 |
|
|
|
 |
|
||
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
What is the objective of the Maryland EMPACT Project?
The Maryland EMPACT Project will provide the public and environmental decision-makers with real-time information on developing toxic conditions in ambient water that may be caused by harmful algal blooms or other sources of water quality degradation. The information generated by this project will benefit commercial fisheries, recreation industries and the general public. Health and environment officials can use these data, in real time, for providing advise and management regarding the safety of waters in terms of potential exposures to harmful algal blooms. There is a critical need for objective, rapidly acquired, and readily understandable "warning" and "all clear" information to guide decisions to close and to reopen areas for fishing, recreation and general contact.
We will work especially closely with the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, which has developed a highly regarded model program for ongoing surveillance and evaluation of estuarine safety. If the system is found to be valid and robust, it will be proposed for integration into ongoing surveillance programs throughout the US to protect the environment and human health.
Additional benefits of the automated biomonitoring system include future networking for real-time evaluation of whole watersheds, to identify infrequent but significant toxic events that might otherwise go unnoticed, such as illegal dumping of toxic materials. In addition to surface water monitoring, automated biomonitors can be used to protect drinking water intakes or evaluate wastewater treatment facility discharges.
"We are committed to the vision of providing timely, useful, and accurate
environmental and public health information to all Americans. We are confident
that, working together, we can make this vision a reality."
-Carol Browner U. S. EPA Administrator
EPA coordinates EMPACT activities among Federal, States, tribal, and local governments. Additionally, groups such as community health officials, businesses, industries, schools, and environmental organizations will be involved. To help make EMPACT work, EPA will work closely with two other Federal agencies: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The resources and expertise of these two agencies will help EPA achieve nationwide consistency in measuring environmental data, managing that data, and effectively delivering it to the public. Data obtained from both NOAA and USGS will also help EPA get a truer, more complete picture of our environment, coast to coast.
EPA EMPACT web links:
