Eco-System Analysis
One comprehensive study effort or synthesis of existing studies of the estuarine ecosystem is suggested. While isolated studies exist , , differences in focus, timeframes and regions make it difficult and/or cumbersome to understand the system as a whole. A holistic understanding of the system is crucial if the city and state hope to inform policy that will affect the bay.
Estuarine system modeling and mapping of environmental stresses are important to undertake to fill gaps in scientific knowledge and inform the decisions regarding human-environment interactions along the Providence coast .
Another important priority should be the incorporation of periodic water quality monitoring in the estuary and in sites along the Providence River as part of city planning. This kind of monitoring may reveal the impact of policies, and it can be used to judge if brownfields cleanup has noticeable effect on water quality, especially if key contaminants are targeted, such as PAHs and THPs. GZA suggested routine monitoring of groundwater in its 2003 Site Investigation Addendum Report for the northern parcel; this is the correct mentality, but it should be extended to the waterway and integrated into city planning. |