The settleable material can also smother benthic invertebrates. Historical records report wholesale destruction of shellfish in estuaries of Oregon because of heavy siltation after forest fires. Those waters have never recovered their former productivity. Settleable material also can smother submerged vegetation and destroy this essential habitat for the juveniles of fresh and marine species. Chronic suspended solids can reduce or eliminate photosynthetic plant growth.
Bull kelp is reported to be damaged by high-suspended solids in the ocean from land sources.
A number of actions are needed to halt and reverse the continuing destruction of natural fish and shellfish habitat from sedimentation. The nonpoint source nature of the problem from our land management practices must be recognized and contained at the local level. States doing water quality management planning under the US Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 have the responsibility and authority for identifying nonpoint source problems and implementing the necessary control measures. State agencies in the United States are delegated the responsibility by the Governors to develop the planning and be a party to the implementation of all nonpoint sources controls for their states. State planning under the Clean Water Act is financially supported by and requires the approval of the US Environmental Protection Agency.