According to the EPA, more than $450 billion in foods, fiber, manufactured goods, and tourism depend on clean, healthy watersheds. That is why proper watershed protection is necessary for you and your community. Watershed protection protects a lake, river, or stream by managing the entire watershed that drains into it. About 50% of our nation's waters are impaired or threatened today. Impaired means means that the body of water no longer supports one or more of its intended uses. The leading causes of pollution in our waterways are sediments, bacteria, and excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

Question

The impairment of our wetlands through sediments, bacteria, and excess nutrients results from several factors. Which factor does NOT contribute to the impairment of our watersheds?
Responses
A erosionerosion
B composting yard wastecomposting yard waste
C over-application of fertilizersover-application of fertilizers
D run-off containing animal waste

Answer 1

The factor that does NOT contribute to the impairment of our watersheds is:

B. composting yard waste

Composting yard waste is generally a beneficial practice that helps reduce waste and can improve soil health when done correctly, whereas the other options (erosion, over-application of fertilizers, and run-off containing animal waste) directly contribute to pollution and impairment of watersheds.