Contact:
Joe Makuch (301) 504-6077

Redesigned Water Quality Information Center Web site drenches users in refreshing layout and fluid access

BELTSVILLE, MD, Jan 31, 2006--The Water Quality Information Center (WQIC) at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) has launched a redesigned Web site featuring an enhanced interface allowing better access to its information products on water and agriculture.

Users of the redesigned site can now browse information conveniently arranged by topic, from Agricultural Environmental Management to Water Quality. The Web site features a range of bibliographies, conference listings, and annotated subject guides created by WQIC staff members. The material is designed to inform all audiences.

Web site highlights include:

• WQIC database with 1,800 freely-available documents on water and agriculture;
• Enviro-News, an Internet distribution list, providing subscribers with timely access to news and announcements on agriculturally-related environmental issues;
• Dynamic bibliographies using predefined search strategies against a bibliographic database to bring users up-to-date results every time; and
• Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) bibliographies offering more than 2,700 citations tracking research on the environmental effects of federal conservation programs and practices.

The center was established in 1990 to support USDA efforts to address water quality issues. As the focal point of NAL's water quality activities, the center collects, organizes, and communicates the scientific findings, educational methodologies, and public policy issues related to water and agriculture.

WQIC is supported by the Agricultural Research Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency. The redesign of the WQIC Web site implements USDA Web standards and meets U.S. Office of Management and Budget guidelines for focusing on customer needs. For more information, contact: Joe Makuch, Water Quality Information Center, National Agricultural Library (, 301 504-6077). Find out more about NAL.