rick swanson usda forest service u.s. forest service: c&i’s for: the world’s largest water...
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Rick Swanson USDA Forest Service
Rick Swanson USDA Forest Service
U.S. Forest Service:
C&I’s for: The
World’s Largest Water
Company
U.S. Forest Service:
C&I’s for: The
World’s Largest Water
Company
Due to topography, location, vegetation and geology of the National Forest System, its lands have a critical influence on the quantity and quality of the nation’s waters.
Due to topography, location, vegetation and geology of the National Forest System, its lands have a critical influence on the quantity and quality of the nation’s waters.
USDA Forest Service & Water
The roots of the Forest Service are in watershed managementThe roots of the Forest Service are in watershed management
Gifford Pinchot believed that we ought to value forests for their “effects on the climate and floods, rainfall and runoff, springs and erosion.”
Gifford Pinchot believed that we ought to value forests for their “effects on the climate and floods, rainfall and runoff, springs and erosion.”
USDA Forest Service & Water
The National Forests & WaterThe National Forests & Water
The most valuable and perhaps of late, least appreciated resource on the National Forests is water.
The most valuable and perhaps of late, least appreciated resource on the National Forests is water.
USDA Forest Service & Water
53% US water supply originates on forested land – 29% of the surface area
NFS lands are the largest single source of water in the continental U.S.
9% land base – 18% total US runoff
In the Western US 51% of the water supply originates on NFS lands
53% US water supply originates on forested land – 29% of the surface area
NFS lands are the largest single source of water in the continental U.S.
9% land base – 18% total US runoff
In the Western US 51% of the water supply originates on NFS lands
USDA Forest Service & Water
Over 3,400 communities rely on NFS lands in 33 states for their drinking water serving over 66 million people.
Over 3,400 communities rely on NFS lands in 33 states for their drinking water serving over 66 million people.
USDA Forest Service & Water
Recreation & Aquatic SpeciesRecreation & Aquatic Species
Over 200,000 miles,>2 million surface acres, providing>46 million recreational angler days,>150 million pounds of commercial harvest.
- >8.5 billion in annual economic benefit, >94,000 existing jobs.
Highest concentration and diversity of T&E aquatic species that depend on high-quality water.
Over 200,000 miles,>2 million surface acres, providing>46 million recreational angler days,>150 million pounds of commercial harvest.
- >8.5 billion in annual economic benefit, >94,000 existing jobs.
Highest concentration and diversity of T&E aquatic species that depend on high-quality water.
USDA Forest Service & Water
Forest Service-Influenced Critical Watersheds for Freshwater Fish & Mussel
Species
Forest Service-Influenced Critical Watersheds for Freshwater Fish & Mussel
Species
USDA Forest Service & Water
The total value of water from NFS Lands, in terms of instream and offstream uses is estimated to exceed $7.2 billion a year.
The total value of water from NFS Lands, in terms of instream and offstream uses is estimated to exceed $7.2 billion a year.
USDA Forest Service & Water
Denver’s water supply reservoir after Buffalo Creek fire
Denver’s water supply reservoir after Buffalo Creek fire
USDA Forest Service & Water
Denver’s water supply reservoir after Buffalo Creek fire
Denver’s water supply reservoir after Buffalo Creek fire
USDA Forest Service & Water
Protecting & Restoring National Assets
Protecting & Restoring National Assets
New York City’s WatershedNew York City’s Watershed
Water supply system is 150 miles away from the city in Catskill/ Delaware area, provides 1.3 billion gallons daily to 9 million people.
Catskill/Delaware area is primarily agricultural and forested land most of them privately owned
Water supply system is 150 miles away from the city in Catskill/ Delaware area, provides 1.3 billion gallons daily to 9 million people.
Catskill/Delaware area is primarily agricultural and forested land most of them privately owned
USDA Forest Service & Water
Use of SWRR Criteriaat the National LevelUse of SWRR Criteriaat the National Level
Water Availability Water QualityHuman Uses and Health Environmental Health Infrastructure and Institutions
Water Availability Water QualityHuman Uses and Health Environmental Health Infrastructure and Institutions
USDA Forest Service & Water
Water Availability IndicesWater Availability Indices
•USGS Stream Gauging Stations•Snow Pack Monitoring•Diversions (number and removals)•Bypass Flow Requirements•Reservoir Storage
•USGS Stream Gauging Stations•Snow Pack Monitoring•Diversions (number and removals)•Bypass Flow Requirements•Reservoir Storage
USDA Forest Service & Water
Water Quality IndicesWater Quality Indices
•303(d) Listed Streams•Watershed Condition Class (5th HUC)•Proportion of Watersheds meeting BMP’s•404 Permits Issued•TMDL Development•PFC Riparian Habitats
•303(d) Listed Streams•Watershed Condition Class (5th HUC)•Proportion of Watersheds meeting BMP’s•404 Permits Issued•TMDL Development•PFC Riparian Habitats
USDA Forest Service & Water
Human Uses and Health IndicesHuman Uses and Health Indices
•Diversions (Ag, Energy Dev, Mining, etc)•Groundwater withdrawals•Rec. Res. (Septic & Withdraw-SUA’s)•Commercial fish production•Recreational Uses Monitoring•Emergency Closures (Water Borne)
•Diversions (Ag, Energy Dev, Mining, etc)•Groundwater withdrawals•Rec. Res. (Septic & Withdraw-SUA’s)•Commercial fish production•Recreational Uses Monitoring•Emergency Closures (Water Borne)
USDA Forest Service & Water
Environmental Health IndicesEnvironmental Health Indices
•Watershed Condition Class•Watershed Fuel Hazard Ratings •Macroinvertebrate Indices•Atmospheric Deposition/Water Quality•Species Viability Assessments•Watershed Assessments•Regional Assessments
•Watershed Condition Class•Watershed Fuel Hazard Ratings •Macroinvertebrate Indices•Atmospheric Deposition/Water Quality•Species Viability Assessments•Watershed Assessments•Regional Assessments
USDA Forest Service & Water
Infrastructure and Institutional Indices
Infrastructure and Institutional Indices
•Dams and Reservoirs (# and acres)•Municipal Watersheds (# and acres)•Treatment Facilities (# and capacity)•Trans-basin diversions (length)•Over appropriated watersheds•Federal Reserve Water Rights
•Dams and Reservoirs (# and acres)•Municipal Watersheds (# and acres)•Treatment Facilities (# and capacity)•Trans-basin diversions (length)•Over appropriated watersheds•Federal Reserve Water Rights
USDA Forest Service & Water
Integration and Institutionalization of Sustainable Water Resource
Criteria and Indicators
Integration and Institutionalization of Sustainable Water Resource
Criteria and Indicators
•National Level – Strategic Plan, PART performance / accountability
•Regional Level – Broad-scale Assessments
•Forest Level – Forest Plan
•National Level – Strategic Plan, PART performance / accountability
•Regional Level – Broad-scale Assessments
•Forest Level – Forest Plan
USDA Forest Service & Water
We can leave no
greater gift for
our children
than to leave
the watersheds
entrusted to our
care healthier,
more diverse,
and more
productive.
We can leave no
greater gift for
our children
than to leave
the watersheds
entrusted to our
care healthier,
more diverse,
and more
productive.
USDA Forest Service & Water