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Lakes, Rivers and Streams
Freshwater Protection Geographic Initiatives
Several water resources throughout New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico have been identified as areas of concern, resulting in the initiation of special Geographic Initiative programs. As part of these Geographic Initiatives programs, extensive management plans and programs have been established to insure the preservation, protection and restoration of the environmental resources in these specific areas. The following waterbodies have been designated as part of this group:
New Jersey
Lake Hopatcong
Lake Hopatcong is the largest in-land waterbody in the state of New Jersey,
and is located in the northern part of the state, on the border of Morris
and Sussex counties. The most important environmental issue facing
Lake Hopatcong at this time is the influx of nonpoint
source pollution into the lake.
Weequahic Lake
An 80 acre lake located in Newark, New Jersey, Weequahic Lake is located in Weequahic
Park, the jewel of the Essex County Park System. Soil
erosion and eutrophication are the major concerns for the lake.
EPA has provided funding as well as technical support for the restoration
of the lake and the park.
New York
Great Lakes Initiatives
EPA is involved in many geographic initiatives to protect the
Great Lakes. Several areas of concern in the Great Lakes are located
in our region. EPA plays an important role in activities taking
place in Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and their basins.
Lake Champlain
Rich in biological diversity, recreational activities, and cultural resources,
Lake Champlain is an essential asset to its surrounding regions in New
York, Vermont and Canada.
New York City Reservoir Watershed
The New York City Reservoir watershed covers an area of over 1,900 square
miles in the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River Valley. The
reservoir systems in the watershed deliver approximately 1.4 billion gallons
of water each day to nearly 9 million people in New York City, much of
Westchester County, and areas of Orange, Putnam, and Ulster counties.
Environmental concerns grow out of the impacts of development and sprawl.
Onondaga Lake
Environmental contaminants of concern in the lake include nutrients,
bacteria, and toxic substances.Various sources
contribute to the contamination of Onondaga Lake and EPA has taken many
actions in this area.
Otisco Lake
Otisco Lake is one of the Finger Lakes of central New York State. The major environmental issue facing Otisco Lake, and the other Finger
Lakes, is nonpoint source pollution.
Owasco Lake
Owasco Lake is one of the Finger Lakes of central New York State.
The major environmental issue facing Owasco Lake, and the other Finger
Lakes, is nonpoint source pollution.
Skaneateles Lake
Skaneateles Lake is one of the Finger Lakes and provides drinking water
to several municipalities in central New York State. The lake and
its surroundings provide habitat for various wildlife. Nonpoint
source pollution from agriculture, residential land use, and streambank
erosion is the main environmental concern for the lake.
Puerto Rico
Barceloneta-Manatí Environmental Protection Project
This project focuses on the north-central coast of the main
island of Puerto Rico and involves the development and implementation
of Puerto Rico's first local wellhead protection program.
Mayagüez Watershed Initiative
The Mayagüez watershed is a coastal watershed, located on the western
side of Puerto Rico. The primary focus of this initiative has been
the development of a conservation and management plan for the Río Grande
de Añasco watershed.
Other Links of Interest
American Heritage Rivers
The objectives of the American Heritage
Rivers program are economic revitalization, natural resource protection,
environmental protection, historic preservation, and cultural preservation.
The Hudson River
is one of the 14 designated American Heritage Rivers.
Delaware River Basin Commission 
The Delaware River Basin Commission, which includes Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, was
established to monitor the flow and water quality of the Delaware River.