COMPLIANCE INFO_1991-1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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� 3 oto � 1 . Poor Habitat Quality Good evaluated to ascertain if runoff was affecting the aquatic community of four surface water streams on the site. i Using the integrated assessment of , lu!i habitat quality and predictable biologi- cal condition,adverse water quality effects were determined to be minimal, occurring at only two of the twelve sites sampled. RBA enabled the evaluators to better understand the dynamics of the factors affecting the macroinvertebrate community and to estimate the specific contribution to the streams from the landfill in the context of habitat influ- measure of community structure (i.e., in because they are proven indicators of ences on the streams. general,the more diverse a community, localized conditions; they integrate the RBA is of interest to state agencies the better the condition). effects of short-term environmental responsible for assessing water quality Biological survey results are variations; and they serve as a primary of numerous surface water systems with evaluated with"metrics,"which are food source for many fish. Fish are many individual stream and river sites; measures of individual components also excellent indicators, particularly to industrial facilities and municipali- of the biological community structure of long-term effects. The quality of ties which are responsible for attaining or function. Metrics are analyzed to fish populations,especially of edible designated use categories of receiving determine if the existing biological species, can also be of direct concern to streams for their wastewaters; to conditions differ from the expected human health, and from a recreational hazardous waste site owners and conditions. The underlying premise perspective,this can be readily related operators and the authorities respon- of this technique is that biological to the general public. sible for conducting ecological surveys communities are predictable in their Valid bioassessments are dependent and risk assessments at such sites; and structure. Accepted ecological theory on interpretation of results by profes- to all interested parties wishing to asserts that, given a set of natural sional biologists. The decision criteria conduct environmental screening conditions in a stream or river,the were specifically designed to accommo- surveys of sensitive waterbodies. structure and function of indigenous date professional judgment to resolve biological communities can be pre- difficult classifications. The design Contact: dicted. Thus, if a biologist knows must have clear objectives and must be Mike Barbour 301-771- such parameters as the size of the based on a broad understanding of the Mike Bastian 214-484-1142420 0 stream, the substrate composition, existing data,the regional ecology, and Frank Ligon 415-283-7077 flow, physiographic location, and the nature of potential water quality surrounding land use,the structure problems. In its present context, RBA of the biological community should is adaptable to most regions of the be predictable. United States. The selection of aquatic populations EA has used the RBA concept to for study is of crucial importance. For assess nonpoint source pollution, point example,benthic macroinvertebrates source discharges,and hazardous waste are useful populations to evaluate site runoff. In one study, a landfill was