http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/study/

Reports the results of federal efforts to study chemical concentrations in fish tissues and identify those lakes with levels of concentrations of concern for humans or wildlife that eat fish.Excludes the Laurentian Great Lakes and the Great Salt Lake. From the Environmental Protection Agency.

http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/usgspubs/sir/sir20095165

Full title is A Comparison of Turbidity-Based and Streamflow-Based Estimates of Suspended-Sediment Concentrations in Three Chesapeake Bay Tributaries. Describes efforts to improve measurement of sediment flow into the Chesapeake Bay from the James, Rappahannock, and North Fork Shenandoah Rivers. From the U.S. Geological Survey.

http://executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net/

The draft strategy contains a package of federal initiatives to restore clean water, protect fish and wildlife, and adapt to the impacts of climate change for the Chesapeake Bay. Cites deadline for cleanup and restoration of Bay as 2025. Offers links to executive summary and full document. Open for public comment from November 9th through January 8, 2010. Final strategy to be published in May 2010. From the Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program Office.

http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=CA201F3C-F939-38B9-6C7470B0C3F5370B

Press release which identifies five new species as candidates for the Endangered Species List and removes four from the list. Also has links to list of candidate species and Federal Register notices. From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1344/pdf/c1344.pdf

Estimates daily water use in the U.S. at 410 billion gallons in 2005, a reduction of 5% from the peak year of 1980. Also provides details of purposes of water use and total water withdrawals by source and state. From the U.S. Geological Survey.

http://www.fws.gov/home/feature/2009/pdf/PBCritHabPropNRFINAL.pdf

News release announcing a proposal to designate critical habitat for the polar bear which opens a 60 day public comment period. The area proposed for designation covers 200,000 square miles and includes barrier island habitat, sea ice habitat and terrestrial denning areas. A final rule designating critical habitat for the polar bear is required by June 20, 2010. From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/postpn342.pdf

Predicted sea level rise and higher storm surges will increase the risk of coastal erosion and flooding. This report examines past and present coastal management policy and the main issues arising for the future English coastline. From the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2009/5153/pdf/sir2009-5153.pdf

Due to increasing population and economic development in the northern Shenandoah Valley, water availability has become a primary concern for public officials. This report describes the hydrogeology of the study area, documents the development of a groundwater flow model, and quantifies streamflow and water availability under both average and drought conditions. From the U.S. Geological Survey.

http://www.deq.virginia.gov./info/newsreleases.html?show=750

Reports that significant levels of polychlorinated biphenyl chemicals are entering the upper tidal portions of the James and Elizabeth Rivers. Press release from an ongoing study by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

http://www.doi.gov/documents/Second_Century_Commission_Report.pdf

Report of a group convened by the National Parks Conservation Association to develop a 21st century vision for the U.S. national park system. From the Department of the Interior.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/09_17_09_Interim_Report_of_Task_Force_FINAL2.pdf

Identifies 9 priority objectives in developing policy to protect ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems and resources. From the White House Council on Environmental Quality.