EPA Shares Lake Survey with State Managers
The North American Lake Management Society held its annual meeting recently, focusing on the importance of fisheries in developing comprehensive lake management strategies.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented its Survey of the Nation's Lakes during that meeting. The survey included some preliminary results received from labs across the country. Initial findings on water clarity, enterococci and mycrocystins, and key biological indicators such as zooplankton, phytoplankton, and diatoms were discussed, along with an overview of physical habitat (see http://www.epa.gov/owow/lakes/lakessurvey/ for more information on the survey).
More than 150 lake water quality and fisheries specialists examined approaches for enhancing fisheries interactions with other lake management objectives, such as water quality, recreation, and overall ecosystem health. Conference sessions gave attendees insights into topics such as global climate change impacts to lakes and reservoir management amidst droughts.
The concluding session explored opportunities for more collaboration between lake water quality and fisheries managers. Copies of the conference agenda, as well as copies of the presentations, are available at: http://nalms.org/Conferences/2008Chicago/ .
EPA Extends Climate Strategy Comment Period
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water has extended the comment period on the draft National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change. The new date for the close of the comment period is June 10. More information on the water program climate strategy is available at www.epa.gov/water/climatechange/ .