To: Members & Subscribers From: National Office Date: January 31, 1997 Re: RA 97-2 EPA National Watershed Assessment Project
Attached are draft products from EPA's ongoing National Watershed Assessment Project (NWAP) initiative. EPA's Office of Water and its many public and private partners are using joint information to characterize the conditions of the 2,150 watersheds in the U.S. EPA Regions and states are currently reviewing this information and providing comment to EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds.According to EPA, the purpose of the project is fourfold: (1) characterize the condition of 2,150 watersheds in the U.S. and identify watersheds at particular risk using key information from multiple sources, (2) to stimulate and empower citizens to know about and work to preserve their watershed, (3) provide a baseline for a dialogue on management priorities among EPA, States, Tribes and other public and private partners who can help assess and maintain or improve the condition of the watershed, and (4) to measure progress towards a goal that all watersheds will be healthy and productive places. EPA has also stressed that the project will help identify data gaps and may help prioritize data gathering efforts. Results of the assessment will be posted on EPA's Internet "Surf Your Watershed" Web site (http://www.epa.gov/surf) via maps and 2-page summary assessments for each watershed. Assessments are expected to be ongoing as new data are identified or added.
AMSA has met with EPA officials to discuss concerns regarding preliminary results and how AMSA can provide additional input to watershed characterization efforts or provide additional data via "hot links". One critical issue is the quality of data used and its presentation to the general public. EPA indicated its need for comments in these areas. AMSA plans to participate in a forthcoming NWAP experts meeting which will provide EPA with additional input. EPA plans to release final NWAP products to the public via the Internet "Surf Your Watershed" Web site in April 1997. If you have any questions, please call Mark Hoeke, AMSA at (202) 833-9106.