Project Results:

Although great progress has been made in restoring aquatic resources, 40% of U.S. fresh water is still not fishable or swimmable.

Billions of dollars have been spent regulating easily identifiable pollution sources, yet the nonpoint discharge, particularly erosion, parking lot runoff and the fertilizers we applied to lawns and farms remain the most difficult issue to address. Increased regulation and litigation have been counter-productive in many situations.

To really be effective, Non-Point Source Pollution (NPS) control must make sense to private landowners. Private land owners must be engaged in a voluntary, incentive-based, watershed approaches.

A forum for bring angling and agricultural interests together to examine one proposal, The Fishable Waters Act was needed. This bill promotes the involvement of local watershed councils in setting local priorities and actions.

Over 20 organizations from angling, conservation and agricultural interests were represented at the summit. A joint press release of agreement was generated expressing support for the Act and locally-led, incentive-based partnerships for achieving fishable waters.

The bill is pending sponsorship in Congress.