"River IQ"
By
David E. Wilson, Jr.
 he
recent release of a National Geographic Society poll shows that
although 98 percent of Americans support protecting the nation's
rivers and estuaries, many lack the scientific knowledge of how
to do so.
 nly
15 percent knew that the greatest source of river pollution comes
from the actions of individuals and 44 percent incorrectly identified
industrial sources as the biggest culprit in polluting waterways.
Just one-third correctly identified land use and urban sprawl as
the most serious threat to watersheds.
hese
results highlight the reason why scientific and environmental education
is so important. Society's inability to make rational decisions
about environmental protection is often borne more of ignorance
than it is of simple self-interest. No doubt biology and chemistry
are tough subjects, but in a democratic society, yielding to intellectual
lethargy can have socially, environmentally and economically crippling
effects. The billions we have spent to undo the damming, ditching,
cutting and killing foray in the first half of the twentieth century
lay testimony to this observation.
he
National Geographic Society's test results show the twenty-first
century is getting better, but not at breakneck speed. More questions
showed that 56 percent could correctly define a watershed as an
area through which all surface and underground water flows to a
river or other body of water. Just 36 percent knew that nonpoint-source
pollution — runoff carried from houses, roadways, farms and
the air — is the largest source of water-quality problems
for estuaries.
 ore
disturbingly, 42 percent incorrectly thought water that goes down
storm drains is treated at water treatment plants. For example,
all the water that falls on Pennsylvania city streets flows into
storm drains and ultimately into the nearest stream or river.
he
national telephone poll was conducted by Penn, Schoen, and Berland
Associates Inc. of Washington, D.C., and has a margin of error of
plus or minus 4 percentage points.
ther
sponsors of the program included The Coca-Cola Company, The Conservation
Fund, and the River Council, which includes the American Rivers,
Izaak Walton League of America, River Network, Trout Unlimited,
and the Waterkeeper Alliance.
he
"River IQ" study, is part of a program to engage students, teachers,
families, and communities in projects aimed at preserving rivers
and watersheds.
 n
a democratic society, such an IQ can make or break the future of
fishing, boating, and quality of life in a state that still boasts
incredible natural beauty.
Contact Dave Wilson
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