| Title: | Forests, Water, & People Assessment: Identifying Connections between Forests, Water, & People in the Northeastern United States |
| Authors: | Barnes, Dr. Paul K. Barten, Albert H. Todd, and Rebecca L. Whitney |
| Date/Time | Monday, November 5 ~ 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm |
| Abstract: | The importance of forests to water quality is becoming more recognized by foresters and land use planners. Historically, forests have been managed primarily for wood products. However, the importance of forests as a crucial first barrier to source water protection and the primary focus of managing forests for water is becoming increasingly important as water demand in the Northeastern Area (NA) rises and as the population increases. In NA, approximately 50 to 75 percent of the population relies on surface water as their municipal drinking water source. There are approximately 1,600 community water systems that supply clean water to more than 52 million people! Water quantity and quality depends significantly on the conditions of the watershed forests and reservoirs that supply the drinking water. There is a direct geographic connection between forests, water, and people - a connection called "forest to faucet". Greater recognition of this "forest to faucet" connection will enable the Forest Service to maximize the protection and enhancement of forests, drinking water supplies, public health and aquatic ecosystems. This project describes, evaluates and ranks these connections to demonstrate the importance of forests to surface drinking water quality protection through forest conservation and restoration. |
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