Clean Water:

Foundation of 

Healthy Communities and 

a Healthy Environment

April 27, 2011

 
Clean Water: Foundation of Healthy Communities 

and a Healthy Environment

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

1. Promoting Innovative Partnerships 3

2. Ensuring Water Quality to Protect Public Health 5

3. Enhancing Communities and Economies by Restoring Important Waterbodies 7

4. Innovating for More Water-Efficient Communities 10

5. Enhancing Use and Enjoyment of Our Waters 12

6. Updating the Nation’s Water Policies and Regulations 14

7. Making Better Use of Science to Solve Water Problems 15

Conclusion 17

Cover photo: National Park Service/Anne Dove. Truckee River Whitewater Park, NV.
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Introduction 

Recognizing the importance of clean water for healthy people, a healthy economy, and a 

healthy environment, the Obama Administration is working hard on a broad array of programs 

and initiatives to protect and enhance the Nation’s waters. The purpose of this document is to 

highlight important, ongoing initiatives at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the 

Department of the Interior (DOI), together with their other Federal partners, to protect our vital 

water resources. It also shows some important new initiatives, including updated draft 

guidance regarding Clean Water Act jurisdiction and modernization of the Principles and 

Guidelines which guide Federal investments in water resources. Taken together, these actions 

demonstrate a strong commitment by the Obama Administration to build on past progress and 

work with state, local and tribal governments, communities, and other private and not-forprofit partners across the Nation to design and deploy innovative approaches that directly 

address today’s clean water challenges.

America has honored its longstanding commitment to clean water. For nearly 40 years, the 

Clean Water Act, along with other important Federal efforts, has restored and protected the 

health of America’s water resources. For example, long-standing Clean Water Act programs are 

now complemented by land protection programs in the Farm bill, strengthened by land and 

water resource management, informed by new science and research, and bolstered by efforts 

to protect major watersheds and restore ecosystem functions. 

Since the enactment of the Clean Water Act, the number of waters that are safe for swimming 

and fishing has doubled. Billions of pounds of pollution have been controlled by industrial 

facilities and sewage treatment plants. Ongoing efforts to better manage stormwater and 

runoff from diffuse, or “nonpoint” sources of pollution are increasingly helping to restore 

polluted waters. Federal agencies are also building partnerships with states, tribes, local 

governments, and others to tailor clean water programs to fit the needs of individual large 

water ecosystems. In many places around the country, the receding tide of water pollution has 

allowed for the recovery of natural areas that support the economies and cultures of big cities 

and small towns. As these waters are restored, Americans benefit from opportunities for 

fishing, swimming, and other recreation, and communities benefit from the economic value

and livable character that clean waters provide. 

Despite the dramatic progress in restoring the health of the Nation’s waters, serious problems 

remain. Challenges such as dwindling supplies of clean fresh water, fragmentation of land and 

watersheds, loss of habitat for fish and wildlife, and a changing climate add complexity to 

protecting our waters and threaten to erode our gains. These four Federal agencies are 

bringing a variety of tools and approaches in a number of new and ongoing initiatives to meet 

these challenges head on. Together they are:

• Promoting Innovative Partnerships;

• Ensuring Water Quality to Protect Public Health;

• Enhancing Communities and Economies by Restoring Important Waterbodies;
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• Innovating for More Water-Efficient Communities;

• Enhancing Use and Enjoyment of Our Waters;

• Updating the Nation’s Water Policies; and

• Making Better Use of Science to Solve Water Problems.

The programs and initiatives described below are a sample of the efforts underway within 

Federal agencies to strengthen protection of rivers, lakes, wetlands, and other waters across 

the country, and ensure clean and healthy waters for generations of Americans to come. 

 

Environmental Protection Agency/Eric Vance. Paddle Boats – Washington, D.C.
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1. Promoting Innovative Partnerships

The Obama Administration recognizes that partnerships with states, tribes, local governments, 

the private sector, and diverse stakeholders are an essential and constructive tool for solving 

shared water pollution challenges. As demonstrated by the new initiatives described below, 

Federal agencies are promoting innovative, cooperative approaches to protecting water quality. 

Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program

Led by EPA, in coordination with 10 Federal agencies, 

the goal of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership 

Program is to restore and protect urban water bodies 

by engaging communities in activities that foster 

increased connection, understanding and ownership 

of their waters and surrounding land. Urban waters 

throughout the country are substantially impaired, 

impact large populations, and are typically entangled 

in complex issues. When urban rivers, lakes, streams 

or wetlands are inaccessible or degraded, the 

surrounding communities miss the benefits of 

community stability and growth that clean urban 

waters bring. The program will work with 

communities, particularly those that are under-served 

or economically distressed, to leverage existing assets 

and projects and to provide coordinated Federal 

assistance for community-led efforts. 

Watershed Partnerships for Sustainable Water Resources

The USACE is implementing a national initiative to build strong, collaborative relationships 

among Federal, state, tribal, and local water management agencies to address future demands 

on the Nation's water resources. The goal of this initiative is to find ways to more effectively 

address shared issues, including climate change, aging water infrastructure, competing 

demands for water, risks associated with floods and other extreme events, and ensuring timely 

and up-to-date information. This effort engages Federal agencies, tribes, states, River Basin 

Commissions, and water management agencies across the country. As part of this initiative, 

USACE is building a Federal support toolbox that will provide data, models, and information to 

support better planning and management of water resources. More information is available at 

http://www.building-collaboration-for-water.org/.

Increased Regulatory Certainty for Farmers 

Providing landowners with incentives to manage their lands in ways that help support clean 

water is critically important. A majority of the surface drinking water in the United States 

passes through America’s farms, ranches, and forests. Most of these lands are privately owned, 

thus often making the quality of drinking water dependent on the actions of farmers, ranchers 

and forest owners. As part of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, USDA, 

DOI and EPA have committed to developing and expanding incentive-based tools for protecting 

Land and Water Partnership for Turkey Creek

(Gulfport, Mississippi)

In recent decades, many forms of pollution 

have fouled the area around the Turkey Creek 

Watershed. A coalition of Federal, state and 

local groups have been working toward 

restoration of the environmentally challenged 

watershed. Partnering with EPA, the Land 

Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain (LTMCP) 

has been working to build watershed 

partnerships in six watersheds, including 

Turkey Creek. In 2010, the partnership 

succeeded in acquiring 400 acres of greenway 

using land donated by the City of Gulfport, 

local landowners, and a State grant. Following 

from these successes, the coalition is 

continuing to monitor water quality and create 

more public access through the construction of 

a series of boardwalks, natural areas and 

hiking and walking trails.
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wildlife and clean water. The February 2011 report, “America’s Great Outdoors: A Promise to 

Future Generations” (AGO report) recommends expanding incentives such as certainty 

agreements to achieve the goals of improved water quality and continued implementation of 

voluntary conservation practices. A similar approach is commonly used for conserving wildlife 

through “Safe Harbor Agreements” and similar approaches in which landowners who agree to 

undertake stewardship practices on their lands over an extended period of time receive 

assurances – or “certainty” – that they would not be subject to additional regulation or 

different management activities under the Endangered Species Act. Now, USDA and EPA are 

exploring with states and other partners ways in which this innovative approach could be 

adapted to improve water quality by fostering greater adoption of conservation activities on 

farms.

National Park Service/Ann Dove. Confluence Park, Denver, Colorado.
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2. Ensuring Water Quality to Protect Public Health

Drinking water is a basic human need. The Obama Administration is working to reduce 

contaminants in water and to protect the quality of the water supplies that are the source of 

drinking water. 

Addressing Critical Contaminants in Drinking Water

In March 2010, EPA announced a new strategy to 

better protect public health from contaminants in 

drinking water. A key element of the strategy is a 

new effort to address contaminants in groups, rather 

than individually, in order to more quickly, costeffectively, and transparently set drinking water 

standards to protect public health. In February

2011, EPA announced the first contaminant group 

and will be working to develop regulations to address 

up to 16 compounds of concern. In addition, EPA is

working to address emerging contaminants that 

could present public health risks by setting a new 

drinking water standard for the contaminant 

perchlorate, enhancing efforts to gather data on 30 

emerging contaminants, and determining whether to 

set standards for additional contaminants of

potential concern. EPA is also revising standards for lead and copper and for total coliform in 

drinking water, and is reviewing the potential health effects of chromium-6 to determine 

whether revisions are needed to the existing standards for total chromium. 

Promote Green Infrastructure to Upgrade Community Water/Wastewater Systems 

EPA is finalizing a strategy to support the work of communities to improve the environment, 

protect public health, and build greener, more sustainable communities through the use of 

Green Infrastructure. This strategy will make green infrastructure an available tool for meeting 

Clean Water Act requirements in sewer permitting and plans, enforcement orders and consent 

decrees, and in other areas. Green Infrastructure is a win-win-win approach to environmental 

protection - by protecting and restoring natural landscape features (such as forests, floodplains 

and wetlands), communities can improve water quality while providing wildlife habitat and 

opportunities for outdoor recreation. EPA, other Federal agencies, and community partners are 

working to use lessons learned to accelerate green infrastructure implementation across the 

Nation. 

Funding Rural Water Treatment Systems 

USDA assists rural communities in ensuring that safe, clean, and reliable water and waste 

services are available at reasonable costs. USDA invests in modern water and waste disposal 

infrastructure through the Water and Waste Loan and Grant Program (WWD) to improve the 

quality and quantity of water in rural areas. WWD offers loans, grants, and loan guarantees to 

rural communities with a population of less than 10,000 for water, sanitary sewage, solid waste 

Reducing Raw Sewage Discharges

(Onondaga County, New York)

Onondaga County, New York has developed 

a "Save the Rain" program that is part of its 

efforts to reduce risks to human health by 

reducing the number of raw sewage 

discharges during rain events by 95% by 

2018. They have committed to investing 

more than $70 million in green 

infrastructure and have used $2 million in 

EPA Clean Water Act Green Project Reserve 

funding to construct green streets and tree 

boxes. The County also received a direct 

grant under the American Recovery and 

Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to provide rain 

barrels to members of the community in 

order to control runoff.
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disposal, and storm water disposal facilities. USDA financed water, waste water, and solid 

waste projects reduce or eliminate harmful discharge or contamination of rivers, lakes and 

streams in rural areas. In the past two years, USDA has invested nearly $6 billion in loans and 

grants for infrastructure development, technical assistance, and training to rural communities. 

In addition to providing safe drinking water, improving wastewater treatment systems, and 

protecting the environment, these investments help bring increased economic benefits to rural 

America and create jobs.

Environmental Protection Agency/WaterSense Program
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3. Enhancing Communities and Economies by Restoring Important Waterbodies

Some of the Nation’s most valuable and iconic 

ecosystems face complex and daunting water 

pollution problems. The Obama Administration 

is significantly increasing investments and 

technical assistance to help states, tribes, local 

governments, and stakeholders develop creative 

conservation approaches that are tailored to the 

specific needs of these iconic places. 

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Over the past two years the Obama 

Administration has invested $775 million in the 

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The 

Great Lakes are the largest system of surface 

freshwater on earth, containing 95 percent of 

the surface freshwater in the United States and 

20 percent in the world. The lakes provide 

transportation for goods, fresh water for industries, drinking water for communities, and 

recreation for the basin’s more than 30 million citizens. The GLRI is designed to restore and 

maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem in 

coordination with states, tribes, municipalities, and other organizations. This unprecedented 

initiative focuses on five major restoration priorities: mitigating toxic substances and restoring 

areas of concern; reducing the impact of invasive species; improving near-shore health and 

reducing non-point source pollution; improving habitat and reducing species loss; and 

improving information, engagement, and accountability. 

Chesapeake Bay Restoration

The Chesapeake Bay watershed is one of the most extraordinary places in America. The 

Nation’s largest estuary and its network of streams, creeks and rivers hold tremendous 

ecological, cultural, economic, historic and recreational value for the region and its citizens. The 

Bay watershed spans six states and the District of Columbia and is home to 17 million 

Americans. But the Bay and its tributaries remain in poor health, with polluted water, low 

populations of fish and shellfish, and degraded habitats. In May 2009, President Obama signed 

an Executive Order directing Federal agencies to take significant, new action to restore the 

Chesapeake Bay and enhance the local communities and economies of the Bay region. The 

purpose of the Executive Order is to protect and restore the health, heritage, natural resources, 

and social and economic value of the Nation’s largest estuarine ecosystem and the natural 

sustainability of its watershed. Federal agencies have developed a suite of programs to restore

water quality, recover habitat, sustain fish and wildlife, conserve land, and increase public 

access in the Bay. They are also working closely to support efforts by states and local 

governments, the agricultural community, and citizens to design approaches to achieve the 

long-term goal of a healthy Chesapeake Bay.

Waterfront Revitalization for Kinnickinnic River

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

EPA leveraged $14.3 million in Federal Great 

Lakes funding with an additional $7.7 million in 

funding from the proceeds of a state bond issue 

toward a $22 million sediment remediation 

project that removed about 167,000 cubic yards 

of sediment contaminated with PCBs and other 

toxics from a reach of Milwaukee’s Kinnickinnic 

River. This sediment remediation and related

local investments are resulting in improvements 

to human health and the environment including 

economic revitalization, enhanced use of rivers,

harbors, and water resources, more 

opportunities for waterfront redevelopment, 

improved aesthetics, and increased property 

values. 
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Everglades and the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force 

Once the Everglades were a vast, free-flowing river of grass extending from the Kissimmee 

chain of lakes to Florida Bay, and these sub-tropical wetlands supported a rich diversity of 

plants, fish and other animals. Today, it is an ecosystem in peril. Construction of over 1,700 

miles of canals and levees in the late 19th and early 20th centuries changed the landscape, 

interrupting the natural sheet flow of water across the system. More than half the Everglades 

wetlands were lost to development. Today an intergovernmental effort, led by DOI and the 

USACE, is working to restore the magnificent “River of Grass.” The goal of this effort is to 

restore, preserve, and protect this National treasure, while providing for other water-related 

needs of the region, including water supply and flood protection. Increasing water supplies for 

environmental use by improving the quantity, timing and distribution of freshwater is also a 

major goal of the project. The USACE leads the implementation of the Comprehensive 

Everglades Restoration Program – part of a broader Everglades restoration effort – which 

targets 68 individual projects that together will contribute to restoration of the massive 

Everglades ecosystem. Water quality improvements are largely being implemented by the State 

of Florida with some assistance from Federal agencies. To date, the State has constructed over 

64,000 acres of stormwater treatment areas and implemented best management practices on 

farms to reduce the amount of nutrient runoff to the Everglades.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Jacksonville District. Picayune Strand Groundbreaking/Everglades, Florida.
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California Bay-Delta

California’s Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta-San Francisco Bay Estuary (Bay-Delta) is among 

the most important estuary ecosystems in the Nation and is the hub of the country’s largest 

water delivery system, providing drinking water to 25 million people. The Bay-Delta is in crisis. 

After decades of steep and steady decline, the ecosystem has reached a point of collapse, with 

some imperiled fish species at all-time low population levels and threats from climate change 

and associated sea-level rise, seismic risks, and other stressors – such as pesticides, pollutant 

discharges, and invasive species – underscoring the system’s vulnerability. In December 2009, 

six Federal agencies issued an Interim Federal Action Plan for the Bay-Delta, describing priority 

Federal actions to address several of the causes of ecosystem decline and to bring greater 

reliability to management of water supplies in California. Led by the Council on Environmental 

Quality (CEQ) and DOI, these agencies are working together to build a partnership with the 

State of California to develop a long-term plan for ecosystem restoration and water 

management in the Bay-Delta. Through this plan, Federal agencies will promote water 

conservation and efficiencies, investigate Bay-Delta water quality and other stressors, provide 

drought assistance to farmers, and improve flood risk management.

Gulf of Mexico Restoration and Recovery

The Gulf of Mexico and its coastal areas are important resources for the entire United States. 

The waters of the Gulf sustain a diverse and vibrant ecosystem and the Gulf's culture, natural 

beauty, and historic significance are unique. Each year, millions of tourists visit the Gulf to 

vacation, swim, boat, fish, hunt, and bird-watch; and, together, the Gulf's tourism and 

commercial and recreational fishing industries make a significant contribution to the United 

States economy. More than 90 percent of the Nation's offshore oil and gas is produced in the 

Gulf, and it is where nearly one-third of seafood production in the continental United States is 

harvested. In October 2010, President Obama signed an Executive Order to effectively address 

longstanding ecological decline along the Gulf Coast and begin moving toward a healthier and 

more resilient Gulf Coast ecosystem. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill underscored the critical 

link between the environment and the economic health of the Gulf of Mexico, and the Obama 

Administration is committed to helping this vital ecosystem recover from the impacts of the 

spill. To complement the Natural Resource Damage Assessment work being done by DOI, 

NOAA, and the Gulf states to address harm caused by the spill, the Executive Order established 

the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force to bring together Federal and state agency 

representatives to address the broader ecosystem restoration needs in the Gulf. The Task 

Force, led by EPA, coordinates intergovernmental responsibilities, planning, and exchange of 

information to better implement Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration and to facilitate appropriate 

accountability throughout the restoration process.
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4. Innovating for More Water-Efficient Communities

Making efficient use of water is smart strategy and an important way to help manage 

competing demands for finite water resources. Using less water also saves communities and 

ratepayers money and reduces energy use and the costs of water infrastructure and water 

treatment. The Obama Administration is promoting water efficiency through a number of 

Federal agency initiatives. 

 

Leading by Example: Federal Agency Water Conservation Efforts

In October 2009, President Obama signed an Executive Order that set environmental

sustainability goals for Federal agencies and directed them to make improvements to their 

environmental, energy and economic performance. The Federal government occupies nearly 

500,000 buildings, operates more than 600,000 vehicles and employs more than 1.8 million 

civilians. Agencies are required to meet a number of energy, waste reduction, and water 

conservation targets under the Executive Order, including reducing potable water use by 26

percent and reducing industrial, landscaping and agricultural water use by 20 percent by 2020. 

WaterSMART Program 

DOI’s WaterSMART program is helping leaders in water resource planning and management 

tackle America's water challenges. This program integrates and coordinates the water 

sustainability efforts of DOI and its Federal, state, and private partners. Under this effort, the 

Bureau of Reclamation has expanded its grant programs and its river basin studies, and the U.S. 

Geological Survey will conduct the National Water Census for the first time in over 30 years. In 

addition, the WaterSMART website is providing 

partners with a resource to coordinate water 

conservation and sustainable water strategies. In 

addition, DOI facilities and operations will

implement water footprint programs to help them 

meet the water conservation goals set by 

President Obama for Federal agencies. DOI will 

also identify the water footprint of various energy 

technologies to better understand how these

developing technologies impact water goals. 

WaterSense Conservation Programs 

EPA’s WaterSense program is working to protect 

the future of the Nation's water supply by 

promoting water efficiency and enhancing the 

market for water-efficient products, programs, 

and practices. To date, the WaterSense program 

has helped consumers save a cumulative 46 billion 

gallons of water and $343 million in water and 

sewer bills. WaterSense develops specifications 

for water-saving products that are verified for 

efficiency and performance through third-party 

“Fix a Leak Roundup” to Save Water

(Dallas, Texas)

The City of Dallas hosted the “Great Dallas Fix 

a Leak Roundup” to educate citizens about 

finding and fixing leaks. The City operates a 

program that offers assistance with minor 

plumbing problems that may cause water 

waste and higher water bills. This program is 

offered to qualified low-income residential 

water customers and provides high-efficiency 

toilets, showerheads, and aerators in addition 

to making the repairs. In partnership with 

EPA, local plumbers, Lowe’s, Kohler, and other 

organizations, Dallas addressed over 100 

households on the program’s waiting list for 

Fix a Leak Week 2010. Repairs made during 

Fix a Leak Week will save approximately 2.1 

million gallons of water per year. Utility bill 

savings vary based on the severity of the leaks, 

but as an example, one elderly homeowner 

who had a serious toilet leak is expected to 

save about $200 per year on her water bills.
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certification. Products carrying the WaterSense label perform well, help save money, and 

encourage innovation in manufacturing. The program’s 2,100 partners across the country 

acknowledge the program's value, both in the credibility of the label and as a resource for 

educating the public on the need for water efficiency. In the future, WaterSense will expand to 

develop new specifications for water-using products and promote public awareness through 

social media and public outreach campaigns with partners. 

Water Conservation on Rural Lands

USDA is working with farmers through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) 

and the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) to improve water use efficiency 

through drip irrigation and other measures that allow farmers to grow more crops with less 

water. Twenty-eight projects totaling more than $60 million approved for AWEP in fiscal year 

2010 are supporting water conservation efforts in nine states. For example, in central Colorado, 

satellite and Internet technology funded through AWEP allows farmers to monitor water-use 

data in real-time. This information helps them decide how much water to use on their crops, 

when to apply irrigation water, and what type of irrigation equipment will work best for their 

operations.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Northern California.
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5. Enhancing Use and Enjoyment of Our Waters

Those who enjoy the Nation’s waters for recreation, fishing or hunting understand the value of 

clean water and are key partners in protecting water health. The Obama Administration is 

working to preserve public access to waters and maintain diverse recreation opportunities that 

rely on clean water. Some key examples of this work are described below. 

America’s Great Outdoors 

In April 2010, President Obama announced the America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Initiative, a 

grassroots approach to protecting our lands and waters and connecting all Americans to their 

natural and cultural heritage. In February 2011, the Obama Administration released “America’s 

Great Outdoors: A Promise to Future Generations,” which contains recommendations and 

actions derived from AGO listening sessions all around the country. One of the actions to 

emerge from this initiative is to establish the AGO National Recreational Blueway Trails 

Initiative, which will increase access to rivers and lakes, and support community-based 

protection of the waters. A “blueway” is a designated community-scale portion of river 

recognized as a destination for fishing, boating, wildlife watching, and other recreation that

should get special attention for restoration

and access. Led by USDA and DOI working 

with several other agencies, the initiative 

will provide assistance and a mechanism for 

designating and implementing an AGO

National Recreation Blueway Trail. 

Preserving Access to Hunting and Fishing 

Opportunities 

USDA has made a strong commitment to 

providing hunting and fishing access 

through full funding for the Voluntary Public 

Access and Habitat Incentive Program 

(“Open Fields”). This program provides 

grants to states to provide greater access to 

hunting and fishing opportunities on private 

lands. It also helps landowners restore and 

conserve habitat, including wetlands and 

other ecosystems that are critical to healthy 

aquatic ecosystems. Approximately $12

million in Open Fields funds were awarded 

to 17 states in 2010, and in January 2011, 

USDA announced that an additional $8 

million is available.

Restoring Forest Health and 

Protecting Water Supplies

(Pike National Forest, Colorado)

The Hayman fire -- Colorado’s largest and most 

devastating wildfire -- burned a total of 137,760 acres in 

the Pike National Forest in 2002. The fire destroying 

600 structures, obliterated forest vegetation and 

wildlife habitat, and damaged recreation sites, trails 

and roads. The fire also severely damaged the 

watershed which supplies water to more than 75 

percent of Colorado residents, including Denver. In 

2009, the Obama Administration, the National Forest 

Foundation and Vail Resorts announced a unique 

partnership to restore forest health and water quality to 

this critical ecosystem located approximately 70 miles 

from Denver. The Hayman Restoration Partnership 

focuses on 45,000 acres of the most severely affected 

areas that feed into the Upper South Platte River, the 

main water supply for Denver. Instead of looking at 

only one element of restoration, such as planting trees, 

the Partnership is addressing the entire ecosystem with 

a workplan involving restoration and planting of native 

species in key watersheds. This comprehensive 

approach engages local governments and residents, 

Vail Resorts employees, conservation organizations and 

the entire Front Range community.
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Protecting Rural Landscapes 

Using Farm Bill conservation programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and 

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), USDA is producing significant benefits for clean water in a 

variety of watersheds across the country. Through these programs, USDA enters into 

conservation agreements with landowners to preserve the enormous contribution of these 

lands to reducing erosion and run-off into rivers and streams while also providing hunting and 

fishing opportunities for sportsmen and women. For example, in the Upper Mississippi River 

Basin, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has committed more than $300 

million in financial and technical assistance to help farmers reduce erosion and nutrient runoff 

into streams and rivers. In South Florida, USDA worked with ranching families to enroll 26,000 

acres in the Fisheating Creek watershed in the WRP. This project will contribute to restoration 

of the Everglades ecosystem and will protect this rural landscape for future generations. In the 

Chesapeake Bay, the California Bay-Delta, the Great Lakes, the Gulf Coast, and many other 

important landscapes, USDA is working with local partners – landowners, states, conservation 

groups, and others – to restore wetlands and water quality.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. West Virginia.
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6. Updating the Nation’s Water Policies and Regulations

The Obama Administration is committed to maintaining strong and clear standards for 

protecting waters, and ensuring that Federal agencies consider social, economic and 

environmental needs in a transparent and 

consistent way when making new Federal 

investments in water projects.

Clean Water Act Draft Guidance on the Scope of 

Waters Protected

The USACE and EPA have released draft guidance 

to clarify which waters and wetlands are protected

by the Clean Water Act. The revised draft guidance 

will provide predictable, consistent, and effective 

protection of waters that many communities 

depend upon for drinking, swimming, and fishing. 

The agencies’ guidance also provides clearer, less 

burdensome guidelines for the public that make it 

easier and simpler to determine whether a 

particular water body is protected. The revised 

guidance is fully consistent with the Act, applicable regulations, and key Supreme Court 

decisions in 2001 and 2006. The agencies will conduct a transparent and inclusive process for 

developing final guidance by making sure that the public and all interested parties and 

organizations have the opportunity to provide input and comments. The agencies are also 

developing regulations to address this important topic. 

Modernizing Federal Rules for Water Resources Development

CEQ is leading a collaborative, interagency effort to modernize the Principles and Guidelines 

which guide Federal investments in water resources. This effort will incorporate the lessons 

learned over the last three decades of implementation of the “Principles and Guidelines for 

Water and Land Related Resources Implementation Studies,” that went into effect in March 

1983. Modernizing the Principles and Guidelines will ensure future Federal investments in 

water resources more fully consider environmental, economic and social goals in potential 

actions. The Administration believes that all of these effects must be weighed in evaluating 

Federal investments in water resources across the Federal government to promote 

transparency and comparability. Given the many competing demands for limited Federal 

resources, it is intended that future Federal investments in water resources strive to maximize 

public benefits, particularly in comparison to costs.

Effective Stewardship of Water Resources in National Forests

The 193 million acres of the National Forest and Grassland System protect watersheds that 

provide drinking water to tens of millions of Americans. USDA’s Forest Service has developed a 

new “planning rule” to govern the management and stewardship of these lands. The proposed

rule places special emphasis on conservation of water resources by requiring the Forest Service 

to take special measures to protect streams, rivers, and priority watersheds. For example, the 

proposed planning rule requires the Forest Service to develop plans for each of the National 

Improving Control of Polluted Stormwater

(San Pedro River, Arizona)

The San Pedro River is one of the most 

ecologically rich rivers in Arizona. 

Stormwater discharges from construction 

sites carried oil, grease, and other pollutants 

to ephemeral tributaries of the San Pedro. 

EPA efforts to address this pollution problem 

were constrained by the complex evidence 

needed to establish that the tributaries were 

protected under the Clean Water Act and 

EPA ultimately had to discontinue efforts to 

address these sources. Challenges related to 

protection of these waters are common in 

throughout the arid southwest. 
15 | Page

Forests and Grasslands that identify priority watersheds for restoration and maintenance; 

maintain, protect, or restore riparian areas; and establish minimum buffers areas around water 

bodies. 

7. Making Better Use of Science to Solve Water Problems

Basic research into the functions and conditions of the Nation’s waters is an essential 

foundation for clean water. Equally important is a commitment to make effective use of 

scientific information to improve water programs and policies. The Obama Administration is 

actively making use of recent scientific information and new analytic tools to focus on emerging 

issues and to guide water quality programs and investments. 

Understanding Emerging Water Pollutants 

EPA is working to address contaminants 

of emerging concern in the Nation’s 

waters to protect public health and the 

environment. Much of this work is 

focused on strengthening scientific 

knowledge of emerging pollutants, for 

example, pharmaceuticals in waste water,

to ensure that high-quality scientific 

information is used to develop policies. A 

key initiative is to evaluate current 

pharmaceutical disposal practices to 

identify how to keep unused 

pharmaceuticals out of waters. As 

scientific data is gathered and analyzed 

for these and other contaminants that 

have the potential to affect public health, 

EPA will continue to work with its partners and the public to ensure that America’s drinking 

water and rivers, streams, and lakes are protected. 

Informing Responsible Development Practices for Natural Gas

As described in the Obama Administration’s Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future, recent 

technology and operational improvements in extracting natural gas resources, particularly shale 

gas, have increased gas drilling activities nationally and led to significantly higher natural gas 

production estimates for decades to come. To take full advantage of this important domestic 

energy resource, we must proactively address concerns that have been raised regarding 

potential negative impacts associated with hydraulic fracturing (fracking) practices. The Obama 

Administration is taking steps to address these concerns and ensure that natural gas production 

proceeds in a safe and responsible manner. EPA and DOE are leading Federal efforts to study 

the impacts of fracking on drinking water and surface water. 

Interagency Work to Evaluate Emerging Contaminants 

(Assabet River, Massachusetts)

The Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological 

Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service 

, and others are working to characterize the extent of 

contamination by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (i.e., 

chemicals that cause reproductive and development 

problems in animals and humans) in the Assabet River. The 

agencies are working to determine the sources of these 

chemicals and to determine the effects on fish living in the 

river. The findings of this research will be used to ensure 

that Clean Water Act permits are written to protect water 

quality downstream of wastewater treatment plants. The 

results of this survey will help EPA, states, and other 

partners to assess the prevalence and effects of endocrinedisrupting chemicals in the Assabet River and similar rivers 

around the country.
16 | Page

Anticipating Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources 

The impacts of climate change already are forcing changes in management of water resources. 

Climate change may dramatically affect water supplies in some areas, impact coastal water 

infrastructure, wetlands and barrier islands, cause relocation of wildlife, increase wildland fires, 

and further spread invasive species. Federal agencies are required to develop climate 

adaptation plans, and Federal agencies are developing approaches for applying scientific tools 

to increase understanding of climate change and its impact on land and water resources. For 

example, DOI’s eight regional Climate Science Centers and network of Landscape Conservation 

Cooperatives are part of a strategy to address current and future impacts of climate change on 

the land and water resources that DOI manages. And USDA’s Forest Service has also developed 

a comprehensive climate change plan to “ensure our national forests and private working lands 

are conserved, restored, and made more resilient to climate change, while enhancing our water 

resources.” To provide leadership and organization for these efforts, CEQ, the Office of Science 

and Technology Policy, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration lead the

Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force which is developing a National Action Plan 

for climate adaptation of freshwater resources. 

Designing Conservation Benefits Research to Focus Investments

The Farm Bill provides hundreds of millions of dollars annually to help farmers and other 

landowners conserve water resources. With such a significant public investment, it is vital that 

these funds be spent in a way that maximizes the benefits to clean water. USDA has made 

significant investments in improving scientific knowledge around stewardship activities on 

private lands. The Conservation Effects Assessment Program (CEAP) has undertaken 

unprecedented studies of agriculture and conservation practices in the Upper Mississippi River 

Basin and the Chesapeake Bay and is undertaking similar studies in other watersheds around 

the Nation. CEAP reports help focus investments to achieve the greatest water quality benefits 

and demonstrate that voluntary conservation activities – such as conservation tillage, fertilizer 

management, cover crops, and buffer strips – have enormous benefits to water quality when 

used by farmers in the right way.
17 | Page

Conclusion 

The Nation’s investment in clean water began with a commitment by the Federal government 

to end the flagrant pollution of rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Forty years later, there is a 

growing appreciation that clean water, healthy watersheds, and resilient ecosystems are

essential to the health and well-being of people and to the character and economic vitality of 

communities. 

The activities described in this document and a variety of other national, regional, and locally 

led actions are protecting the health of Americans and keeping safe the rivers, streams, lakes, 

wetlands and other waters that people across the country rely on every day for drinking, 

swimming, and fishing, and that support farming, recreation, tourism and economic growth. 

The Obama Administration is committed to developing innovative approaches and partnerships 

with state, tribal and local governments and stakeholders that can deliver effective water 

pollution controls. These partnerships are especially important for protecting large, iconic 

ecosystems that face the most significant water management problems. At the same time, the 

Federal government must do its part to update its water policies, make active use of the latest 

scientific findings, and support local communities in ensuring that people are able to use and 

enjoy the Nation’s heritage of water resources. Over the coming years, the Obama 

Administration will continue to advance these important goals and ensure that clean water 

provides the foundation of healthy communities. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Larry Jernigan.