STATEWIDE WATERSHED PROJECT

The Statewide Watershed Project is assembling the information needed to generate a ‘Watershed Background File’ (WBF) for each of the seven watersheds in the project. The WBF’s will provide a comprehensive way of organizing the information needed for eventual remediation and restoration efforts in each watershed. WBF’s will include a variety of types of information, from lists of related research publications to contact information for people involved in water-quality issues in the watershed. Development of WBF’s involves both compilation of existing data and input from individuals living and working in affected watersheds via public meetings and surveys.

The seven watersheds included in this project were selected by the State Department of Health from a statewide list of watersheds with water quality that does not meet State standards. Watersheds were included in the project based on the severity of water quality problems and on their potential for effective remediation. After completion of this project, WBF’s will be used to focus remediation efforts in follow-up projects, and additional watersheds may be targeted for WBF development.