A framework for watershed risk assessment
- Clemson Univ., Pendleton, SC (United States)
Under cooperative agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The Institute of Wildlife and Environmental Toxicology (TIWET) is developing a framework for watershed risk assessment. As part of this agreement, a symposium/workshop was convened in Savannah, Georgia in January, 1994 to define the state-of-the-art in ecological risk assessment at the major watershed level. Speakers on the program represented universities, federal and state agencies, and private industry. Significant differences between ecological risk assessment (ERA) and watershed risk assessment (WRA) were identified. In the problem formulation phase of WRS, emphasis is placed on establishing communication between risk managers and stakeholders. In most WRAS, the effects of chemical stressors are likely to be dominated by nonchemical stressors. Risk analysis in WRAs will rely heavily on integrating models and computer simulation with geographic information systems. Several research needs were identified by the symposium/workshop participants. Research on autonomy of scale is need to determine the optimal scale for measurement endpoints. Other research topics include aggregation of endpoints, integration of models with GIS, and development of causal criteria.
- OSTI ID:
- 49554
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410273--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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