Many state and local authorities are making laws regarding recreation on lakes, rivers, and oceans to reduce water pollution. Why would lawmakers need to consult with scientists before making these laws?

The correct answer is so that laws reduce pollution by a suffice amount

Law makers are qualified to pass policies into law, but they do not understand scientific processes. In regards to water pollution, scientists investigate how aquatic processes work, and would have a better idea of how much pollution an aquatic ecosystem can assimilate, and what affect different pollutants have on aquatic ecosystems. This knowledge can be passed onto lawmakers, who then use this knowledge as well as other considerations to formulate policy.