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<br />Genera) Principles <br /> <br />· Watersheds should form the basic unit of analysis and <br />activity in order to protect and sustain aquatic bio- <br />logical diversity, including instream, wetland, <br />riparian. and related upland resources. Watershed <br />resroration priorities should, however, reflect the role <br />and importance of these resources as components of <br />larger regional, interstate. or even international <br />ecosystems. <br /> <br />· Preventive strategies and integrated responses should <br />replace crisis~riented management, which has <br />typified our response to the threat of species loss. <br /> <br />· Continued improvements in information should be <br />sought. but data limiWions cannot justify lack of <br />action. Policy should be based upon "adaptive <br />managemeot," the principle that environmental <br />resroration programs may be designed as experiments <br />to resolve pressing questions where there are major <br />unknowns: tlexible programs are based on the best <br />available information and experience and may be <br />amended as new information becomes available. <br /> <br />· Restoration activities should be structured and <br />implemented at the local, regional, state, and tribal <br />levels to secure the long-term health and viability of <br />local communities and to re-establish links between <br />commWlity-scale economics and ecology. <br /> <br />ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND <br />RESTORATION <br /> <br />Our nadon's rivers. lakes and wetlands have been Ibe <br />source of many human benefits. However, it is incJeasiDg1y <br />apparemlhat these benefits come at the expense of the <br />country's natural capital. We have experiencM declines in <br />water quality, biological diversity, and the viability of <br />aquatic ecosystems as a result of intensive water develop- <br />ment and use. <br /> <br />The rationale for the protection of ecological systems <br />and processes is in part based on human self interest. Yet it <br />is ecosystem health that ultimalely translates inID communil) <br />and economic susrmnahillty. Ecological integrity thus is <br />essential to economic sustainability. In addition. it reflects <br />our ethical need to presewe natural ~ upon which so <br />many living things depend. Thus, ecological protection <br />assumes a priority beyond the measure of economic analysis. <br /> <br />Agency mandates frequently are weak, ineffective and <br />conflicting. No single agency serves as the nectssary focal <br />point for ecosystem protection needs in ongoing water <br />management decisions. <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />s <br /> <br />