The Assessment concluded that the seven state, 37.4 million acre, Southern Appalachian area is much healthier now than when another regional assessment was completed here in 1901. At that time, a concerned nation supported restoration and conservation efforts, including the creation of national forests and parks. But the area still has some problems. For example, forest pests are causing some serious problems, particularly gypsy moth in northern Virginia. Ecological changes are occurring in the region's forests.
Pollution makes some streams unsuitable for human use.
Acidity has significantly affected water quality and fish species in certain streams. The pressures of human development are having serious effects on natural resources around the region's cities, and conflicts over uses of the area's natural resources are brewing. The four technical reports and accompanying summary document consider the resources based on natural boundaries rather than political ones a fact that will make this information useful to a variety of decisionmakers in the region. Although the project produced valuable information about the region's health, it didn't make decisions about how to correct the problems. Now, the Federal and State land managers will be able to use the information to assist with their individual decisionmaking processes.