A large-scale Watershed Restoration And Stewardship Project
Partnership will address the following issues created by these demands
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- Decline in Water Quality
| The Potomac River Partnership will address the following issues created by these demands:
Loss of Fish/Wildlife Habitat: Degraded riparian areas, loss of riparian forests, decline of wetland habitats, forest fragmentation, decline in species richness Decline in Water Quality: High nutrient and sediment loading, poor mountain logging techniques, unsuitable drinking water Increased Risk of Wildfire: Decline in forest health, insect and disease damage, Reduced Quality of Life: Recreation conflict and over-use, disconnect between people and forests, reduced working lands, increased risk of human life and property loss from fire Riparian areas are among the first landscape features to show damage from land-use change, upland impacts and management. Fortunately, these areas respond well to improved management and restoration activities. Forests, upland from the water, help to sustain watershed functions and determine its resilience against natural and anthropogenic stresses. Fire, disease, insect infestation, improper management and use can leave watersheds vulnerable and reduce the quality of life of those who live there. Because of their position in the landscape, riparian areas and wetlands are critical to water quality, anchor the food web and provide essential fish and wildlife habitat, are among the richest in biological diversity and serve multiple functions to health and viability of aquatic systems. Addressing the Issues - Achieving watershed health in the Potomac River Basin is a long-term effort. The proposed actions and treatments will need to be far reaching and varied. In some cases only the symptoms can be treated in hopes of lessening cumulative effects. In others, the first steps toward restoration and rebuilding ecosystem integrity will be taken. In still others, the focus will be to educate landowners and communities in order to build capacity for local action in the future. In all cases, the work will require the talents and resources from multiple partners. T 
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