Editor's Summary

The safety and abundance of the freshwater supply in the United States is threatened by water development infrastructure. Chemical pollution, physical modifications to aquatic ecosystems, and other factors continue to contribute to the degradation of U.S. rivers and water bodies. A number of policy changes will be necessary to secure these resources. For instance, smarter investments in these resources should be made, polluted runoff should be controlled, comprehensive aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection should be undertaken, and federal jurisdiction over aquatic ecosystems should be imposed.