Currents of Change Workshop Currents of Change Environmental Status & Trends of the Narragansett Bay Region May 1, 2009

Currents of Change Workshop Narragansett Bay Region Geographic scope: N. Bay estuary, N. Bay watershed, Wood- Pawcatuck & Salt Ponds watersheds To capture major influences on estuary: physical; biological; political 2,066 s.m. area; 50% in Mass.; 48% R.I.; 2% CT Bay area: 192 s.m. with 95% in R.I. Population: 2 million in 102 municipalities

Currents of Change Workshop Major Sections Estuarine waters Fresh waters Living resources Watershed lands Ecosystem management

Currents of Change Workshop General Findings Control of point sources improving for currently regulated pollutants Control of non-point sources ineffective Land use impacts significant Observed changes in temperature and flow are likely linked to climate change Environmental information is of variable quality and coverage, and often inconsistent across state lines Trends are difficult to discern for many reasons Environmental monitoring and management approaches often do not measure ecosystem function and structure

Currents of Change Workshop Estuarine Waters

Currents of Change Workshop Estuarine Indicators Hypoxia Chlorophyll Beach Closures Shellfish Restrictions Toxics in fish tissue (sidebar)

Currents of Change Workshop Pollution Gradients

Currents of Change Workshop Estuarine Conclusions Hypoxia: Serious problem degrades habitat in upper NB; driven by nutrients, correlated with June river flows Beach closures correlated with local stormwater Shellfish restrictions also correlated with stormwater Observed shifts in chlorophyll concentrations Fish tissue: Mercury & PCBs high but consistent with MA & CT

Currents of Change Workshop Hypoxia

Currents of Change Workshop Shellfish Restrictions

Currents of Change Workshop Fresh Waters Indicators Bacterial impairments Dissolved oxygen impairments Nutrient impairments Chloride Low flow

Currents of Change Workshop Fresh Water Conclusions Bacterial problems in half of NBR’s rivers; limited problem in lakes DO and nutrients are localized problems in rivers and lakes Chloride is increasing, but below standards Low riverine flow is an emerging issue of real concern throughout NBR

Currents of Change Workshop Water Quality in NBR

Currents of Change Workshop Hunt River at Forge Rd., N. Kingstown, RI July 7, 2007

Currents of Change Workshop Living Resources Indicators Estuarine fish Wetlands Invasive species Seagrass

Currents of Change Workshop Living Resources Conclusions Resident demersal fish declining, possibly due to fishing & climate change Wetlands acreage declining at low rate; function/quality is largely unassessed Invasive species are widespread in the NBR Seagrass has declined historically; now stable, possibly beginning recovery

Currents of Change Workshop Eelgrass Distribution

Currents of Change Workshop Watershed Lands Indicators Land Use/Land Cover Impervious Surface

Currents of Change Workshop Watershed Lands Conclusions Conversion of land increasing: 24% of NBR is developed (1/3 of uplands) Sprawl increasing; 14% of NBR covered by impervious surface Coastal areas have seen significant growth as population shifted from urban areas Land use driving water quality and other ecosystem impacts Better interstate information and analysis are needed

Currents of Change Workshop Land Use Change

Currents of Change Workshop Impervious Surface

Currents of Change Workshop Coastal Development

Currents of Change Workshop Ecosystem Management Indicators Water Quality Management Actions Environmental Expenditures Environmental Reporting

Currents of Change Workshop Ecosystem Management Conclusions Significant investments in point source control (WWTFs, CSO, etc.) Investments in land protection increasing Agency staff stable or declining Federal contribution to state programs increasing Reporting insufficient to fully measure environmental outcomes

Currents of Change Workshop Needs Identified Improve indicators/fill information gaps Better align indicators with ecosystem values Develop effective system for tracking and reporting ecosystem condition based on interstate and organizational collaboration Objectives: to better assess environmental progress To improve effectiveness of management and stewardship efforts.

Currents of Change Workshop “Despite growing environmental challenges facing the United States, the current system of collection and delivery of information about environmental trends is unable to meet current and future needs of decision makers.” From “State of the Nation’s Ecosystems 2008” - the Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment

Currents of Change Workshop Status & Trends Report and Workshop Results at Labor In Vain Brook, Somerset MA