
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 2100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00339]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9921-28-ORD]


Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A 
Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing 
the availability of the final report titled, ``Connectivity of Streams 
and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the 
Scientific Evidence'' (EPA/600/R-14/475F). The purpose of this report 
is to summarize the current understanding about the connectivity and 
mechanisms by which streams and wetlands affect the physical, chemical, 
and biological integrity of downstream waters.
    The report is available via the Internet on the EPA Office of 
Research and Development (ORD), National Center for Environmental 
Assessment's Web site (www.epa.gov/ncea) under the Recent Additions and 
Publications menu.

DATES: The Agency is releasing the report publicly on January 15, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The report is available primarily via the Internet on the 
EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Center for 
Environmental Assessment's Web site (www.epa.gov/ncea) under the Recent 
Additions and Publications menu. A limited number of paper copies will 
be available from the Information Management Team, National Center for 
Environmental Assessment; telephone 703-347-8561; facsimile: 703-347-
8691. If you are requesting a paper copy, please provide your name, 
your mailing address, and the document title.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information concerning 
the assessment, contact EPA National Center for Environmental 
Assessment, Dr. Laurie Alexander, telephone 703-347-8630 or email 
Alexander.Laurie@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Information About the Project/Document

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research 
and Development (ORD) developed this report to review and synthesize 
the peer-reviewed scientific literature on the connectivity or 
isolation of streams and wetlands relative to large water bodies such 
as rivers, lakes, estuaries, and oceans. The purpose of the report, 
``Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review 
and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence,'' is to summarize the current 
understanding about the connectivity and mechanisms by which streams 
and wetlands, singly or in aggregate, affect the physical, chemical, 
and biological integrity of downstream waters. The report addresses 
three main questions related to connectivity:
    (1) What are the physical, chemical, and biological connections to, 
and effects of, ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial stream on 
downstream waters?
    (2) What are the physical, chemical, and biological connections to, 
and effects of, riparian or floodplain wetlands and open-waters on 
downstream waters?
    (3) What are the physical, chemical, and biological connections to, 
and effects of, wetlands and open-waters in non-floodplain settings on 
downstream waters?
    This report informs development of a rule proposed by EPA and the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clarify the definition of waters of the 
United States under the Clean Water Act (http://www2.epa.gov/uswaters).

    Dated: December 30, 2014.
Lynn Flowers,
Acting Deputy Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 2015-00339 Filed 1-14-15; 8:45 am]
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