A Community Guide to Contaminated Sediment Cleanup - (Alliance for GL) - this provides basic information on how to organize and get involved in a sediment cleanup.

A Primer on Water Quality - (USGS) - a fact sheet on what is meant by water quality.

A Strategic Environmental Quality Monitoring Program for Michigan's Surface Waters - (MDEQ) - this report satisfies the SWQD long-term commitment to develop a comprehensive surface water quality strategy.

Achieving Water Quality Goals Through Better Site Design - contact the MRWA

Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators, 2003 - (USDA) - identifies trends in land, water and biological resources.

Algae: A Naturally-Occurring Phenomena - (MDEQ) - brochure with description, cause and how it affects water.

Aquatic Nuisance Identification Cards - (UMN - to order free of charge) pictures and description of many aquatic nuisance species.

Assessment & Remediation of Contaminated Sediments (ARCS) Program - (EPA) - remediation guidance document.

Assessment & Remediation of Contaminated Sediments (ARCS) Program - final summary report - contact MRWA

Assessment & Remediation of Contaminated Sediments (ARCS) Program - (EPA) - guidance for in-situ subaqueous capping of contaminated sediments.

A Volunteer Monitor's Field Guide to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates - (IWLA - to order) handy reference tool to help volunteer monitors identify aquatic macroinvertebrates when conducting a water quality survey. Contact MRWA

Brown Water, Green Weeds - A publication telling the familiar signs of nonpoint source pollution.

Buffers: How they can work for you - benefits of buffers. Contact MRWA

Citizens' Guidebook to the Saginaw Bay Watershed - activities that affect water quality and the role property owners play. Contact MRWA

Citizens Water Quality Handbook - practical information to aid citizens in stewardship of water resources. Contact MRWA

Cleaner Water Through Conservation - (EPA) - How excessive water use affects water quality and how to conserve water.

Climate Change, Agriculture and Water Quality - analyzes potential impacts of climate change on agriculture and water quality.

Climate Change and Water Quality in the Great Lakes Basin - (IJC) - a comprehensive report that provides valuable insight and advice on risks, opportunities and responses with climate change.

Conservation Subdivisions - (UCONN) - a fact sheet on design which maximizes open space protection without reducing the number of homes. Contact MRWA.

Conservation Tillage - brochure explaining the global potential for conservation tillage along with its benefits.

Conservation Tillage and Plant Biotechnology - (CTIC) - new techniques to improve the environment by reducing the need to plow.

Consider the Source: A Pocket Guide to Protecting Your Drinking Water - (EPA) - ensuring safe drinking water through the multiple-barrier approach, tools, resources and useful actions.

Developing a Watershed Management Plan for Water Quality - a guide to help local units of government, nonprofit organizations and citizens develop watershed management plans. Contact MRWA

Effluent Limitations Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for the Concentrated Aquatic Animal Production Point Source Category - 2004 - (EPA) - limitations and standards for wastewater discharges from new and existing concentrated animal production facilities discharging to US waters.

Fishing for Trouble - how toxic mercury contaminates our waterways and threatens recreational fishing.

Foam: A Naturally-Occurring Phenomena - (MDEQ) - brochure explaining process of how foam can be formed.

Functions of Riparian Areas for Groundwater Protection - (Mass Dept of Fish & Game)

Functions of Riparian Areas for Pollution Prevention - (Mass Dept of Fish & Game)

Functions of Riparian Areas for Protecting Public & Private Water Supplies - (Mass Dept of Fish & Game)

Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices for Irrigation Water Use - generally accepted practices for irrigation based on core principles of stewardship.

Getting in Step - (USEPA) - video and guide in conducting watershed outreach campaigns. Contact MRWA.

Getting to Know Your Local Watershed - (CTIC) - description of a watershed, why it is important and other general information.

Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control - (GLC) - brochure providing general information on the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control.

Groundwater and Surface Water: Understanding the Interaction - (CTIC) - statistics and definitions about groundwater, how groundwater and surface water connect, what determines watershed boundaries...

Growth and Water Resources - The Link Between Land Use and Water Resources - (USEPA) - a fact sheet explaining the link between land use and water resources.

Habitat and Land Use Management Tool Box - LaMP - list of many websites that provide info on environmental quality issues.

Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect our Waters - (EPA) - information on developing and implementing watershed plans to restore and protect water quality.

Home-A-Syst - (MDA) - a home assessment system designed to help identify and lower risks to groundwater and surface water.

Hydrologic Data Collection and Analysis - (MDEQ) - introduction to hydrology, glossary, storm water management and other information.

Hydrologic Impacts Due to Development: The Need for Adequate Runoff Detention and Stream Protection - (MDEQ) - identifies some of the stream impacts caused by urbanization.

Hypoxia and Wetland Restoration - (EPA) - definition of hypoxia, where it occurs and mitigating hypoxia through wetland restoration.

Impacts of Impervious Cover on Aquatic Systems (CWP - link is to purchase) Contact MRWA to borrow.

Introduction to Wetland Biological Assessment - (EPA) - a report to help States and Tribes evaluate overall ecological condition of wetlands.

LaMPs 2002 - incorporates new data and public input on lakewide management plans.

Landscaping for Wildlife and Water Quality (to order)

Low Impact Development Design Strategies - (EPA) - innovative approach to urban stormwater management.

Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution from Agriculture - (EPA) - information about managing sedimentation, nutrients, confined animal facilities, irrigation, pesticides and livestock grazing.

Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution from Boating and Marinas - (EPA) - information about managing boat operations and maintenance, sewage and waste, and siting and design for marinas.

Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution from Forestry - (EPA) - preharvest planning, and factors to consider in preharvest plans.

Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution from Households - (EPA) - pollution prevention at the household level.

Managing Urban Runoff - (EPA) - how urban areas affect runoff and measures to manage it.

Managing Wetlands to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution - (EPA) - three management strategies to maintain the water quality benefits provided by wetlands.

MDOT Drainage Manual - developed to provide guidance for the design of MDOT drainage facilities.

Mercury Contamination of Aquatic Ecosystems - (USGS) - report showing states with at least one fish consumption advisory for mercury and other information.

Mercury in the Upper Midwest: A Must-Read Report for Anglers in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan - (IWLA) - examines the extent of mercury-contaminated game fish in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Michigan Agricultural Pollution Prevention Directory (MDEQ)

Michigan Waters - a fact sheet with statistics on toxic discharges, wetlands destruction, coastal conditions, fish consumption advisories and more.

Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Urbanization on Streams: A Comprehensive Strategy for Local Government - a paper reviewing the major impacts to streams associated with urban land development. Contact MRWA.

National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Areas - (EPA)

Nonpoint Source Pollution: The Nation's Largest Water Quality Problem - fact sheets on nonpoint source pollution.

NPDES Permits - (MDEQ) - list of active NPDES permits, general NPDES permits and permits on public notice.

NPDES Phase II Storm Water Regulations

On-the-Farm Conservation - Address Ag Production & Environmental Issues - USDA - brochure explaining the 2002 Farm Bill and why American farmers should participate in conservation programs. Contact MRWA.

Opportunities for Public Involvement in Nonpoint Source Control - list of community-based organizations and environmental agencies to contact to learn and help control NPS pollution.

Paving Our Way to Water Shortages: How Sprawl Aggravates the Effects of Drought - a study investigating what happens to water supplies when we replace our natural areas with roads, parking lots and buildings.

Pollutants Controlled Calculation and Documentation for Section 319 Watersheds - Training Manual - MDEQ - instruction regarding calculating and documenting pollutant reduction.

Practical Tips for Home and Yard - (KSU) - practical tips for homeowners to prevent water pollution and to improve water quality.

Preventing Groundwater Contamination - (MDEQ) - fact sheet about materials that may get into groundwater.

Protecting Coastal Waters from Nonpoint Source Pollution - (EPA) - statistics about coastal waters and information about Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs.

Protecting Inland Lakes - how you can make a difference in protecting inland lakes. Contact MRWA.

Protecting the Nation's Waters Through Effective NPDES Permits - (EPA) - information on NPDES permits.

Protecting Water Quality from Agricultural Runoff - (EPA) - fact sheet

Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff - (EPA) - fact sheet

Rain Gardens - a household way to improve water quality in your community - (UofW Extension & WDNR) - tips for productive rain gardens. Contact MRWA

Rain Gardens - a how-to manual for homeowners - (UofW Extension & WDNR) - info needed to design and build rain gardens. Contact MRWA

Real-time Data For Michigan - (USGS) - real-time data for water quality and streamflow.

Real-time Data for Michigan - (USGS) - statewide streamflow table.

Riparian Buffers - (Connecticut River Joint Commission) - fact sheet on how butters work for water quality, bank stability, fish and wildlife.

Riparian Buffers Work - how riparian buffers benefit the environment. Contact MRWA.

Save Our Streams - collection of publications on tools to help your monitor, protect and restore earth's water. Contact MRWA.

Skills for Protecting Your Stream: Retrofitting Your Own Backyard - (CWP) - fifteen facts sheets concerning lawn care, pest management, etc.

Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Training Manual - (MDEQ) - description of erosion and sedimentation; ways it's caused, etc.

Starting Out in Volunteer Water Monitoring - (EPA) - fact sheet about volunteer water monitoring, how to get started, existing programs and resources.

State of Michigan's Environment 2003 Second Biennial Report - continues to follow trends in important environmental indicators.

Stormwater Practices for Cold Climates - (CWP) - implementing and design recommendations for stormwater best management practices under cold climatic conditions.

Stream Crossing Watershed Survey Procedure - survey procedure designed by MDEQ to provide standardized assessment and data recording procedures.

Study Design for Monitoring Wetlands - (EPA) - a review of the "state of the science" concerning wetland bioassessment and nutrient enrichment.

Surface Water Data for Michigan - (USGS) - contains more than 850,000 station years of time-series data that describe stream levels, streamflow, reservoir and lake levels, surface water-quality, etc.

Testing the Waters 2004 - NRDC - reminder of how unchecked pollution continues to lower America's quality of life and threatens public health.

The Clean Water Act - An Owner's Manual - a manual to support actions River Network is taking to assist citizens in using the Clean Water Act. Contact MRWA

The Environmental Impact of Stormwater Ponds - negative impacts of stormwater ponds on downstream water temperature regimes.

The Importance of Protecting Riparian Areas along Smaller Brooks and Streams - (Mass Dept of Fish & Game)

The influence of lake shore management approaches on Escherichia coli densities in sands at two northwestern Lake Michigan beaches - study of the influence of beach sand on in situ populations of E. coli.

The National Water Quality Assessment Program - (USGS) - reassessment of 14 major river-basin and aquifer systems that were assessed a decade ago and an addition of 28 more.

The Nonpoint Source Management Program - (EPA) - how Section 319 works and how to get involved.

The Role of Local Government in the Proper Closure of Abandoned Wells - (MSU) - fact sheets answering questions, What is an Abandoned Well? Who Has Regulatory Authority Over the Closure of Abandoned Wells?

Toxicity of Sediments - (NOAA) - the problem of sediment and pollution and effects on ecosystems and components.

Understanding Groundwater - (MSU) - fact sheet explaining what groundwater is and why it is important.

Using Amphibians in Bioassessments of Wetlands - (EPA) - encourages the use of amphibian metrics in wetland bioassessments.

Using Vegetation to Assess Environmental Conditions in Wetlands - (EPA) - introduction of scientific basis for using wetland vegetation to assess biological integrity.

Vegetative Buffers and How They Work - Androscoggin Valley Council of Govt - fact sheet on how buffers work, elements of a good buffer and benefits.

Volunteer Stream Monitoring: A Methods Manual - (EPA) - guide that describes the role of volunteer monitoring in state programs.

Volunteers and Wetland Biomonitoring - (EPA) - addresses concerns by agency personnel regarding volunteer participation in wetland biomonitoring.

Water and Smart Growth: The Impacts of Sprawl on Aquatic Ecosystems - (Funders' Network) - importance of protecting our watersheds and the effects of pollution.

Water on Tap - (EPA) - how safe is drinking water and what can people do to protect it.

Water Quality Degradation Effects on Freshwater Availability: Impacts of Human Activities - (USGS) - overview of factors affecting water quality and degradation.

Water Quality Management Practices on Forest Land - (MDNR & MDEQ) - guide for owners of forested land, describing actions necessary to maintain high quality water.

Water Quality Trading Assessment Handbook - (EPA) - focuses on conducting an analysis to determine whether watershed scale trading is viable in a particular watershed.

Watershed Management Better Coordination of Data Collection Efforts Needed to Support Key Decisions - General Accounting Office - identifies the key entities that collect water quality and water quantity data.

Waterways at Risk: How Low-impact Development Can Reduce Runoff Pollution in Michigan - (American Rivers) - documents where development is occurring in MI and identifies areas of the State vulnerable to water quality decline.

What is Groundwater? - (UMN) - knowledge about groundwater and terminology commonly used to describe it.

Where Land Meets Water - (GLC) - brochure on various types of erosion and sediment that occur in the Great Lakes Basin.

Why Monitor Water Quality? - (USGS) - fact sheet answering questions about monitoring for water quality. Contact MRWA

Why Wetlands are Important! - (NRCS) - a listing of common wetland functions and values.