EPA's Healthy Watersheds Initiative – Protecting Healthy Watersheds Before They Become Impaired

The objective of the federal Clean Water Act is to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters.” While other EPA programs focus on restoring impaired waters, the Healthy Watersheds Initiative augments the watershed approach with proactive, holistic aquatic ecosystem conservation and protection. The solution to the nation's water quality challenges demands a more integrated approach that looks broadly to maintain water quality and ecological integrity on a watershed basis. Under the new Healthy Watersheds Initiative, EPA is taking a coordinated approach that leverages Clean Water Act programs and other aquatic resource programs across agencies and the private sector. Technical Assistance and Funding to support healthy watershed assessment and protection will help fulfill the Clean Water Act mandate to protect healthy waters and maintain the numerous benefits that they provide.