1.2: Aquatic Ecosystems and Wildlife

Ensure an adequate supply of suitable quality water to restore, protect and enhance aquatic ecosystems and wildlife resources.

Other Information:

Aquatic ecosystems and wildlife represent important users of the Basin’s waters. Protecting water quality for those uses is an integral part of the Clean Water Act, and of federal and state laws and DRBC regulations. Identifying the freshwater needs for aquatic ecosystems and wildlife. Fresh water must be available in adequate quantities for drinking, feeding, cleansing and reproduction. Resilient, healthy ecosystems adapt to changes within a natural range of variability. Changes that push the limits of that range may cause irreparable harm to communities of water-dependent animals and plants. Therefore, it is important to understand ecosystem function, and the limits to the range of conditions that ecosystems and natural communities will tolerate. Water availability varies with geographic location and seasonal fluctuations in precipitation and temperature. It is also susceptible to change as a result of the patterns of human settlement and water use. For example, the ways in which water is allocated to uses within and outside of the stream (public water supply, industrial, commercial, agricultural, power production, etc.) and how water is returned to the stream (when, where, in what amounts, and of what quality) can have a great influence on how streams provide for ecosystem needs.

Objective(s):

1.2.A: In-Stream Flow and Estuary Inflow

1.2.B: Water Quality Maintenance and Improvement

1.2.C: Regulatory and Nonregulatory Means

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