EPA ReVA Project for Smaller Watersheds

EPA ReVA Project for Smaller Watersheds

Completed January 2007

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded the CSC $300,000 to create a model to implement the Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Vulnerability Assessment (ReVA) project for smaller watersheds.

Sample indicator maps

The goal of ReVA was to evaluate the impacts of future land use on ecological diversity and environmental resources. The existing models for ReVA — which may be used by researchers to create future development scenarios — focus predominantly on large river basins. The CSC study is taking the methodology of ReVA and downscaling it for smaller watersheds, such as the Pennypack Creek. The Pennypack is being used to develop a scenario-type analysis model, which can then be applied to other watersheds.

In September 2003, the Center developed five major work categories for the ReVA project: modeling, decision-making, information and data analysis, ecological assessment, and environmental indicators.