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Title: UTILIZING WATERSHED-SCALE MODELS FOR REGULATORY RISK ASSESSMENT

Author
item Graff, Carrie
item Sadeghi, Ali

Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2004
Publication Date: 8/22/2004
Citation: Graff, C.D., Sadeghi, A.M. 2004. Utilizing watershed-scale models for regulatory risk assessment [Abstract]. American Chemical Society 228th ACS Watershed Meeting. p.237.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Watershed-scale models such as SWAT and Ann-AGNIPS aid in understanding the extent that conservation practices, implemented through programs such as EQIP, WRP, and CRP, reduce the risk of off-site agrochemical contamination. These models can help 'map' a management action onto measurable endpoints. Management actions and their associated endpoints could include decisions to adjust field application of N and P according to nutrient uptake rates in order to reduce N and P concentrations at the edge of a field or could include the installation of riparian buffer strips to reduce sediment and pathogen loads in a stream. The advantage of utilizing models is that they allow for consideration of complex interactions across multiple variables, they provide a framework to examine uncertainties in knowledge, and they provide a scientific-based estimation of overall risk. Challenges to model-based risk assessment can be related to model availability and performance, as well as the time it takes to acquire necessary databases needed to study a specific risk. Overall, model simulations are useful tools in risk analysis, providing needed information for scientifically-based risk assessment.