That is among the conclusions listed in a 1996 Wisconsin Water Quality Assessment Report to Congress, which details the state s efforts to meet the goals of the federal Clean Water Act. The report, which is an addendum to a 1994 report, details activities the state has conducted during the last two years to monitor, manage and protect water resources. This approach, integrating many DNR programs into an ecosystem level, is being implemented as part of the agency s reorganization. The ecosystem approach will better help the agency address water quality problems that are caused by air pollution, poor land-use practices, waste disposal and other factors, according to agency officials. We can t deal with the environment in a piecemeal fashion any more, said DNR Secretary George Meyer.
Water is just one component of the ecosystem.
We need to look at all the parts the land that drains to a water body, the air above it, the plants, animals and people using it in order to effectively address water quality. Modifications to state regulations to allow more consistent water quality protection. Cleanup efforts to improve the quality of specific waters. Inland lake, stream and river assessment and management programs. The Clean Water Act requires all states to report to Congress on efforts to meet goals of the act.