TECHNICAL APPENDIX K

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SELECTED OUTSTANDING WATER-QUALITY REPORTS

The documents included in this bibliography were selected by members of the Assessment and Reporting Task Group (Task Group) for review by a focus group that comprised individuals who represent each target audience (interested public/concerned citizens, media/general public, policymakers, resource managers, scientists). The focus group was asked to complete a questionnaire designed to determine each participant's appraisal of the documents with respect to the following questions:

How well does the document achieve its objectives; that is, considering the intended audience, does it clearly and concisely convey appropriate water-quality information?

How well is the information presented; that is, does the document have distinctive formatting or graphical presentation elements that make it particularly effective in relating information to the reader?

Each document listed in the following bibliography is annotated to summarize this information, as contributed by Task Group members and focus group participants.

Dahl, T.E., 1990, Wetlands losses in the United States--1780's to 1980's: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 15 p.

This is the first of two reports to Congress on the status of wetland resources in the United States. This report focuses on documenting historical wetland losses from colonial times through the 1980's. The document is a good example of how to target information for policy-makers. Because of the succinctness of the text and the efficacy of the graphics, the report also is a good source of information for the general public. Distinctive features that enhance the report's effectiveness are its use of maps and tables, a large font, large headings, running heads, the active voice, and an attractive page layout with wide margins. By using varying shades of orange and black (not very good choices), the report achieves a colorful and cost-effective presentation.

Hamilton, P.A., and Shedlock, R.J., 1992, Are fertilizers and pesticides in the ground water? A case study of the Delmarva Peninsula--Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1080, 16 p.

This report addresses the issue of degradation of water quality from the use of fertilizers and pesticides on the Delmarva Peninsula. The report was prepared as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); NAWQA includes investigations in 60 study areas that represent a variety of geologic, hydrologic, climatic, and cultural conditions. This report is primarily targeted toward interested public/concerned citizens because it discusses a specific region and water-quality issue; the report also is effective in providing information to the general public and policymakers. Distinctive features that enhance the report's effectiveness are its use of color, maps, tables, charts, photographs, question-and-answer format, a large font, large headings, the active voice, information contained in sidebars and insert boxes, directions on how to obtain additional information, and an attractive page layout.

Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission, 1992, State of Kentucky's environment--A report of progress and problems : Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission, 340 p.

This report was mandated by the State Legislature to assess environmental trends and conditions in Kentucky. Trends are assessed to determine whether programs for water, air, waste management, natural resources, toxics, coal mining, and energy are achieving their intended results. The report is intended to provide State policymakers and concerned citizens with a better understanding of the environmental conditions of Kentucky, but it also is appropriate for resource managers and scientists. Distinctive features that enhance the report's effectiveness are its use of maps, tables, charts, graphs, photographs, large headings, the active voice, summary statements contained in sidebars, running heads, an index, an acronym list, and an attractive page layout. By using varying shades of blue, the report achieves a colorful and cost-effective presentation.

Rinella, J.F., Hamilton, P.A., and McKenzie, S.W., 1993, Persistence of the DDT pesticide in the Yakima River Basin, Washington: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1090, 24 p.

This report addresses the issue of degradation of water quality from the use of the pesticide DDT in the Yakima River Basin. The report was prepared as part of the NAWQA Program of the USGS, which consists of investigations in 60 study areas that represent a variety of geologic, hydrologic, climatic, and cultural conditions. This report is primarily targeted toward interested public/concerned citizens because it discusses a specific region and water-quality issues; the report also is effective in providing information to the general public and policymakers. Distinctive features that enhance the report's effectiveness are its use of color, maps, tables, charts, photographs, question-and-answer format, a large font, large headings, the active voice, information contained in sidebars and insert boxes, directions on how to obtain additional information, and an attractive page layout.

South Florida Water Management District, 1993, Florida Water: Communications Departments of the South and Southwest Florida Water Management Districts, v. 2, no. 1., 35 p.

Florida Water, the quarterly magazine of Florida's five water-management districts, is published to generate awareness of the need to conserve and protect State water resources and aquatic ecosystems. Although this magazine is primarily targeted toward interested public/concerned citizens because it discusses a specific region, it could be useful to policymakers. Distinctive features that enhance the magazine's effectiveness are its use of maps, photographs, feature stories to discuss particular issues or water resources, large headings, question-and-answer format, the active voice, summary statements contained as inserts, footer text, directions on how to obtain additional information, and an attractive page layout.

Tennessee Valley Authority, Water Management Division, 1993, River pulse: Tennessee Valley Authority, 20 p.

This annual series of 20- to 30-page reports on the condition of the Tennessee River and its tributaries provide status and trend information on how well these water bodies support recreation, fish consumption, aquatic-life, navigation, water-power, and water-supply uses. River Pulse is primarily targeted toward interested public/concerned citizens because it discusses a specific region and water-quality issue; the report also is effective in providing information to the general public and media. One of its special features is lake-by-lake assessment of ecological health and of the suitability of recreation areas for swimming. Distinctive features that enhance the report's effectiveness are its use of schematic maps, photographs, charts, graphs, feature stories on particular issues or water resources, large headings, question-and-answer format, large font, the active voice, summary statements contained as inserts, foot text, directions on how to obtain additional information, directions on what individuals can do to help, and an attractive page layout. Its use of color is especially effective.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, 1992, The quality of our Nation's water--1990: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA-841/K-92-001, 45 p.

This document is designed to help the general reader understand the problem of water pollution in the United States. Its focus is on the sources, types, impacts, and extent of water pollution and the actions government and citizens are taking to control such pollution. The information is condensed from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) 1990 Report to Congress . Because of the succinctness of the text and the efficacy of the graphics, the report is a good source of information for the general public. Some distinctive features that enhance the report's effectiveness are its use of maps, graphs, photographs, question-and-answer format, bullets, a large font, summary information contained in box inserts, feature stories on particular issues or water resources, large headings, the active voice, directions on how to obtain additional information, directions on what individuals can do to help, and an attractive page layout. By using varying shades of blue, the report achieves a colorful and cost-effective presentation.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 1992, Wisconsin water quality assessment report to Congress: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, WR254-92-REV, 250 p.

This report details the findings of water-quality assessments in Wisconsin and provides descriptions of the specific State programs that control, manage, and prevent water-quality degradation. It was prepared to satisfy the reporting requirements under section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act and to assist the USEPA in reporting the Nation's progress in meeting and maintaining goals for fishable and swimmable waters. This report is useful to the general public, media, policymakers, resource managers, and scientists. Distinctive features that enhance the report's effectiveness are its use of maps, tables, charts, graphs, photographs, bullets, large headings, the active voice, summary statements contained in sidebars, running heads, a glossary, an acronym list, and an attractive page layout with wide margins.

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