GIS Based Determination of Effective Stream Buffers

Abstract

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nonpoint sources of water pollution are among the leading causes of decreased water quality in the United States. N onpoint sources are the most important source of water pollution in six of the ten EPA regions (EPA 1985). The leading contributor to nonpoint pollution is agriculture, but urban runoff, mining, forestry, and construction produce substantial amounts ofas well. It has been estimated that nonpoint pollution costs the nation over $6 billion per year in lost productivity and direct costs of water cleanup (Batie 1985). There are also many associatedsocial and environmental costs that are not amenable to cost estimates.