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Undertaking scientific studies, working with existing water quality laws, and working on policy change were it will be most effective to protect and increase water quality.
WATER QUALITY PROJECT
We all depend on clean water. Widespread recognition of this reality, coupled with the realization that without great care modern life can degrade water quality, led to the creation of protective laws and policies.
Although the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1977 is acknowledged as the primary authority for protecting the nation's water quality, clean water regulation can be traced back at least twenty nine years earlier to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Since its 1948 passage, our awareness of the range of pollutants threatening water quality has expanded and we now recognize the need to respond to a wider range of pollutants.
The nation's laws regulate both “point source” and “nonpoint source” pollutants. To date, most of the progress made in protecting and restoring water quality have occurred through the regulation of point source discharges. Under current law, it is unlawful to discharge pollutants into the Nation’s waters without a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. These permits impose conditions designed to protect water quality and beneficial uses. Due largely to such point source regulation, the number of fishable and swimmable rivers and lakes has more than doubled since 1972.
Despite the progress made to date, there still is significant room for further reducing the risks from point source discharges. The level of compliance with permit requirements needs to be increased and the list of pollutants subject to regulation needs to be expanded. In addition, promising opportunities to improve the quality of the nation's water lie in the realm of reducing nonpoint source pollutants - a source that has not yet been fully targeted.
The National Center protects and improves water quality by assessing existing water quality conditions, undertaking scientific studies, and using this information to change policy where it will be most effective. To accomplish this we have undertaken a variety of projects with unique approaches to solving water pollution issues.
* DEFENDING THE CLEAN WATER ACT - protecting the Clean Water Act so that it provides strong regulatory power in the effort to restore and maintain the integrity of our nation's waters.
* CLEAN WATER POLICIES - participating in policy decision making at the local, state, and federal level to ensure that water quality is protected.
* ROGUE BASIN PROJECT - implementing a pilot project to protect and enhance water quality and restore aquatic habitat in a region experiencing rapid urban growth and development, including the following three efforts:
- BEAR CREEK ASSESSMENT - leading a series of investigations to establish baselines, monitor trends, and evaluate the effectiveness of restoration projects; including monitoring macroinvertebrates as indicators of water quality and documenting the conservation status of native fishes.
- WATER QUALITY PERMIT MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE - piloting a program targeting increased compliance and regulatory oversight of Clean Water Act permits.
- TALENT IRRIGATION DISTRICT COLLABORATION - working with the Talent Irrigation District to develop a feasible alternative to the use of toxic herbicides for controlling aquatic vegetation in the District's canal system.
Photo by Kevin Schafer.
