Environmental Policy, Water Resources, and Pollution: Key Concepts and Legislation

What significant legislation was passed in Oregon in 1973 to address urban sprawl?

Senate Bill 100

What is the purpose of Urban Growth Boundaries (UGBs)?

To separate urban areas from rural areas, encouraging development within urban areas and protecting farmland, forests, and open spaces outside these boundaries.

What organization was created to manage land use in the Portland area?

The Metropolitan Service District (Metro)

What year did Portland adopt its Urban Growth Boundary?

1979

What are some positive outcomes of Portland's land use policies?

Revitalized downtown, increased urban density, expanded mass transit, and preserved rural lands.

What was the criticism of the Urban Growth Boundary in Oregon?

Critics viewed it as an elitist regulatory tool.

What did Ballot Measure 37 require?

Compensation for landowners affected by land use regulations.

What was the purpose of Ballot Measure 49?

To restrict large-scale development outside UGBs while allowing small landowners to develop limited numbers of homes.

What health risks are associated with plastics used in food packaging?

They can leach harmful chemicals into food and beverages.

What is Bisphenol A (BPA) and where is it commonly found?

BPA is a chemical found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, used in water bottles, food containers, and children's toys.

What are phthalates and where are they commonly used?

Phthalates are chemicals used to soften plastics, found in food-contact plastics, perfumes, and children's toys.

What correlation was found between fast food consumption and phthalate levels?

Higher levels of phthalates were found in individuals who consumed fast food compared to those who did not.

What data source was used in the study linking fast food to phthalate levels?

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003 to 2010.

How is fast food defined in the study on phthalate levels?

Food from restaurants without wait service, carryout and delivery options, and pizza.

What did the study find about DEHP levels in fast food consumers?

Low consumers had DEHP levels 15% higher than nonconsumers, while high consumers had levels 23% higher.

What is the significance of groundwater in relation to Earth's freshwater supply?

Groundwater constitutes one-fifth of Earth's freshwater supply and is crucial for human water needs.

What percentage of Earth's water is fresh water?

Only 2.5% of Earth's water is fresh water.

What is the primary source of surface water?

Surface water is found in rivers, lakes, and is crucial for survival and ecological systems.

What is runoff?

Water from rain, springs, or melting snow/glaciers that flows over land.

What is a tributary?

A smaller river flowing into a larger one.

What are braided rivers and where are they typically found?

Braided rivers are found in steep regions with high sediment, forming interconnected watercourses.

What are oxbow lakes?

Oxbow lakes are formed when a meandering river cuts off a bend, leaving an isolated U-shaped water body.

What are the three indicators of drought used in climate studies?

Soil moisture at 30-cm depth, soil moisture at 2-m depth, and the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI).

What does a negative PDSI value indicate?

Drier conditions.

What is the impact of climate change on water resources in the American Southwest?

Climate models predict long-term droughts, stressing water resources.

What is the role of tree rings in climate studies?

Tree rings provide climate data as growth rates vary with moisture, temperature, and other factors.

What are meandering rivers?

Rivers found in flatter regions where water erodes the outer shore of bends and deposits sediment on the inner shore, creating exaggerated bends.

How are oxbow lakes formed?

They are formed when a meandering river cuts off a bend, leaving an isolated U-shaped water body.

What distinguishes lakes and ponds from other water bodies?

Lakes and ponds are bodies of standing surface water.

What is the world's deepest lake?

Lake Baikal in Asia, with a depth of 1637 meters (over 1 mile).

What is the largest body of fresh water in the world?

The Caspian Sea, covering an area nearly as large as Montana or California.

What are the common zones found in lakes and ponds?

Despite size variations, lakes and ponds have several common zones described by scientists.

What are wetlands characterized by?

Saturated soil and shallow standing water with abundant vegetation.

What are the four types of wetlands?

Freshwater marshes, swamps, bogs, and vernal pools.

What is a freshwater marsh?

A wetland where shallow water supports plants like cattails and bulrushes.

What defines a swamp?

A wetland with shallow water and rich vegetation in forested areas.

What are bogs?

Ponds with thick floating mats of vegetation, representing a stage in aquatic succession.

What are vernal pools?

Seasonal wetlands formed in early spring from rain and snowmelt, drying up in warmer weather.

What ecosystem services do wetlands provide?

They slow runoff, reduce flooding, recharge aquifers, and filter pollutants.

How have human activities impacted wetlands?

Human activities have significantly reduced wetland areas through drainage, water diversion, river channelization, and dam construction.

What percentage of wetlands has the U.S. and southern Canada lost since European colonization?

Over half of their wetlands.

What are the major human impacts on freshwater ecosystems?

Water withdrawal, dam and levee construction, and pollution introduction.

What is the global issue regarding freshwater supply?

One-third of the global population faces chronic freshwater shortages.

What is the impact of human engineering on rivers?

60% of the world's 227 largest rivers are significantly affected by human engineering.

What is the distribution of global water usage?

Agriculture (70%), Industry (20%), Residential and municipal (10%).

What is the difference between consumptive and nonconsumptive water use?

Consumptive use removes water from a source and does not return it; nonconsumptive use temporarily removes water and returns it.

What is a significant consequence of unsustainable water withdrawals?

Major rivers like the Colorado and Rio Grande are running dry before reaching the sea.

What is groundwater depletion?

Groundwater is being extracted faster than it is replenished.

What are the consequences of groundwater depletion?

Lowering water tables, drying up freshwater wetlands, and increased difficulty in extracting groundwater.

What is the average annual consumption of bottled water per American?

Over 136 liters.

What environmental impact does bottled water have?

Energy costs are 1000-2000 times higher than tap water, primarily due to transportation.

What are the major classes of water pollution?

Nutrient pollution, toxic chemical pollution, sediment pollution, thermal pollution, and pathogens.

What processes are involved in drinking water treatment?

Filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection to remove contaminants and pathogens.

What are the stages of wastewater treatment?

Primary, secondary, and sometimes tertiary treatment processes to remove solids, organic matter, and nutrients.

What are the long-term benefits of floods?

Soil enrichment and spreading nutrient-rich sediments, benefiting natural systems and agriculture.

What are levees used for?

To prevent flooding by holding water in main channels.

What are levees (dikes) used for?

Levees are built along riverbanks to prevent flooding by holding water in main channels.

How can levees worsen flooding?

Levees can force water to accumulate in channels, leading to catastrophic overflow events.

What is the purpose of aqueducts or canals?

Aqueducts or canals are used to divert water from rivers and lakes to farms, homes, and cities.

What is a significant issue with the diversion of the Colorado River?

The diversion raises ethical questions, especially when it impacts rural communities and ecosystems.

What is the proposed project by Las Vegas to address water shortages?

Las Vegas proposed a $15 billion project to divert groundwater from 450 km away.

What is the world's largest water diversion project?

China's project to transfer water from the Yangtze River to the arid north, including Beijing.

What are some criticisms of the Chinese water diversion project?

Criticism includes potentially insufficient water transfer, environmental impacts, and displacement of people.

What is a dam?

A dam is an obstruction placed in a river or stream to block its flow.

What are the purposes of building dams?

Dams are built to prevent floods, provide drinking water, facilitate irrigation, and generate electricity.

How many large dams have been constructed worldwide?

Over 45,000 large dams have been constructed across more than 140 nations.

What are the benefits of dismantling dams?

Removing dams can restore ecosystems, revive fisheries, and enhance river recreation.

What was the outcome of the Edwards Dam removal?

The removal led to the return of 10 migratory fish species and changed local property owners' perspectives.

What was significant about the Glines Canyon Dam removal?

It was the world's largest dam removal project, completed in 2014, restoring fisheries and river habitats.

What is desalination?

Desalination is a process that removes salt from seawater or marginal quality water to generate fresh water.

What are two methods of desalination?

One method mimics the hydrologic cycle; the other is reverse osmosis, which filters out salts.

What are some drawbacks of desalination?

Drawbacks include high costs, large energy inputs, harm to aquatic life, and concentrated salty waste.

What is a demand-based solution for water conservation?

Demand-based solutions focus on reducing the demand for fresh water through conservation and efficiency.

How did the United States decrease water consumption from 1980 to 2010?

Water consumption decreased by 16% despite a 36% population growth due to conservation measures.

What is drip irrigation?

Drip irrigation is an efficient method that can reduce water waste to as little as 10%.

How can biotechnology help in water conservation?

Biotechnology can develop crop varieties that require less water through selective breeding and genetic modification.

What is xeriscaping?

Xeriscaping is landscaping that uses plants adapted to arid conditions, popular in drought-prone areas.

What are market-based strategies for sustainable water use?

Ending subsidies for inefficient practices and allowing water prices to reflect true extraction costs.

What are concerns about water as a commodity?

Fully pricing water could reduce availability for the poor and increase income disparity.

What impact does privatization of water supplies have?

Privatization can enhance efficiency but may limit equitable access, especially for the poor.

What is the significance of leak patching in water conservation?

Finding and patching leaks can save significant amounts of water and reduce costs.

What was the outcome of Massachusetts' water conservation efforts?

Massachusetts avoided a $500 million river diversion scheme due to successful water conservation efforts.

What is a significant consequence of privatization in developing countries regarding water access?

Rural residents may pay significantly more for water from private vendors.

What issue arises from landowners selling groundwater in West Texas?

It can lead to over-extraction of local aquifers and threaten neighbors' water supplies.

How can decentralization of water control improve irrigation?

Local control can enhance irrigation system effectiveness and water conservation.

What shift in water management has occurred in Europe?

A shift from supply-side to demand-side solutions, emphasizing demand reduction.

What prediction did a 2012 U.S. intelligence report make regarding water shortages?

It predicted political and economic instability in many nations due to water shortages.

How many major rivers cross national borders, and what percentage of the world's land area do they cover?

261 major rivers cross national borders, covering 45% of the world's land area.

What is a key element in hostilities in the Middle East?

Water resources, particularly among Israel, the Palestinian people, and neighboring nations.

What potential conflict is arising in Northern Africa regarding water?

Ethiopia's construction of a large dam on the Nile River threatens Egypt's water supplies.

What is Egypt's reliance on the Nile River?

Egypt relies entirely on the Nile for agriculture and water supply.

What water conflict exists in the United States?

Conflicts between farms and cities over the Colorado River and among Georgia, Alabama, and Florida over shared rivers.

What percentage of transboundary water basins lack comprehensive water use agreements?

Nearly 40% of transboundary water basins lack comprehensive agreements.

What human activities negatively impact aquatic ecosystems?

Withdrawing too much water, building dams, diversions, and introducing toxic substances.

What is a significant environmental concern associated with fracking?

Fracking can introduce harmful wastewater into aquatic ecosystems.

What did the World Commission on Water report in 1999 regarding major rivers?

Over half of the world's major rivers were overdrawn and seriously polluted.

What did the EPA find about the condition of U.S. streams and rivers in 2008-2009?

55% of sampled streams and rivers were in poor condition to support aquatic life.

What is groundwater pollution often referred to as?

A 'covert crisis.'

What is the preferred strategy for addressing water pollution?

Preventing pollution is more effective than treating it.

What are point sources of pollution?

Discrete locations like factories, sewer pipes, or fracking wells.