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The New
England Coastal Basins study unit is one of more than 50 National
Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program studies across the
United States. The NAWQA Program is designed to describe the
status and trends in the quality of a large, representative
part of the nation's surface- and ground-water resources,
and to provide a sound, scientific understanding of the primary
factors affecting the quality of these resources. NAWQA will
provide a basis on which regional and national level policy
decisions can be based, in order to protect, use, and enhance
water resources. [For more information, see the National NAWQA Program Web site].
The New
England Coastal Basins (NECB) study unit includes many important
New England rivers, and represents a mixture of urban and
industrial areas, rapidly urbanizing areas, and large forested
areas. Major rivers and their watersheds include the Kennebec,
the Androscoggin, the Saco, the Merrimack, the Charles, and
the Blackstone Rivers. [Study Unit Description]. Study activities in the New England
Coastal Basins began in 1996.
For more information about the NECB, explore the links on the list on the left, or contact Sarah Flanagan,
study chief, at: sflanaga@usgs.gov. |