Undamning dams
On October 18, 1997, Vice President Gore introduced a major new initiative, the Clean Water Action Plan, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. The action plan was designed to fulfill the promise of the Clean Water Act that all US waterways would one day be fishable and swimmable. The success of the Clean Water Act in cleaning up pollution from industrial, commercial, and municipal discharges is undisputed, but the promise of fishable, swimmable waters remains unfulfilled. Nutrients, bacteria, sediment, and toxic chemicals continue to pollute the nation`s waterways from diffuse sources such as animal feedlots, storm-water runoff, agricultural drainage, and soil erosion. It is these latter sources of pollution that the Clean Water Action Plan is expected to remedy. Throughout the history of dam building, water quality has been virtually ignored. In fact, the present impact of dams on water quality is often overlooked. On the positive side, dams and their reservoirs tend to serve as settling basins. These positive benefits, however, can be offset by the negative effects dam operations have on water quality.
- OSTI ID:
- 302261
- Journal Information:
- Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy, Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 13; ISSN FARPEL; ISSN 0887-8218
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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