݌ l` (#` (# Ќ  WatershedRestorationActionStrategies. TheActionPlanencouragesstatesandtribesto !L workwithlocalcommunities,thepublic,andfederalenvironmental,naturalresource,andlandmanagementagenciestodevelopstrategiestorestorewatershedsthatarenotmeetingcleanwaterandnaturalresourcegoals.WatershedRestorationActionStrategieswillspelloutthemostimportantcausesofwaterpollutionandresourcedegradation,detailtheactionsthatallpartiesneedtotaketosolvethoseproblems,andsetmilestonesbywhichtomeasureprogress.FundsmadeavailabletofederalagenciesthroughtheFY1999CleanWaterandWatershedRestorationBudgetInitiativewillbeusedtohelpstatesimplementthesestrategies. WatershedPollutionPrevention. Protectingpristineorsensitivewatersandtakingpreventive l*%( actionwhencleanwateristhreatenedbynewactivitiesinthewatershedcanbethemostcost \+&) +dO  effectiveapproachtomeetingcleanwatergoals.ThisActionPlanencouragesstates,tribal,andfederalagenciestobringcoreprogramsandexistingresourcestogethertosupportwatershedpollutionpreventionstrategiestokeepcleanwatersclean. WatershedAssistanceGrants. Federalagencieswillprovidesmallgrantstolocal p organizationsthatwanttotakealeadershiproleinbuildinglocaleffortstorestoreandprotectwatersheds.Thesegrantswillensurethatlocalcommunitiesandstakeholderscaneffectivelyengageintheprocessofsettinggoalsanddevisingsolutionstorestoretheirwatersheds.̜   XXLStrongFederalandStateStandards#XLX  rg#   p  ThisActionPlancallsonfederal,state,andtribalgovernmentstostrengthenexistingprogramstosupportanacceleratedefforttoattackthenationsremainingwaterqualityproblems.Federal,state,andtribalstandardsforwaterqualityandpollutedrunoffarekeytoolsforprotectingpublichealth,preventingpollutedrunoff,andensuringaccountability.SomeofthespecificactionscalledforinthisActionPlanareidentifiedbelow.( XXLImproveAssurancethatFishandShellfishareSafetoEat#XLX (i# @ Federalagencieswillworkwithstatesandtribestoexpandprogramstoreducecontaminantsthatcanmakelocallycaughtfishandshellfishunsafetoeat,particularlymercuryandotherpersistent,bioaccumulativetoxicpollutants,andtoensurethatthepublicgetsclearnoticeoffishconsumptionrisks.( XXLEnsureSafeBeaches#XLX (}k#Ԁ   Federal,state,andlocalgovernmentswillworktoimprovethecapacitytomonitorwaterqualityatbeaches,developnewstandards,andusenewtechnologiessuchastheInternettoreportpublichealthriskstorecreationalswimmers.( XXLExpandControlofStormWaterRunoff#XLX (l#Ԁ ! EPAwillpublishfinalPhaseIIstormwaterregulationsforsmallercitiesandconstructionsitesin1999.EPAwillalsoworkwithitspartnerstomakesurethatexistingstormwatercontrolrequirementsforlargeurbanandindustrialareasareimplemented.( XXLImproveStateandTribalEnforceableAuthoritiestoAddressPollutedRunoff#XLX (Vn#Ԁ t'"$ Federalagencieswillworkwithstatesandtribestopromotetheestablishmentofstateandtribalenforceableauthoritiestoensuretheimplementationofpollutedrunoffcontrolsbytheyear2000. p+&( *dO   ( XXLDefineNutrientReductionGoals#XLX ( p#  EPAwillestablishbytheyear2000numericcriteriafornutrients(i.e.,nitrogenandphosphorus)thatreflectthedifferenttypesofwaterbodies(e.g.,lakes,rivers,andestuaries)anddifferentecoregionsofthecountryandwillassiststatesandtribesinadoptingnumericwaterqualitystandardsbasedonthesecriteria.( XXLReducePollutionfromAnimalFeedingOperations#XLX (q#Ԁ |  EPAwillpublishand,afterpubliccomment,implementanAnimalFeedingOperationsStrategyforimportantandnecessaryactionsonstandardsandpermits.Inaddition,byNovember1998,ϜEPAandUSDAwilljointlydevelopabroad,unifiednationalstrategytominimizetheenvironmentalandpublichealthimpactsofAnimalFeedingOperations.  XXL NaturalResourceStewardship #XLX  ѯs#Ԁ H  Nearly70percentoftheUnitedStates,exclusiveofAlaska,isheldinprivateownershipbymillionsofindividuals.Fiftypercent,or907millionacres,isownedbyfarmers,ranchers,andtheirfamilies.Another400millionacresarefederallands.Mostoftherainfallinthecountryfallsontheselandsbeforeitentersrivers,lakes,andcoastalwaters.Effectivemanagementofthesecroplands,pastures,forests,wetlands,rangelands,andotherresourcesiskeytokeepingcleanwatercleanandrestoringwatershedswherewaterqualityisimpaired.ThisActionPlancommitsallfederalnaturalresourceconservationandenvironmentalagenciestofocustheirexpertiseandresourcestosupportthewatershedapproachdescribedabove.Inaddition,theseagencieswillworkwithstates,tribes,andotherstoenhancecriticalnaturalresourcesessentialtocleanwater.( XXLFederalLandStewardship#XLX (w#  Morethan800millionacresoftheUnitedStates,includingAlaska,isfederalland.Theselandscontainanimmensediversityandwealthofnaturalresources,includingsignificantsourcesofdrinkingwaterandpublicrecreationopportunities.By1999,theU.S.DepartmentoftheInterior(DOI)andUSDAwilltaketheleadindevelopingaUnifiedFederalPolicytoenhancewatershedmanagementfortheprotectionofwaterqualityandthehealthofaquaticsystemsonfederallandsandforfederalresourcemanagement.Federallandmanagerswillimprovewaterqualityprotectionforover2,000milesofroadsandtrailseachyearthrough2005anddecommission5,000mileseachyearby2002.Federallandmanagerswillalsoacceleratethecleanuprateofwatershedsaffectedbyabandonedminesandwillimplementanacceleratedriparianstewardshipprogramtoimproveorrestore25,000milesofstreamcorridorsby2005. $,t') )dO   ( XXLProtectandRestoreWetlands#XLX ({#  ThisActionPlansetsagoalofattaininganetincreaseof100,000wetlandacresperyearbytheyear2005.Thisgoalwillbeachievedbyensuringthatexistingwetlandprogramscontinuetoslowtherateofwetlandlosses,improvingfederalrestorationprograms,andbyexpandingincentivestolandownerstorestorewetlands.( XXLProtectCoastalWaters#XLX (}# l  Federalagencies,ledbytheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA),willworkinpartnershiptoimprovethemonitoringofcoastalwaters,expandresearchofemergingproblemslikePfiesteria,amendFisheryManagementPlanstoaddresswaterqualityissues,andϜensuretheimplementationofstrongprogramstoreducepollutedrunofftocoastalwaters.( XXLProvideIncentivesforPrivateLandStewardship 8 #XLX (#ThisActionPlanreliesonasubstantialincreaseinthetechnicalandfinancialassistanceavailabletoprivatelandownersastheprimarymeansofacceleratingprogresstowardreducingpollutedrunofffromagricultural,range,andforestlands.USDA,workingwithfederal,state,tribal,andprivatepartners,willestablishby2002twomillionmilesofconservationbufferstoreducepollutedrunoffandprotectwatersheds,directnewfundingfortheEnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgramtosupportwatershedrestoration,anddevelopasmanynewagreementswithstatesaspracticabletousetheConservationReserveEnhancementProgramtoimprovewatersheds.ThePlanalsoenvisionsnewandinnovativemethodstoprovideincentivesforprivatelandownerstoimplementpollutionpreventionplans,includingriskmanagementprotectionforadoptionofnewpollutionpreventiontechnologiesandmarketrecognitionforproducersthatmeetenvironmentalgoals.Inaddition,DOIwillexpanditsexistingPartnersforWildlifeProgram,whichrestoresdegradedfishandwildlifehabitatsandimproveswaterqualitythroughpartnershipswithlandowners.Theprogramprovidestechnicalandfinancialassistance,andgivesprioritytothreatenedandendangeredspecies.   XXLInformedCitizensandOfficials 4&!# #XLX  # Effectivemanagementofwaterresourcesrequiresreliableinformationaboutwaterqualityconditionsandnewtoolstocommunicateinformationtothepublic.Federalagencies,ledbytheU.S.GeologicalSurvey(USGS),willworkwithstatesandtribestoimprovemonitoringandassessmentofwaterquality,focusingonnutrientsandrelatedpollutants.Federalagencieswillalsoworkwithstatesandtribestodevelopandusestateoftheartsystems,suchasEPAsIndex $,t') dO   ofWatershedIndicatorsontheInternet,tocommunicatemeaningfulinformationtothepublicaboutwaterqualityconditionsintheircommunities. R.NRXXLCLEANWATERANDWATERSHEDRESTORATION  BUDGETINITIATIVE#XLXRR.NO#  " TosupportthenewandexpandedeffortstorestoreandprotectthenationswatersasproposedinthisCleanWaterActionPlan,thePresidentsFY1999budgetproposesaCleanWaterandWatershedRestorationBudgetInitiative.ThefundingprovidedinthisbudgetinitiativewilldramaticallyincreasefederalfinancialsupportforcleanwaterprogramsinFY1999andbeyond.Specifically,theCleanWaterandWatershedRestorationBudgetInitiativewill:    Ҋ"0 `   ݀increasedirectsupporttostatesandtribestocarryoutawatershedapproachto   cleanwater;Ҋ݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  ݀    ׋"0 `   increasetechnicalandfinancialassistancetofarmers,ranchers,andforestersto   Мreducepollutedrunoffandenhancethenaturalresourcesontheirlands;׋݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      "0 `   fundwatershedassistanceprogramsandgrantstoengagelocalcommunitiesand d citizensinleadershiprolesinrestoringtheirwatersheds;5݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      I"0 `   accelerateprogressinaddressingcriticalwaterqualityproblemsonfederallands, 4 includingthoserelatedtoroads,abandonedmines,riparianareas,andrangelands;Id݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      "0 `   expandandcoordinatewaterqualitymonitoringprograms;and݌T` (#` (# Ќ      k"0 `   increaseeffortstorestorenationallysignificantwatersheds,suchastheFlorida 4 EvergladesandtheSanFranciscoBayDelta.k݌ ` (#` (# Ќ    XXLAContinuingCommitmenttoCleanWater  #XLX  щ# ThepublicationofthisActionPlanisjustthebeginningofalongtermeffort.Manyoftheproposedactionswillprovideforlaterpublicreviewandcommentandfederalagenciesarecommittedtoworkingcloselywithstates,tribes,andotherstoensuresuccessfulimplementationofspecificactions.Inaddition,regularreportswillkeepthepublicapprisedofprogressandremainingchallenges.Bytheendoftheyear2000andperiodicallythereafter,statusreportsonprogressinimplementingwatershedrestorationplansandrelatedprogramswillbeprovidedtothePresident,thenationsgovernors,triballeaders,andthepublic.#XLXXXL=X#XLXXXL}9 4,') .= ,,     `   , МdOdOћ*q & ddd Xdd Xdd X(#(#q,",",8+  ," , )(,#XLXXXL# tXXL?vtԀCleanWaterandWatershedRestoration T( ЀBudgetInitiative #XX?v##XLXXXЖ#XXXXL 'j> ' 'T(3 ' ?5T(3 ( ) (?XX# qܗ# qԀBudgetAuthority$inmillions#XX##XLXXXʘ#XXXXL '| ' '|3 ' D##5|3 ( 1DЀFundingSummaryeXX =##*## =#XXeu# 4* 3## 4 D#5 3 1 (DeXX#2e#e2ԀTotal1999increase#2e#e2 ^#K # @568@^#2eK#e2Ԁ568#2e#e2#XXel# UK@  @568 @# U D#5 3 ( (DeXX#2e5#e2ԀPercentIncrease1999over1998#2eR#e2 =#*# =#2e#e2Ԁ35%#XXe# 4*# 4 D#53 ( (DeXX#2e{#e2ԀTotalIncrease19992003#2e#e2 _#L# D@2338D@_#2e##e2Ԁ2,338#2eġ#e2#XXe?# VLA D@2338 D@# V F##53 ( ( FeXX#2e #e2ԀTotalSpending19992003#2e-#e2 `##M) ## @10516@`#2e٣#e210,516#2e{#e2#XXe# WMB)  @10516 @## W ?5) 3 ( (? 'J  3 ' #XLXXXä#XXXXL1998 #XLXXX#XXXXL I?J  " <@1999<@I #XLXXX1#XXXXLԀ1999 #XLXXX#XXXXL aW?J  " <@1999 ( <@ (a #XLXXX #XXXXLFundingbyAgency #XLXXX#XXXXL 'b 6  ' #XLXXX #XXXXLEnacted #XLXXXy#XXXXL 'b 6 " '#XLXXXȨ#XXXXLԀ Budget #XLXXX4#XXXXL ?5b 6 " ( (?eXX#2e#e2EnvironmentalProtectionAgency:#XXe##XLXXX,#XXXXL 'z N  ' 'z N " ' ?5z N " ( (?eXX#2e#e2StateGrantAssistance#XXec##XLXXX#XXXXL ' f  ' ' f !3 ' ?5 f "3 ( (?eXX#2e #e2ԀPollutedrunoffcontrolgrants(Sec.319)#XXe̬##XLXXX#XXXXL '~ # 'eXX#2e#e2105#XXe##XLXXX-#XXXXL '~ $3 'eXX#2e#e2200#XXeۮ##XLXXX#XXXXL ?5~ %3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2ԀStateprogrammanagementgrants(Sec.106)#XXe##XLXXX%#XXXXL 'n& 'eXX#2e#e296#XXe##XLXXX@#XXXXL 'n'3 'eXX#2e#e2116#XXe##XLXXX/#XXXXL ?5n(3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2ԀWetlandsprotectiongrants#XXe##XLXXX7#XXXXL '^) 'eXX#2e#e215#XXe##XLXXXC#XXXXL '^*3 'eXX#2e#e215#XXe##XLXXX2#XXXXL ?5^+3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2ԀWaterqualitycooperativeagreements#XXe##XLXXX9#XXXXL 'zN, 'eXX#2eǶ#e220#XXe ##XLXXXO#XXXXL 'zN-3 'eXX#2e#e219#XXe##XLXXX>#XXXXL ?5zN.3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2Waterqualityprogrammanagement#XXe##XLXXXE#XXXXL 'j>/ 'eXX#2eʹ#e2248#XXe##XLXXXR#XXXXL 'j>03 'eXX#2e#e2279#XXe##XLXXXB#XXXXL ?5j>13 ( (? eXX#2e#e2ԀTotal,EPA #XXe ##XLXXXM#XXXXL 'Z.2 ' eXX#2eӼ#e2484 #XXe##XLXXX^#XXXXL 'Z.33 ' eXX#2eɽ#e2629 #XXe##XLXXXT#XXXXL ?5Z.43 ( (?eXX#2e#e2DepartmentofAgriculture:#XXe##XLXXX_#XXXXL 'J5 ' 'J63 ' ?5J73 ( (?eXX#2e#e2NaturalResourcesConservationService:EnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram#XXe##XLXXX#XXXXL 'b68 'eXX#2e#e2200*#XXe##XLXXX#XXXXL 'b693 'eXX#2ex#e2300*#XXe##XLXXX#XXXXL ?5b6:3 ( (?eXX#2ei#e2NaturalResourcesConservationService:Locallyledconservation#XXe##XLXXX #XXXXL 'R&; 'eXX#2e#e20#XXe##XLXXX6#XXXXL 'R&<3 'eXX#2e#e220#XXe##XLXXX$#XXXXL ?5R&=3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2NaturalResourcesConservationService:Watershedhealthmonitoring#XXe##XLXXX+#XXXXL 'B> 'eXX#2e#e20#XXe##XLXXX[#XXXXL 'B?3 'eXX#2e#e23#XXe##XLXXXI#XXXXL ?5B@3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2ForestService:Improvewaterqualityonfederallands#XXe ##XLXXXO#XXXXL '2A 'eXX#2e#e2239#XXe0##XLXXXr#XXXXL '2B3 'eXX#2e#e2308#XXe ##XLXXXb#XXXXL ?52C3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2AgricultureResearchService:Watershedhealthresearch#XXe(##XLXXXj#XXXXL '"D 'eXX#2e#e20#XXeL##XLXXX#XXXXL '"E3 'eXX#2e#e22#XXe:##XLXXX|#XXXXL ?5"F3 ( (? eXX#2e#e2ԀTotal,USDA #XXeC##XLXXX#XXXXL 'G ' eXX#2e #e2439 #XXeU##XLXXX#XXXXL 'H3 ' eXX#2e#e2633 #XXeK##XLXXX#XXXXL ?5I3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2DepartmentoftheInterior:#XXeV##XLXXX#XXXXL 'J ' 'K3 ' ?5L3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2BureauofLandManagement:Improvewaterqualityonfederallands#XXe##XLXXX #XXXXL 'M 'eXX#2e#e2133#XXe##XLXXX:#XXXXL 'N3 'eXX#2e#e2157#XXe##XLXXX*#XXXXL ?5O3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2OfficeofSurfaceMining:Cleanstreams#XXe##XLXXX2#XXXXL ' P 'eXX#2e#e25#XXe##XLXXXF#XXXXL ' Q3 'eXX#2e#e27#XXe##XLXXX4#XXXXL ?5 R3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2USGeologicalSurvey:Watermonitoringandassessment#XXe##XLXXX:#XXXXL 'S 'eXX#2e#e2125#XXe##XLXXX\#XXXXL 'T3 'eXX#2e#e2147#XXe ##XLXXXL#XXXXL ?5U3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2FishandWildlifeService:Wetlandsrestoration#XXe##XLXXXT#XXXXL 'V 'eXX#2e#e236#XXe.##XLXXXp#XXXXL 'W3 'eXX#2e#e242#XXe##XLXXX_#XXXXL ?5X3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2BureauofIndianAffairs:Improvewaterqualityontriballands#XXe$##XLXXXf#XXXXL 'Y 'eXX#2e #e20#XXeP##XLXXX#XXXXL 'Z3 'eXX#2e#e25#XXe>##XLXXX#XXXXL ?5[3 ( (? eXX#2e#e2ԀTotal,DOI #XXeG##XLXXX#XXXXL ' \ ' eXX#2e#e2299 #XXeX##XLXXX#XXXXL ' ]3 ' eXX#2e#e2358 #XXeN##XLXXX#XXXXL ?5 ^3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2NationalOceanographicandAtmosphericAdministration:#XXeY##XLXXX#XXXXL '! _ ' '! `3 ' ?5! a3 ( (?eXX#2e9#e2Pollutedrunoffandtoxiccontaminants#XXe##XLXXX*#XXXXL '"!b 'eXX#2e#e20#XXe##XLXXX=#XXXXL '"!c3 'eXX#2e#e213#XXe##XLXXX+#XXXXL ?5"!d3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2Harmfulalgalblooms#XXe##XLXXX2#XXXXL '#"e 'eXX#2e#e20#XXe##XLXXX3#XXXXL '#"f3 'eXX#2e#e29#XXe##XLXXX!#XXXXL ?5#"g3 ( (? eXX#2e#e2ԀTotal,NOAA #XXe##XLXXX*#XXXXL '$#h ' eXX#2e#e20 #XXe##XLXXX<#XXXXL '$#i3 ' eXX#2e#e222 #XXe##XLXXX0#XXXXL ?5$#j3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2ArmyCorpsofEngineers:#XXe##XLXXX:#XXXXL '%v$k ' '%v$l3 ' ?5%v$m3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2Wetlandsprogram#XXei##XLXXX#XXXXL '&%n 'eXX#2e #e2106#XXef##XLXXX#XXXXL '&%o3 'eXX#2e#e2117#XXeV##XLXXX#XXXXL ?5&%p3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2Challenge21:Floodplainrestorationinitiative#XXe^##XLXXX#XXXXL ''~&q 'eXX#2e4#e20#XXez##XLXXX#XXXXL ''~&r3 'eXX#2e"#e225#XXeh##XLXXX#XXXXL ?5'~&s3 ( (? eXX#2e#e2ԀTotal,ACE #XXer##XLXXX#XXXXL '(n't ' eXX#2e:#e2106 #XXe##XLXXX#XXXXL '(n'u3 ' eXX#2e0#e2142 #XXey##XLXXX#XXXXL ?5(n'v3 ( (?eXX#2e&#e2InteragencyProjects:#XXe##XLXXX#XXXXL ')^(w ' ')^(x3 ' ?5)^(y3 ( (?eXX#2eC#e2FloridaEverglades#XXe##XLXXX4#XXXXL '*v)z 'eXX#2e#e2228#XXe##XLXXX3#XXXXL '*v){3 'eXX#2e#e2282#XXe##XLXXX##XXXXL ?5*v)|3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2CaliforniaBayDelta#XXe##XLXXX+#XXXXL '+f*} 'eXX#2e#e285#XXe##XLXXX,#XXXXL '+f*~3 'eXX#2e#e2143#XXe##XLXXX#XXXXL ?5+f*3 ( (?eXX#2e#e2EliminationofoverlapbetweenEvergladesandotherwaterprogramslistedabove#XXe##XLXXX##XXXXL ',V+ 'eXX#2e#e2Ԅ5#XXe##XLXXX_#XXXXL ',V+3 'eXX#2e#e2Ԅ5#XXe ##XLXXXN#XXXXL ?5,V+3 ( (? eXX#2e#e2ԀTotal,InteragencyProjects #XXe##XLXXXX#XXXXL 'r-F, ' eXX#2e#e2308 #XXe8##XLXXXz#XXXXL 'r-F,3 ' eXX#2e#e2420 #XXe. ##XLXXXp #XXXXL ?5r-F,3 ( (?eXX#2e #e2TotalCleanWaterandWatershedRestorationInitiative(withMandatorySpending)#XXe9 ##XLXXX{ #XXXXL 'b.6- 'eXX#2e0 #e21636#XXev ##XLXXX #XXXXL 'b.6-3 'eXX#2e! #e22204#XXeg ##XLXXX #XXXXL ?5b.6-3 ( (?XX# q # q*indicatesMandatorySpendingSource:OfficeofManagementandBudget#XXp ##XLXXX #XXXXL 'R/&. ' 'R/&.3 '-#!R/&.3 ( - -dO,,  #XLXXXq#XLXXXL#XLXXXLe#XLXXXL~~XXL  Introduction#XLX~~#XXLԀ#XLX%#  WiththeenactmentoftheCleanWaterActin1972,thenationrejectedpastpracticesthathadresultedinwidespreadpollutionofrivers,lakes,andcoastalwatersandmadeanewcommitmenttorestoreandmaintainthechemical,physical,andbiologicalintegrityofthenationswaters.Americahashonoreditscommitmenttocleanwater.SinceenactmentoftheCleanWaterAct,thenumberofwatersthataresafeforfishingandswimminghasdoubled.NationalcleanwaterstandardsstopbillionsofpoundsofindustrialpollutionfromflowingintowaterseachyearandthenumberofAmericansservedbysewagetreatmentfacilitieshasmorethandoubled.Before1972,OregonsWillametteRiverwasofflimitstorecreation.ThePotomacRivernearthenationscapitalwasbadlypollutedandunfitforswimming.Today,theseandmanyotherwaterbodiesthatwereonceseverelypollutedarewellonthewaytorecoveryandpeopleareincreasinglyusingthesewatersforfishing,swimming,andotherrecreation.Despiteimpressiveprogress,manyofthenationsrivers,lakes,andcoastalwatersdonotmeetwaterqualitygoals.Manywatersthatarenowcleanfacethethreatofdegradationfromdiversepollutionsources.Statesreportthatcloseto40percentofthewaterstheysurveyedaretoopollutedforbasicuseslikefishingorswimming.Thesuccessincleaninguppollutionfrompointsources(e.g.,factoriesandsewagetreatmentplants)hasnotyetbeenmatchedbycontrolsoverpollutedrunofffromsourcessuchasfarms,urbanareas,forestry,ranching,andminingoperations.Naturalareasthatarecriticaltothehealthofaquaticsystems,suchaswetlands,streamcorridors,andcoastalareas,arenotadequatelyprotected.Inaddition,waterpollutionposesacontinuingthreattopublichealth.Thenumberoffishconsumptionadvisoriesandbeachclosingsisrisingeachyearandnewthreats,suchasthetoxicmicroorganismPfiesteria,demandeffectiveresponses.   XXLRestoringandProtectingAmericasWaters#XLX  V#    OnOctober18,1997,the25thanniversaryoftheenactmentoftheCleanWaterAct,theVicePresidentcalledforarenewedefforttorestoreandprotectwaterquality.TheVicePresidentaskedthattheSecretaryofAgricultureandtheAdministratoroftheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),workingwithotheraffectedagencies,developaCleanWaterActionPlanthatbuildsoncleanwatersuccessesandaddressesthreemajorgoals:  (1)enhancedprotectionfrompublichealththreatsposedbywaterpollution;  (2)moreeffectivecontrolofpollutedrunoff;and  (3)promotionofwaterqualityprotectiononawatershedbasis. Z+&( dO  TheVicePresidentcalledfortheCleanWaterActionPlantobedevelopedwithin120daysandthatitbebasedonthreeprinciples.First,federalagenciesaretodevelopcooperativeapproachesthatpromotecoordinationandreduceduplicationamongfederal,state,andlocalagenciesandtribalgovernmentswhereverpossible.Second,agenciesaretomaximizetheparticipationofcommunitygroupsandthepublic,placingparticularemphasisonensuringcommunityandpublicaccesstoinformationaboutwaterqualityissues.Finally,agenciesaretoemphasizeinnovativeapproachestopollutioncontrol,includingincentives,marketbasedmechanisms,andcooperativepartnershipswithlandownersandotherprivateparties.   XXLABroadandParticipatoryApproach#XLX  Ѣ#  0  TheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)andEPA,incollaborationwithmanyotherfederalagencies,respondedtotheVicePresidentsdirectivebyestablishingabroad,participatoryprocesstoguidethedevelopmentofthisCleanWaterActionPlan.Tenfederalworkgroups,comprisedofalargeanddiversemembershiprepresentingallconcernedfederalagencies,addressedmajortopics,including:watershedmanagement,reducingpollutedrunoff,agriculturalinitiatives,publichealth,wetlands,coastalpollution,andmonitoringandassessment.TheworkgroupsmetfrequentlyanddevelopedtherecommendationsthatformthecoreofthisActionPlan.OnNovember7,1997,USDAandEPAjointlypublishedaFederalRegisternotice(62F.R.60448,November7,1997),thatcontainedthefulltextoftheVicePresidentsmemorandumandinvitedthepublictocommentonactionsthattheagenciesshouldtakeinresponsetothememorandum.About150commenters,includingafullrangeofcitizensandcommunitygroups,businessorganizations,government,andothersrespondedtothenotice.RepresentativesofUSDA,EPA,andotherfederalagenciesalsoheldmeetingstoelicitpubliccommentinAtlanta,Georgia;Columbia,Missouri;andSacramento,California.Federalagenciesalsohadnumerousinformalmeetingsandconsultationswithstate,tribal,andlocalgovernmentleaders,electedofficials,representativesofaffectedgroups,andcitizens.MostcommentersconcurredwiththebroadgoalsdefinedintheVicePresidentsmemorandum.Theircommentsaddressedvarioustopics,andreflectedthefollowingthemes:      %"0 `   Watershedsprovideanappropriatefocusforfutureeffortstorestoreandprotect $0 " waterquality.Manycommentersnotedthatpeoplewillparticipatemostreadilyandactivelyinprotectingthequalityofwatersinareaswheretheyandtheirfamiliesliveandwork.%%݌ ` (#` (# Ќ        ['"0 `   TheCleanWaterActionPlanshouldrelyasmuchaspossibleonexisting )$' frameworks,programs,andmechanisms.Existingprogramsshouldgenerallybeenhancedandmademoreeffective,butnoteliminatedorreplaced.Increased p+&) fundingwasalsorecommendedbymanyasimportanttocleanwaterefforts.['v'݌ ` (#` (# Ќ        J)"0 `   Thefederalgovernmentshouldcontinueitsemphasisonachievingpolluted  runoffpreventiongoals.Anumberofcommentersnotedtheimportanceofreducingpollutedrunoffthroughvoluntaryprogramsandincentives.OtherϢcommentersstressedtheimportantrolethatstate,tribal,andlocalenforceableauthoritiesandincreasedmonitoringplayinensuringthatbestmanagementpracticesareimplementedtoreducepollutedrunoff.Finally,manycommentersidentifiedsignificantgapsintheCleanWaterActsauthorityforaddressingpollutedrunoff.J)e)݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  Basedontheworkoftheinteragencyworkgroupsandcommentsfromthepublic,USDA,EPA,andotherfederalagenciesdevelopedthisActionPlan.   XXLTheCleanWaterActionPlan:BeginningaProcess#XLX  ѩ,#    ThesubmissionofthisCleanWaterActionPlanbeginsaprocess;itdoesnotendone.TheVicePresidentspecificallyaskedthefederalagenciestoestablishanationalconsensusontheissueshighlightedintheActionPlan.ManyoftheelementsofthisActionPlanprovideforadditionaldevelopmentofinformation,assessment,anddialogue.Theseprocesseswillassuremultipleopportunitiesforinputbythepublicbeforesignificantdecisionsaremade.Inadditiontoprovidingopportunitiesforinputonspecificactionitems,theActionPlancallsforpublicationofreportsonoverallprogressofthenewinitiativeinrestoringandprotectingthenationswatersheds.ProgressreportsaretobepresentedtothePresident,thenationsgovernors,triballeaders,andtothepublicattheendoftheyear2000andperiodicallythereafter.~~XXL *<&# Ї   SettingtheStage:Successes,Challenges,andNewDirections z #XLX~~ޓ0# R.NRXXLCLEANWATERSUCCESSESANDCHALLENGES#XLXRR.N1#  4  Forthepast25years,federal,state,territorial,tribal,andlocalgovernmentshaveworkedwiththepublicandbusinessestoimplementavarietyofprogramstoimprovethequalityofthenationswaterresources,includingprogramsestablishedbytheCleanWaterAct,theCoastalZoneManagementAct,the1990and1996FarmBills,andotherlaws.Theseeffortshaveresultedinadramaticreductioninwaterpollutionand,inmanycases,arebirthofthediverseenvironmental,recreational,andeconomicvaluesofmanyofthenationsmosttreasuredwaters.Atthesametime,seriouswaterpollutionproblemspersistthroughoutthecountry.Waterpollutiontodaydegradesthequalityofrivers,lakesandcoastalwaters,butalsoaffectsqualityoflifebyreducingrecreationalopportunities,undermininglocaleconomicprosperity,andthreateningdrinkingwatersuppliesandpublichealth.5?5  Wateristhemostcriticalresourceissueofourlifetimeandourchildrenslifetime.Thehealth g ofourwatersistheprincipalmeasureofhowweliveontheland.̀ h ЄLunaLeopold#XLXXXL#@` jQQQQ!5@5XLXXXL  XXL   CleanWaterSuccesses #XLX  q7# Z AllAmericanscanbeproudoftheprogressthenationhasmadetowardcleanwateroverthepast25years:    n8"0 `   In1972,mostestimateswerethatonly30to40percentofassessedwatersmet j waterqualitygoalssuchasbeingsafeforfishingandswimming.Today,statemonitoringdataindicatethatbetween60to70percentofassessedwatersmeetstatewaterqualitygoals.n88݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      :"0 `   Twentyfiveyearsago,wetlandlosseswereestimatedat460,000acreseachyear. $j Today,wetlandlossesareestimatedtobeaboutonefourthofthatrate.:5:݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      Y;"0 `   Since1982,soilerosionfromcroplandhasbeenreducedbymorethanonethird, &:"! savingoverabilliontonsofsoileachyearandsubstantiallyreducingsediments,nutrients,andotherpollutantsthatreachstreams,lakes,andrivers.Y;t;݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      <"0 `   Twentyfiveyearsago,sewagetreatmentplantsservedonly85millionpeople. *%% Today,thenumberofpeoplewhohaveaccesstoadequatewastewatertreatment +&& facilitieshasmorethandoubled,to173millionpeople.<=݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      w>"0 `   Compliancewithnationalstandardsfordischargesfromindustrialfacilitiesresult  intheremovalofbillionsofpoundsofpollutantsfromwastewatereachyear.w>>݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  Describingwaterqualityaccomplishmentspurelyintermsofstatistics,however,doesnotdothemjusticeandleavesmuchunsaid.ManyAmericanscanstillrememberthedisastrousconditionofmanyofthenationswatersbeforetheCleanWaterAct.AstenchrosefromLakeErie.PeoplesaidtheAndroscogginRiverinMainewas toothicktopaddleandtoothintoplow.TheConnecticutRiverwasthoughtofas thebestlandscapedsewerinthecountry.OregonsWillametteRiverwasofflimitstorecreationandthemightysalmonperished.BostonHarborwascalled Americasdirtiestharbor.AndtheCuyahogaRiverburned.Today,thesewatersarewellonthewaytorecoveryandformsanindividualpieceofthelargersuccessstoryoftheCleanWaterAct.   XXLEconomicBenefitsofCleanWater#XLX  B#   Improvementsinwaterqualitynotonlyconveyaestheticbenefits,buttheyalsogeneratejobsandeconomicgrowth.Therecreationandtourismindustryisthesecondlargestemployerinthenation.Asignificantportionofrecreationalspendingcomesfromwaterrelatedactivities,suchasswimming,boating,sportfishing,andhunting.Eachyear,Americanstakemorethan1.8billiontripstowaterdestinations,largelyforrecreation,spendingmoneyandcreatingjobsintheprocess.Americananglers,whodependoncleanwater,spendroughly$24billionannuallyontheirsport,generating$69billionforthenationseconomy.Thecommercialfishandshellfishingindustrycontributes$45billiontotheeconomy.Thisindustryalsoreliesoncleanwatertosustainthefisheriesanddeliverproductsthataresafetoeat.Farmersusecleanwatertoirrigateabout15percentofAmericanfarmlandstogrowessentialfoodandfiber.Cropsgrownonirrigatedlandsarevaluedatnearly$70billionayearabout40percentofthetotalvalueofallcropssold.Waterqualityimprovementshaveledtoeconomicgainsoneventhemostinfamousofpollutedwaters.LakeErieisrecoveringfromatimewhenpollutionlevelssoaredandbeachclosureswerecommon.Today,LakeEriesupportsa$600millionperyearfishingindustry.AlongtheWillametteRiverinOregon,waterqualityimprovementshaveagainmadepossibleboating,skiing,swimming,andfishing.And,afterthefireontheCuyahogaRiver,muchworkhasbeendonetorevitalizethisoncepollutedurbanriver.NowtheharborareawheretheCuyahogaRiverandLakeEriemeetisbustlingwithpleasureboatersandtourists,generatingsubstantialeconomicrevenuefortheCityofCleveland. p+&)   XXL FoundationsofSuccess #XLX  IJ#  Theprogresstodateinreducingwaterpollutionislargelytheresultoftheaggressiveimplementationofawidearrayofprogramscreatedbythe1972CleanWaterActandotherlaws.Althoughsomeofthemostdramaticsuccesseshavecomefromcontrolofdischargesfromsewagetreatmentandindustrialfacilities,alllevelsofgovernment,theprivatesector,andconcernedcitizens,haveplayedessentialrolesinreducingwaterpollution.( XXLImprovingSewageTreatment   #XLX (L#Perhapsthesinglebiggestreasonforthedramaticprogressinreducingwaterpollutionistheremarkableimprovementinthetreatmentofmunicipalwastewater.Whenleftuntreated,rawsewage,wastewater,andstreetdebriscanspillintowaterways,degradingwaterquality,imposingadangertopublichealth,impairingrecreationalactivities,andlimitingcommercialfishingandshellfishing.5,<5 XXLPotomacRiver:TheJeweloftheNation'sCapital#XLX ڵN#  Twentyfiveyearsago,thePotomacRiverfrequentlycarriedrawsewagethroughthenationscapital.DiseasecausingbacteriaandnuisancealgaebloomsplaguedthePotomac.Fishkillsandpublichealthwarningswerecommon.Asaresultofdramaticimprovementsinsewagetreatment,fundedinlargepartbytheCleanWaterAct,fishandwildlifearereturningtothePotomac.Fallmigratingwaterfowl,absentintheestuaryfor15winters,havereturnedandlengthenedtheirstay.Residentsandvisitorsregularlyenjoywalkingandjoggingitsbanks,fishing,windsurfing,andwaterskiing.Annualbenefitsfromwaterpollutioncontrolinvestmentsareestimatedtobeworth$90150million.#XLXXXLQ7#@7J$!!qq!N@XLXXXLFederal,state,tribal,andlocalgovernmentsmadethissuccesspossiblebyinvestingcloseto$100billionsince1972.Butperhapsmoreimportantthanprovidingfunds,theCleanWaterActprovideduniformnationaltreatmentstandards(i.e.,secondarytreatment)forallsewagetreatmentsystemsacrossthecountry.Thisnationalcommitmenttoasinglesewagetreatmentgoalhelpedovercomeextendeddebatesovertreatmentlevelsandforgedapartnershipamongengineeringprofessionals,constructioncontractors,andgovernmentthatbecamethefoundationforthesuccessfulconstructionofalmost14,000municipalsewagetreatmentfacilities.( XXLControllingIndustrialWaste#XLX (U#Ԁ D'"# Progressinimprovingwaterqualitydoesnotresultfromsewagetreatmentalone.Controlsoverthousandsofindustrialdischargeswereimposedatthesametimethatmunicipalitieswereimprovingsewagetreatmentfacilitiesnationwide. 0,'( Today,morethan50majorcategoriesofindustrycomplywithnational,minimumstandardsforthedischargeofconventionalandtoxicpollutants.Compliancewiththesenationalstandardsresultsintheremovalofbillionsofpoundsofconventionalpollutantsandmorethanonebillionpoundsoftoxicwaterpollutantsfromindustrialdischargeseachyear.( XXLOtherCleanWaterActPrograms#XLX (W# `  Federalagenciesworkwithstates,territories,tribes,andlocalgovernmentstoimplementanumberofothercleanwaterprogramsthathavemadevitalcontributionstomaintainingandimprovingwaterquality.    /Y"0 `   TheCleanWaterActrequiresthatsewagetreatmentplants,industries,andother L  pollutiondischargershavedischargepermits.Inmoststatesandterritories,EPAhasauthorizedstatestoissuethesepermits.Wherenationalminimumtreatmentstandardsarenotstrictenoughtoensurethatawaterbodymeetsitsgoals,thesepermitsrequireadditionaltreatment.Byenforcingtheserequirements,statesandthefederalgovernmentprotectpublichealthandtheenvironment./YJY݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      ["0 `   Statesandanumberoftribesareorganizedtoimplementprogramsundersection , 319oftheCleanWaterActtoreducepollutedrunofffrom nonpointordiffusesources.Awidevarietyofactivitiesunderwaybystatesandtribesaresuccessfullyaddressingwaterqualityproblemscausedbynonpointsourcepollution.[[݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      ]"0 `   Local,state,tribal,andfederalgovernmentsoverseeprogramstoensureindustries | dischargingintosewagetreatmentplants pretreattheirwastetoremovepollutantsthatposeathreattowaterqualityortothesafeoperationoftheplant.]]݌ ` (#` (# Ќ   XXL5,<5ReducingIndustrialPollution#XLX (_#  In1987,EPAissuednationalstandardslimitingthedischargeofpollutantsfromtheorganic  3 chemicals,plastics,andsyntheticfibersindustries.Theseindustriesincludefacilitiesthatmanufacturesuchproductsasindustrialgradecoaltar,naturalgas,andpetroleumbasedorganicchemicals.Approximately1,000ofthesefacilitiesareintheUnitedStatesmainlylocatedincoastalregionsoronwaterwaysnearlargepopulationcenters.EPAsetlimitsonthedischargeofmorethan60pollutants,includingavarietyoforganicpollutants,heavymetalsandcyanide.EPAestimatedthatthesenationalstandardswereresponsibleforreducingpollutantdischargesofconventionalpollutantsby108millionpoundsannuallyandtoxicpollutantsbyalmost24millionpoundsannually.@7J*F&!!qq!G_@( XXL#(  ([R#(  ( *F&' ЇConservationofAgriculturalandForestLand#XLX (?c#  USDAoverseesseveralconservationprogramsthatreducesoilerosion,preventpollutionofstreamsandlakes,improvewaterquality,establishaquaticlifeandwildlifehabitats,andenhanceforestandwetlandresources.Manyfederallandsandwatersheds,suchasnationalforests,parks,grasslands,andwildliferefuges,representsomeofthenationsmostpristineandvaluablenaturalresources.Federallandmanagersareresponsibleforprotectingthesewaters.ProgramssuchastheConservationReserveProgramandtheWetlandsReserveProgramencouragefarmerstorestoreenvironmentallysensitiveacres.TheConservationReserveProgramencouragesfarmerstoconverthighlyerodiblecroplandorotherenvironmentallysensitiveacreagetovegetativecover,suchastameornativegrasses,wildlifeplantings,trees,filterstrips,orriparianbuffers.Currently,thisprogramprotectsandrestoresupto36.4millionacresofthemosthighlyerodibleandenvironmentallysensitiveagriculturallands.TheWetlandsReserveProgramisavoluntaryprogramtorestoreandprotectwetlandsonprivateproperty.Itprovideslandownersfinancialincentivesthroughpurchaseofeasementsandcostsharingagreementstorestorewetlandsontheirlands.Nearlyonemillionacresofwetlandsarescheduledforrestorationunderthisprogrambytheyear2002.TheEnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgramandtheWildlifeHabitatIncentivesProgramprovidelandownerswithtechnical,educational,andfinancialassistancetoimprovethemanagementoftheiroperationstopreventpollutionandenhancewildlifehabitat.Theseprogramshelpproducersimprovetheirmanagementofnutrientsandpesticides,reduceerosion,andadoptinnovativegrazingmanagementsystemsandotherpracticestoprotectwaterqualityandwildlifehabitat.Morethan35millionacresofagriculturallandwillbeprotectedthroughtheseprogramsby2002.Throughapartnershipwithstateforesters,theForestStewardshipProgramhashelpedlandownersdevelopcomprehensiveplansformillionsofacresofprivateforestlandssince1990.Othercooperativeprograms,suchasForestLegacyandtheUrbanandCommunityForestryProgram,helpconserveforeststhreatenedbygrowthanddevelopmentandrestorevaluableforestsinurbanwatersheds.Todate,morethan100,000acreshavebeenprotectedunderconservationeasementsthroughtheForestryLegacyProgram.UrbanforestryassistancehasbeenprovidedtothousandsofcommunitiesthroughprogramssuchastheUrbanResourcesPartnership.Throughcooperativeeffortswithstates,tribes,andotherpartiesinspecificwatershedssuchasFloridasEverglades,theSanFranciscoBayDelta,thePlatteRiverBasin,theColumbiaBasin,thePacificNorthwestforests,andtheColoradoRiverBasin,federallandandresourcemanagershavefocusedattentionandresourcesonresolvingwaterqualityissues.Forexample,over500NationalWildlifeRefugestotalingnearly100millionacressupportandprotectwatershedswithintheirriverbasins.The376unitsoftheNationalParkSystemincludesomeofthenationsmostpristinewaters.Federallandmanagersareresponsibleforprotectingover180,000milesofriparianstreams,and16millionacresofwetlandsareprotectedwithinthe \+&) 270millionacresmanagedbytheBureauofLandManagement(BLM)in10westernstatesandAlaska.Federallandmanagershaveundertakenhundredsofactionstobuildwatershedpartnerships,improvethedeliveryoffederalprograms,andpioneerwatershedandecosystemapproachestolandmanagementandpollutionpreventiononfederallands.( XXLProtectingandRestoringCoastalWaters#XLX (r#  XXLԀ#XLX  r# `  Anumberofprogramshavebeenestablishedtoprotectandrestorecoastalresources.InadditiontothegeneralwaterpollutioncontrolprogramsundertheCleanWaterAct,theNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA)intheDepartmentofCommerceimplementsarangeofprogramstoprotectcoastalwatersandworkswithcoastalstatestoimplementprogramstoprotectcoastalresourcesundertheCoastalZoneManagementAct.Recognizingtheseriousnessandmagnitudeofpollutedrunoffinthedegradationofcoastalresourcesandwaterquality,Congressenactedlegislationin1990expandingthecoastalzonemanagementprogramtospecificallyaddresspollutedrunoffincoastalareas.Today,29coastalstatesandterritorieshavedevelopedprogramstopreventpollutedrunofftocoastalwaters;NOAAandEPAhaveapprovedmostofthese,withconditionsforfurtherimprovements.Additionally,in1987,theCleanWaterActwasamendedtoestablishtheNationalEstuaryProgramtoprotectandrestorethehealthofestuariesandtosupporteconomicandrecreationalactivities.Theprogrambringstogetherawidevarietyofstakeholderstoprovideforthehealthoftheestuary.Currently,28estuaryprogramsaroundthecountryaredemonstratingpracticalandinnovativewaystorevitalizeandprotecttheirestuaries. XXL5,p5RestoringtheFloridaEverglades 1 #XLX }x#TheEvergladesisoneofthenationsuniquenationaltreasures,whosenaturalsystemssustain g SouthFloridaseconomyandqualityoflife.Overthepastcentury,changesinlandandwaterusehavealteredtheflowandcontentofthewaterthathassustainedsouthFloridaandresultedinthelossofoverhalfoftheoriginalEverglades.Therestorationofthis60milewideand300milelongwatershedisthelargestecosystemrestorationefforteverundertakenandisoneoftheAdministrationshighestpriorities.InpartnershipwiththeStateofFloridaandtribalandlocalgovernments,theAdministrationisworkingtoimprovewaterquality,restorenaturalhydropatterns,andreducethelossofwaterfromthewatershedtomeettheneedsoftheenvironmentandtheeconomy.Thiseffortservesasamodelforthecoordinationoffederalagencyactivitiesandtheinvolvementofgovernment,public,andprivateinterestsinimprovingwaterqualityandquantityproblemsinawatershed.#XLXXXLc#@/` )(%!!qq!x@XLXXXL( XXLProtectingWetlands#XLX (}# +'( ЇWetlandsareessentialtoprotectingwaterqualityandhealthofaquaticsystems.TheUnitedStatesiscontinuingtolosewetlands,butthelosshasslowedtoaratewellbelowthatexperiencedinthe1970sand1980s,accordingtoreportsfromtheUSDAandtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.FactorscontributingtothemarkeddeclineinthelossrateincludeimplementationandenforcementofthewetlandspermittingprogramoftheCleanWaterAct;state,tribal,andlocalwetlandregulatoryprograms;increasedpublicawarenessandsupportforconservation;expansionoffederal,state,tribal,local,andprivatesectorrestorationprogramsthathavecontributed78,000acresayeartothenationalwetlandsbase;enactmentofSwampbuster,WetlandsReserve,andConservationReservemeasuresintheFarmBillssince1985;andadeclineintheprofitabilityofconvertingwetlandsbroughtaboutby1986taxreform.  XXL TodaysWaterQualityChallenges #XLX  ѹ#Ԁ 0  Despitesignificantprogressinreducingwaterpollution,seriouswaterqualityproblemspersistthroughoutthecountry.Thebottomlineoftheassessmentsdescribedbelowisthatabout1,000oftheover2,000watershedsnationallyareinneedofrestorationandprotectioneffortsinordertomeetcleanwatergoals.( XXLTooManyWatersAreImpaired#XLX (#Ԁ  Everytwoyears,statesreportontheconditionoftheirwatersandtheEPAprovidesasummaryreportofthisinformationtoCongress.In1996,thestatesfoundthat:    "0 `   Oftheriversandstreamssurveyed(19percentofallstreammiles),36percent  werepartiallyorfullyimpairedandwaterqualitythreatenedinanadditionaleightpercent.Ƅ݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      "0 `   Ofthesurveyedlakes(40percentofalllakeacres),39percentwerepartiallyor | fullyimpaired,withwaterqualitythreatenedinanadditional10percent.݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      L"0 `   Oftheestuariessurveyedbycoastalstates(72percentofallestuarinewaters)38 L" percentarereportedtobepartiallyorfullyimpaired,withwaterqualitythreatenedinanadditionalfourpercent.Lg݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      "0 `   OftheGreatLakesshoremilessurveyed(94percentofallshoremiles),97  &\!# percentwerereportedtobepartiallyorfullyimpaired,withwaterqualitythreatenedinanadditionalonepercent.ۈ݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  Basedonwaterqualitymonitoring,statesandtribesidentifywaterbodiesthatdonotmeetorarenotexpectedtomeetwaterqualitystandardsevenafterimplementationofnationalminimumcontrolsoversewageandindustrialdischarges.In1996,statesandtribesidentifiedabout15,000 +&) waterbodiesnotmeetingwaterqualitygoals.StatesareintheprocessofrevisinglistsofimpairedwatersforsubmissiontotheEPAinApril1998.( XXLIndexofWatershedIndicatorsAWatershedView#XLX (#  Conventionalwaterqualitymonitoringidentifiesinstanceswherepollutantlevelsinariversegmentexceedsafelevelsforthespecificpollutant.Thisinformationisuseful,butdoesnotpresentafullpictureofthehealthoftheaquaticsystem.Inordertobetterdescribetheoverallhealthofaquaticsystemsonawatershedscale,EPAworkedwithotherfederalagencies,states,tribes,andprivateorganizationstoproducetheIndexofWatershedIndicators. \   TheIndexofWatershedIndicatorsorganizesinformationon15indicatorsofwatershedhealth <  andusesthemtoassesstheconditionandvulnerabilitytofuturedegradationoftheaquaticsystemineachofthemorethan2,000watershedsinthecountry.Theseindicatorsincludeconventionalwaterqualitydataaswellasinformationonsedimentcontamination,fishconsumptionadvisories,wetlandslossrates,soilloss,andotherenvironmentalconditions.InOctober1997,EPAreleasedthefirstIndexofWatershedIndicatorsreportandprovidedthe < informationtothepublicthroughtheInternet(http://www.epa.gov/surf/iwi).TheIndexsuggests , that:    P"0 `   SixteenpercentofthewatershedsinthecontinentalUnitedStateshavegood  waterquality;Pk݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      Q"0 `   Thirtysixpercenthavemoderatewaterqualityproblems;Ql݌|` (#` (# Ќ      #"0 `   Twentyonepercenthaveseriouswaterqualityproblems;and#>݌\` (#` (# Ќ      "0 `   Twentysevenpercentofthewatershedslacksufficientinformationtomakean < overallassessment.Inaddition,theIndexofWatershedIndicatorsrevealsthatonein14ofthenationswatershedsarevulnerabletofutureproblems.݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  ( XXLOtherPerspectivesonWaterQuality#XLX (z#Ԁ !L Thereareseveralotherimportantperspectivesontheconditionofthenationswaters:̀    _"0 `   TheU.S.GeologicalSurveyintheDepartmentoftheInteriormonitorsand %H!# studieswaterresources.ItsNationalWaterQualityAssessment(NAWQA)Programisdesignedtoevaluatewaterqualityconditionsacrossmorethan50riverbasinandaquifersystemsnationwide,coveringmorethan60percentofthepopulation.NAWQAstudieshaveidentifiedsomeimprovingwaterqualityconditionsandareasofconcern.Forexample,althoughsomemetals(e.g.,lead)havedecreasedinenvironmentalconcentrationsoverthelast20years,several +&) metals(e.g.,arsenicandzinc)exhibitincreasingtrends._z݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      h"0 `   NOAAconductsextensivemonitoringofcoastalwatersandoflivingresources  thatrelyonthesewaters.NOAAsStatusandTrendsprogramandotherreportsindicatethathabitatloss,pollution,andoverfishinghavereducedpopulationsofcoastalfishandotherspeciestohistoricallylowlevelsofabundanceanddiversity.Rapidpopulationgrowthandincreasingdemandforrecreationandeconomicdevelopmentinmanycoastalareashavedegradednaturalresourcesandhaveledtodeclinesinbothenvironmentalintegrityandgeneralproductivity.h݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  ݀    4"0 `   Contaminationofthenationswatersfromatmosphericsourcesisapervasiveand `  complexproblem.Notonlyarethesourcesoftoxiccontaminantsintheairdiverseincludingfossilfuelcombustion,incinerators,mobilesources,andindustrialandagriculturalactivitybutwindcurrentsoftencarrythesesubstancesforlongdistancesbeforetheyaredeposited.Asmuchas90percentofcertaintoxicpollutantsintheGreatLakeshasbeenattributedtoairbornedeposition.4O݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  ݀    "0 `   TheEnvironmentalMonitoringandResearchInitiative,organizedthroughthe  NationalScienceandTechnologyCouncilsCommitteeonEnvironmentandNaturalResources,isdesignedtocoordinateandintegrateagencyeffortsandtoimprovethescientificinformationbaseandothernaturalresourceassessmentanddecisionmaking.֞݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  ( XXLPollutedRunoffistheMostImportantSourceofWaterPollution#XLX (# @ Leadingcausesofwaterqualityimpairmentsreportedbystatesincludesiltation,nutrients,bacteria,oxygendepletingsubstances,metals,habitatalteration,pesticides,andorganictoxicchemicals.Themajorityofthispollutionresultsfrompollutedrunoff(seetablebelow).Nationally,agricultureisthemostextensivesourceofwaterpollution,affecting70percentofimpairedriversandstreamsand49percentofimpairedlakeacres.Othernationalorregionalsourcesincludemunicipalpointsources,hydrologicandhabitatmodification,urbanrunoffandstormwater,resourceextraction,removalofstreamsidevegetation,andforestry.   XXLConsequencesofWaterPollution#XLX  ţ#  #,! Waterpollutionclearlydegradesenvironmentalquality,butitalsodiminishesrecreationalandeconomicopportunitiesandposesclearthreatstopublichealth.Thereisgrowingevidencethatdegradationofrivers,lakes,andcoastalwaterstakesatollonrecreationandtheeconomy.    n"0 `   IntheGulfofMexico,ahypoxiczone(anareawithlowlevelsofoxygen), )%' threatensthelivelihoodoffishermen.TheareaisaffectedbyexcessamountsofnutrientsfromtheMississippiRiverwatershed,whichultimatelydrainsintothe +&) GulfofMexico.n݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      $"0 `   Ofthenations382millionacresofcroplands,over70millionacressuffer  erosionratesthatthreatenlongtermproductivity.Poorlandmanagementandagriculturalpracticesdirectlyaffecthundredsofthousandsofthenationssurfacewaters.$?݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      ƨ"0 `   Pollutedrunofffromurbanandagriculturalareasaddssedimentintowatersthat @  carryitdownstreamanddeposititintoharborsorreservoirs.Federalandnonfederaldredgingincoastalareasandthedisposalofdredgedmaterialscostsabout$1billionperyear.ƨ݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  Perhapsmostimportant,thereisgrowingrecognitionthatwaterpollutionposesseriousthreatstopublichealth.    "0 `   IncertainMarylandandVirginiatributariestotheChesapeakeBayandinthe  NeuseRiverinNorthCarolina,themicroorganismPfiesteriahaskilledfishandmayposearisktopeople.Otherharmfulalgalbloomsandbiotoxinshavealsoaffectedthehealthandtakenthelivesofpeople,inadditiontoharmingfish,shellfish,andotherwildlife.Pfiesteriaandharmfulalgalbloomshavebeenassociatedwithexcessivenutrientsinwater.݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      E"0 `   Peoplehavebecomesickenedandasmanyas100havediedinMilwaukeefrom P ingestingCryptosporidium,adiseasecausingmicroorganismindrinkingwater.E`݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      "0 `   In1996,2,193fishconsumptionadvisorieswereissuedin48states.Mercury,  p PCBs,chlordane,dioxin,andDDTwereresponsibleforalmostallfishconsumptionadvisoriesin1996.݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  ݀    ܯ"0 `   Coastalstatesreportunhealthylevelsofpollutionrelatedbacteriaatswimming 0 beaches;thereweremorethan2,500beachclosingsandadvisoriesin1996.Illnessescausedbythesebacteriaareofspecialconcerntofamilieswithchildren.ܯ݌ ` (#` (# Ќ      r"0 `   Pollutedrunoffanddischargesfromthousandsofabandonedminescausewater #! qualitydegradation,diminishrecreationaluses,threatendrinkingwatersources,andharmfishandwildlifehabitat.r݌ ` (#` (# Ќ     XXLANewInstitutionalArrangement#XLX  Բ#  `'"% Today,federal,state,tribal,andlocalgovernmentsmanageacomplexarrayofprogramstoidentify,restore,andprotectwatershedsandtomonitorprogresstowardcleanwatergoals.NewfederalprogramshavebeenenactedthroughtheSafeDrinkingWaterAct,the1996FarmBill, p+&) coastalnonpointsourceprogramsundertheCoastalZoneManagementAct,andstatenonpointsourceprogramsundertheCleanWaterActneedtobebetterintegratedwithexistingprogramstoprotectandrestorewatersheds.Inaddition,hundredsofwatershedpartnershipsthathavesprungupacrossthecountrytoaddressamultiplicityofwaterqualityandnaturalresourceconcernsareoftenimplementedindependentlyandmissopportunitiestoleverageresourcesandtalent.Businessesareincreasinglymarshalingtheirresourcesandexpertisetopreventpollutionandsolvelocalenvironmentalproblems.Thesedevelopmentscreatenewopportunitiestoachievecleanwatergoalsfasterandmoreeffectively.ThisActionPlanoutlinesanewinstitutionalarrangementtobringalltheseresourcestogetherincreativewaystosolvethisnationsremainingwaterpollutionproblems.R.NRXXL TENPRINCIPLESFORRESTORINGANDPROTECTING @  AMERICASWATERS #XLXRR.N#Ԁ B  In1972,respondingtopublicoutrageoverthedeplorableconditionofthenationswaters,CongressenactedtheCleanWaterAct.Americascleanwaterprogramhasbeenaspectacularsuccessperhapsoneofthebestexamplesinthepostwareraofthepowerofthegovernmenttodogood.Thissuccessislargelytheresultofanaggressivepolicyforrestoringandprotectingcleanwaterthatwasestablishedin1972andthatessentiallyhasremainedunchangedfor25years.ThebasicapproachintheCleanWaterActforthelast25yearshasbeensuccessivelymorestringentcontrolof pointsourcesofwaterpollutionprimarilyfactoriesandcitysewers,alongwithcontrolsonactivitiesthatdestroywetlands.Inthelastdecade,CleanWaterActauthoritieshavebeenstrengthenedseveraltimesbycomplementarychangesandevents.Theseincludechangesinfederalfarmpoliciestosubstantiallyimprovetechnicalandfinancialassistancetofarmerstoprotecttheenvironment,newchangesinfederallandmanagementpoliciestoincreaseprotectionofaquaticresourcesandwatersheds,newauthoritiestoprotectcoastalwaters,andariseinthenumberofbroadbasedwatershedorganizations.The25thanniversaryoftheCleanWaterActisagoodopportunitytoreflectonthepastandontheroadahead.Whathasbeenaccomplished?Whatstillneedstobedone?Whatworkedwellandwhatcanbeimproved?Howhavescienceandsocietychangedanddothesechangesofferwaystodothingsbetter?Askingthesequestionsaboutthenationalcleanwaterprogramsuggestssomegeneralprinciplestoguidecleanwatereffortsinthefuture.Tenkeyprinciplestoguidecleanwatereffortsintheyearstocomearedescribedbelow.TheseprinciplesprovideanoverallcontextforthespecificinitiativesproposedinthisCleanWaterActionPlanandforinvestmentsofadditionalfederalfundsproposedintheFY1999CleanWaterandWatershedRestorationInitiative.Severalprinciplesreaffirmkeyelementsofthecleanwaterprogramdefinedin1972.Takentogether,however,theseprinciplessuggestanewcourse +4') forthenationscleanwaterprogramanditsevolutionbasedonassessmentofpastexperienceandanticipatedchangesinthebroaderarenainwhichitwilloperate.  XXL 1.StrongCleanWaterStandards #XLX  ѿ#  Thestrongcleanwaterstandardsestablishedinthe1972CleanWaterActandothersubsequentstatuteshaveservedthenationwell.Government,industry,andthepublichavemadetheCleanWaterActwork;arenewedcommitmenttothesebaselineprogramswillbeakeypartoffinishingthecleanupofthenationswaters.Nationalminimumstandardsthatlimitpollutionfromsewagetreatmentplantsandfactorieshaveresultedinmostofthenationsprogressinreducingwaterpollution.Thesenationalstandardsensurethateverydischargermeetsorbeatstheperformanceofthebesttechnologyavailable.Withthesenationalstandardsinplace,localareasarenotaskedtochoosebetweencleanwaterandkeepingjobs,andindustriesdonotthreatentorelocateifaskedtocleanupwaterpollution.Further,nationalsewagetreatmentstandardsmakesurethateverycommunitydoesitsfairsharetocleanupwaters.Preservingthesestandardsandestablishingnationalstandardsforadditionalindustrialcategoriesarecriticaltomaintainingprogressincleaningupthewater. XXL5, 5RiverActionTeamsCatalystforWatershedRestoration A #XLX ځ#TheTennesseeValleyAuthoritysCleanWaterInitiativeishelpingcommunitiessetandachieve w localgoalsforwatershedimprovementthroughRiverActionTeamsassignedtoeachoftheregions12watersheds.Theseteamsserveasacatalystforlocalaction.Theyhelptobringstakeholderstogether,identifyproblems,buildsupportforsolutions,securetechnicalandfinancialresources,ordowhateverelsemaybenecessarytoenablethecommunitytoaddresswaterresourceproblems.TVAsWheelerElkRiverActionTeam,forexample,hasgarneredthesupportandparticipationoflandownersand20differentagenciesandorganizationsineffortstoenhancewaterqualityinthePaintRockRiverinnorthernAlabama.Therivercontains98fishand44musselspecies,manythreatenedbysedimentation.Thecooperativeinitiativeinvolvesstabilizingstreambanks,implementingbestmanagementpractices,andincreasingpublicawareness.#XLXXXL}#@/` Y$!!qq!@XLXXXLEPAhasdefinedwaterquality criteriaforover100specificwaterpollutants.Thesecriteriadrawonthebestsciencetoensurethatawaterbodyiscleanenoughforbasicusesestablishedbythestate(e.g.,fishing,swimming).Statesandtribesusethesecriteriaasthebasisforadoptingenforceablewaterqualitystandardsforspecificpollutants.EPAreviewsandapprovesordisapprovesthestandards.Nowthatmanypollutionsourceshaveimplementedbasictreatmentrequirements,waterqualitystandardswillplayacriticalroleindefiningproblemareasandsettingpollutionreductiongoals.EPAwilldevelopstrongcriteriafornitrogenandphosphorus +)'( thatprotectpublichealthandtheenvironment;expandeffortstoassesstheoverallhealthofwaters;andworkwithstatesandtribestoassuretheadoptionofafullsetofneededwaterqualitystandards.TheenforceablemechanismforimplementingwaterpollutioncontrolrequirementsisthedischargepermitrequiredundertheCleanWaterAct.Forthepastdecade,mostdischargepermitshavebeenissuedbystateagencieswithoversightbyEPA.Dischargepermitsareaproventoolforreducingwaterpollution.Existingpermitsmustbereviewedandrevisedinatimelymannerandkeytypesofunpermitteddischarges(e.g.,certainanimalfeedingoperations,stormwaterdischargesfromsmallcitiesandtowns)mustbebroughtintothepermitprogram.   XXL2.CleanWater:HealthyPeople#XLX  G#  P  TheprimaryobjectiveoftheCleanWaterActistoprotectthe chemical,physicalandbiologicalintegrityofwater.Aggressiveeffortstoreducewaterpollutionoverthepast25yearshavealsohaddramaticbenefitsforpublichealth.Advancesinpollutioncontrol,medicine,andsciencehavesweptasidetheconcernsofpastgenerationsthatdrinkingwaterandswimminginalakeoratthebeachposedariskofcholera,polio,andotherdiseases.Despitedramaticprogress,waterpollutionstillposesseriousthreatstohumanhealth.Thepotentialofpollutedrunofftocauseseriousillnessisnowbetterunderstood.Microorganisms,suchasPfiesteriaandCryptosporidium,arerecognizedasthreatstohumanhealth.Thereisgrowingrecognitionofthevalueofkeepingsourcesofdrinkingwatercleantoreducetheneedfortreatmentandassociatedcostsfortreatmentplants.Inareaswherethefisharecontaminatedwithmercuryandotherlonglastingpollutants,statesissueadvisoriesrecommendingthatlocalpopulationsorsensitivepopulationslimitfishconsumption.Thankstobettermonitoring,beachclosuresasaresultofwaterpollutionthreatstoswimmersareincreasing.Recentstudiessuggestthatsomewaterpollutantsmaybedisruptingtheendocrinesystemsofaquaticspecies,wildlife,andhumans.Toreducehumanhealththreatsfromwater,fish,andshellfish,federal,state,territorial,tribal,andlocalgovernmentsmustworktogethertomoreclearlyestablishandenforcepublichealthstandardsandprograms.Employingawatershedframeworkandimprovingcoordinationbetweencleanwaterandsafedrinkingwaterprogramsatalllevelsofgovernmentisacriticalpartofthiseffort.   XXL3.WatershedManagement:#XLX  ш#  $0 " TheKeytotheFutureForthepast25years,mostwaterpollutioncontroleffortsreliedonnationwideprogramsthataddressedthebiggestsourcesofwaterpollution,suchasdischargesfromsewagetreatmentplantsandfactories.Today,however,thereisagrowingrecognitionoftheneedtobettercoordinatetheimplementationofnationalprogramsinspecificgeographicareas.Forwaterresources,watershedsprovideanappropriategeographicunitofmanagement. +') Watershedmanagementfostersthecoordinatedimplementationofprogramstocontrolpointsourcedischarges,reducepollutedrunoff,andprotectdrinkingwaterandsensitivenaturalresourcessuchaswetlands.Awatershedapproachhighlightsopportunitiestogobeyondreducingchemicalcontaminationtothinkaboutwaystoenhancetheoverallhealthoftheaquaticsystemandpreservebiodiversity.Watershedmanagementalsofostersgreaterinterestandinvolvementfromthepublicandprovidesafoundationforpartnershipsamonggovernment,thepublic,andtheprivatesector.Thesuccessfulevolutionofcleanwaterprogramstoawatershedapproachwillrequirethecommitmentandleadershipofthestatesandtribes,manyofwhicharenowmovingtowardtheimplementationofwaterqualityprogramsonawatershedbasis.Astheyhavelearned,integrationofdiversecleanwaterprogramsatthewatershedlevelrequiresintimateknowledgeoftheenvironmentalconditionsinawatershedandthemixofagenciesandinstitutionsthatmustplayapartinachievingacoordinatedandcomprehensivesolutiontoproblems.Federalagenciescanprovidetechnicalandfinancialhelptofacilitatewatershedmanagement,butstateandtriballeadershipisessentialtobringalllevelsofgovernment,theprivatesector,andthepublictogethertomakewatershedmanagementwork.Finally,ifthecleanwaterprogramistomakeatransitiontowatershedmanagement,thepublicmustsupportthiseffortbygettingactivelyinvolvedintheformationofwatershedpartnerships.Throughsuchpartnerships,rolesareclarified,resourcesareshared,andcosteffective,practicalsolutionsareputinplace.Asaresult,inwatershedafterwatershed,abetterinformedandmoreinvolvedpubliciscommittedtolastingenvironmentalimprovementsintheirowncommunities.Federalagencies,states,andtribescansupportandpromotetheseeffortsbyprovidingimprovedinformation,technicalandfinancialassistanceandtraining. XXL5,`5GovernorsEndorseWatershedManagement#XLX #   Historically,thisnationhasapproachedwaterresourcesasisolatedandcategorical,with  programsdesignedspecificallyforcertainwatersdependinguponwheretheyarefound.Nowweknowthatourwaterresourcesarepartofaninterrelated,hydrologic,andenvironmentalsystemthatdemandssystematicmanagement.Thegovernorsbelievethatthefuturedemandsanewmodelformanagingwaterresources,basedonwelldefinedgeographicunitssuchasbasinsorwatershedsthatrecognizesalltheinterconnectionswithinthewatershedthatdefinethehydrologiccycleinthatarea,includingsurfaceandgroundwatersaswellaswetlands....Asystemsmanagementapproachwouldinvolvethedevelopmentandoperationofacomprehensivewaterresourcemanagementprogramthoughultimatelyitneednotbelimitedtowaterresourceswithinthespecificgeographicareaencompassingthebasinorwatershed.Componentsofsuchacomprehensiveprogramwouldincludewatersupply,waterquality,waterconservation,floodprotection,landuse,andprotectionoffishandwildliferesources. 9+&( ̄NationalGovernorsAssociationWaterResourcesManagementPolicyStatement,February1993#XLXXXLs#@ !!qq!@XLXXXL   XXL4.RestoreWatershedsNotMeetingCleanWaterGoals#XLX  #  c  In1972,waterpollutionseemedalmostubiquitous.Toda